Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection, but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be $5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie

On May 17, 1:49 pm, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection, but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be $5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie

Wear proper gear and masks if you're thinking about working on it.

Also, use 50-50 bleach solution, not full 100% bleach. Sounds like a
great opportunity. I know I'd do it.

"cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote in message news:7253f161224a4@uwe...
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light
reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or
dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection,
but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites
are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all
they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the
wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should
do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be
$5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good
shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for
around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any
of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie

Are you sure that only the basement flooded? If there's mold everywhere, it
sounds like a bigger problem. Could be you'd have to tear out the drywall
and paint every stud and joist with kilz. They had to do that to a house on
one of those "flipping" shows, and it added something like $20,000 to the
remodeling cost for a 1,000 sq. ft. house for the demolition, dumpsters,
kilz spray, new drywall, trim, etc. If it was wet enough to cause that much
mold, there might be electric issues as well. What about the heating system?
I'd be VERY careful about this one.

h wrote:
Hello everyone,

[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]

Cherie

Are you sure that only the basement flooded? If there's mold everywhere, it
sounds like a bigger problem. Could be you'd have to tear out the drywall
and paint every stud and joist with kilz. They had to do that to a house on
one of those "flipping" shows, and it added something like $20,000 to the
remodeling cost for a 1,000 sq. ft. house for the demolition, dumpsters,
kilz spray, new drywall, trim, etc. If it was wet enough to cause that much
mold, there might be electric issues as well. What about the heating system?
I'd be VERY careful about this one.


To reply to this: I am checking with the seller's agent. He initially said
on the phone that there was a slight mold problem and that a couple walls
needed to be replaced (which he said was down in the basement) and now he
said he hired a company to get an estimate and they said that they would rip
out all the drywall (of course they would because they want to make some
money, right?). So now I am just curious what is the most accurate
information and if I should just get an inspector and see what he/she has to
say......I just have a feeling that they won't even want to touch the issue
and they will want to forward me on to a specialist.

Now I have researched black mold and looked at all the pictures and it looks
nothing like the mold that is in this house. It is small little specs
(almost like condensation- like the size of a pencil eraser) and just
randomly throughout the house, not in large clumps everywhere. In addition,
my realtor (who is also my mom's b/f) has his own drywall company and says he
has seen this before and that he would just bleach it and put killz on it.
That is what he has done in the past, I just don't want the mold to be deeper
than just surface is all. Are there any places that I can go through like
health inspectors through the county or something like that to get an honest
opinion of whether this is a health hazard or if I am just wasting my time.

I feel like my brain is overloaded now, all because I keep on getting
different information. I am thinking I am going to request from the seller's
agent to get a print out of the inspection/estimate that they had from the
"company". I feel like they are withholding information, but at the same
time, if they were....can they honestly let people off the streets enter a
home with no protection that has black mold.....won't they be held liable if
something were to happen to those people?

In article 7254ccecf2c91@uwe, cherie9g says...

h wrote:
Hello everyone,

[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]

Cherie

Are you sure that only the basement flooded? If there's mold everywhere, it
sounds like a bigger problem. Could be you'd have to tear out the drywall
and paint every stud and joist with kilz. They had to do that to a house on
one of those "flipping" shows, and it added something like $20,000 to the
remodeling cost for a 1,000 sq. ft. house for the demolition, dumpsters,
kilz spray, new drywall, trim, etc. If it was wet enough to cause that much
mold, there might be electric issues as well. What about the heating system?
I'd be VERY careful about this one.


To reply to this: I am checking with the seller's agent. He initially said
on the phone that there was a slight mold problem and that a couple walls
needed to be replaced (which he said was down in the basement) and now he
said he hired a company to get an estimate and they said that they would rip
out all the drywall (of course they would because they want to make some
money, right?). So now I am just curious what is the most accurate
information and if I should just get an inspector and see what he/she has to
say......I just have a feeling that they won't even want to touch the issue
and they will want to forward me on to a specialist.

