Asbestos & Real Estate – What Realtors Need to Know 

We’re often called to a house when it’s on the market or about to go on the market to be sold. Our Asbestos Project Management team works with realtors across the Chicagoland area to inspect the home and test for asbestos.

Many older homes, like the ones built before the 1980s, may still contain asbestos materials and can pose a risk to the health of the family living inside of the home. We know during the home selling process, there are quite a few tests and inspections going on, but we recommend having an asbestos inspection done on those older homes when it’s on the market or shortly before a sale closes. So the potential buyer is aware of any issues with the house.

The presence of asbestos doesn’t pose a health risk automatically, but the fibers can break apart very easily and become airborne if they are disturbed. If they’re not disturbed they’re relatively safe. Any activity that occurs on the property, like renovating, or demolishing parts of the property to rebuild can disturb the asbestos fibers, breaking them up and increasing your risk of developing a disease related to asbestos.

If the home you’re selling has been tested for asbestos and it contains the tiny fibers, it’s important to disclose and negotiate about it. We also suggest working on fixing or abating them before the home is sold. It is perfectly legal to sell them home with asbestos, but it’s important to disclose the information if you know about it. If the current homeowner would like to fix it before they sell the home, Asbestos Project Management can help.

Safety Tips Realtors Should Keep In Mind

• Ask the current property owner to see an asbestos abatement report for the property. If there isn’t one, contact Asbestos Project Management to conduct an inspection.
• Wear a respirator when you visit a property you suspect may be contaminated with asbestos. Disposable dust masks won’t provide as much protection against microscopic asbestos fibers.
• Avoid damaged asbestos-containing materials, like flooring, siding, ceiling tiles, and more.
• Do not attempt to dust, sweep or vacuum debris – it could contain asbestos
• Wear protective clothing if you’re checking out a property suspected to contain asbestos and change that clothing before going home to avoid secondary exposure to anyone.

If the home you’re selling has asbestos or you would like more information on how our abatement professionals can help, contact Asbestos Project Management today!