New to Real Estate · Bay Area California · Member since 2022 · 178 posts · 69 votes
Hello,
I went through an inspection yesterday for a beautiful beach house/STR. During the walk-through, the agent informed me that there were high levels of moisture in the walls and that it is hard to tell what is causing the moisture. It may be that the windows were not installed properly. But it could be something else.
Given I don’t know the cause, should I walk away from this deal ? Or hope that the cause of the moisture is caused by a bad install of the windows, fix the windows (perhaps they are covered under warranty), and hope that fixes the problem overall ?
Has anyone had this problem before ?
Second, the inspector also thinks he may have found mold in a closet (ceiling). He could not say “mold” but he certainly gave the impression that this is what it could be.
Third, I noticed an odor (musty) as soon as I walked in. I didn’t connect it initially but now I’m thinking this is due to the home trapping moisture and that this is causing the odor.
The problem itself doesn’t worry me as much as not really knowing the cause of the problem. In my shoes, would you walk away ?
Unless the deal is so good that you can weather any storm that may arise from this moisture, I'd probably walk away. You could be just seeing the tip of the iceberg. At a minimum, see if the owner can get a mold test done?
Unless the deal is so good that you can weather any storm that may arise from this moisture, I'd probably walk away. You could be just seeing the tip of the iceberg. At a minimum, see if the owner can get a mold test done?
Real Estate Consultant · Ft. Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2012 · 41 posts · 40 votes
1y
Hey Kwanza,
The moisture itself isn’t always the dealbreaker. But the unknowns around it can be.
Moisture = Symptom, Not the Problem
You’re right to focus on not knowing the cause. Moisture in the walls, a musty smell, and possible mold all point to a bigger underlying issue. That could be:
- Improper window flashing or seals - Poor ventilation - Roof leaks - Plumbing leaks - Or even water coming up from under the house (if there’s a crawl space or slab issue)
If you don’t pin it down, you’re kind of gambling with your rehab budget and your timeline.
Get a Specialist Before You Decide At this point, I’d bring in a moisture intrusion specialist or environmental inspector (not just a general inspector). They’ll use tools like infrared cameras and moisture meters to trace where the water is coming from.
Also, since mold is suspected, consider having mold testing done. If there’s a serious mold issue, remediation can get expensive—and it could affect your ability to operate it as a short-term rental right away.
In Your Shoes? Here's What I’d Do: - Pause before committing further. - Get more info from a specialist—make your decision with facts, not hope. - Ask about window warranties—sometimes they’re transferable, but installation is often not covered. - If the seller isn’t open to giving you time or credits for this investigation, that’s a red flag in itself.
Bottom Line If the numbers still work after solving the moisture issue and budgeting for possible mold treatment, this could still be a great property. It's a beach house! But don’t move forward hoping the fix is simple. Hope isn’t a strategy. Data is.
You’re being smart by asking this early. Whatever you decide, trust your gut and the evidence.
Moisture with no clear cause? That’s a red flag, especially near water. I’ve seen STRs turn into money pits. If there’s musty smell or signs of mold, pause until you get a solid diagnosis and repair estimate. Otherwise, walk—there’ll be better deals.
Residential Real Estate Agent · Irvine, CA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1y
This can still be a deal, within your inspection phase you can still dig deeper on the moisture. If the seller says that's on you for those types of repairs. Couple things, maybe bad window, or it might be placed years ago and the stucco has some issues with it.. You should look into this and also dig deeper on your inspection phase of the moisture issue.
Get a mold sample, and test it in your inspection phase, then bring it to the seller say hey! This is a real issue, you need to fix it prior to closing by a licensed remediation company.
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