It’s standard procedure at an open house to sign in with some basic contact information. However, if you wish not to be contacted by the agent, be sure to indicate that next to your name. Also, if you already have an agent who sends you to an open house unaccompanied by him, then you should tell this to the open house host and add your agent’s name next to yours on the sign-in sheet.
Some agents like to hover over you as you tour a house or speak to you about all its features and benefits. However, if you prefer to be left alone, tell the agent that you would like to take your time and look around at your leisure. It’s perfectly fine to open closets and cabinets, but respect the owner’s personal property.
Feel free to inquire about local schools or the community, but don’t ask about the profile of the neighborhood’s residents or if the area is safe. These types of questions are discriminatory, and if an agent responds to them in earnest, he or she could be violating The Fair Housing Act. If you need crime statistics, look them up online or visit the local police station.
If you’re looking at condominiums, ask the host agent if there are any proposed special assessments for capital improvements, such as a new roof. Don’t forget to inquire about the association’s “reserve fund,” rainy-day money for unexpected repairs and maintenance. Another good question is whether the building or association allows condo owners to rent units. If so, what is the percentage allowed to be leased? If you’re a pet lover, verify that the building you’re interested in allows cats and dogs, and if there is a limit on the number of pets and their weight.
When viewing single-family homes, ask about recent improvements, such as insulation, new plumbing or other upgrades that you can’t see. If the home has a basement, look for water seepage or flooding, which often evident at the bottom of basement walls. Ask if there is a Residential Real Property Disclosure that you can see. Most states require home sellers to disclose in writing any known material defects, such as cracked foundation walls or leaky roofs. Is the roof old? Look for curled shingles. If the roof looks good, ask the agent how old it is. Don’t overlook the age of the windows — if you end up replacing them, it will cost you plenty.
Keep in mind that the majority of home sellers and their agents try to put the best face on their property for an open house. While fresh flowers, home-baked cookies, and today’s cutting-edge paint and decor can say “Wow!” be sure to look past the staging and focus on the home’s mechanical and structural systems.
Resource: www.homefinder.com; article by Mark Nash
Think of home staging as an illusion. Believe it or not, it's probably the best way of understanding what the activity is all about after all. Think of David Copperfield selling houses and you'll get the idea. The thing is staging the home is beyond cleaning and decorating. It is more about creating moods, and then perfecting that art. The result will then be a bigger, cleaner, brighter, and best of all a better place for the family to live in.
And home buyers would certainly want to buy it.
Contrary to what others would think, it's more than simply preparing your house for the sale. Staging the home has a lot more to do with what you will do after you have accomplished all the minor repairs and cleaned the house overall. It's adding all those small, but necessary details. Generally, you dress your house for the sale.
Professional home stagers are considered highly skilled artists with quite an imagination. They are well able to transform any blank canvas into something impressive without having to lift their paintbrushes ever. You could also say stagers have the skills of top-level designers that allow them to create dramatic sceneries that play to attract all of our five senses. Here are some other interesting things they could do.
Home stagers utilize a wide array of magical items to stage houses, and the limits of what they can come up with can only be determined by how creative they are in various situations. Here are some of those magical items.
How much should home-staging services cost you? The prices vary significantly; you have to consider your location and your area's demand for the services. Large metropolitan cities and coastal areas in particular where the service is already cultivated command higher rates. There are even cases where real estate agents can assist anyone interested in selling houses or their homes stage the homes themselves.
Many of these listing agents however, will agree that vacant homes are more attractive, and will show much better with the staging activities. They also agree about the idea of hiring professional stagers for the job. The fees can range from anywhere between $500 to $5,000, or probably more depending on the parameters of the job (the square footage/number of rooms).
The idea of home staging would be to enhance the rooms, or better yet, to let the rooms show themselves. If the home is vacant, then it's essentially soulless. Selling it would prove much more difficult than the usual.
