How worried should I be?

knuckledragger · #41 08/09/07, 10:58 AM

Well, I have done a bit of research (talked to a lawyer, talked to a close friend who is from the area, and talked to a friend with DEQ) and I have decided what I am going to do.

I talked to the lawyer first and he looked over my contract, warranty deed, seller's disclosure, etc. and said that it should be no problem having the sale of the land voided if a problem arose from a nondisclosed issue.

I had a buddy that works for the DEQ come look at the site and got his opinion. He stated that it was unlikely that it was anything more than a dump for some empty quart bottles given the types and amounts of plants growing in and around the hole. There was no oily film on the water and it seemed to just be stagnant with mosquitoes breeding in it. Also, the quantity, type, and size of containers were not sufficient to cause great concern. He still recommended getting some testing done to be sure, but felt that there wasn't much to be concerned about.

The friend from the area pretty much laughed at me (I am a city boy who bought rural land) and said that he had seen worse and that I was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Just to be safe, I am getting the well and the soil tested because I want to someday retire on that land and have grandkids play in the area. If something unexpectedly bad turns up, I will go back to the lawyer. Odds are it is nothing, and maybe I am being overly conscientious, but I want to do the responsible thing, especially since the lawyer thinks it will not be an issue that I ultimately have to deal with.

MarleneS · #42 08/09/07, 11:37 AM

Oops - you'd already done what I was suggesting - teach me to read all the post before I post.

Marlene

trappmountain · #43 08/09/07, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckledragger

Well, I have done a bit of research (talked to a lawyer, talked to a close friend who is from the area, and talked to a friend with DEQ) and I have decided what I am going to do.

I talked to the lawyer first and he looked over my contract, warranty deed, seller's disclosure, etc. and said that it should be no problem having the sale of the land voided if a problem arose from a nondisclosed issue.

I had a buddy that works for the DEQ come look at the site and got his opinion. He stated that it was unlikely that it was anything more than a dump for some empty quart bottles given the types and amounts of plants growing in and around the hole. There was no oily film on the water and it seemed to just be stagnant with mosquitoes breeding in it. Also, the quantity, type, and size of containers were not sufficient to cause great concern. He still recommended getting some testing done to be sure, but felt that there wasn't much to be concerned about.

The friend from the area pretty much laughed at me (I am a city boy who bought rural land) and said that he had seen worse and that I was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Just to be safe, I am getting the well and the soil tested because I want to someday retire on that land and have grandkids play in the area. If something unexpectedly bad turns up, I will go back to the lawyer. Odds are it is nothing, and maybe I am being overly conscientious, but I want to do the responsible thing, especially since the lawyer thinks it will not be an issue that I ultimately have to deal with.

You did the right thing. About getting the water tested. Check with your town. Here we can get our well water tested for free. Good luck.