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Before deciding to buy a property that has mold, you should consider the most important facts about mold and its affect on your health and your finances. Mold can be found in millions of homes, making mold a fact of life. Mold occurs naturally in damp basements, crawlspaces, improperly vented bathrooms, and anyplace else where the combination of high humidity and low temperature exists. There are millions of homes that have mold, but does that mean you should buy a property that has mold? The answer may not be as straightforward as a simple "No!", as making the right decision depends on many factors.

If there is a mold problem in a property you are considering buying, disclosed by the seller or revealed by a home inspection, you should study the problem carefully to determine the type of mold present in the property and whether or not it poses a threat to the health and well-being of your family, or, if you are buying it as an investment property, the future marketability of the house. The best answer may be uncovered after consulting with a mold remediation contractor.

Mold is recognized to cause health problems, especially among people sensitive to allergens. Black mold is the most serious toxin, causing flu-like symptoms and death in some cases. Contact with anything that has mold present can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and respiratory problems. Family health considerations are therefore an important decision making factor.

The musty odor of mold coming from the basement is a dead giveaway that it is present, even if it is out of sight. Mold reproduces by spreading minuscule sized spores throughout the home. Any organic material, such as furniture, cardboard boxes and clothing items that have been stored for extended periods of time are prone to attack by mold. Some experts have suggest mold can be removed by cleaning the affected item or area in a solution of bleach and water. At best, this is only a short term solution, as it does nothing to correct the combination of high humidity and cool air that enhances mold's growth in the first place.

There are three important considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to buy a property that has mold. The first is the potential for serious health problems for family members that suffer from allergies or sensitivity to mold. If you intend to occupy the property and a family member is allergic to mold and dust mites, you should probably not buy it.

The second is the cost of making repairs in

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