DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSPECTIONS WHEN SELLING A HOME/PROPERTY

Septic System:  Some areas will perk for a private septic/drainfield while others need a mound system which is a man made drain field.

Wells:  Folks outside of city limits will have their own private water sources and costs will vary according to the terrain, dept, ground and casement.  Area drillers from your desired location should be contacted if you will need a new well or existing well replaced.

Survey:  Determing  boundaries is important when selling property.  Some buyers will simply want to look at your mortgage report for general reference on most city properties, while others will want to see a survey, lot line stakes or require a new one altogether so when listing, look to see what you do have on hand.

Special Use Permits:  It is very common in Cook County to need a Special Use Permit to cross lands or a road that must be accessed through Federal Land.  About 92% of land in Cook County is federally owned.

Lake Water Intake Systems:  Some folks who live on inland lakes, especially those up the Gunflint Trail in Cook county may use the water from the lake for their home usage instead of drilling a well.  There are filter systems and chlorinating systems that will help improve the quality of the water if used from this source.

Easement:  This is a legally recorded document that will show up on a title search that allows someone else to access across your property for a specific purpose.

Encroachments:  An obstruction that physically overlaps or goes onto anothers property such as a fence, building, shed, built over a property line (legal description).

Wet Lands:  This is determined by county or state officials when you have land, such as a marsh or swamp that is normally saturated with water.  80% of Minnesota's wetlands are located in Northern Minnesota.  This does not mean the parcel is unbuildable but means they are protected and offer much wildlife to the surrounding area and must be given special consideration when any changes are made, decks or structures put upon.

Seasonal Access:  Many roads are not maintained year round by the county so if you are in a rural area, you must be willing to arrange plowing and maintenance for yourself.  Seasonal simply means weather permitting.  If the weather is good, access would be more easily assessible as compared to maybe spring when it may be muddy or winter when snow covered.

Zoning Ordinance:   County or city ruling that determines the type of use to which property may be put in specific areas.

Lead Paint:  Properties built prior to 1978 are subject to disclosing if there has been any lead base paint used or found in their homes due to the risk of young children developing lead base paint poisoning.  A booklet is given to all buyers and sellers to full understanding and disclosure can be explored and dealt with.

Property Inspection:   It is always recommended that if a property is not new, and often times even when new, that the buyer have somone who has knowledge and experience with homes inspect the components, mechanicals and such to give an opinion as to present condition and unexpected costs that can and will arise after purchase, such as how long the furnace may be expected to last, the roof, the age of the electrical system and so on.