Alabama

The article below si provided at the Radon in Alabama Web site, www.aces.edu/radon .

WHY RADON SHOULD NOT BE A DEAL BREAKER

IN REAL ESTATE SALES

While radon is among the most important and troublesome of indoor pollutants, in terms

of the numbers of people affected, it should not be a deal breaker. Among all other

environmental pollutants, radon has many unique features that set it apart, making it more

manageable than other environmental problems such as contaminated well water, termite

infestation, or deteriorating lead paint or asbestos.

♦ Radon problems can be fixed. Standard remediation measures are well known

and well tested. While this does not mean that every house will always be fixed

right the first time, it does mean that all houses can always be fixed. It is common

industry practice to guarantee that, for a fixed cost, remediation work will reduce

radon to concentrations below the EPA "action level."

♦ Remediation costs are reasonable. While not exactly inexpensive, the costs to fix

a radon problem are relatively small compared to the overall value of the home.

Moreover, with a properly written contract with the remediation contractor, costs

should not be open-ended, but will be close to the local "average" cost, even if the

radon levels are exceptionally high. While costs will vary in different regions of

the country, average radon remediation costs in Alabama may run $2,500 (+ $500)

for a typical home (one suction point), with price depending on the type of home

construction and size.

♦ Radon is easy to test for. For about the cost of a smoke detector, the occupants

can conduct their own radon test.* This can show whether a problem exists.

After remediation, it can show whether the work was effective. Later, it can verify

that the system is still functioning properly.

♦ Buyers learn that radon is a problem that can be managed. In one county in

the northeastern U.S., real estate sales dropped off in the late 1980s, following news

stories concerning the high percentage of homes with very high radon levels. Sales

recovered in about six months as people learned that radon is a manageable

problem. Radon inspections (and, when needed, mitigation) are now a routine part

of real estate transactions in some sections of the country.

♦ Radon-resistant construction benefits new homebuyers and builders.

Incorporating EPA radon recommendations in new construction adds only a

minimal cost of approximately $500 to the price of the home for one vent pipe

installed. Besides blocking radon entry, these measures also slow the entry of

moisture (and pollutants sometimes found in soil) into the building. These features

should add value to existing homes and facilitate resale.

More infomation available at Huntsville Radon

* Short-term and Long-term test kits are available at the county offices for $5.00 and $15.00

(plus shipping) respectively and on the Radon in Alabama Web site, www.aces.edu/radon.

Your Experts for Life

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation

with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M

University and Auburn University).

Program County Extension Offices

Clay - (256) 354-5976

Cleburne & Calhoun - (256) 463-2620

Colbert - (256) 386-8572

Lauderdale - (256) 766-4846

Franklin - (256) 332-8880

Jackson - (256) 574-2143

Jefferson - (205) 325-5342

Lawrence - (256) 974-2464

Limestone - (256) 232-5510

Madison - (256) 532-1578

Morgan - (256) 773-2549

Shelby - (205) 669-6763

Talladega - (256) 362-6187

Does Alabama Have a Radon Problem?

Alabama has 15 counties that have

been identified as having among

the highest levels of radon in the

country. Madison and Colbert

counties have the greatest

problems. Other counties

identified with problems include

Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa,

Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson,

Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone,

Morgan, Shelby and Talladega.

Marshall County is included in the

Radon Program even though it is a

Zone 2 county. County agents

located at the County Extension

System offices listed below have

more information.

Radon Risk in Alabama

Zone 1 - highest potential

Zone 2 - moderate potential

Zone 3 - lowest potential

All other Alabama counties -

Alabama Department of Public Health 1-800-582-1866

Susan Roberts, Auburn University (334) 844-3686

Your Experts for Life

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of

May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of

Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn

University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people

without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability

The following article by Sabrina Hill is available at Huntsville's Madison County Extention Office

What is Karst and what does it mean to Madison County?

Sabrina Hill

Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Karst is a geological term that means the subsoil

rock is permeable or easily erodable when water

contacts it. The eroding rocks, such as limestone,

result in sinkholes and underground streams and

caverns. With the presence of radioactive rock such

as uranium decaying over time and producing

Radium, then Radon, you have the potential for a

health risk in the very place you should feel safe. In

geographical areas where the subsoil layers are sand

and impermeable rock, the radon takes longer to

move through the rock layers and into human living

spaces. In karst geology that is not the case. The

cracks, fissures and openings in the earth, as well as

the fact that it is the limestone, shale and porous rock

that primarily comprise karst, allow radon ready

access to human living spaces. The radon can move

so rapidly and levels are so variable in a karst area

that there is a different standard for testing.

The northern part of the state of Alabama is a

karst area. Caves are an integral part of karst

geology. There are approximately 3,900 known

caves in the North Alabama area. It is for this reason

the EPA, Alabama Department of Public Health and

the ACES Radon Team recommend that only Long

Term Alpha Track Detectors be used to test for

Radon Gas in Alabama's karst counties, such as

Madison, Morgan, Lauderdale, Colbert, Limestone

and Jackson. While this type of test takes longer, 3

to 12 months to get results, it is by far a more

accurate reading of the actual radon levels you are

being exposed to in your home. The longer period of

time, up to 1 full year, you test your home, the more

accurate and reliable will be the results.

More infromation is available at the Madison COunty Extention office and Huntsville Radon.

You can purchase a "Long Term" Radon Test

Kit at cost at the County Extension Office in any

of the karst counties.

Radon-a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the decay of uranium.

Radon is naturally occurring radioactive gas produced during the natural decay of

uranium found in the earth's crust. It is a colorless and odorless gas that can enter

homes from below. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indoor

radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

· Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer resulting in more than 20,000

deaths each year.

· Millions of homes have elevated radon levels and should be tested regularly to

reduce the risk of lung cancer.

