If you own an older home in Connecticut built before the 1960s, it likely has galvanized steel pipes for the plumbing system. As a homeowner, problems with galvanized plumbing can be frustrating and costly to repair. Even worse, it could scare away potential buyers if you’re trying to sell your Connecticut home. Here is a complete guide to selling your house in Connecticut with galvanized pipes.
The Problems with Galvanized Pipes
The zinc-coated galvanized pipes were a significant upgrade over lead pipes used in homes at the time, as the coating protected the steel from corrosion. Most houses built between 1900 and 1960 have galvanized plumbing. As these pipes had a finite lifespan of 50-70 years, they are causing major problems now. They have started to break down and corrode from the inside, resulting in issues like reduced water flow, rusty water, leaks, and even pipe failures.
The corrosion and the mineral deposit inside the pipe constrict the water flow, reducing the water pressure. Once the coating starts corroding, the pipes begin rusting, giving the water a dirty brown color. Minor corrosion results in pinhole leaks, and in major cases, it leads to complete and catastrophic failure, causing flooding.
Replacing galvanized pipes with newer copper or PEX pipes can be very expensive. Almost all buyers will want you to replace the pipes or offer a lower price for your homes after inspection.
Things You Must Know Before Selling a Home in CT with Galvanized Pipes
During the home inspection, the buyer’s inspector will test water pressure by running multiple fixtures simultaneously. Low water pressure or flow will signal galvanized pipe issues. They will also point out any visible pipe corrosion and recommend a pipe replacement. Buyers will get estimates from plumbers to repipe the house and use that to negotiate the sale price down. The value of your property goes down as it affects the appraisal.
When selling a home with galvanized plumbing in Connecticut, it’s essential to be upfront about its piping situation early on. You must legally disclose any known defects and problems with the house. It includes faulty plumbing due to galvanized pipes.
Most mortgage programs do not allow buyers to waive plumbing repairs or inspections. Even buyers willing to waive the inspection must adhere to them for banking and insurance purposes. The lender will require plumbing in sound condition to approve the loan. FHA loans require a water pressure test during the appraisal inspection.
Additionally, home insurance providers want to see plumbing in good shape before issuing a policy. They will often ask for proof the galvanized pipes have been addressed. Keeping deteriorated pipes puts the structural integrity of the home at risk long-term. The pipes can burst at any time, causing flooding and damaging the home’s structure. It makes waiver requests unlikely to be approved by inspectors, banks, and insurance agents.
How to Sell Your Connecticut Home with Galvanized Pipes
Galvanized steel pipes can present challenges when selling an older Connecticut home. But with full disclosure and flexibility on price and terms, it’s possible to have a successful sale even with outdated plumbing. Here are some ways to sell your house in Connecticut with galvanized pipes.
Ask for a Waiver
Some buyers may be willing to buy the home as-is with galvanized plumbing if the price reflects the cost to replace them. Ask potential buyers if they would waive the contingency of replacing the pipes if the sales price is lowered. It can be an appealing option for buyers if they can replace pipes themselves for less money.
Remember that a waiver is not an option if the buyer needs a mortgage to buy the house. It is an option only for cash buyers.
Sell the Home As-Is
You can disclose the galvanized plumbing and sell the home without replacing it before the sale. The benefit is you avoid the cost as the seller. However, you will likely have to sell for much less than a home with updated plumbing. The as-is status should be noted on listing documents and disclosures.
Sell to Neighbor Joe
Sell your house with galvanized pipes to Neighbor Joe in three simple steps.
Step 1: Call us, and we will arrange a viewing and give you a fair price quote within 24 hours. Step 2: Choose a closing date that best suits your timeline. Depending on your needs, we can close in as little as seven days.
Step 3: Get cash for your house as soon as we close. There is no lengthy wait or delay for financing. Hand over your keys, sign the papers and move on to better things.
Advantages of Selling to Neighbor Joe
Here are some advantages of selling your house with galvanized pipes to us.
Sell Your House with Ease
Neighbor Joe makes it easy to sell your house regardless of the situation or status. Our simple steps help you sell your home in as little as seven days. You don’t have to go through the hassle of listing your house and waiting months to close.
If your house has plumbing issues due to galvanized pipes, listing with an agency means you must perform extensive repairs and maintenance before listing your home. We help you avoid such hassle and close quickly!
No Inspection
Neighbor Joe buys your home without any inspection. We do not care about water damage, busted pipes, cracked walls, faulty electrical wiring, or damage to the structure or foundation. Whether minor fixes or major repairs are required, we will overlook any issues your house has and buy for a fair value. Since we are cash buyers, inspections are not a concern for us.
No Financing
You do not have to worry about the deal falling due to lack of financing. We buy in cash without getting any financial institutions involved. Our cash offer means you get to close at a timeline that suits you best. There is no need to wait for the mortgage to be approved or worry about denied loans due to the issues your home might have.
No Maintenance or Repair
Neighbor Joe buys your home for cash, as-is. We do not care if the house needs extensive repair or minor fixes. Once we close the deal, we will do any necessary work on the house at our expense.
No Negotiation
Selling your home to Neighbor Joe means no stress, hassle, or hidden costs. You can avoid the headache of negotiations and haggling over offers and counteroffers. We provide upfront cash offers at competitive market rates, so you don’t have to wonder if you’re getting a fair price. There’s no need to go back and forth on price or deal with lowball offers.
Zero Closing Fees and Commissions
You never have to worry about hidden costs or surprise deductions when you sell to Neighbor Joe. We cover all the closing fees, so you don’t pay anything out of pocket. You also don’t pay any real estate commissions since no brokers are involved.
The full amount of our cash offer goes straight to you with zero deductions. You can put more money in your pocket without high closing fees, which take a chunk of your sale proceeds. We handle all the legal paperwork and details so you can get your cash fast and move on.
Sell your house with minimal hassle to Neighbor Joe, your trusted local cash buyer serving Connecticut. We have been providing a seamless way to sell houses here since 2018. When you sell to us, you eliminate the headaches, delays, and costs of fixing galvanized plumbing in your Connecticut home. Contact us or call us at 203-590-9487 to schedule a home visit today!