Old or new homes can be at risk for dangerous levels of radon. Radon travels up through the ground to the air and enters your home through cracks or holes in the foundation. It can also enter your home through well water. Building materials can give off radon as well. Once trapped inside your home, this odorless gas will build up.

One of the many issues that come up during a real estate transaction is whether or not a radon test  should be done. While we firmly believe that testing for radon is a good idea, whether or not it is done during the course of the real estate transaction is dependent on issues relative to each specific sale.

The only way to know if you or your family is at risk is to test for radon. Testing below the third floor is recommended by both the Surgeon General and EPA.

Once radon problems have been found and fixed, the home sale can usually proceed. Generally, a high radon test result is a fairly easy problem to fix at a cost of $1,000-$1,500. We have worked with several different companies through the years, so contact us if you want more info. Also, the EPA’s own website is a great place to get more info.

First and foremost, always unplug the garbage disposal before working on it. This safety rule must never be ignored. Secondly, never put your hand in the hopper, down the drain into the disposal, when the unit is plugged in.  This rule, too, must never be ignored or minimized.

A number of things can go wrong, causing your garbage disposal to stop working. After you have noted, and taken care to follow, the first two steps, you can now consider the reasons that your garbage disposal unit is no longer working. Have you pressed the reset button on the unit? It can be as simple as this. Furthermore, check to see if the circuit breaker is tripped. If this is not the case, the unit may be jammed or the motor needs repair.

• No power to the unit. This is not the case if you hear any noise coming from the unit.
• The unit is jammed. The most common reason that your garbage disposal isn’t working is because it’s jammed. When this is the case, you will usually hear a noise or hum.  When renting, if the disposal is jammed because something other than food fell into the device, the repair charge is paid for by the tenant.  
• Broken motor.  This will require repair. When the motor is broken, there will usually be no noise, and you might notice a burning smell.

 We have provided a link that might help. Basically, the steps to check to see what might have jammed the unit involves unplugging the unit and  turning the power off at the panel box. We can’t emphasize this enough. Then, and only then, you can reach in and dislodge the stuck item.  You can purchase a garbage disposal wrench that goes into the center of the bottom of the unit.  This wrench manually turns the blades to help free the item that is lodged into the disposal.   

 The plumber that we would call for this is RV Carey. You can reach him at 301-424-8899. His typical charge is around $90, and they will bill us. However, if the disposal is jammed because something other than food fell into the unit, you will have to pay.  Jerry can also do it if he is scheduled to come soon.   

For an extensive list of the local businesses, please visit Homesandadvice.com.

Many are fearful of investing in real estate due to our current economy.  While this is understandable, it might not be the best choice for you. In truth, this may be the opportune time to buy:

A Primary Residence

If you’re staying in the area, there is a good chance that the home that you are buying has lost more of its value than the home that you are selling.  If you choose to stay in the area, you will have the same risk factors, regardless of whether you choose to buy now or wait. Therefore, now might be a good time to get into something you like.  In fact, many feel that it’s a great time to buy up in real estate.

Rental property

When the housing bubble burst in 2005/2006, the price-to-rent ratio in the metro area was significantly lowered. The price-to-rent ratio is the price of a home divided by one year’s rent on a comparable one. You might find a $500,000 townhouse, near metro, that would rent for $2500 a month or $30,000 per year.  This would place your price-to-rent ratio at 16.6 ($500,000/$30,000).  In years past, that same townhouse would have sold for $600,000. Rental pricing, at that time, would place the ratio at 20. Today, we have seen lower priced properties with rent ratios as low as 10 ($180,000/$18,000).

Going back to 2000, before the market really started to heat up, a townhouse, off Tuckerman and near the Grosvenor metro, would have had a ratio of 13.75 ($280,000/$20,400).  Some look at the rental market as a good leading indicator for what home values will do in the future, since tight rental inventory leads to increased demand for all types of housing.

Is this the time to be fearful of buying? This is a personal choice. At the same time, many are seeing the current real estate situation as an opportunity to buy the home that they have always wanted. Others are seeing it as chance to invest in rental property.

This might be the opportune time to purchase investment property or to upgrade your current home.  We would love to talk with you regarding your plans to buy or sell in today’s market.

Obviously, pricing will vary, depending on the detail and quality level that you are looking for. The contractor should be able to explain the steps they plan to take to get the job done as well as inform you of your pricing options.

Like us, you may feel that many contractors seem to be unaware of the EPA rules requiring lead-safe work practices. To protect against risks associated with the unsafe handling of lead, on April 22, 2008, the EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices. Beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in a home, child care facility, or school built before 1978, must be certified and follow specific guidelines to prevent lead contamination.

Check Their Licenses

In addition to the safe handling of lead based products, you much consider if your contractor is properly licensed. Taking the time to check your contractor’s licenses can save you a lot of headaches down the road.

