Buying a home with mold issues can be risky, so it is important to take a few things into consideration.
The cost of homes with mold damage can be significantly lower which makes them more attractive, however sometimes it can be a lot more to take on that expected.
Homes in Portland and Oregon in general are more likely to have mold issues because of how often it rains, the proximity of the ocean and the humidity in the air
How Much Damage is There?
When your home inspector finds that the home you are looking at purchasing has a mold problem, it is important to find out exactly how much damage there is.
At PacWest Home Inspections, we use thermal imaging technology to find mold issues. The thermal images can detect a range of temperatures, allowing us to spot leaks and other unusually warm or cold areas that are telling of a moisture issue.
Once we have done the thermal assessment and can see where the moisture is within the home, we can do a mold assessment to find out what kind of mold exists and how much of it is in the home.
From the results of these two tests, we can determine what the damage is on the home and give you an accurate report which will aid in deciding repair costs and whether is can be repaired.
Can the Damage be Repaired?
There are three questions to ask when deciding to go forward with the repair process:
- Is the water leaking problem fixable?
- Is it costly?
- Time consuming?
Once you have answered these three questions, you can decide what the best choice is for you.
Mold is typically caused by excess moisture that gets into the home. The moisture isn’t able to evaporate because of the dark and hidden nature of the cracks, so mold starts to form.
If the leaks found in the home are large and have been there for a while, it may be costly to fix. Plus, if there is one leak it is likely that there are more you don’t know about.
What Will Repairs Cost?
Getting rid of mold in a home can be expensive, so as the buyer you will need to decide if it is worth it. Take into consideration the value of the home, the cost to repair based on the report and the time that it will take.
Once we have completed the inspection, tested for mold and have done a thermal scan, we create an inspection report that shows all of the damage we found. From here, you and your realtor can look at the mold damage and decide if the cost to remove the mold and repair the leaks will cost more than you are willing to spend.
Depending on the amount of mold in the home, it may be reasonable to offer a lower price based on repair costs and efforts.
How Will it Affect You?
Mold can have negative health effects on you and your family if you decide to move into the home before – or while – the mold is removed.
People with asthma and/or allergies are more likely to develop breathing issues and respiratory infections. Pregnant women, elderly folks and young children can also be affected by these symptoms because their immune systems are weaker. Pets can also have trouble breathing and can develop dangerous respiratory infections.
Even if you and your family do not have any of these stipulations, mold can still cause breathing problems, headaches, respiratory infections and other health risks
It is important to take into careful consideration all of the factors when deciding whether to purchase a home that has mold or not.
