Mold in the bathroom

[Lobo Fan]

I did an FHA purchase of an older home. It had several issues but one was mold in the bathroom. It was growing on walls well away from the shower and in big enoug areas that I called for an inspection.

The Realtor went out and cleaned it up with a little Clorox and Lysol and then called for a 442. I asked for a copy of the mold remediation report proving that the mold was non toxic and not buried deep within the drywall. All I got were screams of horror. "We are closing tomorrow!". Well, first, I cannot get over there by tomorrow, I just got the 442 request this morning, and also what kind of mold was it?

Are you qualified to determine that the mold was a non-toxic variety? Will you send me a letter signed and notarized by you and your broker stating that the mold issue is resolved and there is no health hazard.

I also requested a structural for a soft floor. They got the brother-in-law contractor instead of a real engineer to make a report. It has been a week and I have yet to see either.

 

[Otis Key]

I did an FHA purchase of an older home. It had several issues but one was mold in the bathroom. It was growing on walls well away from the shower and in big enoug areas that I called for an inspection.

As I'm sure you're aware, I don't do FHA appraisals.
But, did you call it mold? Are you qualified to call it mold? Did you do the appraisal "subject to" or did you use CB4?

The Realtor went out and cleaned it up with a little Clorox and Lysol and then called for a 442. I asked for a copy of the mold remediation report proving that the mold was non toxic and not buried deep within the drywall. All I got were screams of horror. "We are closing tomorrow!". Well, first, I cannot get over there by tomorrow, I just got the 442 request this morning, and also what kind of mold was it?

Are you qualified to determine that the mold was a non-toxic variety? Will you send me a letter signed and notarized by you and your broker stating that the mold issue is resolved and there is no health hazard.

I also requested a structural for a soft floor. They got the brother-in-law contractor instead of a real engineer to make a report. It has been a week and I have yet to see either.

The answers lie in how you handled it. If I remember correctly, HUD/FHA agreed to the use of CB4 also.

 

[DB]

In a bathroom, it would typically be mildew, but could be mold ... but as Otis cautioned, unless you are willing and able to qualify yourself as an expert on mold, you would be much better served by referring to it as "a <insert color - black, green, grey, etc> MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE of unknown composition and/or origin" ....

 

[Renee Healion]

Tangent inspired by Lysol-wielding real estate agent above and bro-in-law:
Makes me wonder what a structural engineer report would cost on a say 1200 sq ft house, 1 storey, with full basement? Any idea?


edit: believe me, I know why we order these things. I just wonder what it looks like from the Other Side of the Real Estate Divide...in terms of $.

 

[DB]

Priceless....

 

[Lobo Fan]

Actually, I think I described as a mold appearing substance and I made it subject to an inspection by a qualified and licensed professional. I guess the Realtor qualifies, que no?

I don't screw around with this moldy looking stuff. If there is any nasty looking stuff I include it and call for inspections. I was watching one of those Home Makeover shows recently. The father was a healthy 30 something fireman that took ill and died in about 30 days. They traced it to a mold infestation in the basement.

Not me.

 

[David S. Roberson]

Why is a post about mold in this forum?????????????

 

[DB]

Because I was arguing with my daughters soul-less mother and didn't notice what forum it was in, until you mentioned it ... Moving it to General Appraisal discussion ....

 

[Couch Potato]

Why you?

Actually, I think I described as a mold appearing substance and I made it subject to an inspection by a qualified and licensed professional. I guess the Realtor qualifies, que no?

I don't screw around with this moldy looking stuff. If there is any nasty looking stuff I include it and call for inspections. I was watching one of those Home Makeover shows recently. The father was a healthy 30 something fireman that took ill and died in about 30 days. They traced it to a mold infestation in the basement.

Not me.

So if it was subject to inspection by a qualified and licensed professional, why are they asking you to inspect?

 

[Dave Edmondson]

So if it was subject to inspection by a qualified and licensed professional, why are they asking you to inspect?

My sentiments exactly. Your work is done. When you use CB4, there's no 442 necessary. The lender simply needs to take the initiative to accept the inspection report of the qualified and licensed professional. More than one year after the new forms, many lenders still don't understand this...