How to Deal with a Mold Problem

Mold spores are a fact of life. They’re tiny, too small to see with the naked eye, and float about in the air. Trouble arises when they land on something wet and begin growing.  Once that happens, the clock is ticking.  As long as there is moisture, the mold will grow and spread. Mold can cause suffering for people with allergies or asthma.  Left unchecked, mold can cause damage to your home.

The keys to preventing a mold problem are ventilation, humidity, and preventing water leaks. Mold thrives in moisture, so ventilation and low humidity will dry out wet spots. And when you find moisture in places where it shouldn’t be, you need to be looking for a source of leaking water and fix it as quickly as possible.

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that as long as the mold area is less than ten square feet, you can clean it up yourself. If the problem has grown beyond that, you’ll want to hire a contractor with mold remediation experience.  If you are going to try handling a small area yourself, the EPA has these suggestions:

1. Protect yourself and others from exposure to mold. Wear goggles, gloves and an N-95 respirator, which looks like a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front of it.
2. Fix leaks and other water problems and let affected areas dry completely.
3. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and let it dry.
4. Porous materials like carpet and ceiling tiles may need to be thrown away because mold is nearly impossible to remove completely from them.

The problem with mold is that you can’t always see it. If you smell mold, but don’t see any or the house has had water damage and your family is having allergic reactions, you may need some help.  Mold problems can be hidden inside the walls of your house, under wallpaper or paneling, on top of ceiling tiles, on the underside of roofing materials and even in your ductwork. Finding it and exposing it to clean it can release massive amounts of spores, which is why you may want to bring in a professional.

The cost of cleaning an extensive mold problem is high enough that you need to protect yourself when buying a home. An experienced home inspector should be able to see the signs of mold or water damage that could lead to mold.  If you’re selling, you’re going to wind up paying a mold problem, so it’s not a bad idea to have your home checked well ahead of that time if you suspect there may be a problem. As always, if you have questions about how mold problems can affect buying or selling, contact me and I’ll help put it all into perspective for you.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

The Trouble with Pets

For many homeowners, pets are part of the family. And just like other members of the family, pets can sometimes cause problems around the house. A stain here, damaged wooden floors there: It can add up over time. Before selling a home, a homeowner will want to rectify these problems just like any others.

Oh My, What’s That Smell!
Sometimes you can tell pets live in a house the moment you open the door. This is not something you want to happen to potential buyers coming to take a look.  There is no simple fix for pet odors.  Sprays, plug-ins and scented candles might cover the smell, but may also set off alarm bells as people wonder what you’re trying to hide with all that perfume.

The secret to solving this problem is thorough and complete cleaning of all problem areas. That means deep cleaning carpets, furniture, and floors and walls. The smell of cat urine is perhaps the worst offender, and it the hardest to remove successfully.  The process can be involved, but here are guides from wikihow.com and petfinder.com that will help immensely. In addition, here are some more suggestions:


The Damage Pets Can Do
Hardwood floors and sharp, hard claws do not mix well. Cats and window screens is a disaster in the making. We won’t even consider some of the more exotic pets. All of this can add up to significant repair costs. So, here are some ideas to help prevent damage in the first place

• Keep pet’s nails trimmed so they won’t wear away the finish of a hardwood floor.
• Give your cat something to scratch so they’ll leave window screens alone.
• Don’t train your dog to scratch at the door when it wants to go outside. Unless the door is protected, it’s going to suffer over time.
• A bitter smelling spray from the pet store will help discourage teething puppies from chewing the edge of a door.
• Double-wide sticky tape will keep cats from scratching that area.
• Make sure to clean up urine and water spills quickly. Water can seep through the floor, and cause damage all the way down.
• You’ll have to do it when you sell your house, so go ahead and vacuum up all of that pet hair hiding behind the refrigerator.

A final tip: Your homeowners insurance policy will only cover damaged caused by pets if that animal is covered by the policy. You’ll need to talk to your insurance agent if you think you need to expand your coverage.

And when it comes time to sell your home, I’m here to help you. Give me a call and let me help you get the best possible price for your home, pets or no pets.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Etiquette as a Competitive Sport

The Nebraska Repertory Theatre presents "Mrs. Mannerly", a delightful comedy in which Etiquette is a competitive sport. Written by Jeffrey Hatcher, the pla is a two-person comedy in which the ten-year-old Jeffrey takes an etiquette class from Mrs. Mannerly in 1967 Steubenville, Ohio. The actor who plays Jeffrey also plays 7 other characters of both genders. The closing performance is Saturday at 7:30pm at the Studio Theater.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Getting the Most from Your Swimming Pool

Summertime means a lot of things, including a trip to the pool. But, if you happen to own the pool, you know summertime means lots of regular pool chores.  And no one will enjoy your pool if you neglect them!

