Should You Buy a House with Mold Problems

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

Realtor showing a Potential buyer a home without knowing if there is mold.

You finally find the home of your dreams after searching forever in the Palm Desert area. Just before signing on the dotted line, you discover that the home has mold problems. Should you buy your dream house anyway?

First, let’s talk about what mold is. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow anywhere if given the right conditions. Thousands of species of mold can be found in houses; from the kind that grows on bread and fruit to the mold that inhabits humid spaces. Exposure to some types of mold can even cause health effects, so you'll need to have it removed from the home as soon as possible to be safe.

Also, mold may cause serious structural damage to a building because it feeds on and breaks down organic matter. Therefore, when mold infests walls, insulation, paper backing, or carpeting, the materials must be removed.

Before you buy any home, make sure you have it inspected for mold and other problems. Insist that the inspection contains a contingency clause (which defines a condition or action that must be met for a real estate contract to become binding). Never take a seller's or real estate agent's word about the presence of mold. Even if you're getting a really good discount, you want to get an inspection. The cost of removing the mold could end up being greater than your savings. If mold is exposed during the inspection, you have a bargaining chip. You can then do one of three things:

1. Ask the seller to reduce the asking price
2. Ask the seller to fix the problem
3. Walk away from the deal

Sellers are required under state real estate disclosure rules to disclose if there’s an ongoing mold problem in the house or if it’s been previously flooded, but they don't always do so. If they do not, the owner may be liable to you for failure to disclose. (See the Nolo article, "Home Defects: Sue the Seller," which provides useful advice on determining who’s legally responsible for home defects and how to file suit.)

You may decide to tackle the mold clean up yourself, but some mold grows deep roots that can only be removed with the right tools. This will cause the mold to keep coming back if it is not removed properly. Mold can also be very difficult to find. You would be better off using a company that specializes in mold removal like SERVPRO of Palm Desert. 

There's no right answer for whether it's OK to buy a home with mold. Your primary concerns should be your budget, your health and how soon you need to move in. On the other hand, if you’ve got the time and money to get rid of the mold, purchasing a home with mold in it could save you money, especially if your home is appraised lower because of the mold.

Give SERVPRO of Palm Desert a call today and let our professionals handle the mold in your home!