Molds are extremely toxic substances. They are a serious concern for your health. Everyone is potentially at risk of mold exposure, regardless of your gender, age, socioeconomic status or geographic region. Children and infants, in particular, are more susceptible to mold exposure. 

All molds

Is Hidden Mold at Home Making You Sick?

have the potential to cause ill health. In fact, it can cause respiratory infections, gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes and a multitude of other problems. The vast majority of people who are suffering from respiratory problems are not even aware that the problem was due to mold exposure. Even worse, doctors do not often see the correlation, making the treatment difficult. 

Homes often provide many opportunities for mold spores to grow. Aside from the basement, kitchen and bathroom, there can be many hidden sources of mold in your home. This is especially true if you have leaks on your roof or plumbing problems. In this case, mold may start to grow under the carpet, behind the walls and other areas. But what’s interesting is that mold spores may even be hiding in surprising places such as your pillows or Christmas tree. One study revealed that mold spores are released into a room 14 days after a Christmas tree has been put up.  

Are you feeling sick but can’t exactly pinpoint the cause? 

Mold exposure can cause short-term symptoms such as running nose, headache, coughing, watery eyes, and skin rash. 

If you’ve been struggling with these symptoms , but it tends to improve when you leave the house, there’s a good chance that mold infestation could be what’s impacting your health. 

The best way to tell if it’s mold-related is to spend a few nights away from the house to see how you feel. 

How to prevent mold

Molds are everywhere. They proliferate anywhere moisture exists. The key to preventing mold growth is by controlling moisture. Wet floors and carpets, standing water, condensation in bathrooms and windows are just some of the most common causes. 

Even if the water problem happened a long time ago, mold can still grow in your home if the cause of the problem hasn’t been addressed. They hitchhike into your home as water enters through cracks in foundations and walls. Fix leaks and dry the area immediately since mold usually starts to grow within 24 hours. 

Find a reputable pro if you already have mold in your home. Molds are very difficult to destroy. They can even shed substances that causes coughing, sneezing and asthma attacks. Find an experienced company and address the problem before it gets worse. 

Curb appeal comes naturally to many homes during the summer, when the sun is shining brightly and gardens are in bloom. But during the winter, when the ground is covered in snow and everything else has withered, maintaining curb appeal can prove to be a challenge. The problem is that curb appeal is essential when you’re selling your home.

How do you combat this trend when you’re trying to sell your home during the winter? Here are some things you can do to spruce up the exterior of your home in the dreary winter months.

Keep the driveways, pathways, and walkways clear

With snow comes ice, and with ice comes slipping. Keep your driveways, pathways, and walkways clear of ice and snow to ensure that potential buyers or guests can make it into your home without getting injured.

Before you spend time and money improving the looks of your home, focus on safety first. There is no sense in sprucing up your home if people are afraid to walk along the sidewalk.

Outdoor lighting

The days are shorter during the winter time. In most cases, it gets dark even before people get home. Most buyers decide to drive by houses they’re interested in after office hours. If your home looks dark and uninviting, this creates a negative impression among potential buyers.

Outdoor lighting doesn’t just brighten a winter landscape, it also enhances property safety and security. Garage scones and walkway lights will guide guests to your front door.  You may also wrap holiday lights around trees, fountains, and birdbaths to make your home attractive at night.

Fresh paint 

A fresh coat of paint brings vibrancy to the exterior of your home, making it look warm and pleasant during the cold winter month. This is one of the best ways to revitalize the look and feel of your home. It is also a good idea to paint your fence or front door with bold color to brighten the facade and make your home look more inviting.

Tidy lawn

Just because the grass is no longer green, doesn’t mean that you should slack off on curb appeal. Your home’s exterior beauty doesn’t have to fade along with the summer season.

Curb appeal is important year-round. You want your grounds to stay looking neat in winter and show potential buyers that your home has been well cared for. Clear dead leaves off of your lawn and plant some seasonal plants and flowers to keep your yards stunning during the dreary winter months.

Winter is a great time to move. Since most people are out on vacation or busy with holiday get-togethers, you can get great deal with moving companies. However, moving house during the winter is not without challenges. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can make the moving process even more difficult.

Here are 4 smart tips to make your winter move easier.

