Real Estate Word -- Healthy Air, Healthy Home - February 2012
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Poor air quality in your home can cause an array of health problems for you and your family. This month, we share some ideas that will dramatically improve the quality of air you breathe.
We also discuss what to do if you suspect a home has a foundation problem as well as what to look for in an electrical converter so you don't fry your laptop when traveling abroad.
Thanks so much for checking out this month's newsletter. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments regarding the articles or real estate in general -- it'd be great to hear from you!
The term "air quality" is usually associated with outdoor air pollution caused by cars and factories. The shocking truth however is that the toxins in our home are often more dangerous than those outside.
Hazards present themselves in the form of pet dander, dust mites, nitrous dioxides from natural gas, formaldehyde from furniture and various allergens including fungi. Here are just a few ways to improve your home's air quality:
Just Let It Out - Properly ventilate your home to reduce pollutants and moisture. Use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms and open your windows whenever possible to allow toxins to escape.
Clean Green - Use natural cleaners such as lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda instead of household cleansers that contain toxic chemicals. There are also various houseplants that purify your home's air such as peace lilies and spider plants.
Tread Lightly - Carpets trap various irritants which present serious dangers, especially for children. If replacing carpets with hardwood isn’t an option, make sure to vacuum a few times a week and place doormats at the entrances of your home.
Furry Friends - Brush pets outside and wash their beds each week to control hair and dander. There are also a variety of indoor air purification systems designed to improve your home's air quality that are especially great for pet owners.
Nothing in life is quite as precious as the air we breathe. That said, the air we breathe is also taken for granted. We focus so much time and effort sprucing up our home so that it looks nice. It therefore makes sense for us to ensure our home's air quality is also clean.
A serious foundation problem can quickly turn into an expensive nightmare. Most buyers realize this and will simply walk away or at best, won't purchase the home until it's been properly repaired.
If you notice cracks, bowing or anything else that looks suspicious, you'll want to determine how serious it might be. It's strongly recommended that you have the foundation inspected by a qualified professional.
Foundation cracks are caused by hydrostatic pressure as water soaks into the earth around the base of the house. The foundation sinks as water from the gutters spills out and puddles around the house putting pressure against the foundation wall which causes cracks that make the house settle more than it should.
Indications of a house with possible foundation problems include unlevel floors, windows and doors that are hard to open/shut and diagonal cracks on the wall around the corners of doors and windows. It's important to keep in mind though that most houses have cracks and defects which are purely cosmetic.
If you're selling a home with a foundation problem, it's best to get it fixed beforehand as a questionable foundation problem can often squash a sale. If you don't plan on getting it fixed, at least get a quote so you're able to show potential buyers how much the repairs will cost.
If you’re planning an international trip, you’ll want to be familiar with adaptors and converters so you’re not left with a fried laptop or burned out shaver!
Adaptors simply enable the plug to fit into the outlet while converters make the plug fit AND convert the electricity to the proper voltage so the unit doesn’t overload, crackle and burn out!
There are two types of converters -- one for appliances that produce heat such as hair dryers and another for devices such as shavers and laptops that require a lower wattage. The best option is to purchase a dual wattage converter that will handle everything. Happy travels!
Are you sick of scouring the paper and MLS sites looking for homes? Tired of playing telephone tag with agents only to hear the home's already sold? Sit back, relax and let me do the work for you! Just visit my website and check off the features you're looking for. Whenever a home matching your criteria hits the market, it'll be automatically flagged and emailed to you so you'll never have to worry about missing your dream home. This service is free and there's no obligation! Click here to get started.
Poor air quality in your home can cause an array of health problems for you and your family. This month, we share some ideas that will dramatically improve the quality of air you breathe.
Are you sick of scouring the paper and MLS sites looking for homes? Tired of playing telephone tag with agents only to hear the home's already sold? Sit back, relax and let me do the work for you! Just visit