All Forum Posts by: Kathleen Leary

Ooops! One more thing: make sure it's really on a well & not a cistern. That's another system you may run into out in the sticks. Out here, you have to buy water, have it dumped into the cistern & then pump it where it needs to go. BIG pain in the butt & not at all desirable, in my opinion.

At my own house (where I've lived for 25 years), I have a well, pump & septic system. The county requires an inspection of the septic tank/field whenever the property changes hands (which means you pay for a contractor to pump it out, clean it, check for cracks, etc. - about $400 here), but the pump, supply lines & pressure tank are all up to you. It's also required to have a percolation test (septic) & a water-quality test (well). The things that usually go wrong are:

1. The septic needs pumping out - people put stuff in there that they should not. VERY common.

2. The pump dies. Find out how old it is, if you can - 25 years is an expected life-span.

3. The pressure tank bladder starts to lose air & although it can be re-charged, it will eventually need to be replaced. Again, find out how old it is - 10 years is a good time to replace it.

4. The well goes dry. No solution for that!

5. It's possible for the leach field to clog up - has to be dug up, pipes replaced & re-installed. $$

All that being said, if the water is certified potable, the septic tank & field are functioning (get the tank pumped, anyway) & all pipes, switches, tanks, etc. look in good order, you're good to go.

You may get some push-back from people who aren't familiar with using a well/septic system, but if you can provide proof that you've done everything to check for safety & functionality, that will go along way toward selling your property. Good luck!

Since the local rental place charges $80/month for a medium-size fridge (freezer on top), I'd say that's more than a good deal. Your used appliance guy can be a serious asset - patronize that business!

My sister did her counters about 4 years ago like that. Based on her experience, I'd say: it is what it is. Meaning, it looks good, but the bottom line is that it's paint & if it's not taken care of, you can pretty easily destroy it. It scratches, you can't put anything hot on it, you may have chipping at the edges, etc. And we all know how conscientious renters are, right?

My "town" rental is white with black wires all over the outside, too - sooooo attractive. The dish was on the roof - had it taken off, but Ieft the mounting bracket in place (otherwise I'd have holes in the roof). If tenants want satellite, it's got to go on a post in the yard. I've seen a lot more installations like that recently. If they get it put in any other way, I swear I'll figure out a way to make them pay for a new roof!

I'd take the time to fix the weights in the window. Those inserts that fit into the sides may be okay at first, but in the long run they are just annoying. They warp & twist out of plumb & then the window sticks, etc. They were put in my personal residence & I hate them. While you've got the window casing apart, take a few minutes & put some insulation or spray foam around the framing - it'll make a huge difference in stopping drafts. If the weights are gone or have fallen down past where you can reach them, they are often available at scrap dealers or Habitat ReStore.

Get that sucker fixed, pronto! It's a great excuse for the tenant to claim you're maintaining a substandard property, etc. Don't give her any reason to stay longer than absolutely necessary.

Being able to have their kids in a desirable school district would be an incentive for them to stay current on rent. No guarantees, of course!

Twenty-four hours notice (or more, if you can) is customary in this state & many others, even if it's not specifically spelled out. Actual arrival is any time you & the tenant agree on. If they won't/can't commit to a convenient time, let them know when you'll be on the premises. If you do enter while they're not home, you might leave a short note: "I was here from X to X o'clock on (date) for the purpose of (whatever), following our conversation (date/time)." As long as they're paying rent, it's their home & you do need to be respectful of their space & time.

Just based on your question, you might want to line up a competent handyman. Might save you a lot of time, money & aggravation in the long run. DIY isn't as easy as it looks on TV!