Keaton Ellis Realtor

3 things I’d check before buying a rural or waterfront home around Port Perry/Scugog There are a few things that can be easy to overlook when you fall in love with a property, especially when you’re looking at homes outside of town. 1. Septic vs. Holding Tank If you’re looking at a home in an area like Caesarea, don’t automatically assume that the property has a traditional septic system. A number of homes in the area have holding tanks, which work differently from a septic system. Instead of wastewater being treated and dispersed on the property, the tank needs to be pumped out regularly, which can become a significant ongoing expense depending on the household. It’s something I’d want to understand before making an offer, including the tank size, pumping history, costs and any maintenance records. 2. Get the septic system properly inspected If a property does have a septic system, I’d strongly recommend having it looked at by a qualified/certified septic professional as part of your due diligence. A regular home inspection can identify some potential concerns, but a septic system is a completely different component of the property. You want someone who actually specializes in evaluating the system, its condition and how it is functioning. Replacing or repairing a septic system can be a very expensive surprise after closing. 3. Waterfront? Find out exactly what you own. This is a big one around Lake Scugog and the surrounding waterfront areas. If you’re buying a waterfront property, don’t just assume that because the water is in your backyard, you own all the way to the shoreline. There can be differences in shoreline ownership, road allowances, shore road allowances, easements and other property rights depending on the property. Before you get too far into the process, make sure you understand exactly where the property ends and what rights you actually have to the waterfront. These are the types of details that aren't always obvious when you're walking through a beautiful property... but they can make a big difference after you own it. Buying rural or waterfront in Scugog? Do your homework beyond just the house itself. There’s a lot more to some of these properties than what you can see from the front door.