About Rock County, WI

What is Radon?
Radon is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that causes no immediate health symptoms but medium and long-term exposures can cause lung cancer. It comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Simple test kits can reveal the amount of radon in any building. Buildings with high levels can usually be fixed with simple and affordable venting techniques. EPA information - www.epa.gov/radon/index.html

EPA estimates that one in every 15 homes nationwide has a high level of radon at or above the recommended action level of 4 picoCuries (pCi/L) per liter of air.

HOW RADON ENTERS THE HOME

Radon gas can migrate into the home in several ways. Openings or cracks in basement walls or floors are common avenues. Sumps, basement drains, and spaces between gas or water fittings can also allow radon into the structure.


HOW CAN MY CLIENTS FIND OUT ABOUT RADON IN A HOME THEY ARE CONSIDERING FOR PURCHASE?

A home inspector can conduct a Radon test as either part of the home inspection process or on its own. An inspector will set up the testing equipment and report on the results once the proper measurement procedure is complete. If an elevated level of radon is detected, steps can be taken to lessen the concentration inside the home.


REDUCING THE LEVELS OF RADON IN THE HOME

Radon mitigation methods can include sealing likely entry points, improving ventilation, and a process called soil depressurization, which vents air from the house back into the surrounding soil, reducing the level of radon that can enter the home. Professional mitigation services are recommended to provide recommendations for a home's specific conditions.

Do You Know If Your House Has Elevated Radon Levels? According to the EPA, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It is estimated by the EPA that 21,000 lung cancer deaths are radon related!

Rock County had a high potential for elevated radon levels. As mentioned before, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

The time is short for those Buyers who want to take advantage of the First Time Buyers Tax Credit of up to $8,000 and the existing homeowners credit of up to $6500.

April 30, 2010 is not all that far away. Locating property, and getting financing takes longer than most buyers realize.

Let me help you get the job done on time.

Jerry Morse, Broker

The Morse Company

www.jerrymorse.com

It looks as though people are starting to think about making a move already this season! According to www.homegain.com the top five home improvements that Realtors recommend to home sellers based on cost and return on investment (from highest to lowest ROI) are:

1. Cleaning and de-cluttering ($200. cost/ $1700 price increase/ 872% ROI)

2. Home staging ($300. cost/$1780 price increase/586% ROI)

3 Lightening and brightening ($230. cost/$1300 price increase/473% ROI)

4. Landscaping ($320. cost/ $1500 price increase/ 473% ROI)

5. Repairing plumbing ($385. cost/$1250 price increase / 327% ROI)

Cleaning and de-cluttering continues to rank as the top suggest home improvement (since the survey was originally done in 2000).

Rounding out the top 12, the list of low cost, do-it-yourself home improvements include: updating electrical, shampooing carpets, painting interior walls, repairing damaged floors, updating kitchen, painting outside of home and updating bathrooms!

The home improvment projects with the highest price increases to a home's resale value are: updating the kitchen ($1200 cost/$2850 price increase), followed by painting the outside of the home ($900 cost/$1815 price increase) and home staging ($300 cost/$1780 price increase)

It's the last day of 2009 and I'm reflecting on how 2009 went for our area. I reported to you that our GM plant had closed exactly one year ago now.

It amazes me that as I went to our local restaurants and stores, there is still plenty of business. I am happy to say that it seems like our economy is not as bad as we thought it was going to be. Having said that our unemployment is the 2nd highest in the state and I know the GM folks are still receiving their benefits for a bit longer. We can only wonder if it will be a bit tougher when those benefits run out.

Our Real Estate market has seen increases every month for the past several months.

I am finishing the year with over 50 sides closed! It's the same as I closed in 2008. The only difference is the values are down, so I'm closing about 1 million less than last year. I still feel very blessed that I had the year I did.

As I reviewed where my business came from, again I thank all of those people who have purchased/sold a home with me over the years and have returned and/or sent a friend or family member to me. My business is roughly 70% made of past customers/clients and referrals. I truly am blessed.

So I raise my glass to you all and wish you nothing but the best in 2010! Be safe and successful and maybe help someone out that doesn't have it as good as you do!

Take care,

Julie

Before Christmas I had the chance to ring bells for the Salvation Army with my fellow Realtors!

We had the great opportunity to raise more the $4800.00 in just one day. While that sounds like a

great thing, I hear that the Salvation Army is $18,000 short of their goal. While our area has been hit

hard like many others, we have lost several thousand jobs in the past year. There are so many wonderful

things the Salvation Army can do. Without the funding, there will be a great hole. Can you find it in your

heart to contribute just a little money to your local Salvation Army? I know it will make a difference to

someone!

For more info on our local Salvation Army, please go to http://www.janesvillesa.org/

Have a prosperous New Year!