TOPIC: whats taking soo long

(Originally posted BY ME in an active rain blog.)

WITH RADON GAS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO BE THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER (The FIRST is smoking) AND NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER FOR NON SMOKERS, I HAVE TO ASK;

Why is it taking so long for that message to be understood by the masses?



Have you noticed anyone down-playing the importance of radon testing?



Why would some one do that? Is there some loose talk of it being a scam??



A question for AGENTS alone: do you look at a radon test as an annoyance?

My guess is the "public" does not know about it.  I never heard of radon before I became a home inspector.  I would guess the only time the public hears about Radon is when their home inspector asks if they want a radon test.

There also seems to be regional differences in awareness.  Seems to be a lot of radon issues in New England.  In my area, the north side of town has a higher probability but very few homes are above .04.  Radon is not really a concern in my area.

It may also depend on the age of your housing stock.  If the majority of your homes are older drafty homes, the house may be self ventilating.  If you have more newer tigher homes, it may be more of an issue. 

I would say an uneducated public, along with realtors writing contracts that limit the inspections. In my area alot of contracts get written before they hire the inspector. So, the realtors get the radon disallowed, along with mold and a host of other ancillary services that we can offer them. By the time they call me, it is too late to get this testing done a lot of times. Ticks me off, but what am I to do about it. Keep blogging away about it. I had one last week where the client called  me and we set up radon to go with the home inspection. Realtor called and was just furious about the radon test. Told me I couldn't offer that as it was not in the contract. I told him I could "offer" whatever I wanted, it is up to the client to know the inspections guidelines that he has agreed to. In the end obviously we did not do a radon test. Now that will have to wait unti after closing, which 90% of the time the buyer does not follow through with. I have even had them pay for the radon test that will be conducted after closing and when I call back a month later after closing they say never mind. No refund, but they don't care any longer.

Anyway, that's my take. Uneducated public, and thieving realtors. What you guys say?

I agree with Ian 100%.

As Ian stated, (this may be different in other states), Radon testing must be part of the purchase agreement for it to happen. I don't recall ever performing an inspection prior to a purchase agreement being submitted.

One of the hurdles I run into, is many agents push for the shortest contingency time period, usually 3-5 days. This normally doesn't leave time for the buyer to go back and request Radon testing from the seller. If I am fortunate enough for a client to contact me for info, prior to their making an offer, I always attempt to educate them to request at least a 10 day contingency period. They may not need it, but if conditions are discovered during the inspection, this gives them more breathing room to have specialists investigate, and possibly go back for approval for Radon testing.

I agree with Ian 100%.

As Ian stated, (this may be different in other states), Radon testing must be part of the purchase agreement for it to happen. I don't recall ever performing an inspection prior to a purchase agreement being submitted.

One of the hurdles I run into, is many agents push for the shortest contingency time period, usually 3-5 days. This normally doesn't leave time for the buyer to go back and request Radon testing from the seller. If I am fortunate enough for a client to contact me for info, prior to their making an offer, I always attempt to educate them to request at least a 10 day contingency period. They may not need it, but if conditions are discovered during the inspection, this gives them more breathing room to have specialists investigate, and possibly go back for approval for Radon testing.

Yes the contingency time seems to be a hurdle here every now and again also. I just don't understand how some people can allow themselves to be pushed so far into a corner sometimes.

I agree with Ian 100%.

As Ian stated, (this may be different in other states), Radon testing must be part of the purchase agreement for it to happen. I don't recall ever performing an inspection prior to a purchase agreement being submitted.

One of the hurdles I run into, is many agents push for the shortest contingency time period, usually 3-5 days. This normally doesn't leave time for the buyer to go back and request Radon testing from the seller. If I am fortunate enough for a client to contact me for info, prior to their making an offer, I always attempt to educate them to request at least a 10 day contingency period. They may not need it, but if conditions are discovered during the inspection, this gives them more breathing room to have specialists investigate, and possibly go back for approval for Radon testing.

Yes the contingency time seems to be a hurdle here every now and again also. I just don't understand how some people can allow themselves to be pushed so far into a corner sometimes.

Just like Radon... they don't understand the process, and they don't know they can usually request up to 14 days contingency. At least the one's I speak with about it.