Searching for a house to buy is quite a bothersome task, and since the housing marketing is very competitive, everyone knows that, once you find a decent house, you should act fast!
But what if it appears that the house of your dream has a mold infestation?! Definitely, buying a house with mold is not something that you would dream about.
However, the question remains: should you buy a house with mold? Or maybe it would be better to search for another option instead?
In this article, we will try to give you all the answers on this subject. You will learn whether or not you should refuse to buy a house that has mold, and when it is time indeed to start searching for all the alternative options you can find.
Also, you will find out what issues a house with mold might bring should you buy it.
Should I Buy a House With Mold?
Imagine that you have been searching for the house of your dream, and finally you found it. But after you arrive to see it in person, you learn that the house has mold! Isn’t it disappointing?
Buying a home means that you are making a huge investment! This is a well-known fact. This is why it is very important to understand all the risks of buying a house that has mold in it. As the buyer, your purchase agreement protects you against major problems that you may face.
As a result, this allows you to walk away if there is mold. However, that does not mean you have to cancel the deal!
Your decision of buying a house with mold issues depends on several factors:
- the price of the house
- how much you like the home
- whether you can reach an agreement with the seller on this issue
If the house is being sold for a very attractive price, or if it is a small issue and there is not much mold inside of the home, moving forward with the sale might be the right option for you.
However, if you are paying a lot, or it is a large problem, and mold infestation is massive, walking away might save you time and money in the long run and be the best and the optimal option.
So if you are buying a home and you learn that it has mold, it is important to know when you should walk away.
If there is a problem, try to start by talking with your real estate agent. They will be able to help guide you through the process and also, they can work with the seller and try to resolve the issue.
Also, the price and value of the home should be considered. If it has everything you are looking for and the price is great, maybe it is still a good buy! But if you realize that you will be paying a lot, or it is not exactly what you wanted, then it could be the right moment to turn and walk away.
What If I Still Want This House?
If you realize that you still want to buy the house even if there is mold in it, it is time to start negotiating with the seller. Your goal is to find a compromise that will work for both of you and satisfy both parties equally.
In this case, your agent will be very helpful since he or she can offer suggestions on how to proceed with negotiations.
There can be different solutions. For example, in some cases, the seller may agree to pay for mold removal. As an alternative option, you may agree to buy the home as it is for a lower price. You might also decide to split the costs or change the sale price to cover the removal.
There is also one more thing you should keep in mind when dealing with a moldy house for sale.
If the seller agreed to have the mold removed, ask them for records of all the work! You should also hire a different company to inspect the home afterward. Like this, you will make sure everything is done correctly.
Should I Get a Mold Inspection When Buying a House?
This is quite a frequently asked question that comes from those who finally found the house of their dream but it appeared that it was mold-infested. And here is the answer for you. You do not always need a mold inspection when buying a house.
At least, this is not mandatory. However, we would recommend you have an inspection! Especially if you are sensitive to mold or you see signs of a problem already.
Your home inspector may also recommend you get the house inspected if they see water leaks or other signs of mold. This may include such common issues as leaks, standing water, spots or stains on the walls or ceilings, or excess moisture.
If you choose to get an inspection, you should only hire a certified mold specialist. This is why make sure you double-check the company that you want to hire.
They must have all certificates and be an approved and trusted company with good feedback from the previous clients. Also, you should always pick your own inspector and never use the seller’s suggestion! Like this, you will be sure that the inspection is done thoroughly.
Like this, now you know whether or not you should buy a house if it has mold in it, and when it would be better for you to turn away and leave to find a better option. Anyway, if you feel hesitant, don’t be afraid to refuse and cancel the deal! It is your right to buy or not to buy, and if you are concerned about the mold, you have a full right to start searching for a better option instead.
Anyway, it is better to spend a bit more cash and buy a house that is mold-free rather than spending extra money on mold removal!
Is It Legal to Sell a House That Has Mold?
When people face this “moldy issue” when buying a home, they often start wondering how legal it is at all to buy such houses. And that is a good question!
Well, in fact, there are no legal restrictions. You can sell a home that has mold in it.
However, the seller is legally obligated to include the problem in the disclosure agreement! This makes sense since potential buyers have to know what is waiting for them.
This is why, before you sign the contract, you need to make sure you read it carefully and ask your agent should you have any questions. If the seller of a house mentions a mold problem, it would be much better if you hire professionals to have an independent mold inspection.
Also, you should get a quote on having it removed.
This way you know the scope of the damage and how much repairs will cost. This will also help when negotiating the sale price.
What Issues Can a Moldy House Bring to You?
Everyone knows that mold is dangerous, however, not everyone is aware of what exactly makes it so. And naturally, if you are going to buy a house that has issues with mold, you have to be informed about all the possible aftermath that may come with this problem.
So what is it so bad and harmful that makes mold such a hazardous thing in your home?
See, if a person is being exposed to a large number of mold spores for a long period of time, it may cause different health problems, allergic symptoms in particular:
- watery eyes
- runny nose
- sneezing
- itching
- coughing
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
- headache
- fatigue
And in case of repeated exposure to mold, a person’s sensitivity can be increased.
As a result, it may cause more severe allergic reactions. So even if you have strong health, living in a moldy space will not pass you by unnoticed. And things will be even worse if you are sensitive to mold or if you suffer from allergies already!
Mold has another nasty feature you should be aware of: all the problems we have mentioned above are getting worse indoors.
This happens because mold causes indoor air quality problems, especially in the case of a massive infestation. Certain kinds of mold, such as Stachybotrys and Aspergillus, can even produce toxins called mycotoxins under certain conditions. Exposure to mycotoxins can cause more serious illnesses.
This is why people who live or work in buildings that are exposed to moisture all the time and not adequately ventilated are more at risk of illnesses caused by mold. Those at particular risk include:
- Infants and children
- Elderly people
- Immune-compromised people
- Those who have existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, etc.
This is why, if you are about to buy a house with mold, you should either make sure that it is fully removed before you move in, or you should consider searching for another mold-free alternative instead.
Anyway, it is better to pay more for a house with no mold issues than spend more time, money, and effort on getting rid of this disaster!
How to Prevent Mold From Growing Back?
If you used to have mold in your home but now it is gone, it does not mean that you will never have it again.
This is one of those features of these spores that makes mold so nasty once it settles in our homes. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do in order to prevent mold from growing back in the closet:
- Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, such as the basement or laundry rooms
- Fix leaks in the roof, walls, windows, or pipes once they appear
- Ventilate bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas thoroughly and regularly
- Vent clothes dryer to the outside
- Use mold-resistant paint
- Dry areas that are wet or have been flooded within 24 to 48 hours
With just these few actions, you will be able to keep your home mold-free and make sure that those health-hazardous spores will not appear in the place where you and your family live.
Well, folks, now you know what to do if you want to buy a house and you suddenly learn that it has mold in it!
We hope that, after you read this article, you will be able to easily decide whether or not it’s worth your effort. As you know, mold is not a good thing for your health, so we recommend you think twice before signing the contract: are you sure that you want to spend your time and money on fighting mold?
Maybe, it would be much easier and better to buy a mold-free home at once?
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