Real Estate Information Archive

Many people in Albuquerque may find their homes to be a sanctuary, but for some, it can be quite the opposite. Your home could potentially be making you sick in various ways. Here are some of the most common ways your health could be impacted if your own house is the culprit.

Is the Humidity Too High?

When the humidity in your home exceeds 60%, it creates an ideal environment for mold to thrive. High humidity levels can even lead to mold growth behind your walls. It is important to note that mold can have detrimental effects on your health, such as causing chronic sinus conditions and potentially damaging your nervous system.

When a house is too humid, it can attract dust mites, leading to sleep disorders, allergies, and stomach problems. Conversely, if the home is not humid enough, it can cause respiratory irritation. A humidity level below 40% is considered too low.

To maintain proper humidity levels, you can use a humidity monitor and ensure it stays between 40-60%. Running fan vents while cooking or showering and opening windows for ventilation are also effective. If necessary, a dehumidifier can be used.

Excessive Dust

Cleaning your house goes beyond just making it look nice. It is important to keep your home free of dust due to the potential health effects it can have. Dust can contain dust mites, which can be irritating to both the eyes and nasal passages.

Dust mites can compromise the immune system and gradually diminish its strength. Additionally, dust has the ability to accumulate outdoor pollutants, including harmful pesticides and herbicides that pose a threat to our nervous systems.

To reduce dust, vacuum regularly and ensure the vacuum filter is clean. Consider adding a HEPA filter to your HVAC system and avoid wearing shoes indoors. Wash bedding, drapes, and stuffed animals frequently.

Heating and Cooling Systems

HVAC systems can be a source of illness due to the presence of bacteria and mold in the ductwork caused by water accumulation from cooling. These contaminants can lead to coughing, allergies, asthma, and headaches.

To avoid this issue, it is recommended to have air ducts professionally cleaned every few years. Additionally, regular servicing of your heating system will improve its cleanliness and efficiency.

Damp Areas

Damp areas in your home, such as basements and bathrooms, can be detrimental to your health. Mold, mildew, and bacteria can contribute to "sick building syndrome." Any presence of water or condensation in your home increases the risk of mold-related health issues.

To ensure the integrity of your house, inspect the exterior for gaps, leaks, and holes. Confirm that your gutters effectively redirect water away from your home. Regularly examine drains and plumbing fixtures. Additionally, monitor indoor humidity levels as they can indicate condensation problems.

Lack of Ventilation

It is common for people to tightly seal their homes to save on energy bills. However, indoor air tends to be dirtier than outdoor air, making ventilation necessary. Opening windows and doors occasionally when weather permits is one way to achieve this. Additionally, using fan vents while cooking or bathing can help pull air outside. Another option is installing an air-to-air heat exchange for mechanical ventilation.

Toxic Products

The products used in your home may contain indoor pollutants that can stick to surfaces. These pollutants can be found in carpeting, manufactured wood, upholstery, and cleaning supplies. To reduce exposure to toxins, it is important to read labels and be mindful of the products you bring into your home.

HOT ALBUQUERQUE LISTING OF THE WEEK

75 Woodland Drive, Tijeras, NM 87059

True Adobe Custom home by Terry Taggert on approximately 5.5 acres with post and beam, 1-2' thick adobe walls, passive solar design. Featuring paid for solar panels, & wood stove to make this home truly energy efficient. Panoramic views from several 'floor to ceiling' windows! Beautiful brick flooring; Chef's kitchen with stainless steel appliances & maple cabinets. Primary suite features walk in closet and updated 3/4 bath. Fenced in dog area. Huge detached garage appx 600 ft. can easily hold three cars also has a workshop area. In addition there is an Another heated and insulated huge garage appx 1225 ft. that makes a perfect Barn for ALL animals and horses, Or perfect for working on cars storing ATVs, etc. With over 5 acres of level land it is perfect for all animals and horses.

Learn More!

Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Radon. We've all heard about it. We know it can be harmful. But what exactly is Radon and how can it be a danger in your Albuquerque home?

Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can seep into various types of structures, including but not limited to basements, slabs and crawl spaces. The only way to know if it is present at dangerous levels is to test for it. Radon is produced when uranium breaks down in soil, rock and water. It can come into your home through cracks in floors and walls, construction joints or gaps around service pipes, electrical wires and sump pits. According to the EPA, nearly one out of every 15 homes in America has elevated radon levels. An estimated 20,000 deaths from lung cancer are blamed on radon exposure.

Breathing in these radioactive particles, drinking water with high radon levels, or being exposed to radon for long periods of time can make you susceptible to lung damage and lung cancer. If you are a smoker, this will increase your chance of developing lung cancer by 10 times.

It may take years before health problems appear. Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:

• How much radon is in your home
• Where you spend most of your time (the main living and sleeping areas)
• The amount of time you spend in your home
• Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked
• Test Your Home for Radon Gas Exposure
• Old homes, new homes, homes with basements and homes without basements can have radon problems. 

If you suspect your home may have radon issues, you should hire a professional tester. You can also use a short-term (2-90 day) or long-term (more than 90-day) test kit. You will get a more accurate result from the long-term kit. Most hardware stores will carry these kits.

While there is no level of radon that is considered completely safe, the EPA recommends reducing radon levels in your home if your long-term exposure averages 4 picocuries per liter (pCI/L) or higher. A pCI is a measure of the rate of radioactive decay of radon gas. This decay causes radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe.

Reduce Radon Gas in Your Home

If you home tests positive for radon, you can take steps to reduce those levels. This includes sealing cracks in floors and walls and increasing ventilation though sub-slab depressurization using pipes and fans. This work should be done by a certified contractor who has the skills to make sure the work is done properly. The standards set for such a certification are from The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists and the National Radon Safety Board.

You should continue to test for radon after the work is done and every two years after that. January is a good time to remember to test for radon, as The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.

Radon exposure can pose a threat to the health of you and your family. Make sure you take action to reduce your exposure to Radon today.

HOT ALBUQUERQUE PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

6538 DESERT SPIRIT Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114

Welcome home to the in-demand Anasazi Ridge neighborhood! This charmer features NEW carpet and an open floorplan. Gas range in the kitchen with a spot for bar-height seating makes this inviting for everyone! The large master bedroom features an oversized walk-in closet and an en suite with both a soaking tub and separate shower. Enjoy the 10' ceilings, beautiful oversized tile floors, and cultured stone exterior accents. This low-maintenance gem features a covered patio with pull-down shades for your outdoor enjoyment. Convenient location makes this one move-in ready!

Learn More!

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

You are no doubt going to have a number of showings to potential buyers when you sell your home in Albuquerque. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lack of security for your possessions. It’s not uncommon for thieves to take advantage of home showings and open houses in order to get their hands on valuables.

Here are some tips to keep your home and valuables safe.

Get a few cameras

You can buy a few cheap cameras and install them in plain sight throughout your home. This way, you will be able to identify theft if it does occur. The obvious place to put these is at the front door to the home, as well as in places like the bedroom closet and the home office, where thieves tend to hide. If you don’t have the budget for a security system, you can even place some dummy cameras around the house, which can be bought at many dollar stores.

Remove temptations

Your stuff will be much harder for thieves to steal if they don't have easy access to it. It is a good idea to remove high-value items when strangers are going to be around, even if you cannot get rid of everything of value (TVs can stay). Therefore, jewellery, expensive collectibles, or important documents should not be left lying around. Be sure not to leave bank statements or any other financial information out, and make sure important items like passports and keys are not visible. Don’t hide anything in your top dresser drawer (a go-to spot for thieves).

Watch the medicine

Another important step is to examine medicine cabinets. Thieves have been known to target open houses to find prescription drugs.

