
I'd like to talk about a sensitive subject that I'm sure everyone knows about....it's called mold.
There are lots of different types of mold.There's mold that can be easily removed with bleach and then there is deadly mold that requires a whole crew of people wearing masks and what resembles spacesuits right out of a sci-fi movie.
I'm sure you've heard of remediation right? ....yeah I thought so.
I'm not an inspector but when I show homes that are either in foreclosure or bank owned....most of the time the property is in sad condition and sometimes you get lucky and find one that isn't bad but when I walk into the room without even looking and I can smell a distinct odor that usually tells me that there is some sort of mold problem.
Today wasn't any different.I have these clients who actually found me from one of my blogs and they were in the process of selling their home out of state but were relocating to Weston FL. For this year they only wanted to rent a home while they waited for their home to sell. I found them a home right down the street from my own home and their kid go to the same elementary school that my daughter graduated from last year. They moved into their home about two months ago and they were very happy with the way the transaction went. I figured we would get together one day after they settled in but about a month ago they called me to let me know that their home in VA was sold and they wanted me to set them up with an automated search of homes located in the neighborhood because if they see anything that fits their needs they would buy it.
So I've been showing them a few homes here and there and today they asked me if I could show them this bank owned property. I met the lady today at the home and because there wasn't any school today... she had to bring her two children with her.

I knew that the home was probably in bad shape so I made sure I was able to get into it before she arrived just to make sure it was safe. Even though these homes are built well with CBS construction I just wanted to make double sure the ceiling was intact. It was but barely......there was a big hole in the kitchen and almost every wall looked like someone took a sledge hammer and whacked away at it. I bet it was because of all this black substance that was all over every wall and I could see it behind the sheet rock.
When my client arrived with two children in tow.....I recommended that we just look through the windows but we ended up opening the front door and going inside. We never made it past the kitchen and never went up stairs.
You could tell that there must have been something there because one of her kids started to cough. Coinsidence? .....I think not.
I've got to tell you.... that I just can't understand why the bank would try selling a 3BR 3BTH court yard home with a pool in that condition and expect to get in the $300's for it when it probably needed at least $100,000 in renovations. The only positive thing about the home was that the pool filter was actually running but the water was dirty but not totally green. I usually say that a home in fair condition would justify calling it "tired" but this place was a "real dump." I would be embarrassed to sell what I think could be a real health hazard.
Like I said...I'm not an inspector nor do I have any knowledge that this home was ever even tested or not for mold but it was really bad to see.
So next time you see a home in this poor condition ...please make sure you bring a mask and protective clothing with you and keep your children away from exposure to mold.
For more information please contact Neal The Real Deal Bloom![]()
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-Realtor® /RE/MAX Premier Associates

2500 Weston Road ,Suite 103
Weston FL 33331
(954)608-5556
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Neal- This reminds me of a home I looked at a few years ago. The basement was flooded right up to the top stair, with giant mold polyps floating, mold polyps on the walls ceilings and floors... should have been demolished it was so bad, AND THE BANK WANTED 175K...someone actually ended up buying it for 90k and "just cleaned it up"... how they are alive or if they are alive I have no idea but wow.
Also from what I have heard, black mold is the worst and the deadliest. Take care and stay safe... taking a few face masks (even a few for clients) may be a good idea :-)
Neal, Yes, there are some "rough" properties out there. Sorry you had to go through this home with your buyer and her children. You were so right to get them out quickly.
Good talking with you today and congratulations on 300,000 points...well not quite but almost. You give an awful lot of yourself here on Active Rain and are appreciated by many!
Chris,
I never really thought about it until they were bringing the kids and then I just thought it was very bad and you never know whats inside behind those walls.
Hey Margaret,
Thanks for calling me to say hi!
Neal- I understand I didn't think about it either until after I went through both stories of the home I mentioned lol I don't even know why I kept going I guess I was just shocked by how bad the mold polyps where lol
Stay safe, and goodluck :-D
Now I know why they are called distressed homes:)
Neal-I've written about the liability of mold and showing homes. I am very sensitive and a few weeks ago I ended up showing 5 houses in a row with mold. I ended up very sick and was down and out for almost a week. Apparently banks don't have any liability for hazzards conditions!
Neal Bloom- Mold is not a good thing for anyone! I am allergic to mold and can smell it a mile away:)
Neal Bloom- Mold is not a good thing for anyone! I am allergic to mold and can smell it a mile away:)
Neal Bloom- Mold is not a good thing for anyone! I am allergic to mold and can smell it a mile away:)
Neal Bloom- Mold is not a good thing for anyone! I am allergic to mold and can smell it a mile away:)
Cindy,
This is why I didn't post the actual pictures because it makes me sick just looking at it.
Katerina,
It must have bothered you because you posted the same comment five times so I deleted the other 4:)
Neal there are people that have really bad reactions to mold. I am surprised that they have not come out with more regulations on it.
Not surprised in this climate! AS-IS WHERE IS and all that fun stuff!
Neal - kudos to you for previewing the home before you brought clients there. When clients bring their children along, it would be a good idea - if you haven't previewed it - to go in and check before allowing the children in. If the parent(s) still wanted to see it, you could stay outside with the children.
George,
I'm glad I thought of it when I got there.
Renee,
It's big problem in damp and hot weather... that's for sure. Still not a good example for the banks to make.
Sharon,
Thankfully they didn't stay for more than 5 minutes with the door open.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah
http://www.thetreadmillguide.com