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Should you Care about Radon Level when Buying Virginia Home?

By
Real Estate Agent with Samson Properties VA0225077251

 Listing agent of a property we had a contract argued that the since the basement is a walk out level we don't need to waste our money and add radon contingency. First my jaw dropped thinking "Who in the world are you telling my client what they should be contingent on ?" Trying to keep my calmness I asked the agent to get me something in writing from the seller that they warrant that the basement does not have radon issue. Obviously he did not like that response. Politely I told him my clients would like to keep the contingency the way it was submit in the offer.

Fast forward today I got an email from the lab test and the Radon level are at 10 pCi/L. He did not have a response but the sellers were so shocked the home they were living in had a high level of radon.

So on the left is a chart from the EPA site from data collected in 2003. Pretty scaring?



 

Each city/county/state has different level of radon.
Here is the map of the Virginia:

Radon Level in Fairfax,Loudoun, Prince William County of Virginia

What do the colors mean?

Zone 1 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) (red zones) Highest Potential
Zone 2 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (orange zones) Moderate Potential
Zone 3 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (yellow zones) Low Potential




Although above chart shows Prince William County & Loudoun County Radon level at moderate (orange) zone. However you should not ignore it is still significant higher to cause damage to  you and you family.

Fairfax County Radon level (especially Great Falls,Reston, Vienna and other surrounding area) are does have a higher percentage (Red Zone).

Even if you are a home owner and not sure about the Radon level in your home you can contact any company and get it tested for couple hundred dollars. The best part is remediation is not too expensive it is any where from $700 to $1200 depending on how challenging it would be get the mitigation done.


Still not sure ....Here is the link for the EPA site to read up on all the things about Radon.



Posted by

 
                             
Associate Broker
MRP, ABR, ePRO

NVAR, Life Time Top Producer
NVAR,Multiple Million Dollar Sales Club Member
Samson Properties
Cell - 703-625-4949
Email - info@eNOVAHomes.com
Web: www.eNOVAHOMES.com
 
Residential real estate agent serving Northern Virginia in Fairfax & Loudoun county over a decade and almost $100+M in sales volume experience. 


 
Jim Mushinsky
Centsable Inspection - Framingham, MA

I feel its good to know the data.  Nice to see you professionally represent your buyer's interest.

Feb 16, 2011 07:36 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ritu, many agents around Denver do not bother to do a radon test, but EVERY buyer I give them the info, and let them make the decision whether or not they want to do this test.    VERY informative post Ritu!    Wish we could re-blog!

Mar 12, 2011 01:46 AM