Buying a home that has been used for a meth lab has had me very concerned because I cannot afford much for a home. Less than 125K. Which at the time of this writing will get you into a place. But what kind of home will it be?

That got me looking for alternatives. Which led me to the idea of building a cabin. I am now looking for land with the thought of putting up an inexpensive cabin. There are some great, medium size cabins you can have set up in a few days. They come from local companies in the Puget Sound area, such as Aurora Quality Homes in Marysville, Wa. Little Green Buildings in Port Angeles, WA and Coast Cabins out of North Bend or Marysville. Google them if you like.

I’ve seen some of these cabins after they are finished, and I must say they can be really cozy and efficent. Quite nice actually.

I know a cabin is not an option for everyone. But at least there is no question about the history of the home. And maybe this information will help someone. I believe you can hook more than one cabin together for a bigger home too. And that might be an idea…

I feel so bad for this family. What a terrible turn of events. You buy something in good faith and this happens. So sad.

One note about land. You really have to do your homework up front. The cost of land depends on where you buy and whether or not utilities are set up. You have to prepare the land if it isn’t ready. Cleared land with hookups are more expensive. If it doesn’t have electricity on the land you have to pay to have it brought in. It also needs water. Look into that. If it doesn’t have sewer, make sure the land can take a septic tank. Some kinds of soil are more expensive than others to put a tank on.

Be very careful to budget ALL the costs. Or you could end up with a shell of a home on land that has no utilities. It will take money for the walls, appliances, toilet, etc.

As with anything, look up the reputation of the companies involved.

I’d rather offer ideas than criticize these poor people for buying a home in good faith. Nobody needs to be chided after the fact.

I hope this information is useful to someone out there.

What they know about some of the chemicals found in former meth lab homes is that they can and do cause health problems, some of which are terminal. Do some research about the health problems that narcotics officers and firefighters have had because of their exposure to the chemicals in meth lab homes.

Besides the “known” toxic neurological and carcinogenic effects of these chemicals on the human body, there are the “unknown” effects of what the combination of the “molecules” in these chemicals can do to the human body. If you think contaminated meth lab homes are not a health threat, why do professionals wear head-to-toe Hazmat suits and respirators when they enter an active or former meth lab?

In regard to your opinion that some people are trying to dump their mortgage, all I can say is I think you need to “walk a mile in their shoes”.

Many who buy homes that they later find out are contaminated have no choice but to let their home fall in to foreclosure. The cost of decontaminating a home can run as high as $150,000.

Let’s do the math:

Add the cost of decontaminating a home to your normal mortgage payment, property taxes, and home owner’s insurance, plus the cost of living somewhere else while the house is being made “fit for inhabitation” which can take several months. It’s pretty easy to see that the cost of keeping a home becomes an impossibility for most homeowners.

You think that dumping the mortgage is the easy way out?

These people are losing all of their down payment money, as well as all of the bank, insurance, and real estate tax payments they’ve made on the house. Additionally, many are told they have to forfeit EVERYTHING inside the home, including their furniture, appliances, and children’s toys.

I have a question for you, “would you buy or rent a contaminated former meth lab home with your wife and children”?

John S. said in a reply:
“The idea that nobody on this planet really knows what happens to you after being exposed to even the most minute traces of the chemicals that meth labs release was enough for me to not want to put myself and my fiance/dogs in danger.”

This is another example of the irrational hysteria that is typical in this discussion. The chemicals that are used in these labs are not some newly created molecules. Every last one of them is well known and their properties, including hazards and safe levels of exposure can be found on the material safety data sheet (msds) of each of them. The criteria that every state uses to determine if a former lab house is safe for habitation is not the level of any precursor chemicals found but rather the amount of actual methamphetamine residue found and gram for gram the finished drug is nowhere near as toxic as some of the chemicals used to make it or for that mater, the chemicals under your kitchen sink. A home previously owned by a painting contractor or a home mechanic would also be covered with residue of hazardous chemicals but nobody is forcing those home demolished.
So lets every body take a deep breath and calm down. I think a lot of these cases are from people who suffer illness and then make assumptions about the cause. Some are people trying to dump their mortgage. If the contamination that remains even after cleaning, repainting and re-carpeting were really that toxic then we wouldn’t have an ongoing problem with meth because all of the cooks would be dead from exposure.

Don’t assume that because the seller seems like a decent guy and has school age children that there is no need to perform the appropriate due diligence. Also, don’t rely on home inspectors to check for meth. They are not qualified! If you have any suspicions, hire someone qualified to test for mold and hazardous substances. Its better spend a few extra dollars and have piece of mind. In fact, have the real estate broker sign a statement guaranteeing that no hazardous substances are present and if it is discovered, they are liable for remediation. If they have a problem signing such a document, respond by asking the broker to take the cost of hiring an expert out of their commission.

Home Inspectors should be adding a “Meth Check” on their inspection lists.
The Real Estate company who sold the house should also be responsible for clean-up costs, especially if they knew of the home’s prior use as a meth lab.

With the frequency of this happening all over the United States, I think the Federal Government should provide grants and/or low cost loans to help these people.