When you buy a house, it’s almost like you’re building a new home from the ground up. There are a lot of things you need to consider, especially when buying a home in a new city or state. You’ll need to check the local zoning laws, the property tax rate, and the amount of repairs the home needs before it can be occupied. But did you know that you should also be considering the condition of the house itself? The way a home looks and feels can have a big impact on your happiness and well-being during any time you spend there. But what if the house itself isn’t very healthy? What if it has lead paint, there are asbestos tiles in the attic, or there are problems with mold and mildew? That’s why it’s so important to check the standards checklist when looking at a prospective home. This way, you’ll know what issues need to be addressed before moving in. There are a number of things that should be included on a healthy homes standards checklist before you’re ready to buy your new home. Here are some examples to get you started:

Check for Lead Paint

This should be one of the first things that you check when looking at a prospective home. The EPA recommends that you test for lead paint in any home built before 1950, especially if you have young children or plan to rent to families with young children. If you find lead paint in your home, you’ll need to have it painted over or removed.You can also test the soil in the yard to see if it may have been a source for the paint in the home. If this is the case, you’ll need to have it removed before you can plant anything new.When looking to buy a home, you can hire a professional inspector to test for lead paint, or you can do it yourself as long as you follow the instructions carefully. You can purchase a testing kit from any home improvement store or online, or you can get a professional lead paint test done by a trusted company like LeadCheck.

Check for Mold and Mildew

If you’re purchasing a home that you plan to renovate before moving in, mold can be a major issue. If you have mold growing in your home, it can also be a health hazard. Mold can grow anywhere in your home, including in the attic and crawlspace, but it’s often found in basements. To check for mold and mildew, you can use a mold and mildew test kit to check the air in your home. You can purchase these kits from any home improvement store, or they can be purchased online.If mold or mildew is an issue in your home, you’ll need to get it treated. If you can’t afford to treat the mold yourself, you can hire a mold remediation company to do it for you.

Check for Lead in Drinking Water

If you plan to drink water from the tap in your home, it’s important to check for lead. The EPA recommends that you test your water before you buy a home, and then test again at least once a year to make sure that it’s safe to drink. If lead is found in the water, the EPA recommends that you install a water filter to remove the lead and make the water safe to drink.You can purchase a water filter at most hardware stores or online, or you can get a filter installed at your home if you have a water spigot. If lead is found in the water, you’ll need to inform all occupants of the home to make sure that they don’t drink the water.

Check for Mold and Mildew in the Attic

If you’re planning to rent out your home, you’ll want to check for mold and mildew in the attic. If there are problems, you’ll need to hire a contractor to remove and remediate the mold and mildew.Mold and mildew can grow anywhere in your home, but it often grows in the attic. This is because it’s often a dry and warm space, which is the perfect place for mold and mildew to grow. You can check for mold and mildew in the attic by using a black light. You can purchase a black light at most hardware stores or online. If you find mold or mildew in the attic, it’s essential that you get it treated before you rent your home.

Check if the Home has Other Risks for Children

There are a number of risks for children that you should check for when looking at prospective homes. These include lead paint, asbestos in the attic, and lead in the water. Other health risks include carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).CO is a colorless, odorless gas, and is produced when fuels like natural gas and wood are burned. It can build up in the home if the flue isn’t properly maintained, and it can be toxic for children. If the home has a gas or wood burning stove, you should get a CO detector to make sure that CO isn’t leaking into the home.CO is often referred to as “the silent killer” because it can build up in a home over time and cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath without warning. It’s important to have a CO detector installed in the home.

Check for Electrical Problems

You’ll also want to check for electrical problems when looking at prospective homes. This includes electrical hazards, overloaded electrical panels, and faulty electrical meters.A common electrical hazard is an overloaded electrical panel. A large amount of power draw could cause your home’s circuit breaker to trip. This can be dangerous for anyone who lives in the house, and it’s essential that the problem is addressed immediately.If your home has an old electrical panel, you may want to consider upgrading it. New panels are more efficient and can reduce the amount of energy your home uses. Older panels are also more likely to trip, which can be dangerous for anyone who lives in the house.

Check the Property Tax Rates

You’ll also want to check the property tax rates in the area where you plan to buy a home. This will help you to budget for property taxes, which are due annually for each home. It’s important to budget for these taxes because they’re due each April.If you don’t budget for property taxes, you may end up paying more than you anticipated each year. This can quickly add up, and you may find yourself in financial trouble if you don’t pay close attention to your budget.

Conclusion

The way a home looks and feels can have a big impact on your happiness and well-being during any time you spend there. But what if the house itself isn’t very healthy? What if it has lead paint, there are asbestos tiles in the attic