Watch the kids

You can’t stop people from bringing their kids to open houses (nor would you want to if you’re in a family area), but that doesn’t mean you have to be thrilled about them traipsing through your house. Children who are unsupervised will probably touch items, especially if toys are accessible. Keeping access to toys or games limited will help, as will putting out a toy or game specifically for the purpose of attracting little hands.

Make sure you’re insured

As a precaution, it's wise to check with your insurance agent to make sure you're covered should something happen during an open house or showing. Working from room to room and taking pictures can help you provide documentation should you need it.

Showing your home to buyers in Albuquerque is a necessary part of the process of selling your home. But with some common sense and preparation, you can make the experience safer for all involved.

HOT ALBUQUERQUE PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

Palm Road NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

Sweeping Views of the Sandia Mountains, ready to build your custom home.

Learn More!

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

As they say, your home is your castle. It’s a place where you feel safe and secure. As such, homeowners tend to overlook the very things that can make their home unsafe. Many accidents occur in the home that can seriously injure or even kill people. And it’s not just children or the elderly. Accidents in the home claim 18,000 lives each year in America alone, accounting for 21 million medical visits annually. Many of these accidents are preventable.

Here are some trouble areas to keep an eye on in your Albuquerque home to make your life safer.

Dryer vents

Thousands of house fires start each year because of neglected dryer maintenance. You may clean out the lint screen, but the lint that accumulates in the vent is more dangerous. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends cleaning or having a professional inspect your dryer vent's lint every two to three years. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher near your dryer in case a fire breaks out.

Falls

A third of all fatalities that occur in the home are from falls. Old age plays a large role in many of them, but people of all ages are also affected. Safety gates are an obvious safety precaution with little ones, and grab bars will provide a safety boost for older individuals. Keeping an eye on wet areas, such as the shower and bath, and particularly in front of the sink, can help with slips. Installing non-slip rug pads under area rugs to keep them in place is key to preventing falls.

Blinds

It is horrifying to think that a young child could be strangled due to blind cords. But it happens. By choosing cordless blinds, you can eliminate the worries without having to give up the look and room-darkening features you want.

Fire alarms

When was the last time you changed your fire alarm batteries? If you can't recall, it's time to do it. Make sure every level of your home has smoke alarms, and check and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider a smart smoke detector such as Nest Protect, which uses Wi-Fi to provide real-time updates and remote monitoring right on a smartphone or other mobile device.

A dirty oven

Most ovens nowadays have a self-cleaning feature. While it is not pleasant to endure the smell as it works, it far outweighs the alternative given that 40 percent of fires begin in the kitchen.

Make sure to clean your oven regularly and always watch what you're cooking. Always check to make sure burners are turned off after cooking on the stove top.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because it can cause serious health problems if not recognized until symptoms occur. It is an odorless, tasteless, colourless gas. You cannot see it or smell it.

Smoke detectors are prevalent in homes, but even though a carbon monoxide alarm can assist in the prevention of death, owners are often left to purchase and install them. Each year in the United States, more than 200 accidental deaths are caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. It is considered the leading cause of death from poisoning in the United States.

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

13516 Deer Trail Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111  $895,000

6 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (3 full, 1 half) / 5893 Square Feet

Perfectly situated with 180 degree views in Glenwood Hills. The frosted glass accented front door greets you and beyond is a wide, open floorplan, with tons of natural light, gas fireplace and wet bar making this home perfect for entertaining. Main level boasts a master suite, 2 spacious bedrooms, formaldining and well-appointed kitchen with breakfast nook and access to one of many patios. Upstairs is another master suite with jetted tub and double sinks, privatebalcony and a fantastic walk-in closet. The garden level is open to the patios and is perfect for rec room/office/gym. Want city AND mountain views this uniqueproperty offers panoramic, breathtaking city views with Mount Taylor in the distance! Hiking, biking and walking trails are just minutes away.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team