· When people who smoke are exposed to radon, the risk of lung cancer is

significantly higher.

In a National Health Advisory issued on January 13, 2005, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H.

Carmona warned the American public about the risks of breathing indoor radon. "Indoor

radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over

prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country," Dr.

Carmona said. "It's important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can

be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques."1

This fact sheet directs your attention to one type of very dangerous radiation-radon, the

source of 55 % of radiation exposure nationwide and the second leading cause of lung

cancer in the US.

Radon is naturally occurring radioactive gas produced during the normal decay of uranium

found in the earth's crust. To study the effects of radon, scientists have depended on data

collected on underground miners. However, miners are not the only people exposed to

radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in

most rocks and soil and is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air. However, when radon is

trapped in buildings, especially at elevated levels, it can increase the risk of lung cancer.2

Radon enters homes from the ground below, so Alabamians are being warned to test their

homes for radon.

Radon causes more than 20,000 cases of lung cancer deaths each year. Smokers exposed

to radon have a much higher lung cancer risk. Because millions of homes have an elevated

radon level, Alabamians should test their homes for radon every two years and retest if

structural changes are made to the home. Subsidized by EPA grant funds, County Huntsville and Madison

county are in the EPA's highest risk zone Zone 3. Follow the link for more information on Radon in Huntsville

Extension offices sell radon test kits at wholesale prices to anyone wishing to test for radon.

Educating Alabamians about the risk of radon, how to prevent their homes from having a

radon problem, or how to fix an existing radon problem are objectives in the

Comprehensive Cancer Control plan. For high radon counties the Alabama Department of

Public Health recommends the following (1) when building a home, install one or more

radon escape stacks at the time of construction; (2) when purchasing a home, require a

radon test prior to closing; and (3) occupants of existing homes in high radon counties

should test their homes for excessive radon in both the summer and winter seasons and

install a radon removal system if needed.

People are exposed to radiation from many different sources including

background levels of radiation in the environment. The largest source of manmade

radiation exposure comes from X-rays, used daily in medicine and business. Otherwise,

people are primarily exposed to natural radiation from the sun, cosmic rays and radioactive

elements in the earth's crust.

Below you will find a table that contains the Market Activity report for 11-19-09 activity in the Mobile AL Real Estate market according to the Mobile Association of Realtors MLS system.

This information is derived daily directly from the local MLS System. For more free Mobile AL real estate information, reports, and statistics, please visit http://www.GulfRegionProperties.com or http://www.AlabamaBestHomes.com. Please e-mail me or call 251-215-9382 if you would like additional information on any of the listings shown.

Mobile AL Real Estate Market Snapshot 11/19/2009

Single Family Homes and Condominiums

New Listings	29
Price Reductions	23
Price Increases	1
Back on Market	3
Pending Transactions	10
Sold Transactions	12
Withdrawn from the Market	6
Expired Transactions	14
NET LOSS (LISTINGS)	10

Looking for a new home? Below you will find a link to search for homes.

Search Mobile Alabama and Nationwide Homes for Sale.

Using the Huntsville MLS does require some knowledge of the system . Basic search terms at the first level window and the public section of the Huntsville MLS, Valley MLS are straightforward and simple. The second level search terms are more involved.

The second level searches are accessed through the more button at the bottom center of the main MLS search screen. Under the more button the first section shows the MLS search terms that are on the first level search with the one addition of a proximity search feature.

In the second section of the MLS search one can search for number of bedrooms on the various levels of a house. In many cases a buyer will require at least the master bedroom to be on the first level. This is a vital tool provided by the Huntsville MLS.

There are fields for heating and cooling types and fuels. There is a section for listing all of the appliances that will convey with the property. In the event of a dispute over which properties are included with the homes sale and the appliances weren't noted on the home sales contract the Huntsville MLS listing data can be used as the governing document.

The age range of a property is a common MLS search term. The ages are broken down by ranges, new construction and proposed construction. Should a client want the exact date of construction of a specific property it can be found at the Madison County Tax Assessors office in downtown Huntsville or online at the tax assessors website.

The " Area" field is self explanatory but one must know where the section boundaries lay. There is a link from the Huntsville MLS system to a map showing where those sections are. There are lot and block fields for entering the legal description of the property. Metes and bounds is entered in the subdivision field when a property is not within a subdivision, The term refers to survey description of the properties boundaries.

There is a city field and a zip code field for narrowing searches to specific areas . Another means of narrowing searches geographically is by school districts. One must not rely on the MLS data for school districts and confirm the schools with the school system serving the area.

Under construction type there are twelve options plus a ‘ see remarks' option. Multiple options may be selected. Again one should verify this information because entry errors are common. There is a county field , and a days on market field. The days on market field might be used to search for old listings that haven't sold where the owner might be motivated to sell. There is a display address option .

There is a supporting documents field where one can indicate what documents are attached to the listing to prompt Huntsville MLS viewers to look for the documents in the photo section. There is an energy features field that gives the listing agent an opportunity to show a selection of five options plus a see comments option.

Another important field is fences. One can select Privacy, chain link and other. Many home buyers are looking for a fence for children or pets and having this built into the Huntsville MLS is an important feature.

We really appreciate Mr. Winburn and all he did to help us buy our new house in Huntsville. Before finding Mr. Winburn we had some bad experiences with other realtors and were worried that we wouldn't find someone we could trust. Over several months Mr. Winburn helped us look for properties and to learn the local real estate market. He was patient and spent whatever time we needed to answer our questions and to find the right house. Mr. Winburn helped us negotiate a great deal and assisted us with setting up our financing and home inspections. He followed up with us after closing to make sure that important details were taken care of. Again, we are thankful and appreciative of what Mr. Winburn was able to do and continues to do for us.

~ Jason and Candice