section 14 unit 3: Environmental Hazards and Other Property Impacts

Single-family home built in 1913 a. required b. not required

a. required

Hire a professional to perform annual pest inspections a. should do b. shouldn't do

a. should do

One of the last things you want is a wood-eating pest destroying your home. Which three of these are some of the most common pests you'll want to keep at bay? a. moth b. Carpentar ant c. powderpost beetle d. termites

b. Carpentar ant c. powderpost beetle d. termites

The presence of ghosts must be disclosed in all states. a. true b. false

b. false

Property is insurable and not located in any special areas a. issue b. not an issue

b. not an issue

Commercial building constructed in 1970 a. required b. not required

b. not required The disclosure isn't required because this is a commercial property, not a residential property.

soft spots a. clue b. not a clue

a. clue

Property is a registered historic building a. issue b. not an issue

a. issue

property borders a wetland a. issue b. not an issue

a. issue

Replace any pre-1978 materials used in the construction of the home. a. action that helps b. action that doesn't

b. action that doesn't help

A lead-based paint disclosure may not be needed with every real estate transaction, but it is required when the transaction involves certain properties. For which of these properties would a lead-based paint disclosure be required? Single-family home built in 2009 a. required b. not required

b. not required

The presence of an underground storage tank is important. Sarah always jokes that there are two types of storage tanks: those that leak and those that are going to leak. Tanks that are decommissioned are not a problem. Tanks that are not decommissioned properly or those that leak can cause problems, including groundwater contamination. What other items can lead to groundwater contamination?

Nearby mining activities nearby landfills Agricultural pesticides Faulty septic systems Perfect! Many of these items are out of the homeowner's control. Nonetheless, groundwater contamination is still an environmental hazard that could impact a property.

Buy a radon detection kit and test the home. a. action that helps b. action that doesn't

a. action that helps

Install a system to vent and filter radon out of the home. a. action that helps b. action that doesn't

a. action that helps As Danny mentioned earlier, a ventilation system is one way to deal with radon in the home.

As Danny mentioned, a buyer will want to be aware of any zoning issues, boundary changes, and tax information. Taxes are a key piece of information in determining affordability of homeownership. Tax abatement programs, while lowering taxes temporarily, can also have some drawbacks. Danny likes to reference the website linked in your resources whenever a client has questions about tax abatement programs. What are the advantages and drawbacks of tax abatements? Lowers taxes a. advantage b. not an advantage

a. advantage

Some groups of people are more vulnerable to lead poisoning and its effects than others. Of those listed, who is most vulnerable? a. children b. men c. pets d. women over 70

a. children

Discolored soil a. clue b. not a clue

a. clue

Vents sticking out of the ground a. clue b. not a clue

a. clue

We mentioned that underground storage tanks are more commonly seen on commercial or industrial sites (or lots previously used for these purposes) rather than on residential sites. The same is true of waste disposal sites. Which of these are clues that a property may have been used as a waste disposal site? Discolored soil a. clue b. not a clue

a. clue

What if you're on an older property or a previous industrial site? Decide whether or not the following are clues that there may be an underground oil tank on a property? basement pipes leading to nowhere a. clue b. not a clue

a. clue

In which five of these items might you find the presence of lead? a. dust b. Flooring materials c. paint d. pipes e. soil f. drinking water

a. dust c. paint d. pipes e. soil f. drinking water

The house that Rhema is considering purchasing is on a perfectly level lot, which is what attracted her to the home after years of living on a hill. It also has a lovely creek at the back of the 60-foot yard. What might Rhema have to purchase if she buys this home? a. flood insurance b. Mine subsidence insurance c. Sandbags to build a levee d. sinkhole insurance

a. flood insurance

Discolored soil, soft spots, or mounds on the land could be indicators of a(n) ______. a. former waste disposal site b. historical district c. natural hazard d. underground storage tank

a. former waste and disposal site

Examine the home for signs of infestation or damage a. homeowner should do b. homeowner shouldn't do

a. homeowner should do

Property is located in a conservation area a. issue b. not an issue

a. issue

What good is a room with a view if that room is full of water because it's in a flood zone? As Sarah mentioned, there are certain locations that may cause issues. Which of these may be an issue? Property is located in a flood zone a. issue b. not an issue

