Radon and Sellers
Thinking of selling your home and moving on? There are many ways to present your home to the public for sale and it is a decision that should be made early on. Many buyers want a turn key property with each and every aspect of the home’s condition being near perfect. Then there are buyers who want the home that needs everything to add their own style and personal touch.
What about the hidden aspects not visible to the naked eye? Radon gas is the first that comes to mind because it is invisible, odorless, colorless, tasteless and radioactive. This insidious cancer causing threat to human life lurks in homes. The only way to know if a home has elevated radon levels is to test.
Sellers may choose to sell their home in an “as is” condition or they may be proactive correcting certain issues the home may have. This may include testing for radon and “fixing” the home if levels are at a dangerous level. EPA action level is 4.0pCi/L yet there is significant concern when levels are between 2.0 and 4.0pCi/L. If a buyer has an accepted offer on a home and the radon levels come back at 3.9pCi/L, the buyer can request the seller to “fix” the home prior to closing however the seller can easily say no, it is not at EPA action level of 4.0pCi/L.
Should you buy the house? The process of installing a radon mitigation system with a professional mitigator is a straightforward one. Only the buyer will be able to decide if they want to buy the house with elevated radon levels. If the buyer installs the radon mitigation system post closing, they can maintain full control of who performs the installation and retest. That being said, the buyer will also absorb the cost. A radon mitigation system is the one of most inexpensive home maintenance costs for the maximum benefits that can be done.
If a buyer wants the seller to install a radon mitigation system with levels above 4.0pCi/L, this can be a point of negotiation in the real estate transaction. It is highly recommended for sellers to have a pre-sale radon test and fix the home prior to marketing.
Test Your Home…Protect Your Family!