Your home is a place of comfort and security. However, is this possible with defective indoor air quality levels? During wildfire and allergy seasons, you may notice air quality alerts. These put you at risk for harmful effects from your outdoor air quality. Regardless, throughout the rest of the year, your home’s indoor toxins, pollutants, and chemicals could be worse than the outdoor air.

If you’re unfamiliar with how your home’s indoor air quality affects you, it’s critical to learn more. There are adverse health effects resulting from exposure to poor air quality, and you should monitor for various symptoms and conditions that can occur. This information will help you to avoid, prevent, and stop pollution in your home. Read on to understand some of the major indoor air pollutants and what you can do to keep your home clean and healthy.

Dust

Debris from outside, dead skin cells, pet dander, particles from clothing and food, and other materials around the house make up dust. For those who suffer from allergies, dust is among one of the worst triggers. Prolonged contact inside dusty homes for someone who has a dust allergy can be serious. Watch for common symptoms of dusty air, including:

• Bronchial infections
• Asthma attacks
• Dermatitis
• Wheezing and coughing 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Many manufacturers include VOCs in their products, which can be toxic to your health. There are various areas of your home with VOC health risks:

• Chlorine bleach
• Carpets
• Wood products
• Plastic products
• Rubber products
• Petroleum-based products
• Paints and varnishes
• Glues
• Spot removers

These chemical compounds are a huge component of poor indoor air quality. While VOCs are not necessarily carcinogenic, they have increased the risks of kidney and liver cancer. They also make it difficult to breathe, cause nausea, and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. VOCs are most threatening when they contaminate your water.

Asbestos

If you live in an older home, you may already know about the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are commonly found in houses built before the 1980s. If you own a newer home, while they are far less likely to have ACMs, you should still know what they are and how they are dangerous. Since this is a fiber that can improve heat-resistance and soundproofing, asbestos was an ingredient in many home construction materials:

• Vinyl floor tiles
• Insulation
• Roofing shingles
• Cement
• Drywall
• Popcorn ceilings
• Cables and wires

Contained asbestos is generally safe. However, if the fibers scatter and become airborne, you could potentially inhale them. Asbestos is cancerous to humans when the fibers stick to the lungs and heart. Over time, this forms tumors, otherwise diagnosed as mesothelioma.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

In homes with chronic smokers, secondhand smoke isn’t only bad for the user, but everyone else around them. Nicotine products have dangerous chemicals that you emit from both ends of the cigarette.

Studies show that secondhand smoke impacts you within the first five minutes. The damage can still happen after two hours, at which point you could develop cardiac problems or suffer a heart attack. Smoke is especially detrimental to children and pregnant women. You may have the following issues:

• Respiratory problems
• Heart diseases
• Lung, breast, brain, and liver cancer
• Ear infections
• Tooth decay
• Worsened eyesight

You may or may not have been aware of these pollutants in your home. The more knowledge you have about what causes indoor air health issues, the more you can prevent them from happening. Studying your own health, the health of cohabitants, and the materials in your home are important when determining if your home could possess harmful levels of air toxins. Your respiratory health plays a role in your physical health, and some diseases are the direct result of what your home is harboring behind walls or in the corners of rooms. Whether hiring an abatement professional in the case of asbestos (or other hazards like mold or radon), doing a deep cleaning, installing proper ventilation, or investing in air purifiers, cleaner air is often achievable.

Your home is a safe place. Keep it this way by introducing and maintaining healthy air levels. Even if you can’t control outdoor environments, you can do your best to improve the inside.

386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com |  |  |  

Whoa, here comes the weekend!

St. Augustine Fall Fling

October 23rd & 24th, 10:00am - 5:00 pm

Join them at the SJC Fairgrounds for the St. Augustine Fall Fling! Featuring Arts & Craft Vendors,  Live Music, Kids Zone, Food Vendors, Classic Cars, Barktoberfest (Pet Costume Contest), Raffles and Much More! For more information, visit here! 

You Light Up The Night

Saturday, October 23rd 6:30 - 10:30 PM

 This event supports the local homeless population in our community!  Enjoy live music, great food, ax throwing, horse drawn carriage, silent auction, and so much more.  Visit here for ticket purchase and information! 

Flagler Wine Walk

Saturday, October 23rd 1:00 - 7:00 PM

The monthly Wine Walk returns to Flagler Avenue!. During the progressive event, taste your choice of up to 100 showcased wines. For more event information and ticket purchase, visit their website! 

Get Ready! The Ultimate Motown Experience

Saturday, October 23rd 7:30 PM

 This cutting edge musical tour pays homage to the Motown legends you love, but with a twist. Four spectacular singers and dancers inject youth, energy, and wit into a show that covers all the Motown bases, then throws in a few surprises along the way. For ticket purchase, visit here! 

Have a great weekend!

