10 Ways to Get Rid of Mold in Your Home

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10 Ways to Get Rid of Mold in Your Home

Whether you’re a home buyer, homeowner, or home seller, mold poses a wide range of problems, from cosmetic issues to serious health hazards. According to the Alliance for Healthy Homes, more than 1,000 types of molds have been found in U.S. homes, and approximately 6-10 percent of the general population, and 15-50 percent of people who are genetically prone to develop allergies, are allergic to mold.

Surprisingly, some of today’s advanced building techniques unwittingly foster mold growth in the home. As buildings are increasingly designed to prevent the infiltration and exfiltration of air, the materials used lock in moisture and humidity. Older homes are at risk thanks to leaky windows and roofs that bring in even more moisture.

Finding and removing mold is of the utmost importance, whether you intend to sell your home in the near future or not. Here, from home inspection experts, Pillar To Post (www.pllartopost.com), are 10 tips for combating mold in your home:

1. Call in a home inspection professional to assess water-damaged areas.

2. Keep humidity low. Humidity levels should be under 40% in order for mold to stop its forward march.

3. Replace any carpets and furniture that have ever been significantly damaged (i.e., saturated in water), even if they look OK on the outside.

4. Carpet in a bathroom or basement is never a good idea. Remove any that exists in those areas in your home.

5. Use an air conditioner during the summer months, even if it’s set at a relatively high temperature, like 80. Use fans to circulate air.

6. Dust and clean furniture regularly, and vacuum carpets at least once a week (make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter).

7. Provide adequate ventilation in hot areas. The kitchen and bath are two of the highest-risk rooms for mold. Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom.

8. When you’re shopping for house paint for big or small painting projects, ask the sales rep about mold inhibitors you can add before painting.

9. Does your central air system have a fan from the Ford Pinto era? If so, replace it with a high-performance electrostatic air filter. Your local HVAC technician can help with this.

10. Don’t neglect areas underneath the house—have a professional drain and ventilate all sub-basement areas, especially crawl spaces.

If you do find mold in your home, remove it with a store-bought anti-fungal solution, or get rid of it with a weak bleach solution—1 cup bleach in 1 gallon of water. Or, if mold exists in a larger area, call in a professional to help.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Barbara Corsi BCorsi@Rockcliff.com J. Rockcliff Realtors Office: 925-253-7045 Mobile: 925-788-7589 http://www.BarbaraCorsi.com

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Remodeling? Know which Projects Will Increase Your Home's Value

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Remodeling? Know which Projects Will Increase Your Home's Value

With many home buyers choosing to stay put as opposed to selling their home in the current marketplace, remodeling projects are gaining new ground. However, before you set out on your remodeling project, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) advises homeowners to make sure they’re getting the most value out of their remodeling dollars.

In my years of experience as a real estate professional, I have seen first-hand how the right home improvements can add to your home’s value…especially today when equity has been so hard hit. Wise remodeling decisions will also help command a higher selling price if and when it comes time to put your home on the market. To help guide you, NARI offers the following suggestions when considering a remodeling project:

• Exterior home improvements such as roofing, siding, windows and doors are subject to the elements and usually need to be replaced after a number of years. In terms of re-sale value, updated exteriors give sellers an edge over buyers who are attracted to your home before entering.

• According to Energy Star, half of a home’s energy use is dedicated to heating and cooling. If a system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it. New, energy-efficient systems are not only more cost-effective but are also better quality.

• All homes benefit from increased insulation and sealing, regardless of climate. Older homes are traditionally under-insulated compared to new homes, and recent insulation innovations like spray foam or cellulose increase the ability to trap air inside. Proper insulation evens temperature flows, reduces energy use and has long-term benefits.

• Kitchen and bath renovations continue to be winning remodeling choices, as homeowners continue to see the value in updating high-functioning areas of the home that are used frequently. Be sure to take universal design concepts into account, increasingly incorporated into kitchen and bath areas to accommodate people of all sizes, abilities and ages.

While it may be acceptable to handle cosmetic updates to your home on your own—such as painting—be sure to contact a qualified professional for larger remodeling jobs like the above. Also, if your home remodel is large scale in nature—and potentially cost prohibitive—consider “phased” remodeling, where projects are broken into phases over time, for a long-term project plan.

Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Barbara Corsi BCorsi@Rockcliff.com J. Rockcliff Realtors Office: 925-253-7045 Mobile: 925-788-7589 http://www.BarbaraCorsi.com

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5 Easy Steps to Utilize Home Security Systems

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5 Easy Steps to Utilize Home Security Systems

With the official start of the summer season right around the corner, homeowners across the country are beginning to anticipate the longer days, warmer weather and family vacations that define the season. As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I understand the importance of keeping your home safe and secure—whether you are at the office or out of town.

