​If you are someone who likes to make your plans in January for the year ahead then you likely already have an idea of the projects you want to accomplish in 2020.  Do you have any home improvement projects on your list? Home maintenance is very important so, a good question to ask yourself is when was the last time you had the home inspected? The majority of homeowners would probably say it was when they purchased the home.
 
Please enjoy the following short video that will highlight the reasons why having an annual inspection performed on your home is so important when it comes to home maintenance.  We are happy to assist you with all of your home inspection needs so, if you would like to schedule your annual maintenance inspection for 2020, please feel free to contact us.

​As children grow their desire to explore and climb increases which means that making sure the home is secure and childproof is a necessity.  One area of the home that can be extremely dangerous for children is windows. With this in mind, here are a few of the simple, low-cost options available for childproofing your windows:
 
Installing window latches is a good way of preventing a child from being able to open a window. It's also important that you choose latches that are easy for adults to open as well as stopping a child from doing so.
 
To prevent a child from gaining access to the window at all, window guards are a good option. These are normally built with bars designed to stop the child. While all new window guards should meet the correct safety standards, it is still a good idea to check that the bars are spaced no more than 4 inches apart. Any more than this and a child could get their head, or another body part trapped.
 
If you still want to open the window but only to a certain width, then window stops are a good choice. As mentioned, do not set the window opening to more than 4 inches.
 
Another way you can help to childproof your home is by positioning furniture away from windows. Its also important to keep in mind that even if a window has a screen in it, this will not provide any protection against a fall so, additional safety measures will still need to be taken.

​When taking on a home renovation project there are many issues you need to be prepared for, especially if you are fixing up an old home that has not been previously updated. One of those issues is asbestos. Although you probably know that this is not something you want to discover in a home, maybe you don’t know very much about asbestos and why it's so bad so, let's look at why.
 
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in construction right up until the 1970s. It was added to materials to provide heat insulation, fire resistance and to give added strength. Asbestos fibers are very small and easily inhaled. This is where the danger lies because these fibers stick to the lungs and stay there for a long time causing serious health problems. Among the diseases linked to prolonged exposure to asbestos is Mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that affects the abdominal cavity and chest lining and, Asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs with fibrous tissue.
 
If asbestos is in a home, how easy is it to become exposed to the fibers? If materials containing asbestos are disturbed in any way by scraping, sanding or just general handling, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, increasing the risk of inhalation.
 
What should you do? You should not try to handle and remove asbestos yourself, instead, contact a company that specializes in the safe handling and removal of asbestos. A home inspection will reveal whether your home could contain asbestos so please feel free to contact us if you have questions.

​Did you know that your homes indoor air quality may be worse than that of outdoor air?  Considering that we spend a good amount of our time indoors, its worth looking at ways to improve the air we are breathing.  One way to do this is by regularly changing filters on air conditioning units or the HVAC system.  So, how often should these be changed to maintain a good indoor air quality?
 
While the answer to that question depends on a number of different factors, in general, the filters should be replaced every 3 months.  But, let’s look at some of those situations where changing the filters even more frequently than that would be a good idea.
 
In larger households which include pets, you may find that dust and pet dander accumulate quicker, this is one instance where changing the filters more regularly would be beneficial.  Another example is in homes where one or more family member suffers with allergies or if there is a smoker in the house.  It is not just what goes on indoors that should determine how often the filters should be replaced, the homes surroundings also play a role.  For instance, if there is construction going on in the area or if you live in an agricultural zone, this would affect your homes indoor air quality so changing the filters regularly is a good idea.  This should also be considered if there have been wildfires in the area.
 
It should be noted that, if you find filters have become damaged in any way or are wet or damp, it is important to replace them immediately.  This could greatly affect your homes indoor air quality by releasing harmful toxins such as mold spores into the air.  

​With so many real estate agents available today you may feel that it doesn’t matter which agent you choose to work for you, however, when you consider that buying a home is probably one of the biggest purchases you can make, you may want to be a bit more selective with your realtor.  This is especially the case if you are a first-time buyer.  Here are a few suggestions to help you choose the best real estate agent for you:
 
Ask as many questions as you need to.  Among the questions you could ask are How do you stand out from other real estate agents? Do you have a lot of experience in finding the type of property I want?  Ask for specific answers and examples and don’t be content with generic answers.  Another good thing to find out is whether the real estate agent owns property of their own.  While someone who doesn’t own property can still be a good realtor, if they own their own home, they are more aware of what to expect both during and after the buying process and can give you advice based on experience.  You may also want to know if they work full time in realty.  A full-time worker may be a little more knowledgeable about current market trends and updated regulations etc. than someone who works part time.
 
Remember that real estate agents, although they might have years of experience, may only specialize in certain types of property.  This means that if you are looking for a lower budget home that you can fix up for example, you wouldn’t hire a realtor whose main area of expertise is in high end luxury homes.   
 
Yes, it does matter who you choose to be your real estate agent.  You want to go for someone who will match your specific requirements and budget, someone who will do all they can to help you through the home buying process.

​Some odors are particularly difficult to get rid of, one of those is tobacco odor.  If you have just moved into a home where the previous occupant was a smoker, you may feel frustrated with such a persistent aroma.  So, what can you do to remove the offending smell?  Here are some suggestions:
 
Tobacco smoke particles are very small and can penetrate most things which is the reason the smell is so hard to get rid of.  Keep the home very well ventilated by opening all windows so that fresh air will flow through the home. Place odor absorbers such as baking soda and coffee grounds in different rooms. 
 
