It usually takes only a few seconds for a prospective home buyer to form an initial impression about a property. It is that first impression that often determines whether or not a home for sale is approached for a closer inspection. Oddly enough, some of the most important features of a home lie underground and are only partially visible upon further inspection.

Water and sewer services are sometimes taken for granted. Buried underneath nearly every manicured lawn is a small network of pipes for water and sewer operations. Once you are considering the purchase of a particular home, you will want to ask your real estate agent what type of systems are used for water and sewer. Some homes are connected to public utilities, but other homes are reliant on different methods to obtain equivalent results.

Municipal water source

The most straightforward residential water system is one connected to a municipal water supplier. A metering gauge is usually located at the piping junction where the public water supply attaches to the privately owned water pipes. You can get a good idea of the cost of water for a house by asking the seller for copies of past water bills.

Private water well

More than 15 million households in the U.S. are reliant on private wells for water. The technology used for delivering water from a well is reliable and durable. From the standpoint of a water user at a faucet, there is little difference in water from a municipal source and water from a well. A major advantage of utilizing a water well is that there are no periodic billing statements received from a water supplier.

Municipal sewer

Areas with access to a public water supplier do not necessarily have public sewer services. You will simply have to ask if the home you are considering is connected to a municipal sewer service. If so, there may be a single billing statement received from the utility for both water and sewer services. If the home is not connected to a municipal sewer service, it most likely has its own septic system.

Private septic tank

Because it is typically buried underneath a layer of dirt, the specific location of a septic tank is often difficult to detect. You may need to ask the home seller to point out the location of a septic tank. If you purchase the property, remember to refrain from driving an automobile across the ground surface above the septic tank.

No water or sewer system necessarily works better than the alternative method. Each type of system usually works well for the specific environment in which a particular home is located. Contact a realtor that can help you find real estate for sale in your area for more information and assistance.