These Things Should Always Be Deal Breakers While House Hunting

We’ve talked before about things you should overlook when house hunting, but being flexible and seeing past a home’s imperfections isn’t always the thing to do.

Don’t get us wrong, there are a lot of things that should be overlooked because they can easily be changed down the road. However, some things should never be overlooked. We like to call them “deal breakers”.

Making a list of your deal breakers is essential to finding the perfect home for now and well into the future. That’s why the things on this list should be non-negotiable. Seriously, don’t get emotionally attached to something that will create resentment down the road. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your family to create your own list of deal breakers before your house hunting adventure begins, but we’ve compiled a list of the most important ones in order for you to jump-start the process!

A Real Potential for Water Damage

A lot of household problems can be fixed, but being subject to water damage is one that is not even close to an easy fit. Before committing to a house, be sure to research if it’s in a flood zone. (FEMA has a handy website that can search all flood areas by address.) Also, take notice of its elevation on the block compared to other homes. Is this house at the lowest point on the street? Will your basement constantly be at risk of flooding and causing you large problems and even larger repair bills? Make sure you look very closely for any signs of water damage.

Do your research so that you know exactly what you are getting into, and are not surprised by a flooded basement after the first rain in your new home.

(All Different Kinds of) Safety Concerns

Safety concerns are a very broad category, so it’s important that you get as specific as possible when creating your house hunting deal breaker list. Safety concerns with electronics can be caused by amateur workmanship, such as plumbing or electrical problems. But this could also be caused by other household issues, such as:

• Asbestos

• Radon gas levels 

• Insect infestation

• Mold levels

Check the links for helpful ways to test for common safety concerns. Before you buy any house, let alone a suspect one, make sure to hire an inspector. If they report any problems, know exactly what issues result in you walking away from the deal and which ones you are willing to deal with (and potentially pay for!). Having this information clear before the home buying process will allow you to remain objective during this emotional time.

Below Average School District

If you have kids, be sure to investigate the local school district before you buy a home in that district. Niche.com provides a comprehensive look at most every school system in the country, including elementary, middle and high schools. You can also look at schools individually!

Even if you don’t have kids, we still encourage you to do the same because that school district will impact the resale value of your home in the long run and should be considered before you purchase.

Structural Damage to the Home’s Base

Structural damage in a home can cause some serious problems down the road, not to mention what a nightmare it would be to try to re-sell a home that has these large issues. It’s important to consider this when house hunting in order to avoid large project costs down the road. Look for shifting of the home in cracks, uneven floors or a drooping roof to identify potential structural damage. If you’re not sure, don’t be afraid to Google a contractor or professional so they can assess the situation and reassure you the house is a safe long-term investment.

Unless you are buying a foreclosure for pennies on the dollar, structural damage is certain to massively impact your investment in a negative way.

A Floor Plan That Doesn’t Work for Your Family

All rooms can be rearranged, redecorated, repainted or even switched around, depending on your family’s needs. However, don’t trick yourself: a sweet overlook may be cool, but the layout of the home or the square footage of the home is not so easily changed, especially without a massive budget and an extra-large construction project. Are you looking to double your investment by knocking out walls?

It’s okay to look past the cosmetic upgrades in a home, but don’t look past what the pros call “the bones” of the house: the layout, the number of rooms, the number of bathrooms or again, even simply the square footage. The bones are permanent and will directly impact your lifestyle. Are you willing to change your life just for that sweet view?

House Hunting Outside of Your Price Range 

Buying a home out of your price range is a slippery slope and a financial decision that can put a lot of stress and pressure on you and your family.

It is also the most common deal breaker people ignore!

If you have a strict budget you need to follow, adding this deal breaker to your house hunting checklist will be a great way to “check yourself” and make sure that you are coming in under budget and not putting an unnecessary strain on you, your marriage, or your family. Besides, it is almost always better to invest in a cheaper property than to live with what you cannot afford.

What’s on Your House Hunting Deal Breaker Checklist?

All of these may fall on your house hunting deal breaker checklist, or maybe some of them… or maybe none at all. Technically, the most important thing is shedding light on the fact that people don’t often consider deal breakers ahead of hunting for a house. That’s why a house hunting checklist is crucial to avoid getting emotionally invested and making an impulsive decision that you’ll regret later on.

Remember the biggest rule: once you agree on which deal breakers gets added to the checklist, you cannot purchase any home that has even one of the things on it, regardless of how adorable it may look! This cute house may look great now, but it probably isn’t the best investment for the long run. Hold strong, the right one will come along… it always does!

Learn all about Radon here.

To know more about House Flipping and choosing a property, check out LandCentury.com

Guest Contributor: Hire a Helper

Bathroom Safety Tips for the Elderly

Bathroom Safety Tips for the Elderly

Going to the bathroom doesn’t become an issue until you get older. The bathroom becomes one of the most dangerous places as we grow old. This is because as we age, we develop cognitive issues, weakness, frailty, and some balance issues. These are just some of the common problems elderly people go through as they age, and if you happen to be living with one, the best thing you can do is to make the bathroom a safer place for them. There are a lot of ways to prevent accidental slips and falls that may lead to dreadful scenarios. We have prepared a handful list that you can use to make your bathrooms safer for your elder loved ones.

