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Potential Buyers Must Wear Hazmat Suit To Tour Home For Sale In Denver

DENVER (CBS4)- Realtors say potential buyers had to wear a hazmat suit to tour a home for sale in Denver. That's because the townhome is contaminated with methamphetamine.

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At first glance, the $500,000 price for a 2,000 sq. ft. home with a two-car garage at 777 28th St. in Curtis Park seems like a good deal. But inside the 13-year-old townhome, everything has to go.

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The home is currently under contract. But the contamination means that before anyone can move in, the danger needs to be mitigated by a professional restoration company.

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Mike White owns Homeland Environmental. The company does a lot of meth decontamination jobs and he says they are a lot of work.

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"From a residential house it could be a matter of taking all of the drywall, walls, ceilings, floor, HVAC systems, down to studs," said White.

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He also says it can be pricey, "Anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 to $50,000 to $200,000."

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Afterward, the walls of the home would need to be rebuilt, and all new light fixtures installed along with appliances, which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Most homes contaminated with meth, including the one in Curtis Park, are bought by investment companies who flip them then make a profit.

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White said if you buy a home and it is contaminated you are on the hook for the bill so if you are home shopping, always ask for methamphetamines test during the inspection process.

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"Definitely do you due diligence up front," said White.

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Neighbors in Curtis Park say they just hope someone will buy the contaminated home and fix it up so it doesn't bring down home prices in the area.

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