How to Address Hazardous Materials and Substances When Selling a Home

 Posted on February 11, 2021 in Real Estate

If you are planning to sell your home, you will need to deal with a wide variety of financial and personal concerns. In addition to looking for a new home, preparing to move, and obtaining financing, you will want to make sure your house is in a good condition so it can fetch an appropriate price when it is placed on the market. While you may be prepared to perform some repairs and make some improvements, you should also be aware of any safety issues, toxic substances, or hazardous materials that may need to be disclosed or remediated during the home closing process.

Resolving Issues Related to Hazardous Substances

You may already be aware of certain safety concerns in your home, or some of these issues may be uncovered when a home inspection is performed. You are typically required to disclose any known health hazards, and you and the buyer may determine how to address any concerns that are found during an inspection. Some hazardous substances or materials that may affect the sale of your home include:

• Mold - Different types of toxic mold can grow in areas of a home where moisture is present. These may include areas with leaks or which have flooded, or bathrooms, attics, or crawl spaces where steam builds up if it is not properly vented. Mold remediation may need to be performed to remove existing mold and ensure that the proper measures are in place to prevent mold from growing in these areas in the future.

• Radon - This radioactive gas is often found in the ground, and it can enter a home through cracks or openings at or below ground level, such as in a basement. Since radon will continuously enter a home, mitigation systems will need to be installed to prevent this issue from affecting those who live in the home.

• Asbestos - Many older homes contain this substance, which has been found to cause serious health issues when breathed into the lungs. Asbestos may be present in insulation, floor tiles, roof shingles, siding, and other building materials. In some cases, asbestos may need to be removed, while in others, containment methods may be used to prevent fibers from being released into the air.

• Lead paint - Some older homes may have doors, walls, window frames, or surfaces that have been painted with paints that contain lead. Exposure to lead can cause a variety of health issues for adults and children, and buyers may ask that any lead paint in a home be removed before they move in.

• Carbon monoxide - This deadly gas can build up in a home if furnaces or fireplaces are not properly vented. Installing a carbon monoxide detector can determine whether this is an issue that may affect the safety of those who live in a home and whether any carbon monoxide leaks will need to be repaired.

Contact Our Lake County Real Estate Attorneys

When selling your home, you can avoid problems or complications during the home closing process by identifying any hazards and determining the best ways to address these issues. Taking steps to repair or correct these safety concerns can improve your home’s overall value and ensure that you will not encounter difficulties during your real estate transaction. At Newland and Newland, LLP, we can help you determine the best ways to address these types of concerns during your home closing, and we will advocate for your interests and help you complete your transaction as smoothly as possible. Contact our Gurnee residential real estate lawyers today by calling 847-549-0000 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://thismatter.com/money/real-estate/environmental-hazards.htm

https://www.homelight.com/blog/selling-a-house-with-asbestos/

https://www.radovent.com/Radon-Gas-Blog/bid/70381/Can-I-sell-my-home-if-it-has-high-radon-levels

https://www.homelight.com/blog/selling-a-house-with-mold/