I don't think this is something most people can answer. However, Radon is said to be the cause of thousands of deaths (lung cancer) every year. Radon is a radioactive gas. Radon is not something you can detect from the five senses. You can't see it, touch it, smell it, taste it or obviously hear it either. So how do you find out if it's in your home? There are several ways...you can do-it-yourself with at home test kits that you send in to a lab for results or you can hire a professional Radon tester. As people are becoming more educated about the potential harm of Radon, buyers and sellers of homes need to be prepared and knowledgeable about Radon testing and the mitigation process of lowering Radon levels in the home. It is important for Real Estate Professionals to help clients through this process as many future clients may have never even heard of Radon. As a buyer's agent, you can inform your client about the potential harm of Radon and suggest they include Radon testing in their inspection of the home. As a seller's agent, you can suggest having the home tested for Radon before putting it on the market. If high levels are detected, you can help your client through the mitigation process in hopes of lowering the levels of Radon, thus allowing your client to fix the problem before it may arise during the sale process. Once the levels in the home are safe, or perhaps were already safe...this can be a good marketing tool. You can now market the home assuring the future buyer that the home "meets or exceeds the EPA's standard Radon levels." Finding Radon in a home should not break a deal. There are ways to fix or mitigate the problem.
For more information about Radon, see....
Finding Radon in a home should not break a deal. There are ways to fix or mitigate the problem. One way is to have a vent pipe system and fan installed. Another thing that can help is to seal any and all foundation cracks. It is said that a system can be put in place for around $800-2500 ($1200 average). For more details, see...
Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction
Ok, so now let's say that your client has found the perfect home and has decided to do a Radon test during the inspection process. Higher that normal levels of Radon were detected. What do you do? The client really loves the home but is concerned about the Radon levels. First of all, explain the mitigation process and the possibility of lowering the levels in the home. Provide them with a list of professionals that could aid them in the process as well as approximate costs. Ask them what levels of Radon (most likely the EPA's standards) would be suitable to them to still consider buying the home. If the mitigation costs are an issue, try to negotiate splitting the costs between the buyer and the seller. Sellers should agree because if the sale failed due to this problem, they will now have the knowledge for the next potential sale and will probably need to fix the problem regardless. If the buyers are willing to go ahead with the purchase if the Radon levels could be decreased to their comfort level, make sure that enough time is written into the contract to properly accomplish the mitigation process within the inspection time frame.
It's easy as an agent to just sweep this issue under the rug and not even bring it up, but are you doing your clients any favors? I think not. Get out there and educate. You could save lives.
