Know Before You Buy: Avoid Lead Paint with a Naples Real Estate Inspection
Buying a home is a tall order if you are a potential homebuyer, or a real estate agent trying to locate buyers for your properties. There is the paperwork, of course, and negotiations over price, terms of the sale, etc. There is also the property itself – especially its condition.
When buying a home in southwest Florida, there are several very important issues to consider. One of these is an issue that has been a concern for decades, especially in older homes. This issue, of course, is lead paint – one of the main reasons to order a Naples real estate inspection for any potential property.
Why Should I Avoid Lead Paint?
Whether you are a prospective homeowner or an agent showing homes to potential clients, lead paint is something that should be avoided at all costs.
Studies have conclusively shown that lead can cause serious health problems if ingested or inhaled by anyone from infants to the elderly – even otherwise-healthy adults. This is because lead poisoning results in toxic substances impacting the nervous system, circulatory system, and digestive system, among others.
Lead paint contains unacceptable levels of lead and was used quite often in painting homes prior to 1978, when it was banned in the U.S. Today, lead paint can still be found in homes, particularly on walls that have been painted with lead-based paint.
How a Naples Real Estate Inspection Helps
To completely remove lead paint from a home, you can expect to pay anywhere from $8-15 per square foot. That is thousands of dollars for removing a harmful substance. Even less expensive options like encapsulation (which covers the lead paint with a waterproof layer) can still cost hundreds to thousands.
The best way to avoid the harmful effects of lead paint when buying a home in southwest Florida is to order a Naples real estate inspection of the premises. Find an inspector who is fully licensed by the state of Florida; he or she will be able to test your home for the substance and tell you whether or not you should look elsewhere.
This simple step can save you or your clients a lot of money – and a lot of stress too!