So you’re thinking of moving and have a particular neighborhood in mind. It’s quiet, safe and is located in an amazing school district. The only problem is that all the houses in your desired neighborhood are way above your price range. You manage to stumble upon a house that is within your budget and after touring it you start to wonder what is wrong with the home. Why is this seller asking significantly less than other sellers in the same area? The real estate agent discloses that the price is reduced because there is a slight mold problem that the buyer would be responsible for taking caring of. You know that mold is a serious concern for home buyers and consider walking away from the deal, but should a slight problem deter you from buying an otherwise perfect home? There is no simple answer to whether or not you should buy a home with a mold problem, but here are some things to consider before making the purchase.
Reduced Cost:
Sellers are often unwilling to remove existing mold in homes they want to sell. As a result homes with mold growth sit on the market at significantly reduced prices. Low purchasing costs increases interest in buyers looking to save money. Before investing in a home with mold consider the facts about how mold can affect your health and just how much money you might have to fork out to fix the problem.
Risks:
Mold comes in many different shapes and sizes. Some molds are more toxic than others – making it important to find out just what exactly you’re dealing with. Toxic mold can cause serious health conditions making it difficult to breathe, increase coughing, and worsening asthma. Other severe reactions include fever and infections in the lungs. Having brief exposure to mold in your home doesn’t usually result in serious health conditions, but you’ll need to find alternate living arrangements or remove existing mold as soon as possible before it becomes a serious health problem.
Causes:
Mold grows very well in a moist environment, making it no surprise that it is most commonly found in wet basements, windows that haven’t been sealed properly, and around air conditioning vents. Discovering mold in your home may be an indication of a prior issue with the house, such as a flood or a burst pipe. It is important that you find out exactly what caused the mold to grow in the first place in order to ensure no costly surprises spring up once you’ve made the purchase. Remember that mold can be the first sign that something else is wrong in the home and could cost you a lot of money in the future to repair.
Appraisal/Inspection
Mold significantly reduces the value of a home, which can be a huge incentive for buyers who want to get into a great home for a reduced cost. The home owner and real estate agent may choose not to disclose a mold problem (despite their legal obligation), so it’s imperative to not take their word for it and get a professional inspection done. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) inspection is required to not only tell you what kind of mold is in the home, but also how much is there and where it’s located. An inspection will also indicate how dangerous the mold growing inside a home is, which may determine when it needs to be removed before you can be approved for and FHA loan. If the mold is too dangerous buyers may be responsible for removing toxic mold before any loan funds will be released.
Make a Choice:
There is no right or wrong answer to the question “Should I buy a home with an existing mold problem?” The choice comes down to three questions:
- Do you have the budget?
Buying a home with mold may end up costing you serious cash up front to resolve the issue. If you have money to pitch in for inspections and mold removal this might be a great way to save you money in the long run and get a home in your desired location. Make sure the mold isn’t affecting the structure of the home in order to avoid surprise repairs in the future.
- How healthy are you?
Do you have asthma or allergies? If you have existing health conditions, specifically respiratory conditions, it may not be a good choice to buy a home with mold problem as it may negatively impact your health.
- How much time do you have?
If you need to be out of your existing home and into a new one quickly, buying a home with mold may not be your best option. It takes time to determine the severity of the problem and additional time to resolve it.
Buying a home with mold in it can be a great way to attain the home of your dreams if you take the proper precautions. Mold removal services, such as the ones offered at Octagon Cleaning & Restoration, make it easy for home owners to sleep at night knowing their mold problem is being eliminated safely.