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Can You Sell A House with Asbestos
December 2, 2021

Can You Sell A House with Asbestos


selling a house with asbestos
In the past, asbestos was an important building material used in homes for insulation and fireproofing. Unfortunately, it is also a known carcinogen that can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer when inhaled. This blog post will discuss what you need to know about asbestos before selling your home. 

First of all, if there's any chance that there might be asbestos in your home at all, then you should get a professional inspection done by an accredited inspector to determine whether the material is present and where it may be located so that steps can be taken to remove it before the sale.
asbestos abatement

Asbestos disclosure selling House

If your home does have asbestos and you plan to sell it, then it is required under law for you to disclose this information in the contract. The buyer typically has 10 days from receiving the disclosure form to accept the condition or decline the house purchase.


The buyer may also request that an inspection be done by a qualified professional to determine the amount of asbestos in the home, and then state their intentions to purchase or decline the house purchase.


If they decline, then it is up to you whether you want to take that offer off the table and negotiate a new one with them or try again with another buyer.


If there is asbestos in your home and you choose to sell it, you should use caution when doing the repairs. For example, you should avoid sanding, sawing, or scraping any surfaces that could contain asbestos. You should also contact your local environmental agency for information about safely handling any removal of asbestos from the house.


remove asbestos

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Does asbestos affect a home's value?


Asbestos is not the only factor that affects a home's value, but it does impact its selling price. Asbestos can cause a serious health risk for everyone in your family, including any children or pets that may be living there. Few people will want to take on this type of risk when buying a house, which means you can expect a discount in its selling price to compensate for this risk. If the home passes inspections and there is no sign of asbestos, then buyers may be more willing to purchase it at its full market value or above.

disclose asbestos

Real estate professionals


From the real estate professional's point of view (legal advice), it is important to keep in mind that people will be more cautious about buying a home with asbestos than one without. It is also possible for asbestos to be spread through minor repairs such as cutting pipes or tearing insulation off walls, so it is important not to do any of this type of work while someone may be living or visiting the home.


As you can see, if you are planning to sell a home with asbestos in it there is additional work involved since you need to disclose its presence and keep curious people away from inspecting the house too closely. If an inspection determines that there is no sign of asbestos then buyers will feel more comfortable purchasing it at market value.


A real estate investor who wants to buy a foreclosure with asbestos in it should know that they will have to pay less for the house and that even if is in good condition, it will still be harder to sell. Asbestos is dangerous when inhaled and dealing with it requires special precautions.



The selling process can be complicated and stressful when you have to factor in the possibility of asbestos, but it is possible to sell a house with this material. Just make sure that any buyer who will purchase the home knows all the risks involved before signing the contract. Other building materials can contain asbestos as well.


asbestos fibers

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Is it legal to sell a house with asbestos?

In some cases, a house with asbestos is not legal to sell. Most real estate agents will tell you to disclose its presence, but there are some cases where you are not allowed to sell a house with asbestos in it. For example, if the home is likely to require demolition then you cannot sell it because it will be torn down anyway. You may also have difficulty selling a house that has an asbestos warning sign posted on the front of the property.


A house with asbestos may be legal to sell, but it is still a good idea to make sure you disclose its presence. If you choose not to mention this issue then someone who does find out about the asbestos might decide to sue you over personal injury claims.


If you find asbestos in your home and you want to sell it, you should avoid sanding, sawing, or scraping any surfaces that may contain asbestos. You also need to contact your local environmental agency for information about safely handling any removal of asbestos from the house. If there is no sign of asbestos then buyers will be more willing to purchase it without a discount.


vinyl sheet flooring

Can you sell a house with asbestos siding?

You should be able to sell a house with asbestos siding as long as it does not require major repairs. Asbestos can become dangerous when it is ripped or torn, so you may want to avoid removing any siding before the home has been inspected. Keep in mind that buyers will be less likely to purchase a house with asbestos if they know there are major defects that need to be repaired.

roof shingles

Can you sell a house with asbestos Shingles?

You should be able to sell a house with asbestos shingles. If you are concerned about your ability to negotiate the sale, you can remove the shingles yourself. However, make sure to follow all rules and regulations about how to safely remove them without contaminating other parts of your home or yard.

seller disclosure

Selling a House With Asbestos: Final Thoughts

Selling a house with asbestos can be difficult and may require additional work on your part. However, if you follow the proper guidelines for selling a home containing this material then you should be able to get top dollar for it. You still need to include all details in the listing about any potential health risks involved when living in the property.

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