Selling a Home with a Well? 4 Actions to Take
Whenever you sell a home, it’s smart to take proactive steps that boost market appeal. If you rely on a residential water well, there are four actions to take to alleviate concerns and expedite a sale:
- Invest in water quality tests. Whether or not you live in a state that requires home sellers to disclose water test results, water quality tests are a sound investment. If the tests indicate the water is safe and free from contaminants, you’ve scored an important selling point. If they turn up problems, you can take steps to correct those issues before you put your property on the market. At minimum, invest in coliform bacteria, nitrate/nitrite and pH tests.
- Arrange for a well system inspection. Schedule a well system inspection to confirm the well meets established state regulations, satisfies lender requirements and is in sound physical condition. If the pump is accessible, have it checked and repaired or maintained if necessary. Have the pump control systems checked as well, along with any inline components such as filtration, sanitation or softening systems. If you have an abandoned well on the property, have it inspected to confirm it’s intact and securely sealed.
- Take corrective action. Take whatever corrective actions are indicated based on the results of the water quality tests and well system inspection. Sanitizing now, for example, can avoid weeks of delay if the problem surfaces during the buying process.
- Organize your well records. If you haven’t done so already, collect and organize all records associated with the well to make it easy for inspectors, lenders, real estate agents and potential buyers to quickly find and retrieve what they need. Follow these basic guidelines:
Well. Make sure you have the original well driller’s report along with the official well ID, well log, well quantity totals, geological surveys, recovery rates, regeneration rates and similar records. Include permits and documents pertaining to well modifications, repairs or improvements. If you have a standby well, add those records as well.
Pump. Organize all pump and pressure tank materials. Include manufacturers’ specifications, performance criteria and any records associated with installation, maintenance or repair.
Water Quality. Capture all water quality test results in one place. Include annual tests, pH reports, along with both routine and special tests for contaminants such as nitrates, chemicals and heavy metals. Include any corrective measures (well shocking, etc.) taken to restore water quality.
Water Treatment & System Add-Ons. If you’re like most well owners, you have supplemental components and systems that improve water quality. Include information related to softeners, filtration and sanitation devices, along with water storage tanks and peripherals.
These actions can make your home more appealing to potential buyers and reassure those unfamiliar with wells. They also help ensure your property doesn’t languish on the market or encounter delays during the selling process.