Buying a home is usually a huge financial and emotional decision. In fact, for many Americans, buying a home is a rite of passage – a symbol of independence and financial stability. It’s no wonder then that for many, buying a home is a lifelong dream.
With this in mind, it only makes sense that you do all you can to make sure the purchase is worthwhile. The last thing you’d want is to fork all that money over only to realize later that the house needs substantial repairs, warns C21 Doug Anderson Property Management.
So, how do you ensure you get the most out of your investment? Well, by having your potential home inspected. Basically, a home inspection helps identify areas of the home that may require updates or repairs.
Want another pro tip when buying a home? Well, prior to signing on the dotted lines, insist on having the home inspected for mold.
Why Hire a Mold Inspector?
Isn’t mold inspection covered under a standard home inspection? Well, it might be but it may not be as thorough as hiring a mold inspection professional. A mold inspector has the proper equipment, training, and experience to find hidden mold infestations.
What Are Some Benefits of Having a Mold Inspection?
1. Fixing a mold problem is expensive.
Fixing mold damage doesn’t come cheap, particularly if it’s caused by water damage. Now, think about it: you decide that a mold inspection is just an added expense and isn’t worthwhile. You think you have made a smart decision by saving up some cash.
You finally move into your ‘dream home’, only to discover that the home has a serious mold problem. At this point, you have no other option than to incur heavy costs on mold remediation services.
What’s more, you’ll also have the water damage to fix as well. With a mold inspection, these are the kinds of problems you’ll be avoiding.
2. No seller would want to admit their home has a mold issue.
The goal of any home seller is to sell their property to the highest bidder in the shortest time possible. And no seller would want to admit that what they are selling is defective. The due diligence is yours to take.
And even for the honest sellers out there, they might not be aware that the problem exists. The only way to guarantee that your potential home is free from mold is by having a mold inspection conducted by a professional.
3. Mold can be a health hazard.
Mold can wreak havoc on your health, especially if the exposure goes on for a while. You may get symptoms such as throat irritation, eye irritation, skin irritation, colds, wheezing, coughing, and stuffy nose.
How do you Detect Mold in your Potential Home?
Here are some tips to check for mold.
1. Ask the seller if there is or has been a mold problem in the past.
While most sellers may not be willing to disclose such an issue, it’s still worth a try. Also, most states require home sellers to disclose certain problems to potential home buyers. The problem is – they are only required to disclose information that they already know.
Therefore, you cannot hold them responsible if they answer “no” or “unknown” to a mold disclosure problem.
Moisture is often the leading cause of mold problems. As such, if the seller answers “No” to your mold question, follow it up with a question about flooding.
If the home has experienced a flooding problem or there has been water damage in the past, chances are that the home has had a mold problem.
2. Watch out for a musty smell and visible signs of mold.
A sniff test might be the simplest way to determine whether there is mold growing in the home. So, what does mold smell like? Mold has a damp, musty scent – similar to what you would smell after opening an old book.
Others also say it smells like rotting wood or paper. As a general rule of thumb, if the air you’re breathing is stale or damp, even when the windows are open, odds are high there is the presence of mold.
And, obviously, the best indicator of the presence of mold in a home is visible mold. In this case, it’d be best to find out how much of it is there.
What’s Next After Discovering a Mold Problem?
Wwhat should you do once you discover your ‘dream’ home has a mold problem? Well, you have three options in this regard.
One, to draw up a contingency clause and require the seller to repair the mold. Two, to ask for a reduced price. Or third, simply continue with your home search.
So, clearly, as a buyer, it’s in your best interest to get a mold inspection when buying a house. A mold inspection can help you accurately determine whether it actually exists, how much there is, and where exactly it’s located.
Contact John Robinson’s Inspection Group Today for Mold Testing in San Diego
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John Robinson’s Inspection Group is a state-of-the-art, family-owned home inspection company that offers complete home inspection services to the San Diego area including: San Diego, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Temecula, and San Clemente.
