Can I Sell a Home With Asbestos?
Yes — you can sell a home that contains asbestos. As long as you take the proper precautions and disclose what you know, asbestos will not legally prevent you from completing the sale. It can, however, make the closing process more complicated, so it’s worth preparing yourself for what’s ahead.
If your property was built before 1980 and has old floor tiles, textured paint, insulation, or roofing materials, there’s a reasonable chance it contains asbestos. As long as the buyer is fully aware of its presence, there is no legal barrier to the sale. What you cannot do is conceal it — failing to disclose known asbestos can expose you to a lawsuit.
Should You Test for Asbestos Before Listing Your Home?
If you have any concerns about asbestos in your home, we strongly recommend having it professionally assessed before you put the property on the market. A standard home inspection won’t detect asbestos — for that, you need an asbestos abatement professional to test for asbestos microscopic fibers.
Testing before you list gives both you and potential buyers real peace of mind. If results come back clean, you gain a selling advantage. If asbestos is found, you can choose to address it before the home hits the market — rather than dealing with it mid-negotiation.
One important rule: you must disclose the presence of asbestos whenever you know about it, whether you had it removed or not. Buyers who plan to renovate need this information, because asbestos only becomes a health hazard when it’s disturbed and fibers are released into the air.
Need to Sell a Home With Asbestos? Get a Free Quote Today
If your property may contain asbestos, Environmental Services of America can help with professional asbestos inspection, testing, and abatement solutions before you sell.
What Are the Real Health Hazards of Asbestos?
Asbestos doesn’t cause problems unless it’s destroyed or disturbed — which happens frequently during renovations, but also at other times during everyday life. When someone inhales or ingests the material’s microscopic fibers, both short- and long-term health consequences can follow. In the short term, people affected may experience chest and abdominal pain, as well as shortness of breath.
With repeated exposure over time, far more serious diseases can develop, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, conditions affecting the linings of the lungs, and other forms of cancer. Asbestos was included in the Toxic Substances Control Act in 1976, and it is now regulated by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Because asbestos appears in so many commercial and industrial products, most people who are exposed encounter it through their work. Even though most U.S. manufacturers stopped making asbestos-containing products in the 1980s, the material is still present in older buildings and homes. Home exposure is also possible — but remember: as long as asbestos isn’t disturbed, it typically isn’t dangerous.
How Can You Tell If Your Home Has Asbestos?
If your home was built before the 1980s, there’s a real possibility it contains asbestos. The material is nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye — asbestos fibers look like any other dust. Some homeowners use handheld devices based on spectroscopy, or even laser- and magnet-based detection technology. These tools can be expensive, though, and using them without expertise may not be the most reliable approach.
The most trustworthy and safe option is always professional testing by a certified asbestos inspector.
THINKING ABOUT SELLING A HOME WITH ASBESTOS?
“If you are selling your house and believe it may contain asbestos, contact Environmental Services of America to schedule a professional inspection.”
Your Options Before Selling: Repair, Encapsulate, or Remove
When asbestos is disclosed up front, it can be harder to find a buyer at your asking price. But if you address the problem before listing, you may be able to move through the process much more quickly and confidently.
In some cases, asbestos can be repaired rather than fully removed. Sealing it binds the fibers together so they can’t break off, or the material can be covered completely to prevent fiber release. A specialist may also enclose the material to contain any fibers.
The second option is complete asbestos removal, which can be a more significant investment — especially if the material is widespread throughout the property. The cost depends on where the asbestos is located and the condition of the affected area. Weigh that cost against the potential return in your sale price when making your decision.
Asbestos Disclosure and Negotiation: What to Expect
Most states require you to disclose the presence of asbestos, but you are not legally required to remediate it before selling. That said, expect buyers to request a price reduction once they learn about it — and some may walk away entirely.
If you’re weighing your options, getting an estimate for containment or removal before you list will give you solid numbers to use in negotiations. That way, you won’t end up reducing your asking price more than necessary.
Selling a home with asbestos “as-is.” If the property requires significant asbestos removal, you might consider selling it as-is for cash. This signals to buyers that the home needs substantial work and is typically priced accordingly lower. This approach isn’t ideal if the home is otherwise in good shape — you’ll likely get more from the sale if you address the asbestos first.
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What to Do If You Find Asbestos in a Property
- Avoid disturbing the asbestos — don’t vacuum, sweep, or attempt to remove it yourself.
- Contact us to assess the hazard and discuss your options: www.Es-America.com
Finding asbestos in a property is more common than many people realize, given its long history of use in home construction and building materials. The best thing you can do is educate yourself and respond calmly. If you’re the buyer, the cost of future remediation or abatement can be a legitimate bargaining point. If you’re the seller, getting ahead of it gives you control of the process.
Either way, the ES America team is here to help. Reach out at services@es-america.com and let us walk you through your options.