​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. 

​The reason a home inspection is so important in the home buying process is because it will reveal issues with the property that you may not be aware of.  While you hope that your dream home doesn’t have any problems with it, if the inspection report does reveal defects, what can you do?
 
This will ultimately depend on the type of issues the property has.  Some issues like the need to replace smoke detectors or a few shingles missing on the roof for example are relatively easy and inexpensive to fix.  There are other problems, however, that could be a lot more serious and could affect whether you purchase the property or not.  Things like structural damage, mold and wood rot etc. would be bigger and much more expensive to fix.  In some cases, they might even be too big of a problem to remedy.  Its clear to see the need to be aware of these things before you take on such a big investment.
 
So, what if your home inspector is a building contractor as well?  Does this mean you can have them fix the problems they find?  This is not always a good idea because it might appear that it was advantageous for the inspector to report problems just so that they can fix them, this would call into question how accurate the home inspection report was.  Don’t be afraid to ask the home inspection company if they are fully aware of and abide by InterNACHI’s Code of Ethics.  An InterNACHI certified home inspector will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and you can be sure to get the most thorough and comprehensive home inspection available.  This way you can be confident about the home you buy.

​We are well aware of the devastating effects natural disasters produce and, here in the United States, we have seen our fair share in recent years.  We are not able to control when or where a disaster might strike but we can try to be as prepared as possible in advance for one.  What are some things we should have in mind?
 
Make sure you have an emergency go kit.  While this kit needs to be small enough to grab in a hurry, it should contain everything you need to survive for a few days in the event of a disaster. 
 
Have an emergency disaster plan.  Discuss this with the household so that they would know exactly what to do in an emergency situation.  This way, if you had to leave your home quickly, everyone would know the plan of action which could help reduce the feeling of panic.
 
Know the location of shut off valves etc. for the home’s utilities.  If electric, water and gas are not turned off in the home during a disaster, returning to the home will be even more hazardous.
 
Take a look around your property and observe areas that might be affected by a natural disaster.  Of course, this would depend on the type of disaster, but a severe storm with heavy winds for example, would affect roofs, trees and make any loose item a possible projectile.  Ahead of time, secure any loose shingles, trim down trees to minimize the chances of them falling and damaging the property and keep gutters and downspouts free of debris.  No doubt, a look around your property will help you see what specific things need to be reinforced. 
 
While we hope you are never affected by an emergency disaster of any kind, being conscious of the possibility and preparing in advance, will help you to be better equipped should it happen.

​The title of this blog asks a good question, especially as we live in an area that has seen a lot of flooding in the past.  So, should you purchase a home that has a previous history of flooding? The answer to that question really depends on the source of the flood and how well the water damage was taken care of.  To help you understand this a little better, here is a short video.  It highlights the potential problems you may encounter if you decide to invest in a flood damaged property. 
 
Purchasing a home is a stressful thing to do and requires a lot work but, you do not have to do all this work by yourself.  We are here to make the home buying process a little easier for you by providing a very thorough and comprehensive home inspection.  We want your home to be a place you can feel comfortable and relaxed in.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions and concerns.
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