10 Real Estate Rider signs that should exist, in Thomasville, GA.

These should be mandatory riders in Thomasville, GA. We have many more, but why, You get the point… This riders would give the buyer some heads up on what they may be getting themselves into, but by the time the consumer figures it out or not it’s too late. These should be mandatory riders in Thomasville, GA. We have many more, but why, You get the point… This riders would give the buyer some heads up on what they may be getting themselves into, but by the time the consumer figures it out or not it’s too late. Do yourself a favor get a buyers agent when looking to purchase a home in Thomasville, GA. If not you're giving up your rights to getting the best price and the best representation. The agent working for the seller is looking out for that seller not you.  When a listing agent has the seller sign a SELLER PREPRESENTATION AGREEMENT ( EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO REPRESENT) it means that the selling agent is working for that seller and agrees to get the best price for that seller, so HELLO, how can that selling agent working for the seller, get you the buyer the best price….. GET A BUYERS AGENT in Thomasville, GA. or you're screwed. There are too many greedy agents in Thomasville, GA. selling their own listings to buyers for the full commission. Oh, and look out for those homes being sold for $87/per sq.ft. they are cheaply built.

Dual Agency vs Buyers Agents - Thomasville GA. IS A Dual Agency

How using the agent who is listing the house you want to buy can cause a conflict of interest. Here are a few reasons why using a Portland Buyers Agent will help you get on equal ground with the seller.

When you work with a real estate agent to help you find a home, you either hire a buyer’s agent, one who works for you not the seller or a dual agent. You have a dual agent if your real estate agent is both representing you as a buyer and the seller of the home you want to buy. This is usually is a conflict of interest even though it is legal here in Oregon and Georgia.


When you use a buyers agent you eliminate the dual agency. This also ensures you have someone who is working only for you and not the seller. Click here to read a post about myths in using a buyers agent.

Now, imagine a realtor working with a seller for quite some time. The listing agent has invested quite a bit of time and money to get the sellers to list their home with that agent. Numerous meetings with the seller, emails and phone conversations, essentially forming an important relationship with the seller. That listing agent has promised that seller the highest possible price, and in fact the agent owes his client a legal and fiduciary duty to the sellers during the entire course of the real estate sale.

Now imagine the same agent begins working with a buyer. They want to use this same Realtor to purchase their real estate. The buyer likes that same house the agent is listing for the seller mentioned above. Now that agent has a legal and fiduciary duty to get his new buyer the lowest possible price and represent them in the transaction.

Here is something to think about, who will the agent fight for the most? Is this agent going to try and get the lowest price and best terms for the new buyers? Or will he be looking out for the sellers best interest, who hired him in the first place? Could there be any conflict of interest? OH, YEAH

Here are a few points to why using a buyers agent to represent you in a home purchase will help you avoid that conflict of interest. Making contact and "hiring" a buyers agent from the start of your home search can benefit you when you close your deal.

1. You have an agent who represents only your interests without a conflict with the seller. If you hire an agent to represent you as your buyer’s agent, you eliminate those conflicts that can work against your best interests.

2. You can find and hire a buyer’s agent who has the experience and professional abilities you need as you get ready to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars. The best part is that you as a buyer do not pay for their services. The listing agent is the one who pays the buyers agent who bring in a buyer. In dual agency, the buyer agent commission (also known as BAC) would be kept by the listing agent essentially doubling his commission.

3. A buyer’s agent has a focused interest in protecting you, and that means using all of their resources, knowledge and experience to help you find the best home, negotiate the best price, handle all contingencies appropriately, protect you from legal liabilities and contract ambiguities, and in being your transaction coordinator until the close of the sale.

4. Because your buyer’s agent does not have a legal or fiduciary duty to protect the seller, he can negotiate the price and terms entirely with your interest and preferences in mind.

5. If your buyers agent is not trying to represent the seller, they will be in it for you and you alone. Since they don't represent the seller, there is no dual agency and no conflict of interest from dual agency.

6. A real estate buyer’s agent has a desire to help you do your due diligence on the home you wish to purchase to help avoid problem areas that may not be completely pointed out to you by the agent representing the sellers.

A professional buyer’s agent will help you find the ideal home without biases, provide you information to help you make and informed decisions about location, help you negotiate the best possible price and terms, and guide you through the transaction in its entirety all the way to closing.

http://www.portlandpowersearch.com/blog/dual-agency-vs-buyers-agents/

What is Dual Agency? - Thomasville, GA. Buyers Beware!