To learn more about how to stage your home, go to the Lifestyles100 web site where you will find more articles and information, or pick up the new book, "Master Home Staginging in 7 Days" for the Kindle at Amazon.com or the Nook book at Barns and Noble.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Corman
“Location, location, location,” is one of the most commonly used phrases when discussing real estate, but in reality every individual and / or family has their own needs and desires when it comes to finding the right neighborhood to purchase a home. Some people want the fast-paced urban lifestyle while others crave the quiet feel of a small town. With so many options, it can be challenging to find which neighborhood to call home.
To help consumers navigate the many great neighborhood options available in central Ohio, take a look at the following six tips.
1.
Turn your thermostat up, when you are away from home. If you can, program your thermostat to turn down 30 to 45 minutes before you return home each day.
2.
Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air. Ceiling fans create enough air movement in a room to make it feel cooler by four degrees or more.
3.
Replace your air conditioning filters once a month. Dirty filters restrict airflow significantly increasing energy use.
4.
Keep your air conditioner outside unit clear of weeds and debris. Air must be able to circulate freely around the unit.
5.
Unplug appliances when not in use and use each efficiently. Even if an appliance is off, but still plugged in, it will be drawing power. Run your appliances during off peak hours.
6.
Close your drapes or shades during the day to help keep unwanted heat out of your home.
7.
Take it outside when cooking. Grill outdoors versus using your stove to keep your home cooler. Plus, microwaving uses less energy than the oven.
When you're getting ready to sell your home, you want to make sure it looks as good as possible for potential buyers. Here are some tips to get your ready to sell.When you're getting ready to sell your home, you want to make sure it looks as good as possible for potential buyers. Here are some house selling tips to get you ready to sell your house.
by The KCM Crew on February 15, 2011
The conventional wisdom when selling a home has always been to wait until the ‘Spring Buying Season’. Over the years, that has seemed to make sense and is now accepted as a good strategy for those who want to sell their house and receive the best possible price. This real estate market has shattered many previously held beliefs. The wisdom of waiting for a spring market is another belief that is about to fall. Here are five reasons why?
Interest rates have spiked up rather dramatically over the last ninety days and are now over 5%. Initially, an increase in rates has a positive effect on the market as it forces buyers off the fence. However, it also eats into a buyer’s purchasing power. As rates increase, the mortgage amount a buyer qualifies for decreases. This will eventually have a negative impact on prices.
If your family goal is to sell your current house and take advantage of the fabulous selection of properties currently available to buy the home of your dreams, DO IT NOW! Prices will continue to soften in most markets. However, if you are buying, COST should be more important than PRICE. Cost can be dramatically impacted by rising mortgage interest rates. Do the math and decide if now is the time.
There is mounting evidence that buyers are coming out earlier this year. A belief that now is a good time to buy coupled with the increase in interest rates has started the buying season early.
Pete Flint, CEO of Trulia:
“We’re seeing a national resurgence of buyer and seller activity on Trulia.com. In January alone, we experienced an unprecedented level of site traffic including 11 million unique visitors – which is more than 70 percent year-over-year growth. We’ve are now experiencing 100,000 property views per minute.”
The National Association of Realtors just reported that the number of house sales increased 12.9% over last month.
Every year there is an increase of inventory which comes to market as we approach the spring. Here is the number of listings available for sale in 2010.
We believe there will be an increase in these numbers in 2011 as there is a pent-up selling demand created by the weak market of the last few years. You won’t have to worry about this increasing competition if you sell now.
While banks are trying to rectify their foreclosure procedures, there is a large supply of discounted properties which has been delayed coming to market. This inventory will be released sometime in the next few months. Foreclosures sell on average at a 41% discount. When released they will be competing with your house for the buyers in the marketplace. If you are looking to sell in 2011, you want to sell before this inventory becomes your competition.
CNN Money quoted the leadership Of RealtyTrac on this issue:
“We’ve now seen three straight months with fewer than 300,000 properties receiving foreclosure filings, following 20 straight months where the total exceeded 300,000,” said James Saccacio, CEO of RealtyTrac. “Unfortunately,” he added, “This is less a sign of a robust housing recovery and more a sign that lenders have become bogged down in reviewing procedures, resubmitting paperwork and formulating legal arguments related to accusations of improper foreclosure processing.”
