Real Estate Information Archive

Radon Information 

​   January has been designated by the EPA as Radon Action Month. Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions about Radon, and the topic is not widely understood by the general public. Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer (only cigarette smoke is higher), and is a radioactive gas that results from the natural breakdown of Uranium in the ground. Radon testing is not regulated in Michigan, as it is in some states. The professionals conducting Inspections have taken Radon Testing Certification courses and understand Radon properties and testing protocols. We have compiled a list of 5 common Radon myths and misconceptions below. For the full EPA guide, click on the following link: EPA Buyer and Seller Guide   Radon Myths and Misconceptions Radon Myth #1: My neighbors tested low for Radon, so I should be OK     Facts: "You cannot predict Radon levels based on state, local, and neighborhood measurements. Do not rely on Radon test results taken in other homes in the neighborhood to estimate the Radon level in your Home. Homes which are next to each other can have different indoor Radon levels. Testing is the only way to find out what your home's Radon level is." -pg 4 of EPA doc linked above. Radon Myth #2: My home is less than 10 years old   Facts: Radon levels have nothing to do with the age of your home. Radon originates from the natural decay occurring in the ground. New construction homes are just as likely to have Radon as hundred year old homes.   There are Radon resistant new construction techniques available, which are less expensive than installing an after-market mitigation system. Make sure to consult your builder if you plan on building a new home. Radon Myth #3: My home doesn't have a basement, so I won't have Radon   Facts: As long as your home sits on the ground, Radon could be an issue - even with a slab or crawl space foundation.    Testing is the only way to be certain what Radon levels you have. Radon settles in the lowest level of your residence. Radon testing may not be necessary if: you have an unfinished basement that you do not spend significant time in; if you live in an upper level apartment or condo unit. Radon Myth #4: I have lived here for years, there is no need to test now   Facts: Reducing Radon levels you are exposed to can reduce the chance of long-term harmful effects - just as a smoker that stops smoking will improve their long-term risk factors.   One type of Equipment used is the Radalink high end Radon Monitors for testing. The monitors are calibrated yearly by Radalink per EPA standards, and take readings for humidity and temperature during testing in order to validate the accuracy of test results. Every test is reviewed by a Radalink technician upon completion, and test results and reporting are typically available within an hour of completion. Radon Myth #5: Radon problems cannot be fixed, and could make my home difficult to sell   Facts: There are solutions to Radon issues in homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs.   Radon testing is easy. Most inspectors conduct a 48 hour test with a monitor smaller than a shoe box, and tests your living area during normal, everyday living conditions.   Use an Inspector who is an independent Radon tester and is not affiliated with any Radon mitigation service.   Call us today for more information and schedule a test for your peace of mind and your family's health and safety.  Find Inspectors using the Links page under Resources tab above and look for Home inspectors link We hope this information has been helpful. Feel free to share it with anyone you think may benefit from it.      tom stachler, realtor, broker, ann arbor, radon, information, resources, michigan, saline, dexter, home, inspections, pricing, testing, builder, standards, houses, homes, property, purchaser, seller, scheduling, appointments

Michigan Fall Home Maintenance Check List:

Outdoors:

- Check caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. Even the tiniest cracks in these areas can allow enough water in to do some serious damage and also potential mold issues.  In addition, check exterior paint as well and touch up as needed.

- Check your roof for exposed nails, nail pops, and missing shingle(s). These are very important maintenance repairs before winter, as freezing water expands as it becomes ice, which can damage any area where water exists.

- Clean gutters - keeping your gutter systems clean and maintained is one of the most important ways to keep water away from your home's foundation.  Keep water flowing AWAY from you home!

- Cover your exterior air conditioning compressor unit. Most manufacturers recommend not running your AC below 65 degrees, as it can damage the unit (check your owner's manual). Covering the exterior unit when you are finished using it for the season will keep debris and additional moisture out of the unit.   Help keep it clean

- Trim dead limbs on trees and bushes - trimming dead tree branches before winter can prevent them from falling with the weight of snow and ice, which can cause damage to anything below. In addition, trimming dead limbs can make spring clean up much easier. Rake leaves to keep from killing your grass.

- Flowers - trim perennials and remove annuals. Trimming perennials before winter sends energy to the roots for next season.  Annuals will need to be removed anyway, and spring removal can be messier as the ground is typically more wet in the spring than in the fall.

- Mulch young plants - give newer trees and shrubs a fresh 2-4" layer of fresh organic mulch to keep the plantings warm and control water runoff and soil erosion as we head into colder temperatures

- Blow out sprinkler systems.  Hire this task out if you don't own an air compressor or need help with this task. Do not try this yourself without proper research or you may damage your sprinkler system.

