One of the million dollar questions when it comes to radon is: what can you do about the deadly gas if you are planning to buy or sell a home? This question is incredibly relevant now, thanks to the recent surge in real estate. The buying season will soon be here.
To help out, we’re going to approach this as a step-by-step guide in two parts: one for the buyer and the other for the seller.
Step 1: Stay Informed
The first thing any homer buyer or seller needs to do is become knowledgeable on radon. There are tons of resources available – including many on this very site.
One must understand where radon comes from, what kind of dangers its presence can cause and more importantly how to mitigate a problem. Associated costs should also be explored when it comes to testing and removing radon from a home. It is very important that you are not afraid to take action, when it is necessary.
Sellers should educate all buyers about radon before a transaction is complete. That includes offering additional information and resources so that the buyer can become familiar with the problem at hand. As a buyer, it is okay to explore this information right along with the seller. If they do not offer you resources and links, you should seek out this information on your own.
Step 2: Collect All Related Information
As a buyer it is very important that you collect any past data on completed tests, and mitigation procedures. If no testing has been completed, that is also important and you should consider having one done before moving into a home.
Adversely, as a seller you should be prepared to disclose this information with any and all interested parties. At the very least you may have to test your home before a transaction can be completed. It is important that you understand this will not harm an ongoing real estate transaction in any way. If mitigation is required, the cost to implement it may be factored into the purchase price of the home by the buyer. That being said, you are under no obligation to pay for mitigation yourself.
Step 3: Take Action
This is primarily for the buyer, and it only really matters if the house in question has been shown to have elevated levels of radon. Before moving into a home with high radon levels, you will need to lower them – it is not safe at all to be exposed to it. This may mean waiting for an extended period of time before you can actually move in, especially if you are in the middle of a transaction.
Mitigation does not take very long and it is not costly. The most expensive methods run no more than $4,000, and that’s at the absolute extreme. General mitigation can cost anywhere from $1,500-2,500. That’s not a bad price at all and since radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, it just might save your life and your family’s life.
If you’re interested in more information on radon and real estate transactions you can pay a visit to the dedicated EPA page.
