APRIL 1, 2020 • Volume 15 • Issue 14
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 1, 2020
What’s that
smell? How to get rid of that moldy smell in your home By Laura Firszt More Content Now
“What’s that horrible moldy smell in my bathroom? Eek!” Yes, I confess: I am terrified of mold. Sometimes I fear that having written so much about mold, mildew, and fungus, I imagine them lurking everywhere. However, this was no fantasy — that “unwashed socks” odor was very real. Now I had to track down the cause ... and get rid of it. Why does mold cause such anxiety? Very often, it’s a sign of something seriously wrong in the home — water damage, which can wreak as much destruction as fire, swiftly and silently. A moldy smell might be your only obvious clue. So as a smart homeowner, take the time to learn more about moldy odors and how to get rid of them effectively.
What does mold smell like? Mold tends to have a disagreeably tangy, earthy, musty, or foul smell, as it releases mVOCs (microbial volatile organic compounds). The odor is sometimes compared to mushrooms, wet dog or “eau de locker room.” You might be able to spot mold growth in your home with the naked eye. However, molds and mildews often grow
in hidden places like under a sink, where they’re not readily visible. That’s why being able to identify a moldy smell is important. As well as smelling the mold, you may feel a tingling or irritation in your nose.
When is it most likely? Early spring through fall is the commonest period for mold, which thrives in warm, moist conditions. Its preference: home temperature of 77-86 degrees together with relative humidity above 60%.
Why is mold dangerous? Breathing in mVOCs may cause or exacerbate respiratory illness (especially if you already suffer from asthma or nasal allergies), as well as other unpleasant symptoms such as skin rashes, eye irritation, headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness. As far as your house goes, mold, fungus, and damp can affect materials from drywall to concrete, and may threaten the building structure itself. Past or present mold issues, together with any actions you’ve taken to remediate them, must be disclosed when you sell your home.
Mold can lurk in many places around the home such as ceilings (above) and appliances (left). [bigstock photos]
Track down that moldy smell The first step is to follow your nose. Go to the room where the moldy smell is strongest and see whether it stems from: 1. Appliances: clothes washer or dishwasher 2. Bathroom: towels, shower curtain, bathmat 3. Houseplants: specifically, their potting soil 4. Items that have been wet: carpet, books, etc. 5. Pet bedding 6. Secondhand purchases: vintage furniture, for example 7. Trash cans or recycling bins
DIY tips You can treat many of these yourself:
• Wash fabric items in hot water (check the care label first). • Put musty old paper or wood items outdoors in the sunshine for a day or two. • Re-pot seriously moldy houseplants. • Do a little heavy-duty house cleaning, for example, scrubbing moldysmelling garbage cans or vegetable drawers. • Try setting out an open container of natural deodorizer — activated charcoal, white vinegar or baking soda.
• Ventilate. Open windows and turn on a fan to air out the room. • Clean small patches of mold (less than 25 square feet) on hard surfaces such as walls, countertops or ceiling with soapy hot water and a bristle brush, wearing rubber gloves and a breathing mask. Dry thoroughly. • Never apply paint on top of active mold. However, you’ll be able to paint over the formerly moldy area after cleaning and completely drying. Use mildew-resistant paint. It’s time to hire a mold removal professional when:
1. You can’t locate where the moldy smell is coming from. 2. Cleaning doesn’t get rid of the odor. 3. Your home has moldy areas totaling more than 25 square feet. 4. You see warning signals such as persistent damp patches or water damage. 5. The mold is a result of sewage or other contaminated water. You might also need the help of other professionals to locate and repair the moisture source, such as a plumber for a water leak, a roofer for a hole in your roof, or an HVAC technician to get rid of mold in your ductwork. The cost to get rid of mold may be covered by your homeowners insurance. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Apr il 1, 2020 • Page RE3
Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 1, 2020
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 1, 2020 • Page RE5
Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 1, 2020
DEAR MONTY
What to do when the home seller wants out do?
Monty’s answer: It is not uncom-
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: We bought a house and were two days from closing escrow. The seller could not produce the necessary documents to close. The seller now wants to back out of the contract. Can they force us to release them from the contract and return our earnest money? We want the house, plus we have a variety of costs invested in getting this far. Do attorneys take real estate cases on a contingent fee basis? What should we
mon that buyers and sellers will have a change of heart in real estate transactions. One of the reasons contracts exist is because people change their minds. Real estate contracts contain language that addresses what happens if one party balks. When a seller cannot deliver a clear title by the closing date, it does not necessarily mean the title is clouded forever. It is unclear in your question why the seller does not agree to extend the closing date.
Contingencies The construction of the contract may or may not allow the seller to cancel the contract. If there are contingencies the seller could not meet, despite a reasonable effort, they may have the right to walk. Have you tried
to contact the seller? One possibility is that resolving the title issue may be expensive. The seller may not have enough equity left with this discovery to make the sale worthwhile. Your next step is to take the contract to legal counsel to learn all your options.
A potential path There are several considerations.
1. You walk away and find a different house. It costs money to be involved in
a lawsuit, and unusual for an attorney to take a real estate case on a contingency fee. It will likely not be costly to get an opinion from an attorney. You are upset, but as you gather information, you may change your mind. 2. Try to convince the seller to re-engage.
There may be ways to change their mind. More money is often a solution. Would you be better off financially agreeing to pay more for the house
than paying for legal help with no certainty you will prevail? There are many reasons besides money for the balk. After you have an opinion, the attorney may suggest he draft a letter that you send in your own words, to try and prevent an escalation. 3. Threaten to take legal action. Now you hopefully have all the facts and an honest attorney. There is a big difference in a threat and filing a lawsuit. Rattling a saber will sometimes bring the seller to the table.
Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money - An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He is a real estate industry veteran who advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Find him at DearMonty.com.
Don’t see your home in the
RE WEEKLY Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 37,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale.
DIRECT MAIL + ONLINE AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 1, 2020 • Page RE7
Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 1, 2020
HOME HELP BACKYARD COOKING
HOW STUFF WORKS
GARDENING
TIPS FOR SAFER OUTDOOR GRILLING THIS SPRING
HOW DO TANKLESS WATER HEATERS WORK?
VEGETABLE GARDEN ADVICE
• Use a chimney starter: A chimney starter is a sage and easy way to grill with charcoal. They don’t require lighter fluid, which can be dangerous and impart an undesirable taste onto your food. To use, fill the chimney with charcoal and light it over a few sheets of crumpled paper over the bottom grill grate. The coals should be ready in about 15 to 20 minutes. Pour the coals out and place an oiled grate on top.
Tankless water heaters use a gas burner or electric element to heat water as it flows through a pipe and into the unit. According to HomeDepot.com, they deliver a large supply of instantaneous hot water.
• Keep the lid closed: Though watching your food cook over flames is tempting, try to keep the grill’s cover down as long as necessary. Opening it can let heat escape and result in dry meats.
Some models can lower household energy bills by up to 40% and some can last up to 20 years, reducing both landfills waste and fossil fuels used.
While traditional water heaters store the hot water supply in a tank, tankless water heaters heat water only when needed. This can make them a cost-effective and greener alternative.
If you’re planning a vegetable garden this year, consider these simple tips from AgNet West agriculture reporter Cathy Isom: • Don’t plant too early. Plan to harden off plants and protect them against possible late frost. • Pick a good spot to plant. Remember that most plants require a minimum of six hours of full sun every day. Also, consider access to a water supply. • Use an adequate soil. According to Isom, “Starting off with poor soil means you will be fighting against it all season.” • Harvest at the right time. Pick vegetables when they are ready to be harvested, or your garden can slow down. More Content Now