Key Questions To Ask Your Realtor About The Water Supply Of Each Rural Property That You Might Be Interested In Buying
When you have spent much of your life living in the city and now you're hoping to buy a rural property, there are many aspects of that type of home and its features to consider. For instance, your water source is likely to come from a well, which means that you'll need to verify that the well has an ample supply of safe water. Since well water is often hard, you'll need to verify that the water in question has been softened if you're concerned about the challenges associated with hard water. Therefore, before committing to a rural property, it's best to ask your realtor the following questions about the water situations of each home and land you're interested in.
When Was The Well Water Tested And Is The Water Supply Fully Functional?
When you live in the country and depend on the well for your water supply, a well running out of water can be personally and financially devastating. That means that before you even consider buying the property, you'll need that verify that the water being utilized by the well is not in danger of running out any time soon. However, it's also important to be certain that the water is safe to use and has not been contaminated in recent years.
If there isn't a certificate attesting to that information now, your Realtor may be able to help you get the owners to pay for a professional examination to verify that information. If that information isn't available or if the results of that evaluation are not positive, you can ask that the owners pay for the repairs as part of the sale or consider skipping the property unless a big discount on the asking price is provided.
Does The Water Need To Be Softened...And If So, Does The Home Have A Water Softener Now?
Well water is prone to calcium and magnesium build-ups that can stain clothing, dishes, appliances, etc. and results in what is known by many people as hard water. It occurs as the result of its contact with and eventual buildup with various minerals in the ground, but is not actually dangerous to most healthy individuals. However, the buildup can result in appliances wearing out faster and you may find that the water itself is uncomfortable to bathe or otherwise come into direct contact with, even just as drinking water.
Those issues have prompted many rural homes to use water softeners. They can be attached to faucets for controlled use, while broadened use throughout the home can be accomplished by ion exchange and other systems. As the unit becomes more complicated, the cost of its installation, repair, and use can be expected to increase. Therefore, if softened water is important to you and your family, you need to be familiar with the details of its current status on the property you're interested in.
In conclusion, the cost of rural properties is often less than you can expect to pay for a similar home in a nearby city. However, rural properties frequently have unique water needs and usages that homeowners need to be aware of. As a result, you should get the answers to the above questions about the water needs and use of each property from your Realtor.