Radon. Get Your Home Tested.

For those of us who got through high school, and maybe college Chemistry by the skin of our teeth, we may not be experts on poisonous gases. Never in a million years, as a first time home-buyer, would I have thought to have my home tested for Radon before I made the purchase. Now, it's a daily routine for home inspectors worldwide. First and foremost....what exactly is this Radon that has created such a hype? 

What the HECK is Radon? 

Well, in a nutshell, Radon is a poisonous gas that comes from soil, rock and even water. When Uranium is broken down, a gas is produced that can, at certain levels, be toxic to inhale. This gas enters homes through cracks and holes in the home's foundation. 

Why Is Radon Deadly? 

Radon gas, if inhaled at high enough levels for long enough, can cause lung cancer. So, basically, Radon is a cancer-causing gas. Scary...I know. Now, here are the scary facts: 

Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). 

What are the Odds? 

So, what are the odds of living in a house with elevated Radon levels you may ask? Well, according to the US EPA, "Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more)."

Holy Crud!!! So, basically, the EPA is saying that you have a 7% chance of living in a home with toxic Radon fumes. That's 7% higher than I would want to chance. 

But...the good thing about all of this, is that a Radon problem can be fixed. 

How to Test and Fix the Problem

The EPA suggests testing all floors of home below the third for Radon gases. ESPECIALLY the basement. You can either hire a professional home inspector or a more specific Radon testing company...or, go to your local Lowes or Home Depot store and purchase a DIY kit for around twenty bucks. Either way, the results seem to be accurate. In my experience that is. 

Now...how on earth do you get that nasty gas out of your home? I'm glad you asked. There are a few different ways, but, this guide will tell you everything you need to know for Radon removal: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

Moral of This Radon Story

So, if you are planning on buying or selling a home..PLEASE have the home tested for Radon. There are more homes in our area that are harboring this poisonous gas, especially in Fulton and Gwinnett Counties. check out this local site to get more information: http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/georgia.html

Emily Benner

REAL Estate Expert

PalmerHouse Properties

678.458.2284

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To List or Not to List? That IS the Question.

Should I list my home for sale? If I were to get a dime for every time a property owner asked me this question, well, I'd be sitting on my yacht in the middle of the Pacific right about now. So, I put together a little cheat sheet that will hopefully help these indecisive homeowners get out of that gray area of whether or not to list their property for sale. 

Here are some questions you must ask yourself before you decide. 

1. WHY ARE YOU SELLING? 

This seems like a pretty obvious and easy question to answer. But, you'd be surprised how many people don't really know. Whether your family has outgrown that tiny living room or your kids can't stop fighting over that top bunk. More room for your growing or grown family is definitely one of the number one reasons to find something bigger. Bigger can be better. So I hear.

Whether your reason to list is because of a job relocation, too much sun in the morning, too little sun in the morning, an annoying neighbor, a creepy ice-cream man, or that you really just want to get out of Dodge....you must decide whether that reason justifies moving. 

Ok....on to the next question...

2. CAN YOU AFFORD TO SELL YOUR HOME? 

I like to live life like money doesn't matter....but, in reality, it does. Bummer. It especially matters when it comes to selling such a huge investment such as a house. So, you must get your ducks in a row when it comes to your finances. What is your mortgage payoff? What is your home worth in today's market? What will you net after you deduct all the expenses of selling? (commission, closing costs, repairs...oh, my!). Not to be a Debbie the Downer, but, selling a home can be expensive. But, luckily, if you play your cards right, it can also be very rewarding financially. Click the link below, and I will send you a "Net to Seller" sheet that will help you determine what you'll come away from the table with (or how many zeros you'll be putting behind that number on the check to the mortgage company). 

Click Here to Receive a FREE Net to Seller Sheet

Ok....onto the next...

3. CAN YOU MAKE YOUR HOME MARKET-READY? 

I know the majority of people have an amazingly amount of pride when it comes to their home. Their home is, for the most part, perfect to them. But, let's be real here. Most homes need a bit of work in order to make them "perfect" in the eyes of a potential buyer. This work may include a complete deep-cleaning. You know those fingerprints on the light switches you've been meaning to clean? Those have to go. Also, there are usually some minor repairs that need to be made. Of course these will be spotted by an inspector, but, nobody wants to buy a home in need of repairs compared to homes that don't. Now onto a more "touchy" subject. You know those half-naked pregnancy pictures you have on your wall that you point to every-time your child slams the door in your face? Well, those have to go. Also included in this list are: undergarments, the last decade's Sports Illustrated collection, those bags of clothes you've been meaning to donate...or burn....and everything else shoved out of sight. That means, get rid of your junk. Or, at least hide it REALLY good. An organized, clean home speaks wonders for its owners. 

So, there you go. If you can justify those three questions and know you can afford to list your home. Well, there is no better time than the present!

Click Here to Find Out What Your Home is Worth for FREE!

Happy Selling!

Emily Benner

Real Estate Expert

678-458-2284

PalmerHouse Properties

emilysells@gmail.com

www.propertyvaluesbyaddress.com