House with a Well- I'm clueless

[Amanda Sutherlin]

I'm looking at a house which has well water only. I'm clueless as to what to look for, questions to ask, pros cons?

The house was built in 1955, block home and per the owner they had a new well put in which cost 6K (per the owner)

[Stephen Schaefer]

Questions to ask: Why was a new well drilled (if what is new, is a new well hole). Or was it just new plumbing? New pressure tank, new pump, new lines, new regulator. If it was a new well hole, why was it needed? Did the old one dry up, was the water nasty? Smell and drink the water. Prior to buying, get a water test done if you have any doubts. Does the home have a septic tank then? Usually if you have a well, you'd probably have a septic. Whats the condition of that? When was it last pumped (if ever). IS it connected to sewer? Is there a well house? Or is all of the plumbing equipment inside the home, and the well just has a small cover and is plumbed into the house, with the pressure tank and equipment in the home?

Pros: No water bill. 

Cons: Condition of water. Are there periodic water tests required in your area, especially if this will be a rental. Water filters needed? No electricity means no water as well, if theres no electricity to run the pump, as opposed to city water, even if the power is out, you have running water.