Why It’s Not Worth It to Buy a House with Asbestos

One of the things that everyone should look out for when buying a home is the presence of asbestos. Most people know to look out for asbestos in homes from the 1990s and earlier, and most correctly assume that a house built before the 1980s is likely to be filled with asbestos.  However, this knowledge doesn’t always stop people from purchasing a house.  Asbestos is often seen the same way that a poor window frame or a creaky door is, as something that can be fixed.  Unfortunately, that is usually not the case.  Unlike small construction errors, asbestos is simply not worth the trouble or the danger.  So if you’re in the market for a new home, it’s probably time to look elsewhere.  Here are a few reasons why it’s simply not worth it to buy a house with asbestos.

It Could Be Everywhere

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that there’s a small amount of asbestos in a potential home, then chances are, there’s a lot more than you would think. In older houses, asbestos is very commonly found in everything from caulking, to tiles, to ceiling textures, to shingles, to insulation.  If you’re looking into an older house, there is a possibility that asbestos could be in all of those things, and everywhere in between.  The phrase “small amounts of asbestos” is simply not a likely phrase to ever be true.

The Dangers Are Too Severe

Many people are content to live with present asbestos, as they assume that the danger really isn’t too serious.  But in actuality, it’s very serious.  Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, an extremely serious disease that is very difficult to cure.  No matter how nice that house you’re looking at may be, you have to remember that fatal cancer is a very plausible side effect if asbestos is present.  It’s also imperative that if you buy a house not knowing there is asbestos and find yourself suffering from an asbestos-caused disease, you hire reputable lawyers immediately.

The Value Will Plummet

As more and more people come to understand the severity of asbestos, the market for asbestos-filled homes will dry up.  If you purchase a home with asbestos, you are not only poisoning yourself but also your investment, if you planned to resell.  Asbestos-filled homes are rapidly depreciating in value, so it’s not in your financial interest, or your health interest, to buy a home with asbestos.

You’ll Have Unhappy Guests

As asbestos awareness continues to rise, more and more people will be unwilling to go near it.  Even if you decide that you’re not worried about the potentially fatal dangers of living in an asbestos-filled home, many of your friends will want nothing to do with your house.  Some people won’t even want to come over for entertainment, while many will refuse to stay in your home.  You’re not only hurting yourself by living in an asbestos-filled house, you’re hurting other people.

These are just some of the many reasons why it’s not worth it to buy a house with asbestos.  When choosing a home, be mindful and pick a home that is newer and asbestos-free.

This article was written on behalf of Shrader & Associates, L.L.P., an experienced law firm that is able to help you get the justice you deserve. Click here and see how they can help you!