- Repair and seal driveway cracks. Water entering cracks and expanding during freezing can damage driveways and walkways.

- Drain hoses and shut off outdoor water valves. Disconnect hose from the faucet to allow frost free hose bibs to work properly.

- Clean and seal wood decks.

Indoors:

- Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The NFPA recommends smoke detectors be tested once a month. In addition, make sure you have a fire extinguisher accessible with instructions attached and everyone in your home knows where it is located.  For more information on smoke alarm safety,

- Replace furnace filter.   In addition, change your humidity setting on your furnace humidifier to a comfortable setting.  Fall is also a great time to have your furnace inspected, as it most likely hasn't been used for months.  Remember you humidifier filter as well. Make sure to schedule an inspection well in advance as this is a busy season for HVAC professionals.

- Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for lint and debris.  One of the more common causes of home fires is clogged dryer vents, as lint is highly combustible. Typical recommendations are to clean these once per year or more often if you have more than 2 people in the home.

- Sweep chimneys.  It is important to keep your chimney clean for proper airflow and ventilation. Chimneys used for exhaust ventilation, including gas appliances like furnaces and hot water heaters, need to be properly maintained to avoid health and safety issues.

- Ceiling fans.  Clean  your ceiling fans and reverse your fans if needed.  Ceiling fans should be pushing warm air down in the fall and winter for proper air circulation.

- Check  sump pumps.  If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working properly.  There are several types of systems.  Check your owner's manual for testing and maintenance schedules.

tom stachler, real estate, for sale, Lease, one, michigan, broker, realtor, homes, houses, maintenance, fall, preparation, ann arbor, ypsilanti, saline dexter, mi, roof, landscaping, gutters, fix, repair

Please let me know if you would like to view the video below.  Just Email me for the latest password.  

This is a Great Video about how to stage your Home for a successful sale, etc.  

tom stachler, home sales, broker, ann arbor, saline, michigan, real estate, one, for sale, Lease, preparation, staging, options, listing agreements, prep, ready, fix, up, punch, list, realtor, recommended

Always Here to Help - Let us Hear from you for Any Reason

I am inviting you to stop by our website often at www.SalineRealty.com where I post blogs and other information in my effort to keep the community informed about what is happening in the local real estate market.

Also, I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that I value you and your good will.  I hope someday we will have the opportunity to work together again however, building life long relationships is what gives me the greatest joy and satisfaction in my career as a Broker/Realtor®.

I would be happy to mail you a copy of my personal brochure to give you a little more background information about me and my business philosophy.  I hope you will take a moment to request and later read it.  My objective is to become your Realtor®/Broker long before you actually need one.  I hope when you have a real estate need, question or contractor discount referral,  you will give me the opportunity to help you even if its just a recommendation or perhaps guide you to one of the many resources found on my various websites that are also just waiting to serve you. 

Even if you aren’t planning to buy or sell a Home for years, I want you to feel comfortable calling me if you have any questions about real estate, your home care or the community.

I am here to help you in any way I can. 

I look forward to building Life Long Relationships with the people I meet.   We can also help with finding or marketing any property as a trusted advisor.  

We don't sell Real estate, rather we smoothly help people change their lives.  

Click this link if you are Looking for Real Estate for Sale in Ann Arbor Michigan or the surrounding areas

Looking for a quick ballpark price on your property?  Get instant automatic Results......Try our new self serve web service at www.MyPrice.Guru and let us know what you think.  

Have a great day!   

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Summer is here and with it comes children playing outside, backyard barbecues, and time spent enjoying the summer sun. Creating a functional backyard can be an easy process and is attainable on any budget. Use these tips to create the backyard of your dreams:

• Adding a deck to a Home helps to extend the indoor living space and greatly adds to the outdoor appeal. In addition to helping to define the space, a deck provides a place for seating, dining, and entertaining. It is estimated that almost 88% of the cost of a deck is recouped when a home is sold.
• Whether it is constructed from wood, bricks, or stone, a patio provides the perfect setting for outdoor gatherings. This budget-friendly backyard addition can be personalized with a fire ring, flowers, patio furniture, or a wide-variety of other items. Small patios help to create an intimate feel in a garden, while a larger area is ideal for entertaining.
• Gardens are a great way to add personality and color to a space. Whether it is flowers or vegetables, a garden is something that provides beauty, enjoyment, and produce. Adding a water feature to the garden continues to enhance the space.
• Adding a sunroom is the ultimate way to create a functional backyard space. A sunroom provides a comfortable way to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature while also containing a protective element during inclement weather. Sunrooms are noted as one of the top ten ways to add value to your home, and coming in at about half of the cost of a regular room, it is easy to see why sunrooms appeals to so many people.