• Regularly test your pool water chemistry. Twice a week is a good base line. It’s easier to keep things in balance is you don’t let them get out of control.  Make sure to check after periods of heavy rain.
• You’ve got to keep your pH level as close to 7.5 as you can, and make sure your alkalinity stays between the recommended levels. If you must add chemicals, do it in the evening. Strong sunlight will weaken the effect.
• Make repairs promptly. Broken drains or suction pipes are dangerous. Cracks in a pool wall will worsen over time, as will liner tears. Problems with pump equipment can allow the pool water to stagnate.
• Keep things clean. No one wants to swim in a pool with algae covered walls and debris on the bottom. Brush and scrub floors, walls and tile. Empty the skimmer basket every time you check the water chemistry.
• Your pump has to run between 8 and 12 hours each day to ensure proper circulation. Most have built in timers, but you’ll want to make sure they’re working properly.  And you’ll want to run the pump during the heat of the day. You’ll need to backwash a sand filter every three to four weeks, depending on the size of the pool.
• Once summer is over and temperatures begin to fall, you’ll need to properly winterize your pool. Failing that can mean expensive repairs, which may not be covered by your home owners insurance.

Maintaining a pool does take some work, but it can be well worth it. Taking care of the pool is essential to maximizing its value if the time comes to sell. And if that time comes, let me help you get the best price for your home.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Spend the Weekend at the Fair

The Lancaster County Super Fair is underway! The 10-day family event features entertainment, a midway carnival, fair food, 4H/FFA exhibits, and more. The Muhlback Motorsports Complex will feature a Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Figure 8 races. There will be live music including performances by “JB and the Moonshine Band”, “Mark Wills” and “Cowboy Up! Band”. Other entertainment includes a petting zoo, Daryl’s Racing Pigs and Scott’s Crazy Comedy Magic Show. The 4H/FFA and open class exhibits are in the Lincoln Room and it is open from 10am-10pm. The commercial vendor building is open from 11am-8pm. The carnival opens at 1pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekends. Attractions and entertainment go throughout the day for all 10 days.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Identifying and Treating Lawn Diseases

At the height of summer, the last thing any of us want to see is a brown, dying lawn. Caused by fungus, lawn diseases are a reality that can wreak havoc with your landscaping. How can you tell if you have a problem, and what can you do to prevent or treat one? Let’s start with the possible problems.

The Diseases
Rust occurs in laws that with lots of shade, humidity and low nitrogen levels. It’s easy to identify from the orange color and the fact that a tissue run over the affected area will also turn orange.

Humid, wet weather and warm temperatures at night are the conditions that can lead to Brown Patch disease. You'll see circular, sunken patches of grass that turns purple-green then brown. The outer edges will appear dark green.

When temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees, lawns infected with Dollar Spot will begin to develop dead spots, up to six inches in diameter.

Dry weather followed by wet weather can help bring on Necrotic Ring Spot. Also known as Frogeye disease, it usually appears in fall and spring, but can affect lawns in summer as well. If it is affecting your lawn, you'll notice light yellow patches or rings which eventually turn brown or yellow.

Hot, dry and humid conditions are perfect for the fungus that causes Summer Patch. Crescent shaped patches result from rotting roots. Affected areas lose their color, turning reddish-brown and then tan.

Treating Lawn Disease
The bad news is that these diseases can cause permanent damage to your lawn if they aren’t dealt with promptly. The good news is that these diseases can be treated. Simply using a fungicide, and then following the guidance below will usually take care of the problem. The sooner you recognize the problem and start treating it the better. For more information, please see this article on WikiHow.

How to Avoid Lawn Diseases
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent lawn diseases. First and foremost, proper fertilization and watering are the foundations of a healthy lawn. Watering should be done in the morning so the lawn dries before evening. Mowing should be done at a high height and with a sharp blade.

