The Governor of Virginia declared the month of January Radon Action Month. Radon has been found to be the 2nd leading cause of cancer in people who don't smoke. Many homebuyers will skip the radon testing when buying a home. I know there are many people that just don't believe radon is anything to be worried about. I have also worked with sellers who have lived in homes for 30+ years who will say " I raised my kids here and they're fine, and we've been here 30 years and we don't have cancer.. we're not paying for any radon remediation...". Well, I can't change their attitudes on radon, but I do explain at time of listing that many buyers will want to do a radon test along with their home inspection. I also explain the costs, which usually runs in the ($750.00 - $2000.00 range ), and tell them to focus on the net from the sale, and wait to see what buyer ask for based on results of home and radon inspection.
It's a similar situation when a seller has their mind made up about not paying for any of a buyers closing costs. If that too is discussed at time of listing, it gives seller time to think about it, and become more understanding of how things sometimes work, and understand that the list price is not set in stone. It's an educated estimate of the fair market value at the time of the listing. You might get a little less, or a little more. You might have to do a few repairs, and it might be in a sellers best interest to do the radon remediation if it's needed.
Radon maps are available theses days, but they are just estimates and show areas where radon is more or less likely. I have seen roads where only one house out of 10 needed radon remediation. The only way to know is to test. The benefits of remediation far outweigh the costs of testing and remediating.
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/radiologicalhealth/Radon/
Jeff Pearl | Lic in VA
Remax Distinctive | McLean VA
703-727-4876
Homes | Land | Farms | Historic
Equal Housing
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