Radon Facts & Myths

03/09/20 • 46 min

The Perfect Property Podcast: An Atlanta Real Estate Guide

In this episode of The Perfect Property, Juli covers everything you need to know about Radon with
special guests Chandler of the EPA, Derrick of University of Georgia, and Paul of Metro Atlanta Mitigation Company. Juli encourages you to be educated on this important topic and to check your
home for radon if you have not already.
This episode provides valuable information including where radon comes from, common myths, the facts and more. All three guests emphasize radon testing is not something to fear and it is an easy problem to remedy. The key to health is knowing your facts and taking action if necessary.
What You’ll Learn:
● The truth about where radon comes from. (0:09)
● The truth about uranium. (0:22)
● Facts about the dangers of radon. (0:25)
● Juli introduces Chandler, an environmental engineer with the EPA. (1:17)
● Chandler shares her background. (1:46)
● How radon relates to your home. (5:08)
● Juli introduces Derick Cooper, radon educator at UGA. (19:15)
● More myths about radon (25:14)
● Juli Paul from a local radon mediation company shares facts and testimonies from the local area.
(27:32)
Key Points:
“Radon naturally occurs when uranium breaks down to form radon and radon is found in granite.”
“Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas found in all types of soil all over the world.”
“It’s the second leading cause of cancer behind lung cancer.”
“It wasn’t until the 1980s that we discovered radon to be a problem in homes.”
“One out of every 15 homes has high radon levels.”
“Any home can have a radon problem.”
“Testing is the only way to know your exposure.”
“Any measurement above 4, we recommend you get your home mitigated.”
“In water, radon is mostly a concern in well water. We recommend testing it if you have a private well.”
“Radon risk in water is much lower if you are on a city system.”
“Radon is found in old homes and new homes.”
“It’s much cheaper for anyone doing a new build to install radon mitigation during construction to
reduce radon build up possibility by 50.”
“Granite does release radon but of more concern is radon coming up from soil than granite
countertops.”
“Another myth is we are on a slab so we can’t have radon.”
“Most people haven’t tested for radon while they may have smoke detectors.”
“In Georgia, we have lots of granite which is a high source of radon.”
“No level of radon is safe but radon is everywhere so what level are we comfortable with?”
“Building of condos can have contaminated rock which can increase radon levels.”
“Radon occurs when the pressure is lower inside the structure than outside...so it comes in around
cracks, in the floor, seams, around tubs/ shower, the sides of walls or the wall under the garage/front
porches/pulls/french drains...”
“Test when it’s raining and when it’s not raining.”
“Once it’s in there, it stays in there.”
“The main reason radon is higher in new houses is the construction under the slab (particularly in
Atlanta).”
“Newer houses are supposed to have 4 inches of gravel which gives radon easy access.”
“Older neighborhoods had concrete directly on clay.”
Links:
Juli’s Email: [email protected]
Juli’s Phone Number: 404-668-8975 (call or text)
The Perfect Property Website. www.theperfectproperty.com
Chandler at EPA
Certified Testing: National Radon Safety Board or National Radon Proficiency Program
Website: https://www.epa.gov/radon
UGA radon info
Interactive radon map for state of Georgia and order kits: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/extension/home-radon
404-562-9900

https://linktr.ee/julistgeorge

https://linktr.ee/julistgeorge

Previous Episode

What is an iBuyer? Learn more with guests Kenny Klaus and Gayln Ziegler

In this episode of the Perfect Property Podcast, Juli chats with real estate pro Kenny Klaus and Galyn Ziegler of Keller Offers at Keller Williams about the iBuyer programs in the state of Georgia and across the nation. You will learn how it works and the benefits for both the consumer and as an agent.

Both Kenny and Galyn encourage agents to know the ins and outs. In turns they encourage sellers & consumers to explore the option with representation being a key component.

What You’ll Learn:

● Kenny sold $100 million in volume since 2016 and is entering his 11th year of having at least a home sold every single day.

● About iBuy programs such as Open Door, Offer Pad and Zillow.

● The benefits of using an iBuy program.

● The importance of being represented when using an iBuy program.

● About Keller Offers and how it is set apart from

● How iBuy operates for both the consumer and the agent.