Nicotine leaves an oily, brown residue which adheres to everything.  It is likely you will see nicotine on light bulbs which, when turned on, will heat up and diffuse the smell into the air. It is a good idea to replace them or give them a through clean.  Any blinds that may have been left behind should be taken down, soaked in a tub, given a good scrub and then hung up to dry.  Detergents containing ammonia are good for removing nicotine from hard surfaces, but it is not a good idea to use them on wooden surfaces.  Any air conditioner unit filters or HVAC filters should be replaced. 
 
Removing nicotine odor from a carpet is, unfortunately, very tough.  It is usually best to replace the carpet.  Before you put down new carpet, however, clean and dry the under flooring thoroughly.  Painting walls is something you will most probably need to do but, this doesn’t always get rid of nicotine which can seep through the paint. 
 
Following these simple suggestions will help to make your home fresh again.

​Cockroaches can be very difficult to get rid of.  These annoying little pests are responsible for causing respiratory ailments and spreading disease, they are also very resilient and multiply in huge amounts.  It’s with obvious reason, then, that we want to do all we can to prevent them from setting up home in our house or apartment.  How can we do this?
 
Work to prevent the kinds of conditions that cockroaches love.  They enjoy dirty, greasy areas with plenty of moisture.  The kitchen is one place that could see a lot of cockroach activity, so it needs a regular, thorough cleaning.  Areas to include are behind and underneath appliances (even the big ones), kitchen cabinets and under the sink.  Try to place food in tightly sealed containers, don’t leave pet food out for too long and have a tight lid on the trash can.  Remember too that cockroaches usually avoid well lit places so it might be worthwhile to leave a few lights on a night.
 
Its not only the kitchen that cockroaches can be found, other areas of the home such as the bathroom provide a suitable environment.  Again, keep the bathroom very clean and as dry as is possible.  Go through the home and look for any leaking pipes or dripping taps and fix them immediately.  Cockroaches will be drawn to these kinds of area.  Also, if you observe any places that could be points of entry, have them sealed up.
 
It may reach a point where the cockroach infestation is too bad to handle.  This is time to call in a professional pest control specialist who will treat the problem in the right way.  However, placing boric acid in areas of previous cockroach activity should help to control them afterwards.

​As we have mentioned numerous times in previous blogs, a home inspection is there to provide information about a homes condition.  This is very important in making sure the home you are about to buy is a sound investment.  So, if the home inspection report reveals defects with your potential new home, what’s next?
 
The inspection could reveal a number of different issues with the property, with some being more serious than others.  It might note that the property has faulty smoke detectors or a few loose roof shingles etc.  which is an easy fix and shouldn’t cost too much.  On the other hand, it could reveal much more serious issues like structural damage, mold or wood rot to name a few.  These would require a lot more money to resolve and, in some cases, might be too big of a job to take on.  Whatever the outcome, however, we can see what an important role the home inspection plays.
 
If your home inspector is also a contractor you may feel it’s a good idea to ask him/her to fix the issues found on the report.  Is this a good idea? Not really, it could look as though the home inspector was just looking for problems so that they could have the job of fixing them and this would call into question the honesty and accuracy of the inspection report.  Its best to hire an InterNACHI certified home inspector who is aware of and abides by the InterNACHI Code of Ethics to perform your home inspection.  That way, you will guarantee the best and most thorough of home inspections.

​Many of us relish the idea of purchasing an older property and fixing it up.  When done well, a project of this kind can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be a very stressful process and full of unexpected problems.  For example, many older homes still contain building materials which, in recent years, have been found to be hazardous.  If you discover these materials in your home, it could be very costly to have them removed.  Here are just some of the hazardous materials found in older homes:
 
We now know a lot more about the potential health risks associated with deteriorating lead paint, with those most at risk being infants.  If your home is older than 40 years, it might well have lead paint. 
 
Another building material used in homes during the 1960s and 70s is aluminum wiring.  This started to be used as an alternative to copper wiring but was found to be defective over time.  If your property has this type of wiring, it will need to be replaced.
 
One material that we now know to be very hazardous is asbestos.  However, during the 1930s and 50s asbestos insulation was frequently used.  This will need to be taken care of professionally if you find your home has it.
 
Radon is something that cannot be discovered by sight or smell but your older property could have higher than safe levels of it.  A test should be done to determine radon levels in the home.
 
You are more likely to find these types of materials in homes that have had the same owner for many years.  Keep in mind also that most of these materials will need to be dealt with by a licensed professional and this could take up a good chunk of your remodeling budget.

​In recent years, the United States has experienced its share of natural disasters, with the results often devastating.  Its true that we cannot control where or when the next disaster will strike, but one thing we should do is prepare in advance, as much as we are able, for one. 
 
We are often advised to have an emergency go kit, containing everything we would need to survive for a few days and something we could grab quickly if needed.  Its also wise to have an emergency disaster plan that the entire household is familiar with.  This way, in a disaster situation, the family knows exactly what they should do and where they should go.
 
What about the home? How will that benefit from advanced preparation? Well, if areas of the home are in disrepair, they may present more of a problem during an emergency.  For example, loose roof shingles could easily fly off during a storm.  Gutters and downspouts should be kept clear of debris as this would also be a problem.  What about the chimney, if the home has one? Does that need some repair work? Trees can become a problem during a disaster as they can cause a lot of damage to roofs, power lines and could even injure someone.  Make sure trees are well trimmed and do not have loose branches.
 
It’s important that you are familiar with the location of where to switch off the home’s utilities such as gas, electric and water so that you will be able to quickly turn them off during an emergency. 
 
So, while we never want to have to deal with an emergency disaster situation, being prepared in advance may go a long way to staying safe during one.