Buying a home is one of the greatest feelings in the world. It’s an accomplishment that you’ll never forget. And, a new beginning for you and your family members. But, it can also be extremely stressful as well. Certainly, you want to do what you can to prepare for this stress. And, reduce any stress that you can during the home buying process. So, if you’re looking for homes and have come across one you adore, you may have some questions about issues that can come up during purchase. Like, what if there is mold in a home I want to buy? And, is buying a house with mold worth it or even a good idea? To help prepare potential homeowners for the scenario of mold in a home on the market, we’ve come up with this blog to spread some light on the subject.
How Serious is a Mold Issue?
Most people don’t know how common mold growing indoors actually is. Since the beginning of homes, mold has found a way to grow inside. And, while mold can pose dangerous threats to health, it’s not untreatable. So, there are ways to eliminate mold from a home effectively so that you and your family aren’t affected negatively. This means that if you found a home that you absolutely love and wish to buy but the only issue is mold, you can certainly take care of the issue, making your new home a safe place to live.
However, if there is mold, just because it’s common, it doesn’t mean that it should go untreated. The health effects of mold range depending on the type of mold that’s present inside the home. Some effects of mold can include rashes, skin irritation, itchy throat, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and further respiratory problems. Furthermore, exposure to mold is even worse in children and the elderly, as these individuals have weaker immune systems. And, for those with allergies and asthma, as exposure to mold could make these issues even worse. So, when it comes down to it, yes, mold is a serious issue. However, it can be resolved and you can live in a home safely and successfully once the issue is taken care of.
What to do When You Notice Mold in a Home That’s for Sale
Buyers are required to tell potential buyers about mold in a home they’re selling. And, of mold issues that have arisen in the past. But, if you see mold upon viewing the home and the buyer hasn’t mentioned anything mold, there are still a few things you can do. First, you can have the home appraised independently, as an appraisal done by the seller may not include the mold. When you do your own appraisal and there is mold present, the value of the home is likely to decrease. So, you can offer to buy the house for what it’s really worth with mold included, rather than having to pay both for the full price of the home and mold remediation. Secondly, you can have your own inspection done on the home to determine if there is mold present.
As mentioned, while a seller is required to tell you about mold, they may not always do so. So, it’s best to have the facts laid out in front of you before buying a home, as the savings you could attempt to collect may outweigh the cost of mold remediation. Whether you go with an independent appraisal, inspection, or even both, don’t forget that these steps cost money to take. And, that you’ll still have to pay for mold remediation after the home is purchased.
After Buying a House with Mold
If you go through with buying a house with mold, you’ll need to remove the mold before you can move in. But, removing mold isn’t as simple as spraying with bleach and wiping down surfaces. It takes true professionals to identify the reason for mold growth, prevent mold from growing, and remove the mold that’s currently present.
If you’ve bought a house in the South Florida area, consider A Plus Mold Remediation Inc. for your mold remediation needs. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation quote for remediation.