Keep an eye on the weather 

Winter weather can be unpredictable. Even if the sun has been shining all week long, a blizzard may suddenly pop up just as you’re pulling away in your car.

Check weather reports from time to time and make sure to follow it up until the moving day. Keep tabs on the weather until the movers arrive so you get the latest updates. Anticipate any weather challenges and adapt to them.

Keep the heat on

You might be tempted to have your utilities disconnected prior to moving day, but please resist the urge to do so. On moving day, you’ll be opening and closing the door many times as the movers carry your boxes. This will send cold air into your home. Without the heat, everybody will feel cold and uncomfortable. You’ll want to keep the heat on on moving day.

Protect your belongings 

Some items are especially vulnerable to cold temperatures. Electronics and other cold-sensitive items should be kept indoors for as long as possible and should be transported in a heated vehicle to avoid damage. 

Objects that are made of wood should be insulated during a move. These items can warp when exposed to freezing temperatures. Books and other documents will also need additional care. Place them in waterproof bins and make sure that they are sealed tight before they get loaded onto the moving truck.

Clear snow 

We understand that you have a lot on your plate right now, but make sure that you shovel snow prior to moving day. 

Snow and ice can be slippery. Clear the snow to prevent anyone from getting hurt. You may also spread rock salt on the ground to slow down the re-icing process. If snow is falling, we suggest that you mix calcium chloride with the rock salt. This will make snow and ice melt faster.

The holiday season is supposed to be joyful time of year. It should be about relaxing and sharing good times with family and friends. But the sad truth is that more accidents occur during the hThe holiday season is supposed to be joyful time of year.oliday season than any other time of the year. 

Of course, we want to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe and a merry holiday season. Please take time to read these tips and pass them along to your family and friends so no one will fall victim to these common holiday dangers. 

Fire

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the incidents of house fires increase by as much as 50% during the holiday season. Many of which are started either by candles or Christmas trees. 

Candles are a classic way to add a joyous mood to your home. They may look pretty and smell nice, but they are potential fire hazards and may burn down your house if you’re not careful. 

Never leave a candle unattended. This may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of people seem to forget just how dangerous candles can be. Be sure to extinguish the candle before going to bed or leaving the house. Never burn a candle near books, carpets, beddings, drapes, furniture or anything that can catch fire. Remember, every fire needs to be treated with caution, including candles. 

Plumbing problem

Plumbing problems may not be life-threatening, but they can cause thousands and thousands of dollars on property damage, which may also lead to a costly repair. 

With the temperatures dropping below freezing during this time of the year, your pipes are at risk freezing, or worse, bursting. The last thing you want to deal with is a flooded house during the holidays. 

To prevent this from happening, we recommend that you disconnect your water hose from your outdoor spigot and bring it inside the house. Also, let cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. This is especially important when the weather outside is very cold. 

Mold

Nothing says Christmas quite like the fresh pine scent of a live Christmas tree. However, they can be a possible source of mold exposure. A new study shows that the molds that thrive in its branches can trigger weeks of suffering for homeowners. 

Just because you or a member of your family has a mold allergy, doesn’t mean that you should give up on your Christmas tree tradition. What you want to do, however, is to have it on display for a maximum 7 days. You can put the tree up on Christmas Eve and then take it down on New Year’s Day. The longer the tree is in your home, the higher the chances of mold to grow. 

Every home that is being built today has shutoff valves that are readily accessible. Knowing where and how to shut off your home’s main water supply is important especially in times of emergency. 

Don’t wait until you have an emergency before locating your shutoff valves. Precious minutes can be lost if you or the plumber has to search for it; thus, causing more damage to your property.

Once you’ve found the valve, mark it with a small yard flag, tag, colorful paint or anything that would make the location obvious. Make sure everybody in your household know where it is and how it works.

Possible locations

I wish I could tell you that every shutoff valve is uniform in location. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Some are located inside; while others are located outside.

 In the crawlspace or basement

If you get freezing temperatures in the winter, the shutoff valve must be located in a warm area inside your house. In this case, you might want to look in the basement or crawlspace, where the waterline enters the home. 

Outside the house

In some homes, the water shutoff valve is located outside – generally in front of your house and near the side property line.  It might be in a concrete or plastic box on the ground. Lift the lid of the box and find the water meter. The valve is usually located next to it. If there are 2 valves, turning off either valve should work.

