There’s nothing that strikes more fear into the hearts of prospective homebuyers than the word mold. There’s been so much hype in various media about the dangers of “black mold” that it’s not surprising people would have such an immediate adverse reaction. If you are selling your home, and you are aware of or suspect you have a mold problem, it’s in your best interest to get as much information as you can about the mold – before putting your house on the market. Then, if a mold problem is found, we strongly recommend dealing with the issue – before putting your house on the market.
Are you noticing the theme here? Yes, it’s essential that you investigate and if necessary remediate any mold problems in your home before you list the home for sale.
Why You Should Remediate for Mold before Putting Your House on the Market
- While frequently unsightly but not toxic, molds may exacerbate allergic or asthma-type symptoms in people prone to these conditions. Those people may experience cough, chest congestion, sinus congestion, eye irritation, asthma flare-ups, and other related symptoms. A few types of mold are quite hazardous because of their potential to cause infections in people and/or release toxins.
- Buyers will steer clear of any home that has visible mold problems, moldy/mildewy odors, etc.
- Buyers also will be concerned if there’s evidence that your home ever had a water problem – flooding, leaky pipes, ceiling stains from roof leaks, and mold odors – and you will need to provide proof that the problem(s) have been dealt with.
- If a buyer purchases your home and discovers that there is a pre-existing mold problem that you knew about and did not remediate, the buyer may be able to sue you for repairs.
Common Types of Mold in Homes
It’s helpful to have an understanding of what types of mold are frequently found in residences and how serious they are. Types of Aspergillus and cladosporium molds are common in homes – the former may appear in home a/c systems, carpets, walls, and basements; while the latter is the black or green spotty mold that may be on the back of toilets, in shower stalls, on window frames, etc. If present in a home, stachybotrys chartarum (“black mold”) is often found behind or in wallpaper, drywall, or basements where water damage has occurred and not been remediated. Penicillium (sound familiar?) is not just found on foods, but sometimes in home walls and insulation. There are many, many types of molds – what is common in one part of the world may be less common elsewhere.
Health Concerns about Mold
Because there’s so much variety in the mold world, molds are typically classified as:
- Hazard Class A mold, which is hazardous because they may cause infection or create toxins like Aflatoxin B1, which is a carcinogen.
- Hazard Class B mold, which may cause allergic reactions such as skin irritation, breathing difficulties, headaches, asthma attacks, and other problems when exposure to them is prolonged.
- Hazard Class C mold, which typically is not hazardous to health in any way.
Cost of Remediation
Labor is the most expensive part of any mold remediation project. Reliable, effective mold remediators will not just clean up existing mold, but they’ll also ensure that plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or other sources of moisture are fixed, too. The cost for mold remediation varies significantly depending on the amount and type of mold, size of property, and other factors. According to homeadvisor.com, the average cost for homeowners is $1,135 - $3,182; however, if a crawl space or basement is involved, remediation can easily approach $10,000.
We hope your home isn’t plagued by serious mold problems. If you are getting ready to sell – or just want to have your home looked over for potential problems – please get in touch. We can refer you to reputable mold testing and remediation firms that will get the job done.
And when you are ready to sell, remember that we at The Vincent Group at GreatNest serves buyers and sellers in Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, Summerfield, Oak Ridge, Jamestown, and other Piedmont Triad areas. Our experienced real estate professionals help home buyers and sellers save money by charging a low set fee instead of a percentage commission. Please get in touch by calling (336) 790-5210 or by emailing Steve Vincent.
Sources for this blog post include:
http://www.mouldfacts.ca/mold-types-in-homes-and-health-risks.html
http://www.maxrealestateexposure.com/need-know-mold-selling-home/
http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/environmental-safety/remove-mold-and-toxic-materials/