Expert: Hans Weber, Licensed Broker Associate - 10/12/2005

Question
I'm about to buy a house in long Island and this house has a csspool that not been inspected buy presale inspection. How is this issue matter before closing? Also I have my inspection done with alot of minor issues like wall cracks, gutters loss and some other like matters , How critical these issues and should I pring it to the matters to the seller attention. thank you in advance for fast respond
Ayman E

Answer
HI Ayman,

Thank you for your questions.

After the physical engineering inspection the inspector will tell you if there are any probelms with the house.  In your case he pointed out small cracks, gutter problems, but all sounding minor and issues that will always exist in owning a home.  Those sound like things you will address after you buy the house and start to fix it up to make it your own.  If there were major issues, the inspector would tell you and you would perhaps request the seller fix them.  Examples might be a leaking roof, termites, broken central air or heating system.  But all things are relevant to what you knew in advance of the inspection and what your expectations are.

As far as the cesspool goes, you need to have it looked at by the company that services it for the owner or another septic company.  They will tell you what condition it is in and how to deal with it in the future.  A cesspool is a fairly simple system that usually only needs to be cleaned out when it gets full.  It is found mostly in older homes or on small properties.  But, it should be inspected.

Hope this helps you.

Hans