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What buyers and sellers should know about radon. This deadly gas can threaten a home sale as well as your health

About one in 15 U.S. homes contain radon—a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that’s linked to 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. And because radon lurks in nearly all soil, it can creep into holes or cracks in the walls or foundation of any home, risking your health if you’re a buyer and quashing the deal if you’re looking to sell.

Radon risks increase in winter, when tightly closed windows and today’s better-sealed homes help trap radon indoors and let levels rise high enough to be harmful. In recognition of National Radon Action Month, here are some ways to protect your health—and keep radon from coming between you and your new home.

If you’re buying a home
Know the radon risk level.
 While high radon levels have been found in all 50 states, it’s more prevalent in some regions than others. Check the maps on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency to see the regions where radon concentration is higher. If you live in one of those areas, every home you’re considering should be radon tested.

 

Be sure your home inspection includes a radon test. Radon tests should be conducted in the lowest level of the home that’s likely to be used regularly. “Many home inspectors offer radon testing services, but radon inspections are not part of a standard home inspection,”  Claude McGavic, executive director of the National Association of Home Inspectors, said. To find a radon inspector, check the EPA’s website or the websites of theNational Radon Proficiency Program or National Radon Safety Board.

 

A radon level of 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) means you’ll need a qualified radon mitigation contractor, according to the EPA, though even levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L are a concern.

If you’re selling a home
Test for radon before putting your home on the market.

You’re better off finding—and alleviating—a radon problem now than having it derail the sale later. The best way to test for radon is to hire a pro. But you can get an initial estimate on your own with a radon test kit. Consumer Reports’ tests yielded one recommended short-term kit, the RTCA 4 Pass Charcoal Canister (about $42 for a two-pack), and one for longer-term testing, the Accustar Alpha Track Test Kit AT 100, about $21. The long-term tests proved more accurate and are also useful for ongoing radon monitoring.

Tell buyers what you’ve done to lower radon levels.

If you’ve already tested your home for radon or installed a radon-reduction system, share the results and information about your system’s operation and maintenance with your buyer. Not only is it the right thing to do, it could provide the peace of mind needed to finalize the sale.

Check radon regulations for your area.

If your state or local government requires disclosure of radon information to buyers, they may ask for a new test, especially if the last test was done more than two years ago, or if you’ve remodeled since the last test (which can affect radon levels).

Whether you’re planning to move or staying put, be sure to check out 10 myths about radon and how to detect a radon threat as well as the EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon.

—Artemis DiBenedetto


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Are you ready to tackle a fixer-upper?

Buying a house that needs some TLC can be rewarding and daunting.

 

If you have the ability to buy a house at less than market value and make it your own. Then rehabbing a house can be fun, and it’s something you’ll take pride in for many years.

 

However, it’s not for everyone. Here are a few basic questions to ask before you buy an older house that needs work.

 

• Can I see beyond cosmetics? A DIY home might be right for you, if you have a basic understanding of mechanicals (heating, plumbing, electrical systems) and a bit of vision. “For instance, a home might not be selling because it has a cramped galley kitchen. If you can envision what it would look like with a wall knocked out, you might get a great value.”
• Do I get a home inspection? An inspection is a good starting point, but be aware that even the most thorough inspection may not show all problems; issues with the roof, gutters and chimney may develop with time, or it may be too cold to inspect the air conditioning system. Exterior conditions are often overlooked, trees, for instance, can cause mold and clog gutters, adding to basement moisture.
• What will renovations cost? Most mortgages don’t allow for renovation expenses, so a DIY-er needs a certain amount of cash in hand, use a spreadsheet and itemize every item. Before hiring any contractor, always get four or five quotes.
• Do I have the resources to handle unexpected issues? It’s the rare rehab project that comes in under — or even close to — budget. After the demolition and renovations begin, dreams tend to increase, and buyers want bigger, better, and more. Unforeseen problems and delays — the warehouse sent the wrong size windows, for instance — tend to crop up once work is underway. A good rule of thumb? Budget 25 percent more than the quote for each job, and have patience with what can seem like an endless process.
• Do I have enough experience? You need to know what you can handle, and what’s better left to the pros. Buyers often make the mistake of thinking they can complete a DIY project without addressing the underlying problems. Oftentimes, buyers talk about how they’ll knock down a wall to open up a room without considering if the wall is load-bearing. Or, maybe they want to add a master suite on a third floor, with no knowledge of how the plumbing will be run.
• What do similar homes in the area sell for? You want to be able to get your money out of the house, even if you’re not planning to sell right away. People go in and buy a house and throw an exorbitant amount of money at it because their friends tell them it will sell for $500,000, You need to be smart about it and research the area; every dollar you spend over market value, you won’t get back.


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How to get your house ready for an home inspection

You need to know, what a home inspector be looking at and how you can prepare for a home inspection? The below listing may be helpful in preparing for a home inspection. Many of these items can be done with little or no cost and many are regular maintenance items for a home.

 

1 Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding. Six (6) or more inches of clearance is preferred.

2 Clean out dirty gutters or debris from the roof.

3 Divert all water away from the house; i.e. downspouts, sump pump, condensation drains, etc. Grade should slope away from the structure. Clean out
basement entry drains.

4 Trim trees, roots and bushes back from the foundation, roof, siding and chimney.

5 Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around the trim, chimney, windows and doors.

6 Clean or replace HVAC filter. Clean dirty air returns and plenum.

7 Point up any failing mortar joints in brick or block.

8 Test all smoke detectors to ensure they are in safe working condition.

9 Have the chimney, fireplace or woodstove cleaned and provide the buyer with a copy of the cleaning record.

10 Don’t do quick cheap repairs. You may raise questions that will unfairly cause great concern to buyers and inspectors.

11 Ensure that all doors and windows are in proper operating condition, including repairing or replacing any cracked window panes.

12 Ensure that all plumbing fixtures (toilet, tub, shower, and sinks) are in proper working conditions. Check for and fix any leaks. Caulk around
fixtures if necessary.

13 Install GFCI receptacles near all water sources. Test all present GFCI receptacles for proper operation.

14 Check sump pump for proper operation.

15 Replace any burned out light bulbs.

16 Remove rotting wood and/or firewood from contact with the house.
17 Caulk all exterior wall penetrations.

18 Check that bath vents are properly vented and in working condition.

19 If windows are at or below grade, install window wells and covers.

20 Have clear access to attic, electrical panel, crawlspace, heating system, garage and other areas that will need to be inspected.

21 If the house is vacant, make sure that all utilities are turned on, including water, electric, water heater, furnace, air condition and breakers
in the main panel.


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