Kelly's Healthy Home

I love when my career in real estate and my passion to educate people about creating a healthy home collide. Recently, I met a potential new client at his home to discuss a strategy to sell his property. As a Realtor, I often meet clients in their homes to learn more about the property, outline a plan, and ultimately get hired to help them move forward. This particular property had been maintained over the decades of ownership, yet over the last few months some things have happened which proved difficult for the owner to fully manage. As I walked through the home, two red flags immediately stood out: mold and evidence of a rodent infestation. Unfortunately, both are major contributors to poor indoor air quality and can have serious health implications for the people living there. Fortunately, I have contacts to give him to help and thankfully, the homeowner will be moving out of the property soon, which provides a great opportunity to address these problems thoroughly and safely.

What many homeowners don’t realize (and my mission to raise awareness) is that the quality of your indoor environment matters when it comes to long-term well-being. Mold can trigger allergies, respiratory issues, and fatigue, while rodent droppings and dander can carry bacteria and worsen asthma symptoms. These aren’t just home maintenance issues—they’re health issues!

Rodent Infestation

In this particular case, the property was infested earlier this year. The infestation has been resolved, but it still needs to be disinfected and cleaned up- which is often the hardest part of the remediation. Rodent droppings, urine, and nesting materials release allergens and bacteria into the air, which can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues hazardous to your health and indoor air quality. Getting rid of all the materials and items that have been affected is really important.

Mold

The other concerning issue is mold. There was a water proofing system installed to treat the water issue in the basement, but now there is still residual mold. Hiring a professional is really essential when mold is beyond a small surface area. Plus, they’ll make sure the mold doesn’t come back through proper remediation.

Start with these tips to stay ahead of rodents and mold in your home:

✅ Musty odors? That “old house smell” could be mold hiding behind walls or under flooring.
✅ Unusual allergy symptoms at home? Frequent coughing, sneezing, or headaches may be signs of poor air quality.
✅ Droppings or scratching sounds? These could indicate rodents have taken up residence in your attic or walls.
✅ Water stains? Past leaks (even minor ones) are common starting points for mold growth.
✅ Unsealed openings? Gaps around pipes or in your foundation are easy entry points for pests.

As part of my mission at Kelly’s Healthy Home, I strive to not only help clients navigate the real estate market, but also guide them toward choices that support cleaner, healthier living environments. Whether you’re selling, buying, or planning to stay put for years to come, it’s important to be aware of the hidden issues that can affect your home’s health. Every home has a story—and with the right awareness and action, we can make sure it’s one that supports health and happiness.

Contact me to schedule a consultation, or follow along for more healthy home tips!