Be sure to do your homework before listing your home for sale. Don't wait for a buyer to find faults with your home. The EPA website(www.epa.gov) has tons of useful information on possible hazards in a home, and you should at least check the following TOP 4 Hazard conditions:
1. Smoke Alarms - Know your state's smoke alarm laws by heart! Some states require one smoke alarm in each bedroom, plus a detector on each floor. Make sure your sellers' home complies - the last thing you want is a delay in a purchase for something as simple as smoke alarms!
2. Lead-Based Paint - If a home was built before 1978, there's a chance that lead-based paint was used. If the paint is peeling, that is not the only danger to be concerned about. Lead-contaminated dust and soil can also pose serious health risks to children and pregnant women if inhaled or ingested. Make certain the buyer knows if there is lead-based paint in the home, and remind them that removal of lead-based paint, if done incorrectly, can result in lead-contaminated dust being released into the air. Visit www.epa.gov/lead for more information.
3. Radon Gas - In January of 2004, the HUD home inspection form for FHA loans (HUD 92564-CN) was modified to include information on radon content in indoor air. This form (updated again in June of 2006) is mandatory for all FHA-insured mortgages, which means a good portion of buyers may request a radon inspection as part of the home inspection process. To find a radon service professional, visit www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html.
4. Asbestos - Asbestos may not be easily identified. Consult with a professional if you are unsure about a material in a home. The Environmental Protection Agency says that "Usually the best thing is to LEAVE asbestos material that is in good condition ALONE." If buyers have concerns, refer them to www.epa.gov/asbestos for current information on asbestos risks.
Taking care of these items prior to listing your home should help you attain a higher purchase price and shorten your time on the real estate market.
Please contact me with any of your Real Estate and/or Relocation needs:
Pam Jank, Realtor, GRI, CRS, ABR, RRS, PPS
Your North Idaho Real Estate Pro
FREE MLS Listings Search at:
Web: Coeur d'Alene Idaho Homes for Sale
email to:pamjank@hotmail.com
Phone: 208-661-2282
Fax: 208-772-628 Toll Free: 800-829-2555 EXT.1275
COLDWELL BANKER SCHNEIDMILLER REALTY
435 W. Hanley Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 838315
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