What is Dual Agency?

Dual agency occurs when one agent represents both the seller and buyer in the same real estate transaction.
When a potential buyer sees the advertising for a home for sale and calls the listing agent, the listing agent has a choice (in Thomasville, GA. Local Realtors convince the buyer) to show the buyer the home but only represent the seller or to convince both parties to agree to dual agency. This would give the listing agent full commission.

Dual Agency is a Bad Idea:

The most important point for you to know about dual agency is that if your agent is also representing the other side, your agent cannot advocate for you in negotiations or give you advice on pricing. This means that when you hit a stumbling block in the negotiations, your agent can’t fight for your needs.
Let’s say that a buyer and seller are negotiating and they are $5,000 apart on purchase price. When we represent the buyer, our job is to convince the seller that our buyer will not pay more and that they should take our offer because it is the best they will do. As a seller’s agent, our job is to convince the buyer that the house is worth more than they are offering, and the seller won’t reduce the price any more.
Dual agents can’t take either of these positions.

All a dual agent can do is present to each client what the other side has responded, and ask if the offer on the table is acceptable or if they want to make a counteroffer.

Who Benefits from Dual Agency?

Buyers and sellers don’t benefit from dual agency.
The only person who benefits from dual agency is the agent.
Many agents are eager to act as dual agents because they get to keep the entire commission. When an agent is hired to sell a home, a portion of the commission paid to the listing agent is given to the buyer’s broker. If the agent represents both sides, then they get to keep the entire commission. 95% of the Dual agents in Thomasville, GA. Are worst then ambulance chaser lawyer.

How do We Handle Dual Agency?

We don’t do dual agency except in rare situations.

We think it is a bad idea and not in our clients best interests.

If we have a listing and show the property to buyers without their own agent, we explain that we represent the seller. We let them know that they have 3 choices if they like the property and want to make an offer:

• We can assist with the paperwork and the contract details just like a store salesperson can assist the people that are purchasing products from the store. We represent the seller and will encourage the buyer to accept the terms that the seller wants. By the way, this is exactly what new construction salespeople are doing when a buyer purchases a new home without a buyer’s agent. We can refer them to another agent that can act as their buyer’s agent…an agent that can represent just their interests.
• They can find a buyer’s agent on their own, and have that agent submit an offer on the house.

The next time you are in a market to buy, make sure you have your own agent.

If you discover a home through an ad or a yard sign, call an agent that will represent you and not try to sell you on dual agency. Rather than calling the agent working for the seller, and I can arrange a private showing for properties anywhere in St. Louis, St. Charles or Jefferson County.

http://www.archcityhomes.com/2011/09/26/avoid-dual-agency-real-estate/

Real Estate Commissions & Greedy Realtors

When you list a home with a Realtor you realize that you’re going to pay a Commission, but do you know how that commission is used? Usually when a realtor takes a listing the in Georgia the Commission is 6%. 3% goes to the listing agent and if another brokerage office sales the listing they get 3%, but if the same agent sales the home they get the full 6% commission WOW! Dual Agency is legal in Georgia. In Thomasville, GA. most of the time the only thing you get for paying 6% commission to sale your home is a yard sign and sometimes they do not post the listing on the MLS just to keep the full commission. And if you try to list your home for less then the 6% commission your home will NOT be shown by any brokerage company in Thomasville, GA or they will use the excuse that the home with less then 6% commission is overpriced. So next time you’re looking for a home or listing a home in Thomasville, GA don't list with A GREEDY REALTOR!!!! Thomasville, GA. has its big share of GREEDY REALTORS!!!!! A home listed for $254,000 x 6% = $15,240 commission.

 

http://www.trulia.com/blog/matthew_defede/2009/04/a_word_about_real_estate

I found this posting in Trulia.com and found the posting very interesting and also the comments by realtors.  

The Bare Minimum Code in New Homes Being Built in South GA.

