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Should You Tell Me There's a Risk Involved???

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN 262480

In looking at a home, we began to................................

puke our heads off!!!  Why, you ask?

Well, from the outside, it looked like a nice enough home.  Neat and clean, perfect yard, landscaped nicely.  To our disappointment, a chocolate covered turd.

Infested with mold.  Covered from floor to ceiling.  We had walked downstairs, the handrails were covered along with the walls.  We were all sick before we could escape back upstairs and to fresh air.

Don't you think, the listing agent should be expected to post a warning sign on the property??? A sign on the property saying, "Home is infected with mold, wear protection".  I am sure she saw it when she measured the rooms, or took the photos. Maybe she was not affected.  Well, missy, others could be highly allergic or just maybe don't want their small children exposed to such.

So, whether it is mold, high levels of chemical/toxic odors, strong pet urination, or whatever the offensive odor/risk might be, don't you think it would be nice to put a warning on the door, or at least in the agent comments in the MLS? The buyers or their agent just might want to pass on it, rather than be sick for days.

Just wondering......how others see it???

RE/MAX Unlimited  870 W. Church St.  Lexington, Tn.  731-249-5376  http://remax.com

Linda Lipscomb   731-695-1118  http://LindaLipscomb.com

Dan Edward Phillips
Dan Edward Phillips, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA - Eureka, CA
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA

Hi Linda, Great post!  My opinion is that hazards should be disclosed to anyone entering the property. 

Jul 13, 2010 05:09 PM
Linda Lipscomb
Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN
731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

Hey Dan,

Thanks for your comment.

Jul 13, 2010 05:12 PM
Carol West
Carol West Real Estate, LLC - Hillsboro, OR
Real Estate Agent, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Portland

All local Multiple Listing Services should include a checkbox to disclose whether a home has mold, don't you think? It is a health hazard afterall.

Jul 13, 2010 05:23 PM
Linda Lipscomb
Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN
731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

Carol,

Yes, I do.

Thanks for your comment.

Jul 13, 2010 05:32 PM
Bryan Watkins
LRA Real Estate Group - Mesa, AZ

Wow, I have asthma and would  probably get something in there and just die. It makes me angry there are dangers out there and no warnings. good post.

Jul 13, 2010 06:14 PM
Kryste Adams
RE/MAX Key Properties - Luxury Homes, Golf Course Homes - Bend, OR
Bend, Oregon Real Estate

I agree with everyone so far.  If it's a danger to anyone entering the home it should be disclosed!

Jul 13, 2010 06:44 PM
Linda Lipscomb
Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN
731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

Bryan,

Thanks for your comment.

I just think it's good business for the listing agent to want to protect the public.

Looks like  the owners wouldn't want the liability.  Maybe we should try sending them the medical bills.

Jul 15, 2010 05:11 PM
Linda Lipscomb
Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN
731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

Kryste,

Thanks for your comment!

I wonder sometimes with foreclosures, if the listing agent even goes into the property. 

Jul 15, 2010 05:13 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

We went into a home and both got sick as well as the buyer who was with us -- it would have been nice for there to be a warning.

Jul 18, 2010 06:49 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I think the agent should have given ample warning as to the condition of the house.

The worse house I ever showed we washed our hands when we got back to the car, and we never even touched anything.

Jul 19, 2010 02:23 AM