​Are you interested in purchasing an old home to fix up? If you are, its important to be aware of the many hazards associated with older construction such as building materials we now know to be dangerous.  One of those materials is asbestos.  In this article we will take a brief look at what it is and why it can be so bad.
 
Up until the 1970’s asbestos was used in different areas of construction.  It is a mineral fiber which was added to building materials to provide extra strength.  It is also a good heat insulator and offers fire resistance.  We can see why it was a popular product to use before any of the dangers were widely known. 
 
What are the dangers associated with asbestos?  Prolonged exposure to asbestos has resulted in some very serious health problems.  Mesothelioma which is a form of lung cancer and a scarring of the lungs known as Asbestosis, are some of the illnesses caused by asbestos.  This happens as a result of breathing in asbestos fibers which are very small.  These fibers can stay in the lungs for a long time.  If you are fixing up an old home that contains asbestos, its likely you will disturb it in some way either by sanding, scraping or even just the general handling of it, thus increasing your risk of exposure to its small fibers which can be released into the air and breathed in.
 
Asbestos is not something you should try to remove yourself and if you suspect that the home has it, you should consult with a professional who is qualified to remove it.  If you are worried or uncertain whether asbestos was used in your old home, why not have it inspected?  This way you can know for sure and plan the next steps to take.

​On occasion, the need may arise to enter a crawlspace under the home.  This is not generally the most pleasant space to enter as its usually a damp, dark place that goes undisturbed for long periods of time.  This unpleasant environment can also have a number of hidden dangers that anyone entering should be aware of.  What kinds of dangers are we talking about?  Here are a few:
 
All of the above-mentioned conditions that are unpleasant to humans can be the ideal place for mold and fungi to grow.  Standing water or sewage could also be found in an under-home crawlspace.  These are all problems that come with known health risks.
 
Rodents, insects or other animals are another issue you might encounter.  There is a real need for caution with this as some creatures might be poisonous or dangerous, especially if they start to feel threatened or cornered and it would also be very difficult to move out of the way in such a tight space.
 
If you are concerned that the home may have some structural problems it is important that you do not enter the crawlspace.  Instead, have a professional come and perform an inspection on the home to make sure you don’t put yourself at risk.
 
If you decide that it is necessary for you to enter the under crawlspace of the home, make sure you wear the proper protective equipment and clothing so that you avoid being exposed to whatever may be down there.  It is also extremely important that someone else knows you are down there and what you are doing so that they are available to raise an alarm if you run into problems.  

​As we are well aware here, there are parts of the country where temperatures stay high for long periods of time.  This often leads to the need to look for ways of saving on indoor cooling costs.  One way to do this is with a cool roof.  Although there are different methods of installing a cool roof, it is generally done by applying a special coating on the existing roof or by using a single ply membrane.  What does this do? Instead of absorbing the suns radiation and heating a building up even more, a cool roof is designed to reflect the radiation enabling the building to keep cooler.
 
Is this worth it you may ask? How much can you really save with a cool roof?  Well, some cool roof reflecting materials are known to reduce a roofs temperature by a much as 100 degrees.  There is also the potential to benefit from utility rebates by installing a cool roof.  When we see facts like this, it’s easy to see that significant savings could be made with indoor cooling costs. 
 
Another benefit is that a cool roof will help to prevent air conditioning units from becoming overloaded which can happen when temperatures are especially high.  In cities and large towns, this often leads to blackouts or brownouts because buildings retain too much heat for air cooling systems to cope with.  Cool roofs help in reducing the amount of heat those buildings absorb, lowering electrical demand. 
 
Before you decide whether a cool roof is right for you make sure you look at any possible disadvantages that may come from this type of roof.  

​A bad odor in your new home can be a really frustrating problem.  One of the worst offenders is tobacco odor, not to mention the brown oily residue that nicotine leaves behind which sticks to everything.  So, if you have this problem in your new home, what can you do?
 
