AboutJohn McKenna, CMI Expertise I can answer your question about home inspections and the hidden aspects of of the industry. I own American Home Inspection for east Texas and am a Certified Master Inspector. Sometimes there are questions about buying and selling a home that a qualified and honest home inspector can answer. Many people are led to believe incomplete information about repair items and make costly mistakes when they respond. If you do not know enough information or know what to ask, you can buy a nightmare instead of a home. Is your home inspector working for you or the Realtor? Is the owner of the home telling the truth? How do you make sure the contractor who makes repairs will do it right? Is the Realtor moving too fast and causing a person to make hasty choices? What are some of the things the Realtor does not want you to know? What you discover after you are the owner of the home and then decide to sell? What type of box can the home inspector put you in when the new buyer is now inspecting your home? What can you do if the home inspector was negligent? How do you prepare for a home inspection? What should you do with the home inspection report at the negotiating table? What are the signs of sheeple being led to the slaughter? Why do some realtors hate the "deal killer" home inspector? What type of action can you take now to protect yourself from law suite after someone buys your home? When is something a minor or major problem? What are the most common problems found in a home inspection? What can you do to prepare for a home inspection? What questions can you ask the home inspector so you choose the right one? The list goes on and on... "The truth will make you free"
Experience Over 25 years experience in construction and board certified as a Certified Master Inspector. Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission as a Professional Home Inspector (TREC #4565) and Certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).
Education/Credentials Certified Master Inspector (CMI)
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI)
Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC #4565) See more info: http://texas-inspection.com
Question We are interested in buying a home that suffered severe water damage when the pipe burst in the swamp cooler. We suspect that the water damage is 2 years old. The home is owned by the bank and is listed in "as Is" condition.
The water must have been unchecked for sometime, as two floors were affected. The wood floors are buckled and the 1st floor is falling apart.
The realtor stated that the home could not go FHA, only conventional??? Our concern is the heath aspects of this damage, especially mold and is it possible to get rid of it. Also, the home is being offered for $115, 000 and the realtor stated that homes in this area usually cost $200,000. The asking price concerns us and we are wondering if it would be very expensive to repair, especially since we must remove several floors.
What is your opinion? Is it reasonable to buy this home or should we just walk away.
Sincerely,
The York Family
Answer Moisture in a home is conducive to fungi-mold, decay, wood destroying insects and corrosion of electrical fixtures. I recommend that you hire a certified mold inspector and do an exhaustive analysis of some of the hidden areas in the house and along with a full home inspection.
You should find out the actual extent of the mold issue and get some price quotes and verify the warranties carefully. Even if some of the mold lays dormant, it can be activated again, if the humidity gets to high. The other defects that may be present need to be found and cost estimates done before you buy this property. You don't want to buy suprises that can cost you money or make you sick.
Yes, toxic mold can a SEVERE health affect on some people. Please be very careful. Also... the re-sale value of the home may be affected, even if you make all the repairs because the house has been infested with mold. It can sometimes be very hard to sell a "mold house".
Please seek advise from qualified professionals before you buy this house. Buyers remorse and health issues are not worth the gamble.
