Mold Solutions in Real Estate

Mold Solutions, LLC  takes pride in the service that we are able to provide to local real estate companies and their respective agents. Mold does not have to be the end of a real estate transaction.  We have worked with many agents representing local offices such as Century 21, Remax and Coldwell Banker  In each case, we have been able to either give the property a clean bill of health in regard to mold contamination, or in the event that we do find contamination, propose a timely and cost effective solution to the problem. 

Mold Is Becoming A Significant Real Estate Matter
by Stuart Lieberman

Who ever heard of a home not selling because of mold? Or of a "mold contingency?" Five years ago, no one ever heard of such a thing. But mold is getting more attention and home inspectors need to look for mold on a regular basis, if they are not doing so already.

Most of us laugh at the idea of mold entering into a real estate transaction. But here is the problem: mold litigation is on the rise. More and more lawyers are handling cases relating to mold exposure. And some judgments have been awarded in these cases, suggesting that they may have legal punch.

Mold exists everywhere, all of the time. It usually does not bother anyone. But there are some times that mold can be a problem. Problem #1: It can be a problem for people who are unusually sensitive to mold. Some people experience respiratory problems when they are exposed and they can become very ill. Problem #2: Black mold. Some molds, for example the "black mold" that has been around forever but people are now talking about, seems to make people ill. Again, some people seem to be more sensitive than others, but this black mold appears to have a greater propensity to cause problems.

Mold exists everywhere, but it really likes dark, moist areas, such as dirty heating ducts. And a leaking roof that has slow leaked for a long time can create moisture and encourage mold growth. Combine that, with a particularly sensitive person, and you may have a lawsuit.

As a result, Realtors and inspectors need to understand the mold issue. Maybe, mold will have to be disclosed by sellers. Especially if a homeowner knows there is an ongoing mold problem that may not be apparent from a basic inspection. When to disclose is a fact specific legal issue, but I believe that mold disclosure will not be uncommon in the near future.

For some reason, schools all over the country are reporting mold issues. And schools are being closed due to mold issues. That makes for a nice community selling point, "we were the first grammar school in the state to be closed due to mold." Recently, a North Jersey school district relocated five kindergarten classes because mold was detected in the schools. They attributed the mold to a crawl space underneath the classrooms that has a dirt floor, and mold. The school district reported that this was not considered to be a general health concern, but a response for the benefit of children with allergies or asthma.

In May 2000 a Houston school reported that it had been addressing "potential mold problems" for over a year. Leaky windows were sealed, the heating system had been repaired, some carpeting had been replaced, and dehumidifiers had been installed. School mold problems have also been reported in other schools all over the country. The reports have generally surfaced over the past five years. Is this because mold is new? No. It is because we now have an awareness of the issue. And this awareness will now cross over into the real estate community.

Landlords also need to be vigilant about the mold issue. A chronic leaking roof, leaking water pipes, bathroom moisture, or a poorly maintained ventilation system can be an invitation to a lawsuit. As science establishes a causal relationship between the presence of mold and human illness, legal exposure will rise.

Landlords must ensure that reasonable means have been taken to avoid harmful mold growth. Indoor air quality experts are available to provide assistance. And if mold repairs are needed, be sure to contract with a company that has experience. There are protocols that should be followed, and you will want to ensure that you can prove that the job was done correctly.

Detection and Remediation of Mold
by Jack C. Schoppa I.F.A.S.


Mold is everywhere in our environment, indoors and out. Mold is considered harmless in the outdoors. It is only considered harmful in enclosed areas where spore concentration is generally higher. Most homes, and other buildings are thought to have some degree of some type of mold presence. Some authorities believe as many as 50 percent of all homes may have some level of Stachybotrys infestation.

There are several ways to test for and to remediate mold.

Visual detection: Get down on your knees and look under sinks, behind washing machines, under dishwashers and refrigerators, behind and under and around water heaters. If moisture is found, look for mold. If mold is found, take further steps to determine the extent of the infestation. Large infestation of mold can usually be seen or smelled. Smaller infestations may require professional testing to detect.

Professional testing: Professional testing includes, but is not limited to, air sampling by using spore and culture traps, and surface sampling including tape lifts, contact plates and sterile swabs. This is done to determine what kinds of molds are present and to estimate the density of mold spores in the air. If it is “scary,” hire a professional remediation company.