The recent downturn in the economy affected many sectors of the business world. The real estate market was no exception. After a stagnant market, real estate professionals were pleased to see pending Home sales increase in March. This came after a nine month lull where the market saw no gains.

According the Nationals Association of Realtors, the Pending Homes Sales Index rose 3.4%. This index is the leading indicator for national pending sales. A pending sale occurs when the contract has been signed, but the deal has not yet moved to closing. Most often the sale is closed within a month or two of the contract being signed. The Pending Homes Sales Index is based upon a large national sample, which usually represents approximately 20% of all existing home sales.

This 3.4% gain is still approximately 7.9% below where pending sales where in March of 2013. Pending sales being under where they were a year ago was observed all across the country. Sales were down 10.1% in the Midwest and 5.3% in the South compared to a year ago. The dismal winter was concerned to be part of the reason for the gain in pending sales. More people were starting to get out and more homes were beginning to go on the market. Sales activity is expected to continue to rise as more inventory comes onto the market and financial confidence continues to improve.

Home sales are expected to exceed 4.9 million this year, down from 5.1 million in 2013, and limited inventory is expected to cause home values to rise between 6 and 7%. Analysts predict that now is a great time to place a house for sale.

Seeing the pending home sales increase in March gives many people in the real estate industry confidence that the rest of the spring and summer market will follow.

When you have your Home on the market and you're looking for a buyer, every little detail counts. You need to be aware of the biggest turn-offs for homebuyers so that you don't have to worry that a small detail you've overlooked is scaring off buyers who might otherwise be ready to make a decent offer on your property. A few simple touchups on your home will make a big difference if you've unknowingly left one of the following turn-offs visible to those who come to view your home.

• Outdated décor features– When was the last time you put some thought into the interior décor of your rooms? Potentials buyers might be making note of the dated look of your home. Even subconsciously, buyers might be put off from making an offer on your home because you need to have your appliances, furniture, or décor modernized.
• Cluttered interiors– If you've always preferred a comfortable sloppiness in your home, you might want to reconsider while your home is on the market. A cluttered interior can detract from the appeal of your home in a variety of ways. It could make your home look less spacious and less clean. Take a look around. If you can't see a lot of open floor or table space, you might want to put some thought into clearing away the clutter and letting your beautiful property shine through.
• An unrealistic asking price– Of course, everyone who is trying to sell a home wants to get a good offer that will make their original home purchase a good investment. However, it's important to realize that you might come across as overly demanding if your asking price is something that no one is possibly going to be willing to offer you on your property. If your home has been on the market a while without any offers, try lowering your asking price and see what happens.
• Overdue maintenance– When you're showing your home, you might assume that simply explaining that a bit of imminent maintenance is needed will be considered an inconsequential detail by would-be buyers. However, they might actually read a lot into the fact that you've been putting off maintenance and become suspicious that the property has not been well maintained throughout your residency.

Once you've remedied the biggest turn-offs for homebuyers mentioned above, you might be presently surprised to receive a long-awaited offer.

Spring is a great time to get to work on the following four spring projects to boost your Home's curb appeal that can help improve the exterior appearance of your home. The warm weather means that more people will be out and about in your neighborhood, and you might want to put some effort into making your home look presentable from the road- especially if it's currently on the market and you're looking for a buyer.

Consider the following four maintenance projects if you're keen on making your home look great this spring:

• Implement a landscape design- Unfortunately, many homeowners engage in landscaping efforts as something of an afterthought. Yet if you get started in the spring, you can revolutionize your home's landscaping and make it so that you're home's surroundings grab the attentions of passersby.
• Make some touch-ups- As time goes on, the paint job on your home will begin to look aged. A great way to drastically change the appearance of your home through one simple home improvement job is to repaint or touch up the paint job on the exterior of your home. You should also consider pressure washing the surface of your home's exterior to prevent infestations of mildew or mold.
• Fix up your roof- Any flaws on the roof of your home are very noticeable to those viewing the exterior of your home from a distance. Not only do saggy gutters and missing or damaged shingles look bad, but they can also make your home susceptible to the elements. Protect your home from leaks and other water damage caused by an aging roof by fixing up your roof and gutters this spring.
• Fence off your yard- If there is a fence that marks your yard's boundaries, you should pay attention to how it's looking. A fence that looks old and damaged can give a home a rundown look. A simple paint job or a pressure washing can work wonders in improving the appearance of your fence. Best of all, this job doesn't typically take up much time. Fixing up your fence should be doable in a weekend, but it makes a big difference in the appearance of the exterior of your home.

You're got plenty of time to engage in one or all of these four spring projects to boost your home's curb appeal to make your home look great this summer!