10.28.07

Meth Labs in Colorado Springs and El Paso County

Posted in Colorado Springs Real Estate at 11:26 pm by Angela Byrne

Talked to another Realtor the other day because she listed a home for sale that was WAY below market. I was working with a Buyer who wanted to find out what the “catch” was. It didn’t take long to get her side of the story. The agent said the home was used as a meth lab and hadn’t been cleaned up yet. She said the property was so filthy and contaminated she was recommending to the Seller (the bank) that they sell the property at land value. Not the amazing deal my Buyer was looking for.

Even in cities like Colorado Springs that are known for being safe and having reasonably low crime rates, are seeing issues with meth labs. According to the Rocky Mountain News, “Methamphetamine has taken a hold in Colorado, posing dangers never before confronted in the drug world. Law enforcement offices throughout the state are busting labs, many in residential neighborhoods, at a rate of more than one a day.”

As a Buyer, what do you need to watch for. Well, here’s a biggie. The Colorado Real Estate Commission says that if a house has been cleaned up (by a recognized, professional company), then the seller DOES NOT have to disclose that the home was used as a meth lab. Our brokerage policy is to disclose…but many do not. Don’t trust the MLS data and the marketing materials…they may not be required to share the tainted history. If I have knowledge that any property was used as a meth lab, I feel this is a material fact that should be disclosed. When walking through a house, here’s what to look for:
-         Over-the-counter cold medicines
-         Household cleaning products
-         Battery acid
-         Antifreeze
-         Plastic tubs
-         Hotplates
-         Funnels
-         Are there “burn” spots on the lawn?
-         Is there a strange odor in the property?