“We’ve now seen three straight months with fewer than 300,000 properties receiving foreclosure filings, following 20 straight months where the total exceeded 300,000,” said James Saccacio, CEO of RealtyTrac.
“Unfortunately,” he added, “This is less a sign of a robust housing recovery and more a sign that lenders have become bogged down in reviewing procedures, resubmitting paperwork and formulating legal arguments related to accusations of improper foreclosure processing.”
“We expect a spike in the first quarter,” said Rick Sharga, a RealtyTrac spokesman.
These are five strong reasons to sell now instead of waiting until later in the year. Sit down with a local real estate professional today and decide the best options for you and your family.
First-Timers Begin With The Basics When Buying
If you’re taking a look at today’s housing market, it’s impossible to ignore the many signs that say “Buy Now”. While current buying conditions present viable opportunities for first-timers, it still requires serious work to make the significant financial leap. As a soon-to-be homeowner, you must get your finances in order during the months leading up to the purchase.
“Today’s market presents an excellent opportunity for first-time buyers to find competitive home prices and very low interest rates,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “But none of that matters if there isn’t a good sense of your financial situation before starting your search.”
Here are some useful starter steps:
· Run a credit check. When a mortgage company considers you for a loan, it checks into all your vitals including your credit score. They want to see how responsible applicants are when it comes to paying bills on time and if they have a detrimental amount of debt. These expectations have risen significantly in past years making it even more important to know your score and possibly improve it before applying.
· Assess buying power. Buying power is determined by the amount of debt an applicant is carrying. Your Realtor and lender can help assess your income to debt ratio, and provide you with a realistic idea of how much you will be able to borrow, which will reveal what kind of house you can ultimately afford. You may also discover adjustments that can be made to improve your loanability.
· Get pre-approved. All of your work above is geared toward achieving one thing: pre-approval for a home loan. Pre-approval is a good gauge of how much you can borrow and it shows home sellers that you have the backing to buy. Now, you can work with your Realtor to kick off that home search.
Across Ohio, Coldwell Banker King Thompson and Coldwell Banker West Shell have 20 offices and over 1000 sales associates serving central Ohio, greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. The companies are part of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company. NRT, a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, operates Realogy’s company-owned real estate brokerage offices. For more information, please visit www.KingThompson.com
“Selling a home takes work, whether you are upgrading, downsizing or relocating,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “Partnering with a professional can help alleviate the work load and pressure, but it’s important to find a Realtor who can meet your expectations and prepare your home to sell.”
Asking the right questions can make it easier to find the perfect match:
“Improving schools, giving back to the community and making the neighborhood look better are all investments that also increase your property value,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “You want to show potential buyers a community that is clean, safe and inviting.”
Bring your community together with these ideas:
“A fireplace is an amenity that more buyers expect to see in a home,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “Once a practical heating solution, the fireplace has become a luxurious feature that is both functional and stylish.”
Consider these points to keep your fireplace healthy this winter:
Homeowners, are you thinking of settling down for that long winter’s nap? Think again. While you’re confident that your home will be ready for its debut on the housing market later this year, many winter weather hazards can cause costly, time-consuming repairs. As ice, snow and sleet make their way into central Ohio, beware of how these conditions can negatively impact your home.
“The damage done to your home by subzero temperatures can go unseen until the thaw comes,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “Taking the right precautions to protect your home in the winter will pay off in the spring.”
Here are some tips to protect your home in the dead of winter:
- Fire it up. If you turn the thermostat down during the workday or for a vacation, keep the temperature set around 60 degrees. Low temps and shifting interior conditions can have damaging effects, especially with wood.
- Map it out. Water pipes can and do burst. In the event of a ruptured water line, know exactly where the main water valve is, and how to shut it off. If you are not able to this, have your plumber’s number handy.
- Deicing the safe way. When spreading deicing salt, stay away from plants and grass that can be damaged. Check out salt spreads that are safe for pets and the environment or use sand to build traction on slick walkways.
- Protect the garage or shed. A concrete garage or shed floor is porous and absorbed liquid can freeze and cause cracks. Keeping the garage door down will help, but for extreme cold, consider a floor covering or mat.