In Thomasville, GA. it looks like what buyers are looking for is new cheaply built homes and some of these homes unfortunately for the buyers are built to bare and below minimum code. It seems like people don’t care for quality or a home built right and above minimum code and thinking about it they will not understand the cheap price until they are in the home and notice things starting to go wrong. The type of construction in some of these new homes in South GA gives new meaning to bare minimum code, but the real estate industry doesn't care because the bigger the home and their cheap price are selling it doesn't matter if they are badly built homes as long as they can be sold. The worst part is that they are being built by a person that has no building background, knowledge and no building license and is MIA from job site the subcontractors run the project as they see fit because even if they do it wrong nobody that knows about building is there to tell them otherwise. With the construction industry still trying to come back very few homes are being built by qualified builders with quality materials and qualified sub-contractors and framers, not by out of working people charging $1.25/sq.ft. claiming to be framers and roofers charging under $20/square. I giggle when I see a home construction and from the street I see so many things done below minimum code and worse to see how the home is being built against Residential Building Code. But at the same time, I feel pitty for the buyers because they have a future of problems with the home they think they got at a steal of a price. I simply say "You get what you pay for" Due you expect to buy a FORD with the luxury of a Mercedes? Dream on.

Beware of Richard BigBird Claming to be a builder!

If you’re buying a new home in Thomasville, GA. make sure it is not built by Richard BigBird he is not a builder he does not have a building license he is working under someone else's license with no building knowledge on how to build a home to minimum code. These homes being built in Thomasville, GA. are cheaply to bare and below minimum code. Now if your realtor shows you these new cheaply built homes I would run and run fast. Georgia Law, states a licensed builder CAN NOT let another use his license to build homes. And it is happening in Thomasville, GA. 

  More Images

The Bare Minimum There seems to be a consciousness on building codes recently. I myself have been a little more focused on codes of late. This is probably because I have inspected a fair number of newer homes and homes with additions recently. The one theme that recurs when speaking of building codes is that they are minimum standards, the absolute lowest allowable acceptable parameter. When you stop and think,

does anyone really want something done to a

minimum standard? The only minimal thing I like is a bikini, but I digress. A minimum must exist because a standard needs a benchmark. This is the place to start when designing something like a house. You can go along the mark or better yet above, but never below. But what about standards for home inspections. Most people in the real estate business are aware that inspectors are governed or in most cases regulated by a set of

(This image shows no ice & water on valley and duct tape
on plywood joints. Told the home owners that he knows
 how to build Energy Efficiency. WOW!)

standards of practice (SOP). The home inspection SOP is the minimum or benchmark to which a home inspection is to be performed. Would anyone really want a minimally done home inspection? Image from a local home built in Thomasville, GA. Yet there seems to be inspectors and builders who see nothing wrong in providing the very least to their clients. I have heard more times than I care; "It meets code" as an explanation for a defect in a home. I also hear; "The SOP says I do not have to inspect that" There would appear to be a lot of effort by some put into not doing more than is defined as necessary.

I am continually amazed at the amount of discussion by inspectors on what can be done in the course of a home inspection. Listening to these discussions it is apparent that great thought goes into deciding what one can and can not do based on the SOP. This of course all boils down to seeking to limit ones liability. It occurs to me that going above the SOP would better limit ones liability than seeking to skate along the benchmark. Wrapping ones self in the SOP like a shield is not in the long term going to prevent clients from being dissatisfied. Not inspecting areas or items by using the SOP as a "reason" (excuse) will, if done enough times, grate on a client. Clients, and we are all clients, want nothing more than our best effort. Our "A" game. They also want someone who is competent. To accomplish this end takes personal effort. Not minimum effort, but maximum effort. Excuses are in many cases simply a lack of effort. And who really appreciates minimum effort?

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372657/the-bare-minimum

Extreme “GreenWashing” “DON’T GET GREENWASHED”

This is a perfect article for those in the real estate profession in Thomasville, GA. who keep advertising homes for sale as green or energy efficient without any documentation or third party verification. This would be “GreenWashing.” And without any documentation this would be false and misleading consumers with this type of advertising and against the code of ethics that is upheld only to specific members. As a buyer, I would look at words like “by owner” which is loosely used because it is thought as releasing “real estate professionals” from liability. So, by just showing the buyers an electrical bill does not proof anything. The owner of that home my not even be living in the home and they can also be showing you a bill from winter when the A/C unit is not used as much. In a nutshell “Show me the third party verification.” It looks like most local realtors don’t read much on educating themselves on their own profession when it comes to new real estate trends or marketing their own listings correctly.

his is the fourth article in a series designed to help you make sense of the green landscape as a real estate professional. REALTOR® Magazine’s Styled, Staged & Sold blog and I are excited to be covering green home trends in America. In the previous article, I provided a quick guide to green home trends. Here, we’ll highlight green home ratings and certifications.

