Asbestos is a fibrous mineral mostly found in homes that were built before 1980. It’s called the magic mineral also known for its heat & flame resistance properties. However, asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. With time, asbestos can dissolve into the air and make its way slowly through the respiratory system causing breathing problems and related health issues.
Because it’s a heat & flame resistant material, it was the ideal choice for construction purposes before the govt. banned it completely. In modern construction, we don’t use asbestos, but there are various listings in the market with a construction date in the 1980s. If you are selling an old house, the chances are that your home has some amount of asbestos. If that’s the case, you need to disclose the presence of asbestos. You can choose to remove the material or sell your home as-is. This article will discuss your options in this situation.
Where Can You Find Asbestos?
Here are a few examples:
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Hot water & steam pipes covered in an asbestos blanket
- Asbestos insulation in coal/oil furnace
- Cement roof & siding shingles
- Home insulation
Asbestos is harmless unless touched. If it is hidden inside your home, you don’t have to worry about it. However, over time, we renovate our homes. We undertake many DIY projects, and that’s when unknowingly, we can expose this mineral. Over time, rain and weather conditions can also cause wear & tear, which can allow asbestos to expand its presence into the air inside your home.
It is not possible to know whether your home has asbestos without a technical test. Your general home inspector cannot figure this out. A certified expert will take a sample and will perform onsite or offsite testing. Testing for asbestos is a costly choice. Offsite testing will cost approximately $50-$180; onsite testing costs $250-$750. If the experts feel that asbestos is present in the air, then you’ll need an air-quality test for $300-$500.
Please don’t try to collect the asbestos sample yourself. It might save you a few dollars, but inhaling asbestos can be hazardous for you and your family. Let the experts tackle this matter.
It can cost you hundreds of dollars, so it remains a question whether you should inspect your home for inspection. The answer is yes. You don’t have to remove the material, but you need to disclose its presence to the seller. Like said earlier, asbestos can be present in your home, but still, it can be harmless.
How to Sell a House with Asbestos?
It is a negative sign when the inspection report confirms the presence of asbestos. Today, people are aware of the dangers of this hazardous material, and the inspection results can turn-off potential buyers. You have two choices, you can repair the house or sell it as-is.
We’ll discuss both options.
Let’s say asbestos is located in one area of the house. If that’s the case, you can encapsulate the material. Have the experts wrap it in a protective layer, and that should satisfy the safety concerns of the local authorities. The cost of asbestos containment is also 15%-20% less than the cost of removal. With removal, you have to dispose of the material carefully, which requires additional dollars.
Depending on the location, asbestos removal can cost thousands of dollars. For instance, removing asbestos tiles should not require more than $15/square foot, whereas eliminating asbestos from the attic can take $15k. If the cost is too much, you can consider selling your home to a real estate solutions company or a cash buyer in Utah. Remember to disclose the presence of asbestos. After that, it is the buyer’s responsibility to take care of the rest. You’ll get a fair cash price for the property, and you won’t have to worry about repairs, legal disclosures, or inspections. Since it is a direct cash price offer, you don’t have to pay for commissions.
Contact us now to sell your house with asbestos. We’ll buy your property within two weeks and for a fair cash price.