After searching high and low for that perfect South Carolina home, you at long last find the one of your dreams. But just before you sign on the dotted line, you learn that it has mold problems. Is that such a big deal? Should you still buy it?
What Is Mold?
Mold is another type of fungus (which there are thousands of species in every house). From the type that sprouts on bread and fruit to the mold that dwells in humid spaces. Some kinds of mold are more harmful than others, and continual exposure to large amounts of mold could cause health crises such as breathing difficulties, coughing, and the aggravation of asthma. Short-term exposure to mold is not likely to cause serious problems but to be on the safe side, you will still need to have the mold removed from the home as soon as possible.
Buying A Home With Mold Checklist
Before buying any home, make sure to have it inspected for mold and other issues. Require that the inspection includes a contingency clause. This defines a condition or action that needs to be met before a real estate contract becomes binding. Never accept a seller’s or real estate agent’s opinion about whether mold is present or not. Even if the home has been deeply discounted, have an inspection completed because the cost of eliminating the mold could very well eliminate any savings. If mold is found during an inspection, then you’ll have more leverage during price negotiations. You can then decide to do one of three things:
- Request the seller to lower the asking price.
- Ask the seller to repair the problem.
- Walk away from the transaction.
Helpful Mold Links And Tips
Sellers are bound under South Carolina state real estate disclosure rules to disclose to the buyer if there’s a current mold problem in the house or if it’s ever been flooded, but they don’t always do so. If they don’t, the owner could be liable to you for failure to disclose. (See the Nolo article, “Home Defects: Sue the Seller,” which offers helpful advice on defining who’s legally responsible for home deficiencies and how to file suit.)
If you should choose to attempt the mold clean up yourself, these sites include advice on mold removal:
Next Steps When Your Dream Home Has Mold
Unless you have a lot of experience cleaning up mold, you’ll be better off employing a company that specializes in mold removal. Contact Kingsley Water Damage Restoration for help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that even dead mold can cause allergies, so just killing mold with bleach or other chemicals isn’t enough. The mold needs to be completely removed, and for that specially designed equipment is needed.
There’s no correct answer for the question of whether or not it’s OK to purchase a home with mold. Your main concerns ought to be your budget, your health, and how quickly you’ll need to move in. For example, if you’re suffering from allergies and there’s lots of mold in a home, it’s risky to buy it if you must move in right away. Then again, if you have the resources and ability to remove the mold, buying a home that contains mold growth may save you some money, especially if the home is assessed at a lower price due to the mold.
At Kingsley Water Damage Restoration, we’re aware of the hazards mold can present and provide complete mold remediation services to speedily remove it. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, or have found mold in your home, it is important to act quickly and call us so we can limit your exposure to hazardous mold spores and minimize damage to your home.