$500 Meth Inspection Helps Prospective Buyers Dodge Costly Bullet; Test On Recently Foreclosed Home That Was Since Fully Renovated By New Owner Reveals High Level Of Contamination

In Lynnwood, Washington, KCPQ-TV Channel 10 reports:

• A local family has a warning for home buyers after nearly purchasing a home contaminated with meth.
  
  Kendall and Ryan Appell put an offer on a home in Lynnwood that had been completely renovated with hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.
  
  The home used to be a rental property, went into foreclosure and then was bought at auction. The Appells started talking to neighbors and what they heard raised some red flags.
  
  “One neighbor made a mention that the people lived there before may have been into some shady dealings. He even said it might have been a drug house at some time,” said Ryan Appell.
  
  The Appells decided to hire a company to test the home for meth contamination.
  
  Theresa Borst, of Bio Clean Inc., swabbed inside vents, cabinets, and a wood stove in the Lynnwood home and found dangerously high levels of meth contamination throughout the house. The acceptable level in the state is 0.1 micrograms per 100 cubic centimeters. The home registered at 30 micrograms in some areas.
  
  “All of a sudden it was like if we stayed here, we could die. Our dog would live about six months and would die because of the levels of chemicals in this place,” said Ryan. “We’re a married couple and the thought of in the next five to 10 years bringing kids into that house was pretty terrifying, so I feel like we lucked out to get out of it when we did,” said Kendall.
  
  Had they gone through with the deal, contractors said, the Appells might have had to spend up to $100,000 stripping the house to the studs and rebuilding it to make it livable. They said the $500 they paid for the testing was well worth it.
  
  Borst said of the foreclosed properties they test, 90 percent come back with meth contamination. Borst said it’s wise to contact the health department and local police to see if there is any history of drug manufacturing or use.
  
  Just like with the Appells, it’s a great idea to talk to as many neighbors as you can, too, about the former tenants.

Source: Buyer beware: Couple nearly bought home contaminated with meth.