Now I have researched black mold and looked at all the pictures and it looks
nothing like the mold that is in this house. It is small little specs
(almost like condensation- like the size of a pencil eraser) and just
randomly throughout the house, not in large clumps everywhere. In addition,
my realtor (who is also my mom's b/f) has his own drywall company and says he
has seen this before and that he would just bleach it and put killz on it.
That is what he has done in the past, I just don't want the mold to be deeper
than just surface is all. Are there any places that I can go through like
health inspectors through the county or something like that to get an honest
opinion of whether this is a health hazard or if I am just wasting my time.

I feel like my brain is overloaded now, all because I keep on getting
different information. I am thinking I am going to request from the seller's
agent to get a print out of the inspection/estimate that they had from the
"company". I feel like they are withholding information, but at the same
time, if they were....can they honestly let people off the streets enter a
home with no protection that has black mold.....won't they be held liable if
something were to happen to those people?


Now that I've read further back in the thread, I *would* rip out the sheetrock
to remediate this house, and that should be considered in your calculations (if
you do buy, and I'd still advise not buying your bf's next project).

You're not qualified to determine what kind of mold is in the house; it has set
up pretty much everywhere to one extent or other. You'll have to disclose, and
you won't be able to disclose what kind of mold it is.

Walk away unless you're really looking at this as your long-time residence. If
the latter, have a plan for paying for everything on your own if you and bf
break up.

Banty

On Thu, 17 May 2007 22:27:54 GMT, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:

now he said he hired a company to get an estimate and they said that they would rip
out all the drywall (of course they would because they want to make some
money, right?).


Not always so. A contractor wouldn't want to do the surface cleaning
and risk a warranty recall if it doesn't work. Even if you are to
undertake this job yourself it may actually be easier and faster to
remove damaged drywall than to try to micro-fix only the affected
areas. If they are only surface condensation spots with mold colonies
and there is no internal dampness in the drywall or in the studs
behind them then surface treatment should suffice. Its a judgement
call.

"cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote in message news:7253f161224a4@uwe...
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light
reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or
dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection,
but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites
are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all
they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the
wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should
do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be
$5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good
shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for
around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any
of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie


Mold kills people. Documented cases prove it. I'd steer clear of it.

In article , J.A. Michel says...


"cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote in message news:7253f161224a4@uwe...
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light
reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or
dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection,
but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites
are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all
they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the
wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should
do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be
$5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good
shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for
around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any
of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie


Mold kills people. Documented cases prove it. I'd steer clear of it.


Certain relatively rare molds hurt certain relatively rare people who are very
sensitive.

Calm down.

Yes, mold has to be disclosed; in a weak market it's a detractor. But let's not
get nutty about this.

Banty

On Thu, 17 May 2007 20:49:39 GMT, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:

Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection, but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be $5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie


I suspect that the $35,000 discount is fairly close to
what it will cost to guarantee fixing the problem in one go,
and noticably less that it will cost if you try to fix it
on the cheap, and then have to go back and do a total rehab.


Without more info, you're really just gambling that the
mold/mildew isn't as bad as it might be. So the
question back to you is, are you will to take that gamble,
and can you afford to loose?

If the answer is "yes", then you MIGHT make a significant
amount of money in exchange for taking the chance.

On Thu, 17 May 2007 17:21:42 -0400, Goedjn wrote:

On Thu, 17 May 2007 20:49:39 GMT, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:

Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the

Cherie


I suspect that the $35,000 discount is fairly close to

He figures 65,000 dollar discount.

Since it's foreclosed, the original owner has nothing to gain or lose.
If you could find him, you might get more info about how dry the
basement was before they moved out.

Also the neighbors won't have an incentive to lie for the sake of the
owner, their friend. Although they do want someone to buy it an dtake
care of it, I don't know that would be enough to make them lie to your
face.




what it will cost to guarantee fixing the problem in one go,
and noticably less that it will cost if you try to fix it
on the cheap, and then have to go back and do a total rehab.


Without more info, you're really just gambling that the
mold/mildew isn't as bad as it might be. So the
question back to you is, are you will to take that gamble,
and can you afford to loose?