Useful Bathroom Safety Tips for the Elderly

If you can’t be there to supervise your elderly folds 24/7, here are a few things you can do.

Maintain a Clear Path

Since elderly people are likely to have problems with their vision and balance, it is important for you to make sure that the toilet and the path leading to it is clear of clutters and distractions. Install lights that are bright enough to illuminate the way. Get rid of mats or rugs that may cause them to slip. Make sure that the floor is always dry and that there are no objects lying around the room as it may cause them to trip or slip.

Accessibility Matters

When you are taking care of an elderly person, you should focus on making things easier for them. This means paying attention to trivial things like shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, and other essentials readily available and easy to reach. Place them in areas that are easily accessible to prevent instances where they would have to reach out to get them.

Install Toilet Risers

With limited movement, it will be hard to make even the simplest actions like sitting and rising from the toilet. This can be an activity that is tiresome and risky because of the possibility of slips and falls as they attempt to stand up. If you have seen a toilet riser for the handicapped, you will be able to figure out how it helps. It raises the level of the toilet which requires less effort for an elderly person to sit and rise from it. These are great add-ons to your bathrooms, especially for your elder folks.

Use Non-slip Mats

As mentioned earlier, throw rugs and mats should be discarded. If you really insist to have a mat in your bathroom, make sure to get non-slip mats. These are specifically designed to lessen the chances of risks and falls. Since a floor’s surface can be made extra slippery by mud, water, oil, and other substances, non-slip mats can be placed to lessening the surface’s slipperiness.

Transfer Benches Work

Older people may have a hard time lifting their extremities. In this case, lifting their legs to hop into the bathtub can be extremely challenging. This may be a cause to make them lose their balance so it is wise to get a transfer bench that they can use to get into the tub. This is a device placed over the tub and utilized to let them slide into the tub without putting an effort to lift their legs higher. This lets them go in and out of the tub while assuming a sitting position.

Make the Habit of Checking the Temperature

It is good to make it a practice to check the water temperature first before having an older person get in the shower or in the tub. Sudden reactions from extremely hot or cold temperatures can lead to falls and slips.

Let Them Use a Shower Chair

For a person who has weak joints and bones, it can be a challenge to stay standing for a long time. There are those who are not able to sustain good posture and balance for a long time. In this case, having them use a shower chair helps. They can easily bathe without having to worry and feel tired from being in an upright or standing position for a long time.

Conclusion

Living with an elderly person can be made easy by putting some effort in keeping their environment safe. With the challenges they experience in terms of physical, emotional, and mental aspects, daily living can be hard. The simplest things like going to the bathroom can be very difficult and draining. Hence, the need for additional measures is needed. The steps mentioned above are some of the best and most practical ways to do it. These devices are easily available and accessible, so you can score it in a breeze in your nearest physical or online store. With all these at play, you can go through your day in a breeze while being at peace.

Guest Contributor: Gourav Sharma

How to Get Rid of Mold to Protect Your Health

How to Get Rid of Mold to Protect Your Health

Mold, which has been around longer than modern humans, is very important for the environment. After all, this fungus does play a crucial role in breaking down organic material such as dead leaves.

Still, regardless of how beneficial it is for the ecosystem, mold has no place inside your home. Mold growth on your walls and ceilings are unsightly. They also give off a musty smell. Worse of all, mold poses a health risk to you and your loved ones.

It’s not uncommon for people living in homes with mold infestations to suffer health issues such as sore throat, stuffy nose, burning eyes, skin rash, or coughing and wheezing. Severe reactions also happen to people with asthma or who are allergic to the fungus.

And if someone in your family is suffering from chronic lung disease or is immunocompromised in some way, better do something about your mold problem because it can cause lung infections.

If your home has a severe case of mold, it’s best to get the services of professionals for effective mold remediation. Smaller mold formations, however, are more manageable. Here are some tips on getting rid of mold to protect your health.

Gear Up For DIY Mold Removal

Before you start removing patches of mold from your walls, make sure you wear safety gear to prevent inhalation of mold spores that can make you sick. Your safety gear should include:

●      Disposable rubber gloves

●      Safety goggles

●      Safety mask or a respirator

●      Coveralls with attached hood and booties preferable, but long pants and a long-sleeved shirt will do

Mold Removal Materials

Prepare the following materials for DIY mold removal:

●      Bleach

●      Scrub brush

●      Rags

●      Bucket

●      Non-ammonia soap or detergent

Removing The Mold

Start by soaking your rag in water and use it to wet the patches of mold to ensure mold spores won’t be disturbed. Then briskly scrub off all the mold in sight with non-ammonia soap or detergent.

