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With
relocation
costs
soaring,
more
and
more
homebuyers
are
choosing
to
stay
put
and
renovate
their
existing
dwellings
to
both
make
them
more
livable
and
potentially
increase
their
resale
value.
If
your
home
was
built
before
the
late
1970’s
however,
chances
are
there
may
be
some
health
risks
looming
behind
those
walls
that
may
pose
a
threat
to
you
and
your
family.
In
1978,
the
government
banned
the
use
of
lead-based
paints.
Yet
before
then,
they
were
used
to
cover
nearly
every
square
inch
of
most
American
homes.
If
you’re
planning
on
living
in
your
home
while
renovating,
consider
that
extensive
renovations
in
older
homes
could
introduce
particles
into
the
air
that
could
prove
harmful.
If
you’re
home
is
old,
it’s
never
a
bad
idea
to
hire
a
home
inspector
to
identify
existing
and
potential
problems.
When
renovating
to
sell
the
property,
keep
in
mind
that
savvy
homebuyers
will
likely
request
their
own
home
inspection
of
your
property.
A
near
problem-free
inspection
is a
green
light
in
the
sale
of
almost
any
home.
Please
note
- If
identified,
the
removal
of
potentially
hazardous
materials
is
best
left
to
the
professionals
and
large
jobs
should
not
be
considered
a
DIY
project.
Minimizing
risk
There
are
several
things
you
can
do
to
reduce
the
risk
when
renovating
where
lead
paint
has
been
applied
in
past.
Given
that
it
is
not
always
practical
to
hire
a
contractor,
the
US
Department
of
Housing
and
Urban
Development
in
conjunction
with
the
CDC
have
produced
a
Lead
Paint
Safety
Field
Guide
for
use
by
homeowners
and
professionals
alike.
While
the
entire
document
should
be
reviewed
before
taking
on
even
a
small
project,
some
of
the
highlights
of
this
guide
includes
the
following
advice;
- Use heavy plastic to cover doorways, windows, floors, and any furniture that can't be removed from the renovated area,
- Always mist or dampen walls before scraping paint.
- Turn off the heating and air conditioning to reduce air-borne particle movement.
- Keep those not involved in the renovation as far away as possible and if you do decide to hire a contractor to transform the space, make sure it’s someone familiar with proper handling procedures
Radon
While
more
rare,
radon
gas
seeping
up
from
a
tiny
amount
of
harmless
uranium
in
the
soil
can
seep
up
through
cracks
and
crevices
underneath
or
around
lower
levels
of
your
home.
It’s
odorless,
tasteless,
and
difficult
to
detect.
However
when
released
in
confined
spaces
and
when
exposed
for
prolonged
periods,
radon
has
been
linked
to
incidences
of
lung
cancer.
Given
that
the
Surgeon
General
has
stated
that
radon
is
the
second
leading
cause
of
lung
cancer
in
the
United
States,
all
homeowners
should
have
their
homes
tested.
If
if
your
radon
level
is
confirmed
to
be 4
picoCuries
per
liter
(pCi/L)
or
higher,
you
need
to
engage
a
qualified
radon
reduction
contractor
and
maintain
your
system.
According
to
the
EPA’s
Consumer’s
Guide
to
Radon
Reduction,
the
average
cost
to
fix
a
home
is
$1,200.00.
In
addition
to
these
remedies,
adequate
air
exchange
in
your
home
(and
not
over-sealing)
will
also
help
limit
radon
exposure.
Asbestos
Until
the
late
1970’s,
more
than
3,000
products
containing
asbestos
were
commonly
used
in
house
construction,
including
materials
for
furnace
duct
insulation,
deck
undersheeting,
and
roof
and
wall
insulation.
So
if
your
home
was
built
before
then,
chances
are
you
may
stir
up a
little
asbestos
if
doing
a
renovation.
According
to
the
Environmental
Protection
Agency’s
“Asbestos
in
Your
Home”,
asbestos
in
good
condition
should
be
left
alone.
However,
if
you
find
asbestos
that
is
crumbling
or
fraying,
it
poses
a
health
risk.
Worst-case
scenarios
of
asbestos
exposure
include
respiratory
illness,
including
lung
cancer.
If
you
think
you
have
asbestos
issues,
it
can
be
easily
disposed
of –
simply
contact
a
local
professional
and
have
it
taken
care
of
before
moving
ahead
with
your
renovation.
By
taking
a
look
around
your
home
prior
to a
major
renovation,
you’ll
be
able
to
spot
(or
smell)
a
few
potential
health
hazards
that
may
slow
down
a
costly
home
renovation.
If
you’re
unsure,
ask
your
Better
Homes
and
Gardens®
Real
Estate
sales
associate
for
a
referral
on
how
best
to
handle
your
specific
circumstance.
Contact
Me
I can help you with every
aspect of buying or selling your home because I’m
experienced, because I am a Better Homes and Gardens
Rand Realty Real Estate Professional . . .and because I
care.
As
your
Better
Homes
and
Gardens
Rand
Realty
Sales
Professional,
I
will
provide
you
with
the
information
you
need
to
make
an
educated
decision.
The relationship between a home buyer or seller and their agent is based on trust, shared goals and understanding. I strive to continually improve and to do this I listen and take the needs and wants into consideration.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you. |