If the answer is "yes", then you MIGHT make a significant
amount of money in exchange for taking the chance.

Thanks for bringing that up....

I have actually spoke with the neighbors and they gave me some good
information. They moved in 8 months ago and at that time, the owners were
still there. About 2 months later, the house was in the process of being
foreclosed.

The neighbors said that they are not sure why people are not scooping it up
(they knew about the mold issue) and they said that if they hadn't moved in
next door already they would have most definitely considered it.

Can water from the basement....create mold spores throughout the home
upstairs do to moisture and NO ventilation since the house was locked up for
the winter? It has not been sitting like this for years, I will let you know
that. But is sitting like that for a few months going to do a significant
amount of damage?

Thanks everyone!
mm wrote:
Hello everyone,

[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]

I suspect that the $35,000 discount is fairly close to

He figures 65,000 dollar discount.

Since it's foreclosed, the original owner has nothing to gain or lose.
If you could find him, you might get more info about how dry the
basement was before they moved out.

Also the neighbors won't have an incentive to lie for the sake of the
owner, their friend. Although they do want someone to buy it an dtake
care of it, I don't know that would be enough to make them lie to your
face.

what it will cost to guarantee fixing the problem in one go,
and noticably less that it will cost if you try to fix it
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
If the answer is "yes", then you MIGHT make a significant
amount of money in exchange for taking the chance.

--
Message posted via HomeKB.com
http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200705/1

On May 18, 10:46 pm, "cherie9g via HomeKB.com" u34288@uwe wrote:
Thanks for bringing that up....

I have actually spoke with the neighbors and they gave me some good
information. They moved in 8 months ago and at that time, the owners were
still there. About 2 months later, the house was in the process of being
foreclosed.

The neighbors said that they are not sure why people are not scooping it up
(they knew about the mold issue) and they said that if they hadn't moved in
next door already they would have most definitely considered it.

Can water from the basement....create mold spores throughout the home
upstairs do to moisture and NO ventilation since the house was locked up for
the winter? It has not been sitting like this for years, I will let you know
that. But is sitting like that for a few months going to do a significant
amount of damage?

Thanks everyone!


I think water in a basement could produce mold upstairs, but I think
it would take quite a long time to do it. If the basement was just
flooded for a few days to maybe a week, I doubt it would be
possible. But if it flooded and was never caught and sat that way
for months, slowly drying out, then sure.

And the bad part is, if that's what happened, then you would think the
mold would be everywhere, like inside the walls, particularly outside
walls, where it would condense. Has anyone looked in the attic?

We are doing this today. I will be taking pictures today and posting them so
that many of you will be able to see what I am seeing.

wrote:
Thanks for bringing that up....

[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]

Thanks everyone!

I think water in a basement could produce mold upstairs, but I think
it would take quite a long time to do it. If the basement was just
flooded for a few days to maybe a week, I doubt it would be
possible. But if it flooded and was never caught and sat that way
for months, slowly drying out, then sure.

And the bad part is, if that's what happened, then you would think the
mold would be everywhere, like inside the walls, particularly outside
walls, where it would condense. Has anyone looked in the attic?

--
Message posted via http://www.homekb.com

"cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote in message news:7253f161224a4@uwe...
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light
reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or
dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection,
but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites
are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all
they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the
wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should
do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be
$5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good
shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for
around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any
of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie
----------------------------

What does a realtor say your sales price would be? You'll have to disclose
the prior existence of the mold, which will greatly lower your sales price
in a weak market....
LT

"cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote in message news:7253f161224a4@uwe...
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light
reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or
dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection,
but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites
are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all
they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the
wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should
do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be
$5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good
shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for
around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any
of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie


Some friends of mine bought a house in California where someone stuck a nail
in the wall to hang a picture and punctured a pipe. It was a slow leak,
then they put the house up for sale. It was on the market for a very long
time, and they got a very good deal on it.

BUT, it was all one floor, and no basement. I wouldn't touch a house like
that where you could not get on all sides of everything. I don't think
there's enough spray in the world to kill all the stuff that is underground
and unseen and can't be gotten to.

