Is it a Good Idea to Buy a Home That Was a Former Grow Op?

So you are convinced it is a Good Idea to Buy a Home That Was a Former Grow Op?

Are you considering buying a property that was a former Marijuana grow operation or meth lab? I'm far from an expert on the subject, although Chilliwack has more than its fair share of former Grow-Op Homes. Perhaps speaking to a Home Inspector might provide some critical information, however I can speak on it from the perspective of a Realtor.

There used to be a time when this problem was the domain of derelict old homes in run down neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, not any more - if anything it is just as likely to be in a posh family oriented neighbourhood or a brand new development. As a matter of fact its become quite a popular method of paying down a mortgage. However these days grow houses are seldom used for extended periods of time since these 'investors' tend to switch up their locations fairly frequently. Nevertheless, unsuspecting homeowners are always shocked when they find a drug raid occuring at the house next door to them.

Recently the Chilliwack Progress did a series of articles on former grow ops in our area and they were kind enough to provide maps pinpointing these locations. I'm not sure but the police web site might even have that information. However knowing a home was a grow op is a lot easier to deal with then buying one where the operations went undetected.

Similar type Map in Toronto

The best advice I could possibly give you is to have each and every home you consider buying, inspected by a Licensed Home Inspector; although admittedly there are still some inspectors that do not know how to identify a former Grow Op home.

However this question relates specifically to the potential home buyer that is wondering what the pros and cons of buying a home that hosted a former grow operation; so I'll try and simplify it with a couple of lists:

The Cons: (Listed in no particular order)

Potential health and safety risks - Most grow operators illegally bypass hydro meters in order to steal the large amounts of power required for heating and lighting a grow operation. This usually results in dangerous electrical connections that are capable of causing serious injury or possible death. Operators often install large ventilation tubes to exhaust chemical fumes through the roof of a home often causing serious structural damage due to large holes cut in floors and ceilings.

- Humidity levels are kept very high in grow operations to promote plant growth. Unfortunately high humidity levels also promote mold growth which can be very carcinogenic and have long lasting health effects for humans. Use of various chemicals in both grow operations and in particular meth labs, can easily contaminate drywall, plaster and even wooden framing.

- Remediation required to restore a grow operation property back to a safe and healthy state, can be extremely costly and in the case of former meth labs, often deemed a lost cause, as chemical infiltration into all the building material within a home is usually so widespread.

- There may be some current and future property insurance issues - some companies will not insure former grow ops.

- If you're told that the these homes have no problems being resold - check the data and see how many times they've been on the market and for how long and with how many price reductions before they are eventually sold.

- I also encourage you to seriously consider whether tearing down the property might not be a better idea than rehabilitating it.

The Pros - (Yes there are some )

- If you have private money and can gut the house, and your are able to purchase the house at a great reduced price; if you spend money to have environmental engineers do spore tests etc. and perhaps have the construction skills or trusted contacts that can do it - you could end up a decent investment.

- Some believe that many former grow ops that have been repaired are in better condition than other homes. Why is this? because within the lower mainland most municipalities require former grow ops to have environmental air testing, mold and noxious material reports done. Until this is done and passed the city will not re-issue an occupancy permit.

- Depending on the extent of the grow op - some cities require the property to be brought up to current building codes that include items such as plumbing and gas, building, electric etc. This forces the homeowner to upgrade many features that were unaffected by the grow op. And these items could be as small as adding railings to stairs or as big as fixing a foundation of structure.

- There may be an opportunity get this property at a bargain price - however make sure to take all the additional costs into consideration before you proceed on what looks like a bargain price.

So what would I do given all the pros and cons? I would probably pass. Chances are there will be headaches. Certification for home insurance could be a problem if you do disclose - if you don't disclose you may find yourself uninsured even after paying premiums. In my experience this is often a deal killer. The insurance company requires city approval for the home but if it was a grow op before the city required certification for grow ops you end up in grow op limbo land. If repairs were made before the Cities were required to approve the repairs - chances are no bank would touch it. I suspect the contract was eventually submitted without the grow op disclosure...

Lastly, the house is always stigmatized with the 'former grow-op label' - and then again there are the stories of grow rip or drive by shootings - unaware that the house has been sold!

Also be aware that there have seen many, many homes sold without the owner disclosing they had a grow op (sometimes because they didn't know and it was several sales ago). So Buyer beware!

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If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Chilliwack's Garrison Crossing, Cultus Lake, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give

Chilliwack Realtor Liz Moras of Keller Williams Elite Realty

a call at

604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2011 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without permission. Information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive. It is not necessarily representative of the opinions of Keller Williams Elite Realty.