How Does Buying a Home with Radon Affect My Potential Purchase?

How Does Buying a Home with Radon Affect My Potential Purchase?

Buying a home is a huge investment, so it’s no surprise that you’ll want to make some serious considerations before taking the plunge. It’s easy to get caught up in the more superficial aspects of home buying and fall in love with a house for its appearance or layout, but it’s important to remember that there are some more critical factors that should also be evaluated – some of which are not visible to the human eye.

The Value of a Home Inspection

That’s where the home inspection comes into play. When you find a home you love and want to purchase, your mortgage lender will typically require you to schedule a home inspection to get an accurate assessment of the home’s condition before it allows you to take out a mortgage. It’s important to choose a licensed, qualified professional who will go through the home with a fine-tooth comb and identify any points of concern that could cause problems now or in the future.

In addition to checking all the home’s systems, such as electrical and plumbing, your inspector may check for potential traces of radon gas, particularly if the house has a basement or if the home is in a high-radon zone (as measured by the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency). You may also ask the real estate agent if a radon test has been completed in the past year. If so, you should be able to obtain the results and determine whether or not radon is a concern.

What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally and isn’t caused by chemicals or the home itself. It can seep into homes that have contact with the ground and can be drawn into the house through foundation cracks and other openings due to lower air pressure, which is why homes with basements are more likely to have radon exposure. It can lead to serious health problems, particularly lung cancer, if exposed to the gas over time.

What are the Signs of Radon in Your Home?

Unfortunately, radon gas is undetectable without having a radon test, so you won’t know if the home is exposed at first glance. You cannot see, smell or taste radon. Many home inspectors conduct this test as part of the inspection process – and you can always request one if it[…]

# # #

Continue reading this Travelers Insurance article.

 

Don’t forget, The Portier Agency offers:
homeowner/mobile home/ renter’s /automobile / motorcycle / life / commercial / crop insurance.
Call or come by to get your quote!

 

The Portier Agency, LLC
113 North Irwin Avenue
Ocilla, GA 31774
229-468-3444
portieragency@windstream.net