For anyone with breathing problems, whether it’s from COPD, asthma, bronchitis, or any similar issue – the air inside your home must be pure! This is Florida, you’re here because of the blue sky, the beaches, the golf courses and the weather!!! That’s what brought me here as well, it’s truly a wonderful place to live. However, it’s a very different climate than up north and with the very warm temperatures comes humidity, and with humidity comes moisture and with moisture can come a four letter word that frightens many a south Florida homeowner…MOLD.
Let’s talk about mold – some facts. It is a living organism that belongs to the fungi kingdom, it breaks down dead plant matter – mold has been referred to as the original recycler. Mold also has some medicinal value, however it’s an unwelcome guest inside your home where it can grow and become toxic. Mold spores enter homes through windows, doors, and heating and air conditioning units. Animals can bring mold into a home as well. It becomes a problem when the spores drop where there is excessive moisture causing them to rapidly grow and multiply. Common places mold is found are under bathroom sinks or inside of cabinet doors in bathrooms that do not have proper ventilation. Once the mold enters a home, many building materials, including drywall, wallpaper, and artificial plants all provide suitable nutrients for mold, facilitating growth.
How dangerous is it? That’s a topic that brings forth a wide range of responses. There have been many attempts to link exposure to toxigenic mold with a number of serious diseases however there is not a lot of evidence to support these claims. It is known that sensitivity to mold varies from one person to the next and people with any pre-existing lung condition are at higher risk of developing health problems from exposure to mold. The bottom line, we want our homes to be mold free regardless of our health issues.
If you’re shopping for a home you may think the best answer to avoid a mold problem is to buy new construction. Sounds reasonable – but not so fast, if new construction sits empty for any length of time, there can be water intrusion. Worse, there have been cases where contractors have put up dry wall before the concrete was totally dry and in this climate, that’s going to create a terrible problem. Improperly sealed windows can allow water penetration which can go undiscovered for a long time resulting in a more serious mold issue. These are exceptions of course but there have been some recent incidences where mold has been found in new homes.
OK, enough, I’m painting a pretty dire picture here and it’s not that bad. Before you buy a condo or a house, have a mold test done! It’s very inexpensive and worth every penny. Today’s inspectors have sophisticated equipment including infrared moisture readers. In a few minutes they can go over walls and floors looking for any sign of moisture. The home inspector works hand in hand with a licensed mold inspector who will take air samples in the home. These readings tell you whether there is mold present, what type of mold it is and the spore count. Based on the readings, proper mediation can take place. Even with high readings, the home can be cleaned. In the eleven years that I have been representing Buyers, I have only had two incidences of mold readings so high we chose to vacate the contract rather than mediate.*
If you purchased property in Florida and did not have a mold test done, it’s a good idea to have one done now. I have had a lot of experience with testing. The majority of homes have normal readings which require no action and in most cases, elevated readings can be easily corrected. An experienced Realtor can guide you through the process and refer you to professional companies that do mold testing and remediation if necessary.
*Make sure your Purchase and sales contract protects you in case of elevated mold, a rider may be necessary. If you have questions please call me at 239-877-2726, or write me at sueellen@royalshellsales.com
Sue Ellen Mathers
Licensed Professional Realtor® since 2005
MBA, CNE, SRES, ABR
Prior to moving to Florida in 2005, Sue Ellen Mathers was involved in commercial real estate for over twenty years in New York State. As a Vice President of Marketing and Development she was involved with the day-to-day operations of a variety of businesses including shopping centers, hotels, restaurants and apartment complexes. Sue Ellen, who holds an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Management, successfully assisted a client in turning a fledgling business around through a program that combined exceptional customer service with intelligent cost cutting methodology. Once profitable, she then brokered a deal to sell the business and the real estate.
Working in residential real estate in North Naples and Bonita Springs since 2006, Sue Ellen utilizes her communication and organizational skills coupled with strong financial and negotiating know-how to benefit her clients. A strong believer that knowledge is power, she knows and understands this challenging market and has confidently handled many successful transactions for both sellers and buyers.
Sue Ellen has received numerous letters from clients praising her skills, her caring nature and her above and beyond work ethic. She is proud of the many referrals her clients have sent her.
Sue Ellen is from Saratoga Springs, NY. She has a daughter and two grandchildren in Maryland; a daughter and three grandchildren in Illinois; and a son and grandson in Boca Raton, Florida. She travels often to see her children and their families.
2013, 2014, 2015 Golden Bear Recipient
2013, 2014, 2015 Recipient of the Gulfshore Five Star Award in Real Estate
Sue Ellen Mathers has been recognized by Gulf Shore Magazine as a Five Star Realtor for the past several years and is a Top Producer for Royal Shell Real Estate. She is very proud of the great reviews her clients write and equally proud of the large number of referrals she receives. You may reach Sue Ellen at 239-877-2726 or email sueellen@royalshellsales.com.