Conclusions
A lawn represents a large part of any home’s curb appeal. Damage from disease can hurt the first impression potential buyers have of your home, and so preventing and treating lawn diseases are a priority if your house is on the market. So, don’t wait to take care of problems. And if you need help getting your house sold, please contact me and I’ll help you get the best deal possible.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Give Your Kitchen a Lift

For many families, the kitchen is the center of the house. And an attractive, well-kept kitchen is an enormous asset to a home’s value. If you’re planning to sell, take a hard look at your kitchen. Is there anything that needs to be improved?

Painting or refinishing cabinets can be a great idea, especially if they’re older, worn or have an outdated design. A bright new look can really spruce up the appearance of your kitchen. You’ll also want to repair small problems like misaligned doors or drawers. For more on those repairs, see this article on TheFamilyHandyman.com.

If you've got problems with your countertops, you've got two options. You can replace them, or restore them. Replacing countertops is going to be more expensive, but can be an excellent long-term investment.  Replacing countertops is often done as part of an all-over kitchen makeover that includes new cabinets, flooring and paint. But just replacing older countertops can give a kitchen a big boost. It needs to be done in the overall context of your kitchen, fitting in with the existing design.

Another option is to restore the existing countertops. Wear from years of use and even damage can be repaired. Repair kits for granite, solid-surface, marble, wood and laminate countertops are available. Laminate counters can be patched, repainted, polished and re-laminated.  For more on repairing or replacing countertops, Thisoldhouse.com has a fantastic section devoted to countertops.

Flooring in the kitchen is another area that suffers a lot of wear over time. This is another area where replacement or repair is both good options. Your options depend on the type of surface. Wooden floors can be restored beautifully by sanding and refinishing. For help with vinyl floors, eHow offers these instructions. When it comes to new flooring, you have a fantastic variety of options including stone, tile and concrete.

Other important items to check include the plumbing and lighting, and the conditions of appliances, which you may or may not want to replace before putting your house on the market. Anything you can do to improve the look of your kitchen will improve offers you’ll get from potential buyers. And when it comes to that factor, please call me and let me help you get a quick sale at the best possible price

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Cornhusker State Games

The Cornhusker State Games are underway, promising more than a week of thrilling sports competition.  The Cornhusker State Games is a statewide amateur sports festival for all Nebraskans. The purpose of the Games is to provide top-quality amateur competition in a wide range of activities. The 2013 Games run through July 28th at more than 70 sites in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities.


Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Three Keys to an Easier Home Buying Experience

For many Americans, buying a home is the most significant purchase they’ll make in their lifetimes. The entire housing crisis has created a lot of turmoil and confusion, adding on to what was already a daunting task. But, take a deep breath. Things are much better than they were a couple of years ago, and as before, there are some basic things you can do to make the process of buying a home less stressful. Here are three key things to do:

Choosing Your Agent – Unless you've done this a lot, you’ll want to have an experienced agent on your side. Working with one, experienced, full-time agent (or team of agents), rather than several different agents is by far your best choice.

Choose a Good Investment – No matter how long you live in it, your new home is an investment. And you need to treat it just like you would any other financial investment. That means buying a home that is going to appreciate in value over time.  A beautiful home can be a terrible investment if you wind up paying more than the structure is worth. Don’t let your heart overrule sound financial decisions. Make sure you use a professional home inspector for a written report that includes general estimates of repair costs.

Plan Ahead – Don’t wait to learn about your mortgage options. Before you make an offer, research and understand the types of mortgages available and which lender offers the best rates. Work with your agent to determine what paperwork you’re going to need when you make an offer, and get as much of it ready ahead of time as possible.  Making an offer and buying a home is stressful, but you can make the process a lot easier if you've already handled these details. If this will be your first home purchase, make sure you take advantage of first-time home buyer programs.

For more guidance, check out the American Homeowners Foundation Top 10 Home Buyers Tips and CNNMoney’s Tips for Buying a House.  And remember that my job is to make the process of finding and buying your new home as easy as possible, so let me know how I can help you.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Emma on Stage at UNL

The Nebraska Repertory Theatre is presenting a stage adaptation of Jane Austen's romantic masterpiece, Emma. The play, by Jon Jory, follows Emma Woodhouse, her father, and various friends and suitors in the fictional 1815 Highbury, England. The show is being performed at the Howell Theatre in the Temple Building of UNL. Shows are scheduled for July 12, 13, 20, August 1, and 9 at 7:30 pm and July 28 at 2pm.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

What Hurts a Home’s Market Value

Evaluating a home’s market value isn’t easy for a homeowner. Sometimes an objective opinion is required, even if it is hard to accept. Overpricing a home is a sure way of prolonging the process. An experienced realestate professional, someone who knows the market and the neighborhood, is the best way to make sure a house is properly valued.  Some of the factors that can negatively affect a home’s value are obvious.  Some are not. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Curb Appeal

First impressions really are important, and a house without curb appeal is going to turn off some buyers before they even get out of their cars. Fortunately, curb appeal is a lot easier to rectify than other problems. A fresh coat of paint, clean front porch and neatly maintained yard are essential.

