This is a companion piece to our article: Avoid Post-Closing Nightmares With a Thorough Home Inspection

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Hi home-hunters, Tanya Kerr here!

Want to know my biggest home-inspection nightmare? During my buyer's general inspection, organic growth was detected in the vents. While I've encountered this several times, in this particular case it was more concerning because it appeared that the places in which organic growth were detected had been recently painted.

So, we had a hunch right off the bat that the seller, nor his "instant buyer" broker, were being forthcoming. Turns out, after having the organic growth tested and a professional protocol written, it had extensive mold concerns. It was everywhere throughout the second floor; in the duct work, in the plenum, in the sheetrock, the vents, you name it! In the end, there was $15,000 worth of professional mold remediation that the seller had to pay for.

Around the same time, a neighbor told the buyer that the home’s kitchen had flooded. Again, none of this had been disclosed to us, so when we brought it up to them, they said they were not aware of any flooding. While we had someone come out to check the property again (and with a special mold reader nonetheless), the follow-up inspection didn’t uncover mold in the kitchen. However, once our buyers moved in and began to remodel the kitchen, they tore out the kitchen cabinets and there it was - mold in the walls behind the cabinets. So sometimes, even when you are doing your part, you can still miss something.

Now, while you can sue for non-disclosure or breach of contract, it can be tricky with the statute of limitations and of course, litigation is never fun and never easy.

So, here's the takeaway - a home purchase is usually the largest purchase someone makes, and as with anything in life, I believe in doing it right the first time. Don't skimp on the inspections and make sure your inspectors are highly skilled and certified. If in doubt about the condition of a home, keep digging. While my amazing clients did everything right, you can't always combat or discover what might be hidden. So, hire the best of the best to be in your corner - the ones who have the experience, have seen it all, and can best help you navigate the what you see and what you don't.

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Looking for more real estate insights or ready to start your home buying journey? Connect with us at T. Kerr Property Group, where your home dreams are our mission.

Call us today at: (512) 851-8350