Creating a Healthy Home: Why Environmental Property Testing Matters in Today’s Market

By Michelle Ifversen,
Founder of DesignWell Studios | Building Wellness Consultant | Integrative Health Practitioner

In the world of real estate, we're often focused on square footage, finishes, and financing. But what if we started prioritizing something more foundational—the health of the home itself? At DesignWell Studios, we believe a home should do more than shelter—it should support human wellness at every level. That’s why we specialize in Environmental Property Testing, a crucial yet often overlooked step in buying, selling, or remodeling a home—especially here in the Pacific Northwest. For over 15 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of building science, environmental health, and wellness design. As both a certified integrative health practitioner and building wellness consultant, I’ve seen how undetected environmental stressors like mold, air pollutants, and even EMFs (electromagnetic fields) can impact our health—sometimes subtly, and sometimes profoundly.

Whether you’re a homebuyer, real estate agent, or investor, understanding the hidden health risks in a property can make all the difference. And the good news? Most of these risks can be identified, measured, and often mitigated—once you know what to look for.

The Hidden Risks Lurking in “Normal” Homes

In Portland, our climate—while lush and beautiful—is also moist, which creates ideal conditions for mold growth, radon buildup, and poor indoor air quality. Add in aging infrastructure and increasingly "smart" homes with heavy EMF loads, and it's easy to see how modern living environments can unknowingly compromise our health.

Here are just a few statistics that illustrate the risks:

• Indoor air quality is 2–5x more polluted than outdoor air, and Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors.
  – U.S. EPA

• 70% of homes contain mold, often hidden inside walls, HVAC systems, or crawlspaces.
  – Berkeley Lab

• 1 in 4 homes in Oregon has elevated radon levels, a leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.
  – Oregon Health Authority

• Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from wireless devices, smart meters, and home wiring are increasingly linked to sleep issues, brain fog, and neurological symptoms, especially in sensitive individuals.
  – WHO, Environmental Research Journal, Building Biology Institute

Many of my clients come to me after months or years of unexplained symptoms—only to discover their home is part of the problem. Others are simply proactive, wanting to make healthy, informed choices for their families.

Environmental Property Testing: A Critical Step for Real Estate Professionals

If you're a real estate professional, you already help your clients navigate legal disclosures, home inspections, and financial negotiations. But what if you could also help them protect their long-term health?

Adding or recommending environmental testing can position you as a trusted wellness advocate, not just a transaction facilitator.

Benefits for Agents & Clients:

• Transparency & Trust: Show clients you care about their well-being—not just the sale.

• Proactive Risk Management: Address hidden issues before they become deal-breakers.

• Value Differentiation: Homes with clean environmental reports or mitigation plans can attract wellness-minded buyers and families.

• Faster Closings: Reduce surprises or delays due to last-minute discoveries of mold, lead, or EMF issues.

• Client Loyalty: Happy, healthy clients refer more often and remember the care you provided.

With wellness real estate valued at over $398 billion globally, and buyers increasingly prioritizing health, this isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the future of real estate.
– Global Wellness Institute, 2023

What We Test (and Why It Matters)

Our Environmental Property Testing services are tailored to Portland's unique architecture and ecosystem. Each evaluation includes:

• Indoor Air Quality

  • We assess ventilation, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and airborne particulates that can affect respiratory health, mood, and sleep.

• Mold & Moisture Mapping

  • Using infrared thermography and moisture meters, we detect hidden mold growth and water intrusion—common in basements, attics, and behind drywall.

• VOCs & Chemical Off-Gassing

  • We test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from paints, flooring, adhesives, and furnishings. These can cause headaches, fatigue, and inflammation—especially in chemically sensitive individuals.

• Water Testing

  • We analyze for lead, copper, bacteria, and PFAS (forever chemicals) that may be present in drinking water or plumbing systems.

• Radon Gas

  • As a naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon is odorless and dangerous—yet highly manageable once identified.

• EMFs (Electromagnetic Fields)

EMF sensitivity is real for many people, and our testing offers clear strategies for reduction without sacrificing modern functionality.
This is a growing area of concern. We measure:

• Radiofrequency (RF) radiation from Wi-Fi, cell towers, and smart devices

• Magnetic and electric fields from power lines and poor home wiring

• Dirty electricity from modern electronics and switching devices

Our Process: Rooted in Science, Grounded in Wellness

1. Onsite Testing Visit
   We conduct a full property walk-through using calibrated meters and diagnostic tools to identify environmental stressors.

2. Customized Wellness Report
   Each client receives a clear, actionable report with:

   • Test results

   • Photos and location markers

   • Health and building implications

   • Prioritized solutions

3. Expert Consultation
   We discuss your results in plain language, outlining which issues are urgent, which are fixable, and how to move forward—whether you're negotiating a purchase, prepping a listing, or planning a healthy remodel.

Who Should Use This Service?

• Homebuyers who want to invest in long-term health and avoid costly surprises

• Sellers & Listing Agents who want a clean report to instill buyer confidence

• Families with children, seniors, or chemical sensitivities

• Eco-conscious or wellness-minded buyers and investors

• Anyone remodeling or building a new home and wanting to avoid harmful materials

The Heart of the Matter: A Home Should Help You Heal

We believe that home should be a sanctuary—not a source of stress or illness. As a parent, health advocate, and design professional, I’ve made it my mission to help people live well in the spaces they call home. If you’re a real estate agent looking to add value—or a homebuyer ready to invest in wellness—we’d be honored to partner with you. Let’s create homes that don’t just look beautiful… but actually support the health, vitality, and resilience of the people who live in them.

Book a Consultation or Onsite Property Testing Today

DesignWell Studios | Portland, OR
(503) 386-2003
info@designwellstudios.com
www.designwellstudios.com