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What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral. It is mined in much the same way that other minerals, such as iron, lead, and copper are. Asbestos is composed of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and various metal cations (positively charged metal ions). There are many varieties of asbestos: the three most common are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. Chrysotile fibers are pliable and cylindrical, and often arranged in bundles. Amosite and crocidolite fibers are like tiny needles.
Why has asbestos been so widely used?
Asbestos appealed to manufacturers and builders for a variety of reasons. It is strong yet flexible, and it will not burn. It conducts electricity poorly, but insulates effectively. It also resists corrosion. Asbestos may have been so widely used because few other available substances combine the same qualities.
What are the health problems?
Some people exposed to asbestos develop asbestos-related health problems; some do not. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can easily penetrate body tissues. They may be deposited and retained in the airways and lung tissue. Because asbestos fibers remain in the body, each exposure increases the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease. Asbestos related diseases may not appear until years after exposure. A medical examination which includes a medical history, breathing capacity test and chest x-ray may detect problems early. Scientists have not been able to develop a "safe" or threshold level for exposure to airborne asbestos. Ingesting asbestos may be harmful, but the consequences of this type of exposure have not been clearly documented. Nor have effect of skin exposure to asbestos been documented. People who touch asbestos may get a rash similar to the rash caused by fiberglass. Asbestosis is a serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. Inhaled asbestos fibers aggravate lung tissues, which causes them to scar. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. In its advanced stages, the disease may cause cardiac failure.
What is black mold?
Black mold is a term commonly used to describe a slimy, greenish-black substance which can result in serious health risks. This infamous mold is also known as Strachybotys charatrum and more often as Strachybotys atra. It has been closely linked to the death of babies from respiratory bleeding, and as a contributing factor to illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. According to the CDC (Center of Disease Control), this mold is responsible for over "100 cases of lung disorders."
Mold spores are very easily transported to different areas by attaching themselves to various hosts. These hosts would include people, animals, shoes and they even enter through open windows and doors. The spores then thrive and grow where it is damp and moist. Very toxic molds can develop from water seepage, and while black mold is "less common than other mold species, it is not rare."
Areas and substances where black mold can be found include water soaked wood, ceiling tiles, wall paneling, cardboard, even items made of cotton. Black mold can grow on drywall and insulation and can infest areas in the floors, walls, and ceilings.
Moisture is essential to the growth of black mold and when it is wet, it is shiny in appearance. If you were to physically touch a spot of black mold, it would feel slimy and would smear on the area.
How should I take ownership of the property I am buying?
The form of ownership taken - the vesting of title - will determine who may sign various documents involving the property and future rights of the parties to the transaction. The way title is vested can have significant probate implications in the event of a death.
NOTICE: Sellers & Buyers should consult legal counsel to determine the most advantageous form of ownership for their particular situation and should not rely on these definitions.
Here are common methods of holding title, however, we urge sellers & buyers to carefully consider their titling decision prior to closing, and to seek legal counsel should they be unfamiliar with the most suitable ownership choice for their particular situation.
SOLE OWNERSHIP: An individual or other entity capable of acquiring title may describe Sole ownership as ownership.
A single man/woman: A
man or woman who has not been legally married. Example: Joseph
King, a single man.
An unmarried man/woman:
A man or woman who was previously married and is now legally divorced.
Example: Darcy Taylor, an unmarried woman.
A married man/woman as his/her sole and separate property: When a married man or woman wished to acquire title as their sold and separate property, the spouse must consent and relinquish all right, title and interest in the property by deed or other written agreement. Example: Andrew Anderson, a married man, as his sole and separate property.
CO-OWNERSHIP: Title to property owned by two or more persons may be vested in the following forms:
Joint Tenancy - vesting title
to property owned by two or more persons, who may or may not be married, in
equal interest, subject to the right of survivorship in the surviving joint
tenant(s). Title must have been acquired at the same time, by the same
conveyance, and the document must expressly declare the intention to create
a joint tenancy estate. When a joint tenant dies, title to the
property is automatically conveyed by operation of law to the surviving
joint tenant(s). Joint tenancy property is not subject to disposition
by will. Example: Jonathan Johnson and Jamie Johnson, husband
and wife as joint tenants.
