PDX Renovations

Author: joseph

  • Household dangers

    Do you know what’s in your walls?

    Household dangers

    Did you know that asbestos and lead based paint are still a big problem? They are just some of the household dangers you don’t really think about. In Portland, thousands of homes are affected by these dangerous materials and when it comes to renovating, you don’t want to be surprised. For one, you wouldn’t want harm to come to yourself or your loved ones and secondly, the DEQ and EPA will be swarming the place, handing out fines and making sure it’s taken care of in the proper manner.

    So how do you know if it’s asbestos. It’s not like your home came with a manual mapping out exactly where the carcinogens were placed. Asbestos isn’t always obvious. Asbestos cement pipes and tiles are labeled, but you might not know this until you have already uncovered them.  There is a protocol if you have discovered it while working on your and it’s important that you follow safety guidelines. You can find these online at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em1.pdf

    Lead Paint. Yep, this is still around too and you won’t know if until you go get it tested. There is a simple solution to this one, you can get test strips and peel off a piece of paint that you suspect is lead based, but thankfully Lead based paint hasn’t been manufactured since 1978 when it was banned. Still if you house was built before 1978. There’s a small chance you could have some in your house. Again the joint EPA-HUD or even CDC can give you guidelines on what to do if you find lead based paint in your home. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm

    On another note, make sure that when you hire out contractors, they follow these guidelines as well because as the homeowner you are ultimately responsible for what goes on on your property. Get informed and stay safe from the harmful materials and potential big  fines.

    And as always, if a project is too big and you need to sell. Call us today for a quick visit and we’ll get you an offer tomorrow with no out of pocket expenses or repairs needed.

  • Fraud and Identity Theft | PDX Renovations LLC Can Help

    Fraud and Identity Theft

    Fraud and Identity Theft. Fraud and Identity theft are on the rise. It’s no surprise that more and more Americans are using the world wide web, therefore making them subject to Identity theft and fraud.

    Seniors are especially vulnerable and there are plenty of avenues these days to take advantage of just about anyone. If you commonly use the internet for purchases, bill paying, and even social media, you are among the many that can become easy targets.

    Putting out ANY personal information about yourself can be dangerous. Predators prey on you, reading up about your life, your childhood, your PETS names, and where you bank.

    Even online dating sites are reporting “Fraud and scams” often. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that “Online dating” is a really good way to “meet” someone and get some personal information, so be aware.

    The IRS has been under attack the past few years, trying to crack down on “Fake agents” calling and attempting to get information.

    The best way to stay safe is to keep on top of your identity and your credit. Report anything suspicious and never give out personal information.

    If a bill collector is contacting you, make sure it’s upfront. Most will not even accept payments over the phone anymore.

    They will simply call and ask you to call them back, making it so that you, the consumer, can verify it’s real. But there are plenty of other scams to worry about.

    Housing scams. Rental scams. Craigslist.org is a breeding ground for such activity, so please do your homework. Visit such sites as http://www.fraud.org/ and even government sites that focus solely on trying to stop online predators.

    Check into companies that are contacting you regarding your home, your finances, etc. Real and true companies can be verified online or by simply visiting the Better Business Bureau.

     

  • How Cash House Buying Works | PDX Renovations Can Help!

    cash house buying

    We get a lot of calls asking us, “So, how does this work?” What is a cash house buyer?  Simple. I’ll explain here shortly, but first, just know that Cash House buying is on the rise, but not all Cash House Buyers are the same.

    Some will come through with a quick visit, look around, and tell you, “I can give you such and such amount” Then they leave, never to be heard from again.

    A few will come in with $100 Earnest Money and tell you they are reputable and can close quickly. Seldom does this happen?

    There are certain things you should look for and we’ve put it all together for our clients in a nice package. You just have to call and request it to be emailed to you, or we can bring it with us to your appointment!

    A cash house sale might be your best option if you don’t have the cash in hand to do costly repairs, or if you don’t have enough equity to pay a realtor commission.

    Or more times than not, your house is in pretty bad shape and the inspections that will take place will kill your deal before it even gets started.

    Or perhaps you live in another state and don’t have the time or money to get it ready to sell. The great part about cash house deals is that you can get your cash fast.

    Your Earnest money upfront in a very short amount of time ( usually ) so you can make arrangements to move. Cash House buying is just that.

    Closing QUICK. Getting your money (CA$H) as soon as possible and you can set the closing date.

    It’s all up to you! So if you have a house that you just don’t know what to do with, call us today or refer us to your friends and family as our services can come in handy when there just doesn’t seem to be any other options that are viable for you or your family.

    But remember, do your research. We are accredited with an A+ BBB rating and have excellent reviews! We are the cream of the crop of Cash House Buyers in Portland, Oregon, and Clark County WA.