There are a number of variables in selecting the right Realtor to sell your home. The history of the company, the sales associate’s knowledge of your neighborhood, his or her success rate and the vibrancy of the local market will all have a significant impact on the decision-making process.
A good place to start is by interviewing a number of real estate professionals before making your final decision. By opening up a good dialogue, you can begin to determine what the agent will do for their commission, their professional capabilities, and whether there is a good rapport between the two of you. Also, it’s important to never select a Realtor based on them quoting you the highest listing price.
Instead, I recommend asking a real estate professional the following questions before hiring them to sell your home.
•
One last thing: See how you feel during the interview. Since the agent/seller relationship is a close one, you'll want to feel a personal connection with the agent. It's not a right or wrong question, but a
question of style and how comfortable you feel. Your agent’s ability to work well with you and with the buyer’s agent can make or break a deal.
It always surprises me that people put off regular upkeep on their homes. One of the things I advise homeowners is to act like you’re selling your home even if you aren’t. Do regular inspections of key areas on your property and make the necessary repairs and maintenance before small problems become big ones. Here are a few areas to pay attention to:
For a growing family, real estate is not a short term proposition. When choosing a new home, it’s important to find the best investment from both a lifestyle and financial perspective so the home can continue to meet your needs at multiple stages of your family’s growth. Before you hit the ground on your housing hunt, map out your family’s future to find the home that will meet your needs today and tomorrow.
Families come in all shapes and sizes today, from young children to teens to live-in in-laws. It’s hard to have a crystal ball on life, but the long-term nature of a home purchase demands that we consider what it will be like to reside in a particular home for 10, 20, 30 years or more.
Here are just a few ways to keep your eyes on the big prize:
Test wants vs. needs.
Check your timeframe.
Future planning.
Someone once asked me, "What is so special about home ownership?" I thought it an excellent question – one that deserves a good conversation. Let me assure you, there are many reasons why home ownership is a benefit to nearly everyone in almost any market. Buying a home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make and for many individuals owning a home fulfills the American dream.
Pride of home ownership:
1. This is the number one reason why people yearn to own a home. As a home owner you can decorate your home according to your own taste and you can paint your walls any color you wish.
2. Home ownership also gives you and your family a sense of stability and security.
3. More importantly, real estate is an investment in your future.
Income tax advantages:
1. There are real and tangible tax benefits for owning a home.
2. A person can start with mortgage interest deductions.
3. Property taxes are also a deduction.
4. When you sell your property, there are favorable tax treatments on your profit. Check with your CPA or tax planner for requirements and details.
Enjoyment, quality of life and peace of mind:
1. It is a great feeling to know that you have a roof over your head, and your family is safe and secure in your home.
2. There is real satisfaction in making improvements inside and outside of
3. When building a room addition, or remodeling a bath or kitchen, the added everyday pleasure won’t be the only reward – the homeowner will most likely get some return on the investment from the improvement.
So, back to the question, "What is so special about home ownership?"
The answer is…
If you’ve turned on the news recently, you may have heard the words "real estate" and "buyer’s market." Have the sellers been forgotten? While today’s housing market is attractive for buyers, sellers can get their home in tip top shape to increase their chances of selling. Below are 7 tips that will help you sell your home.
1. Use a Home "stager:"
2. Maximize Curb Appeal
3. Make Your Home Anonymous:
4. Make Necessary Repairs
5. Cosmetic improvements:
6. Spic and Span:
7. Protect your valuables:
Homebuyers Find Comfort and Incentives Living Near Relatives
Today’s homebuyers are appreciating the benefits of living closer to their relatives, such as having more quality time with each other, flexible schedules, and help juggling childcare and eldercare. In fact, according to a Coldwell Banker survey conducted in July 2010, 72 percent of homeowners that are parents choose to live within 30 minutes of extended family members – and close to half (42 percent) live less than 10 minutes away.
“People search for homes around life’s most important milestones, which includes welcoming a family’s first child,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “Not only are parents planning ahead when it comes to buying a home, they are very excited to live near relatives who will help along the way.”
