Hidden Property Risks Every Real Estate Investor Must Know (Mold, Asbestos & Environmental Hazards)

Jennifer Lynch (00:00)
Preventative measures is the key. Like I can’t get that across enough, no matter what spectrum you’re on when it comes to a property. It’s being proactive instead of reactive. So the best investment is to know what you’re dealing with so that you know your next steps. So we’re not just putting band-aid on a problem that’s, you know, may be a small investment now, but will save you tens of thousands later.

Scott Bursey (01:59)
Welcome back to the Real Estate Pros podcast powered by Investor Fuel. I’m your host, Scott Bursey

And today we’re joined by Jennifer Lynch, the pro behind Ask Jennifer Today. As a certified environmental consultant with over two decades of experience, Jennifer is the go-to expert for helping property managers, landlords, and real estate pros navigate the complex world of environmental hazards from mold and water damage to asbestos. She turns complex environmental science into profit-protecting guidance.

You can expect to learn how to mitigate risk, avoid massive liabilities, and ensure your properties remain safe. Jennifer, welcome to the show.

Jennifer Lynch (02:41)
Thank you.

Scott Bursey (02:41)
It is just awesome having you here. And to help our listeners get up to speed, please give us the ninety second highlight reel of how your career ignited and where you’re pouring your fuel now.

Jennifer Lynch (02:53)
⁓ yes, great. Well, I like to tell people I washed that gray out of my hair. So we started a little while ago. I started out in property management for myself. I was buying properties, investing properties and turning them in into ri residential or multifamily home rentals. And then I started taking on some more, you know, outsourcing ⁓ other people’s properties.

Which led me to do inspections, led me to be a better manager of the properties I was already invested in and the ones that I was helping collect their rents. So ⁓ that led me to the inspection of mold, the inspector of lead and asbestos. ⁓ through that course, ⁓ we have birthed into now an industrial hygienist. So over the course of years with education and moving in that direction, that’s how we ended up here today.

Scott Bursey (03:44)
Well, thanks for sharing that journey, Jennifer. And what really caught my attention about you was the way that you’ve been able to bridge the gap between complex science and practical everyday property management decisions. You know, and on that note, looking back at your biggest win for a client, how did you transform that environmental crisis into a clear path forward for that client?

Jennifer Lynch (04:09)
Yeah, great question. It’s it’s basically listening. In a consulting world, it’s not always just conveying and giving the education. It’s also listening to what your client is saying so that you can give them the answers that they need so that they can make the best educated decision for themselves. So listening to what they want to do with the property, listening what renovations they want to make to the property, and then take the data and the science from that property that they’re investing in.

To really give a practical breakdown of next steps and steps not to skip.

Scott Bursey (04:41)
Curious to know what would you say is the biggest strength the property owner gains when they integrate environmental hygiene into their maintenance schedule before an issue arises, let’s say.

Jennifer Lynch (05:41)
Absolutely. Preventative measures is the key. Like I can’t get that across enough, no matter what spectrum you’re on when it comes to a property. It’s being proactive instead of reactive. So the best investment is to know what you’re dealing with so that you know your next steps. So we’re not just putting band-aid on a problem that’s, you know, may be a small investment now, but will save you tens of thousands later.

Scott Bursey (06:09)
How does that proactive stance directly impact the bottom line?

Jennifer Lynch (06:14)
Proactive and the bottom line, that’s a good question. If I had to give you a scenario of that, most people walk away from an environmental problem. I teach my investors that, you know, you’re gonna walk through this with practicality because the nobody else wants the property. So let’s turn this property into a value, but also use where the property is sitting now. You know, if it’s on the market for 120 days or

There’s been multiple discounts on that property. So really what is the fear factor on that side that we can make it more profitable for you on this side?

Scott Bursey (06:51)
We’d love to understand what is the most common blind spot, if you will, you see landlords overlook when they first take over a property.

Jennifer Lynch (06:59)
It’s going through the property and just looking superficially and not just because it looks good doesn’t mean it is good, right? There are other tools that I have taken down. Well, I have taken through a mentorship class for realtors, property investors, and ⁓ landlords. Those are some practical tools that you should have on every inspection that you do, whether it’s

a property that you’re getting ready to purchase or one that you’re currently managing so that you can see what your eyes and nose can’t tell you.

Scott Bursey (07:33)
How can an investor use your expertise as an opportunity to negotiate a a better deal?

Jennifer Lynch (07:40)
Yeah, so it’s that’s that’s where everybody thinks that I’m a deal killer, right? Because I’m either on this side or I’m on this side. But Arctual in with it if I if you don’t mind, I’m gonna like to answer it on both sides for both the seller and the buyer. So the benefit having me in before it goes on the market is to identify the red flags, figure out the investment part that they’re willing to put into the property before it becomes that deal killer.

