Find Environmental Home Inspection Problems before You Buy
The first tour of a property is often an exciting time for both home buyers and their real estate agents. Ironically, it has also been one of the times when important elements about the property were missed including the environment around the house. In some instances, a buyer may even close on a property without an inspection and learn of awful environmental conditions shortly after moving in. Here are a few environmental issues that have surfaced in the purchase of real estate that home buyers should keep in mind and look for when touring homes for sale.
Asbestos
Some building materials used in properties built prior to 1980 may have included asbestos, a natural mineral, and carcinogen known to cause mesothelioma.
Lead
Human contact with lead often found in chipped paint, the ground, and other areas of homes built prior to 1978 is known to cause damage to several organs including the blood, brain, and kidneys, particularly in young kids.
Mold
Mold is a fungus that releases spores into the air and water, and is known to cause difficulties with breathing, coughs, and many other allergy symptoms.
Radon
Over time, the radioactive particles of this gas tend to get stuck in human lungs and increases the risk of lung cancer.
Meth Labs
Strong, mysterious odors, and other unsanitary conditions are the known characteristics of a former meth lab or other improper uses of a property.
Wrapping Up Environmental Home Inspections
While every market is different, these are just a few of the environmental issues to keep in mind when considering the purchase of a residential property. Consider evaluating the property for many more potential environmental issues, like drainage, insect infestation, and the conditions of oil, septic, or any other tanks possibly beneath the ground. Learn about off-property concerns such as nearby noise, air, and water cleanliness. While a thorough home inspection will often bring some potential environmental issues to light, it’s good to be proactive and own the responsibility of learning about and addressing these issues before committing to the purchase. After all, the property and the issues attached will all be yours once you close on the sale.