a. issue

What two environmental conditions are prime for mold growth? a. moisture b. dryness c. Lack of air circulation d. too much air circulation

a. moisture c. Lack of air circulation

Duplex built in 1967 a. required b. not required

a. required

Asbestos was frequently used in manufacturing because of its fire-retardant and insulating qualities, and because it was strong. However, due to the health consequences of asbestos, it's no longer used. You may come across items containing asbestos when looking at older properties. Which of these items could contain asbestos? a. rocks and soil b. flooring c. walls d. heating systems e. roofs

a. rocks and soil b. flooring c. walls d. heating systems e. roofs

Call a professional to eradicate the problem a. should do b. shouldn't do

a. should do

Radon is typically found in a couple of places. In which two of these would you possibly find radon? a. soil b. Public water system c. private wells d. wastewater system

a. soil c. private wells Radon is typically found in soil and well water. Because of its natural presence in soil, basements usually experience the highest levels of radon.

Disclosing that a previous owner or resident had HIV or AIDS is a fair housing violation. a. true b. false

a. true

Seller Jason is giving listing agent Rebecca a tour of his house and pointing out all the features, even the spot in the attic where a previous owner's ghost likes to come back and visit. Jason asks Rebecca if buyers should be told about this. Which response is best? a. "All states require sellers to disclose any undesirable feature of a house, which includes ghosts." b. "The presence of spirits stigmatizes the property. Many states don't consider this a material fact requiring disclosure, but this is my first ghost encounter, so I'll check our laws." c. "We can tell prospective buyers that the property comes with a roommate." d. "You can't mention this, because it would be a fair housing violation."

b. "The presence of spirits stigmatizes the property. Many states don't consider this a material fact requiring disclosure, but this is my first ghost encounter, so I'll check our laws."

How can you determine whether there is asbestos in a home? a. Handle the material to see if it's friable b. Hire an accredited individual to test for asbestos c. Buy an asbestos kit d. Remove the material and send it to an approved lab for testing

b. Hire an accredited individual to test for asbestos

As Brandon's listing agent, Lily must disclose all known material facts relative to Brandon's property. Which of the following is a zoning-related fact that Lily might have to disclose to prospective buyers? a. Brandon's subdivision was farmland back in the 1950s. b. The property is right in the middle of a historic preservation district. c. The zoning board may require the developer to include parklands in the neighborhood expansion. d. Two of the residents on Brandon's street have in-home occupations.

b. The property is right in the middle of a historic preservation district.

Your buyer clients have access to property tax information for each listing that you've given them. Why are they asking you about county tax assessment schedules? a. Counties with regular reassessment practices are likely to be proactive in other matters. b. The property taxes may change drastically after reassessment. c. They only want to live in counties that never reassess. d. They want to serve on the reassessment task force.

b. The property taxes may change drastically after reassessment.

Seth and Temperance are looking to move their family. They have a four-year-old son starting school next year and want a home that will allow their son to attend a certain school. Which of these items would be the most important to them? a. Whether a tax abatement exists b. Whether school boundaries will be changing c. Whether traffic patterns have planes flying overhead

b. Whether school boundaries will be changing Buyers looking to move to a certain school zone or district are likely to have researched the boundaries. However, as their agent, you should do the same. You'd hate to show them a perfect property only to later discover it's not in the district they want.

Jon and Talia are artists who are looking for a home with a backyard that is big enough for them to build a studio. Which of the following properties might they want to stay away from? a. A lot that is adjacent to or partially on wetlands b. a lot with a gentle slope c. A property that is 1,200 feet from an interstate highway d. a treed lot

b. a lot with a gentle slope

Sellers must disclose any registered sex offenders residing within one mile of the property. a. true b. false

b. false

Sellers must disclose whether the property was the site of a suicide or homicide. a. true b. false

b. false

The Nicholsons just bought a mid-century modern home that will require lead paint abatement. Tom and Genna, their three-year-old daughter Grace, and Genna's mom Pat are waiting to move into the split level until the abatement is complete. Who would be at the most risk of adverse lead effects if they moved in before the abatement was finished? a. genna b. grace c. pat d. tom

b. grace

Your buyers love the 1891 Victorian they have under contract, but they want to get both the water and the paint tested as soon as possible. What are they testing for in both water and paint? a. asbestos b. lead c. mold d. randon

