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If you or someone in your family has allergies or asthma, HealthFinder.gov offers tips to help make your home a better place to breathe easier.

Identify Triggers
One major step is figuring out what causes yours or a family members allergy or asthma attacks. Different people will react to different allergens and irritants (things that can irritate the lungs). Consult a doctor about tests to learn what exactly is causing a reaction. Once you identify these triggers, you can take steps to get rid of or avoid those things in your home.

Make Bedrooms Safer
We all spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, so work to keep allergens and irritants out of yours.

Cover your mattresses and pillows in dust proof or allergen proof covers to combat allergens, namely dust mites.
Wash all bedding in very hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) once a week. Go to a laundromat if the water in your home doesn’t get that hot.
If you have pets that youre allergic to, like cats or dogs, keep them out of the bedroom.
If possible, remove all carpets; its easier to keep bare floors clean.

Control Moisture
Keep your home dry to prevent mold. Mold, a common asthma trigger, can start to grow in wet or damp places within just one or two days.

If you have a water leak, clean up the water immediately. Fix the leak as soon as possible.
When you take a shower, run the bathroom fan or open the window for at least 20 minutes afterward.
Check the humidity level in your home with a moisture or humidity meter (available at hardware stores). You may need to use a de-humidifier or air conditioner to keep the humidity level below 60 percent”between 30 and 50 percent is best.
Safely clean mold or throw out moldy items. You may need to consult a specialist for bad cases.

Keep Pests Out
Rodents and cockroaches might cause allergy or asthma attacks, among other health issues, so practice pest prevention.

Fix leaks in sinks and toilets.
Put trays under your plants, radiators and refrigerator. Check the trays for water and clean them often.
Store food, including pet food, in closed containers.
Clean up crumbs and spills right away.
Fill in cracks or holes that could be good indoor hiding places for pests.
Put screens in your windows and doors.
If you see roaches or rodents, call a pest control company.

Go Smoke-Free
Tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke, can make asthma worse. And babies who live in homes where people smoke are at higher risk of developing asthma. If you smoke, make a plan to quit today. If you have guests who smoke, ask them to do so outside.

Breathing too much smoke from a wood-burning stove or fireplace can also cause an asthma attack. If you can avoid it, dont burn wood in your home.

For more help, consult a doctor about managing allergies or asthma.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If your home needs repairs and you dont have enough money in your bank account, it can be tempting to use your home equity. Doing so might be your best option in some cases, but it can be risky.

When and How to Tap Into Home Equity for Repairs
The decision on how to finance home repairs will depend on whether they are urgent. A leaky roof needs to be fixed now, before it gets worse and you wind up with major damage, both inside and outside the house. Any issue that could put your family at risk or make your home uninhabitable, such as a broken furnace in the middle of winter, needs to be addressed immediately. In that case, you might have no choice but to access your home equity.

With a home equity loan, you can receive money in a lump sum and repay it at a fixed interest rate. Home equity loans typically have higher interest rates than first or second mortgages. Youll have to make monthly payments until the amount borrowed has been repaid.

With a home equity line of credit (HELOC), you can draw money as you need it, similar to the way a credit card works. Your monthly payments will be based on the amount of money youve used. HELOCs have adjustable rates, which means your payments may rise and fall.

When to Wait and Save
Optional projects, such as remodeling a bathroom or upgrading kitchen appliances, can wait until youve saved up enough cash. Saving the money ahead of time can help you avoid having to repay a home equity loan or HELOC with interest. In the meantime, you can look for other ways to make your home more comfortable, such as making smaller changes or tackling just one piece of a larger project.

Is Using Home Equity a Good Option for Home Repairs?
Some home repairs cant wait. In such a situation, you might have to access your home equity through a loan or line of credit. Before you choose either, make sure you understand how it works and the risks involved. If you take out a home equity loan or HELOC and dont make the payments on time, you can lose your home.

You shouldnt get in the habit of borrowing against your home equity, but rather should focus on saving and prioritizing and use home equity only when absolutely necessary. If you can wait to make repairs, saving the money first is a safer move.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre getting ready to start an exciting new chapter, here are several home features that are ideal for new families.

Large Backyard

Its great to have a spacious outdoor area where kids can run around and expend their energy, and its a place where early memories are formed.

Kid-Friendly Design

You need to make sure your home is safe for kids. You dont want a residence with lots of sharp corners or staircases that can be dangerous.

Neighborhood and Schools

The feel of a neighborhood and the schools nearby are a few of the most important things to consider when moving.

Room to Grow

An extra bedroom or two might save you from having to move again in a few years…and youll certainly want ample storage space.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Selling your home will involve a lot of paperwork. The requirements may vary somewhat depending on where you live, but the following are some of the most important documents youll likely need:

Documents From Your Purchase of the House
Youll need the original sales contract from the time when you bought the house. Thatll let the buyer know who the previous owner was, the sale price at the time, and any disclosures that were made then. Youll also need to provide the appraisal that was conducted before you bought the house.

Documents Related to Maintenance, Repairs and Current Problems
You shouldve kept records of maintenance and repairs during the time you owned the house. Those can give the buyer an accurate idea of the condition of the house now and any repairs that might be needed in the future. If you had any new appliances installed, you should give the buyers the warranties.

Youll also need to provide a potential buyer with homeowners insurance records. These should include any claims you submitted so the buyer will be aware of any significant past damage and repairs that were made.

Once a buyer has made an offer and youve accepted it, youll need to follow mandatory disclosure laws and provide information on any known damage or hazards. That could include everything from lead paint and water damage to broken appliances and disputes over the property line. Failing to provide this information could lead to a lawsuit later.

Documents Needed to Complete the Transaction
A purchase offer spells out the agreement between the buyer and seller. The real estate agents or attorneys representing the buyer and seller will later draft a final purchase and sale agreement that includes specifics on the sale price as well as other terms, such as the closing date and contingencies.

The buyer will most likely have the house inspected to find out about any problems. If anything serious is discovered, you and the buyer will need to decide whether youll make repairs before closing or lower the asking price.

If the buyer will need to get a mortgage to buy the house, the lender will require an appraisal to determine its value. The appraiser will provide the buyer with a report, and a copy will be made available to you.

The deed is a document that officially transfers ownership from the seller(s) to the buyer(s). It will include the names of all parties involved in the transaction and a description of the property itself.

Working With the Right Real Estate Agent Is Key
Selling a house is complicated. Your real estate agent should be able to guide you through the process. When interviewing agents, look for someone who has the knowledge and patience to walk you through all the steps and the documents thatll be required and to answer all your questions.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.