Stacey-Ann's Blog

  Most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, where they are repeatedly exposed to indoor allergens and airborne particles that can lead to respiratory symptoms and conditions.

It has been said that the indoor air quality of an average home is worse than the outside environment!

  According to experts at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and the American Academy of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology(AAAAI)

 

      

Damp environments, poorly maintained heating and air-conditioning systems and carpeting...

 ...may contribute to poor indoor air quality.

 

Damp Buildings
  Since every home's indoor air is filled with a combination of molds, air pathogens, volatile organic compounds, dust mites; it is impossible to view it as a one size fits all. There are simply too many variables.

 But the one thing they all seem to have in common is Water.

 Wet. Moisture. Damp. Humid.

" If there were just two simple things I could do to really fix a building, it would be to change the relative humidity and any water incursion" said Matthew Snow, CIEC, CMRS, CRMI, RMS, CBST Building Scientist and Executive Vice President of Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc. "Seeking out and repairing the source is key. Moisture leads to conditions that are conducive to dust mites and mold, as well as bacteria, yeast and many other living organisms."

Snow pointed to dust mites and mold as particularly worrisome.

      A damp building with high humidity may lead to increased levels of dust mites and mold, leading to increased allergic respiratory symptoms, as well as the worsening of Asthma.     

                                       

It is a vicious cycle!

And even if someone is not allergic, molds may produce mycotoxins and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) that smell bad

.....and may cause respiratory irritation, and Dermatitis

Nearly half of all young people with asthma are allergic to dust mites; aproximately 10 percent of the population is allergic to dust mites.

ALWAYS REMEMBER......Mold requires moisture to grow.

 It takes only 60% relative humidity to have a very significant mold colonization inside your home within 24-48 hours.

 

Indoor Breathing Environment

Although there are many culprits that negatively affect indoor air quality, poorly maintained air-conditioning and carpeting are among the most problematic.

             

A major source of microbial allergens is a poorly maintained heating and air-conditioning( HVAC) system,

According to Snow, up to 30 percent of the air inside a home can come from the attic, parking garage or basement.

One study supported by the EPA found that 75 percent of homes...

had carbon monoxide from the garage inside of the home.

It is pretty disgusting to think that we are being entombed in airtight /under ventilated toxic coffins!

    Thankfully there is a huge interest in greening up construction with sustainable building products and materials

                                  

Much like air conditioning systems, carpeting often harbors allergens, including dust mites and molds.

    

Organisms and particles that become airborne eventually settle in carpeting turning it into a virtual Petrie dish.

                                  

 In damp environments, carpeting provides an ideal environment for mold growth since the padding is a lovely tasty treat!

    Many schools who do not follow Healthy Schools practices, shampoo their carpeting right before school starts at the end of summer when it's humid outside.

There couldn't be a more inopportune time!

Making a Healthier Indoor Environment

To improve indoor air quality there are several construction practices that, when done right, can make a significant difference.

Once built, maintenance becomes key.

 Matthew Snow offers the following advice for home owners' on making their Indoor Environment Healthier:

·  Keep the HVAC system clean. Use an air filter that kills particulates instead of just trapping them.

·  Keep roof drainage at least 6 feet away from foundation

·  Maintain all plumbing and fixtures in good working order. In high humidity areas, wrapping pipes with insulation will prevent excessive water dripping.

·  Have the HVAC system and ductwork inspected and/ or cleaned yearly by an ASHRAE or NADCA Certified Contractor. These should also be wrapped in insulation in high humidity areas.

·  Make cerain there is proper roof ventilation. Gable

or roof ridge vents are ideal.

·  Make certain all kitchen and especially bathroom exhaust ventilation is vented to the outside. NOT the attic!!

·  Do not have any wall- to wall carpeting in any buildings or homes where humidity cannot be controlled!! You are just asking for trouble! If you must, have area rugs that can be removed yearly and taken outside to be cleaned like in the old time days. If you cannot replace carpet, vacuum thoroughly, carefully and methodically so you don't stir dust into the air. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or cyclonic vacuum.

·  Prevent mold and all damp building related contamination at bay by dehumidifying the basement. In unfinished basements, humidity should be kept lower than 50-65% percent. Make sure you do your research before buying an air filtration or dehumidifier since not all are created equally!

·   Have basements checked yearly for Radon.

 

 

Home staging (or property styling as it's commonly known as on the Australian property scene) is really an art, not a science. One of the many things a professional home stager understands is that it's the house that's up for sale, not the home owner's bread baking ability or taste in music. So, from the sublime to the rediculous - here's 8 myths of staging to sell - busted!

1. Buyers can see past my stuff
No - they can't. 95% of house hunters shop with a 'what you see is what you get' eye. You'll be maximising your chances of a better and quicker sale if you take the time to clean out, clean up and keep your look simple.

2. Baking bread, brewing fresh coffee and playing soft music will make a buyer fall in love with my house.
Maybe once upon a time this was true - but most would-be buyers are onto that old trick. It's more likely to trigger alarm bells, with many wondering what it is you're trying to hide. Your buyers will be happy with a place that looks and smells clean.