So we’re gonna we’re gonna put the property in a state and a in a place, dollars and cents that make sense for you. And then when the buyer comes to the table, we’re gonna make sure that the buyer is asking the investor is asking the right questions and you know breaking down. I have a 52-point inspection that is good for them without me, if they wanna use, and then if they see anything that maybe needs a little bit more information, I wanna be able to give that to them. So I support both sides.

being that practical person in the center that gives you the information that is needed to both make an educated decision and bring you all to the table.

Scott Bursey (08:46)
Jennifer wondering with changing regulations, what is the biggest environmental threat currently flying under the the radar for most property pros in your view?

Jennifer Lynch (08:56)
know, mold has really gone crazy on the internet. Like there are so many fear factors, there are so many scare tactors. And I don’t want to say anything that hurts anyone out there in the industry that is truly sensitive to mold because I currently help people go through and find, you know, healthy homes to live in based on their sensitivities. But realistically, it’s it’s a trifecta. It’s mold led asbestos because you’re

just going in for the mold portion. You’re not looking at the lead portion. You’re not looking at the asbestos, but sometimes a property can have all three. So now you’re dealing with a mold problem that now you gotta go through lead and asbestos. So, you know, you have to look at as a whole.

Scott Bursey (09:38)
Well, thank you for highlighting that. And we’re curious to know as a consultant, how do you help a client prioritize with hazards, ⁓ you know, and what to tackle first, perhaps, when their budget is tight.

Jennifer Lynch (10:28)
Yeah, I know. When you say the A word, we say that’s the elephant in the room. We don’t like to talk about asbestos. And that’s okay. Asbestos is okay as long as you know how to work around it and you know what you’re dealing with, right? ⁓ in dollars and cents.

It just breaks down to having a really good contractor, which we will investigate in your area that is well equipped to handle all three under one containment. So we’re not breaking down a sp a specific person for you for lead, mold, or asbestos. We’re going to make sure that we find someone that can handle it all and get everything cleaned and ready for rebuild on any renovations that they want to do. So it’s

It’s really budgeting it down because everybody thinks asbestos are like, it’s way too much money. I’m just gonna do it myself. I’m gonna walk away. But you need to just go the next step. Do the hard stuff. Get to where you need to be and what makes sense because these properties that are just sitting that nobody wants because of the trifecta, let asbestos and mold, you know, can be of value to you as long as you master the task. ⁓

Scott Bursey (11:40)
Is there a must?

well thank you for that excellent breakdown. And just curious, you know, is there a a rule of thumb that ⁓ you would highlight for health based cosmetic repairs?

Jennifer Lynch (11:54)
Health based cosmetic repairs. So if we’re looking at a property that’s already occupied.

Okay. So if we’re looking at a property that’s already occupied and we have a general complaint that comes in, I smell something, it’s not doesn’t smell right. I always tell my maintenance directors, my real estate agents, or my landlords or property managers, let’s go to what doesn’t look right, what doesn’t smell right. And usually you’re going to find those in all your moisture environments. So kitchens, bathrooms, and HVAC closets. So

Preventative measures, I actually have a sheet that should be done on I in a four season, you know, on my end, but it works, you know, for California and other other places that don’t. But basically just has a routine maintenance that every time someone goes into the property that they’re just checking off boxes. So ⁓ you know, it could just be a small little leak underneath the sink. You can put a rubber mat underneath to prevent that.

mold growth because once water touches an organic material and it’s not dried properly, it can turn into a bigger issue. And now you’re replacing cabinets and it’s hidden behind the cabinet. So it’s just preventative measures can save so much money in the end ⁓ by just having routine maintenance inspections or cleanup.

Scott Bursey (13:19)
What an excellent breakdown for health-based cosmetic repairs. Thank you so much. And Jennifer, as far as your business, Ask Jennifer Today, where do you see it in the next, let’s say, twelve to eighteen months?

Jennifer Lynch (13:34)
That’s so sweet. Thank you for asking that question. ⁓ it’s kind of a lengthy one, but we’ll keep it short. ⁓ I’m only six months old, okay? And it really came from a passion that had been brewing for two years. And it was really just, I need to tell people about this. I need to tell people about this. This is crazy. I’m still dealing with this problem. I need to tell people about this. So I woke up one morning in November of 2024, 2025.