After brushing, mix a gallon of water and 1½ cups of bleach in a bucket. Soak a rag with the solution, wet the affected wall with it, and leave it damp for 15 minutes before brushing it again. Rinse the area you’re working on with water afterward.

If there are still traces of mold, repeat the bleaching process until no visible mold is left. Get an electric fan to dry the area faster.

Mold Prevention

Mold removal is good, but mold prevention is always better. Some things you can do to prevent mold from forming in your home include:

Keeping Humidity Levels Down

Keep in mind that mold thrives in areas where there is plenty of moisture, so keep humidity levels at home in check. As much as possible, the humidity level in your home should be no higher than 50% on any given day. Get a humidity meter from your neighborhood home improvement store so you can monitor moisture levels inside your home.

If you live in an area with humid weather, having a dehumidifier can keep moisture levels down. An AC unit will also work for this purpose.

Ensuring Optimal Airflow

Good airflow inside your home prevents humid air from getting trapped. Keep your windows open in the summer, and install exhaust fans in particularly moist places like the kitchen and the bathroom to vent humid air out.

Finding and Fixing Leaks

Check your roof, pipes, windows for leaks that contribute to the moisture in your home and foster the growth of mold. Fix those leaks as soon as possible.

Immediate Flood Cleanup

In the event your home gets hit by a flood, make sure to clean up and dry everything out within 24-48 hours.

Adding Mold Inhibitors To Paint

If you’re repainting your house, it would be great to add mold inhibitors to it. Although they don’t kill existing mold, mold inhibitors prevent mold growth.

Since mold inhibitors are hazardous, make sure you have protection for your hands and eyes when handling them.

Keep in mind, however, that DIY mold removal is only suitable for small patches of mold. If your mold problem is bigger than ten square feet, your best option would be to call in mold remediation professionals. With their expertise, experience, and specialized tools and equipment, you can be sure your home will be mold-free by the time they’re done.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

How to Build an Accessible Home

How to Build an Accessible Home

If you need to build an accessible home, there are some key considerations you should factor into your planning. Nearly every area of a home will likely need some modifications, and by thoughtfully charting out those needs, you’ll narrow down how to make a home fully ADA-friendly, from roll-in showers to countertops accessible for those who use a wheelchair. 

Entries and exits

One of the most challenging areas of a home for people with disabilities is often the entryway. Many homes are built with steps leading to the front door, which makes it difficult for a wheelchair to comfortably get through. When building an accessible home, consider making the entryway as low to the ground as possible, with ramps and railings to help those who use a wheelchair enter safely. If a low entryway isn’t possible due to the orientation of the house, consider installing a chair lift.

Keep a clear path

When designing a home for those who use mobility aids, ease of movement should be a key factor. Narrow hallways and doorways will present a challenge for navigating in a chair or walker, so design the floor plan with this in mind. Hallways should be wide enough for a chair to fully turn around in—at least 32 inches—and wide doorways should be included for every room. French doors are a great option for accessible homes.

Consider functionality

Two rooms that require some careful planning are the bathroom and kitchen. Both rooms typically have appliances that aren’t necessarily ADA-friendly, meaning some adjustments should be made.

In the bathroom, the areas to think about are the shower/tub, toilet, and sink. When designing a shower, consider installing a roll-in entry. You might also consider making the entire bathroom a wet room by installing a drain in the center to deal with splashes from the shower. An accessible shower should have a seat and handrails, with shower handles that are easy to reach. The toilet should be raised, with handrails for easy access, and the sink and countertop should be at a lower height for wheelchair users.

The main things to keep in mind for an accessible kitchen design are countertop height and access to storage and cooking. Countertops should be lower than in an average kitchen—aim for 34 inches high to enable wheelchair users to prepare food at a comfortable height. The kitchen sink should also be adjusted to allow for a wheelchair user’s knees to fit underneath while washing up. This can be achieved by installing a shallow sink at an appropriate height, with the drain placed in the rear of the sink so the piping isn’t blocking the chair from rolling underneath.

Finding contractors

When you’re ready to get the ball rolling, be sure to find contractors who can build with accessibility in mind. The right contractors will understand the importance of creating an ADA-compliant home. Kevin Szabo Jr. Plumbing is a great option for your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical needs.

An accessible home doesn’t have to be purely about function—when working with contractors and architects, seek out inspiring examples to help guide your design.

Keep possible restrictions in mind

When you’re getting ready to build, remember to get a property surveyor to take land measurements to determine exact boundaries and potential restrictions for your home. A property surveyor can help you determine exactly what should be done to make a home fully ADA-compliant, ensuring you haven’t missed any details in your design.

Building an accessible home doesn’t have to be difficult, so long as you’re careful in your design work and planning. Consider each room of the home and make adjustments where needed, consulting experts who can help guide your planning. Do your research and find contractors who have experience building accessible homes, and keep your mind at ease as you build. 

Guest contributor: Patrick Young