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Real Estate in Itasca

As seen through the numerous home improvement shows on television, buying or selling a house can be an arduous process with many steps and details to consider. However, the focus of these shows is on decorating the house to fit personal needs or to increase its appeal (and selling price) to buyers. What these shows fail to portray is the often complex paperwork and legal aspects of dealing with these properties. John Pankau, a real estate attorney serving the Itasca area, suggests that the best way to deal with this redtape is to let a law office “take care of the details so you don’t have to.” In the long run, allowing a professional to make sure homeowners are getting the most from their homes will save stress — and potentially a lot of money.

For people looking to buy a home, attorneys like Pankau will review the contract, helping clients keep track of when to close and what sort of financing dates exist. They can also make sure the details are properly filled in, checking for any loopholes or unsatisfactory hidden terms. Pankau notes that good attorneys will “protect the buyers’ interests.” Even if the contract has already been signed, buyers are legally allowed a five-day review period to change their minds, so an attorney’s advice can be crucial, even after the home has been purchased. In addition, he or she can assist in the home inspection, knowing what the seller is required to repair and the proper protocol for asking for these repairs. If a previously-owned home is being purchased, the attorney will make sure that old liens and mortgages are released, assuring that the buyer will not be stuck with any of the old owners’ financial history. The same process can be done for the seller, ensuring that only the legally required repairs are paid for, that the house inspection is done by a professional, and more. Getting legal help assures that the house will have a clean slate in repairs and financial history, which can equal big savings.

The other aspect of real estate law that attorneys address are matters of Estate—what goes where when a person dies. John Pankau suggests that every person with significant holdings should cover at least these five areas with an attorney: a will, power of attorney for property, power of attorney for healthcare, HIPAA Reform, and a living will. A will determines how property and holdings will be divided. Power of attorney for property means that an attorney can make decisions about money and possessions in the wake of a person’s death or incapacitation. Power of attorney for healthcare means that an attorney must make all healthcare decisions should a person become unable to do so. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) determines what health information hospitals are allowed to release about a person and to whom. Finally, a living will states a person’s wishes should they become unable to make decisions for themselves (in the case of, for example, brain damage or coma). Making these decisions with an attorney will assure

that a person’s body and possessions will be treated the way they wish it to be treated, even when they no longer have control. Taking these legal steps can help many sleep well at night knowing that their legacy is safe.

Promoting a Safe Living Environment

Each year, numerous electrical accidents happen in the home that could have been prevented. A host of factors are associated with these electrical mishaps, including worn cords, broken or exposed wiring and overloaded outlets. Taking the time to implement safety in the home will aid in warding off common electrical problems.

SAFETY IN THE HOME
• Place safety covers and inserts in unused outlets.

• Do not overload outlets with plugs, and make sure the plugs fit the outlets. Forcing a plug into an outlet could potentially cause electrical shock.

• Check the condition of cords. Cords in poor condition have the ability to overheat and cause fire. Also, do not run cords under furniture or rugs, and do not nail or tack cords to floors or walls in order to prevent the chance of fire in the home.

• The wattage of light bulbs should be the same as the needed wattage of the fixture and should be screwed in tightly. Loose bulbs or incorrect wattage can cause overheating.

• Do not leave plugged-in appliances near water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into water, turn off the power source and unplug the appliance before retrieving the appliance.

• Unplug unused small appliances.

Electrical problems are likely to cause serious injury or even death; therefore, those with no experience should not handle electrical issues. “We like to make sure our customer’s lifestyle remains safe,” James Ridgeway, founder of Ridgeway Precision Mechanical (RPM), a multifaceted business offering expertise on a wide spectrum of home maintenance services, said.

Amy Niedermeyer of Trusty Warns Inc., a company specializing in sump pump systems, notes, “No matter what the circumstances, never enter a flooded basement. Call the professionals and get a well balanced, efficient, reliable back-up pump system” in order to correct the problem and maintain the future safety of the home and its residents.

Professionals, like Ridgeway and Niedermeyer, advise homeowners to contact local companies proficient in the specific field needed to handle any issues that may arise in the home.

Long story short, be aware of possible maintenance issues in the home and take the proper precautions to ensure the safety of each member living in the residence. If a problem should arise, contact one the area’s capable professionals to take charge of the issue quickly and efficiently.