Lynn Johnson, Owatonna, MN Real Estate

I just had a past buyer contact me about excessive moisture in their home. He's concerned about the windows and possible leaks in the shingles as he has noticed too much moisture on the windows and what appears to be leaking from the ceiling.

Unfortunately many homeowners aren't aware of how to balance the moisture levels in their home. I'll be visiting the home today to see what kind of issues they're experiencing. I got in touch with the builder (the home is about 4 years old) and he gave me some information about the window manufacturer and the roofing contractor. However, both of us are thinking that the family isn't familiar with the ventilation that needs to occur to keep the house from having moisture issues. We discussed proper ventilation (running the fans in the baths, etc.) when they purchased, but I think we'll need to take it a step further.

A family of four can generate 12 pints of water vapor a day just by breathing, cooking is 1 pint per meal, houseplants can give off 1 pint a day and showering is a 1/2 pint per person. That's a lot of water vapor being created in a house everyday. If it's not adequately vented it will cause moisture problems in a house, especially when the outdoor temperature drops below the dew point. With our cold winters the temparture differential can routinely cause humidity issues and problems, especially around windows and doors.

Here are some recommendations to reduce an excessive moisture level in the home. Run the home's exhaust ventilation system during and after showering or bathing, and 30 minutes after cooking and dish washing, add a dehumidifier and be sure to run it in the basement during the summer.

The University of Minnesota Extension office has this helpful information available to homeowners to help them understand and combat their indoor moisture problems. A healthy house depends on proper ventilation and moisture control.

There was a house fire in Owatonna on Sunday. I've not heard any specifics, but it looked like the entire home was a loss. Even though October is Fire Safety month, it's never a bad time to think about fire safety and prevention. Here are a few tips and pointers to be aware of:

Get smart about smoke alarms - have one installed on every floor, replace them when they're more than 10 years old, and check and replace your batteries once a year.

Have a plan - have two exits from every room, choose a safe place to meet outside, get out first then call for help, and practice your plan so everyone knows how to respond.

Be on the lookout for household hazards - use portable heaters sparingly and be sure they are shut off when sleeping, be extremely careful when using candles - never leave them unattended, keep matches and lighters stored safely away from children, always have someone present in the kitchen when cooking, be sure that smokers use caution when disposing of ashes - put water on them, and be very careful when storing flammables - be sure they are in safe containers and not in the house.

Everyone in the family needs to be smart about fire safety and prevention.

A group of community minded individuals decided to combine their love of fitness and the outdoors with a passion for helping others with the first annual From The Heart Half Marathon and 5k Run/Walk. The race will take place the first Saturday in May and proceeds will be dedicated to help a local family that is currently faced with a difficult battle with cancer.

Lisa Hilstad was diagnosed with breast cancer about one year ago, and unfortunately it has spread rather aggressively. She has three children at home and continues to be actively involved in every facet of her children's lives. In spite of all the incredibly difficult treatments, Lisa has maintained a positive attitude and her strong spirit shines on.

I hope this first annual even will be tremendously successful. It's a terrific example of how a community can come together to reach out to a family in need of support and encouragement. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hilstad family. I hope they'll be able to create wonderful family memories for many more years to come.