Would you buy a house with mold issues?

MrMrsandBaby

There is an AMAZING house for sale by us - super cheap because it has a pretty serious mold problem. 

Would you consider it?  Clearly we would have a mold removal process before we move in, but I'm wondering if we even bother?

jja0812

No. For me it would not be worth the potential health issues.

LoveBeingMama

We had a mold problem in our condo a few years ago. It was an expensive nightmare. And it wasn't even the 'bad' mold that can make you sick. Unless you have a lot of money to gut the rooms with mold, I would pass on the house.

lancyjo

Jessicameron:

No. For me it would not be worth the potential health issues.

This.

jk382

Jessicameron:

No. For me it would not be worth the potential health issues.

This!  Plus, wouldn't the expense of the mold removal counteract the cheapness of the house?  I am terrible at home improvement projects so it wouldn't be for me! 

MrMrsandBaby

I'm wary because of the cost to remove it completely. But I don't think we can get a quote if we don't buy it ya know?

Jeanine88

Nope. We just bought house and pretty much saw the house's identical twin , but this other house had visible mold issues. Our realtor told us to run far. 

tayrob1986

I would not. I nannied for a family that had a gorgeous home in a downtown historic district. They had mold issues, and thought they got them taken care of when the renovated the home before decorating and furnishing it. Three years after living there, and thinking that the issue was resolved, mold started showing up inside of the closet doors, walls, wine cellar, and door frames. They had to block out most of their house, had huge fans put in, all the walls torn out and down and rebuilt. They also sued the company that supposedly fixed it initially. It was an absolute nightmare. I swore after going through that with them that I would never, ever buy a house that had mold issues. 

ALane1128

Nope. No way. If they have mold problems, I wonder what else is wrong with the house.

MrMrsandBaby

Thanks ladies.  It just reconfirmed my thoughts...not going to bother looking.

Stupid house hunt. 

jja0812

Sorry, mobile frown

2chatter

For me, depends.  What kind of mold?  And you can absolutely determine the cost before purchase.  During the option period have an EPA approved mold remediation company in to provide a quote.  Frankly, I would have two in.  This would be after your inspection.  The ability to inspect the property is federally protected.

I say this as we approach our FIFTH option period on the "perfect house".  We have had two inspections, a foundation company, a structural engineer, a pool inspection and now are awaiting a leak test on the pool.  We funded only the initial inspection and the initial pool inspection and the sellers have funded the rest.  The sellers will be fixing any issues with the pool (we hope).  This exercise is to cost up the repairs then we will determine who will pay for them.  We also want to be fully aware of what costs future ownership may entail.  We extrapolated that based on executed foundation repairs and % of repairs that might be needed in the future, and it's an acceptable level of risk and cost for us.  But that is the purpose of the option period.  We keep extending to protect our earnest money.  And seriously, this house could not really be more perfect for us.  Good luck to you!

CotterpinDoozer

No way.  The health issues could be very serious, even life threatening.  It could be in the support beams and subflooring.  You'd probably have to absolutely gut everything to get the house as safe as possible, and even then it'd be chancy.

mkarns

No, sorry. Not only would you have to pay for mold removal but you'd have to find and repair what is causing it. It would be a huge project and not worth the hassle or risk.

tayrob1986

Sorry. It's tough when you find a house that you love. We are in the process of trying to sell ours. I've looked online in the city that we will be moving to, but haven't started the actual looking yet. I'm sure you will find an even better house soon! :-)

Ya Never Know

Unless the property itself was of some significant value, then I would not. I've known a few families that have bought homes with mold and they had to tear the whole house apart to get rid of it. Unless you're buying the land to tear the house down and rebuild on, then I'd steer clear.