While reading this true story ask yourself who is at fault, who is liable, what will the new home owners do, what would I do and how can I protect myself and my clients from this happening to them?

Recently a young couple bought their first home. This was a big day for them. The realtor they were working with recommended that they get the home inspected and provided them with a company that does so. The home inspector did the normal unregulated (in Idaho) home inspection for the couple. They received the report and the couple felt everything was fine since nothing was out of the ordinary, or so they thought. He was a recommended certified home inspector.

However, after the couple moved in some defects were detected in the home that was omitted from the report.

The sprinkler system when operated had a number of broken heads, and leaked at the junction box. One sprinkler head leaked so severely that the basement began to flood via the window area. The pipes under the kitchen sink leaked, this was quite apparent from the grease and food particles on the pipes.

It did not end here. The leaky pipes under the sink went untreated which resulted in the perfect environment for mold growth.

The base board of the cabinet began to rot and grow mold. The water from the leak and now the mold spores found its way under baseboard, up the back wall, underneath the tile floor in front of the cabinet, and through to the sub flooring.

The previous home owners would do nothing. The home inspector said he did not inspect for mold, though denied that the pipes leaked and could not see the rot in the baseboard. And the realtors for the buyer and the sellers denied any wrong doing. So the couple had it inspected, tested and repaired.

Where does that leave the new home owners? Only one place that I can think of, join the growing numbers of law suits that have been established since mold has hit the forefront of the news.

Who should they sue? Who will their attorney say to sue? Are the new home owners just? You are entitled to your own opinion. However, the facts are what they are.

Was this situation preventable? Does the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" mean anything? I think it does.

The affects of mold does and will continue to affect the real estate industry. Home ownership for first time buyers may be more difficult, home loans may be more difficult to obtain, and insurance coverage may be questionable. As realtors you can help and address the concerns of buyers, sellers, insurance companies, mortgage companies, and yourselves.

Having a certified mold inspector clear the home of mold infestation can be a valuable tool for the sale or purchase of a new or previously lived in home. Take the pressure off and attack the issue head on. If a home is infested it can be eradicated and be cleared of mold. It will cost some money to eradicate the mold, it is well worth the expense now rather than waiting to later as the mold damage continues on and it will be more than some cost.

There are many reputable firms that can and will do an exceptional job inspecting, as well as eradicating. Here are two web sites you can use to find companies in your area that will do either. http://www.sanjan.com and http://www.mistermold.com.

It is now up to you.