Karl LaswellBuilding a New Home If you’re building a new home, there are things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights. MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards for buildings constructed under HUD housing programs. … Read more
Home maintenance tips: 1. Check for Any Leaks To ensure home maintenance even a small leak can lead to big problems in your home. Water damage can lead to stains, mold and mildew, as well as potential damage to your walls and flooring. Water damage remediation and restoration can be a costly process, so the … Read more
Buying a Foreclosure – Purchasing foreclosed homes in desirable areas at below-market values can be a sound investment strategy. Appreciation on their original prices may be tax-free. Buying foreclosed rental properties can provide positive cash flow, as well as valuable tax deductions. On the other hand, buying a foreclosure involves homework, patience, and a certain … Read more
Barbeque Safety – With barbecue season already here, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and property safe. Barbeque Propane grills present an enormous fire hazard, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of more than 500 fires that result annually from their misuse or malfunction. The … Read more
Crawlspace Hazards and Inspection – Crawlspaces are host to a large number of conditions that may harm the house or inspectors. Never enter a crawlspace without proper personal protective equipment. Crawlspaces are notorious for the nasty discoveries made there by inspectors, and it isn’t hard to figure out why; for one thing, their cool, dark … Read more
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit-Equity is defined as a home’s current value minus any money owed on the initial mortgage or other loans that use the home as collateral. For instance, if the homeowner has paid off $250,000 of a $400,000 mortgage and the home’s current appraised value is $500,000, the home’s equity is … Read more
Garbage disposals are residential and commercial appliances designed to shred food waste so that it can fit through plumbing. They are usually electrically powered (although occasionally powered by water pressure) and are installed beneath sinks. Despite the convenience afforded by garbage disposals, the strain they can place on septic systems should be weighed against any … Read more
Home Closing Costs – When a home is sold, there is a point in the transaction known as the closing, when the title to the property is transferred to the new owner. The buyer and/or seller commonly incur miscellaneous fees, which are collectively known as closing costs. These fees can be significant, averaging approximately 2% … Read more
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that forms from incomplete combustion of fuels, such as natural or liquefied petroleum gas, oil, wood or coal. Facts and Figures 480 U.S. residents died between 2001 and 2003 from non-fire-related carbon-monoxide poisoning. Most CO exposures occur during the winter months, especially in December (including 56 deaths, … Read more
Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual and small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state and local responsibility. The EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could … Read more