Not only do hardwood floors offer a polished look and durability, but if well-maintained it contains less allergens and VOCs than carpeting. As a result, hardwood floors can bring value to your home’s worth. Follow these tips to keep your hardwood floors clean and in good condition.

Keep Moisture Out

When moisture seeps down into the flooring and gets trapped, the boards could begin to cup or dip in the center. A solution to this problem is to wipe up all liquid spills immediately with a soft cloth. Use a dehumidifier for flooring that resides in a humid room.

Daily Cleaning

Make sweeping the hardwood floors with a soft-bristled broom part of your daily routine. To clean shoe marks and scuffs, wet a soft cloth with water or wood floor cleaner. For little scratches, color in the area with a wood stain marker.

Protect

To keep high traffic areas looking nice, cover the flooring with a small rug. In addition, attach floor protecting pads to the bottom of furniture legs.

Know Your Floor

Be aware of what type of finish you have on your wood floor because specific cleaning and maintenance procedures coincide with particular finishes. Avoid finishes with harsh formaldehydes and other toxins that diminish indoor air quality. Safehomeproducts.com has a wide variety of safe hardwood flooring cleaners.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 13, 2008) Real Living Inc., one of the nation’s fastest-growing residential real estate firms, was recently named “The Most Promising New National Brand” by the Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2008.

Make sure to investigate these topics when choosing a new neighborhood.

Community

Check out the local markets, parks, shops, restaurants and community events. Also, attend some events in the neighborhood and talk to locals to get a feel for what the community is like.

Crime

Check with the local police department or state Web site for crime statistics in the area.

Transportation

It is important to consider how you will be getting around. Will you be driving? Is riding a bike an option? How close is your home to work, the grocery store, entertainment, etc? What is traffic like in the area?

Schools

It is important to do your homework on the local school districts. Is both public and private schooling available? What is the cost per student? How closely located are particular schools?

Traffic and Noise

Do a little research and walk around the prospective community at different times of day. Are there railroads, airports or entertainment establishments near by? Are highways in the area? If so, have sound barriers been constructed?

More neighborhood considerations

Did you know that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? As a natural radioactive gas that can’t be seen, smelled or tasted, radon can be dangerous if not monitored.  

It’s best to hire professionals to test for radon in your home, but you can also check radon levels yourself. The National Safety Council offers discounted radon test kits. Businesses like Lowe's, Target and safehomeproducts.com also carry detectors. To hire a professional, contact your state radon office for assistance.

Moving can be stressful experience for anyone--including pets. To ensure a smooth transition for you and your pets consider these recommendations. 

Proper ID. Remember to update your pet’s tag the with address and phone number of your new residence

Find a new vet. Ask your current veterinarian to recommend a doctor or call the state veterinary medical association for vets that are near your new home

Know the law. . Check with the state veterinary medical association for state laws and with the city clerk’s office for local pet ordinances. If moving to an apartment or condo complex, the landlord or rental office may also prohibit certain pets, charge fees and/or set restrictions.

No pets on moving day. Have a friend or family member take your pet for the afternoon. The noise and commotion can be upsetting for an animal.

Travel safely. Make sure that the traveling container your pet makes the trip in is in top condition. Also place tape around the bottom of the carrier to prevent it from opening.

Pack smart. Pack your pets belongings on top so they can be accessed immediately when you arrive. Animals are often wary of new surroundings, but seeing familiar objects right away may help him or her settle.

Stefan Swanepoel, CEO of RealtyU Group, Inc., has announced his participation as keynote speaker for Momentum 2008. As the author of 13 books, whitepapers and reports, Swanepoel is one of the foremost real estate trends experts in the country. His accurate evaluation of the market allows him to educate more than 350,000 real estate agents each year. 

Bernice Ross, Ph.D., has been called “America’s Top Real Estate Coach” by Inman News, and she is one of this year’s highly-anticipated Momentum speakers. At Momentum 2008, Ross plans on addressing two topics in particular-- “Web Strategies” and “Don’t Call them Wealthy.” Her work as the CEO of forward-thinking RealEstateCoach.com has inducted her into an exciting group of experts featured at Momentum.

Kim Ades, MBA is the Founder and President of Opening Doors.tv—Frame of Mind Coaching. As an expert real estate specialist, Ades has promoted the well-known product Real Estate Simulator, and contributed to an assortment of publications. This year, Momentum attendees eagerly anticipate Ades’ highly-beneficial sessions for agents, managers and brokers/owners.

As the author of the ground-breaking Swanepoel TRENDS Report, Swanepoel, CEO of RealtyU Group, Inc., has received a bachelor’s in science, a master’s in business economics and diplomas in arbitration, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, computer science and marketing. With a total of 13 penned books, whitepapers and reports, Swanepoel is one of the foremost real estate trends experts in the country. Each year, Swanepoel’s expertise allows him to educate more than 350,000 real estate agents.

View a clip of Swanepoel or order his TRENDS Report