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Decades ago”pre-1980″a great deal of the paint that was utilized in homes contained lead. Over the ensuing years, that paint would chip or crumble and the resulting dust could cause serious health problems, especially for children and pregnant women.

Using lead paint was the norm. It was used both inside and outside, particularly on windows, baseboards, trim and doors. Unfortunately, layers of lead-based paint have been disturbed through the years during remodeling or home repair.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a devastating report revealing that lead can affect childrens brains and developing nervous systems, resulting in reduced intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. In 2019, its absolutely necessary for anyone selling a home to be aware of the dangers of lead paint and know if their house will be a problem.

And it impacts a lot of homes. The Department of Health revealed that approximately 75 percent of all homes built 40 years or more ago contain some lead-based paint. Furthermore, its estimated that more than 30 million homes in the U.S. still contain lead paint.

Unlike in the past, real estate professionals and their sellers are required to disclose any presence of known lead paint and lead hazards during the sale or rental of a home.

For homeowners who are unsure about their homes, sometimes its easier to replace windows, doors, or woodwork than it is to remove the lead-based paint. This way, all traces of any paint will have been removed from the home.

Federal law requires that before being obligated under a contract to buy housing built prior to 1978, buyers must receive the following from the home seller:

1. An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards titledProtect Your Family From Lead In Your Home
2. Any known information concerning the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the home or building.
3. An attachment to the contract, or language inserted in the contract, that includes a Lead Warning Statement and confirms that the seller has complied with all notification requirements.
4. A 10-day period to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.

If you have an older home and you can say for certain that there is no lead paint, it can also attract a higher price.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Regular maintenance is an ongoing process for every homeowner. Keeping up with smaller projects is essential if you want to avoid major problems down the road.

With a little bit of preventative maintenance, you can ensure that your home remains beautiful and efficient for years to come. Here are four areas of your home that are likely in need of some attention:

Roof
A well-constructed roof should last for at least 30 years, but some of the shingles will need to be replaced well before that. Replacing damaged tiles is immediately going to improve the appearance of your home, and that simple project could help you avoid serious water damage. As a general rule, tiles and shingles need to be replaced if theyre curled, cracked or bent. You also need to replace any metal flashing thats bent or warped.

Exterior Walls
Putting a fresh coat of paint on your home can have a huge impact on its curb appeal, especially if the homes current paintjob is old, cracked and peeling. While you can paint your own home”there are many people who do”you may also want to hire a residential painting company. Trying to paint exterior walls without the proper tools and equipment is going to be exhausting, even dangerous, if you have a multi-story home. An experienced team of painters should be able to paint your walls and trim in one or two days, and many contractors guarantee their work.

Front Door
Is your front door an old eyesore? Paint the door to freshen it up and beautify your entranceway. Its a simple project that shouldn’t take more than a few hours”you won’t need anything more than a few basic tools and a can of your desired paint. If you plan on selling your home in the near future, then you should pick a relatively neutral color that matches the exterior walls and trim. Also be sure to coat the door in some type of exterior sealant if you want the paint to last.

Windows
Modern windows usually last for decades, but older panes and sills are inefficient. After a few years, your windows might become warped, allowing air to escape and increasing your utility costs. You can continue to seal around the outside of your windows once every few years, but you should consider replacing them entirely if theyre old and unsightly. Modern windows will improve the efficiency of your home while boosting its appearance.

Before you tackle any of these projects, make sure to research all local building codes. While most cosmetic renovations don’t require any permits, there are strict regulations regarding major structural modifications, and you could face huge fines and fees if you don’t adhere to those codes.

Source: Anita Ginsburg/RISMedia’s Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

For the hottest new trend in luxury home design, look no further than your ceiling. Interior designers are turning to the fifth wall to transform living spaces and create stunning visual appeal above each room. For those looking to deviate from the traditional white ceiling, here are a few stand-out ways to add a statement ceiling to your home!

Pop of Color
Once you warm up to the idea that color can be introduced to the ceiling, the possibilities are endless. Whether you want to add a simple splash from the rooms existing color scheme or go bold with a hand-painted pattern, youll have a surprising design element thats far from the ordinary. Keep in mind that darker colors can make a room feel smaller and cozier, while brighter shades will feel light and airy.