As we discussed in the last few articles, when discussing green homes it’s important to avoid generalizations or greenwashing, and stick to specifics. As real estate professionals, we should always insist on third-party sources of reliable and verifiable information wherever possible.
When people make “green” claims, we need to know exactly what they mean.
Below are the most widely recognized national green building and/or energy efficient programs nationwide. Keep in mind there are local and regional green building programs as well.
For instance, the Austin Green Building Program was not only one of the first programs in the country to develop a regional green building standard, but it is still considered to be one of the very best programs and models.
Commonalities Among Green Programs
All green building programs should ideally share some common attributes, namely:

• Third-party verification;
• Performance (points) and/or a prescriptive path designed to set green “targets” in several green categories;
• Documentation;
• A resource center for the builder and the consumer.

The point to note is that a standard is followed, documented, measured, and verified. We all know what happens when standards are “self enforced” with no accountability (think latest mortgage crisis).
Also, notice below the various categories of green, what each certification addresses, and recall that green homes do more than address just energy use. While very important, energy is not the only measure of green or sustainability in a home or building.
Green homes also encompass indoor air quality, water efficiency, materials use/selection (recycled or reclaimed), community and environmental impacts. Keep in mind that most green building programs address new construction or major renovations. Each organization often publishes guidelines for remodeling, but remodeling projects may or may not meet the qualifications for the green building program under consideration.
Green Organizations
Each excerpt below is quoted directly from the Web site of the organization.

• LEED (United States Green Building Council): www.usgbc.org

“. . . LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. (Levels attainable are Certified, Silver, and Gold & Platinum.)”

• National Green Building Certification (National Association of Home Builders):  www.nahbgreen.org

“. . . NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelineswere written by a group of builders, researchers, environmental experts, and designers to provide guidance for builders engaged in or interested in green building products and practices for residential design, development, and construction. The Guidelines were also written to serve as a ‘baseline’ so that NAHB members could easily develop local green building programs. Divided into two parts, the Guidelines cover seven areas, or guiding principles: Lot Design; Resource Efficiency; Energy Efficiency; Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality; Homeowner Education; and Global Impact. The Guidelines offer three levels of green building- Bronze, Silver, and Gold.”

• Energy Star Qualified Home (U. S. Dept of Energy & U.S. Environmental Protection Agency): www.energystar.gov

“. . . To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.”

• Environments for Living (Masco Home Services, Inc.): www.environmentsforliving.com

“. . .is able to offer the limited guarantee on energy used for heating and cooling your home because  the combination of special framing techniques, improved insulation systems and efficient ductwork helps manage the energy you use to heat and cool your home. The Environments for Living Certified Green program includes building science features from the program, plus additional requirements in areas such as indoor water efficiency, lighting and appliance efficiency, and indoor environmental quality.”

• Energy Assessment/Audit and the HERS Index (Residential Energy Services Network): www.natresnet.org

“. . . RESNET Ratings provide a relative energy use index called the HERS® Index – a HERS Index of 100 represents the energy use of the “American Standard Building” and an Index of 0 (zero) indicates that the Proposed Building uses no net purchased energy (a Zero Energy Building). A set of rater recommendations for cost-effective improvements that can be achieved by the Rated Building is also produced.”

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2009/09/11/making-sense-of-green-home-certifications/#more-859

Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos Abatement

What we find interesting is that all of the homes in Thomasville, GA. even built as far as the 1800th that have been remodeled not one has come back with any type of lead paint or asbestos. Thomasville, GA. must be the only city and county that is immune to these bad materials because every home that has been remolded comes back with no lead paint, mold and asbestos found. WOW! Thomasville, GA. must be the luckiest town on the map or is it, because any one remodeling an old home be it a builder or home owner has no knowledge or clue of any of these harmful materials found in these old homes.



LEAD IN HOMES
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.
Research suggests that the primary sources of lead exposure for most children are:
- deteriorating lead-based paint,
- lead contaminated dust, and
- lead contaminated residential soil.

EPA is playing a major role in addressing these residential lead hazards. In 1978, there were nearly three to four million children with elevated blood lead levels in the United States. By 2002, that number had dropped to 310,000 kids, and it continues to decline. While we still have a significant challenge, EPA is very proud of how federal, state, tribal, and private sector partners have coordinated efforts with the public to better protect our children.

