As a real estate agent, your primary goal is to help clients find their dream homes while protecting their investments. One often overlooked aspect of home buying is environmental testing for hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, and mold. These hidden dangers can lead to significant health risks and expensive remediation costs if not identified before purchase.
Investing in testing before a home transaction is important to your buyers and your business. Here are 18 reasons you should be doing just that.
The Hidden Dangers in Many Homes
Asbestos: Not Just an Old Home Problem
1. Asbestos can be found in homes of any age, persistent in older structures. Critical for renovation planning – discovering asbestos mid-job can dramatically increase remodeling costs and test your buyers’ financial limits.
Common hiding spots include:
- Vinyl flooring
- Drywall textures, plaster
- Popcorn ceilings
- Carpet adhesives
- Insulation
We offer quick turnaround (1-2 days) for results, which allows buyers to accurately budget for potential abatement costs and keeps the sale on track.
Lead: A Pre-1978 Legacy
2. Homes built before 1978 frequently contain lead-based paint.
3. Particularly hazardous for families with children.
4. Early detection allows for informed negotiations and remediation planning.
Modern non-invasive testing provides instant results.
Mold: The Silent Value Killer
5. Mold can affect properties of any age. Water damage events are not always mitigated by professionals leading to latent mold issues.
- Particularly concerning in:
- Fire-damaged properties,
- Homes with previous water damage,
- Properties with poor ventilation.
6. Mold testing is critical for maintaining closing timelines.
IET’s advanced testing methods cost less than traditional methods, for wider coverage and more critical data points. Whole-home assessment provides immediate results.
Pre-Purchase Testing
7. Protected Investments
- Identify potential issues before closing.
- Negotiate repairs or price adjustments based on findings.
- Avoid surprise remediation costs after purchase.
8. Streamlined Transactions
- Fast turnaround times keep closings on schedule.
- Instant results for lead testing.
- Comprehensive mold assessments with immediate findings.
- Clear, reliable documentation for all parties.
9. Legal Compliance
- Some jurisdictions require disclosures.
- Asbestos and lead testing are required in most renovation/demolition projects.
- Helps avoid costly penalties and legal issues.
10. Health Protection
- Identifies health hazards before they affect new occupants.
- Particularly important for:
- Families with children,
- Elderly buyers,
- Individuals with respiratory conditions.
For Your Clients
11. Highlight testing as a value-added service for clients.
12. Position yourself as a thorough, protective agent.
13. Provide peace of mind during major life decisions.
14. Help buyers make informed decisions about their investment.
For Your Business
15. Reduce liability exposure.
16. Establish a reputation for being thorough in your work.
17. Prevent delayed or failed closings.
18. Generate referrals through demonstrated expertise.
Professional, Certified Testing Services
Working with professional, certified experts at IET offers several advantages:
- Free phone consultations to assess testing needs
- Accurate, certified results
- Instant reports for certain tests
- Comprehensive documentation for closing packages
- Expert guidance for remediation planning
We’re here to serve as a partner in your success. Call anytime for free, expert advice! (833) 837-8427
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Environmental testing isn’t just about compliance — it’s about protecting your clients and your reputation. The cost of testing is minimal compared to the potential expenses and health risks of undiscovered hazards. By incorporating professional asbestos, mold and lead testing services where needed, into your transaction process, you demonstrate a commitment to client protection – while preventing costly surprises that could derail deals or damage relationships.