Whatever you save on price is going to be spent on continuous remediation.
Plus, you will have a hard time selling it.

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. YMMV.

Steve

On 2007-05-17, cherie9g u34288@uwe wrote:
I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

It's not clear from your post if you are thinking of this to flip and
sell, or thinking of this as a way to get a home for yourself to live in
at a good price.

If the former, take into account that you'll probably have to disclose
the mold fix to buyers, and buyers will probably not be interested
unless the fix is sure. Basically, if you are doing this to sell, you
are going to have to do this the right and careful way.

On the other hand, if you are buying the home for yourself to live in,
you don't have to be as careful. You might be willing to go for a
cheaper solution that has, say, an 80% chance of taking care of the
problem, taking the risk that you'll have to do more later, whereas a
buyer is not likely to find that acceptable.

In other words, people have different levels of risk they find
acceptable. If the house is for you, you only have to bring it up to
your level. If it is to sell, you'll probably have to bring it to a
higher level.

"Tim Smith" wrote in message
...
On 2007-05-17, cherie9g u34288@uwe wrote:
I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

It's not clear from your post if you are thinking of this to flip and
sell, or thinking of this as a way to get a home for yourself to live in
at a good price.

If the former, take into account that you'll probably have to disclose
the mold fix to buyers, and buyers will probably not be interested
unless the fix is sure. Basically, if you are doing this to sell, you
are going to have to do this the right and careful way.

On the other hand, if you are buying the home for yourself to live in,
you don't have to be as careful. You might be willing to go for a
cheaper solution that has, say, an 80% chance of taking care of the
problem, taking the risk that you'll have to do more later, whereas a
buyer is not likely to find that acceptable.

In other words, people have different levels of risk they find
acceptable. If the house is for you, you only have to bring it up to
your level. If it is to sell, you'll probably have to bring it to a
higher level.

Or, as the seller is doing now, you will have to mark down the price once
more and find a "motivated" buyer. At which point, someone will buy it
below appraisal, and there will be an electrical short.

Steve

On May 17, 6:29 pm, Tim Smith wrote:
On 2007-05-17, cherie9g u34288@uwe wrote:

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

It's not clear from your post if you are thinking of this to flip and
sell, or thinking of this as a way to get a home for yourself to live in
at a good price.

If the former, take into account that you'll probably have to disclose
the mold fix to buyers, and buyers will probably not be interested
unless the fix is sure. Basically, if you are doing this to sell, you
are going to have to do this the right and careful way.

On the other hand, if you are buying the home for yourself to live in,
you don't have to be as careful. You might be willing to go for a
cheaper solution that has, say, an 80% chance of taking care of the
problem, taking the risk that you'll have to do more later, whereas a
buyer is not likely to find that acceptable.

In other words, people have different levels of risk they find
acceptable. If the house is for you, you only have to bring it up to
your level. If it is to sell, you'll probably have to bring it to a
higher level.


I guess that assumes this is the last house she'll ever buy, because
if it's not she still has a similar problem when she goes to sell
it. Granted, if you live there for 110 years and there is no more
evidence of a mold problem, then it's less of an issue, but in many
places it would still have to be disclosed and could scare off some
buyers.

Any house with mold this extensive, I'd be very cautious about. At a
minimum, I'd have the mold lab tested and document what mold it is.
If it's stachybotrys, the house is a tear down. If it's harmless,
you have documentation of what it is and can choose the appropriate
remediation.

cherie9g wrote:
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

mold is EVERYWHERE. it is only a problem if it is wet. dry it up. clean
with soapy water. you'll never know how bad it is in the walls till you
tear off the sheetrock. does the sheetrock on the above floors look
eaten up by the mold or just some surface mold? you can guess by
looking up at the floor from the basement. do the joists look really
bad? or just some surface mold that can be washed off? maybe tear off
small area of sheetrock where it looks the worst to see whats in the wall.

