All agents have to complete real estate continuing education, but the best don't stop there. Our industry is ever-changing, and the most successful agents are the ones who never stop learning.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of deep-dive resources just for you. These resources go beyond what's covered in our Healthy Homes Fundamentals CE course, giving you deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to apply in your day-to-day business. So dive into these expert-approved reads and keep pushing your business forward.
1️⃣ Lead Hazard Information & Disclosure
Straight from the EPA, this guide breaks down your duties regarding lead in homes. It’s a must-read if you work with older properties. You’ll learn why even decades after the 1978 paint ban, millions of homes still contain lurking lead paint that can poison children when it peels.
The resource spells out the federally required steps for sellers, landlords and agents to inform buyers and renters about any lead hazards. Following these guidelines not only protects families – it also protects you by keeping you in compliance with lead disclosure laws (and out of legal trouble).
In short, it’s a cheat sheet for doing the right thing and avoiding hefty fines while you’re at it.
2️⃣ A Brief Guide to Mold & Moisture in the Home
This handy EPA guide digs into mold causes, health risks, and cleanup – great for answering client questions about that funky smell in the basement! It drives home that moisture control is the key to preventing indoor mold.
You’ll get practical tips on drying wet areas within 24-48 hours and fixing leaks ASAP to stop mold before it starts. The guide also outlines safe cleaning methods: for example, if a moldy patch is under 10 square feet, you can likely DIY the cleanup by following their steps, but larger infestations require professional help.
It’s written for homeowners, so it’s perfect to share with clients or to bone up on actionable advice. After reading, you’ll be able to confidently explain how to tackle mold problems and even impress buyers with pointers on keeping their new home mold-free.
3️⃣ Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon
Many people have heard of radon, but do they truly grasp the risk? This EPA guide, geared toward real estate transactions, will arm you with talking points to protect your clients. Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas – and it’s actually the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., second only to smoking.
This guide explains in plain language how radon enters a home, how to test for it (a must for any home purchase), and ways to fix high levels. You’ll learn that even new homes can have radon, and that the only way to know is by testing – which the EPA and Surgeon General recommend for all homes below the third floor.
By diving into this resource, you’ll be equipped to counsel buyers and sellers on radon with authority, potentially saving lives and showcasing your expertise. Plus, the guide’s practical approach to mitigation can help you reassure nervous buyers that a radon issue can be solved, keeping deals on track.
4️⃣ Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer – but one that’s entirely preventable. This state health department page offers a quick, insightful read on CO risks and safety measures. It’s full of shareable facts you can use to stress the importance of CO alarms to clients. (Did you know that around 300 people end up in Minnesota emergency rooms each year from accidental CO exposure? The good news: CO incidents are easily avoided with some common-sense steps.
This resource highlights sources of CO in a home (from furnaces to attached garages) and warns how a snow-blocked exhaust or using a generator indoors can turn deadly. It then gives clear prevention tips, like installing detectors on each level, servicing appliances annually, and keeping generators 20 feet from the house.
After reading, you’ll be able to confidently coach homeowners on CO safety. Imagine being the agent who reminds a buyer to ask for CO detectors – that’s real value-added service that clients will remember.
5️⃣ Housing and Health
This is an eye-opening research-backed overview of how a home’s condition directly impacts health, courtesy of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It connects the dots between the abstract “healthy home” concept and real human outcomes. For example, it explains how lead poisoning can irreversibly harm a child’s brain and nervous system, lowering IQ and causing learning disabilities. It also links issues like leaks, poor ventilation, pests, and dirty carpets to increases in mold and allergens that trigger asthma and other illnesses.
In one short brief, you get a tour of the latest science (with references) on why healthy housing matters – from respiratory disease to injuries to mental health. This is perfect for real estate pros who want to understand why these hazards are such a big deal beyond just “because the EPA says so.”
Armed with a few powerful stats and insights from this piece, you can speak to clients – especially those with kids or elderly family – about the importance of things like good ventilation or moisture control in a way that truly resonates. You’ll come across not just as a salesperson, but as a knowledgeable advisor looking out for their well-being.
Braveman P, Dekker M, Egerter S, Sadegh-Nobari T, Pollack C
6️⃣ 1 of the 3 Major Health Hazards?
This award-winning piece from the National Association of REALTORS® is a real estate insider’s look at hidden home hazards. It was even inspired by a real-life story: HGTV star Christina Hall revealed she got mercury and lead poisoning from flipping “gross houses,” putting a media spotlight on toxins lurking in older homes. The article zeroes in on three common culprits – lead, asbestos, and mold – especially in homes built before 1978.
It describes telltale warning signs (like suspicious peeling paint or that musty odor) and stresses the importance of proper remediation by qualified pros. Crucially for agents, it also reminds us of our duty to educate buyers and the serious liability of ignoring these issues: failing to disclose known problems can invite lawsuits if a buyer falls ill later.
Reading this will give you relatable anecdotes and quotes from experts you can use with clients. It’s a conversational, engaging read (as you’d expect from Realtor Magazine) that will leave you better prepared to spot red flags and counsel clients before they become “haunted house” horror stories.
