Some Of The Open House Visitors Are Curious Neighbors

12/27/05

OPEN HOUSES

When there is an open house in a neighborhood, the first ones to appear are the neighbors and the reason is always to compare that house with theirs. This also helps because they may have friends of family members interested in moving to the neighborhood.

Many seller insit their agent hold them, even though in their more candid moments, agents say that open house don´t generally yield a buyer for the featured house. They do, however, help agents bolster their client list of buyers. And those Neighbors Only open houses are a chance for agents to meet future home sellers.

In terms of effectiveness, the Internet and virtual tours may have surpàssed the open house as an agent frontline

A 2005 California Association of Realtors Study found that 68% of buyers used the internet to preview homes through tours and photos and 75% used it to identify the homes they wanted their agents to show them.

Alberto Pacheco
818 481 9211
Realtor Calbre01200694
Keller Williams Porter Ranch
www.granadahills.kwrealty.com

Lead Base Paint Disclosures Mandatory on Homes Constructed Pre-1978

Pre 1978 Housing Requires Lead Disclosure

Landlords and Home sellers have to comply with a federal law requiring that lead information be given to anyone purchasing or renovation housing that was built before 1978. Why 1978? That was the year the federal government banned the use of lead based paint in housing.

Since lead paint was widely used for many years, the older the property the higher the lead paint potential. Years of accumulated paint, stretching back before the law took effect, after lurks in layers below the surface. Landlords are specifically required "to disclose known information on lead base paint hazards before leases take effect."

Lease signing now includes a form on which landlords must indicate whether they have any knowledge of lead based paint in the rental. The law does not not require rental property owners or sellers to have the property inspected or tested for lead, nor does it require them to remove lead based paint. For buyers, the law allows 10 days to conduct lead testing if they desire, at their own expense. The buyer's time limit can be extended if mutually agreeable.

The Environmental Protection Agency publishes the helpful brochure titled "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home", the 16 page brochure is full of lead information everyone should know. It details how lead enter the body from various sources, including during renovations that stir up lead. Paint chips, lead dust and lead deposits can lead to lead poisoning in the body either by breathing or swallowing the lead.

Lead exposure is partaker dangerous to children, since their bodies are growing rapidly and absorb more lead than adults. As a result, one out of every 11 children in the United States has dangerous levels of lead in the bloodstream, according to the brochure.

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their body may experience slowed growth, behavior or learning problems, hearing problems or headaches. The most extreme cases involve damage to the nervous system and brain. Prevention of lead exposure is important.

In adults lead exposure can cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, digestive and nerve disorders, memory or concentration problems and joint and muscular problems.

Fortunately, testing for lead in the body is easy and inexpensively A simple blood test can detect lead poisoning and establish levels of lead exposure. Treatments can include diet changes or medication. Extreme cases may require hospitalization.

For more information call The National Lead Information Clearinhouse at (800) 424-LEAD


Alberto Pacheco
818 481 9211
Realtor Calbre01200694
Keller Williams Porter Ranch
www.granadahills.kwrealty.com