Environmental and Health Concerns When Buying or Selling a Home

Anyone looking to buy or sell a home in Wisconsin will need to consider that a property may have a variety of environmental and health concerns.  Including things such as radon, contaminants in the water, mold, and lead-based paint.

Today we are talking about the requirements for properties that were built prior to 1978 and may pose a greater risk of lead-based paint. As stated in the Wisconsin Lead Based Paint Disclosure Addendum S, "Lead poisoning in young children may produce permanent neurological damage, including learning disabilities, reduced intelligence quotient, behavioral problems, and impaired memory." Certainly lead-based paint is no joking matter and hence the reason it's no longer used in household paints.

A home seller is required to disclose to potential buyers the existence of any known lead-based paint on the property. And similarly, a home buyer has an option to test for the existence of lead-based paint, if desired.

Contractors looking to do work on a home built prior to 1978 must follow specific guidelines for remediation and be lead paint certified. The EPA (environmental protection agency) website has more detailed information about lead paint.

As a real estate agent in Madison Wisconsin, I also have a duty to provide a lead-based paint pamphlet to home buyers that shows how to "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home".

Many older properties have their own charm and character that is often very different from a new home. Thus, I wouldn't suggest to a home buyer to pass on a home built prior to 1978 simply because it may have lead-based paint. A home with lead-based paint can be fixed, it just involves a few more cautionary steps. Want to talk more about disclosure requirements in real estate or about older homes in general? Then contact us today at 608-620-4234.

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