There are so many factors that can affect the sale of a southern California home that it can be a bit daunting as you are looking to purchase a house. When you are searching for your ideal home, you will most likely be focused on the sight of the house, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Curb appeal is a good indicator of a home’s current worth and can help estimate property value, but there are several other factors you must consider before you put down an offer on area real estate.
The look and feel of your home is important, but so often overlooked is the smell. That’s right — even if you find the perfect looking home and everything checks out, a pungent odor and musty smell can be a sign of trouble. It’s true; every home you enter will have its own unique smell, and usually one that reflects its current owners. But a clearly musty smell in a home is more than its residents — it can indicate mold damage and hidden persistent moisture. Mold in a home can be expensive to remediate, and also a potential health hazard.
Noting the characteristics of a certain smell is not all you can do. You can (and should) talk to a real estate agent about your buying options. Sometimes, that can mean you’ll be moving on and finding a new dream home. Mold remediation is often quite expensive, and no one wants to live in a place that is rife with mildew and mold. Other times, dealing with the issue head on and before a purchase can make a lot of sense.
Mold vs. mildew: what’s the difference?
Knowing the difference between mold, moisture, and mildew odors is important when you are considering how to deal with a musty smell in a house. Although there will be instances where a musty smell is simply the product of the occupants of the home and their material choices, often a musty smell can indicate mildew, or worse. It is crucial to know the difference between a mildew sight or smell and mold.
Mildew is a fungus that usually grows on plants and plant matter. It is a product of unmitigated moisture, and looks like a green-ish or brown/gray dust or film. Mold, however, is much more than just a powdery substance. It is a fungus that can penetrate deep in building materials, creating structural issues in a Southern California home.
Avoid moisture buildup
If you are planning on selling your Southern California home anytime soon, it is important to know how to mitigate possible instances of mold and mildew. First, the best thing you can do is avoid moisture. If a wall, floor, or home appliance gets moist or dampened and doesn’t dry immediately, take pains to see that it gets dry. Condensation and other things like rain leakage can create moisture in the home. Second, if there is a flood or heavy rain, your first line of defense is making sure everything is dry within 48 hours. After that time, moisture in walls and homes becomes a breeding ground for more serious issues.
Contact us for your Southern California real estate needs today
GlobalPoint Relocation is a full-scale real estate company that helps people just like you with relocation efforts to the Southern California region. GlobalPoint has the tools to help you know what’s best to focus on during your move. Learn more by giving us a call at 562.221.0055 today.
Published on 2017-09-07 15:33:02