And I said to my husband, I was like, I can’t shake this thing. I really need to see if this is something. Does the world need Jennifer? Right? He said, Babe, I’m behind you. Whatever you decide, I know you’ll do great at it. So it took me a little bit, but in January, we prayed about it, we put a foot down and said, I’m gonna give this thing as hard as I got, as much as I can give for 12 months. And I’m gonna see in 12 months where we’re gonna be. So

Right now my goal is to get to that twelve month mark and find out what the internet wants. Find out if what I I’m giving is value. ⁓ and then maybe we can start talking about consulting work and you know moving into because right now there is no dollar amount coming in. ⁓ it’s just me with a passion.

Scott Bursey (14:47)
And I love that. Jennifer, if somebody’s listening and they’re thinking to themselves, hey, this is somebody that I really like and might want to do business with, what would you ⁓ tell them first about your business?

Jennifer Lynch (15:42)
So as an indoor environmental consultant, certified indoor environmental consultant, industrial hygienist, I am in the DMV area. So that’s DC, Maryland, Virginia. ⁓ I do and have extended my East Coast work into city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Delaware. They were in dire need of someone like me through the materi ⁓ the between like the cities, the states, and how they break down. So

For someone that is licensed. My certified indoor environmental consultant, I’m coast to coast. So I can do consultant work or be an expert in that field coast to coast. But locally, if you want an inspection by Jennifer, you could reach out and I would run that through the company that I currently line

Scott Bursey (16:29)
And Jennifer, curious, what does your professional network look like right now?

Jennifer Lynch (16:33)
Through Ask Jennifer.

Scott Bursey (16:34)
Or Ask Jennifer, yes.

Jennifer Lynch (16:37)
So I have had the opportunity and I was I was so grateful for. If you don’t follow this guy, you need to, especially if you’re an investor. He is called Dan Barrero, shout out to Dan, from USA Land Ventures. And he is very practical. He is not a slumlord. He won he is teaching slumlords. Sorry not to call anybody out bad, but he is teaching you what not to do and how to be better stewards of your properties.

He also teaches you how to invest. He might be a great, great person to bring on your podcast. ⁓ and he opened the door for me on ⁓ doing a mentorship class back in June. And I had a very good response from his audience asking for me to come back. So ⁓ and I can give you that PowerPoint, Scott, if you want to tag this. And it just basically gives property managers, investors.

real estate agents, a 10 red flags of proper of things to look for in your property and what what tools I would like you to have on these inspections with or without me. So I I’d love to give you that presentation. But he opened that door and this is really I’m just walking through it to see what it looks like. My next class is going to be probably in two weeks on he does them on Wednesday night.

And we’re gonna be teaching you what to do in the first twenty four hours of a major loss. So ⁓ I think I’m gonna end up having a series with him, which I’m I’m pretty excited about.

Scott Bursey (18:09)
And on that note, when an investor discovers a major environmental issue, mid renovation, let’s say, what is the one tactical move they should make immediately to stop the bleeding and protect their investment?

Jennifer Lynch (18:22)
I would say stop. Immediately stop. And if you hadn’t already contained the area, is to contain the area of origin. back with this 24 hour first thing to do is to remove any contents or occupants from that area and to contain first before you do anything. So that if an event of unexpected, which is in our world for construction, is always like, you know.

The underlying issue, what we don’t know, we don’t know. So first thing I try to teach people is protect yourself.

Scott Bursey (18:57)
That’s incredible advice. And I know our listeners will appreciate that tactical insight. And Jennifer, you have given us a tremendous amount of insight here today. But is there any additional words that you’d like to leave with our pros?

Jennifer Lynch (19:10)
⁓ yes, you know, Ask Jennifer’s here for you, obviously. And but, you know, our industry is very wide. So ask lots of questions and if you don’t have an industrial hygienist that you work with currently, please reach out. We can find someone local for you or I can be that person for you until

you have your circle to move forward and make sure you can execute from start to finish.

Scott Bursey (19:35)
Well, that is awesome advice. Thank you for that, Jennifer. And for those of our listeners that want to keep this conversation moving, stay in your lane or collaborate with you. What’s the best way for them to reach you?

Jennifer Lynch (19:47)
Yes, thank you. So you can go to any one of the platforms, Ask Jennifer Today, which were on all the social media, including ⁓ YouTube, or you can reach out to me on my website, which is www.askjennifertodayciec.com

Scott Bursey (20:07)
Jennifer, this has been pure gold. Thank you for joining us today.

Jennifer Lynch (20:12)
Thank you, Scott.

Scott Bursey (20:13)
And to our listeners, we appreciate you. If you receive value from today’s episode, please subscribe. We’ll be filling your tanks with a lineup of a leak guest, just like Jennifer Lynch, who are accelerating and setting the pace for the rest of the industry. Until next time, keep your standards high and your vision clear. We’ll see you on the next episode, everyone.