If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – that’s the saying, and when it comes to buying a home, the majority of buyers know enough to get suspicious when the price is lower than market value and previous owners seem overly eager to close the deal. But a higher price and seemingly good condition don’t always guarantee a better deal.

Boxing legend Mohammad Ali and his wife are suing the previous owners of the home they bought for a cool $1.87 million about five years ago. The lawsuit alleges that the home presented with a number of serious problems they claim were covered up and misrepresented by the original owners, including roof and chimney leaks, defective waterline connections and – not at all surprisingly given those issues – mold.

Relatively new homes can also be subject to mold infestation, even toxic black mold. Kim Daniello of Flint Michigan thought she’d found the house of her dreams. It featured brand new flooring, a completely finished basement and even a newly renovated kitchen. Once she and her daughter moved in, however, they began to experience alarming mold symptoms like difficulty breathing and sinus headaches. She pulled up the carpet in the basement and sadly her suspicions were confirmed – she found mold.

Any home that has experienced flooding, and even newer homes that have been empty for periods of time and/or subject to dampness, can host mold. Both the boxing legend and the single mother from Michigan could have saved themselves the frustration , not to say health-related consequences, with proper testing and inspection of their prospective homes by an expert.

Mold inspections will detect the problem before you buy and find that your dream has turned into a nightmare. Let Mold Inspections give you peace of mind before you sign on the dotted line.

MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV and recommended by contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, you know that condos are all the rage. It seems like a new complex pops up every day. Well, the same is true for major cities across Canada.

While many of us know to be suspicious when renting or purchasing older homes, we sometimes let our guard down for new places. Former grow-ops and/or toxic mold are fairly common in older buildings and we often think to bring in mold inspection teams before making decisions. But too many Canadians assume that new buildings are immune to moisture, water damage and mold.

A recent CBS study used the Bella Vista Condominiums in Calgary as a prime example of the “new home invincibility” trap. After purchasing Bella Vista units, new condo owners discovered damage to the roof, eaves, balcony and parkade. They have to pay anywhere between $77,000 and $189,000 each to repair the moist, damaged areas, which foster the growth of toxic mold. The catch: the building was only nine years old.

Prospective homeowners can follow a few different tips to ensure they aren’t saddled with damaged housing and toxic mold upon moving to a new condo. The first is to hire a mold inspection company to check not only for mold, but for damage or moist conditions that could soon foster mold growth.

The second option, as suggested in the CBC study: talk to existing owners. Maybe the person selling you a particular condo won’t be honest about the conditions – but his or her neighbours might be. See if you can get some information about the conditions – especially the “envelope” of homes, which includes roofs and siding.

Our recommendation: do both. When you’re making a major life decision like buying a home, you can never be too careful or diligent with things like mold testing.

MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free buildings, condominiums, homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV and Global TV and recommended by contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.