The following home security system tips from alarm.com will not only keep your house safe during the summer travel season, but also offer peace of mind for homeowners looking to protect the largest purchase they will most likely ever make.

1. Make yourself at home. Set up motion sensors throughout the home to communicate all activity. Even if the security system is disarmed, you can still find out what’s going on at home. Interactive security systems can keep track of both alarm and non-alarm events making it easy to find out when the kids get home from school, when the delivery truck arrives or when the cleaning crew leaves.

2. Put security in your pocket. Homeowners constantly on-the-go rely on their cell phones to regularly check in with people who matter to them. Checking in on your home is no different. Simply download a free mobile app to control the security system and monitor the home when on-the-go. Today, security apps for iPhone, BlackBerry or Android devices enable arming and disarming of the security system from afar and also the ability to watch live or recorded video footage from security cameras while away from home.

3. See your way to safety. A security system can truly become a window to your world. To watch over the house while away, use any smartphone or computer with access to the Internet to manage and monitor video surveillance cameras. Even view live video of your kids playing in the basement or save clips of visitors at the front door to know who came to the house. Control your camera settings right from a cell phone and, when video footage is recorded in important areas, receive clips via email and text message to stay aware of what’s happening at home.

4. Use your security system to stay informed. No matter where you are, stay connected to home with a wireless home security system. Set up custom email and text message alerts to stay informed about events that matter to you. Be alerted whenever the security system is armed or disarmed. Or find out about a power failure or a water leak in the basement before it’s too late.

5. Make your security system even smarter. There are endless ways to use a security system to protect your home. With home energy management features integrated into the system, lights can automatically turn off when you leave for the day. An integrated home automation solution will allow you to lock all the doors in just one click when the security system is armed, turn down the thermostats according to daily routines and assist in setting up personalized user codes for any visitors who come to the house when you’re away.

Be sure to put your home security system to good use when you are away from home this summer. Feel free to contact me for additional ways to protect your home and please forward this on to any friends or family that may be traveling this summer.

Sincerely,

Barbara Corsi BCorsi@Rockcliff.com J. Rockcliff Realtors Office: 925-253-7045 Mobile: 925-788-7589 http://www.BarbaraCorsi.com

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Tips for a Successful Kitchen Remodel

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Tips for a Successful Kitchen Remodel

There’s no way around it—everyone gathers in the kitchen. Often the heart and soul of our home, the kitchen is also one of the critical areas that contributes—or detracts—from the value of your home.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have witnessed over and over how the kitchen can make or break a home buyer’s decision. Whether you’re planning to put your home on the market soon or simply want to enhance the functionality and atmosphere of your home, a kitchen renovation is always a good idea—it will pay dividends in terms of value, whether in the near or far future.

Your kitchen remodel should be approached with careful consideration and planning to ensure the best outcome. As all kitchen experts will tell you, the best designs are based on the “work triangle”—the space among the prep area, cooking area and sink. A good kitchen design ensures that there is never less than four feet or more than nine feet between these areas.

Here are some other key tips to follow when planning your kitchen remodel:

1. Create a Budget. According to the Kitchen & Bath Association, while some remodels are more extensive than others, the average kitchen remodel costs between 10-20% of the home’s value. Leave a 10-15% cushion for surprises, such as unexpected structural repairs. Also avoid settling for a cheap option, thinking someday you will replace it with something you really want. Chances are that will never happen.

2. Determine Your Priorities. Your kitchen design should be predicated on lifestyle. Do you have a large family? Do you love to cook? Entertain? Factors like these will determine both layout and the types of appliances you purchase.

3. Research. Don’t jump headlong into a remodel. Take advantage of the copious resources available to research what you really want from your kitchen. Watch TV remodeling programs, start a notebook with magazine clippings, attend remodeling seminars (usually free at your local home improvement store), visit home shows, kitchen showrooms, neighborhood tours, etc.

4. The Right Expert. Get referrals from friends, neighbors and your real estate professional, and then interview kitchen designers. Have them come to your home so they can see your current kitchen and make recommendations.

5. Take Your Time. Don’t rush! Approach each of the above steps with careful consideration. Changing your mind after the project is started typically adds about $1,500 to the cost of a kitchen project.

6. Get Everything in Writing. No doubt you’ve heard a horror story or two of remodels gone wrong. When using a professional for a remodel, the written contract should list each phase of the project; every product, including the model number; and copies of each contractor’s license, and workers compensation and liability insurance to confirm they are current.

