Family member of mine seems to have found a great deal on a home. The kicker is - it has city sewer access (2 drains in backyard) and I'm curious if this is a dealbreaker.

He says you can't smell anything and I told him to call the city to ask about the process. They told him they're only ever back there if there's an issue with the sewer system and made it sound like it wasn't a big deal.

The house has been discounted significantly and on the market for a couple months. Sign of the current times? Or should I be asking better questions about the easement it's on?

Id definitely want to see the easements.

If it's just a manhole cover and the easements don't present any issues, id consider it a negotiation point more than a no-go.

Drains, that makes it sound like it is part of a stormwater system and not a sewer system. Get a picture posted and we will all be able to help further.

If stormwater system, then I would be more interested to know if flood insurance is required and if it is part of the floodway in that area.

Also possible that it could be discounted for many other reasons outside of this.

It would be nice to confirm what the back flat casting is, but if both storm wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Just know where the easements are and what you can/can't do on them.

Seems like it is more of a drainage easement. But the picture very blurry and grainy so hard to tell what's what.