I believe it is just surface mold. We pulled up the carpet and there was no
water marks what so ever or any mold residue underneath the carpet. It was
the basement that flooded as I was told. It wasn't even all the way, it was
just the subpump that was broken for a little while but is fixed now. I am
going to the house again on Sunday to do some cleanup tests...grab just a
little bleach and do some test spots to see if it is just surface. The wall
isn't bubbling or cracking or anything, we have checked the floors, no soft
spots... I was also thinking about buying a mold kit....so after we do the
small bleach tests....to see if we disturbed any of the spores and see if it
is airborne. If something forms I will consider sending it in to see if it
is black mold. If it is anything else I will not be as concerned...
especially if it is just surface. I will see if I can take pictures on
Sunday and I will try to post them up here for all of you.

I do not think the market is the best right now to flip, although I am
getting pressure from my boyfriend to do so (because that is all that he is
used to doing and this is a great price). I would love to live in this home
for at least 3 years and make renovations to it....even finish out the
basement, maybe add another bath down there (since it is only 1.5 baths).

Thank you for all the great feedback and I will keep all of you updated.
Grahmey wrote:
Hello everyone,

[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

mold is EVERYWHERE. it is only a problem if it is wet. dry it up. clean
with soapy water. you'll never know how bad it is in the walls till you
tear off the sheetrock. does the sheetrock on the above floors look
eaten up by the mold or just some surface mold? you can guess by
looking up at the floor from the basement. do the joists look really
bad? or just some surface mold that can be washed off? maybe tear off
small area of sheetrock where it looks the worst to see whats in the wall.

On Fri, 18 May 2007 02:21:35 GMT, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:


I do not think the market is the best right now to flip, although I am
getting pressure from my boyfriend to do so (because that is all that he is

I wouldn't let a boyfriend run my financial life (or a girlfriend, in
my case.)


used to doing and this is a great price). I would love to live in this home
for at least 3 years and make renovations to it....even finish out the
basement, maybe add another bath down there (since it is only 1.5 baths).

Thank you for all the great feedback and I will keep all of you updated.

cherie9g wrote:

I do not think the market is the best right now to flip, although I am
getting pressure from my boyfriend to do so (because that is all that he is
used to doing and this is a great price).

maybe time for a new boyfriend.

I did not mean this..... he is just used to flipping homes and I want to
actually live in one. Trust me, I am putting my foot down on this, it is
just tempting to him because he thinks that (if the mold issue isn't bad and
is just surface mold) he would do a few things to make it look nice and put
it back on the market.

I on the other hand would like to live there for a little while. I have a
"real estate" plan......I am sure all of you have heard it. Live in a place
for 3-4 years, sell it take that equity roll it over into a little nicer of a
home, live in that one for 3-4 years, do the same thing...and 3-4 times doing
that, you will be in a home that you love.

I have to get started somewhere, but I am wondering if this will be the right
home. Especially now that all of you are stating that I will have to
disclose this issue to buyers when the selling time does come, even if the
mold is removed.

Thanks for the advice.
But I might be keeping the boyfriend...
Grahammey wrote:
I do not think the market is the best right now to flip, although I am
getting pressure from my boyfriend to do so (because that is all that he is
used to doing and this is a great price).

maybe time for a new boyfriend.

--
Message posted via HomeKB.com
http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200705/1

I have to get started somewhere, but I am wondering if this will be the
right
home. Especially now that all of you are stating that I will have to
disclose this issue to buyers when the selling time does come, even if the
mold is removed.

if you don't have a professional mold specialist come out & make an
exaggerated report to drum up business for his company, there will be far
less to disclose, eh?

On Fri, 18 May 2007 13:09:48 GMT, "cherie9g via HomeKB.com"
u34288@uwe wrote:

I did not mean this..... he is just used to flipping homes and I want to
actually live in one. Trust me, I am putting my foot down on this, it is
just tempting to him because he thinks that (if the mold issue isn't bad and
is just surface mold) he would do a few things to make it look nice and put
it back on the market.

I on the other hand would like to live there for a little while. I have a
"real estate" plan......I am sure all of you have heard it. Live in a place
for 3-4 years, sell it take that equity roll it over into a little nicer of a
home, live in that one for 3-4 years, do the same thing...and 3-4 times doing
that, you will be in a home that you love.

