​We often see new marks or discoloration on the walls of our homes.  While this could be a sign that moisture is a problem in the house or that mold is starting to form, it is not always something so serious.  It might just be something called ghosting.  Let’s look at where we might see this and why.
 
Ghosting is discoloration that forms in areas of the home, they are not just black but also grey and even yellow looking.  Where might we see ghosting around the house? We would commonly see these shadowy markings in the kitchen behind the stove, surrounding the fireplace just outside of the firebox, in the bathroom or even next to a vent or heater in the house.  You might also find this marking start to appear on the ceiling or on walls in the form of straight lines.
 
Why does ghosting happen in the house?  There are a variety of reasons and causes for this.  In every house minute particles form from multiple sources, which for some reason begin to adhere to certain parts of the house.  For example, In the kitchen, if there is not sufficient ventilation, grease particles will start to stick to the wall behind the stove.  Soot marks may start to develop around the fireplace because the smoke is not being adequately drawn out of the chimney.  Marking can also form around a baseboard heater because the heater is drawing dirt particles from the floor which then start sticking to the wall.  Uneven insulation could also be a reason you see marks on the ceiling or walls.
It’s important to check that any discoloration is not due to mold etc. but also realize that it could just be ghosting. 

​Owning your own home can be a worthwhile investment, it can also give you more of a feeling of security than renting can, and it enables you the freedom to fix it up to your own tastes.  So, how can you ensure your home remains the secure investment you want it to be? 
 
Let’s look at one way a homeowner could lose their property, foreclosure.  This is a term most of us are familiar with.  A home can go into foreclosure if the owner fails to pay debts that are associated with the property.  But what are some of the reasons this can happen?   
 
Getting behind on mortgage payments is probably one of the biggest reasons a property will be foreclosed on.  If this is the case, the bank will usually seize the property.
 
Failure to pay the contractor’s bills is also another reason that your home could go into foreclosure.
 
If a property owner fails to pay property tax, this can be another reason for foreclosure.  If these taxes continue unpaid, the home will likely be taken by the local government.
 
A large portion of people throughout the United States live in homeowner’s association (HOA) neighborhoods.    Those that live in these types of properties must pay HOA fees.  If these fees are not paid, this could result in the home being foreclosed on.  Its important to know also that some of these Home Owners Associations have a lot of authority in certain States which means that you may not receive any government protection or have any rights if you fall into arrears with your fees.
 
Before you start the home buying process, make sure you do research on the laws and regulations that pertain to your location, as different States have different laws.  Also, be sure you are completely aware of your rights as a property buyer and the rights of the lenders.