Does Mold Affect House Value?
websitebuilder • June 26, 2024
For many homeowners throughout the country, including Ocala and The Villages, their home is their most valuable asset. The presence of mold can be a major concern, not just for health reasons but also for its potential impact on the property's value. If you're considering selling your home and discover mold, you may be wondering: "Does mold affect house value, and if so, by how much?"
At PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages, your trusted water damage restoration and mold remediation experts, we understand the stress and worry that mold growth can cause. In this article, we will explore the relationship between mold and property value, exploring the factors at play and guiding you through navigating this situation.
Understanding Mold and Potential Risks
Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments and reproduces by releasing spores into the air. While some mold types are harmless, others can produce allergens and irritants that may trigger respiratory problems, especially in individuals with allergies or weakened immune systems.
The presence of mold in your home indicates a moisture problem that needs to be addressed. Here's how mold can affect your home's value:
- Health Concerns for Potential Buyers: Mold's potential health risks can be a major red flag for potential buyers, especially those with allergies or young children. The fear of health problems associated with mold can deter buyers from making an offer or significantly lower their offer amount.
- Repair and Remediation Costs: Buyers may factor in the potential cost of professional mold remediation, including testing, removal, and addressing the underlying moisture problem, when considering an offer.
- Cosmetic Issues: Visible mold growth can be unsightly and detract from the overall aesthetics of your home. This can leave a negative impression on potential buyers and impact their perception of the property's value.
- Disclosure Requirements: Most states have laws requiring homeowners to disclose any known mold problems to potential buyers. Failure to disclose mold can lead to legal repercussions down the line.
The Extent of the Impact
The degree to which mold affects your home's value depends on several factors:
- Severity of the Mold Growth: A small patch of mold in a hidden location will likely have a lesser impact than extensive mold growth throughout the house.
- Type of Mold: The presence of certain mold species, particularly toxic black mold (e.g. Stachybotrys), can be especially concerning to potential buyers and significantly affect property value.
- Visibility of the Mold: Mold visible on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces is more likely to deter buyers than mold discovered behind walls or in crawl spaces.
- Remediation Efforts: If you have addressed the mold problem with professional remediation and can provide documentation of the process, it can reassure potential buyers and minimize the impact on value.
- Market Conditions: In a competitive buyer's market, if a buyer is aware that the property has mold, the presence of mold will give buyers more leverage to negotiate a lower price, among other things.
Mitigating the Impact: What You Can Do
If you discover mold in your home before selling, here are some steps you can take to minimize the impact on your property value:
- Act Quickly: The longer mold remains present, the greater the potential for damage and the more challenging it may be to remediate. Addressing the problem promptly is crucial.
- Contact a Professional Mold Inspector: A certified mold inspector can assess the extent of the mold growth, identify the type of mold, and recommend a course of action.
- Professional Mold Remediation: Invest in professional mold remediation services to ensure the safe and effective removal of mold and address the underlying moisture issue.
- Document the Process: Keep detailed records of the mold inspection, remediation work, and any warranties provided by the remediation company. This documentation can be valuable for potential buyers and can reassure them that the problem has been addressed.
- Transparent Disclosure: Disclose the presence of mold and the remediation efforts to potential buyers. Honesty and transparency can go a long way in building trust and ensuring a smooth selling process.
The PUDDLES Restoration Services Advantage
At PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages, we understand the importance of protecting your investment. We offer comprehensive mold remediation services designed to address the mold problem effectively and efficiently. Our certified mold inspectors and experienced technicians utilize advanced techniques and industry best practices to:
- Safely and thoroughly remove mold growth
- Identify and address the source of the moisture problem
- Clean and sanitize affected areas
- Provide deodorization services to eliminate lingering odors
We can also provide you with the necessary documentation for potential buyers, showcasing the professional remediation process and ensuring peace of mind.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guide to Mold Cleanup in Your Home:https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home
- The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Guide to Disclosing Mold:https://www.nar.realtor/hazards-disclosures
Beyond Selling: Protecting Your Investment
Even if you're not planning to sell your home in the near future, addressing mold growth promptly is crucial. Here's why:
- Maintaining a Healthy Living Environment: Mold exposure can lead to health problems for you and your family. Professional remediation ensures a safe and healthy home environment.
- Preventing Further Damage: Mold can damage building materials over time, leading to costly repairs. Addressing the problem early prevents further deterioration.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your home is free of mold growth provides peace of mind and allows you to enjoy your living space worry-free.
PUDDLES Restoration Services: Your Partner in Homeownership
At PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages, we're committed to being your trusted partner in homeownership. Whether you're facing a mold problem, dealing with water damage, or require fire restoration services, we have the expertise and experience to handle the situation effectively. We offer 24/7 emergency services to ensure a prompt response whenever you need us. We also work closely with your insurance company to streamline the claims process.
With PUDDLES Restoration Services, you can rest assured that your home is in good hands.
