Mold. There are some words that mean nothing. Others that bring happiness. But the word mold is one word that makes the average Realtor’s heart stop. The reason is, that mold is one thing that can make a a great real estate listing turn into a nightmare. It is not because mold is the “end all” of bad things. But it is because many Buyers believe that mold is the “end all”.

Buyers are afraid of the unknown and when it comes to “mold” most people do not know. The fact is that the health effects of mold can be very serious. But it is also a fact that mold is everywhere around us and that most mold problems are not as serious as to cause adverse affects in those exposed. I do not want to downplay the risk. Of course, there are some people that with a slight exposure will get sick. But for most people, simply seeing mold will not harm them.

What most people need to know is that that small amounts of mold in their homes simply needs to be fixed. Of course the minute I say that then someone who is sensitive will try to clean mold in their homes and then say I told them to do it. But that is not the point. The point is, if you find mold in your home. You need to take action. If you believe you have any sensitivity or are at all experiencing any mold symptoms then you need to remove yourself from exposure and call a professional. There is no shame in calling a professional. That is why there are professionals. To handle situations we should not be handling ourselves.

One thing to remember before killing the mold and removing the damage is that you need to identify and fix the cause of the mold. Mold is normally caused by water of some sort. Look around the area of the mold damage and identify where water might be originating. If you cannot determine the source. You need a professional. Cleaning mold without repairing the problem is not a solution. You need to fix the source of the problem.

For assistance in these matters consult your local Health Department.