3. I'll need to clear everything out to help buyers see themselves living here.
This is only partly true. Wall to wall family photos are distracting, as is your porcelain rooster collection. These things are best put away. But don't go overboard, otherwise you'll end up with a look that feels cold and sterile.

4. If it's an original feature - it adds value.
Sometimes yes - but often no. Generally a property built less than 50 years ago without being updated is more likely to appear dated, rather than classic.

5. My place isn't worth staging.
All homes are worth taking the time to present in a positive light to buyers. The trick to knowing where to start and what to do is in having a good idea of what buyers in your target market will expect, along with learning more about what competing properties in your area are offering.

6. Empty rooms look bigger.                                                      

This is rarely the case. Buyers will always prefer to see how a room is used and what will fit in it, rather than be left to guess. Very large rooms can also be too intimidating for some. Even borrowed furniture can help buyers get an idea of scale and give the eye something of interest to focus on.

7. Converting a bedroom into a home gym won't be a problem.
Bedrooms are one of the most valuable commodities of the 'for sale' property. Having a home gym set up in a bedroom will prompt buyers to wonder why that is. I remember once looking at a house where this was the case. When I came across the bedroom with the gym in it, I immediately began to question if a bed would even fit. Always give the rooms in your house a purpose.

8. No need to worry about wardrobes and cupboards.
Home storage is a big deal to most buyers and is surprisingly valuable. Prospective buyers will open storage cupboards in kitchens and bathrooms, so keep them tidy. Keep only what you're using on a daily or weekly basis, and pack the rest away ready for the move.

Have you got a staging myth you'd like busted? Share them with me here.

 

Donna Ross

Great Impressions Real Estate Staging

"I love helping Sydney home owners and real estate agents catch the eye of choosy buyers with their 'for sale' listings, with fast, simple and inexpensive decorating fixes."

KEY CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Where do you want to live? The answer depends on your wants, needs and your budget.  Think about your current lifestyle, the amenities that are most important to you, and the kind of community you want to be a part of. For many people, the community they live in is just as important as the actual house itself.  Since every neighborhood has its own assets and liabilities, start with the basics.  Your REALTOR can search for homes in those neighborhoods that you find desirable and would feel comfortable in.                                                     What types of neighborhoods appeal to you? Do you prefer quiet suburban communities, downtown city living or a rural country setting? Each is unique and has its own advantages.    Being realistic about your needs and the characteristics you desire in a community are important in identifying the areas you want to live in. Based on this information, your REALTOR can arrange for you to look at homes in those communities that appeal most to you. Locating the ideal neighborhood can be time-consuming, but is an important part of the process.    Key Considerations in Choosing a Community... Location, Location, Location! You may have heard the classic adage...buy the modest home on a more expensive street. Doing so, generally results in better resell potential later on and they hold their value well. So, be sure to consider the location of your home carefully.   In considering the right community for you, if may be helpful to drive and walk through those neighborhoods at different times of the day, at night and on weekends, to get a feel if it's a neighborhood you want to live in.   Look carefully at how well the homes are maintained, the noise levels, traffic patterns and overall neighborhood activity.   Neighborhood Trends Pay close attention to what's going on in the neighborhood. If the neighborhood is going downhill, buying a home there could pose problems later down the road when you want to sell. On the flip side, if it's in an up-and-coming neighborhood, buying a home there could be a smart move.   Commute Time and Proximity Take into consideration proximity of the neighborhood in relation to other key areas of your life.  Is it important to be close to Schools? Family? Friends? Work?       Amenities In the Area Think about the amenities available in the community.  Is it important that you can walk to a local carryout or grocery store? Do you want to be close to parks and schools? Are there shopping malls and recreation centers in the area?   These are all important questions to ask when deciding on a neighborhood. Your REALTOR can provide you with information on the amenities available in each community.   Neighborhood Demand Look at the neighborhood demand by asking your REALTOR whether the gap between the list price and sale price is decreasing, what the average sales price over the last several years has been, the number of homes currently on the market in the area, the number of homes that did and did not sell in the neighborhood, etc. Your REALTOR can provide you with valuable information to help you determine if a neighborhood is the right one for you.    Profit Potential Looking to the future, most homeowners decide to sell at some point. In order to protect your hard-earned dollars and your investment...Your Home...you want to make sure it has profit potential. Therefore, when evaluating a neighborhood, you have to evaluate the resale potential of the homes there   A stable neighborhood, where property values at least remain stable, is generally a good choice.  A neighborhood where property values are on the rise is even better.    Consider neighborhoods with a high percentage of owner occupants, a small number of renters, good proximity to a variety of shops and stores, a shorter than average timeframe for homes to be on the market before selling, convenient commuting options to metropolitan areas, etc.   In general, look for are stable or may be "Hot" in the next few years. Although there is no crystal ball to see the future, your REALTOR can provide general information about the potential resell value of a neighborhood.    Other considerations include: Quality of schools Traffic Crime rate Future construction Proximity to parks, schools, work, hospitals, shopping centers, grocery stores, banks, public transportation, prisons, airports, freeways, and cultural centers You want a community that you can feel good about and call home, and one that buyers will want to live in when you are ready to move on.

 

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