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If you are considering buying a home with a cesspool, you will need to weigh the potential costs and hassles. Your primary decision will be whether to maintain the existing system or replace it. Maintaining a cesspool involves ongoing expenses for services like aeration, pumping, and cleaning. Alternatively, you could dismantle the system and replace it with a modern septic tank or connect to a public sewage line, which involves significant upfront costs. It is also crucial to check local and state regulations, as some jurisdictions require that cesspools be replaced before a home can be sold. Ultimately, you must decide for yourself if the financial investment and effort are worth it for the property in question.

Mortgage underwriting is often the next step after an appraisal, and this process can take anywhere from a week to a month or more. The timeline depends on the mortgage lender’s requirements, how quickly the buyer gets the required documentation to their lender, and whether there are any issues during the underwriting process.

Yes, high ceilings can increase your home's value when it's time to sell. According to some studies, homes with ceilings 9 feet or higher can sell for up to 6% more than homes with lower ceilings. Buyers often have a greater perceived value of homes with high ceilings because they appreciate the extra space and modern feel. While other factors like your home's location and overall condition are more impactful, raising your ceilings can be a worthwhile investment if you plan to sell in the future.

As a seller, it might feel tempting to skip the appraisal, especially in a hot market that sees a lot of all-cash offers. While you can technically forgo it and hope for an all-cash offer, you’ll likely have a very tough time selling without an appraisal. 

In addition to protecting lenders from risk, appraisals also protect buyers’ investments. As such, it isn’t typically recommended for buyers to skip appraisals.