386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com |  |  |   @REOceanside

It is a part of homeownership: unexpected home repairs. Some of them are simple and inexpensive fixes, like repairing a broken drawer handle or replacing a doorknob. However, some of them, such as replacing the roof or removing mold, are laborious tasks that require the services of a professional and can cause financial strain if you are unprepared.

For this reason, it is important to plan for major home repairs. Even though you do not know when to expect such repairs, you can be prepared for when they happen! Read on for some insight into common home fixes that homeowners may encounter.

Roof Repair

The roof is essential in protecting your home from the elements. If there is a leak or other issue with your roof, it can lead to a host of other serious, expensive problems. Regularly check your roof for any leaks or missing/broken shingles or tiles. It is also a good idea to have a professional inspection done every few years. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $1,000 for a roof repair.

Tree Removal

If you have an abundance of large trees around your home, it is important to be mindful of how they could affect your home or property, particularly if a severe storm were to occur. In some cases, it could be better to remove a tree rather than cut it back. Tree removal costs can vary depending on the size of the tree and its location, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to as much as $1,500. Be sure to ask about additional costs, such as stump grinding, to confirm if it is included in the price. 

New Furnace

It is common for furnaces to stop working properly, and it is important to be prepared if it happens to you. Bob Vila recommends that homeowners consider the age of the furnace and whether it is working well. If it is older or not functioning at full capacity, you may be able to get by with a minor repair. However, it is also possible you will need a new furnace.

In most cases, a new furnace can run about $1,000 to $6,000, but the cost will vary depending on what kind of furnace you get. For instance, an electric model can cost $400 to $1,200 while a gas model can range from $850 to $1,800. Labor is another expense to consider, which can add an extra $1,500 to $3,000 to the bill.

New Water Heater

It is easy to see the potential problems with a water heater that goes out—cold showers perhaps being the most obvious one. However, a defective water heater can also cause some very costly issues, such as flooding. Keep an eye on your water heater, have it checked periodically, and set aside $767 to $1,446 for when you need a new one installed.

Water Damage

There are many ways for water damage to occur (e.g., leaks, flooding, storms, etc.), and it can be expensive to fix. Typically, the cost to repair water damage will depend on the type of damage that has occurred. Here are the three main categories of water damage and the average cost of remediation:

• Clean water damage — $3.75 per square foot
• Grey water damage — $4.50 per square foot
• Black water damage — $7 per square foot

According to Allstate Insurance Company, these prices include only the remediation of water damage. You will also need to factor in the cost of repairs to any items or areas of the home (e.g., furniture, drywall, floors, etc.) that need to be restored.

Electrical Rewiring

While some people opt to do their own electrical work, it is not the best idea if you do not have any valuable experience. In short, there is just too much that can go wrong, and the consequences of a simple mistake could result in electrocution, fire, or any other number of problems. If you need electrical work done, especially if it is rewiring, call a professional. Most electricians charge $75 per hour.

You may not be able to predict every major home repair that comes your way, but you can start preparing for the costs now. The repairs on this list are only a few of many that should be considered. Be sure to keep researching so that you can prepare as well as possible for future home repairs that call for the services of a professional!

386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com |  |  |  

Fall is full of beautiful colors, crisp air and bountiful tables, making it the perfect time to put together some fall table settings to enjoy the season.

Pumpkin Craze

We all know how pumpkins are the talk of the town when summer comes to an end. Not only are they great for cooking and carving, but they also make for great table decor. You can use real or fake pumpkins as a classic centerpiece that can also be made modern. Many people will buy small plastic pumpkins and paint them white, black or metallic, to match their own personality and give a unique twist on a traditional piece.

Crimson and Florals

We often see orange, red, brown or cream when it comes to fall, but the season is much more colorful than that! Try adding crimson floral pieces or crimson place settings to your table in order to give a richer feeling and stand out from the crowd. Crimson is also a great option because it can be paired with neutral and bright colors, depending on the atmosphere you are trying to create.

Apples and Orchards

Besides the pumpkin, another food that gets a lot of attention around the fall season is apples. From apple cider to bobbing for apples, this fruit is a seasonal favorite, so why not use them in your table setting? You can take bright red apples and place them in clear containers, on tiers or just on the table itself to make a great presentation. To add to the look, use some tree leaves or wooden place settings. 

Wheat Stalk

Wheat stalks add a lot of texture to a table and are a neutral color so they can go with almost anything! You can easily find “real” looking wheat at any craft or home decor store and make it your own to make it match your fall theme. Different heights of the stalks can also make for a great visual by adding dimension and different sized holders to the table.

Bowl of Thanks

During this time of year, we often try to be grateful for all the blessings we have in life. A great way to display this tradition is having your family or close friends write down just one or a few words describing what they are thankful for and then placing them in a large bowl, used as your centerpiece. You can fill the bowl with foliage or large fall staples such as gourds, acorns or wood pieces and place the written pieces on top for all to see.

