Realtor Tips: Mold Testing and Real Estate Sales

Mold is a four letter word when it comes to real estate sales. If you want to get a mold test when purchasing a home there are a couple of things to keep in mind.  Mold spores are pretty much everywhere and the real estate sales contract we use in the Dayton OH area makes reference to that fact. Secondly, there are no state or federal standards regarding results of samples. There are no recommended exposure limits so the lab will provide feedback on what’s considered ‘elevated’ levels or ‘normal’ levels. Most people are surprised by this lack of definitive thresholds when testing for mold in a home.  

Instead, mold samples are taken outside the home and compared to those samples taken inside. Results from inside the home should yield a lower concentration of spores than outside and be of the same types. Finding either higher concentrations of spores inside or spore types different than those found outside may point to a source of mold within the home.  

When I’m selling homes in the Dayton area I typically see two types of mold testing done. Air samples and tape/swab samples. Air sampling involves a special pump that draws a metered amount of air across a cassette to be analyzed. Tape or swab involves physically touching/wiping an area to be analyzed in the lab. Expect to pay in the vicinity of $300 - $500. I’m always happy to assist and advise when this issue arises, just reach out to me.