Heath Coker, Real Estate Broker

Should you get a septic inspection?
It is extremely important to have a proper, thorough, inspection of the septic system components if you are buying a home with a septic system. Unfortunately for many home buyers, the typical brief septic inspection tells you very little about the real state of the septic system. In my state, the tank is uncovered and viewed, and the scum level and depth is noted. A diagram is drawn indicating the location of the components. Septic inspections for the sale/purchase of a home is a limited visual inspection to determine the condition of the septic field and function of the sewage disposal system.

In some parts of the country, septic inspections are paid for by the sellers and in others, the buyers have to do their own inspections. As part of the home inspection process, in my part of the country sellers provide the septic certification. My state requires an inspection before a closing can occur. It does not require a functioning system, only a test. In other states, the inspection is optional. When the system is not functioning properly, the parties negotiate a correction acceptable to the parties involved.

The importance of a septic inspection.
If the house has a private septic system it should definitely be inspected by a professional septic contractor. An improperly functioning system can be a messy health hazard. If you are already working with an agent, ask the agent for names of local, dependable home and septic inspection companies, then contact several companies or visit their company websites to learn what services are offered and to ask about rates. Sometimes yu can arrange to have a septic inspection company present on the same day as the home inspection which makes it easy to attend both inspections. If the septic inspection is scheduled on a different day from the home inspection, you may want to be there. In my state, a records kept of past inspections and pumpings, so you can check on the history of the system before the inspection. Also, if you have a private well and a septic system it is be a good idea to have a water test as well as a septic inspection. In my state, most lenders will require a well test anyway.

The septic inspection should be completed and reported to the parties early in the negotiation process. Both the buyer and the lender have an interest in the operation of the existing system. Occasionally a repair or repacement is necessary. Banks usually won't lend unless the system is good or scheduled to be made good. In my state, a system can be repaired upto two years after title changes to a new owner. How the system is corrected and when is left up to the parties involved. My experience is that lenders will "hold back" an amount equal to one and a half times the estimate for the fix. Once it is fixed, the bill is paid from the held back funds and any excess is distributed according to the agreement between the parties.

The Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs has issued an environmental certificateto Plymouth Rock Studios. This is another foundational part of the construction of Hollywood East in Plymouth, MA. The certification came on Friday.

The PRS press release (found here) includes the following information:

"This decision demonstrates that the project will create jobs and establish a clean new industry in the Commonwealth. The Secretary's certificate represents a comprehensive review of the environmental impacts related to the project," said Plymouth Rock Real Estate Investments, President and CEO, Bill Wynne. "This certificate not only allows us to move forward but also validates the measures we have taken to minimize environmental impacts and go the extra step to provide regional environmental benefits through our low impact design and off-site infrastructure improvements."

In the press release The MA Secretary of Energy is quoted as saying that there are over 3,100 jobs being created by PRS at Hollywood East - more than originally reported. Welcome news for Southeastern MA.

If you'd like to learn more about Bill Wynne, he is interviewed in the latest installment of The Series.

There is a bill in Congress that appears to be intended to create more extensive power for the president. It would establish a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency under the executive branch, with the authority to oversee, review, and police consumer protection laws for financial products and institutions.

The agency's jurisdiction for reviewing financial matters would include mortgages, credit cards, student loans, auto loans, payday loans, and more. It is sponsored by, Mr. Fixit, Barney Frank. There's an interesting kicker in the amendments.

Some who keep a watch on bills in Congress have concluded that a recent ammendment would provide for the appointment of board members from groups like ACORN. The bill doesn't name the controversial group specifically, but this most recent amendment includes language that makes it easy for ACORN like groups to qualify as board members.

The bill is HR 3126 Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act of 2009. It can be read in a number of places, in its entirety, on the Internet. One site that Intrigued me is the Open Congress Site. The bill is linked, referenced, and discussed. Extra information is provided about those who support it and who oppose it.

Proponents comment that something needs to be done. They argue that toasters have to pass more scrutiny than financial products. Financial products can have more impact on families than toasters can. We probably could use more protection in the financial industry, but we already have a few agencies in place don't we?

You can buy an ebook for every social media site. You can take every course offered for each social media site. There are tons of social media specialists.

But this article, "10 Small Business Social Media Marketing Tips" by Ross Kimbarovsky is one of the most concise and complete quick lists I have seen. He goes through what the most well known concepts and sites are and how to use them. There is a section under each one for the novice and for the advanced user.

If you need to start a Social Media Map, then this article can be your GPS.

Happy listing and selling!

Now that Plymouth Rock Studios has their $550,000,000 to build the Hollywood East Studios in Plymouth MA, now is the time to secure your east coast privacy! Falmouth MA claims to have more waterfront than any other town in the United States. Private locations with waterfront, are desireable and will probably become moreso as interest grows in the Hollywood East complex.

Right now in Falmouth, there are some wonderful properties that provide views, beach, and privacy for the discerning buyer. Cape Cod has long been known as having some of the best weather in the world for vacationers. Those of us who get to live here in Falmouth year round, know that we actually have pretty good weather all year!

If you are planning to work at Hollywood East, you should get to know the Falmouth real estate market.