Here are some tips for parents or expecting parents who are searching for a home:
Tech Tools Make Real Estate Shopping Convenient
When the weather outside is frightful, hunting for a new home can get downright chilly. Fortunately, a wealth of online and mobile tools enables buyers to shop for real estate without stepping outside.
“Nearly 89 percent of today’s buyers test the real estate waters online before diving into their home search,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “National sites, localized options and even mobile sites make it simple for buyers to see what’s out there before pounding the pavement, especially in wintry weather.”
Is 2011 your year to become a homeowner? Most people who choose a New Year’s resolution typically pick a goal to achieve or habit to break, but 2011 may be the year that they resolve to buy their first home.
“The reasons for first-time home buyers to invest now just keep adding up,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “Setting goals and adopting good habits, such as saving more, reducing debt and improving credit scores, will put first timers in a good position to get what they want in the New Year.”
Here are 10 reasons to invest in real estate in 2011:
1. Purchasing a home is far more economical than renting. In fact, according to a Coldwell Banker Real Estate survey conducted in April 2010, 53 percent of single homeowners reported they purchased a home because it was more cost effective than renting in their area.
2. Greater variety from which to choose: single-family homes, condominiums, town houses, new construction, and existing homes.
3. Mortgage interest rates remain at historic lows.
4. Opportunity to buy a home today for yesterday’s price.
5. Updated programs from the Federal Housing Administration that help make buying a home more secure and accessible.
6. High volumes of Real Estate Owner (REO) properties on the market make it possible to buy a bigger and better home at a lower price.
7. New and improved research tools and technologies make finding the right home in the best location an easier and enjoyable task.
8. A willingness on the part of sellers to negotiate with buyers on more than just price, such as home repairs and moving dates.
9. Historically positive home appreciation rates decade to decade.
10. More than simply a place to live, owning a home is a smart investment. The Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances has consistently found that those who own a home amass greater wealth than those who rent.
Along with champagne toasts and New Year’s kisses, the New Year brings fresh resolutions for your biggest investment. Make 2011 the time to enhance your living space in ways that increase its desirability next year. It may also be a moment to get more for less, as contractors, designers and remodelers often offer discounted services.
“Homeowners should set goals that continuously improve their home, not only to customize, but to enhance the property’s value and appeal,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. “The results are tangible and can help create points of differentiation when you put your home on the market.”
Here are some tips for improving your home in 2011:
Before You Buy a Home, Learn to Prepare
Most people who choose a New Year’s resolution typically pick a goal to achieve or habit to break. People that select homeownership as their resolution have an entirely different challenge. Purchasing a home is an exercise that requires achieving a series of goals and adopting good habits. This might include shopping less, saving more, paying off credit card balances, and improving your credit score.
Many homebuyers already work with a financial advisor. However, only a Realtor understands the real estate business and what steps buyers need to take before purchasing a home. The buying process hinges on being financially and mentally prepared. A Realtor can help on both ends by working with buyers to plan paths towards homeownership.
Get pre-approved.
Check your credit.
Organize your paperwork.
Assess your savings
Keep credit balances low.
Jerry White is executive vice president of operations for Coldwell Banker King Thompson and past REALTOR of the Year for the Columbus Board of REALTORS. Visit
Search for Homes Online with Comfort and Ease
When the weather outside is frightful, hunting for a new home can get downright chilly. Fortunately, a wealth of online tools and resources enable buyers to shop for real estate from the warmth and comfort of their own home.
A recent study from the National Association of Realtors found that 89% of buyers used the Internet to search for a home, proving that buyers today are first testing the real estate waters online before diving into their home search. National sites such as Realtor.com or more localized options such as kingthompson.com make it simple for buyers to see what’s out there before pounding the pavement, especially in wintry weather.
Simple search tools, advanced results.
Picture perfect.
Going mobile.
Community info.
From updating a kitchen to gutting a bathroom to adding a three-season room, almost everyone has something they want to improve about their home. Home renovation can not only improve your current lifestyle, it can also raise the value of your property.
With proper research, planning and thoughtfulness, home renovation can be a rewarding experience. Below are several tips that can help smooth the home improvement process.