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
7️⃣ Home Inspector’s Perspective – Hazards
Ever wonder what home inspectors worry about most when it comes to environmental hazards? This quick blog post from a home inspection company hits the highlights in a no-nonsense way. It covers mold, asbestos, and radon – three issues that often escape a casual buyer’s notice but can have serious consequences if left unchecked. The blog succinctly explains why each is dangerous: mold can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, asbestos fibers (in old insulation or tiles) can cause lung diseases like mesothelioma, and long-term radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer.
It then walks through how a professional inspector detects each problem (from air sampling for mold to specialized radon testing equipment) and the kinds of fixes or further tests that might be recommended. For you as an agent, this is golden information – it helps you set the right expectations with clients. You can better prep sellers on what an inspector might flag, and you can encourage buyers to invest in necessary inspections or testing.
Sharing a tidbit you learned here (“FYI, our inspector might suggest a radon test – radon is a gas that can cause lung cancer, but it’s easily mitigated if found”) can make you look like a rockstar who’s two steps ahead on protecting your client’s interests.
8️⃣ Indoor Air Quality Resources
The ALA knows a thing or two about breathing, and their online hub for indoor air is a treasure trove of knowledge you can use to advise clients. One startling fact right up front: indoor air can be 2–5 times (and even up to 100 times!) more polluted than outdoor air. Think about that when buyers fawn over a home’s energy-efficient tight windows – and forget that fresh air matters too! This resource dives into pollutants that many homeowners don’t consider, giving you a broader perspective beyond the usual suspects. It covers everything from dust mites, pet dander, and cockroach allergens, to off-gassing from building materials like formaldehyde, to combustion pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter from stoves or fireplaces.
It’s neatly organized by pollutant, so you can quickly look up, say, what the risks of indoor use of pesticides are, or why ventilating after painting is important. The tone is consumer-friendly, with practical “learn more” sections and even short videos. As an agent, you can mine these pages for tidbits to mention during showings (“These hardwood floors are not only stylish – unlike carpets, they don’t harbor dust mites, a common indoor allergen, which could be a plus for your family’s allergies.”).
Clients will appreciate that you’re mindful of their health. Essentially, this site helps you become the “indoor air guru” among realtors – a little extra credibility that can set you apart.
American Lung Association
9️⃣ The “Seven Principles of a Healthy Home”
This simple framework, originally promoted by the National Center for Healthy Housing and HUD, is nicely summarized on a local health department site. It’s a great philosophy for real estate pros to know. The seven principles are: Keep it Dry, Clean, Safe, Ventilated, Pest-Free, Contaminant-Free, and Maintained. The page explains each with down-to-earth examples and some eye-opening stats. It drives home that a healthy home isn’t just about avoiding toxins – it’s also about injury prevention and upkeep. For instance, did you realize that falls are the most frequent cause of home injuries to children?
The checklist reminds us to fix loose steps, install handrails, and adequate lighting – not typically on a real estate agent’s radar, but hugely important for family buyers. It also highlights the connection between pest control and health: evidence shows exposure to mouse and cockroach allergens can spark asthma attacks in kids, yet using harsh chemical pesticides indoors can be just as harmful.
The solution? Integrated pest management – seal entry points, remove food sources and use low-toxicity methods first. This resource essentially ties together everything you’ve learned into a guiding philosophy. By embracing the “seven principles,” you can intuitively assess any home – old or new – through a health and safety lens. Imagine walking into a listing and mentally checking: Is it dry? Clean? Ventilated? Maintained?
You’ll spot issues others might miss, and you’ll be ready to suggest smart fixes. It’s a fantastic way to organize your knowledge and show your clients that healthy housing is about the whole picture, not just one hazard at a time.
marktremaine
🔟 Surgeon General’s “Healthy Home Checklist”
The Surgeon General’s “Healthy Home Checklist” is a colorful, room-by-room guide (see above) that makes it easy to spot potential hazards. This ultra-practical checklist, developed as part of the U.S. Surgeon General’s healthy housing initiative, reads like a punch list for a safe home. It covers every area – Bedrooms/Living areas, Kitchen, Bathrooms, Attic, Basement, Yard – with simple action items in each. For example, in any home built before 1978, it says: “Test your home for lead paint and fix peeling paint using lead-safe work practices.” It also reminds homeowners to never use a stove for heat, to run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, and to stop pests naturally by sealing cracks and removing food and water sources.
There are tips about setting hot water heaters to 120°F (to prevent scalds), installing grab bars in bathrooms, using CO detectors near bedrooms – and much more. One eye-opening entry: “Test for radon. If high, hire a specialist to eliminate the hazard.” How many homeowners forget about radon until it’s too late?
This checklist is something you could actually print and give to clients or use as a value-add during home tours (“I have a safety checklist I go through for all my listings…”). It’s engaging, easy to read, and gives you a ready arsenal of healthy home tips to share on the fly.