Carbon County, PA, has a long history that shows up in its housing stock. Many homes across the county were built decades ago. Several materials and construction practices that were standard back then are now known to carry health or safety concerns.
As a result of these outdated construction methods, certain hazards can haunt older properties in places like Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, and Palmerton. The catch is that you might not even discover these hazards in your home until you’re preparing to sell.
Each hazard carries its own complications for the sales process. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to keep you from selling altogether. You can still sell your house as-is for cash. Here are five of the most common hazards in Carbon County homes and what you can do to move forward.
Hazard 1: Mold
Mold growth can make residents of a home sick. Mold grows wherever moisture gathers, and Carbon County’s older homes provide plenty of opportunities for that to happen. Common causes of mold in Carbon County homes include:
- Aging roofs
- Basements with drainage issues
- Outdated plumbing
- Poor ventilation
- Long-term vacancy
Pre-sale inspections are often what reveals mold. Mold doesn’t always present with obvious signs, so an inspector’s findings can catch you off guard. Even if the house appears well-maintained at first glance, an inspection can reveal otherwise.
That discovery makes a buyer hesitate. After an inspection report identifies mold, buyers typically request professional remediation before closing. Depending on where the mold has spread, remediation can be both expensive and time-consuming. Buyers may also submit a lower offer or withdraw from the deal entirely.
Hazard 2: Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps up from the ground and enters homes through foundation cracks, basement floors, sump pits, and other openings. Long-term exposure is associated with an elevated risk of lung cancer.1
Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the states with the highest concentration of radon-affected homes. As a result, radon testing is a standard part of most home inspections in Pennsylvania.
When a test comes back above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended threshold, buyers almost always request that you install a mitigation system before they proceed with the sale. You typically negotiate the cost of installing a mitigation system as part of the sale, though it doesn’t always increase your home’s value.
Carbon County properties fall in a high-risk zone for the gas. If you’re trying to sell a home in Carbon County that hasn’t yet been tested, radon is one of the most likely inspection findings to introduce delays and additional negotiation into a sale.
Hazard 3: Lead Paint
Lead-based paint was widely used in residential construction before 1978, when it was banned. Many Carbon County homes predate that cutoff. Lead paint that remains intact presents less immediate concerns, but surfaces that are peeling or chipping can release particles into the air. Those particles can pose serious health risks when inhaled, particularly to young children.
Federal law requires that if the home was built before 1978, you must disclose any lead-based paint in the home that you know of. Buyers have 10 days to inspect the property for possible lead hazards. Some mortgage loans also require you to fix any lead-related problems before the lender will approve and fund the loan. That can delay your sale by weeks or even months.
Hazard 4: Asbestos
Asbestos was very common in construction materials throughout much of the 20th century. It was a heavily used component in insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, siding products, and joint compounds. When these materials remain intact, the risk is lower. But when they begin to deteriorate, asbestos fibers can become airborne and pose serious respiratory health risks.
To confirm whether your home contains asbestos and what condition it’s in, you must have it professionally tested. Upon finding deteriorating asbestos, remediation is typically required before the property changes hands. Lenders are rarely willing to fund the purchase until you resolve the concern.
Much of Carbon County’s older housing stock comes from the decades when asbestos was standard in construction. This hazard surfaces more frequently here than in areas with newer homes.
Hazard 5: Water Contamination
Carbon County’s coal-mining history has left its mark on the water quality of some areas. Acid mine drainage and other contamination from former mining operations can affect well water in parts of the county. Even in properties far from historical mining activity, aging water systems or outdated pipes can lead to questionable water quality.
Buyers, especially those using a mortgage, often ask you to test water quality during the home inspection. If the test finds contamination above safe levels, you usually have to fix the problem before or at closing.
Solutions for poor water quality can include installing a water treatment system, replacing the well, or connecting the property to a public water supply. These fixes can be costly and take time.
Why These Hazards Complicate a Traditional Sale
On their own, any one of these hazards can slow a traditional sale down. Together, they can create a layered set of obstacles that delays closing, reduces your net proceeds, or breaks the deal entirely.
With a traditional sale, you’re often left with only a few options. You could fund remediation to keep the buyer satisfied. You could accept a reduced offer or closing credit. Or you could let the deal collapse and start over. Not everyone has the time or budget for repairs before a sale. With an older home, you can find yourself in a difficult position, with no straightforward way through the traditional market.
How To Sell Your Home As-Is
Luckily, the forced circumstances of a traditional sale aren’t your only choices. If you want to avoid remediation costs or drawn-out negotiations over hazard findings, working with cash home buyers in Carbon County, PA, gives you a more direct path forward.
These cash buyers will purchase your home in its current condition, regardless of the hazards it may have inside. A cash buyer will factor those hazards into their offer upfront, rather than handing them back to you as a new list of repairs you need to make before the sale.
Selling to a cash buyer can help you avoid:
- Costly remediation before selling
- Inspection-related negotiations
- Loan approval delays
- Appraisal requirements
- Financing contingencies
You can sell fast and you can sell securely, even when the conditions of your home seem to be working against you. Contact Integrity First Home Buyers today to learn how you can sell your home as-is, no matter the condition.
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Infographic
Carbon County’s older housing stock carries hazards that reflect decades of aging construction and the region’s industrial history, and each one has the potential to complicate or derail a traditional home sale. Learn the five hazards in old Carbon County homes in this infographic.
1https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21523-radon-gas
