Spring Road Postings

Each spring, the municipalities and the MaineDOT evaluate potential damage to local roads and highways to determine whether weight restrictions should be imposed to prevent damage due to freeze/thaw action.

This time of year we find that these road postings can affect the real estate transaction and moving process. Keep in mind that large vehicles such as moving trucks and septic inspection/pumping trucks can not gain access to certain roads/areas. Think ahead and plan certain inspections and moving time frames so that they occur after the road restriction(s) have been lifted.

For further information about local road postings you can contact the appropriate town office.

Arsenic in Maine Well Water

Buyers are always encouraged to due their own due diligence when purchasing a home. In fact one of the items in the inspection subsection of our Purchase and Sale Agreement is the option to test water for high arsenic levels.

A couple of resources for buyers and for sellers (It is smart to be proactive and test for arsenic prior to putting you home on the market):

The general informational pamphlet from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/eohp/wells/documents/ASBROCH3.pdf

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A recently released report from The USGS in cooperation with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Assessment of Arsenic Concentrations in Domestic Well Water, by Town, in Maine, 2005–09

Maine - Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Effective March 25th of 2010 the Maine laws regarding Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors changed. These changes do effect real estate transactions. Buyers should be aware of the location and existence of these detectors while previewing and/or inspecting homes. As the buyers will be responsible for the correct installation.

The fact sheet from the Maine State Fire Marshall states:

"The purchaser of a single-family or multi-family dwelling(s) must certify that they shall properly install smoke detectors in the building, if not already present, within 30 days of acquisition or occupancy of the dwelling(s), which ever is later."

and

"The purchaser of a single-family or multi-family dwelling(s) must certify that they shall properly install carbon monoxide detectors in the building, if not already present, within 30days of acquisition or occupancy of the dwelling(s), which ever is later. This includes single-family dwellings in which the previous owner did not have to, by law, install a carbon monoxide detector."

As you see the responsibility of installing the detectors has been placed on the buyer of the property. For more information and additional details, view the Fact Sheet provided by the State Fire Marshall, review the Maine Association of REALTORS Residential Property Transaction Booklet or ask your Jaret and Cohn agent.

Inspection Topics - Radon

The purchase and sale agreement that Jaret & Cohn uses and is approved by the Maine Association of REALTORS(MAR) has a subsection for due dilligence or inspections. Any inspections and terms that are agreed to by both the buyer and seller can be conducted on the house. The inspection that comes to mind for most is the building inspection. However, there are two inspection items that you should know about: radon water and radon air.

As a buyer you should educate yourself on what radon is and decide if radon is important to you. As a seller, you should also understand what radon is, why a buyer may ask to inspect for radon and how radon is medigated should it be found in your house. Also as a seller, you may want to ask your broker if you should have a radon test performed on your home prior to placing your home on the market.

Two great resources for facts and information on radon are the US Envirnomental Protection Agency and Maine Department of Heath and Human Services.

Radon can often be a tough contractual issue to navigate. Educating yourself on the facts and having a dicussion with your Jaret & Cohn broker can help ease the process and any potential issues.