Contact PUDDLES Restoration Services Today! 352-722-3790
What Happened In Ocala, Florida in November 2024, PUDDLES conducted an water damage inspection and informed the homeowner that numerous rooms had elevated moisture readings that required drying. The property owner decided to hire a cheaper company. Four months later, in March 2025, the insurance company issued the insurance check/payment to both the homeowner and the mortgage company (i.e., the bank). However, the bank insisted on getting a mold test before endorsing the check over to the homeowner. It gets both hot and humid in Ocala, Florida. Unfortunately, the mold test confirmed that mold is now throughout the entire house, including: The Kitchen Master Bedroom Hall Bathroom Guest Bedroom Living Room Etc. Everything tested was confirmed to have mold, including the TV stand, barstool, etc.
What Happened A contractor in Williston, Florida stopped his team from “removing” the “mold problem” by, as they suggested, "spraying it with bleach." The contractor insisted that the mold remediation be done correctly and called PUDDLES . Upon completion of the work, PUDDLES insisted that the client retain an independent company to conduct a post remediation verification test to confirm that the mold remediation was done correctly. We were "lucky" to pass a PRV with a gaping hole in the floor.
What Happened The gaps between the ceiling drywall and the light fixtures allowed dirty air from the attic to mix with the air conditioner air, resulting in mold growth in the ceiling. CAN’T YOU JUST WIPE IT [MOLD] OFF! PUDDLES: No We get that a lot for mold removal, except it is usually said as a statement rather than a question. CALLER: Why not? PUDDLES: For many reasons: (1) the lab results confirmed it is mold, (2) it is on drywall, (3) the affected material is a popcorn ceiling, (3) …, (4) …, but more importantly, we don’t do that -- “wipe off drywall.” CALLER: But I was told you can. PUDDLES: You can, but we don’t; and we understand if you wish to call another company who would do that. No hard feelings. CALLER: Two days later: Caller agrees to us removing the affected material starting at 6:30 AM the next business day. Typically, the mold you cannot see is worse than the mold you can see. The same thing applied here.
Not calling PUDDLES will cost you more $$$$. Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. In this case, both the homeowner and their public adjuster chose a different (cheaper) company. That company never showed, never called, never emailed, never text; they did nothing. What Happened Hurricane Helene happened in Belleview, FL.
Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages, which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. What Happened Severe winds in Ocala, FL bent numerous shingles allowing water penetration when it rains.
What Happened Ocala, Fl: An elderly mother’s cat repeatedly urinated throughout the house, including on the carpet. When the mother passed away, the daughter inherited the house. Unfortunately, the daughter was unable to sell the house because prospective buyers complained about the odor . Given Florida’s temperature and humidity levels, it was not surprising that the odor remained in Ocala, FL. PUDDLES is often asked if we use an ozone machine to remove odors. According to the EPA, “When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.” See https://www.epa.gov/.../ozone-generators-are-sold-air... “Manufacturers and vendors of ozone devices often use misleading terms to describe ozone. Terms such as "energized oxygen" or "pure air" suggest that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. Ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different chemical and toxicological properties from oxygen.” Id. “There is a large body of written material on ozone and the use of ozone indoors. However, much of this material makes claims or draws conclusions without substantiation and sound science. … Often the vendors of ozone generators make statements and distribute material that lead the public to believe that these devices are always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollution. For almost a century, health professionals have refuted these claims … Some vendors suggest that these devices have been approved by the federal government for use in occupied spaces. To the contrary, NO agency of the federal government has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces.” Id. Because ozone can kill living things, such as plants, pets, and YOU; we do not use ozone machines. What We Did Removed the glued down carpet Utilize chlorine dioxide Implemented a Hydroxyl Machine Added a HEPA Air Scrubber with a charcoal filter Sprayed the entire house (walls and floors) with an EPA-approved plant-based anti-microbial Fogged the entire house with an EPA-approved plant-based anti-microbial approved for fogging Even if you do not plan to be in the property while the ozone machine is operational, ozone also breaks down organic substance, and rubber, plastics, fabrics, paint, and metals. That Gucci or Louis V handbag you love can deteriorate.
What Happened After removing the old flooring from a home in Belleview, Florida , the flooring company uncovered water on the slab that was trapped under the underlayment. Unbeknownst to the homeowner, water was slowly penetrating the vertical exterior walls via hairline fractures. Both the cracks in the stucco and in the concrete slab itself were resolved, but the flooring company wanted the concrete slab moisture levels below a specific percentage. What We Did Florida tends to have elevated levels of humidity, including Belleview, Florida. To increase the drying efficiency, we sealed all the windows throughout the house with 4 mil plastic to prevent any moisture penetration. We placed a Phoenix DryMax XL Pro dehumidifier and a Dri-Eaz Stealth AV3000 axial air mover in each room. We also implemented the use of a heater to increase the internal temperature slowly to draw the moisture out of the concrete.
Homeowners in Crystal River and West Central Florida dealing with insurance claims related to water damage and mold can trust PUDDLES Restoration for assistance. Learn about the complexities of the process and how we can help in this blog article.
WE REMOVED AND DISCARDED THE AFFECTED MATERIALS, CLEANED THE SUBSTRATE, THEN ENCAPSULATED RESULTING IN A CLEAN PRV.
The Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) certification covers scoping, mitigation, cleaning, deodorization, subrogation, spoliation, documentation of residential and commercial fire and smoke damaged structures and contents. Upon completing this certification, you demonstrate that you are prepared to perform and document cleaning and deodorization of typical residential or commercial fire and smoke damage projects. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