Pets

There’s no question that odors and damage caused by pets need to be addressed before a house goes on the market.  The scent of cat urine or sight of wood floors badly scratched by big dogs is going to turn away buyers as well as drive offer amounts down. Again, these are problems that can be addressed ahead of time.

Renovations

The problem with many design and customization decisions is that they may work for the current owner, but prospective buyers may simply see garish choices they’ll have to pay to undo. Buyers need to imagine themselves living in a home of their own, not someone else’s home.  That’s why sellers are almost always advised to repaint with mild colors and replace unique features like lighting fixtures that may have buyers scratching their heads.

Physical Problems

This should be obvious, but anything that will be a problem for the next owner of a home is going to cost a seller. Whether it’s obvious, or only discovered during a home inspection, problems with roofing, structure, HVAC equipment, etc., either need to be addressed by the seller before the house goes on the market, or will be factored into a prospective buyer’s offer.

Location

The location of a home can be the biggest problem facing a homeowner wanting to sell. A home in a neighborhood with a questionable reputation, high crime rates, filled with unkempt homes and/or an unappealing skyline is going to be difficult to sell, even if the home itself is in pristine conditions.

Conclusion

There isn't a house that can't be sold, but if you want to sell and get the best price for your home, you’re going to have address issues like the above. Working together, I can help you sort through what can and can't be done to improve your position and help you set an asking price that will bring results. 

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

The Little Ones on Show

Equine enthusiasts and horse lovers are going to be found in one place this weekend. The Bluestem Miniature Horse Club is hosting this weekend's show at the Lancaster Events Center in Lincoln. AMHR shows are Friday and Saturday, and the AMHA show is on Sunday. They may be small, but they're still spectacular to watch!

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

What Buyers Want

You might suspect that upscale home buyers have different requirements than their more modest peers, and if so, you'd be right. A new report from the National Association of Home Builder’s HousingEconomics.com shows some stark contrasts. The report is the result of a study that asked potential buyers to rate 120 different home features, and then divided the results into two groups. The first group was buyers willing to spend $500,000 or more, the second $150,000 or less.

At the top of the list, nearly half of the upscale buyers thought an outdoor kitchen (49%), and exercise room (48%) and a kitchen with a wine cooler (46%) were either desirable or essential.    28% of the more modest buyers want an exercise room, 27% want outdoor kitchens, but only 15% were interested in kitchen with a wine cooler. You can get the entire article as a PDF download here.

Other aspects of the study revealed that 53% of all buyers wanted to buy a brand new home. Buyers on average expected to pay $203,000 for their next home, and wanted a home with an average of 2,226 square feet. 70% would prefer the utility room for washers and dryers are on the first floor. 57% want a single story house, while 31% preferred two story homes.

The most desired feature overall were Energy-Star appliances, windows and other features.  A laundry room, exhaust fans in bathrooms, exterior lighting, a bathroom linen closet, ceiling fans, garage storage, room enough for a table to eat in the kitchen and a walk-in kitchen pantry rounded out the most popular features.

What features do you think are the most important in your home, or in the next home you buy? What features can you live without? These are key questions to ask yourself when you decide it’s time to find a new home. A list of wants/don’t wants makes it easier to screen out homes that won't fit your lifestyle. Of course, there’s much more to the equation, and I can help you put all the pieces together.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Party in the Park

The Party in the Parks series of festivals gets underway Saturday at 4pm at Union Plaza (21st & P Street) in Lincoln.  There's no charge for the event, which runs until 9pm. There's be Rubber Ducky racing beginning at 5pm. Before the races, children can decorate their ducks at the Art Van deLux from the Lux Center for the Arts.  Paint Yourself Silly, Community Crops and the City’s Recycling Program will help kids paint pots and create plantable pots.  And entertainment in the Dickinson Dinsmore Graf Amphitheater will include the Youth Actors Academy of Lincoln, and local bands Low Horse at 7 p.m. and The Renfields at 8 p.m. The next Party in the Parks will be July 27th.


Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com