Radon and Real Estate

COUNT ON IT: Radon is an important issue for home buyers, home sellers and real estate agents.
Today it's more challenging to buy and sell houses than ever before. Radon is one of many issues that can slow down a real estate transaction if interested parties aren't properly informed and prepared. Here are a few basic guidelines that can help avoid missteps and misunderstandings.

SELLERS should test for radon before putting a house on the market.
Perform a new test if it's been more than two years since the last radon test, or if the house has undergone any major remodeling work that could affect radon levels. If a radon test shows levels above 4.0 picoCuries/liter (pCi/L), radon mitigation is recommended so that the house can go on the market with an effective radon reduction system in place and reduced radon levels.

BUYERS AND BANKS need to know radon levels.
State and/or local regulations may require disclosure of radon information to home buyers, and this information may also be required as a part of a mortgage application. It's especially important for home buyers to know radon levels if there are young children in the family and if all or part of the basement will be used as a major living space.

LOCAL RADON READINGS aren't relevant.
While it's true that certain parts of the country record higher radon levels than others, it's not possible to predict radon levels based on state, local, and even neighborhood test results. Adjacent houses can have different radon levels, so low levels in neighboring houses doesn't justify skipping a radon test.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS should be radon experts.
Although real estate agents are not supposed to offer technical advice regarding radon and health issues unless they are qualified to do so, an agent should be up to date on the basic details that relate to radon in homes. Main points include:

• Basic guidelines for proper radon testing.
• A basic understanding of how a radon mitigation system works.
• Approximate costs for radon testing and radon remediation.
• How buyers and sellers can get in touch with local radon remediation contractors.
• Proper protocol for sharing test results with interested parties.

HIGH RADON LEVELS don't have to be a deal breaker.
While the health risks of radon exposure are well-documented, so are effective radon mitigation techniques. Radon is, after all, a gas, and radon mitigation systems are designed to safely vent radon gas outside the house. When proven radon reduction techniques are used by experienced radon remediation contractors, it's a sure bet that radon problems can be eliminated.

Published by National Radon Defense on 08/04/2010