Near the pressure tank

If you get your water from a well and you don’t have a meter, find where the water pipes enter the house and follow those pipes to the pressure tank. In most cases, the pressure tank can be seen in the basement, in a closet near the water heater or the garage. 

Try a simple test once you’ve located the valve. Shut off the main water valve and check the faucets inside your home. If you can’t turn the valve, don’t force it. 

Most people avoid selling their homes during the holidays. This is due to the fact that people are too preoccupied with planning vacations, buying gifts, cooking meals and attending parties during this time of the year. However, the old thinking doesn’t apply any longer – thanks to the Internet and smart phones.

The buying season is now year-round. While sales tend to drop off during the holidays, there are good reasons to go ahead and list your home now rather than wait until spring. Here are some of them.

Less competition 

Some sellers take their properties off the market during the holiday season. Others would wait until the after the first of the year before listing their homes. For that reason, serious buyers have fewer properties to choose from.

Because of the scarcity of similar, competitive listings, it puts you in a unique position of power. Less competition means you can have a higher asking price.

Buyers never stop looking online

A huge percentage of home buyers start looking at properties online, as opposed to seeing them in person. With the internet, tablets, smartphones and our always-on lifestyle, serious buyers are still trying to look at properties even during the holiday break. They would check out new listings while waiting for the kids’ school holiday show to start or before going to bed. These buyers are excited to see new and awesome homes on the market.

Buyers are motivated

Those who remain active in their searches and are still looking at properties around Christmas or New Years are undoubtedly serious buyers. Perhaps they’re relocating to the area and holiday season is the only time they can go to town. Or maybe they need to buy before the end of the year for tax reasons. Whatever the reason is, this often results to a quicker sale process.

Leverage the holiday spirit 

As anyone who’s bought or sold a property will tell you: emotion is a big part of the transaction. And there may no more powerful emotional pull than the feelings associated with winter holidays. So why not tap into this powerful emotional tone-setter and use it to sell your existing property? 

By aligning your property with an existing holiday motif, you can increase your chances of making a deal much to your liking. 

Given the right conditions, mold can grow just about anywhere in your home. As you probably know, mold is not just unsightly; it can also cause health problems. 

If you would like to keep your home a healthy space to inhabit, be sure to include these areas in your regular inspection. Make sure there are no leaks or other sources of moisture, which may lead to mold growth. Through regular inspection, you can steer clear of the unhealthy and expensive problems mold can cause. 

Here are 4 common places to look for mold.

Basement

Basement mold is especially common in homes with foundation cracks, broken drain tiles, missing waterproof membranes, homes that have been flooded, homes that are poorly sloped and older homes. 

Some people use their basement as storage space for old furniture, cardboard boxes and other items they no longer use. Unfortunately, most basements are not designed with humidity and temperature controls. As a result, moisture develops and mold begins to grow. 

Bathroom 

Mold can and will grow where there is moisture. Because moisture is constantly a part of its environment, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that the bathroom is one of the most common areas for mold growth. To prevent mold growth, make sure to allow ventilation time after showering. 

Most people don’t have an idea they have mold until they smell it. Some would ignore those small patches of mold, thinking they’re just dirt. Look for mold underneath the sink, around the toilet, shower curtains or on the walls. 

Kitchen

Despite people’s effort to keep the kitchen clean and sanitized, it tends to be one of the places where mold can take root. This is mainly because the kitchen is used for preparing foods, where water is one of the most important ingredients. Standing water, spils that are left uncleaned, leaking sinks, drains and faucets, can all lead to mold growth. 

Window sills

Window sills are a prime place for mold to start and spread. Unfortunately, most people don’t often spend a lot of time examining their window sills. After keeping their windows shut all winter, homeowners typically spot mold in windows when they open them in spring. Prevent the growth of mold by keeping the glass panes moisture and dust-free. 

Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. You’ll be putting a lot of your time, effort and money into finding the perfect house for you and your family, so you want to make sure you get the right one. Home inspection can help you with that. 

Although most buyers consider home inspection as an added expense, it is important that you have it done before signing on the dotted line. In fact, having a qualified home inspector look over the house can provide several advantages. 