Heeding the above tips should put you well on your way to a successful kitchen remodel. Please feel free to contact me for more information or for referrals on professionals to work with. Also be sure to send this email on to those who may be considering a kitchen remodel.

Sincerely,

Barbara Corsi BCorsi@Rockcliff.com J. Rockcliff Realtors Office: 925-253-7045 Mobile: 925-788-7589 http://www.BarbaraCorsi.com

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What You Need to Know: Essential Information about Mortgages

Hello, Valued Member! Top 5 in Real Estate Network® Members are dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date, helpful real estate information. This monthly newsletter, "Real Estate Matters," offers articles on a range of topics that will inform you in your real estate pursuits. Having trouble seeing this email? Click to view it as a web page. Add newsletter@rismedia.com to your address book to ensure email delivery. Buying Selling Owning Financing Home Improvement My Website My Listings Barbara Corsi GRI, SRES Realtor J. Rockcliff Realtors My Website Member, Top 5 in Real Estate Phone: 925-253-7045 Mobile: 925-788-7589 Fax: 925-402-8022 BCorsi@Rockcliff.com Top 5 Members are uniquely qualified to not only help you get educated on important information related to your real estate interests and pursuits, but make them as effortless as possible. Only Top 5 Members can provide you with the kind of exclusive information found here in Real Estate Matters - a monthly look at what's really happening in the housing market. It's a privilege to provide you with this important information. Enjoy this monthly e-newsletter, and as always, your feedback is welcomed - call or email any time! This Month's Top Story What You Need to Know: Essential Information about Mortgages RISMEDIA, May 5, 2011—As the housing market continues to struggle, home buyers appear ill-prepared to take out a mortgage, answering basic questions about mortgage information wrong nearly half (46 percent) of the time, according to a Zillow® Mortgage Marketplace survey. In fact, 44 percent admitted they are not confident in their knowledge of mortgages or the mortgage process. Zillow® Mortgage Marketplace, with Ipsos, surveyed prospective home buyers, asking them to gauge their own knowledge of mortgages, and asking basic questions about mortgage facts. More Top Stories Staging Enables Sellers to Portray a Lifestyle That Prospective Buyers Can Relate and Aspire To RISMEDIA, May 5, 2011—(MCT)—Craig and Amy Smith always felt quite confident, even cocky in their abilities to tastefully design the spacious interior of their steel-and-concrete loft in downtown Denver. How to Manage Unexpected Home Expenses RISMEDIA, May 5, 2011—(MCT)—Homes are more affordable these days, the selection is abundant, and interest rates are still fairly low. For some people, it could well be a great time to buy. Water Damage - 10 Tips for Homeowners RISMEDIA, May 5, 2011—Water damage in your home, whether caused by rainstorms, burst pipes, a water heater or an appliance that sprung a leak, offers a real challenge for homeowners. There isn’t much you can do to protect yourself in advance, but knowing how to respond in a waterlogged emergency can make a real difference in minimizing the damage overall. Alarm Systems - How Important Are They to Your New Home? RISMEDIA, May 5, 2011—According to FBI statistics, a home is burglarized every 14 seconds in the United States, and homes without an alarm system are three times more likely to be broken into. Have You Heard About The Top 5 Real Estate Social Networking SystemSM? Sign up to receive my free, weekly e-Articles - brief, compelling, home-related informational articles that you or your family and friends will find helpful in pursuing your real estate goals! Here are some article samples recently sent out to my Real Estate Social Network: Tips for a Successful Kitchen Remodel How a Mortgage Can Help Your Finances 7 Tips for Decorating on a Budget Answers to 5 Common Questions About Default Email me for more information. * This monthly newsletter is brought to you by your Top 5 in Real Estate Network® Member Agent and is intended as educational information only. RISMedia's Top 5 Real Estate Network® is a network created by, for, and of "leading real estate professionals" who are dedicated to providing "leading real estate information to consumers." The RISMedia Top 5 in Real Estate Network is backed by the commitment and resources of RISMedia. Top 5 was created to fill a profound void in how high-impact consumer relevant information was presented by leading real estate industry members to increasingly sophisticated, discerning, and demanding consumers, in order to both sustain and elevate the ongoing viability and appeal of the industry's leading professionals. For more information, visit www.top5inrealestate.com RISMedia, publisher of Real Estate magazine, is dedicated to providing real estate professionals with the most up-to-date news, information and business development resources in the industry. To submit questions, comments, suggestion, press releases or story ideas, please e-mail realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com. 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