Portland Home Hazards
Portland, Oregon, like any other city is home to many hazards for home buyers and sellers. We have flood risks, earthquake risks, mold problems, lead poisoning, radon risks, landslide zones, and more. We believe it is part of our job as Portland real estate agents to inform our clients of potential home hazards, how to test, how to get more information, and how to mitigate these everyday home hazards.
If you’re considering buying a home in the next twelve months and want an agent that will look out for your safety and best interest, Kami Price, buyers specialist would love to hear what you’re looking for. Call today to set an appointment.
Kami Price, Realtor
Represented Hundreds of Buyers
Licensed since 2004
503-773-0000
If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next twelve months and want an agent that knows what problem issues to address before going to market, Stephen would love to tour your home. Call today to set an appointment.
Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor
4% Max. to Sell a Home
Cancel Anytime Policy
Licensed Since 2003
503-714-1111
Top 6 Portland Natural Disasters: Is Your Home at Risk?
Portland: a fantastic place to live, on many levels. But like any fantastic place to live, it comes with its own risks, and natural disasters are a part of the bargain. The threat of natural disasters looms large on the West Coast in general, and Portland is not immune. Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and […]
Top 5 Preventative Roof Repairs: What to Look For
Roof problems: one of the greatest sources of anxiety for sellers and buyers alike. It should go without saying that the roof is integral to the structural integrity of the home. But perhaps because it’s such a big deal, the roof can feel easy to avoid keeping up with. For one thing, it’s not a […]
How to Test Your Oregon Home for Asbestos
When you hear the word asbestos, what comes to mind? Many people think of asbestos hazards as being a thing of the past, or something relegated to big, old buildings like schools. In fact, asbestos was widely used in all types of building, including residential, prior to 1970. And even now, the United States has […]
2021 Radon Guide: How and Why to Test a Portland Home
If you’ve bought or sold a home (or intend to) any time recently, chances are you’ve heard something about radon testing. And for good reason. Radon testing is increasingly becoming a standard issue in real estate transactions, alongside other hazards like flood zones or seismic retrofitting. But why is it important, and do you need […]
HOT Homes: Must Know Heating Oil Tanks Facts
Heating oil was once a popular way to heat homes and buildings in Portland, but most are now using electricity or natural gas. However, the legacy of heating oil remains in the form of underground tanks that were used to store the oil on site, especially in homes built prior to 1965. Some of these […]
Portland Home Testing: Wood Stove Removal 2020
A 2014 DEQ survey of Portland residents found that more than half of those who burn wood for heat are doing so with uncertified wood stoves. In fact, there may be as many as 80,000 uncertified wood stoves in Oregon! Why are uncertified wood stoves a problem? They’re one of the biggest sources of air […]
How to Test Your Portland Home for Mold: 2020 Update
Portland homeowners: Is your home harboring mold? That was a trick question because mold occurs just about everywhere on the planet, including homes in Portland, Oregon. Invisible, or “ambient” mold spores float on the air waiting for an appropriate place to land and form the green, black and blue colonies we’re all familiar with. The […]
Portland Radon Map – 2020 Update, Plus Free Tests (for some)
Portland Radon rates change. A perennial hot topic in Portland is the influx of Californians, but it’s really the Montana and Idaho migrants that we should be worried about, according to health officials. Actually, they’re not talking about people, but rocks. “In the Portland metropolitan area, a lot of the rocks and soil underneath the […]
How to Test for Asbestos – Portland Home Guide
Most of us think of our homes a safe space. However, there are multiple toxic hazards that could be present in Portland homes both old and new. These include radon, improperly decommissioned oil tanks, lead and the once-popular fire-resistant building material, asbestos. As Portland real estate agents, we consider it our duty not just to […]
Seismic Retrofit Guide for Portland Homes
As more information, scientific warnings and earthquake maps become available to Portland homeowners, more people are asking their real estate agents about seismic retrofitting. Here’s a quick introduction to what it means to seismically retrofit a home, whether your home needs it done, and how to find the right contractor in 2020. Seismic Retrofit vs […]
Portland Earthquake Maps: 2020 Guide
Yes, there is a certain amount of earthquake risk in Portland, but the good news is that geologists are getting better and better at understanding, mapping and even predicting seismic activity. Maps can also help us be better prepared for disasters by showing were resources and hazards are. Take a look at these Portland maps […]
Portland Flood Maps: FEMA 2020 Update
Climate change, winter storms, questionable levees — the average home shopper has many good reasons to consider Portland flood risk before they buy. Your buyers’ real estate agent is a great resource, and should have information on hand about what the flood risk is for a home that you’re interested in. For those who prefer […]
Portland Oil Tank Decommissioning: 2020 Update Home Hazards
If your Portland home has a heating oil tank, even a decommissioned one, you may need to get a new site assessment and/or certification letter from the DEQ before your home sells. This will come as a surprise to many Portland home owners who paid to have their oil tanks decommissioned in the past. No, […]
Lead Pipes, Lead Paint – Pure Portland Poison. Learn how to test for free – 2020 Update
Lead Paint in Portland Older Portland homes may be loaded with lead. According to a November 2019 report by the Willamette Week, “The paint on a house from the 1920s or 1930s that’s been repainted about once a decade may contain 50 or 60 pounds of pure lead.” Lead Pipes (Drinking Water) Not only may […]
Portland Radon Map and other Hazards – 2019 Update
When it comes to choosing a home to buy in Portland — or anywhere — it’s all about location. Is it near a good school? What’s the neighborhood like? Can you see Mt. Hood? There’s an aspect of location that most people don’t think about right away, but should be just as important in the […]
Portland Natural Disaster Map 2019 – Floods, Fires, Quakes, and Slides!
We here in the Pacific Northwest enjoy a relatively mild climate year-round — no polar vortexes, and just a few hot days in the summer. In Portland and the surrounding metro areas, most homeowners don’t worry too much about natural disaster, but there are some specific threats to be aware of. Knowing how and where […]
You're looking to buy a house and reading reviews because this is a major decision. We entered the market to purchase a home very inexperienced and skeptical. We now own a house thanks to Stephen and his network. Stephen will be our first choice whenever we decide to buy or sell a property in the future.
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