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I've scoured the internet and found a ton of information on the manufacture of methamphetamine, the by products and the dangers of its manufacture. What I have not been able to find is what is involved in the cleanup. And how safe is the house after the cleanup?
I am first time buyer. I am not buying for an investment, this will be the house I retire in and live my life out in. I found a truly awesome house. But when I goggled it, it showed up on a Methamphetamine Contaminated Properties List. It was cleaned up the end of 2003.
My uncle painted his Red truck white. About 6 weeks later the truck had turned pink. Will the same thing happen with the meth and it's byproducts? Will there be an eventual bleed through some 10 years down the road?
The Realtor I'm working with has assured me that the house would have been cleaned down to the studs, dry wall removed, etc. And he also understands my reluctance to purchase this awesome house.
I read the thread "Methlabs - Heartache or Buyer's dream? (agent, disclosure, advantage, negotiating) " by CaoimhÃn P. Connell in this forum. Although I don't plan to sale this house, should my employer offer me a job in another state, how easy will I be able to sell this house?
There are cleaning services that the police use for cleaning crime scenes. Some specialize in cleaning drug houses. They use specific chemicals outside of the normal household cleaning products to remove residue.
I would make a few calls and try to track down the company that handles that sort of thing in your area. I'm sure they can answer your questions since they are experienced with this sort of thing.
Here's what I found.
Unless I was going to tear it down and rebuild I would not buy a house that had been a meth lab. There is just too little known about the possible health effects of living in such a place, even if it has been "cleaned up". Meth is made with extremely toxic substances. Not a risk I would be willing to take.
Location: Mokelumne Hill, CA & El Pescadero, BCS MX.
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My fire department and Hazmat friends tell me that the chemicals involved in the manufacture of meth are generally highly volatile solvents (gasoline is a highly volatile solvent too) and can be safely cleaned up. These chemicals and their improper use are why these things blow up from time to time. I would be OK with buying a home that had been used as a meth lab, but obviously a percentage of the market wouldn't, limiting your potential buying public.
I read the thread "Methlabs - Heartache or Buyer's dream? (agent, disclosure, advantage, negotiating) " by CaoimhÃn P. Connell in this forum. Although I don't plan to sale this house, should my employer offer me a job in another state, how easy will I be able to sell this house?
If research says the house is okay and you can get a good discount on it considering that history, then I say go for it. You'd likely have to redeem the discount to the next buyer, if any, so just be confident it's $$ enough.
If research says the house is okay and you can get a good discount on it considering that history, then I say go for it. You'd likely have to redeem the discount to the next buyer, if any, so just be confident it's $$ enough.
I would venture that if the OP buys and lives in this house for a while, resale shouldn't be an issue.
A RE agent would know better than I but I don't think the disclosure forms would require someone to disclose that this was a former meth house. My understanding is a seller has to disclose current and knowndefects.
If the house is in good repair and free of hazardous substances when being put on the market, I wouldn't expect it to be an issue, IMO.
I've scoured the internet and found a ton of information on the manufacture of methamphetamine, the by products and the dangers of its manufacture. What I have not been able to find is what is involved in the cleanup. And how safe is the house after the cleanup?
I am first time buyer. I am not buying for an investment, this will be the house I retire in and live my life out in. I found a truly awesome house. But when I goggled it, it showed up on a Methamphetamine Contaminated Properties List. It was cleaned up the end of 2003.
My uncle painted his Red truck white. About 6 weeks later the truck had turned pink. Will the same thing happen with the meth and it's byproducts? Will there be an eventual bleed through some 10 years down the road?
The Realtor I'm working with has assured me that the house would have been cleaned down to the studs, dry wall removed, etc. And he also understands my reluctance to purchase this awesome house.
I read the thread "Methlabs - Heartache or Buyer's dream? (agent, disclosure, advantage, negotiating) " by CaoimhÃn P. Connell in this forum. Although I don't plan to sale this house, should my employer offer me a job in another state, how easy will I be able to sell this house?
-Julian
You do not say what state you are in. Some states have good state laws addressing the clean up of these houses, others (like Texas) are not so good. The important thing to find out is what your state considers "clean". It will not be the same in every state. There may also be some ongoing issues with things like plumbing and metals in the house due to corrosion from acidic/caustic vapors and liquids. God forbid there is a septic system as this can lead to soil contamination that needs to be checked out.
The EPA is currently making rules w/regard to what is considered "clean" at houses formerly used as meth labs.
Find out what your state considers "clean" then go from there. "Clean" does not necessarily mean down to the frame stripping but it all depends. Then research whether the states level of "clean" makes you feel comfortable with the house.
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