Real Estate Information Archive

Lead-based paint is most commonly found in homes built before 1978, when lead-based house paint was banned. Lead-based paint is dangerous when it deteriorates, such as when the paint chips or peels. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for lead-based paint to pose a problem. Simple renovations, normal wear and tear, even the opening and closing of windows and doors can release harmful lead dust into the air. Prolonged exposure to lead can result in harmful side effects and even death. Lead primarily attacks the nervous system. In children, the effects can be learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, anemia, headaches, seizures, coma, and in some cases, death. In adults, reproductive problems, memory lapses, nerve disorders, hearing and vision impairment, muscle and joint problems and high blood pressure, have all been associated with prolonged exposure to lead. Lead is exceptionally dangerous for pregnant women, who can suffer miscarriages and premature births, and their children may suffer fetal brain damage.

Lead exposure is a serious matter, especially for children who are most susceptible to lead poisoning. If your home was built before 1978, there is a strong chance it was painted with lead-based paint. Even if the current coat of paint is lead-free, the layers of paint below may be lead-based, and therefore can be dangerous if uncovered.

If you do suspect your home has lead-based paint, the first crucial step is to have your home properly inspected to determine whether lead paint is present and whether it poses an immediate threat. If you find your paint is lead-based and want to remove it, beware that removing lead-based paint improperly can be just as dangerous as doing nothing at all. Note: the EPA does not recommend removing lead-based paint yourself. Instead, you should consult professionals for the removal of lead-based paint. Click here to find lead dust sampling technicians and lead-certified renovation specialists near you.

When it comes to the safety of you and our family, don’t take chances. If your house was built before 1978, have your house inspected.

As the summer heats up you may be looking for smart ways to cool down. The following are five simple ways to beat the heat, so your summertime fun doesn’t have to take a beating.

1. Become a fan of the fan! If you don’t have an air conditioner, simply fill a large bowl with ice and place it in front of a regular room fan. And even if you have an air conditioner, use a room fan to help circulate the cool air even better.
2. Add a little spice to your life! Have you ever wondered why food from hot places—such as India and Mexico—tends to be on the spicy side? It has everything to do with sweat. Hot peppers contain a natural chemical called capsaicin, which signals your body to perspire. And perspiration, as we all know, works to cool your body down as it evaporates on your skin. So, try adding red chili flakes to your favorite dishes. Spaghetti sauce, fried chicken, even salads can benefit from a little kick.
3. Don’t get low on H2O! As you sweat, your body loses the water essential to keeping you hydrated. Dehydration, in turn, causes your temperature to rise. So, it’s crucial to replenish your body’s water supply. Make sure to keep a bottle of water on you at all times. And if you find water too boring, try adding fresh ingredients—such as citrus fruits, berries, or mint—to a pitcher of water for a burst of flavor. But make sure to limit your consumption of beverages that contain alcohol, added sugar and caffeine, which are actually dehydrating.
4. Go barefoot! One of the fastest ways to feel cooler throughout your body is to cool your feet off first. So, go ahead, flick off those shoes and feel the grass between your toes! 
5. Draw those blinds! The sunlight coming in through your windows is a major contributor to the increased temperature of your home. West-facing and south-facing rooms are especially susceptible to this type of heat exchange. Keeping your shades drawn during the sunniest hours can reduce temperatures significantly. Roller shades, which are easy to install, are a relatively inexpensive option, while insulated curtains are a bit more of an investment. However, insulated curtains are also effective at keeping your house warm in the winter, so consider it an investment that pays for itself all year long.

Let’s start by observing that the phrase “pays off” can have various meanings. To some people, the issue is purely financial: will my remodeling expenditures be recouped? For others, recognizing that measuring financial return can be difficult, the issue is whether remodeling efforts cause a house to sell more quickly (or in some cases, at all). In other words, the financial benefit of remodeling may be real, but indirect.

Some remodeling efforts may be entirely visible like new kitchen cabinets, flooring and countertops, while others like renovated plumbing may be less visible yet still important to potential buyers. Depending on the individual home and the market in which it resides, different sellers may opt for different remodeling strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but a skilled, experienced real estate agent can help you determine which remodeling investments are likely to work out best in your specific area.

It’s important to understand and remember at the outset is that in most situations, you may not recover all of the money that you’re likely to spend on a renovation project when it comes time to sell your home, even those efforts that raise the overall value of your home.

The No. 1 way to realize a significant payoff for your remodeling project is to repair any or all of the known problems with your house, such as a leaky roof or archaic plumbing. Depending on the specific repair or repairs, you could actually improve the value of your home and recover most if not all or more of the money spent on the repair(s).

In its annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2011-2012, Remodeling Magazine listed attic bedroom renovation projects as the one with the best chance of paying off. The site shows that in 2012, the average project cost for these jobs in the Washington, D.C., area was $44,843; and the average resale value was $36,148, giving you an 80.6 percent cost recuperation.

Kitchen remodeling projects also tend to pay off on a more regular basis than most others do, even though new appliances, cabinets, countertops, and flooring are unquestionably expensive. Once again, we turn to the good people at Remodeling magazine to take care of the number crunching for us. And they say that the cost recouped on major kitchen remodeling projects over the past year averaged more than 70 percent. Like in the attic bedroom project described above, they recorded the average job cost as $54,426, with an average resale value coming in at $38,709.

The good news is that, while you may not recover all of your remodeling expenditures in strictly financial terms, it’s important to consider the impact that remodeling may have when it comes time to sell your home. If you imagine two comparable homes – one boasting significant remodeling and one which is begging to updated – the renovated home will nearly always sell first. Unless you can afford to have your home sitting on the market for a long time, it pays to remodel and to see your home move more quickly.

Annapolis has long been associated with the love of the arts and creative expression. In fact, AmericanStyle Magazine recently ranked Annapolis among its top 25 arts destinations—a distinction given to U.S. cities exhibiting the highest quality of art galleries, art institutions and art-centered events. In keeping with this art-loving tradition, the third annual Annapolis Arts and Crafts Festival is certain to be a big hit this summer. So, clear your calendar for June 9^th and 10^th and head to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for a festival you’d be crazy to miss! 

This weekend-long celebration of fine arts and handmade crafts brings artists and art lovers together, while promoting creativity and community pride. Live music will get you dancing as you peruse the juried paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, wearable art, glass and wood art, mixed media, clay, fabric, metal, leather and much, much more.

Of course, artistic expression isn’t limited to clay and canvas. Indeed, culinary artists from all over the region will be offering up artfully crafted treats—from specialty sauces and dips to gourmet candies and more. This year’s vendors will include Big Kahuna Kettlecorn, The Herb Works Oil and Vinegar, Pretzelphoria and inFused Spreads. Wine tasting is also a huge part of the festival, which features some of the area’s most notable vintners. This year’s festival will include selections from such establishments as Far Eastern Shore Winery, Slack, Friday’s Creek Winery and Gygnus.

The Annapolis Arts and Crafts Festival has something for all ages, and children should definitely stop by the KidsArt tent to make some art of their own and get their faces painted by local professional artists. While all ages are encouraged to attend, please note that valid identification will be required for those wanting to taste wine.

Bypass the lines and purchase your tickets online today! The cost of attendance is as follows:

Adults: $8

Youth (ages 12 to 18): $5

Seniors (65 and up) $5

Children (12 and under): FREE

The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is located just outside historic downtown Annapolis at 550 Taylor Avenue. For detailed directions from outside of town, click here.