When it comes to things that could be wrong with a house, mold often does not top the list. However, it is still quite the inconvenience. Many buyers often turn their head the other way when they look at a home that has a mold problem. It must be pretty bad, huh? Below we will discuss the most important things to take into consideration when it comes to dealing with a moldy house, whether you are buying or selling.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that thrives in moist areas. In most cases, the humidity inside your home will not exceed 70%. However, many people do not measure it, so they do not know how humid their home is. As it develops, mold typically looks like yellow, blue, or grayish spots on your walls. While this certainly is not a good look, it is not necessarily harmful.
What Happens When Mold Goes Untreated?
If you do not address your mold situation early on, it can become a serious threat. Big mold growths can lead to trouble breathing, skin irritation, and several other problems. This can be more severe for those suffering from asthma or other respiratory health issues. This is why a mold problem can discourage buyers from moving forward with a home they otherwise love. And if you are selling, it can make you feel as if you will never be able to seal the deal and make the sale. Dealing with a mold problem is not pleasant, but that does not mean you won’t be able to sell your home.
Selling Your Moldy Home
If you are selling a home that has a mold problem, your first step is to try to eliminate the mold as best as you can. Hire a mold inspector so that you can be sure you get to the root of the problem. Your mold inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of your home. They will then be able to point out the affected areas in need of attention, in addition, they will be able to identify the causes of your mold problem. This can be critical moving forward as it helps to prevent more growth from the pesky fungus. If you have dealt with mold in the past, don’t be tricked into thinking this is a problem you can remedy yourself. To properly evaluate your home’s flaws requires special skills and training so this is why it is important that you trust a mold professional. Trying to just cover up cosmetic flaws to hide the problem is not the way to address a mold problem, as it will eventually return. Buyers are well aware of this so without proof that you have addressed the root of the problem, they will most likely choose to walk away from your home and explore other options. This is why it is important to follow all of the recommended steps provided to you by the mold inspector. Keep all of your receipts and relevant paperwork in a special folder that you have documentation of the work done. Being able to show these to potential buyers will prove you did what you could to solve the problem at the root instead of just a surface level treatment. We recommend being up front when it comes to disclosing all the details of your mold infestation to buyers, in fact, your work on remedying the problem could increase the value of your home.
Buying A Moldy Home
If you are looking at a home you believe is moldy due to the smell or appearance, you should ask for a proper inspection. Mold inspectors have the training needed to find the source of the mold and to treat it effectively. Some even offer remediation services. If you are worried that they may suggest changes in an effort to take your money, you could also look into hiring a private inspector that only does evaluations. If a mold problem is the only thing keeping you from buying a home you love, reach out to the seller. This will make them more motivated to tackle the problem, especially in knowing you plan to purchase the home once the situation is properly dealt with. Mold inside a home is usually easy to spot, but don’t forget to also check the exterior of the home. The area where the downspout is located is a good place to look. If you see signs of mold there, it means that the water from your roof is not draining properly. This can also lead to basement and crawl space flooding which means future interior mold growth. If you do not feel like you can trust the seller to adequately handle the mold problem, you should try to negotiate a lower price. Do the math on how much it would cost to address the mold situation and offer that much less for the house.
Buyers Trust Paramount Restoration
If you want to be sure that you are getting an accurate depiction of the mold problem and proper remediation, call Paramount Restoration to schedule an inspection and get an estimate. This will provide you with a more accurate idea of how much fixing the problem will cost you, allowing you to make an informed decision moving forward. Make sure that you are focusing on the cause of the mold– this is the only way to get a long-term solution so that you can truly enjoy your new home.
Hiring A Mold Inspector
Regardless of if you are buying or selling, the most important step when dealing with a home that has a mold problem is to hire an expert. Our team at Paramount Restoration will diagnose the problem and find the best solution for eliminating mold from your home. In doing so, sellers are able to find a buyer more easily and buyers can rest assured that they made a good choice.
Contact us (859-525-2379) for more information or to schedule an appointment
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About Paramount Restoration
Paramount Restoration performs emergency remediation throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for water, storm, fire, mold, sewage damage, and more seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call us day or night for an estimate – we waive 100% of the estimate fees for all calls between 8 am and 5 pm!