So, you’re in the market to buy (or sell) your home. You have a to-do list at the ready, and feel fully prepared to embark on your real estate journey. But as equipped as you are, you may be overlooking something that is, quite literally, right under your nose – a property’s environmental issues. Everything from possible underground oil tanks, asbestos and mold to well-water and lead testing should be considered when entering any real estate transaction. The agents at Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty can help to guide you through this particularly important facet of the process, allowing you to complete the deal with total peace of mind.

Underground Oil Tanks

One thing to consider when buying or selling a property is the possible existence of underground oil tanks. These are a common – and because of potential leaks – major environmental concern. Often, sellers don’t even realize that the oil tanks exist because they were never disclosed. But there are ways to determine if there is indeed an oil tank issue that needs addressing – from looking for pipes coming up from the ground or copper tubes in crawl spaces, to checking if a basement smells like oil. Mosaic agents are equipped to look for the tell-tale signs, and then if and when a problem is uncovered, they can advise on the best and most cost-effective ways to address it.

Asbestos, Lead and Mold

Up until the mid-’80s, asbestos was used in a lot of building materials, including things like ceiling popcorn, drywall joint compound and plaster, and linoleum. Removal can be a pricey undertaking. In inspecting a home’s potential asbestos exposure, you may face many quandaries. Can asbestos mastic on a wood floor be abated? Should you be concerned about asbestos siding? These are questions Mosaic agents can answer, possibly saving you thousands of dollars on unnecessary measures.

When it comes to potential lead and mold contamination or well-water issues in a property deal, a highly informed agent is one of your best defenses. Mosaic’s agents can guide you in what to look for, and if further action is necessary, point you in the direction of the best-equipped professionals for the job.

Brownfields

Sites with environmental contamination are scattered throughout the region, so it’s important to know exactly where these brownfields are located before you close on a home or land deal. If such contamination is suspected, a thorough environmental analysis of the property and neighboring properties is advised. A Mosaic agent can go over the process and results with you, and determine if there are any red flags requiring further sampling.

These tips targeting environmental concerns only scratch the surface; if you’re ready to buy or list a property and want thorough environmental guidance sure to save you time and money down the line, contact Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com or call him anytime at (828) 337-8190.

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