Healthy Balance:
Seek Out Referrals:
Obtain Multiple Bids
Interview the Contractors:
Follow up on References:
Contact Local Consumer Protection Agencies:
Don’t Pay the Contractor Up Front:
· You can get a good deal: Will prices fall further? Sure, they could. It doesn't really matter so much in the long haul.
· Mortgages are cheap: You can get a 30-year loan for around 4.3%. These are the lowest rates on record.
· You'll save on taxes: You can deduct the mortgage interest from your income taxes. You can deduct your real estate taxes.
· It offers some inflation protection: No, it's not perfect. But studies by Professor Karl Case (of Case-Shiller), and others, suggest that over the long-term housing has tended to beat inflation by a couple of percentage points a year.
· Sooner or later, the market will clear. Demand and supply will meet. And a lot of the "glut" simply won't matter: It's concentrated in a few areas, like Florida and Nevada.
-- "10 Reasons To Buy a Home," by Brett Arends, The Wall Street Journal, Sept. 16, 2010
-- "A Dream House After All," by Karl Case, New York Times, Sept. 1, 2010. Karl Case, is professor emeritus of economics at Wellesley and co-creator of Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller housing index.
© 2010 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity . Each Coldwell Banker King Thompson Office is Operated by NRT Columbus LLC
Choosing environmentally friendly cleaning products — and removing toxic ones — goes a long way towards ensuring a home with fresh, clean air. Clean air renews and rejuvenates; it doesn’t pollute our lives or the environment. Living in a less toxic home, removed from neurotoxic chemicals, improves sleep and concentration, makes babies less fussy, and gives a sense of well-being. Your household’s toxic burden on the environment will be significantly reduced by following these steps, and this too can bring peace of mind.
1. LOOK UNDER YOUR KITCHEN SINK: Remove toxic productsWHY: Almost everyone in the world has a cupboard full of poisons under their kitchen sink. Wasp spray, oven cleaner, waxes and polishes—the place is full of chemicals that display the words poison, danger, warning, or caution. Small amounts of the poisons drift from, and leak out of bottles and spray bottles, which then waft around the kitchen. Household poisonings are one of the highest threats to the health of children.
HOW: Place products with signal words in a locked cupboard in storage for your community’s next Household Hazardous Pickup Day (see next tip); replace all hazardous products with safer versions in the future.
HIGHLIGHTS: No chemicals wafting into your household; safer environment for kids.
2. ABOUT HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PICKUPS: Take toxic productsWHY: Hazardous materials shouldn’t be poured down the drain or thrown away in the trash as they can cause serious pollution problems in the waste stream.
HOW: Call your local recycling center, town or city hall. Most communities have at least one Household Hazardous Waste Pickup Day a year.
HIGHLIGHTS: There will be fewer toxic materials leaching out of landfills, burning in incinerators, and being washed into the waste water stream.
3. REPLACE TOXIC PRODUCTS: Choose non-toxic, biodegradable substitutesWHY: Help reduce the toxic burden of manufacturing, your home, and the waste stream.HOW: Read “Signal Words” on labels. The signal words poison, danger,warning, or caution, found on the label of products such as pesticides and cleaning products, are placed there by order of the federal government and are primarily for your production. In some cases these signal words are on the label because of the potential impact the product can have on the environment. Poison/danger denotes a product of most concern, one that is highly toxic, and ingesting small amounts—in some cases a few drops—can be fatal. Warning means moderately toxic, as little as a teaspoonful can be fatal; and caution denotes a product that is less toxic, one in which it would be necessary to ingest between two tablespoons and two cups to be fatal. Corrosive products can damage skin and mucous membranes, and a strong sensitizer is a chemical that can increase allergies.
HIGHLIGHTS: Labels provide information by which you can protect yourself, your family, and the environment.
4. LEARN NON-TOXIC CLEANING BASICS: How to use kitchen cupboardingredients
WHY: Save money, protect your health, reduce your use of valuable resources of the earth, avoid petroleum products and other non-renewable resources.
HOW: Learning to clean from scratch—making homemade recipes—can truly work if you take time to understand a bit about the chemistry behind how the materials work. Here are the five ingredients that Annie (the author of Clean & Green among other books, and Care2’s Healthy Living channel producer) finds to be the safest, most effective, and useful for cleaning.
