Arizona Homeowners Taking Caution with Asbestos and Moving GREENIn the Arizona real estate industry, many additional responsibilties may arise when buying a new home. Regarded as an American tradition, the path to homeownership is an exciting time with many rewards. However, there are many things that should be taken into consideration. Gaining popularity more than a century ago, asbestos was used in many industrial and building applications throughout the 20th century due to its fire resistant qualities. Potential Arizona homebuyers or those remodeling older homes should be aware that many homes built before 1980 may still contain asbestos.
This shouldn’t make you frightened because asbestos exposure is easily prevented by taking simple precautions. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry stated that a large industry in Arizona is still present because of mines operated by Asbestos Mines, a division of Arizona Asbestos Inc. Now seeking to redefine the way asbestos is handled, the Asbestos Institute is stationed in Phoenix and is one of the largest training facilities for asbestos abatement in the world. There are now many green and healthy alternatives that make the use of asbestos obsolete.
If any asbestos is located in your home, the best advice is to leave it alone. Disturbing asbestos may cause it to become damaged, and release its fibers into the air. The frequent inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause a rare, but severe lung ailment known as peritoneal mesothelioma. With an extremely high amount of asbestos incidents through the last century, many mesothelioma lawyer firms began fighting for victims rights. Asbestos manufacturers were clearly aware of the health damaging qualities involved with their product, but chose to cover it up, leaving millions of workers, military personnel and civilians exposed to the material.
If a home inspector deems the asbestos harmful, removal must be undertaken by a licensed abatement contractor. These contractors are trained in the handling and disposal of asbestos in public facilities and homes. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is committed to protecting the public from asbestos-containing materials by educating and assisting with asbestos removal, transport and disposal.
Once the removal process is completed, green insulation alternatives should be given serious consideration. A water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene features no toxic components. Statistics show that the lcynene foam, for example, can cut energy costs by about 25 percent annually, according to studies done by manufacturers.
Although needed to be removed by professionals, it is worth price for a healthier, positive lifestyle. With the help of ADEQ and other organizations, removal in work places and public facilities is on the rise. These asbestos alternatives allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.
Pool time
Are there disadvantages to a short sale?
a few great ideas on how to celebrate it! 
Homes that are properly staged almost always sell faster regardless of market conditions. If your home is on the market, be sure you follow these guidelines to keep your humble abode looking showroom perfect. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the buyer! 
Cut the clutter. This is one of the easiest ways to give your home a “ready to buy” feel. Start by removing anything that is wasting space: old magazines, random objects that don’t have a purpose, even your favorite family photographs should be kept to a minimum. Then, clean out closets, pick up anything on the floor, put away anything that isn’t immediately being used and if you have kids, organize their toys neatly in one spot; preferably in a closet. Your REALTOR® might even suggest removing bulky furniture to give rooms a larger appearance. 
Spic and span. Now that you’ve removed any unnecessary objects, clean your home from top to bottom. Hire a maid if this task becomes too involved. Your home should sparkle like new after you’re done. By removing the clutter and cleaning your home, you show the buyer that you are a serious seller who is willing to put time and energy into a home they might buy. 
Curb appeal. You know the drill; first impressions are the most important. So when buyers first pull up to your home with their REALTOR®, they should see an inviting home with a great looking yard. Remove any random objects from your yard, mow the lawn on a regular basis, plant colorful flowers, and paint your garage door if over the years it’s lost its luster. Be sure to keep the backyard looking nice as well. You want the potential buyer to picture themselves living in this house. They can’t do that if you’re stuff is lingering and looking cluttered. 
Touch-ups. Over the years, your home may have received a little wear and tear. It’s the mark of a lived-in home. Touch up molding and seams around the house with a fresh coat of paint. Reapply wallpaper if it looks like its starting to peel away from the walls (this happens in bathrooms frequently from the steam of the shower). Your REALTOR® may suggest you repaint a room to give it a fresh feel or they might suggest a bigger project like replacing light fixtures throughout your home. 
Ready and waiting. Often, buyers will show up with a REALTOR® at a moments notice. This means your home should appear showroom perfect as often as possible. Explain to your kids why they need to make an effort to keep the home as clean as possible. Avoid cooking harsh-smelling foods if you think buyers might take a tour. Also, keep animals at bay so they don’t annoy visitors to the home, put them in the garage or take them to a neighbor's or family member’s home if necessary. 
These five strategies are a great start to stellar staging. Always talk with your REALTOR® if you should have any questions or concerns when prepping your home for potential buyers. And keep in mind, any advice your REALTOR® gives you is helpful not hurtful. They know what buyers like to see, and are simply offering suggestions to improve the salability of your home. 