Tenancy in Common - vesting title to property owned by any two or more individuals in undivided fractional interests. These fractional interests may be unequal in quantity or duration and may arise at different times. Each tenant in common owns a share of the property, is entitled to a comparable portion of the income from the property and must bear an equivalent share of expenses. Each co-tenant may sell, lease or will to his/her heir that share of the property belonging to him/her. When a tenant in common dies, his share passes under his will or intestate law. Iowa law presumes a tenancy in common unless a contrary intent is clearly expressed. Example: John Doe, a single man, as to an undivided 3/4ths interest, and George Smith, a single man as to an undivided 1/4th interest, as tenants in common. Example: Jeffrey Jones and Jessie Jones, husband and wife, tenants in common.
OTHER WAYS OF VESTING TITLE: Vesting title to property as a corporation, a partnership, limited liability companies or as trustees of a trust. In these cases, required documents may include corporate articles and by laws, partnership agreements, L.L.C. operating agreement and trust agreements and/or certificates.
REMEMBER: Sellers & Buyers should consult legal counsel to determine the most advantageous form of ownership for their particular situation and should not rely on these definitions.
Lead-based paint is hazardous to your health. Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children and can also affect adults. In children, lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and can impair mental functioning. It can retard mental and physical development and reduce attention span. It can also retard fetal development even at extremely low levels of lead. In adults, it can cause irritability, poor muscle coordination, and nerve damage to the sense organs and nerves controlling the body. Lead poisoning may also cause problems with reproduction (such as decreased sperm count). It may also increase blood pressure. Thus, young children, fetuses, infants, and adults with high blood pressure are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead.
Federal law requires that sellers of houses built before 1978 disclose known information on lead-based paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a federal form about lead-based paint in the building. Buyers may have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards, if they chose.
The mechanic's lien law provides special protection to contractors, subcontractors, laborers and suppliers who furnish labor or materials to repair, remodel or build your home.
If any of these people are not paid for the services or materials they have provided, your home may be subject to a mechanic's lien and eventual sale in a legal proceeding to enforce the lien. This result can occur even where the homeowner has made full payment for the work of improvement.
The mechanic's lien is a right that a state gives to workers and suppliers to record a lien to ensure payment. This lien may be recorded where the property owner has paid the contractor in full and the contractor then fails to pay the subcontractors, suppliers, or laborers. Thus, in the worst case, a homeowner may actually end up paying twice for the same work.
The best protection against these claims is for the homeowner to employ reputable firms with sufficient experience and capital and/or require completion and payment bonding of the construction work. The issuance of checks payable jointly to the contractor, material man and suppliers is another protective measure, as is the careful disbursement of funds in phases based upon the percentage of completion of the project at a given point in the construction process. The protection of a mechanic's lien release could also be helpful.
Needless to say, this is one area of the law that is very complex; thus it may be worthwhile to consult an attorney if you become aware that a mechanic's lien has been recorded against your property.
What is radon?
Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas.
Where does radon come from?
Radon comes from the natural radioactive decay of radium and uranium found in the soil beneath the house. The amount of radon in the soil depends on complex soil chemistry, that varies from one house to the next. Radon levels in the soil range from a few hundred to several thousands of pCi/L. The amount of radon that escapes from the soil to enter the house depends on the weather, soil porosity, soil moisture, and the suction within the house.
What is the risk of radon exposure?
Scientists believe radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer. When radon decays, it shoots off alpha particles. These are small, heavy, electrically charged, sub-atomic particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons. If an alpha particle strikes the chromosomes in a lung cell, it could alter the way that cell reproduces. Our body's immune system should recognize and destroy these mutant cells before they can multiply over the next 10 to 20 years into a recognizable cancerous growth. Some people's immune system is better than others, because of these inherent differences, radon doesn't affect everyone the same.
A wood-destroying organism inspection report is a written opinion by a qualified state licensed structural pest control inspector based upon what was visible and evident at the time of inspection. The inspection report does not in any way represent or guarantee the structure to be free from wood-destroying organisms or their damage, nor does it represent or guarantee that the total damage or infestation is limited to the disclosed in the report. Wood-destroying organisms include subterranean termites, dampwood termites, carpenter ants, wood boring beetles and wood decay fungus.
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