The Five Basics for Non-Toxic CleaningMake sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.Note how to safely reduce four airborne allergens in the home with these simple steps.HIGHLIGHTS: Establish a safe, cheap and simple lifestyle.
5. OF MOPS, SPONGES, RAGS, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES: Natural, reusable
WHY: Reduce your use of non-renewable resources; avoid products with potentially harmful ingredients such as sponges with antibacterial ingredients; reuse old shirts as rags and more. Use cloth rags instead of paper towels to save trees. Save money!
HOW: Look at your purchase of mops, paper towels, sponges, buckets, vacuums, and more with an eye towards their durability, health and environmental impact. If you must use paper towels buy recycled, unbleached paper.
HIGHLIGHTS: Reusable mops, rags instead of paper, safe sponges, HEPA vacuums all work towards providing your home and environment with fresh, clean air, and reduce your consumption of nonrenewable resources.
6. LEARN ABOUT YOUR WATER: Is it hard or soft?WHY: With hard water you will most likely need to clean with a detergent instead of a soap to avoid soap scum.
HOW: Read here about when and why to choose a detergent or a soap
HIGHLIGHTS: Choosing the right product for the right job reduces time and resources.
7. DISINFECTANTS? CHLORINE BLEACH? Look for alternativesWHY: Just as antibiotics are causing drug resistance, so too are disinfectants. Chlorine bleach can cause cancer causing chemicals to form in the waste water stream. Here is more information about chlorine and the home.
HOW: Make a safer antibacterial spray by using these suggestions. Read here about toxic sponges.Visit your natural food store and ask for their recommended chlorine beach alternative. Seventh Generation and other brands offer alternatives that work.
HIGHLIGHTS: A healthier home and healthier environment.
8. CONSERVE WATER
WHY: Clean water is one of our most precious and diminishing resources and we don’t want to waste it.HOW: Don’t run the water unless you are using it or catching it in a bucket for use; sweep instead of wet mop when possible; put a tracking matt at the door to collect mud and dust so you will need to wash the floor less; etc. Use common sense.
HIGHLIGHTS: Do your part to preserve the earth’s precious resources.
9. CLEAN INDOOR AIR WITH PLANTS
WHY: Plants have been found to reduce indoor air pollution!
HOW: Here are the top 10 plants that clear indoor air.
HIGHLIGHTS: Plants clean the air and provide more oxygen too!
10. USE YOUR SENSES: Smell, feel, hear
WHY: If you use your nose you will know when food is rotten, when dog beds need to be cleaned, when toxic chemicals may be leaking from old product bottles, and more. If you use your sense of touch you will know when doorknobs are sticky, the floor needs washing, etc. If you allow your senses to be your guide you will stay on top of cleaning jobs that need to be attended to.
HOW: Listen to what your senses are telling you.
HIGHLIGHTS: Cleaner indoor air, alert to potential toxic exposures.
Source: http://www.care2.com/
ResultsforYou | Why Choose Me! | Contact Us | Setting the Sales Price | Get the Highest Price | Free Home Valuation | Find A Home! | Closing Costs | First Time Buyers | Get Pre-qualified | Home Buyer Checklist | For Buyers | Download Adobe Acrobat | Tell a Friend | Our Homes | Selling Your Home | Featured Homes | Search Yahoo!® | Home | Applying for a Loan | Loan App Checklist | Mortgage Saving Tips | Loan Programs | Locking in Rates | Staying Approved | Neighborhood Prices | Staging Checklist | 9 Steps to Owning | Site Map | Mortgage Calculators | Request Industry Info | Your Dream Home | 9 Steps to Ownership | How to Sell Your Home | Staging Your Home | Contingencies in Contracts | Home Appreciation | Selling One, Buying Another | Donna Vichinsky's Blog
Copyright © 2012 Coldwell Banker King ThompsonPortions Copyright © 2012 a la mode, inc.Another XSite by a la mode, inc. | Admin Login| Terms of Use| Site MapAll rate, payment, and area information are estimates and approximations only.
