Learn. Radon & Real Estate.

As awareness improves, an increasing number of home buyers are asking about radon before they purchase a home.  When it comes to radon issues in a real estate transaction, buyers and sellers are free to negotiate and respond as they choose.  In the end, it is the buyer's decision as to what level of radon poses an acceptable risk.

 

Limitations in a real estate transaction.

Although real estate professionals may have experience in dealing with radon issues in other transactions, their licensing law prohibits them from providing technical advice regarding radon and its health risks. Unless they are qualified to provide such advice, they should recommend that their clients consult with a radon professional or local radon health authorities.

When a relocation company is involved, there may be restrictions in the real estate transaction.  Seller and buyer options regarding radon testing and mitigation may be regulated by the relocation company's terms of agreement.

In new construction, many tract builders will not allow radon testing to be conducted before closing due to a fear that it may delay closing or cause the buyer to walk away from the contract.  Instead, some builders provide a 1-2-week window after closing during which the new homeowner may hire a radon professional to test the home.  If the test returns results at or greater than 4.0 pCi/L, the builder may write a check to the homeowner to put toward the cost of radon remediation.  Regardless of the actual cost, builders generally offer a set amount of money to release them of liability.  This is not the case in all circumstances, so be sure to discuss the radon policy with your builder prior to signing a contract to purchase.

Recommendations to buyers.

When purchasing a home, be sure to ask if the home has any radon-resistant construction features and/or if the home has been tested for radon. Keep in mind that is fairly easy and relatively inexpensive to test for radon and to reduce radon levels if necessary.

If the home has a radon mitigation system in place, ask for the most recent post-mitigation radon test results.  If the home has not been tested recently, be sure to have a radon test conducted to confirm that the system is working properly.

Please visit our Home Buyers' page for more information and recommendations specific to buyers.

Recommendations to sellers.

As a seller, you may want to consider testing your home for radon before you put it on the market.  If the results are high enough that they may pose a problem to a future buyer, you could go ahead and correct the issue.  This way, there won't be any radon-related surprises during the middle of the sale that could delay the closing or cause the buyer to walk away out of fear or uncertainty.

In fact, a properly-conducted, 3rd-party radon test could be used as a selling point for the home and enable you to receive a higher sale price.  Whether the radon levels are low naturally or due to the active mitigation system, the buyer should feel more confident and comfortable about their potential radon exposure.

Please visit our Home Owners' page for more information and recommendations specific to owners and sellers.

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Radon Facts
Radon Health Risks
Radon & Real Estate
Radon & New Construction


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