Don’t be tempted to waive the home inspection when buying a house. Here are 3 key reasons why you should have the property inspected before buying. 

Peace of mind 

When you hire a home inspector, they’ll assess the house and let you know about the overall condition of the property. Through the home inspection report, you’ll discover some issues or problems that may affect the safety and value of the property. 

Yes, it may set you back by a few hundred dollars, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the property is in good condition. 

Make an informed decision 

It’s easy to fall in love with a house because of its spacious rooms, updated kitchen and bath and modern furniture. Considering that you have put in a huge portion of your savings and that you’ll be staying in this house for several years, you want to make sure it’s everything you’re looking for. 

A home inspection will give you a clear picture about what to expect on the property. By learning about the flaws and issues present in the house, you’ll be able to make better, more informed decision. If you find out that the house has major issues like structural damage, roof problems or electrical problems, you have the opportunity to back out of the transaction, considering the amount of money you’ll have to spend to fix it. 

Save money 

No house is perfect. The house may look great, but it may have some issues that are yet to be discovered. Even the newly built houses have some flaws.

The last thing you want is to find out that the house has several problems after moving in. Since you’ve already bought the house, you have no choice but to deal with these issues. If you can look past the initial expense of home inspection, then you’ll be able to save thousands of dollars down the road. 

Imagine this – you woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, only to realize that your home is freezing. The worst part is, you have to wait till the morning to contact a HVAC professional.

With autumn in full swing and the cold weather quickly approaching, now is the best time to have your furnace tuned up. HVAC companies never fail to remind us to schedule for a tune up, but what they fail to tell you is why it is needed.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of annual furnace tune up and why you shouldn’t wait until it gets cold. 

Reduce repairs

With proper maintenance, problems will be caught early on and make small repairs that could turn into a more serious, costly repairs. During tune up, an HVAC technician will inspect the furnace, change the filters, check the ignition, gas pressure and make sure that your system is running efficiently; thus, preventing breakdown.

Save money

If you notice that your energy bill is increasing, this could be an indication that your heating system is not running at peak efficiency. With annual tune ups, you’ll make sure that your furnace is as energy efficient as possible; thus, allowing you to save money in the long run. 

When your furnace is a finely tuned machine, it also eliminates the need for buying a new heating unit.

Prevent health risks

Furnace burns fuel to produce heat. A small problem can lead to gas leaking into your home, which can present a real hazard.

Carbon monoxide could be fatal if you inhale too much. An HVAC professional can inspect your furnace for signs of hazardous wear and ensure that you and your family are safe. 

Greater comfort

Annual tune ups will get your heating system operating at maximum efficiency. HVAC contractors will make sure that the airflow is strong and the air filter is clean. As a result, your furnace will be able to heat the house faster and provide a more consistent temperature throughout the house.

You have a perfectly lovely home. You got rid of the clutter, cleaned the house and even hired a professional stager. You also have a competent agent by your side and you’re pretty sure that you took stunning photos of your home and included it in your online listing. But the problem is, your house is still on the market. 

You may be wondering what home sellers are doing in this situation. Here are 3 things you can do to finally get that “for sale” sign out of the yard. 

Fix what needs to be fixed

Some sellers think it’s a waste to spend money on a house that they’ll be moving out of. However, potential buyers aren’t interested in buying a house that requires a long list of repairs. 

Work with your real estate agent and some friends. Ask them to take a good look at your house and point out areas that could turn potential buyers off. This will help you improve the look of your home and appeal to your target market. 

Price appropriately

If your home has been sitting on the market for a few months with very limited showings or offers, you might want to look at the price. Most properties do not sell because they are overpriced.

A house priced at market value piques the interest of buyers; while overpriced properties chases them away. Dropping the price isn’t always a guarantee that the house will sell fast, but if you price it appropriately, there’s a good chance that it will. 

Take a break from the market

Most buyers research for months or even years. If your home has been on the market for months now, then they are going to notice. Some may even think that there is something wrong with the property, making it difficult to sell.

Take your listing off the market, even for a few months, and refresh your advertising. This time, price it appropriately, fix whatever needs to be fixed and re-enter the housing market with a bang. With any luck, you’ll find that a new set of prospective buyers are eyeing your home.