Lead paint testing on LI

We have an inspection scheduled soon but my agent just sent me over paperwork and included was a lead paint disclosure that freaked my husband and I out. Basically any house built before 1978 could possibly have lead paint. This home we are potentially buying was built in 1974. The disclosure stated that we could have the home tested but that we have to make sure that both the inspector and lab have a certain certification. Has anyone had any experience with this? My agent said that no one really has homes tested for this unless they are really really old. I would feel more at ease if I did though, especially since I have a child and am planning on having another.

Also, for those of you that have had lead paint testing done on your homes can you please recommend who it was that you used. Thank you!

Message edited 6/21/2018 4:59:31 AM.

Re: Lead paint testing on LI

No suggestions on this, but our house was built in 1976 so they had to tell us the same, but to be honest we were also told that unless there is original paint still exposed- which is very unlikely that they wouldn't have repainted everything in the past 40 years, it really wasn't an issue.
And even then, it would be unlikely to contain any lead.
It's more of a concern in much older houses that haven't been renovated.


We didn't do anything.

Re: Lead paint testing on LI

They have to give you that form by law. If your house was built in the 70s, there's a good chance there is not lead paint. It was primarily used in the 40s and before that. Since it was more expensive, it was phased out.

That being said, when you renovate and replace sheetrock, you'll be replacing any old paint, so anything that's been gutted will be fine and anything you will gut will be fine.

Re: Lead paint testing on LI

Yes, by New York state law, if a house was built prior to 1978, realtors are required to have their seller clients fill out this disclosure form. When the house is being sold, the buyers must receive this disclosure and sign in acknowledgment of receipt of it. The agents sign it as well, to confirm that they've fulfilled their required duties under the law.

HOWEVER - lead paint is typically not a concern. I've never had a seller who was aware of lead paint in their home or had any documents pertaining to it (if you review the form you were given, I'm sure that's the case).

Also, whatever lead paint that may have existed at some point in time has likely been painted over many times, thus it's encapsulated and poses no danger. It a house hasn't been painted in 40 years, you would probably know it, and even then, it's only really an issue if it's flaking off, and someone may eat it or breathe it.

In 8+ years of selling real estate, I only had one buyer client who insisted on doing a lead paint inspection, despite the fact that the home was well maintained and had definitely been painted in recent years. I advised them it wasn't necessary, their home inspector advised them, event the company they contacted to do the test tried to talk them out of it, but they felt strongly they wanted to have it done because they had twin babies. The test is somewhat expensive ... usually it's not actually taking samples of paint but using a tool (like a radar gun almost) to test it. There was no issue, as expected.

Sometimes, when you are buying a house, it's easy to get freaked out by words you may hear (e.g., asbestos, mold, etc.), but you have to really keep a cool head and get the facts. Often times, the issues that arise are normal and not a reason to freak out.

Here, a lead paint disclosure is totally normal (you can discuss this with your attorney, agent, and inspector if you want more reassurance) and required for homes over a certain age. You do have the right to do an inspection, but as someone who has sold many homes, I think it would be a waste of time and money. I did not do a lead paint inspection on my own home, and I moved in with a 5 week old. But you have to be within your comfort level. If you opt to do a lead paint inspection, I would do it quickly and not hold up the process of going to contract, especially in this competitive market.

Also, I ask my clients when they are worried about something or want to get something checked out - to what end? If you find out that there is lead paint in a certain part of the house, would you not buy it? Or would you simply paint over it, tell your kids not to eat paint chips - - in other words, things you would do anyway, regardless of the lead paint inspection. If it wouldn't change your mind or your actions, then I wouldn't both. If you would walk away from a house because of this, then you would have an issue buying on LI because we have older homes here.

It's kind of like how many houses have asbestos in them (insulation, siding, old floor tiles) but it's really not an issue unless it's crumbling and friable, which makes it potentially airborne. Usually if you just leave it alone, it's fine.

ETA - I don't remember who my client used - it was 4-5 years ago - but your home inspector should be able to recommend someone to do the testing (and perhaps allay some of your fears and talk to you more about whether it's necessary or advisable, based on what he sees i the house).

Message edited 6/21/2018 11:58:19 AM.

Re: Lead paint testing on LI

Almost any house can have lead paint. There is no need to test or make a big deal about it. No one tests. I have however, used my own test sticks once I already purchased my house, to just "know" if I should be extra careful. But to pass up a 1974 house because of this, not a valid reason IMO. "young" houses in LI are hard to come by and definitely much costlier.