Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We moved out of our home in Feb 2014, disconnecting the basement dehumidifier, and discovered non-toxic mold in a few spots in the basement 5 months later during a home inspection while the house was on the market. The buyer walked away without even asking for remediation, or anything. We had the basement remediated and connected the dehumidifier to the HVAC system. The mold company provided a 10-year warranty on the work, but we've had 2 more potential buyers walk away as soon as they heard there was a previous mold issue. It's a great house, with lots of new upgrades, but we're worried we'll never be able to sell it with the mold stigma. Any suggestions?
Maybe lower the price of the home to offset the mold stigma? And advertise the fact that while most basement may have a MOISTURE issue, you have both a dehumidifier AND a 10 year warranty on the work for no mold.
Your agent needs to be proactive. Have agents call your agent before showing so she can explain what happened and then give them current mold testing that shows normal levels. Do you have current mold testing that shows it has normal levels of mold?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,206,701 times
Reputation: 57821
People are very scared of mold, mostly because they watch TV and see shows on HDTV and DIY like "Holmes Inspection".
They may be concerned that it was not all removed, or that it will come back. You might talk to the realtor about options and disclosure law. Maybe taking it off the market for a while will allow you to start over with a new inspection that is clean, and perhaps "former mold" after remediation is not required to be disclosed?
Price is always a way of overcoming objections but I would have a mold test done by a company other than the company that did the remediation and have that report accompany your disclosures. I'd also put in the MLS remarks that you will pay for the buyers' test using their choice of testing company or inspector. That is putting your money where your mouth is and, if the price is right (not too low because that sends a signal that something IS wrong), that should give a buyer confidence that they will be ok.
Buyers -- and their real estate agents -- need to get a grip. Every home has mold. Most mold isn't toxic, can be taken care of with a bucket of bleach, and prevented with a dehumidifier.
I think the above two posters are missing the point. You are both right but missing the point. If the buyers hit the road because of the news of mold, they clearly are not buying in an area where mold is present in every house on the market. The OP must overcome a stigma to sell the property and it doesn't matter if the stigma is real or perceived.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