Since the 1980′s, EPA and its federal partners have phased out lead in gasoline, reduced lead in drinking water, reduced lead in industrial air pollution, and banned or limited lead used in consumer products, including residential paint. States and municipalities have set up programs to identify and treat lead poisoned children and to rehabilitate deteriorated housing. Parents, too, have greatly helped to reduce lead exposures to their children by cleaning and maintaining homes, having their children’s blood lead levels checked, and promoting proper nutrition. The Agency’s Lead Awareness Program continues to work to protect human health and the environment against the dangers of lead by developing regulations, conducting research, and designing educational outreach efforts and materials.

Did you know the following facts about lead?
FACT:  Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.

FACT:  Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.

FACT:  You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead until you start removing it.

FACT:  You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

FACT:  Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.

If you think your home might have lead hazards, read on to learn about lead and some simple steps to protect your family.   Facts about lead

Health effects of lead
Where lead is found
Where lead is likely to be a hazard
Checking your family and home for lead
What you can do to protect your family
Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978
Remodeling or renovating a home with lead-based paint

Health Effects of Lead*Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the U.S..*
*Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.*
People can get lead in their body if they:

Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths.
Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead.

Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces).
Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because:

Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths.  These objects can have lead dust on them.

Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead.

Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
Damage to the brain and nervous system

Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
Slowed growth
Hearing problems
Headaches

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:
Difficulties during pregnancy
Other reproductive problems (in both men and women)
High blood pressure
Digestive problems
Nerve disorders
Memory and concentration problems
Muscle and joint pain
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Where Lead is Found*In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. *
Paint.  Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint.  The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978.  Some states stopped its use even earlier.  Lead can be found:

In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.

Inside and outside of the house.

In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)

Household dust. (Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.)

Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:
Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.

Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.

The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes.

Old painted toys and furniture.Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.
Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.
Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.
Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “greta” and “azarcon” used to treat an upset stomach.
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Where Lead is Likely to be a Hazard*Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can be serious hazards.*

Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear.  These areas include:
Windows and window sills.
Doors and door frames.
Stairs, railings, and banisters.
Porches and fences.

Note:  Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.
Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it.

Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) to find out about testing soil for lead.
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Checking Your Family and Home for Lead

*Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high levels of lead.*
*Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard.*
To reduce your child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have.

Your FamilyChildren’s blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.

Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children.  A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are important for:

Children at ages 1 and 2.
Children and other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead.

Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan.

Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed.

Your Home
You can get your home checked in one of two ways, or both:
A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in your home. It won’t tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.

A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these hazards.

Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively.  Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) for a list of contacts in your area.

Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:
Visual inspection of paint condition and location.

A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
Lab tests of paint samples.
Surface dust tests.

Note:  Home test kits for lead are available, but studies suggest that they are not always accurate.  Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.
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What You Can do to Protect Your FamilyIf you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family’s risk:

If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.

Clean up paint chips immediately.

Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead. REMEMBER: NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS.

Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.

Wash children’s hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bed time.

Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.

Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.

Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.

Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products.  Children with good diets absorb less lead.

In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition:

You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions (called “interim controls”) are not permanent solutions and will need ongoing attention.

To permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead “abatement” contractor. Abatement (or permanent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not enough.
Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems–someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules set by their state or the federal government.
Contact the National Lead Information Center(NLIC) for help with locating certified contractors in your area and to see if financial assistance is available.
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Are You Planning to Buy or Rent a Home Built Before 1978?
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.
Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting or buying a pre-1978 housing:

Residential Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Program

LANDLORDS have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint.
SELLERS have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint.  Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards.

More information on the disclosure program.
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Remodeling or Renovating a Home with Lead-Based Paint
*If not conducted properly, certain types of renovations can release lead from paint and dust into the air.*
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.

Federal law requires that contractors provide lead information to residents before renovating a pre-1978 housing:

Pre-Renovation Education Program (PRE)

RENOVATORS have to give you a pamphlet titled “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home”, before starting work.

More information on the Pre-Renovation Education Program.

Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovations that disturb painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):

Have the area tested for lead-based paint.

Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These actions create large amounts of lead dust and fumes.
Lead dust can remain in your home long after the work is done.

Temporarily move your family (especially children and pregnant women) out of the apartment or house until the work is done and the area is properly cleaned. If you can’t move your family, at least completely seal off the work area.

Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find out about other safety measures in the EPA brochure titled “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home”.  This brochure explains what to do before, during, and after renovations.

If you have already completed renovations or remodeling that could have released lead-based paint or dust, get your young children tested and follow the steps outlined to protect your family.

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