By now, we all know that lead paint is an extremely dangerous substance.  Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, two years ago, the EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning.  Under the rule, beginning on April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

Read the new EPA – Renovate Right Brochure

When meeting with a potential home seller, I always advise that three things determine how fast a home will sell.  They are location, price and condition.  Nothing can be done about location, but price and condition are within the owner’s control.  A home must be priced to sell as well as visually appealing to prospective buyers.  In this buyer’s market, new paint, updated light fixtures and fresh new flooring may not be enough.  Sellers must manage those minor updates and also keep up with home maintenance to sell quickly.

Buyers are looking beyond cosmetics and bypassing homes with near term maintenance issues.  For example, most buyers realize replacing the roof will cost at least $20,000.  If your home’s roof needs to be replaced in two years, your home may not compare favorably with one down the street that doesn’t have a similar maintenance challenge.  Buyers are carefully considering all near term costs and that other home down the street will require less cash out of pocket and be less of a hassle for them in the future.

In conclusion, if you are considering a home sale soon, you should give serious thought to putting as many maintenance issues behind you as possible.

At certain times, your home is expensive to maintain.  With this in mind, ideas designed to increase your home’s value–without breaking the bank–are listed below.

• Hiring a professional home inspector may be the most cost-effective thing you ever do.  This is especially true if the inspector finds a small problem that could become something much bigger down the line, such as termite infestation or a water leak.
• Value is added merely by freshly painting the interior.
• Improve your home’s air quality by replacing old carpeting, or removing it entirely if you have hardwood floors underneath.
• Landscaping improvements in the form of large shade trees make homes more desirable.  They may greatly reduce your cooling costs as well.
• Replace old fixtures such as an old ceiling fan with an updated model.  It will make your home more pleasant on hot days and will appeal to buyers during the selling process.
• By adding a small luxury item such as a water filtration system, you add value and save money since you will no longer need bottled water.
• Energy efficient homes that feature items such as special windows or programmable thermostats save money and are a marketable asset if you sell your home.

Since the children are out of school and many families are going on vacation, homeowners should consider alternatives to protect their home from a burglary while away.  The most obvious things to do are stop the mail and newspaper delivery, lock the house up tight and leave a light on.  The following ideas take things a step further.

• If you are going away on an extended trip, you should consider asking a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspaper and bring them into your home each day.
• Invest in a couple of timers.  You can set them to turn a light on and off each day as well as turn on a radio or stereo.
• Hire a neighbor’s responsible teen or ask a friend to house sit.  Alternatively, work out a system where you cover your neighbor’s home when they go away and they look after yours while you’re gone.
• If your neighborhood does not have a “neighborhood watch” program, be the one to start it.
• Consider purchasing a home security system to ensure your home is regularly monitored.

For more information about home security tips, go to Crime Doctor for additional ideas.

For many, especially those who live in sunny Honolulu, the concept of “going solar” is incredibly inviting.  However, we need to thoroughly understand the technology before we entirely cast off the powerlines.  A few interesting things about “going solar” are below:

• You can calculate how much solar energy capability your home will need by reviewing your utility bill.
• You may supplement your power needs or divorce yourself from the power grid completely.
• Photovoltaic is the method most solar cells use to convert sunlight to energy.  Your power requirements will determine what size photovoltaic modules you need.
• Night time darkness and cloudy days reduce the amount of energy your system generates.  You may install a battery storage system to supplement these known production down times.
• If your system generates more power than you need, some utility companies will buy the excess.
• Your system must be inspected by the local utility company to ensure it is safe for utility linemen.  The utility want to be sure that during a power outage, your system was installed properly and that it will have no power running through the lines.
• A solar panel system may cost more than $30,000.  This is a large up-front expense, but systems are coming down in price.  Don’t forget that solar systems will save expensive electricity over your lifetime and be sure to investigate state and federal tax credits that may help defray your initial installation costs.

Did you know it’s possible to recover heat from waste water as it goes down your drain?  You can by installing a drain-water heat-recovery system in your home.  The system saves energy costs by warming water for your shower by using recovered heat.  These systems are available for other appliances such as dishwashers.

According to experts, if your house uses enough water to take four seven-minute showers each day while using a standard shower head, you will save around 180 cubic meters of natural gas per year.  If you have electric water heating, you can save over 1,400 kilowatt-hours per year.  The recovery systems cost between $300 and $500 plus installation.  Depending on the type of energy you use and the rates you pay, the system can pay for itself in as little as 2.5 years.

Read more about how the system works at the Department of Energy web site.

