[janp]

We are buying a foreclosure in N. Naples.

My realtor told us that a termite inspection is not required in FL and that few people do them on concrete/stucco homes. This is the first state we have lived in where the seller did not have to provide this! House was built in 2003. Construction is stucco over concrete block and concrete tile roof. There is a 2nd floor bonus room that is frame.

The house sat vacant for ~1yr. w/o regular maintenance. During our home inspection, inspector found mold on the coils of the AC and in the pan. The filters are also filthy. Should we get the mold inspection to make sure this mold is non-toxic before closing? Or should we wait until we have the AC serviced to see if this remediates the problem?

What about radon inspection? I am getting to the point of not knowing whether people are looking out for our best interest or if they are just trying to up sell every product that they offer.

Thanks for any input.

[DailyJournalist]

Your realtor is just trying to avoid issues. I would definetly get a termite inspection and have a full home ispection by a licensed home inspector.

[bale002]

A termite inspection is highly recommended, I believe it is the buyer's responsibility, it should have been a part of your general inspection.

The seller should have released to you a statement that they have no knowledge of the presence of mold.

It sounds like there was or is leakage from the AC system. You should definitely have a mold inspection.

It sounds like the general inspection also included a search for mold. If the general inspection mentions mold in just one or two areas, and you don't want to spend another $500 for a whole-scale mold inspection, try to find a mold inspection company that will analyze the mold that you detected around the AC unit, you could save a couple hundred.

I am in a similar situation right now.

What do others think?

[Mike Peterson]

A termite inspection should be done. They are usually only $25-$35.

Mold around the A/C is very common in Florida especially for a home that was vacant.
A spray bottle with bleach cleans it up quickly. If it makes you feel more comfortable get the inspection.

If it is a newer home radon should not be a problem and it is only common in a few areas to have radon problems. There are some websites where you can check to see if an area has a high incidence of radon.

Zone 1 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) (red zones) Highest Potential
Zone 2 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (orange zones) Moderate Potential
Zone 3 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (yellow zones) Low Potential

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Mike Peterson

Mold around the A/C is very common in Florida especially for a home that was vacant.
A spray bottle with bleach cleans it up quickly. If it makes you feel more comfortable get the inspection.

Thanks for some common-sense advice, both about the mold and the rest.

[FLBob]

A termite inspection is not required by law in Florida, but I wouldn't buy a house without an inspection for wood destroying organisms.
In Florida there are dry wood and subterranean termites. Get a termite inspection. The presents of termites shouldn't be a deal breaker unless there is significant damage.
Mold in A/C units and duct work is common in older homes. I add a table spoon of bleach to my drain pan each month when I change filters. If there are signs of plumbing leaks you might consider a mold inspection.
I've never tested for radon since moving to Florida, had it in Maryland. I live with my home open most of the year so my radon risk indoors is about the same as outdoors.

[janp]

Thanks all for the good and practical info and advice. I think we will go ahead with the termite inspection and maybe look into the mold more. We are having a HVAC guy come and check the AC, he may have further advice.

We did have a future neighbor tell us to spray a can of lysol into the AC change the filters before and after. The bleach in the pan sounds like good advice too!

Thanks for the radon info too...I will try and find the website with the map. From the attached map, I couldn't tell which was zone 1, 2 or 3.

[Mike Peterson]

Zone 3-Low Potential

[Lilybeans]

I wouldn't touch a house without a termite and mold inspection.

[cfIfan]

In my experience if you are paying cash you dont have to have them done. If you are using a mortgage then they usually require it. Regardless of whether you are paying cash or using a mortgage, Get a mold/termite and an inspection done. all in all for the sake of no more than $450.00 you are getting piece of mind and i dont think you can put a price on that.

I also recommend getting a home warranty which costs no more than $399.99