MOLD
DISCLOSURE/LIABILITIES
PROPERTY DAMAGE
Today the real estate
industry is facing a
relatively uncharted
encroachment — MOLD.
Prospective buyers are
becoming aware of it and
have a concern, sellers
don’t want to think
about or deal with it
and real estate agents
are caught in the
middle. Though mold can
certainly throw a
monkey-wrench into a
real estate transaction,
it doesn’t have to end
in a lost sale of
property.
Mold is MANAGEABLE
By exercising a few
systematic steps to
correct the conditions
for its growth and
cleaning it up, most
mold problems can be
resolved. The first step
in the process is
understanding what the
problem is and how it
came about. GPI offers
cost-effective
inspection and testing
services to accurately
identify mold issues and
find the source, without
prejudice, bias or
conflict of interest.
High incidence of mold.
According to the
Environmental Protection
Agency, molds are found
in up to 50% of all
structures. Contrarily,
many other studies show
100% incidence of mold
in structures. Public
exposure to mold appears
to be universal and can
probably be discovered
in almost every indoor
environment. The root
concerns for those
worried about the
hazards of mold is their
exposure to high-risk
contamination levels and
catastrophic financial
losses resulting from
un-repairable
structures.
Proactive steps.
Some owners of real
estate have found it
beneficial to conduct a
“pre-emptive strike”
against mold inquiries
from prospective buyers.
A mold inspection and
mold testing ordered by
an owner prior to the
listing or sale of
property offers
disclosure, evidence and
a good faith enhancement
to prospective buyers.
Minimizing liability.
Even if the initial
results of a
owner-ordered mold test
indicates a potential
problem, they have the
opportunity to correct
and abate the mold
problem. When
appropriate corrective
action is taken, the
follow-up clearance
testing should provide
results favorable to
potential buyers. This
proactive measure by the
property owner minimizes
or eliminates liability
and litigation.
Mold inspection can
benefits all parties.
Whether purchasing a new
or old home or building,
the buyer should include
mold inspection to the
home/building and
termite inspection
requirements. Doing so
can avoid problems as
encountered by the above
new homeowner. Most
important to any pending
real estate purchase,
the buyer should first
contact and have their
insurance agent run a
claims history on that
piece of property. If
there has ever been a
mold damages claim on
the residence or
building, some insurers
may not offer coverage
to the new buyer — or
coverage costs may be
prohibitive due to the
property’s mold history.
Seek mold help from a
qualified professional.
Whether you are a real
estate agent, a seller
or a potential real
estate purchaser with a
concern or issue about
potential mold problems,
GPI is available to
assist and assess those
conditions. Mold and
mildew consulting,
inspections, mold
sampling/testing and
solutions for mold
problems and damages are
available to real estate
companies, property
owners & managers,
property sellers and
potential buyers by
GWINNETT PROPERTY
INSPECTIONS.