Would't work for me. I might have the energy to fix the first or even
second one up the way I want it, but by the 3rd or 4th, I'd just take
it as I found it. I'd tell myself that all but the last fix-up was
work to earn income, but in my case, I don't think I could convince
myselt. I'm a lot like a duck. I get hooked on the first think I see
(at least that is pretty good) and have a hard time liking something
else. But everyone is different.

I have to get started somewhere, but I am wondering if this will be the right
home. Especially now that all of you are stating that I will have to
disclose this issue to buyers when the selling time does come, even if the
mold is removed.

Thanks for the advice.
But I might be keeping the boyfriend...

You may have to disclose his faults to the next girlfriend. Well, if
she is paying you directly.

Grahammey wrote:
I do not think the market is the best right now to flip, although I am
getting pressure from my boyfriend to do so (because that is all that he is
used to doing and this is a great price).

maybe time for a new boyfriend.

In article 7256d74c06555@uwe, cherie9g says...

I believe it is just surface mold. We pulled up the carpet and there was no
water marks what so ever or any mold residue underneath the carpet. It was
the basement that flooded as I was told. It wasn't even all the way, it was
just the subpump that was broken for a little while but is fixed now. I am
going to the house again on Sunday to do some cleanup tests...grab just a
little bleach and do some test spots to see if it is just surface. The wall
isn't bubbling or cracking or anything, we have checked the floors, no soft
spots... I was also thinking about buying a mold kit....so after we do the
small bleach tests....to see if we disturbed any of the spores and see if it
is airborne. If something forms I will consider sending it in to see if it
is black mold. If it is anything else I will not be as concerned...
especially if it is just surface. I will see if I can take pictures on
Sunday and I will try to post them up here for all of you.

It might not be a big deal, then. Is the mold known, or presumed? You'll have
to disclose, but you don't have to disclose what you don't know about, let alone
what you looked for and didn't find.


I do not think the market is the best right now to flip, although I am
getting pressure from my boyfriend to do so (because that is all that he is
used to doing and this is a great price). I would love to live in this home
for at least 3 years and make renovations to it....even finish out the
basement, maybe add another bath down there (since it is only 1.5 baths).

DANGER WILL ROBINSON. (Or rather, danger Cherie).

Your boyfriend is your boyfriend, not your business partner or your husband.
With no legally recognized financial relationship, you can be taking a bath on
this all alone.

If he has been flipping houses, where are the proceeds from that, or has he been
successful?? Why isn't he funding the purchase of this house if he wants to
make a project of this?

Think about it...

Banty

You are underestimating potential problem. The governor's house in NC was
just redone for a second time for mold because the first time did not work.
Hundred's of thousands of taxpayers dollars. A student dorm took years to
clean up. I would walk away unless you enjoy gambling.


"cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote in message news:7253f161224a4@uwe...
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light
reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or
dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection,
but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites
are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all
they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the
wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should
do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be
$5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good
shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for
around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any
of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie

On May 17, 8:31 pm, "Art" wrote:
You are underestimating potential problem. The governor's house in NC was
just redone for a second time for mold because the first time did not work.
Hundred's of thousands of taxpayers dollars. A student dorm took years to
clean up. I would walk away unless you enjoy gambling.



I agree. To think you're gonna buy a test kit, and maybe just wash
the walls with bleach is nuts. I wouldn't live there unless I knew
what exactly the mold is. And when you go to sell, most places today
you'd have to disclose that the house had this problem, even if it's
been remediated. So, how do you think a buyer is going to react if
you say "The house had mold everywhere, I just bought a test kit,
tested it myself, and washed the walls with bleach? It's OK now"

I'd want a documented report from an expert company with lab work as a
minimum. There have been homes that had to be abandoned and torn down
because of stachybotrys. And I don;'t buy that all this came about
from a sump pump failure that caused the basement to flood for
awhile. It would have to be flooded for a hell of a long time for
the moisture to get through the entire house. And the bad news is,
if the moisture made it all the way from the basement through the
entire house, it's very likely the mold is everywhere, ie inside the
walls, etc.







"cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote in messagenews:7253f161224a4@uwe...
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home
that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period,
the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a
house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light
reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or
dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection,
but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites
are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all
they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the
wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should
do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be
$5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good
shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for
around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any
of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I agree that mold is everywhere. It always has been. People make a big deal
out of everything that is potentially dangerous. wash off what you can with
the bleach solution. (a garden sprayer will work awesome) Seal up the areas
with Kilz. (removing the oxygen kills it). put a dehumidifier in the
basement.
Take everything you see in here with a grain of salt. be leary of what a
professional mold removal company has to say, they want your money.

just my 2 cents

Rob

On Fri, 18 May 2007 10:29:18 GMT, "longshot" wrote:


I agree that mold is everywhere. It always has been. People make a big deal
out of everything that is potentially dangerous. wash off what you can with
the bleach solution. (a garden sprayer will work awesome) Seal up the areas
with Kilz. (removing the oxygen kills it). put a dehumidifier in the
basement.
Take everything you see in here with a grain of salt. be leary of what a
professional mold removal company has to say, they want your money.

Yes, sometimes a contractor can be honest and say things like, If you
want to be certain you have it all, you need to do all this. Everyone
wants to be certain. And they can make it sound even worse by lying,
but my point is that it can sound like you need to spend a lot just by
using a variety of honest words.

Of course some people do need to spend a lot. I don't know about your
house.

The best situation would be if your possible house is like mine. I've
gotten mold a couple times, twice out of 10 or 15 floods or leaks, but
when I dry up the house, the mold stops growing. One time I used
bleach, two or three times, because for some reason I believed the
wall would turn white again when the mold was dead. That was silly.
The mold was dead but the wall still had grey streaks. I had to paint
it.

Another wall on another, I didn't do anything, no bleach, but it still
stopped growing, and I'm sure it's dead.

My basement must be natually very dry. Someday I should measure.

I overflowed the tub later, it's gotten to the point that I don't do
anything and I just let it dry, even if that takes days. I have
synttheci carpet with synthetic pad, and nothing ever smells.

I'm not recommending this and if I weren't depressed, I'd do a lot
better myself.

OH, yeah, and when I did have mold, for a week or so, it didn't bother
me at all. Didn't make me sneeze or anything. I'm sure it plays hell
with some people, but not everyone.

just my 2 cents

Rob

In article 7253f161224a4@uwe, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:
I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

Other posters have addressed the mold issues pretty thoroughly. I want to
address a misconception that you appear to have regarding the financial
aspect of this house.

It is NOT "worth $190,000".

If it were, you wouldn't be able to buy it for only two-thirds that much. What
you're considering purchasing is a home that MIGHT BE worth $190K AFTER the
mold problem is fixed. Or it might be worth only two-thirds of that.

The market value of something -- a home, a car, a loaf of bread, whatever --
is what someone is willing to pay for it. No more, no less. What an appraiser
or some "blue book" says it's worth it not relevant: if nobody will buy it at
that price, it isn't worth that much. Nobody's buying this house at $190K, not
even you. Ergo, it isn't worth that much. It might be someday, but it isn't
now.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

On Fri, 18 May 2007 11:53:05 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article 7253f161224a4@uwe, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:
I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

Other posters have addressed the mold issues pretty thoroughly. I want to
address a misconception that you appear to have regarding the financial
aspect of this house.

It is NOT "worth $190,000".

If it were, you wouldn't be able to buy it for only two-thirds that much. What
you're considering purchasing is a home that MIGHT BE worth $190K AFTER the
mold problem is fixed. Or it might be worth only two-thirds of that.

The market value of something -- a home, a car, a loaf of bread, whatever --
is what someone is willing to pay for it. No more, no less. What an appraiser
or some "blue book" says it's worth it not relevant: if nobody will buy it at
that price, it isn't worth that much. Nobody's buying this house at $190K, not
even you. Ergo, it isn't worth that much. It might be someday, but it isn't
now.

Well said!

