Mold. It’s the four-letter word that’s all but guaranteed to send would-be homebuyers running away from your property. It’s no wonder mold is the first thing most home inspectors look at when assessing a house. Besides being a sign of poor cleanliness and moisture, mold can also be a serious health hazard.
So, what do you if you want to put your home on the market but the home inspector found mold in your attic or basement?
For starters, give yourself a pat on the back for being the first to learn about your mold problem. Trust us when we say it’s better to discover this issue from your own home inspector instead of hearing the news from a potential buyer.
Here’s a closer look at what you should do after discovering mold in a home you want to sell.
Find Out How Bad the Problem Is
If you learned about your mold issue before an official home inspection, be sure to check the rest of the house for mold. Look at areas where moisture tends to accumulate, or areas that get little to no sunlight exposure—think basements, attics, and spaces around water heaters.
At this point, a home inspection will help evaluate your mold problem, plus the condition of the entire property. Even if you don’t have any mold, a home inspection will determine areas in your property that are at risk for mold growth, which in turns allows you to make preventive repairs.
Fix the Underlying Issue
Mold growth is just a symptom of an underlying problem, usually having to do with water damage.
If it’s in the basement, the problem is probably due to leaking pipe or flooding that’s been left unattended. On the other hand, if the mold is in the attic, it usually points to a leaking roof.
Either way, if you discover serious mold growth after removing damaged pipes or dry wall, be sure to stop all work and have a mold removal company handle the problem.
Request a Complete Mold Inspection
While a home inspection evaluates the condition of your entire home, a mold inspection is designed to determine the scope of your mold problem and perform “mold remediation.” While expensive, mold remediation is the safest and most thorough solution to removing mold and preventing its return.
First, mold inspectors use a combination of chemicals to kill the mold. Second, your home is treated to ensure the mold doesn’t return. A reliable mold removal company will offer a warranty (usually a few years) as a guarantee of their work.
Put Everything on Paper
It’s not enough to just fix your mold problem. You should also document all repairs and related costs, which will prove crucial when you finally list your home. Should your potential buyers have questions about mold, you can then show your records, particularly your home and mold inspection reports, to show you’ve addressed any and all mold-related issues.
Proper documentation will also protect you from a buyer who might pursue legal action for a problem you’re not liable for.
If you don’t have time for these measures, you can still sell your home as is based on a fair market price. Sell your property to an investor like Blue Hen Homebuyers! We buy all kinds of houses, regardless of their age or condition. Call our offices today at 910-802-2222 to learn more about how our services can help you.