Key Points:

01:00 Kenny Klaus

“The ‘i’ stands for instant, internet...wall street type buying.”

“The consumer has spoken and demands choice and options. It’s no different what Bezos has done with Amazon...it’s now hit the real estate business.”

“It’s a massive opportunity for the agent to run towards this and become the local expert in this space.”

“An iBuyer is a company who makes an offer on a home instantly using technology with the least friction and most convenience.”

“When buyers compete, the seller wins.”

“Most people don’t realize they can have an agent to present their home the way it should be presented through the iBuy process.”

“If sellers hire an agent for the iBuy process, the agent can work on their behalf..to negotiate comps, inspection...it’s a big benefit.”

“Going at it alone, the iBuyer doesn’t know they’re being shopped. To get the offers, you have to give accurate data. ”

“Going through an agent means you have someone working on your side.”

“Anytime one entity starts to control the market, it is nervous for the player.”

“Ultimately, consumer demands choice and we now have a choice.”

“As a real estate market, it’s important to be educated in the current market because it has become more of an advisory role...We need to shift with our changing marketplace to become more valuable.”

“To go unrepresented is a risk. The value is in the right agents so the consumer will get the best of the best.”

“We represent the client so we have fiduciary to them.”

39:35 Galyn Ziegler

“Keller offers ensures consumers have a fiduciary in their most equitable source. Most consumers don’t realize they equity they are leaving on the table. We want them to understand that fully.”

“The distinction is in the Keller Offers program is we value the consumer’s right to have representation.”

“Our program puts the agent at the center of the equation to benefit all consumers.”

“Since we’ve been operating, we’ve seen Zillow and OpenDoor’s offers increase for purchase price.”

“We see our program growing into other markets.”

“Zillow is having to push iBuyer marketing.”

“We are doing expansion cautiously keeping what is in the best interest of consumer in mind.”

“The 200K-300K range is where we’re seeing most iBuyer activity.”

“A large pool of these homes go to investors for rental purposes.”

“The relationship can’t be replaced through technology.”

“We encourage agents to lean into offering different programs and products.”

Contact Links:

Juli’s Email: [email protected]

Juli’s Phone Number: 404-668-8975 (call of text)

The Perfect Property Web

https://linktr.ee/julistgeorge

Next Episode

Refinancing - How, Why and When to Refinance!

Summary:

On this episode of The Perfect Property podcast, Juli talks with Holly Walther of the Holly Walther Lending Team based in Atlanta about refinancing. While there are many negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on families and the economy, there has been one beneficial thing that could help homeowners across the country make great strides on their mortgages.

With interest rates as low as the high 2%’s depending on the day, it is in the best interest of many Americans to look into refinancing their mortgages with their current lenders or new lenders. Refinancing can drastically reduce interest payments every month, allowing homeowners to have lower monthly payments or explore reducing their loan terms. Many people are also taking advantage of cash-out refinancing to allow them to take out up to 80% of their home equity as cash for renovations, debt consolidation, or even traveling.

This is a good alternative to the home equity line of credit (HELOC) that is likely subject to higher interest rates during these economic conditions. A HELOC is a line of credit for a certain amount of money with your property as the collateral at an interest rate of subprime plus a margin. This makes the rate variable, but you only have to pay interest on what you have drawn out.

If you are a homeowner and you have not refinanced your mortgage in the past several months already, you should reach out to a lender to start the conversation about whether this would be a good option for you. The application process is very easy, and it could end up saving you thousands of dollars over the term of your loan. Lenders are there for you to help you reach your goals.

What You’ll Learn:

· Why now is a good time to refinance (1:04)

· What does this current market look like? (2:37)

· The rates Holly is seeing right now (4:24)

· What is the refinancing process like? (5:04)

· What is cash-out refinancing? (7:19)

· There is no bad time to refinance if you will reach your goals (8:37)

· Investment properties and cash-out refinancing (9:54)

· What is a home equity line of credit? (10:55)

· How to contact Holly (13:23)

Key Points:
“If you’ve ever watched somebody play ping pong, then you have seen the market.”

“A lot of people don’t realize that the type of property has an effect on your interest rate.”