
Are you prepared for a natural disaster?
Weather is becoming more extreme these days as record heat, record cold, and intense storms have been battering the United States. The wildfires in California are some of the worst on record. Four different Nor’easters pounded the East Coast with snow in a three-week span… in the Spring, no less. There was even freezing rain in Florida!
With so many unknowns and no area safe from the possibility of extreme weather, it’s important, as a homeowner, to be as prepared as possible.
As part of National Preparedness month, the National Association of REALTORS® wants to remind you of the best ways to prepare for intense weather, how to quickly siphon out basement flooding, and what exactly flood insurance covers, and who needs it.
The following items will come in handy for you to be the most prepared homeowner in your neighborhood.
- Cleaning your gutters, trimming your trees and picking the right plants to have growing in your garden are just some of the ways you can have your home better prepared in the case of a heavy summer storm. Here are nine ideas that you will find incredibly beneficial when warding off that heavy storm or continuing your quality of life once the storm passes.
- Did you know that the average age of an American home is 37 years old? It’s also why EnergyStar claims that 99 percent of American houses consume too much energy, or leak – or both. Here are five things every homeowner should know about improving their property to prepare for harsh weather and to get your home to be more energy efficient and save you money. After all, preventative maintenance is the keystone to protecting your home.
- Are you worried that your home is in an area that faces the increased possibility of a forest fire or a wildfire? Here are 14 tips to better protect your home and property from a potential wildfire.
- You can prepare all you want, but sometimes, even the most well-fortified homes still suffer. It’s equally important not just to have your home prepared for extreme weather, but also to prepare yourself to act fast in case of damage to your property, specifically flood damage. Here are the best tactics to dealing with a flooded basement and steps you can take to prevent it from happening again.
- Do you have flood insurance? No, not homeowner’s insurance – standard homeowner’s insurance will be of no help during a flood. If you think your home sits in an area that would be susceptible to flooding, then you need to get additional flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program is federally regulated and is the most common insurance available. But do your homework, as there is flood insurance for your home and flood insurance for your personal property. You may need both. Here is a quick primer on flood insurance and what it does and does not cover. Most importantly, be sure to know what does and doesn’t constitute a flood. Not all basement floods are the same!
Be prepared. Take the steps now to protect your property in case of an extreme weather event. And if there is damage to your home, act fast to rectify it and ensure that you are insured. A prepared homeowner is a good homeowner. Be a prepared homeowner.
Be an informed homeowner. Learn more about how federal, state and local legislators work in conjunction with communities after a disaster strikes to help those communities recover and prepare for the next one.
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