mold
After Disaster Strikes
According to the FEMA, approximately one-third of homes in New Orleans carry flood insurance, and homes there are insured up to about $56 billion. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced that they will work with lenders and mortgage servicing companies to assist those homeowners who have been wiped out by Hurricane Katrina without insurance. Conventional homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover damage caused by flood waters.
Use At Home Testing Kits For Mold And Other Toxins
Your home may be a repository for mold, not to mention lead, radon, and other toxic environmental hazards and you’d never even know it. One way to keep a lid on environmental hazards is to regularly test your home for them. You could hire a specialist, or you could make your way over to your local hardware or home improvement store and pick up an inexpensive “do it yourself” kit and test for the toxic hazard yourself.
Homeowners Insurance Refuses To Pay For Homeowners’ Mold Problem
A homeowner files a claim for mold in the attic, but the homeowners insurance refuses to pay the claim. Ilyce suggests reviewing the homeowner policy and discusses insurance company’s view on mold. Does the homeowners’ insurance company have the right to refuse to pay the mold claim?
Insurance Not Covering Mold Claim
A homeowner finds mold in her attic, but her insurance company refuses to honor the claim. It’s important to read your homeowners insurance policy carefully — most insurers are not covering mold claims except due to specific circumstances, like a burst pipe, and often not at all. Mold is often specifically excluded from coverage.
Mold Is The Issue
Every house contains mold spores. You’ll find mold on dogs nd kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency websites, mold starts growing within 24 to 48 hours of being exposed to water or an extremely humid environment. If a house has a history of water problems, it could have a mold problem as well.
Spotting Physical Problems Before You Make An Offer
Can you tell whether a house is in good shape? Most home buyers hire a professional home inspector or structural engineer to give their home the once-over before they actually trade cash for keys. But by that time, you’ve already done the deal, and if a problem pops up in the home inspection, you may have to start your house hunt all over again.
Ten Rules Every Seller Should Live By
By tackling those last home repair jobs, getting a pre-listing home inspection, and working effectively with your real estate agent, you can sell your home faster. Sellers often wonder how to make more money when they sell their homes. By following this list of rules every seller should live by, your home sale can be easier, faster and more profitable.
Knowing When To Hold ‘Em And When To Fold ‘Em
When is the right time to back out of buying a home? As a buyer, when should you hang in there and negotiate for a better deal? The answer depends on the price you’re buying the home for, the condition it’s in, and how hot the market is in your neighborhood.
Buyer Beware: Keep Your Eyes Open During Showings
You can’t hire a professional home inspector to go with you to every showing. But you shouldn’t need to. A savvy home buyer keeps his or her eyes open for red flags that could be signs of trouble.
Making Your Showings Count
Home buyers need to make the most of every showing to find the perfect home they want to make an offer on. The most important thing a home buyer can do during a showing is be objective. Here are some other steps for home buyers to pocket for their next showing.
