Thinking of buying a home or selling your current home in Ann Arbor? Then it’s time to contact The Arbor Move Team, your Ann Arbor real estate resource! (734) 239-3796
We spend a lot of time in our homes, and more so over the last year. However, we often don’t truly appreciate how much of an impact this environment can have on our health. Certain details about our home, from the materials it’s made with to the way it’s decorated, can make your health better — or indeed, worse.
A healthy home makes you and your family feel great. It’s also an attractive feature for potential buyers, meaning these upgrades could boost your home value down the line. Arbor Move Realtors wants to help you figure out how to make your home as health-boosting as possible. Let’s get started:
Pre-Renovation Considerations
Before you make any upgrades to your home, it’s important to think about the financial aspect of your plans. As we said above, ideal changes are those which both improve your quality of life and offer a decent return on investment. Speak with a real estate agent like the team at Arbor Move Realtors about changes you’re thinking of making to get a sense of whether or not they’ll boost your home’s value. This isn’t the sole reason to make (or not make) a change, but it can help you figure out what to prioritize and how to make your renovations work for you.
Major Health and Safety Renovations
There are a few checks that every homeowner should make to ensure their home is safe. For example, if your home was built before 1974, you should have lead testing done to see if your paint contains this harmful metal. If it does, there are several ways to keep yourself and your family safe.
Asbestos and radon are two cancer-causing substances that might be in your home. Older homes should be checked for asbestos and, if any is found, it should be professionally removed or sealed away. Many homes contain radon gas, which is odorless, colorless, and one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Radon tests are easy and inexpensive to perform, and radon mitigation systems are extremely effective at removing the gas if it’s a problem. Radon can appear at any time, so even if your test comes up negative, you should check every couple of years to make sure you’re still safe.
Reducing Allergens
Another great way to make your home easier on your health is to reduce allergens. One extremely effective way to do this is to replace (or just remove) old carpeting. The older a carpet is, the more dust and grime gets knocked into the air when it’s stepped on. Regular vacuuming and cleaning can reduce the amount of dust, but it will still accumulate over time.
Dust also tends to collect in furniture. Reduce this by using dust covers on your couches and upholstered chairs. The covers are easy to remove and clean when needed, and they prevent allergens from embedding themselves into your surfaces. Also consider enlisting the help of professionals to clean your furniture. Check online for upholstery cleaning specials to fit within your budget, and call a handful of local, experienced companies that will come equipped with industrial-grade equipment and cleaning products to do the job right for a deep clean.
Mental Health Renovations
Finally, the following renovations can go a long way toward improving mental health. One of the best tools for ensuring mood stability is to ensure you’re living in a space with plenty of natural light. Use blinds and curtains that let in as much light as possible, and consider decorating with mirrors. Reflective surfaces keep light bouncing through a space and can significantly increase brightness in a room.
It’s also wise to create a calming, quiet space in your home. This can be a library or a meditation room. It can even be a garden or other outdoor space. What matters most is that it’s a peaceful place where you can rest your mind for a little while. Our minds spend so much time working through stress and to-do lists: This can be your refuge.
Your environment might feel like background noise in your life, but it has a real impact on your health. These measures can go a long way toward improving your well-being and making your house a more inviting place for all!
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