On May 17, 4:49 pm, "cherie9g" u34288@uwe wrote:
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection, but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be $5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie

After reading all posted replies to your OP, the consensus is that
you need an experienced unbiased (with nothing to sell and with
laboratory facilities) specialist in the mold business. According to
Murphy,s Law (If something bad can happen, it will). If you take on
this project there is risk involved. Be certain that all future buyers
will somehow learn the history and look for a discount in purchase
price to compensate them for their uncertainty.
A successful flip would require your remediation costs to be as your
estimate ( just bleach and paint) and a future buyer to accept the
house as untarnished. If it works out this way you come out fine. But
as Dirty Harry said, "Are you feeling lucky"

According to GROVER :

After reading all posted replies to your OP, the consensus is that
you need an experienced unbiased (with nothing to sell and with
laboratory facilities) specialist in the mold business. According to
Murphy,s Law (If something bad can happen, it will). If you take on
this project there is risk involved. Be certain that all future buyers
will somehow learn the history and look for a discount in purchase
price to compensate them for their uncertainty.
A successful flip would require your remediation costs to be as your
estimate ( just bleach and paint) and a future buyer to accept the
house as untarnished. If it works out this way you come out fine. But
as Dirty Harry said, "Are you feeling lucky"

I agree.

If it were me, the deciding point would be how much structural
remediation has to be done in the flooded basement (clearly the
walls have to come off. What about studs, ceiling etc?), and
whether the mold in the upstairs can be proven to be surface-only
(from the very high humidity in the flooded state), needing only
a really good scrub and proper treatment with Kilz or whatever,
or...? Then cost out the repairs.
--
Chris Lewis,

Age and Treachery will Triumph over Youth and Skill
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

cherie9g wrote:
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection, but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be $5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie

Hmmm,
To me it sounds like you are buying a house worth 126.5K as is. 190K
does not apply at the moment. After you fix it, if you want to sell, you
have to disclose it was a house with mold. I don't think many would-be
buyers will be interested. If you don't disclose, that's cheating.
Becomes legal matter.

Pictures have now been posted, feel free to take a look.

cherie9g wrote:
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some assistance. I have considered purchasing a home that
is worth $190,000 for $126,500 and the reason that it is not selling is
because the house was foreclosed and throughout the fall/winter period, the
sub-pump broke and the basement flooded, leaving alot of moisture in a house
that was locked up.

There is now tiny mold spots all throughout the house, some a light reddish
brown, others are more green, smaller spots, not too many clumped up or dark
brown/black. I was wondering if I could remove this mold with a bleach
formula and then use Killz and be fine....I am going to do an inspection, but
I am finding that many inspectors can only tell you that there is a mold
problem and not if it is a health hazard (which I wish someone would just
same, it is black mold RUN!). I have also found that many mold websites are
suggesting not to hire a mold specialist to come take a look because all they
will do is tell you that it is mold. My main concern is if it is in the wall
itself or just surface mold. If I could receive opinions on what I should do
in this case please let me know.

This is what I was considering:
(1) remove all the carpet
(2) bleach the walls
(3) apply killz
(4) lay down new flooring

purchase a dehumidifier and air purifier. Instead of hiring a company to
take out all the old drywall and put up new drywall which would cost be $5,
000. The house was built in 1986 and is structurally in pretty good shape,
it is also in a very nice subdivision where all other homes sell for around
$200,000. Please offer some thoughts on this or any experiences that any of
you have faced.

Thank you,

Cherie

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Message posted via HomeKB.com
http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200705/1

In article 7275fec30c59e@uwe, cherie9g via HomeKB.com says...

Pictures have now been posted, feel free to take a look.

Where?

Do you realize that HomeKB.com is just fronting a much wider, and older and more
established, set of newsgroups on Usenet? Did you realize that most of your
respondants come from there?

We don't 'see' HomeKB.com unless we go hunting for you.

This is one of the problems of these piggy-backing web-based message boards.
Not only is it cheap and dishonest (this isn't the result of their work or
sponsorship, other than just setting up the interface), folks like don't know
what their posting environment is.

You'll have to post links with a message.

Banty