Is it okay to buy a house with mold?

Author: Pearline Rodriguez  |  Last update: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Buying a house with mold can be a risky move. Mold can significantly reduce your property's value and fill your home's indoor air with health-devastating mold spores. This can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Is it worth buying a house with mold?

However, there are some significant dangers to buying a house with mold growth. If left untreated, mold will soon spread to other areas of a home and may cause health troubles and expensive home repairs. If you're thinking about buying a property with some kind of mold problem, you may want to think again.

Can you get a mortgage if the house has mold?

If he is willing to take care of the mold problem then yes. If he is not willing to take care of the mold problem, then no traditional bank will lend on that because it's too big of a risk.

Should mold be a deal breaker when buying a house?

Absolutely, you can. Mold can be remediated though and should not be the reason you are no longer interested in a property. It is a health and safety issue, and should be taken seriously.

What to do if you bought a house with mold?

The best course of action if you find mold after buying a house is to contact a mold inspector.

Ask Brian: Is Mold In A House A Deal Breaker? - Titan Inspection Services

How much does mold devalue a home?

The presence of mold can lower the price of a house by up to 10-30%, depending on the extent of the infestation. According to researchers in a 2001 study, one particularly serious mold infestation decreased the overall value of a luxury home by more than half.

How long can I live in a house with mold?

Generally, a person can stay in a moldy home for years, though some people could feel extremely uncomfortable.

Can mold behind walls make you sick?

It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.

How to tell if your house is toxic?

If you suspect your asthma worsens or is more severe than usual, contact your doctor or medical professional.
  1. Bad Smells In The Home. When there's a bad smell in the home, you can tell. ...
  2. Peeling Wallpaper. ...
  3. Spots On The Wall. ...
  4. Bad Allergies Won't Go Away. ...
  5. Visible Mold Growth. ...
  6. Past Water Damage.

Should I move out of a house with mold?

If the mold damage is located in your living room, kitchen or the bathroom, the experts will recommend you to find alternative lodging for the time being. Also, if you have infants and elderly people at home or have family members with a weak immune system, you should probably leave your home for a while.

Will mold fail an appraisal?

Lenders are concerned about mold because it can indicate structural deterioration and future financial obligations, which can impact a property's appraisal and loan terms.

Will FHA approve a house with mold?

An FHA appraiser examines the property to determine its condition. They will look at the structure, major systems, and foundation. They will also check for hazards like mold, pests, and any leaks. You have to fix these problems to meet FHA home loan requirements.

Can a house full of mold be saved?

Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

Can you get a loan to buy a house with mold?

Large overgrowths of mold and mold in unusual locations are especially likely to lower a home's value. If the FHA appraiser finds that the mold overgrowth is dangerous, you might be required to remove the mold before you can get an FHA loan.

How much does it cost to fix mold in a house?

Mold remediation costs $2,365 on average, but it can cost between $375 and $7,000, depending on location, type, and size of infestation. Mold removal often requires replacing or significantly renovating your home's materials, making the costs tricky to calculate.

Is mold behind drywall a problem?

Damaging Effects of Water behind Drywall

Mold can only grow where there is enough water to support it. This means that when you have mold growing behind drywall, you have excess water behind your wall.

What are signs of mold sickness?

Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include:
  • Nasal and sinus congestion.
  • Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes.
  • Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
  • Cough.
  • Throat irritation.
  • Skin irritation, such as a rash.
  • Headache.

Does home insurance cover mold?

Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.

Does mold need to be disclosed?

For sellers, disclosing mold issues is crucial for several reasons: Legal Compliance: In most states, sellers are required by law to disclose any known mold problems. Failing to disclose mold can result in lawsuits, financial liability, and the potential rescission of the sale.

Is it okay to stay in a house with black mold?

If you stay in a house with black mold, you risk becoming seriously ill, as black mold is toxic. Without black mold removal, you may develop respiratory issues and other serious health symptoms.

How long does it take to get sick from living with mold?

How long does it take for mold to make you sick? That depends on the person and how much mold they've been exposed to. If you're very sensitive to mold, you may experience congestion and a cough as soon as you're exposed. Others may not notice if there's a small amount of mold.

Is it smart to buy a house with mold?

Buying a house with mold can be a risky move. Mold can significantly reduce your property's value and fill your home's indoor air with health-devastating mold spores. This can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Do appraisers look for mold?

Water damage brings a host of issues to a home, including mold, mildew, rotting, and more. The appraiser will look for water in the basement, plumbing problems, roof leaks, and any stains on the ceilings, floors, or walls.

Is mold in a home a deal breaker?

The discovery of mold may be a deterrent for some buyers, especially if they have a compromised immune system, but should not be a deal breaker for most transactions. In this blog post, we explore some common mold scenarios you may encounter after a home inspection.

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