Be prepared when buying a home built in the 70’s or before

If you’re looking to buy a home that was built in the 70’s or before, two things to be aware of are lead paint and asbestos.

Both of these can have harmful health effects when disturbed. However, if left undisturbed, they shouldn’t cause any harm. So, if you’re living in a home that has lead paint or asbestos, unless there is paint chipping off your walls or you have a child that picks at the paint, there shouldn’t be cause for alarm.

The time you’re most going to need to consider this is during a remodel - opening up walls, the harmful substances can get into the air and pose a health risk, so you need to find a contractor that is trained in dealing with this so that they can take care of it in the proper way. Also, ask your contractor if they recommend moving out during the remodel until the air is deemed safe.