As you sit around the table and take in your hard work and elegant table, enjoy the time with family, friends and good food- which is what fall is really all about!

386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com |  |  |   

Buying property is a huge investment, and it often comes with additional, unplanned expenses. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself in a less than desirable financial position. Before you realize it, your budget is forgotten, you’ve spent money on all sorts of things you’d never imagined needing, and you’re feeling somewhat out of pocket. For this reason, it’s important to know how to balance homeownership and breathe new life into your bank balance. To help you out, we’ve compiled eight handy tips to boost your bank account.

1. Bring Your Budget Back to Life

Before you purchased your home, you more than likely stuck to a budget that helped you to save for a down payment, or to ensure you had several months of mortgage payments in the bank. Now that you’ve moved in, you may well have forgotten all about your budget as it has become obsolete.

However, now is the time to draw up a new budget, considering all your new expenses. Property taxes, HOA fees, mortgage and household insurance, and utility bills are just some of the expenses you’ll have to cover as a homeowner. Set up a monthly budget that covers all your new expenses and get your money management under control.

2. Build Up Your Emergency Fund

Life is full of unpredictable challenges; you never know when you might need to dip into your savings to make repairs or replacements.

While insurance will often cover extreme damages such as fire or a natural disaster, it’s always wise to have your own pool of resources to draw on in an emergency. If possible, set aside a portion of your monthly income for emergencies, or use any additional revenue streams to pad out this fund. Homeownership is full of surprises—and not all of them are good. Your emergency fund gives you peace of mind that should the worst occur, you can afford it.

3. Learn to DIY

Carpenters, plumbers, and electricians never come cheap. There is always a callout fee, and that’s before any assessments or repairs begin.

The more capable you are with DIY tasks, the less you will need to spend on professional services for repairs or renovations. Equipping yourself with basic DIY skills can save you a fortune, and you can add to the aesthetic appeal of your home too. You may even find yourself inspired to develop a new practical hobby, like gardening or carpentry. Learning to DIY is an easy way to boost your bank account.

4. Keep Household Maintenance Up to Date

A home requires consistent and attentive care no matter how well built it is. It can be easy to slip into complacency when it comes to maintenance, but it’s vital to make a habit of inspecting your property from top to bottom every few months.

Consistent awareness of your maintenance needs will give you peace of mind and ensure that big issues don’t sneak up on you. Keeping your gutters clean, replacing furnace filters, oiling gates, and changing the batteries on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors all go a long way to potentially saving you money.

5. Don’t Let Small Repairs Become Big Disasters

It is a simple law of nature—small cracks widen, rot spreads, and weak spots eventually give way. Therefore, keeping on top of repairs is an essential part of owning a house.

When the challenges of life are piling up, it may seem preferable to leave that cracked windowpane or that loose floorboard for another day. However, before you know it, those small issues evolve into major problems that demand attention and end up far more expensive.

Not only is this dangerous for your bank balance, but it can also be hazardous for you and your family. Taking an hour out of your day to replace a cracked tile is preferable to rushing someone to the ER with a severely lacerated foot.

6. Check Your Insulation

Insulation is a detail that is often overlooked by prospective buyers because it is not immediately visible. Neglecting to check your insulation, however, can be a fatal mistake.

Complications which range from minor to dangerous creep in over time. Improperly installed insulation can be a fire hazard, and it likely won’t stop the heat or cold seeping in. Checking that your insulation is correctly installed can save you hundreds of dollars in energy bills. The better insulated your home, the easier it is to heat or to cool down as the weather demands.

7. Update Your Insurance

In the event of any damages to the interior, exterior, or contents of your home, a robust insurance policy will significantly reduce your losses. Because of this, it is important to have a policy that covers every facet of home ownership.

Your monthly premiums are determined by several factors, such as the location of your home and its safety features. Changes made to your home may justify a significant reduction in your payments.

Insurance providers are also competitive, you never know when you might find a more comprehensive or cheaper option. Do your homework, make sure you’re getting a good deal and ensure that you have adequate coverage should the worst-case scenario arise.

8. Make Your Property Work for You

While there are several risks and responsibilities that come with owning a property, there are also many potential benefits.

A savvy homeowner knows how to use their property to generate income.

Depending on what space you have at your disposal, you could rent out a spare room or garage to help boost your bank account. There are other ways to monetize your space too. For example, you can rent an attic, basement or spare room as storage space, or if you have a dedicated home office, you could be eligible for tax breaks. Alternatively, if your home is in a desirable location, consider renting it out over the peak holiday season.

In Conclusion

The first few years of homeownership are often the hardest financially. However, if you manage your money, keep up with household maintenance, and use any extra income or earning opportunities to your advantage, your bank balance will bounce back far quicker.

386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com |  |  |