Radon and real estate transactions are like oil and water; they don’t mix well.

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas created from natural deposits of uranium and radium in the soil.

Real estate is where we, and our loved ones, sleep, eat, play and live on a regular basis. If any part of a home comes in contact with the earth then radon is a concern. For those of you with houses built on stilts, you are in the clear!

Radon gas gets trapped inside homes and becomes a health risk to those living in the house. Radon can be found in old or new homes built on all types of foundations. The EPA has set strict guidelines for radon levels in homes and cautions people that no amount of radon is without risk. If you live in a house that has not been tested in the recent past then now is a great time to order a radon test (DC residents can get one FREE here) or hire a professional radon testing firm to place a short or long test to get an accurate reading on the radon level in your home.

If your test results suggest elevated levels of radon then it is time to invest in a radon mitigation system.

Call us for a trusted referral and for guidance on how to document your testing and mitigation efforts for when you eventually sell your home. Montgomery County requires a property to be tested for radon as a part of a real estate transaction.

PRO TIP: elevated levels of radon may be considered a latent defect and/or a known material defect.

If you are considering buying a home in the near future, then watch our video about what you need to know about radon prior to making an offer and how a radon contingency in your contract can offer you additional protection.