Allergies may not be the first point typically considered when the subject of real estate comes up, but for some buyers who suffer from serious allergic reactions to a variety of objects, checking for possible allergy irritants is front and center when looking to purchase a new home.
These irritants can translate into hundreds of different substances that a person with non-allergic tendencies might never think twice about, as opposed to a person with high sensitivities who might get sick from something as common as dust that is found in household carpeting or from general housekeeping patterns of some homes they enter.
Helping buyers who suffer from allergies presents whole new challenges when searching for a new home that would be appropriate for them. So many different factors must be taken into account even before showing them a suitable home.
I’ve been in situations with people who have loved a home, only to have to pass on it due to the allergens (some of which are microscopic) that exist in the house that cannot be addressed. When a buyer is allergic to animals, such as a dog or a cat, simply removing the animals from the home and possibly any furniture or carpeting that might have absorbed the allergens, is not enough for a highly allergic person. Because of the dander these animals are spreading around, many allergic people need to consider redoing existing sheetrock on walls if they choose to purchase the home, in addition to painting all surfaces to rid themselves of any remaining particles that may not be visible to the naked eye, but can cause dangerous allergic reactions if left unattended.
Old carpeting as well as the old padding beneath it can also be a cause of allergic irritants that might not occur to other people. The carpeting and padding may release certain chemical properties into the air of the room that would be invisible to the naked eye but cause troublesome side effects to an allergic person with sensitivities to these properties.
It’s not uncommon today for buyers with children to prioritize looking for homes with wood floors as opposed to carpeting to eliminate this problem. Some also prefer central air conditioning with HEPA air filters as opposed to windows to safeguard their family members with existing allergies or to prevent the outbreak of allergies where there is a tendency in a family.
Wood flooring seems to be the preferred recommendation from allergy specialists on presenting a healthier environment for allergy sufferers. In the case where carpeting exists, it is not uncommon for a potential buyer to check if there are wood floors under the carpeting so they may consider a particular home even if they have to take into consideration the removal of the carpeting from the floors.
Central air conditioning, also a priority amongst allergy sufferers, has shown itself to create a less troublesome atmosphere with more efficient HEPA air filtering qualities for allergic people as opposed to window units or spit units; as such, I have had many customers with allergies within their families tell me to show them homes only with central air conditioning, even if the homes are fabulous.
Of course, the worst allergy that all buyers seem to be allergic to is the price of some of these homes. I’m sorry but this is one solution whose remedy still eludes me!
Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a NYS Licensed Real Estate Broker (Anessa V Cohen Realty) with over 20 years of experience offering full service real estate residential, commercial, and management services. She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or Readers are encouraged to send any questions or scenarios by email to anessa@avcrealty.com.