The Maryland Home Improvement Commission licenses and regulates home improvement contractors, subcontractors, and sales representatives. Home improvement work involves alteration, remodeling, repair, or replacement of a building, or part of a building, used as a residence or condominium. The commission investigates complaints by homeowners, awards monetary damages against licensed contractors, and prosecutes those who violate home improvement laws and regulations.

Established by assessments to contractors, this commission has a Guaranty Fund (the Fund). The Fund compensates homeowners for actual monetary losses due to poor workmanship or failure, on the part of a licensed contractor, to perform a home improvement contract. Each contractor is covered by the Fund for up to $100,000 for all claims. The amount which can be awarded, per homeowner, is $20,000. Applicants who submit a surety bond, to meet the financial solvency requirements, must submit a $20,000 bond.

To protect yourself, you must be diligent to make sure that you are working with a licensed contractor. As well, you can protect yourself by:

• Requesting references
• Being sure to get a copy of the contractor’s current liability insurance certificate and proof of worker’s compensation coverage. If the contractor doesn’t have worker’s compensation coverage, a homeowner could be liable if a worker is injured on the job.
• Always insisting on a written contract
• Paying no more than 1/3 of contract price as a down payment
• Before the work starts, asking to see any building permits

We are always on the lookout for good contractors to add to our list, so use our Suggest A Business form on the bottom of our local services page.

For additional information:

See Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation

Visit  the Washington DC’s Occupation and Professional Licensing Administration DCOPLA website

Visit the  Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation DPOR website

If you’re looking for a local contractor, check out our local businesses page

You’re ready to sell your existing home and purchase another. However, you’re faced with the decision of whether to buy your new home first or to sell your existing home first.  In order to make this important decision, one needs a good understanding of:

The condition of the local housing market – Will there be a demand for your home? Is there a demand for the home you want to purchase?

Your financial situation – How much equity do you have in your home?  What is your borrowing power for your next home?  Do you need your existing home’s equity in order to buy?  Our financial calculator can help you to sort out some of the details regarding your current financial situation.

The availability of loan products – There are great loan tools, like the 80-10-10 mortgage loans, making their way back to the market. Our local business page has links to several good Washington, DC area lenders.

Choosing to Buy First

On the plus side, you can choose the home you want on the terms that you are comfortable with. On the negative side, the risk of selling your home falls back on you. Tools to help you make this all important decision include:

• Home Sale Contingency – You purchase a home contingent on the sale of your existing home.  You will have an agreed-upon time frame in which to sell your home. During this time, the seller may continue to find a non-contingent buyer.  If another buyer comes along, the seller would give you notice to either remove the contingency, or the contract would be canceled. This is a hard contingency to get accepted when the seller has a home in high demand.

• Delayed Settlement – Provided you are in a situation where you can purchase your new home, with or without the sale of your existing one, you may find sellers willing to work with you. This contingency is typically structured with an end date, at which time you will need to purchase your new home.

• No Home Sale Or Settlement – In this situation, unless otherwise stated, your new home purchase would not be tied to your existing home.  The seller would expect to see your lenders pre-approval stating that you could purchase their home without selling yours first.  In the past, bridge loans and equity lines were commonly used for this approach, making it easier for buyer and seller to qualify, but these products are not readily available.  Therefore, in addition to your equity, you will need income to support both loans as well as the cash to purchase your new home.

Choosing to Sell First

On the plus side, you have the funds to purchase your new home and know your bottom line. On the negative side, you are working with a deadline to find an acceptable place in which to move.

In a typical sell first, your house is under contract awaiting settlement.  Inspections, loans, and appraisal contingencies will be at some stage of completion.  On occasion, we have clients who have actually sold their home first and made concessions, money in hand and debt gone. All sellers will be receptive to this.

Tools to help with the decision to sell first include:

• Home of Choice Contingency – You would, with your buyer, negotiate a set number of days to find a house.  In the event that you are unable, or unwilling, to find a property to purchase, you may void your contract within the time frame given.  The seller of the house that you want to purchase will want to see figures proving your ability to purchase, with or without the sale of your home.

• Contingency on Settlement – If you have sold your house and applicable contingencies, like the home inspection, financing, appraisal, HOA, or condo docs, have been removed, you would be agreeing to make your purchase contingent on the successful settlement of your existing home.  If you don’t meet the deadline, your purchase contract could become void.

• Delayed Settlement – When delaying the amount of time until you must move from your home, you’re betting on finding a suitable place to move.  Since buyers may want to lock in rates, buyer financing and time frames might come into play. Additionally, the seller of the house you plan to purchase may want to see proof of your ability to purchase, with or without this delayed sale going to settlement.

• Rent Back -  This tool simply buys more time after the sale of your home. With funds in hand, you can rent back. The cost for this option is typically calculated at the purchaser’s daily cost. Lenders now are now asking for this time period to be 30 days or less.

Whether you choose to buy first or sell first, you can rest assured that the Schuck Group is here to assist you in the purchase and sale of your home.