Even after cleanup and inspection the buyer may still not provide indemnification. The owner may also want such a clause. Financial institutions may require warranties before committing mortgages. Effects of this issue on real estate change as the implications of hazardous materials filter through the industry. The trend is for tougher choices to be made in the future.
Some properties cost more to clean up than their market value.
Owners, lenders, operators, tenants, heirs, and governments do not want involvement with such sites and will give up their interests, creating orphaned properties. Sites are tainted with suspicion until proved immaculate and remediated sites are always suspect. Standard contracts are being developed for commercial and residential real estate to deal with new situations. Valuation of real estate is imperfect, but a known market exists. For commercial real estate, income is the basis for its value.