Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Septic woes

Well, we knew it was bound to happen sometime.  We're most likely screwed.  The septic inspection was today and it FAILED! Big time.  Since we agreed to purchase 'as is' we will probably have to cover the cost of replacing it ourselves.  Our realtor is going to give theirs a call tomorrow anyway, since the owner 'assured' us that the septic was fine.  Even though we had a copy of the original certification by the health department stating that it was only a 1000 gallon tank he said "I don't know where you got your information but it is a 1500 gallon tank and it's fine!"  Well, it was neither.  It is only 1000 gallons and is a homemade cinder block tank that has failed and is most likely leaking.  So he gave us misleading information.  We're not hoping that they will pay for the replacement but we would really like it if they would split the cost with us. Not only does the tank need replaced but the entire leach field as well and that adds up.  I'm not going to hold my breath that the owners will play nicely since they already came down so far but if they don't I'm not going to give them my business, even if they are the closest vets to us.  Maybe I'm being a bit petty but I don't like being lied to.  There is no way that tank got that bad since the last time it was pumped in 2005 so they most likely knew that it would need replaced.  GRRR.  We were ok with replacing the well pump because it is underpowered and we want a bit more water pressure but the entire septic system...  sigh.
C'est la vie.  We will take it as it comes and make it work somehow.  This will just make the financials much more interesting.  But we've already figured out how to make it work, even if we do have to cover the whole cost.

19 comments:

  1. Ooh no! So now the fantasy farm is showing its 'seedy underbelly'. I hope you al can come to an equitable agreement. Kris

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  2. Well that's annoying. Being lied to blows.

    Hoping to a resolution that is fair for you guys.

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  3. Oh my - that SUCKS. Hopefully the owner will be nice - and if not - they can pound salt, right? Good luck on this one.
    Kris

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  4. Sorry to hear about the septic system. Hopefully the owners will have a conscience and help out with the repairs - good luck...debbie

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  5. I hope the owner helps out. Wasn't your purchase agreement made pending the outcome of inspections?

    We made an offer and it was accepted but with the understanding that if anything came up in the inspections, the deal was off.

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  6. Yikes!!! Good luck on the negotiations...I also would NOT give them my vet business if they don't do the right/decent thing, so I totally hear you on that one!

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  7. Oh no, I am so sorry to hear about the bad, stressful news.

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  8. Gack, it ate my comment. Let's try again:

    Being lied to in any situation is not right, but when it comes to something so big as land/a house, its intolerable. Hang firm with them! I hope they step up to the plate, but if they don't, maybe its a sign that this isn't meant to be "the place"... that there are better things out there for you. You still hold all the cards in this one! I am sending positive thoughts and strength to you for a good resolution....

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  9. I meant to leave a reply yesterday. We got stuck it to as well. Call the local extension office, see if they have a program to help with your sewage. Some offices have some wonderful grants. Ours will pay up to $7,000. Only thing is you have to pay it first, bring in the receipt and they reimburse you. So call!

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  10. Thanks all for your comments. I've gotta run to work so I'm only going to address a few.
    The original series of purchase agreements were made with the clause that everything had to pass inspection. However, after our walk through, the owners 'saw the light' that they would have to be making lots of repairs because there was no way the house would pass the way it was. The agreement that was reached was that they would come down to our asking price (waaay lower than they wanted) but that the house was sold 'as is' and they would not fix anything. Of course, having seen some of his handiwork, I didn't really want him trying to do some of the repairs himself. I'm hoping that we can bargain with them into sharing the cost of the septic since we were given false information. Our realtor is a pretty direct guy and he will have no problem calling them on it- it's a good thing he's running the negotiations because I have too much emotional baggage tied up in this one.
    It's still not too late for us to walk away but we would forfeit the $5000 earnest money we already put down, and honestly, we have so fallen in love with the place, problems and all, that we really don't want to walk away.
    Judy

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  11. Phelan- thanks for the tip. V is meeting with the Department of Health today since they have to certify the system. Maybe that guy will know of some resources as well.

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  12. I hope this all works out for you. I know how attached you are already. After all, it's your dream.
    Barb

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  13. Oh, and another thing we have in our back pocket is a potential environmental damage suit against them if they don't play nice. Since they were operating an animal hospital there with an inadequate, leaking septic system there's no telling what has leaked out into the surrounding soil and groundwater. The last thing we want is to turn it into a HAZMAT site but it's more leverage for them to do the right thing. Potential environmental damage is something that no business can walk away from easily.

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  14. Just be careful that the suit doesn't backfire and mark what is now YOUR place as a hazard.

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  15. No worries meadowlark. That is the absolute last resort threat. And we would probably only resort to that if they are REALLY nasty to us in the process. I have no intention of filing a lawsuit against them. Of course, the inspector from the health department is going out to the house in the morning to take a look- partly to verify that the system has failed and to give us guidelines of what it would take to bring it up to code. He was evidently asking if there could be another, newer tank that we don't know about, although the spot we were told was the septic clean-out led to the tank that was bad. Who knows, we will get it all sorted out shortly.

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  16. Ooo that makes me mad. Being lied to is one of my huge pet-peeves. It's not like the sellers didn't know an inspection was necessary.

    I hope they pay half. At least you'll know that your sewer isn't leaching into your land anymore.

    Good luck!

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  17. I'm a little late in commenting but if the tank is leaking make sure you have your water supply bacteria tested as well! My brother-in-law had that problem when his leaked. Went straight into the ground water supply which fed his well :P Good luck!

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  18. I haven't read the comments yet so if I am repeating-forgive me!

    Here in Indiana (one of those other "I" states, LOL!!!) all sellers (even Land Contract Vendors) have to give what is called a "Real Estate Disclosure"-It is basically a state government form saying what the owners know about the systems, appliances, and other bits. I am curious about what they put on the form and have you contacted the place that pumped it out? They may have information that would be of interest to you. Even if you are buying it "as-is", here in Indiana that form better be accurate or the whole thing can be called off or the seller can be responsible down the road. Also, have there been any other inspections since it has been for sale? I'd ask for them (they have to disclose them here). Maybe Iowa is not so rigid.

    Good luck with everything!

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  19. OK, now I've read the comments and I want to echo Phelan. Go through USDA (they are federal and thus not state mandated-try your local farm services to get the right people). They offer really great grants and loans to help fix septics adn wells.

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