Home Inspection & Lead Paint/Radon

[Eric Swope]

Hello BP,

I am a new investor starting out in the Pittsburgh area and I have an off-market duplex I am getting under contract this month. I would like suggestions on lead paint and radon inspections. The property was built in 1978 and is located near New Stanton, PA off of 119. 

Do you recommend that I sub out a radon test and a lead paint inspection since the property is built right around the EPA 1978 limit? Or, buy a radon test kit and do it myself.

Also, does anyone have a good referral for a home inspection in Westmoreland County?

As a soon to be college graduate, this is my first real estate transaction and will be a "house-hack." I will be using a FHA loan as well.

Thank you,

Eric

[Alex Deacon]

Hey @Eric Swope I am located in Pittsburgh also my home town. I have been involved with well over 1500 residential and small multi family transactions. I have never done a lead paint test. Especially with a home that was built in 78. As long as you disclose to a potential buyer or tenant down the road that you have never tested for and are not aware of any lead paint hazards you are safe. You want to be honest. Once you find lead paint then it opens up a new set of hurdles. Dont go looking for problems. You will have enough of them in this business. As far as Radon I have never tested for radon because its not required if you are renting to a tenant and if you are flipping the property and the radon levels are high then IF the new buyer does a radon inspection and the levels are high then a typical radon system costs $700. So to spend $150 to test for radon seems silly to me. I would take my chance on the radon also. Now if I am going to live in the residence then I would go ahead and do a radon test and try to get the seller to pay for it if the levels are above EPA limits.

Best Regards

Alex