There are a number of reasons people decide to move. A growing family, a new job, an adventure awaits, better school districts, the list could go on forever. Whatever the reason might be, moving and purchasing a new place can be a very tedious process. It can take many months to fully close a deal on a home. The key to a successful home sale, whether it’s buying or selling, is curating a perfect checklist that will ensure everything is done properly.
When you’re on the selling side of things, you’ll be faced with a lot of tasks ranging in severity. Tasks may be as simple as painting, to more serious improvements such as removing toxins. If your home is 40 years or older, there’s a high probability that it’s harboring a natural carcinogen known as asbestos. While the presence of asbestos in your home never raised any red flags in the past, it may come up during the process of selling your home. Asbestos-containing products were a popular additive across a variety of construction materials up until the 70s, which is why this toxin can still be found in homes today.
Out of the six types of asbestos that have been historically mined and used, chrysotile is by far the form of choice when it comes to the United States. This variety accounts for 90-95 percent of all asbestos that remains in our homes and other structures.
A homeowner shouldn’t go looking for asbestos or try to eliminate it themselves. It’s a dangerous material that if exposed to, can cause the development of cancer later in life to become a possibility. Asbestos cancer is known as mesothelioma and develops after the tiny fibers have been inhaled or ingested into the body. If you feel you might have found asbestos somewhere in your home, tread lightly. While asbestos is much less dangerous when it’s intact, you should immediately call an asbestos professional. Having your house inspected before putting it on the market is the most recommended option going forward.
After hiring a professional to test the property, you’ll have a clear answer to whether or not asbestos inhabits your home. If asbestos is found, there are a few options to consider. If the asbestos-containing materials are neither broken or disturbed, you can leave it alone; however, you will have to list the home transparently as containing the harmful material.
Secondly, if there’s an area of the home where the professional team did in fact find broken asbestos, they can properly repair and seal it back up. Again, this will require a receipt of the work and proof that the asbestos is now deemed a safe environment.
The third option, also the most expensive, is to have the asbestos professionally removed from any area of the home. Depending on the amount and duration of the job, an asbestos abatement bill can range from $15,000 to $30,000. This option ensures to the buyer that it’s safe to live in all areas, but can potentially help to increase the price for the seller.
Areas to note for lurking asbestos includes wall-insulation, piping, basements, ceiling tiles, roof shingles, house siding, floor tiles, light fixtures, cement walls, furnaces and other areas.
Finding asbestos in your home can be a serious health concern for you and your family; selling your home with asbestos can completely hinder the process. Although it’s a hefty fee, an asbestos-free home is the most ideal scenario there is. Becoming educated on this carcinogen now can only positively impact your buying experience as well as your health for many years down the line. Indoor air quality is one of the most important and easiest ways to staying safe and living a healthy lifestyle. Although asbestos hasn’t been used as a main ingredient in homes since the 1970s, it remains legal in the United States to this day.
July 29, 2019