You will likely have to employ a variety of methods to eliminate a tobacco odor problem.  To start with, make sure the home is well ventilated by leaving windows and doors open for as long as possible.  You will also want to use odor absorber's placed around the home, be sure these absorb the odor and not just mask it with another smell.  Baking soda, citrus peel and coffee grounds are all good natural odor absorber's.  Replace HVAC or air conditioning unit filters.
 
There may be some items left behind by the previous owner that you want to keep.  Blinds are usually one such item.  Take them all down and soak in a tub of soapy water, then give them a scrub and hang to dry out.  When cleaning hard surfaces, use a detergent that contains ammonia which is good for removing nicotine (not good for wooden surfaces though).  It is advisable to replace all the bulbs in the home, this is because when turned on, they will warm up and any nicotine residue on them will diffuse a bad odor into the room.  You could also try cleaning them.
 
It may just be better to replace some items in the home.  Carpets are a good example of this as it is very hard to remove nicotine from them.  Before you install a new carpet, however, its important the flooring underneath has been thoroughly cleaned and dried out.  Before painting a wall, ask for advice on which paint is best to use as very often you will see nicotine start to seep through the paint.
 
Following these tips should help you be well on your way to a fresh smelling home in no time. 

​Deciding which real estate agent to hire to find your perfect property may not seem like a big deal, after all, there are so many experienced realtors out there.  But, when you think about what a huge investment buying a home is, its clear to see the need for the right people to help you with the process.  This is especially true if you are a first-time buyer.  So, how can you choose the right real estate agent for you?
 
One thing you should not be afraid to do is ask questions.  Ask a potential real estate agent questions like: What makes you stand out from other realtors? How much experience do you have with finding the kind of property I’m looking for? Don’t settle for generic answers but ask for specific examples.  Its also good to find out if they own property themselves.  If they do, they will have firsthand experience in what the whole process involves and can help you with this.  It may also help to find out if they are working full time or part time in real estate.  A full-time person may have more of a handle on current market trends and updated laws etc. 
 
Another thing to remember is that not all real estate agents have experience in every kind of real estate.  For example, if you are a first-time buyer with a limited budget, you wouldn’t want to go with a realtor who is only experienced in selling high priced luxury property, and vice versa.  So, be sure to look for someone who will fit your personal needs and requirements, someone who will do everything to find the right type of property for you.

​Indoor mold, if not taken care of, can cause a number of health concerns.  If you have mold in your home, perhaps you’re wondering if it is a problem you can take care of yourself.  The answer depends on a variety of factors but if the problem area is smaller (usually less than 10 square feet) you should be able to take care of it yourself. 
 
Its important to find out first what is causing mold to grow inside your home.  Mold has to have water in order to grow so you want to find out the source of the water and immediately fix any leaks or other reasons for the water issue.  There is no point in cleaning up the mold if you have not fixed the cause as it will most likely grow back. 
 
Although you can use detergent and water for scrubbing mold off hard surfaces, this may not work for more absorbent items such as carpets which you might have to throw out.  Before you paint a surface that has had mold on it, make sure it has been cleaned up and completely dried or you may find the paint will start to peel.  You do not want to caulk a moldy surface either. 
 
It is very hard to remove the stains caused by mold so if you find it is on curtains, cushions or other soft furnishings,  you may find it useful to call a specialist in furniture restoration who can advise you on what to do. 
 
Always wear protective clothing and a respirator when cleaning up a mold problem and don’t allow others to be in the area without protection during clean up.  Before starting the job of mold cleanup in you home, you may find it helpful to seek the advice of a professional who can let you know if this is something you can take care of yourself.

​Most homeowners know that they should have their HVAC systems serviced once a year to keep them in good working order and maintain a good indoor air quality.  However, the HVAC filter should be changed more often, if not, this could contribute to a potentially hazardous indoor environment.  So, how often does the filter need to be changed?
 
