Don't lose business

As a real estate agent, mould is becoming a great problem in either buying a home or selling a home. When we first do a walk through for the first time the presence of mould will be visible or we will smell a musty odour indicating it. We begin to assess the severity of the problem and the challenge that this may hinder a sale.

It is imperative that the agent must be knowledgeable so that the client can deal with mould. How many times has a home inspector indicated in their report that there is mould in the attic?

• Will the roof need to be replaced? Or can the mould be removed? What will you recommend to your client?
• You smell the mould — but you can't see it. What steps should be done before showing the house?
• There is a small area in the house that mould is visible. Can this be cleaned safely by the owner or should a professional be called in?

How you handle the problem with your client will depend on your knowledge and solutions you can provide them. The cost will be a great concern. The following issues need to be addressed:

• Who could you consult with to get the information needed?
• What causes mould to develop?
• How does mould get into a building?
• Are there harmful and non-harmful moulds?
• Does mould affect everyone in the same way?
• How much mould exposure is harmful?
• Can mould exposure cause brain damage or death?
• Does tighter building construction promote mould growth?
• Do new building materials (e.g. drywall or paper faced gypsum board) promote mould growth?
• Are there reliable tests to indicate the presence of mould?
• If mould is present, what's the best way to get rid of it?
• Is it possible to completely eliminate mould?
• Should I use bleach to get rid of mould?
• How do I know when the mould clean up is finished?

For answers to these and other questions consult the following articles.