Do it.  Do it.

We have some high areas in MD and VA.  If my buyers don't have the cash for the test, I do.  It's important and few agents pay attention to this serious risk.  The highest reading I ever had was .62 pCi/L.

We had to wait 6 months for the test because it was new construction.  Remediation in my area is usually under $1000.  Not a lot to pay for peace of mind.

Good post.  Important stuff.

It's important to talk about it, yes.  But just as important to know what the levels are when tested in your area. Our area is low radon with the exception of three areas.  Relo requires that it be checked no matter what, and I insist on it in those particular three areas-but don't twist arms in other areas (still talk about it, though).

I had a radon test come back at 22 a few weeks ago. I am getting a retest this week, I will keep you posted.

I have to agree that for $100 it is well worth the piece of mind.  I have been told by the inspectors that it depends on the amount of uranium in the ground and that one house may have high levels and the one right next door might not.

Just imagine the client that just bought from you today doesn't get the test and 15 years from now suddenly comes down with some type of cancer, and then checks it and the radon levels are through the roof. Who do you think they will come after?  I think it is a big CYA to recommend that they do it.  If they don't, at least you did your job.   I love the idea of the paranoid clause.  Can I steal it for my agreement?

There have been a few areas here that radon has tested high. I heard one agent tell of a house with an extremely high rating and the lady who lived there had lung cancer and didn't smoke. For peace of mind, it's well worth having the house checked.

October is radon prevention month, keep that in mind for next year. Lots of information is available online.

Here in coastal South Carolina, we don't do radon testing.  I agree it is very important in areas where radon levels are known to be high. 

We have all been notified and told the importance of the test, that was years ago, now everyone is forgetting about it.  I personally do not see the urgency.  Lead base paint, different story, I guess if you had a leaky basement I would get it tested.  It has to be up to the buyer is how I see it.  Good post, lots of good comments too.  Thank You.

Michele I too believe this is a test that should not be overlooked.  I feel strongly about this so in one of my earlier post I covered the issue of radon.

Some parts of Missouri are higher in radon than in the areas that I work.  Funny, i just heard another realtor talking about a bad radon test.  We need to offer every type of test available to the buyers to avoid any problems down the road.  Good post.

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

Richard - feel free to use my CYA clause. =)

Bob - I agree, everything has to be up to the buyer, but I also feel it is really important to make sure they are fully informed when making that decision.

One more thought.  Be careful about areas that are known for radon problems and those that aren't known for it.  It is true, as a previous poster stated, that radon levels can very dramatically from house to house, even next door neighbors.

In my experiences only relocation companies request radon tests.  There have only been a handful of times that we've had any problems.  Maybe where I'm located radon is as prevalent as in the mountains.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.  It should not just be tested in the air, but in the water as well.  The only reason there has been no EPA level set for radon in the water is due to politicians. That is very unfortuate for the public.  I would hate not to recommend radon testing and learn that one of my clients or their children got lung cancer!  The problem is that often it is many years until the cancer manifests depending on the health and environmental history of the person (.e.g, ex smokers -- exposure to toxins at work etc.)

Thanks for posting.  This gives you something to think about.

Good Info :)

Excellent post Michele.  I also encourage everyone to do it, but some people just don't want to.  Every now and then I have seen some pretty surprising results.

After buying my last home(before I was in real estate), I will always pay for that test since our home had a high reading and the seller installed a mitigation system.  Some buyers just do not want to pay for the extra test.  It really boils down to a cost issue as much as you would encourage them to have the test performed.

If you have high levels of radon in your area, its not a bad idea to have your seller get it tested from the get go. That way they have it taken care of and it won't hold anything up.  I had a home test a 22 and the seller didn't want to pay to have it remediated.  It had to be done whether it sells now or if it sells 3 years from now. I needed a few drinks after that debate. 

Jerry - I also have had that debate quite a few times.  Thankfully most of my clients seem to get it and although they don't like it, know what must be done.

Great  approach to the radon issue.....I think alot of REALTORS like to avoid the issue altogether hoping nothing shows up.   However we all know that things have a way of coming back to haunt us so facie it up front is the best approach.

Patricia Aulson/SEACOAST NH & ME 

This has recently become a really significant point in our community.  Not lack of knowledge, but we are not in one of those geographical "poster boy" areas for Radon.  I think we are not alone either.  It seems more areas that don't fit the traditional shallow bedrock, etc. profile are discovering they are not immune to the issue.

It's always great to hear someone elses perspective. I never really thought of it like that....

Michele....  I think as long as you explain it to them, they make the final decisions... and I agree with your statement to as why you would advise this.

In regards to your feature....  I know this is your 2nd feature and not your first, but I didn't get a chance to congratulate you on your first... So, CONGRATS on your 2nd post.

My only question about radon, since it is naturally occurring and seems to be everywhere is:  you install a radon mitigation system for the house, what about the yard?  Or is that not a factor because the winds carry it off before there is substantial buildup?  They used to advertise pretty heavily of the dangers of radon in this area, but I haven't seen any ads on over a decade.  I haven't even heard of any Realtors in this area having issues with radon.

Roger, radon is present in the air outside our homes; however it is not in the range of the percentage deemed tolerable by the EPA.

"Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer" according to an earlier post.  How in the world does one come to that conclusion.  How does someone determine what actually caused the cancer?

The guidelines say that you should do testing at the lowest level of the home that is habitable.  Instructions left in the home mandate that doors or windows not be opened during testing.  Is that because opening the doors (as would be normal) lets the radon escape to the outside?  I suspect that is the reason.  Therefore, is there a problem?

Are we tilting at windmills?

Have done extensive reading on this subject and can tell you there is no way you can predict whether or not a home in Virginia is in a "high" radon area.  It varies so much that if you or your clients have a concern, the best solution is to test.

Thanks Jeff! =)

I agree with the MustTest of Radon.....

I am about to list my own home...and I plan to test prior to listing....I want to know.  That surely should NOT preclude a buyer from testing it himself...

 Which brings up another thought....

 All the time prior to a home inspection I hear from my client....the seller had it tested and it was below 4....does that mean we don't need a test?

 NO!

We don't know if they followed EPA protocol for sampling....of course we can never be sure OUR test wasn't tampered with either...however, we can be more sure of ours than of theirs yes?

Small price to pay for peace of mind....not necessarily JUST peace of mind that you won't get cancer from your radon...but peace of mind that when you go to sell the house, you shouldn't get suprised.

From what one company here in Jersey says--radon fluctuates inside the same house--they are now doing computer testing, which gives the levels over a period of time--it also fluctuates on what the outside weather is doing and how wet the soil is---what that means is you can get an ok reading today and a high one in a few days

i've seen houses that had computerized tests that had varied readings from as low as a .01 to as high as .33 back down to .02 within 48 hrs--and it had nothing to do with windows or doors being opened--the computer senses the changes

there are 2 tests that i totally recommend even if someone is buying a home without an actual inspection(due to it being an investment type property for rehab) and that is boring insects and radon

You are the best person for spotting risk. Loved the post and now I see why your in my group one of the best!

Ben

Michele sells in Colorado. We have very high levels of radon so it's imperative that buyers test. Every now and then I hear some agent start to express their opinion that radon is bunk. I really don't think we are qualified to express those opinions without sharing the other side.

So way to go Michele!