While a lot depends on the level of use the HVAC system gets, the filter should be replaced every 3 months.  There are circumstances, though, when it is advisable to change the filter even more frequently than that.  If you have a large household this usually generates more dust and dirt.  Pets in the home produce pet dander and dust.  Family members who have allergies or those who like to smoke indoors.  These are all situations where it would be beneficial to change a filter more regularly, perhaps even once a month.  It is not just dust produced indoors that will affect the need to change the HVAC filter, outdoor elements also make their way into the home which can have an impact on indoor air quality.  You may want to think about changing your filter regularly if you live in an area surrounded by construction, agriculture or even if there have been wildfires close by.
 
If you see damage to the filter or notice it is damp or wet, change it immediately.  This could produce a toxic environment such as mold spores entering the air.  As we can see, HVAC filters do a lot to promote a clean air quality in the home so, don’t forget to check them and change them regularly.

​Perhaps you’ve been told that you should have your home tested for radon.  While you will want to do everything for the safety of the household, do you know what radon is?  The following video will help you find out the answer.  It will also help you to understand why radon can be so dangerous if found in high levels in the home. 
 
Because radon is a colorless, odorless gas, testing for it is the only way to determine how high of a level the home might have.  When buying a home its important to include a radon test as part of the home inspection, this way you will be purchasing a home with no hidden dangers.  

​With all the emphasis we receive on protecting the environment, perhaps you’ve been considering alternate energy sources for your home.  Solar power is one option which has many advantages and is an excellent source of renewable energy.  But, before you go ahead and install solar paneling in your home, there are a few things to keep in mind so that you can make a well-informed decision.
 
Firstly, its important to be aware that if your desire is to power your entire home with solar energy, you will need a lot more than one or two solar panels.  Although technology is advancing in this regard, you will still require a large solar paneling system which will cost a lot to install and maintain and you will need the space to put it.  Much of the time, solar panels are installed on a roof but, this could create a challenge when roof repairs are needed.
 
Perhaps one of the most obvious statements is that to be effective as a reliable energy source, solar power needs a constant supply of sunlight.  A lot of factors can hinder this such as degrees of latitude, clouds and the setting of the sun every day.
 
If you are very environmentally conscious, its important to be aware that there are materials used in solar panels and the batteries they require which are known to be damaging to the environment.  Also, with time, solar paneling will start to deteriorate and need maintenance. 
 
As we can see, solar paneling has numerous advantages but its important to go into the process of installing them with full knowledge of the disadvantages as well. 

​When applying for a loan to buy a house a lender will generally require a credit report.  The decision the lender makes with regard to approving your loan will often depend on what your credit report reveals.  For example, it lets the lender know if you’re someone who pays their bills on time or if you have a lot of debt.  Naturally, then, you will want to have a good credit report, so what are some things you can to that will improve it?
 
One important way is to never miss a credit card payment.  If you find it hard to remember the due date, set up an automatic payment plan that will at least pay the minimum amount due.  This will help to ensure no late payments and you will avoid the fees that go with it. 
 
Do you have credit cards you no longer use? If so, contact the companies and cancel the cards.  Having multiple accounts open might make a lender think you are allowing yourself too much available credit which could put yourself in economic danger.  It’s not a good idea, however, to cancel your oldest credit card because this will show a lender that you have a longer credit history.
 
Obtain a copy of your credit report before you go ahead and apply for your loan.  Every 12 months you are legally entitled to one free copy of your credit report so take advantage of this.  Finding out your credit report ahead of time will allow you to be prepared ahead.  Sometimes a credit report might contain an error that could affect your loan application.  If you find this error first it would enable you to have the issue fixed before you start the application process. 
 
Buying a home is a huge decision to make and you will want to give yourself the best chance of being approved for a mortgage.  Trying to improve your credit report will help you to be better prepared to go through the process.