Is that Mold or a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich?
November 17th, 2007 Categories: Homes in Howard County, Maryland First Time Home Buyer, Maryland Home Buyers, Maryland Home Sellers, Relocating to Maryland
This is a story of how a peanut butter and jelly sandwich almost killed a real estate transaction in Ellicott City. All names have been changed in order to protect the innocent..and embarrassed.
The home inspection was going as expected for home built in the late 60’s. There had been plenty of updates and the homeowners had taken care of the property. The buyers were excited because it was their first home. They were moving here to Ellicott City because of a job transfer. The wife was pregnant with her first baby. They looked for six weeks before they settled on this lovely little Rancher. The timing couldn’t have been better. The real estate market favored the buyer so they got a great deal. They would be moved in before the baby came. Smiles all around.
While inspecting the basement, there on a ledge, was a fuzzy, greenish, greyish, mass of something. It was obvious that it at been growing their for a while. The first words out of the home inspectors mouth was “MOLD”.
Now let me stop here with my disclaimer: I know little about Mold but know enough that it can cause serious health issues for anybody. I am not a mold professional and I don’t pretend to know anything about it. If it is encountered I bring in somebody who is qualified. This article in no way offers advice on Mold.
Apparently the home inspector was much more qualified because he classified this “matter” Mold within seconds of seeing it. Skip the lab tests, and make some quick judgments. 
So the Buyers freaked out. You can’t blame them really, they were first time buyers and had a baby on the way. They had read the horror stories in the news. Where do they go from here?
Slow down, Calm down, Make some calls, Solve the problem.
A quick call was made to a local mold inspector located in Maryland. They chose a company that just tests for mold and does not actually do the re-mediation. This would protect the home buyer and the home seller from an un-scrupulous vender just looking for a big job. Luckily, the story has a happy ending.
Once the qualified mold inspector arrived to check out the “matter” it was discovered that it was just a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich that had been left there a month or so ago. The area was still professional cleaned, and the area tested for Mold just to be sure.
The property was given a clean bill of health and the couple moved in shortly after. The baby was born, and the husband started his new job.
They love their little Rancher there in Ellicott City, but they will never look at another PBJ sandwich the same again.
Neither will I…..
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Too funny!!! Talk about jumping the gun and scaring everybody to death. Glad that these first time home buyers were able to move forward and buy a home in Ellicott City. Maybe we should add spoiled food inspections to the list
Comment by Raleigh Real Estate — November 19, 2007 #
[…] Scott, The Top Tech Agent covering Maryland real estate, shares a story about the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich that almost killed a real estate sale. My five year old son has a propensity to indulge in PB&J’s, so I guess there is a […]
Pingback by The Best on The Vine, week of November 18 — November 23, 2007 #
Scott- Most people don’t realize what real estate agents go through in our daily routine. Thanks for sharing such a funny story. We are often the cool head in these types of situations. You are so right- Slow down, Calm down, makes some calls and solve the problem. You are a true professional!
Comment by Mary De Luca — November 26, 2007 #
Did the qualified inspector determine it to be grape, strawberry, or jelly of unknown flavor? Some political officials may find this an outstanding opportunity to BAN pb&j’s to protect us all(I hope they won’t begin house to house searches)! Has everyone checked beneath their stove & fridge?
Comment by Steve Dean — December 8, 2007 #