[Peace n Quiet]

Our 100+ year old home has a cesspool, and it works better than most septics. Ours is approximately 8 feet deep and 6 feet in diameter, lined with stone, and has an outlet pipe leading to some type of drainfield. (I say some type because the drainfield has never been uncovered and I don't know if it's gravel filled, sand, or just topsoil)
Working in the real estate business, I've seen cesspools that work great, and those that don't work at all. I've also seen conventional septics and sandmounds in the same light.
Here in Pa, you should ask for a seller's disclosure. Any information regarding the septic should be made available to you. DON'T rely on what anyone just "tells" you!! All listed properties must have a disclosure on file in the listing office.
Then, if you are still interested, put an offer in writing, contingent upon the septic passing an inspection. Hire your own independent inspector (typically will cost you around $250-$500) and get a report on the system. Also, the seller is responsible for locating and uncovering the system for inspection.
Some other advice, talk to the neighbors. Most often, especially in rural areas, the neighbors will tell you more than any disclosure.

 

[Peace n Quiet]

John,
I reread your first post this morning, and with a little sleep behind me, have some more advice.
With the parcel size being only .3 of an acre, there is not much room for a new system on lot should the cesspool fail. Contact the Sewer Enforcement Officer for the municipality/borough that the property is in. He will be the one you would need to work with should any problems arise down the road, so feel him out now. Does he have any knowledge of that property? What would need to be done if the system does fail? Most often, if it's a cesspool, there isn't a drainfield at all, and the property would need to pass a perc test before doing a replacement of the system.
Usually, I suggest that anyone buying a property with questionable sewage needs to request that the property pass perc elsewhere on the parcel. Put that in writing in the original written offer to purchase! Frustrating thing is though... as you probably know, this time of year it's just not possible to do a perc test in Pa. Have to wait until the ground thaws.
Good luck.