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Mold is a common home intruder that can quickly turn a desirable house into a risky purchase for potential buyers.  So, what can sellers do about it?  First, size up the problem, and then create a plan for safe and complete removal.  If the mold is found in a small area, less than 10 square feet, removal can be a do-it-yourself project.  Here's How:

1.    Wear a face mask, goggles, and rubber gloves.  Don't touch mold with   bare skin.

2.    Seal off the area to prevent the tiny spores from spreading to other parts of the house during the removal process.  Open the windows and cover heat registers and ventilation ducts.

3.    Wash the affected hard surface areas with a mild detergent solution, such as laundary detergent and warm water.  As a added step, wipe the area with a solution of a quarter cup of bleach and on quart of water.  (Warning: Do not mix ammonia and bleachl; the fumes can be toxic)

4.    Dry the surface completely.  Use fans and dehumidifiers or natural ventilation.

5.    Apply a borate-based detergent solution.  Don't rinse.  This will help prevent the mold from growing again. (Look for "borate" listed on the ingredient labels of laundry or dishwasher detergent)

6.    Don't take shortcuts.  Never paint or caulk over moldy surfaces.  The paint will peel and the mold will resurface.

7.    Call a professional.  Just when you think you finally won the battle against mold, you might see dormant spores reappear or even spread to clean areas of the house, particularly if propert removal procedures weren't taken.  You may need to call a mold remediation company to resolve the problem.

What is Mold?-Mold is a type of fungus made up of tiny microscopic organisms that can grow practically anywhere, such as on ceiling tiles, wallpaper, wood, paints, carpet, and insulation.  It multiplies via spores and shows itself in a variety of colors, from greens to browns to pinks, grays, blacks, and yellows.  The most common mold growth area in the house is the bathroom, since mold grows on moist materials.