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The real estate market is experiencing a significant shift with 71% of active agents making no sales in the last 18 months, creating both challenges and opportunities for those who can adapt to changing conditions.

• 71% of active real estate agents have made zero sales in the past 18 months
• The "Great Pushback" shows buyers refusing to pay inflated prices for homes
• National Association of Realtors has lost approximately 440,000 members (25% of total)
• Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae implementing roughly 80 rule changes, including rental history consideration for loans
• Private listings debate centers on transparency versus seller security concerns
• Squatter problems highlight challenges in property management and ownership rights
• Successful agents must know their numbers and articulate unique value to clients
• Relationship-building and referrals becoming increasingly important in the current market
• Interest rates still high but some builders offering reduced rates (around 6.5% or lower)
• Market shifting from seller's market to more balanced conditions

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To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)

NBC4 news segments: The importance of home inspections, and what to look for | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Advice from experts: Don’t skip the home inspection | NBC4 WCMH-TV

OSU student’s mysterious symptoms end up tied to apartment’s air quality | NBC4 WCMH-TV

How to save money by winterizing your home | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Scheduled classes
Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Course lis...

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Imagine you've just paid a deposit on your dream home—a brand new construction that should be perfect in every way. Now imagine the horror of discovering "mold curtains" hanging like Spanish moss in your basement before you've even moved in. This nightmarish scenario is exactly what happened to recent clients who reached out to Environmental Consultants of Ohio.

In this eye-opening conversation, Jim and Laura pull back the curtain on the shocking reality that new doesn't always mean clean or healthy when it comes to home construction. They walk us through the disturbing case of a newly built home with significant mold problems stemming from standing water, an unplugged sump pump, and prematurely activated HVAC systems that distributed mold spores throughout the entire structure.

The discussion dives deep into the science of mycotoxins—the chemical warfare agents molds produce when competing with each other or when threatened during improper remediation attempts. Laura shares cutting-edge research on genetic susceptibility to mold illness and explains why individuals with conditions like muscular dystrophy or autism may face heightened risks from mold exposure. The hosts don't hold back when discussing the frustrating builder-buyer power dynamics that can leave new homeowners with little control over how remediation is handled before closing.

For anyone building, buying, or selling a home, this conversation offers invaluable preventative tips, including pre-treating lumber with antifungal solutions and DIY approaches for those whose builders won't take these precautions. Whether you're in the market for a new home or working in construction, this episode delivers essential knowledge about mold prevention that could save you from costly remediation and serious health issues down the road. Subscribe to hear the follow-up episode with testing results from this disturbing case study, and learn why professional inspection is crucial—even for brand new construction.

Support the show

To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)

NBC4 news segments: The importance of home inspections, and what to look for | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Advice from experts: Don’t skip the home inspection | NBC4 WCMH-TV

OSU student’s mysterious symptoms end up tied to apartment’s air quality | NBC4 WCMH-TV

How to save money by winterizing your home | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Scheduled classes
Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Course lis...

Send us a text

A seemingly perfect house becomes a nightmare in this jaw-dropping story of buyer's remorse that serves as a powerful warning for anyone considering waiving home inspections. We examine a case where homeowners discovered their recently purchased property contained extensive black mold, structural damage, and numerous hidden issues that emerged shortly after moving in. Louisville couple sues over house they bought in Alliance

This tale has all the elements of a real estate horror story - a house that sat vacant for ten years, was nearly condemned, then quickly flipped with cosmetic repairs that masked serious problems. The buyers, enchanted by new paint, flooring, and a "fantastic smell," made the critical mistake of waiving their general home inspection contingency. Once winter arrived and the heating system activated, black mold appeared throughout the home, their son developed health problems, and the true extent of the disaster was revealed - foundation cracks, bowing walls, and an estimated $323,000 in necessary repairs.

The consequences have been devastating: two housing payments, mounting expenses, and a complex lawsuit against multiple parties including the seller (who was also the real estate agent and flipper), the mortgage company, and the agency itself. Their story reinforces what home inspectors have long maintained - that for the modest cost of $500-800, buyers can protect themselves from financial catastrophe. As one investor testified, a single inspection saved her entire business from bankruptcy by revealing costly defects before purchase. Remember, some flippers simply "put lipstick on a pig," and only a thorough inspection can reveal what exists beneath the fresh paint and new flooring. Whether you're a first-time buyer or seasoned investor, let this cautionary tale motivate you to protect your investment with proper due diligence.

Support the show

To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)

NBC4 news segments: The importance of home inspections, and what to look for | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Advice from experts: Don’t skip the home inspection | NBC4 WCMH-TV

OSU student’s mysterious symptoms end up tied to apartment’s air quality | NBC4 WCMH-TV

How to save money by winterizing your home | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Scheduled classes
Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Course lis...