When negotiating to buy a home, buyers typically don’t think of the condition of the home’s sewer line. For most buyers, the major areas of concern are those aspects of the property covered by the home inspection: the structural elements of the building and its main systems.
Even though the home inspection covers the sewage system, it doesn’t do this comprehensively. Because there is so much to cover in the few hours that a home inspection is done, home inspectors are not required to inspect any part of the home that is not readily accessible.
If the home inspector suspects problems with the home’s sewage system, the most they can do is flag that part of the home for further investigation. The result is that a home inspection may not always uncover the hidden problems in a home that is on the market, warns Campus Connection a Springfield property management.
That is why sewer camera inspection is an essential step when buying a home. But most buyers don’t know the value of inspecting a home’s sewer line before paying for it. Consequently, recommending and insisting on a sewer camera inspection often falls to the realtor.
Why is sewer camera inspection critical when buying a home?
- Sewer line problems are fairly common and are caused by a wide range of factors. The worst part is that these problems are not easy to detect.
- Sewer line problems cost a lot of money to fix. This cost can easily cross the ten thousand dollar mark if the problem has resulted in sewage backing up into the home.
- Sewer line problems can be detected by a sewer camera inspection. The inspection shows the extent of the issues and offers buyers a chance to make an informed decision.
What realtors need to know when arranging a sewer camera inspection
Why should you, as a realtor, get your clients to do a sewer camera inspection before buying a house? Most buyers don’t know a lot about the home-buying process. They look to the realtor as a trustworthy guide to help them avoid mistakes when buying a house.
Furthermore, people are apt to look for someone to blame when things go wrong. If it turns out that their newly-acquired home has sewer problems, they will blame the realtor for not warning them. In a way, they will be right because that is why they hired a realtor in the first place.
Routinely recommending a sewer camera inspection to clients protects them and also safeguards your reputation. But before you do this, there are a few things you should know to ensure a stress-free experience and maximize the money spent on the inspection.
- Understand the importance of the sewer system
Local regulations on how to construct, utilize, or repair sewer lines are strict because of their potential impact on the city sewer system. Sewer camera inspections are not just about protecting buyers’ interests, they are also about protecting the city’s property.
- Be familiar with different types of sewer systems
The homes in your area use different types of sewer systems with peculiar operations and problems. Knowing about the common sewer systems in your location helps when talking with clients and inspectors.
- Educate your clients
Helping clients understand the impact of damaged sewer lines on the structural integrity of a building and their health can help overcome their reluctance to spend on what they may view as an unnecessary expense.
- Begin the process early
Making sewer camera inspections a routine part of your home-buying process will give buyers and sellers enough time to reach an agreement and make necessary repairs to the sewer line.
- Make it a clause in the agreement
Inserting a sewer contingency clause in the purchase agreement will give your client a way out of the purchase agreement if the home’s sewer line shows significant problems and the seller is uncooperative.
- Always engage professional inspectors
The quality of the sewer camera inspector you hire matters. An experienced inspector who uses up-to-date equipment will do a thorough inspection and save you time.
- Explain inspection results with clarity
Knowing how to read the inspection results to comprehend the implication of the findings will let you know the difference between minor issues that can be overlooked and major issues that are a deal-breaker.
- Use the results of the inspection as a negotiating tool
Ultimately, you want to use any negative findings in the inspection result to your client’s advantage. Know how to make a compelling argument about why the problems with the home’s sewers are enough reasons to sell the home at a lower price.
Finally, realtors occupy a position of trust, and it is good business to go out of your way to protect your client’s interests. The long-term benefit of doing this is that you can recruit hundreds of past and current clients as passionate and free promoters of your business.
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