b. lead

Soft spots in the ground a. Clue b. not a clue

b. not a clue

puddle of water a. clue b. not a clue

b. not a clue

Area where an abatement is in place may not be a prime location a. advantage b. not an advantage

b. not an advantage

Potentially significant increase in taxes after the abatement period ends a. advantage b. not an advantage

b. not an advantage

Unclear picture of what actual tax costs will be a. advantage b. not an advantage

b. not an advantage

An underground storage tank is not likely to be found on the property Maureen is interested in. In which two locations are underground storage tanks likely to be found, and for which uses? a. New residential developments to store heating oil b. older homes to store heating oil c. Commercial or industrial buildings to store chemicals

b. older homes to store heating oil c. Commercial or industrial buildings to store chemicals

When Marcy toured her new client's house, she noticed paint peeling off of the shutters. When she asked the seller if the house was painted with lead-based paint, he replied, "I'm not sure ... I inherited the house from my dad, who built it in the '50s." What is Marcy required to do? a. Based on the build date, she should assume the property has lead-based paint and advise the seller that it must be remediated before listing the property. b. have the seller test for lead based paint c. Inform the seller that he needs to complete the lead-based paint disclosure form and provide potential buyers with the EPA pamphlet regarding lead hazards. d. Take a sample of the peeling paint with her, have it tested, and have the seller reimburse her for the testing cost at settlement.

c. Inform the seller that he needs to complete the lead-based paint disclosure form and provide potential buyers with the EPA pamphlet regarding lead hazards.

Your buyer Clint loves older homes and wants to make an offer on a beautiful Craftsman. He doesn't like the yellow brick and has plans to paint it a lovely Williamsburg blue. You tell him that he may not be able to change the color or, even if he can, he may have to get the color approved first. What did you see on the property disclosure form that hinted at this? a. The house borders a wetlands. b. the house has a tax abatement c. The house is in a historic preservation district. d. the house was built prior to 1978

c. The house is in a historic preservation district.

Why would buyers want to know whether a property is currently experiencing a tax abatement? a. Buyers don't want to know whether a property is experiencing a tax abatement. b. The current tax amount will be indicative of future years' taxes. c. Their taxes are likely to increase when the abatement period ends. d. Their taxes will go down when the abatement period ends.

c. Their taxes are likely to increase when the abatement period ends.

What is the most common way that asbestos enters the body? a. Asbestos coating in water pipes can contaminate drinking water, which is then ingested. b. Asbestos in paint can be released into the air as the paint peels, which is then inhaled or ingested. c. When asbestos fibers decay or are disturbed, the friable particles can be inhaled. d. When rocks and soil decay, asbestos gas is released, which is then inhaled.

c. When asbestos fibers decay or are disturbed, the friable particles can be inhaled.

Marlon and Leah are interested in buying a home in a new homeowner opportunity area. The 100-year-old row house was renovated and is like new on the inside. The property taxes decreased by more than $5,000 last year. What's the likely reason for this? a. introductory rates b. seller error c. tax abatement d. tax reassessment

c. tax abatement

Janine, a professional home inspector, notices a lot of small holes burrowed in a home's attic beams. This could indicate the presence of which pest? a. fire ants b. slugs c. wood-boring beetles d. wood wasps

c. wood-boring beetles

While walking around the exterior of a rural home she's inspecting, Juanita noticed a metal vent pipe sticking out of the ground 25 feet from the house. She documents this because it may be a sign of what potential environmental hazard? a. capped well b. radon vent system c. septic system d. Underground storage tank

d. Underground storage tank A pipe or a vent sticking out of the ground, or a metal cap plate, are clues that there may be an underground storage tank on the property.

Which one of the following statements about asbestos is true? a. homeowners can safely remove it b. It's harmful only if left in place. c. it's not harmful at low levels d. no amount of it is considered safe

d. no amount of it is considered safe

Radon is found in well water and _______. a. ceiling tiles b. insulation c. plastics d. soil

d. soil

Which type of pest may make mud tubes—tunnels that run along your walls—or shed tiny wings? a. Carpentar ants b. fire ants c. powder post beetles d. termites

d. termites

Aside from paint, lead most commonly appears in ______. a. Ceiling tiles b. plastic adhesive c. wallboard d. water pipes

d. water pipes