The Chinese Drywall issues are still at large in the home buying market. Potential homebuyers are seeking out specific neighborhoods where the drywall is not prevalent. Even if the home is known not to be affected by drywall, the possibility that homes in the neighborhood that are affected could lower the value of neighboring homes is a real concern.

Chinese Drywall was used during the housing boom due to a shortage of the American made product, which has resulted in corroded wiring, copper pipes and metals as well as reported respiratory issues with homeowners. The product permeates a sulfur-like smell throughout the home and homeowners are receiving little or no relief from builders, lenders or property insurance companies. In some cases, insurers are not only refusing to cover the damage to the home, but once reported, are considering the drywall to be a ‘pre-existing condition’ and refusing to renew policies.

Under the Florida law, sellers are required to disclose any known material defect that would affect the value of the home before it is sold. The Florida Association of Realtors has added a disclosure form for Chinese Drywall however; there is no law that requires sellers to use the form at all.

There is very little known about Chinese Drywall, therefore buyers are being cautious. Many are hiring inspectors to test homes before they make any commitments to the sellers, others are purchasing homes dated before any known uses of Chinese Drywall were documented.

For more information on Chinese Drywall visit the Drywall Information Center portion of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.