Taking a proactive approach can help ease prospective buyers’ minds during the sales process, as well as make the closing process more seamless.
If you’re working with a real estate agent to sell your home, they can likely recommend a qualified company to perform the inspection. You can also refer to a list of well water testing companies in your area.
The well system, including the pump and condition of the wellhead, should also be inspected for any mechanical problems.
Additionally, some of the things well water should be tested for include:
- Total coliform bacteria
- Nitrates
- Total dissolved solids
- pH levels
- Any other contaminants suspected (if there’s a known problem in your area or other specific reason for concern)
A well water test can cost between $100 to $750, depending on the number and type of contaminants tested, as reported by HomeGuide.
Meeting regulatory requirements
What happens if an issue is found with the well water quality or the well itself?
Familiarize yourself with any regulatory requirements, which can vary based on where you live. This will help you understand your responsibilities for addressing the issues before the sale.
In terms of disclosure, state laws typically require home sellers to disclose any known issues that may impact the material value of the home, even if the prospective buyer doesn’t directly ask.
If you get the well water test results back and need help understanding them, you can also call your local health department or the wellcare hotline (1-888-395-1033).
Additionally, make sure to address any mechanical problems that arose from the inspection. The pump, for example, may be old and need replacement. This should be done roughly once a decade, and can cost up to $2,250.
If you already have a water treatment device installed, make sure to share any system information with the buyer once everything is finalized (age, brand, type, contaminant it treats, contact information for the company who performed the installation and does the maintenance, and any prior maintenance records).
This information can help the new owner maintain the well properly.
Focus on the positive aspects of owning a well water home
There are many positive aspects of owning a home with well water — and it’s important to know these talking points during the sales process.
Some well water benefits include:
- No more water bills. Well water comes from your own private source. As such, you’ll no longer receive a monthly water bill.
- Better taste. Some people actually prefer the taste of well water over public water.
- Control over your water source. Well water comes from aquifers, which are natural resources within the earth. You have the comfort of knowing exactly where your water comes from and how it’s treated.
- Fewer interruptions. During a natural disaster, towns or cities may cut off the water supply, as noted by Rocket Homes. If there’s a drought, well users are also not typically impacted by government water restrictions, per Bankrate.
Focus on the benefits of owning a well water home, which may help to offset some of the drawbacks.
What to do if you struggle to sell your well water home
Ongoing maintenance requirements, contamination concerns, and reliance on power (the pump won’t work without it) can cause some home buyers to avoid well water homes entirely.
If you want to avoid the time-consuming hassle of listing your home or you’ve listed your home and haven’t had much interest, you might consider an alternative option. You could sell your well water home to a home buying company.
As an industry-leading home buying company, Meridian Trust has purchased thousands of properties in every condition in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
If we’re able to buy your well water home, we buy it “as is” which means you don’t have to make any updates to it just to sell it.
For a free, no obligation estimate for how much your home might be worth, give us a call at (855) 996-9153.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. Meridian Trust does not guarantee the sufficiency or accuracy of the content in this blog post or any linked resources, nor does it ensure compliance with current laws. The content within this blog post is not a substitute for legal advice or legal services. You should not rely on this information for any purpose without consulting a licensed lawyer in your area.
