Buying A Home
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Lead based paint?
I recently saw a listing for a house that I would be very interested in seeing. Very nice and clean, updated, and move-in ready. However, there's a disclosure about lead based paint. Would this be a deal breaker for you? Admittedly, I don't know much about what it would entail. How much of a threat is it if it has been painted over? Is there any way to remove or at least minimize any health risks?
Would you even consider a house like this? I don't want to view it and fall in love if the paint is going to be a major issue for resale but most importantly for my family's health.
Re: Lead based paint?
I would consider buying the house, but you need to understand the cost that may be involved in properly sealing painted surfaces. There could also be other issues related to the age of the house - e.g., asbestos.
The EPA recently changed the regulations for dealing w/lead paint. It's much more expensive now, b/c of the regulation. It looks like the status of the reg is in flux. http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/11/13/The-EPAs-Lead-Paint-Lead-Balloon.aspx#page1
Does it have lead paint or is the disclosure just because the house was built pre 70's (I think)? Our house we sold was built in '29 and the house we bought was built in '43. We had lead paint disclosures for both homes because it was required by law... might just be a state thing though. Our old house was completely remodeled and there was no lead paint in the house but we were required to have the buyers sign it because of the age of the home. Obviously, we purchased a home that had a required disclosure too so it doesn't bother me.
They sell lead paint testers at Lowe's pretty reasonably priced. If you want to make an offer, just have a contingency that is based upon inspection and possibly have a lead paint tester come out. If it's positive, then the sellers can fix it or you can back out.
We are in the market for replacement windows and due to the age of our house, all the people that came to give us quotes tested the window seals. They have this little stick thing and they rub it on the frame. They said if it turns bright red, then that means it's positive for lead. Ours have not turned red so we're good but it seemed like a really easy test that you could handle yourself even through a visit to the house.
(link)
Info on living in a home with lead paint.
DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
Every home in our area has that disclosure. Our inspector told us that all the ancient lead paint is likely painted over many times in old homes, with newer paint. He claimed it could only be potentially harmfull if someone peeled the paint off the wall down to the old lead paint and then ate it.
There is going to be lead based paint on any house built before 1978. I only want old houses so I am willing to deal with the lead.
Most lead paint will be encapsulated under layers of new paint so generally you don't need to worry much unless the paint is in poor condition and is chipping and/or you have children who could gnaw on window sills. Lead paint generally only becomes an issue when you are remodeling because you will be disturbing it and have the potential to send particulates into your home.
You can get a copy of the lead based paint pamphlet that will provide guidelines for you or your remodeler to follow to make sure you are protecting your house from exposure. I used to issue this to all our clients and our carpenters followed these guidelines