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Leaky window - mold is beginning to rot the wood and windowsill
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I recently toured a home wherein the listing agent referred to the basement as having "slight discoloration" from water damage. Since this was a bank-owned property, took it with a grain of salt, expecting more than just some discoloration. Particularly after learning the house had been empty all last winter and the pipes had burst in the first-floor kitchen, I knew there had to be more than just "discoloration." I informed my buyer, who's looking for a "good-deal fixer-upper," and off we went to view the property.
Let's start by saying this listing agent should have her license revoked - there wasn't just "discoloration," there was mold EVERYWHERE in the basement! It was like entering a house of horrors and all the walls were fuzzy with living organisms. This wasn't just white or green mold either - this was thick, black mold on the doors, walls, windows, furnace, water heater, everywhere. It kinda looked toxic and I thought, "Man, they should be handing out gas masks to people before coming down here." And I don't think it was just a coincidence that my eyes were itchy and watery the rest of the evening.
I tell this story not to gross people out (though that's always fun to do, too!), but to bring up the topic of mold and how every house actually has mold in it - but it's a matter of keeping moisture under control and not allowing the mold spores a chance to land in a moist spot and grow. There are many types of mold, but none will grow without moisture present.
Some mold basics:
- Every house has mold; it's a matter of controlling the moisture level in your home.
- Molds have the potential to cause health problems - allergic reactions are common.
- Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases toxic substances (mycotoxins).
- You can never totally eliminate mold spores from your home, but you can keep them from growing by controlling the source of their growth - moisture.
How to get rid of mold:
- First and foremost, you must address the moisture problem; if you don't, the mold will return.
- If the area with mold is less than a 10x10 foot space, you can usually clean the mold up yourself.
- If the area with mold is larger than a 10x10 foot area (such as in the house referenced above), you should hire a professional contractor with experience in mold remediation to perform the job.
- If you also suspect mold may be contaminating the ventilation system, you should also have an HVAC professional investigate. In the meantime, do NOT turn on the ventilation system as that will cause more mold spores to be spread throughout the home.
- If carpeting, ceiling tiles or other porous types of materials have mold growing on them, they may need to be thrown away, as mold fills in crevices and empty spaces and you'll never be able to get rid of all of it.
- Avoid exposing yourself and others to mold
- Do not just paint over moldy surfaces - the paint will eventually crack and peel
If you decide to do the cleanup yourself, first and foremost you should determine what type of mold you're dealing with. You should have a sample of the mold spores sent in for testing - especially if you might be dealing with black, toxic mold. Once you're sure it's safe for you to clean it yourself, be sure to wear a mask, gloves, and eye protection, preferably without ventilation holes. Scrape the mold off any hard surfaces, then clean and dry the area thoroughly. As mentioned above, porous materials may need to be tossed (unfortunately, no reuse or recycle here!). If you have furniture, sentimental or valuable items that have been affected by mold, consult a local furniture or other type of restoration professional who is familiar in restoring items damaged by mold or water.
For more information, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency's pamphlet on mold, which can be found at the EPA's web site. You may also call the toll-free EPA hotline at (800) 438-4318 for a free copy of the pamphlet. If you live in the Massachusetts area, feel free to check my CyberGreenRealty.com web site for some local eco-friendly partners who may also be able to help you. If you're looking for an eco-friendly home, or a nice candidate for a rehab, visit Avenue 3 Real Estate's website for listings of all MLS properties.
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC
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Community Housing project in Oakland, CA powered by rented solar panels.
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In your mind’s eye, what do you envision a solar panel to look like? Do you think they’re still big, white and boxy? Maybe you think of some ugly black strips across your roof, which look more like a shredded tire laid out flat than a solar panel. Then again, you might be "hip" with the latest PV styles (like these PV panels that look like clay tiles) but you think it's still too expensive. Fret no more!
Many companies, including two here in Massachusetts (SunRun's MA partners - Alteris, Inc. and groSolar, Inc), offer you a chance to rent solar panels, effectively locking in your electric rate for up to 25 years (the average lifespan of a solar panel). Moreover, you are relieved of any of the hassles involved with purchasing the panels outright (such as obtaining the proper permits, filing for the appropriate rebates, etc.). Some providers may require a "security deposit," which may be up to $1,000 at the most. How does it work? The concept is simple - your solar power company purchases and installs the appropriate equipment based on your historical electric usage. You then pay a monthly rental fee to the solar company, which becomes your new "electric" bill. This monthly fee will be equal to, or lower than, your current bill AND will never rise - sun power is free power! Perhaps best of all, you don't have to worry about maintenance and repairs - the panels are owned and maintained by the solar company, so they have a vested interest in keeping the equipment in top working order.
In addition to the money saved on your electric bill by switching to solar power, you may also be eligible for one or more of the many current state and federal incentives. Find out if your state offers incentives at SunRun's Solar State Rebate page. If you purchase locally-made equipment, the incentives and rebates get even bigger! For further information, check out these helpful resources:
Do you know anyone who's currently renting solar panels? Ask them to share their story here. A listing of Eco-friendly vendors (in Eastern Massachusetts), including solar panel installers and renters, can be found at my personal site - CyberGreenRealty.com. If you happen to be in the market for a new home or condo, point your browser to Avenue 3 Real Estate for a listing of current homes and condos for sale in Arlington, Cambridge, and Somerville, MA. You can search for homes already equipped with solar equipment and start saving money from Day One!
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC
Banks are increasingly recognizing the fact that a homeowner who spends money to improve the energy efficiency of their home ends up having extra money in their pocket at the end of the month - and this can help tip the balance in your favor of getting a higher mortgage amount with an Energy Efficient Mortgage!
Fannie Mae has published the following comparison of a standard home mortgage to an energy efficient home mortgage. Keep in mind this was published a while ago and mortgage rates are even LOWER right now, so your savings could be higher.
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Non Energy Efficient Home
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Energy Efficient Home
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Purchaser Price
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$200,000
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$203,000
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Borrower Contribution
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$6,000
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$6,090
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Loan Amount
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$160,000
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$162,400
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Interest
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5.85%
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5.85%
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Monthly PITI
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$1673
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$1698
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Average electric Bill
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$186
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$93
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Total Expenses
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$1859
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$1791
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Qualifying Income
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$49,000
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$48,584
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Monthly Savings
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$68
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Note this example also assumes a builder will charge more for an energy efficient home, but as competition increases and technology improves this is becoming less of a factor. So your savings could be even higher!
Additionally,some of the benefits of using an Energy Efficient Mortgage include the following:
- More first-time buyers can qualify for a mortgage (or a higher mortgage amount)
- Overall reduction in the cost of home ownership
- Helps reduce America's dependence on foreign oil
- Helps protect the environment
For more information, check out the Fannie Mae web site. You may also wish to browse HUD's FHA-insured Energy Efficient Mortgage pages. And don't forget to browse Avenue 3's web site for energy efficient homes currently for sale in Massachusetts.
-TMC