Mold in Miami—let’s talk about it (because… summer)
Now that the heat and humidity are back in full force, this is a good time to talk about mold—because in Miami, I’ve seen both extremes. I’ve walked into summer showings where a home sat vacant with the A/C off and there was literal mold growing on the couch—not subtle, not hidden, just thriving. And then I’ve seen the other side: during Covid, a buyer brought in a mold inspection “team” that showed up in full suits like a SWAT unit… but didn’t take a single air sample and left doors open during the inspection. One situation where mold was very real, another where the inspection itself didn’t hold up—and it highlights why it can be hard to know when a mold inspection actually makes sense.
So naturally, buyers ask: Should I do a mold inspection? The short answer is: sometimes—but not always right away. If you see discoloration, notice a musty smell, the home has been sitting without A/C, there’s a past mold issue, or someone in your household has respiratory sensitivities, it’s smart to test upfront—especially if you’re working within a tight inspection window. Otherwise, I usually recommend starting with a general inspection first and only bringing in a mold specialist if there are red flags. It’s about being strategic, not automatically adding another line item.
And if you do go the mold inspection route, it’s worth understanding what a proper test looks like. The goal is to measure whether indoor spore levels are elevated compared to outside, which requires controlled conditions—doors and windows closed—and air samples taken for comparison. Without that, the results can be misleading.