Get Creative With Textures
From exposed wood to custom plaster ceiling treatments, textures can add a whole new layer of depth to every room. Dont be afraid to incorporate unexpected materials, like fabric or tile, for a wholly original look. If you already have coffered ceilings, you can spruce them up with a fresh new color that brings out the detail.

Unique Lighting
Of course, lighting plays a big part in how the ceiling will appear. If youre going for a real showstopper, dramatic chandeliers or pendants will take it to the next level while illuminating the colors and textures even more vividly. Depending on the desired ambiance, lighting can create a soft romantic glow or command attention to the new focal point in your living room.

Wallpaper
Dont be deterred by the name”wallpaper can absolutely go on the ceiling! After seeing a surge in popularity, artisans all over the world are making exquisite hand-painted wallpaper that can elevate the fifth wall above your dining table. Tranquil landscapes, traditional patterns and custom-made designs are all in the realm of possibility.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you love to mix and match different styles, the eclectic look probably speaks to you. While its a fun way to create a unique environment in your home that reflects your personality, it can also be a challenge to avoid designing a space that feels chaotic. In order to successfully pull it off, here are a few tips to achieve an eclectic setting that maintains a sense of balance.

Look to the Pros
Before you get started, the best way to find inspiration is to do some research. You can easily find past projects from interior designers who are known for mastering the eclectic look, such as Muriel Brandolini and Martyn Lawrence Bullard. This will help identify what really speaks to you and start to form a foundation of your aesthetic.

Pick a Color Scheme
Eclectic rooms tend to have dramatic color schemes, but make sure the scheme is one that you can live with. Try to find a vibrant color combination that harmonizes to serve as the base, and once thats been decided, you can focus on adding more detail that plays off of the palette.

Dramatic Textures
Juxtaposing multiple textures is at the heart of this style and can often be a way of creating contrasts, like a plush, velvet sofa beside a shiny, metallic table. Being bold is a good thing, but its important to keep cohesion between the textures and colors in order to prevent the room from feeling overwhelming.

Introduce Layers
Throw pillows, area rugs and window treatments are the perfect way to accent the look with layers. Rather than creating more visual drama, these items should complement the room and allow the eye to fall on the focal points when someone enters.

Curate the Objects
Filling the room with a careful selection of objects will help to bring it all together. This is where you can get creative with putting antiques on display, arranging paintings in a whimsical manner, or curating a collection of trinkets. Think of it as the final step to creating a unique space that truly reflects your personality and tastes.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A 30- or 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage with the same payment amounts each month is one of the most common ways to buy a home”but not everyone can qualify for a traditional mortgage, or has the money set aside for a sizable down payment so they can get a low-interest loan and have affordable payments.

Here are four non-traditional ways to be able to afford to buy a home:

1. Borrow from your parents: If you don’t mind possibly changing your relationship with your parents, ask them for a loan to help you come up with a bigger down payment so you can qualify for a loan. Hire a lawyer to write up a contract, and make sure the loan doesn’t appear as a gift, which would require a gift tax to be paid.

2. Parental co-signers: If your parents won’t loan you money, ask them to co-sign your home loan. This can improve your debt-to-income ratio, making you a better risk to the lender”but your parents should be aware that if you don’t make loan payments, they’ll be liable for them.

3. Borrow from a retirement account: If you have enough money in your 401(k) or IRA, you can borrow money from yourself if you use the money for a down payment on a house, or, you could use the retirement funds to show a lender that you have a lot of money in savings to make loan payments if you lose your job.

The downside is that if you’re 59-1/2 years old or younger and withdraw any of your retirement savings, you’ll pay a 10 percent penalty and will pay taxes on it. The money will have to be repaid within 60 days if you lose your job.

A Roth IRA is after-tax money, so withdrawing from it to buy a home means you’ll only be taxed on the earnings, not the full amount.

4. Insurance policy with cash value: Some life insurance policies allow policyholders to borrow against the principal or cash value, and the money can be used for whatever they wish, including a home purchase. The loan won’t have to be repaid”although not repaying it will leave a lower death benefit.

Whichever non-traditional strategy you use to finance a home, talk to your financial advisor and tax preparer for details on how it will affect your finances.

Published with permission from RISMedia.