Given our challenging economy, saving money is more important than ever.  Most money saving ideas require an investment up front, so it’s wise to implement ideas where the initial cost can be recovered very quickly.  This leaves little room for excuses not to implement cost saving projects.

A fairly inexpensive suggestion is to install programmable thermostats.  Whether you live in a cold-weather state and need your heat on most of the year, or you live in a warm-weather state like Hawaii and cannot live without air-conditioning, pre-setting your indoor temperatures will save a lot of money.  At the same time, you’ll consume less energy which is good for the environment.

Installing programmable thermostats costs anywhere from $50 to $150, yet the Department of Energy estimates you may save up to 10% a year on heating or cooling bills.  This investment allows you to control temperature throughout the day and night.  For example, you can allow the temperature to rise while you’re at work and cool back down in time for your return home.  The Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) estimates that each degree above 75ºF saves you approximately 3% of the energy used to cool your home.

Don’t forget to shop around and compare prices and deals, as many utility companies offer rebates on high-tech thermostats.

For more information about programmable thermostats, visit the Department of Energy web site.

Many homes on Oahu feature decks that enable owners to enjoy the great outdoors, entertain friends and family or just relax in the sunshine with a good book.  Decks require effort to keep them looking fresh and clean and proper maintenance is essential to extending the deck’s life.

First, carefully inspect the deck for sections that need repair.  Next, thoroughly sweep it off.  After that, arm yourself with a power-washer.  These can be rented if you do not own one.  There are a variety of deck cleaners available, but the best choice is an oxalic acid-based cleaner.  These clean the wood nicely, prevent rust, kill mildew and are even plant-friendly.  If your deck has tough mildew stains, use oxygen bleach to remove the stains.  Finally, coat it to keep it looking beautiful.

Every home requires maintenance or repair over time, and if you are selling your home, you’re probably interested in suggestions as to how to get the best return on your money.  According to a survey done by HomeGain, the following items provide the highest returns:

• Cleaning and de-cluttering
• Lightening and brightening
• Home staging
• Landscaping

These are mainly cosmetic items and the point is to make your home look inviting.  You want to allow the potential buyers to picture themselves in the home and do so without a lot of work prior to moveing in.

The returns will vary based on where you live due to the cost of a repair and the importance of each improvement to buyers in that area.  HomeGain estimates that returns in these areas may exceed your investment.

In today’s dynamic market, buyers expect a lot.  In addition to the suggestions above, the following items deserve a seller’s attention as well:  dirty windows, electrical repairs, plumbing problems, old carpeting, old paint and damaged floors.

Are you considering a Honolulu home or investment property sale?  If so, contact Michael Zimmerman.  In addition, check out the seller resources available on my web site.

Replacing worn or stained carpet is a great way to increase your home’s appeal during the selling process.  Before you begin, it’s important to know what is available and what will work best before you go to the store.  This enables you to narrow your search and save time, as there are countless choices of carpeting. 

Be aware that carpeting your stairway will generally cost between six and nine dollars per step.  If you prefer a carpet runner, the cost will be significantly higher.  Padding extends carpet life and increases the overall comfort factor and it’s completely worth the investment!  It’s wise to replace your old padding, because most carpet manufacturers will not honor their warranty with an old pad underneath new carpeting.

Carpet types and attributes:

• Berber – Has a high-level loop with a nubby texture.  It wears very well, although is harder to clean.
• Plush/Cut-Pile Carpet – Saxony plush is very popular because it is soft with short tufts.  It does not wear as well as berber.
• Wool – The most expensive type, but it is comfortable, durable and resistant to dirt.  Direct sunlight can fade it.
• Synthetic fiber – It is made mostly made of nylon, is cheaper than wool and is durable.  Sunlight may damage it.
• Olefin – Cheap, but less durable than nylon.  It is pre-treated to resist fading, but can be damaged by heat and sun.  It is a very good choice for basements.
• Acrylic – More expensive than nylon, but more closely resembles wool and resists fading.
• Sisal – A natural fiber derived from the cactus plant.  It is very strong and durable, but is extremely rough in texture.

Are you considering a Honolulu home or investment property sale?  If so, contact Michael Zimmerman.  In addition, check out the seller resources available on my web site.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

Nearly everyone understands the importance of installing and maintaining home smoke alarms.  However, many people do not realize how important it is to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors in their homes as well.  Over two hundred people die from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S. each year.  Future deaths can be avoided by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector at your local hardware store.

Ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in your home: 

Are you trying to think of ways to squeeze a little more from your home sale?  There are simple things that you can do yourself and they may not be as costly as you think.  Here are a few ideas:

• First impression.  Adding foundation shrubs, bushes and flowers is an inexpensive way to add curb appeal.
• Fresh  paint.  We all recognize that a home’s exterior and interior can be magically transformed with the right shade of paint.  At a minimum, it changes old and dingy to fresh and new.
• The entrance.  Replace your dated/worn front door and make a tremendous improvement in the way your home looks from the curb.
• Light fixtures.  Changing old light fixtures is another way to update and freshen your home’s exterior.
• Inside the home.  Studies indicate that chrome fixtures are preferred to the more dated gold fixtures and that a fixed glass screen is preferred to a shower curtain.
• Window treatments.  Simple blinds are the most popular choice.
• Hardware.  Consider replacing your bathroom and kitchen drawer pulls with more modern choices.
• The appliances.  Studies also show that upgrading to energy efficient models adds great value to your home.

Are you considering a Honolulu home or investment property sale?  If so, contact Michael Zimmerman.  In addition, check out the seller resources available on my web site.

For those buying a home, whether you’re first-time homebuyers or not, it is very important not to overlook the long term cost of owning a home.  These details can be costly, especially if you have not familiarized yourself with all of the things that need to be replaced in the future.  Below is a rough guide of how many years each appliance or home system will last**.

Roofs
Asphalt lasts 15-20 years, selvage or asphalt roll 12-20 years, wood shake and shingle 15-20 years, fiberglass 15-20 years, asbestos shingle 30-50 years and slate surprisingly lasts 40-75 years.

Plumbing
Gas hot water heaters last 8-12 years, electric hot water heaters 10-15 years, private disposal systems such as septic tanks last 15-25 years and galvanized water pipes last 30-50 years.

Heating and Air Conditioning
Warm air furnaces last 8-12 years, heat pumps 8-12 years, air conditioning compressors 8-15 years, gas chillers 8-15 years and hot water boilers 30-50 years.

Gutters and Downspouts
Galvanized gutters and downspouts last 15-20 years, while copper gutters and downspouts will last a lifetime, provided that the home is well-maintained.

Appliances
Dishwashers can last 5-12 years, disposals 5-12 years, washers and dryers 8-12 years, water heaters 8-12 years, refrigerators 15-20 years and finally, stoves can last 15-20 years.

**This post is provided for informational purposes. I’ve personally seen appliances last longer than the time ranges listed above, but that is mere anecdotal evidence. Please consult with your home maintenance expert or a professional home inspector.

There are several simple ways to reduce your home energy costs.  Most are inexpensive.  While energy costs have declined in the last few months, there is no way to know if or when they’ll spike again.  Given that, it’s a great time to implement some or all of these energy saving ideas right now. 

• Washer and Dryer use:  by changing the temperature from hot to warm on your clothes washer you can halve your energy usage.  If you line dry just half of your clothing on an indoor drying rack, you can save up to $50 per year.
• Replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs or light-emitting diodes.  Incandescent bulbs only use 10% of their energy for light; the remaining 90% is turned to heat.
• Make it possible to unplug devices when not in use.  Many of these devices use power even in their stand-by mode.  A simple way to do this is to plug your televisions, printers, iPods and cell phones into a power surge protector.  By switching one button, you can turn them all off at once.  This small change may save up to $100 per year.
• Weather stripping drafty doors and caulking windows can save up to 20% on air conditioning costs.
• Installing double-paned Low Emissivity windows can save up to $450 per year in energy costs.  See which windows are classified as Energy Star on energystar.gov.
• Choose an Energy Star Appliance when the time comes to replace your home’s leading energy guzzlers.  These include your refrigerator, clothes washer, clothes dryer and dishwasher.  You can save up to $75 per year.

As we enter the new year, it’s a great time to plan the few things required to keep your home in tip-top shape.  Here is a tidy little check-list to keep on hand to make sure you stay on track.

Yearly:

• Air conditioner must be inspected and cleaned by a professional
• Hot water tank inspection…by a professional
• Clean and seal your wood deck and its railings
• Vacuum lint from your clothes dryer duct and vent
• Check your septic tank’s level
• Re-caulk your exterior windows, doors, siding base and trim
• Re-caulk tubs and showers
• Inspect for worn fittings and connection on all plumbing fixtures in your home
• Have your carpets cleaned by a professional
• Garage Doors: oil the track, roller, hinges, pulleys and springs with a light gauge oil
• Prune trees

Every Six Months:

• Vacuum vents and coils on the back of your refrigerator
• Clean your stove’s vent and fan
• Check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

Every Three Months:

• Clean or replace your air-conditioner filter
• Fertilize your lawn

For more home maintenance information, go to This Old House.