Prepare for the Unexpected Disaster NOW

Preparedness is always key when facing a disaster.   Though the key challenge in Hampton Roads may be a hurricane, the challenges vary from forest fires, to tornados to earth quakes and beyond.

I am sure you have heard some of these tips in preparing for disaster.   Now is your chance to review and get prepared for the unlikely, the unimaginable such as seen in Oklahoma recently.

LESSONS TO LEARN FROM THE OKLAHOMA DISASTER. Thanks to Al Clark

Topic Summary:  Learning From Oklahoma Homeowners who are interviewed after wild fires, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters all had the same comment: "I wish I had an inventory of everything in my home".  The recent fires in California and the Oklahoma tornado should be a compelling event for all homeowners to compile an electronic inventory of all their possessions and home improvements either with video or text. Homeowners in Oklahoma are now faced with filling out forms from their insurance company trying to remember all they had, when they got it and what it cost. Hardly an easy requirement to get an insurance claim paid. To make your home inventory process easier the Insurance Information Institute, one of our content partners, has a free service called Know Your Stuff that we have been recommending for years. It's an easy to use system that will document and build a running database of all your household possessions. GET IT HERE FOR FREE Hurricane Season Just Starting June 1st. With the sights of restoration on the Jersey shore being seen on TV, warnings are going up on the eastern seaboard that Hurricane season is coming up. The government forecasters are saying there will be13-20 storms this season with 7-11 turning into hurricanes and 3-6 that become major event hurricanes. KIPLINGER's online has an updated resource for tips on how to prepare for Natural disasters. It can be found HERE Insurance Coverage: When is Enough Not Enough? First, take the quiz on how well you know what's covered and what's not for most homeowners. It's ON THIS PAGE. http://www.kiplinger.com/quiz/insurance/T065-S001-are-you-covered/index.html A recent survey by Allstate Insurance Company indicated that 45-55% of homeowners have either not enough coverage or the wrong types of insurance coverage. As home values dropped in most parts of the country, consumer groups are warning homeowners not to insure on the value of your home but on the replacement value of the home. The two are very different.  Home values go up and down all the time but what never goes down is the price to build a new home comparable to the one you have now. That is what is called replacement value. The cost of raw materials and labor continue to escalate so we caution you to ask your insurance carrier about the best way to insure to replacement value.  Most all of homes damaged in Oklahoma will be total losses, so protected homeowners would be assured they can rebuild. Do-It-Yourself!  New online service: Accucoverage.com. This website can provide you with your home replacement value based on the same local conditions, costs and criteria an insurance company would use paying a claim. The service asks you a few questions and derives a value estimate with your zip code based cost structure. The fee for the service is $7.95. Have you done any major home improvements recently? If so, tell your in

Prepare for the Move...Or Suffer the Consequences!

Stress Free Move to Your New Home (edit/delete)

So you found the perfect new home!!! Now the hard work begins...and I am not speaking the inspections, loan and closing. Though there is some effort to move through these steps, your Realtor will do most the heavy lifting and provide assistance along the way. Rather it is:

                                                     THE MOVE TO THE NEW HOUSE

Packing up your things and moving them to the new place can be fraught with varied emotions and involves a list that can see endless. So you could be tempted to take a pass on seriously evaluating this part of the transition. And you could find both your peace of mind and wallet to take a huge hit in the process.

If you have never moved(or it has been years), you may not know: Moving can be quite expensive. According to the American Moving & Storage Association(www.Moving.org), a intrastate(move within same state) can cost around $2500 while an interstate move typically is $4300 for a full-service move. Then add the challenge of the class of movers termed "Rogue Movers" discussed on 20/20 and like news programs, you could be part of the notorious fraud and dirty tactics seen in the moving industry. Rest assured, there are many reputable moving companies. But like in all industries, you have watch out for the bad eggs.

Here are some tips to make your move simple and reduce the hassles:

• Choose the type of move:

1. Do-it-Yourself: U-haul, Hertz etc---trailer behind the car up to 40' to 45' truck
2. Full Service Move: Moving Company does work; $/mile instate; weight & mileage across state lines. Extra service for extra fees.
3. Hybrid Move: Mover drop container, you load, they haul to new location, drop container for you to unload.

                Do-it-yourself is least expensive but takes a few friends. Hybrid move is more expensive but  

                substantially less than Full Service as you do all the heavy lifting.

• Hire a Quality Mover. Get references regardless of the type of move. This is not the time to go down the Yellow Pages or simply to Google movers in Chesapeake, Virginia. Friends, your Realtor and web rating sites are good reference points. Facebook your friends...go to Angies List or even www.Moving.org. A moving company's reputation does count.

• Be Flexible. As is typical in service industries, flexible dates can help you save money. Pick the busiest time for the mover, pay more. When is that: summer weekends near mid-month and last weekend of month. Move mid-week or in the winter to save money.

• Throw Out and Lighten the Load. De-cluttering the house and cleaning out garage and storage areas prior to the move will eliminate paying to move "junk" that you give away or sell after you move. It could have the benefit of improving your home's appearance in the selling process. Nice bonus, huh!

• Consolidate. On long haul out-of-state moves, check into consolidating your move with another move enroute or to the same destination. Frequently, your move doesn't fill a truck(or God forbid you didn't declutter and you started a 2nd truck) so another person's move may share the trip. This can reduce your cost!!!

• Insure the Load. First check any homeowners/renter policy for move-intransit coverage. If not, talk to the moving company. Typically the standard insurance is $.50 to $.60/lb. So have a 100 dining room table crack in half, you get $60. Get Replacement Coverage Insurance. Check moving company against outside sources as rates vary. Movers usually are competitive.

• Don't Pack the Books. Mailing is so much cheaper....imagine that!

• Beware the Cost of Boxes. Ask the Mover for used boxes(they did just unpack someone yesterday) or get free ones from somebody who just moved(Ask your Realtor...they have their connections!!)

• Be Prepared!!! Mark all boxes by room location in the new home. Prepare a layout of the house with locations of all major pieces of furniture. Having the mover wait, relocate, wait, relocate furniture as you ponder the best location for your California King Bed will cost you more.

          If moving to metro area or any area where parking is tight, talk to neighbors(or ask Realtor, if
          needed), to move cars to allow room for moving truck. Or as might be needed in some very dense
          metro area, save the spot with your cars or cones or friends as may be the case!!!! If the mover
          must carry boxes an "excessive distance", there could be a surcharge.

• Tax Implications. If the move is job-related,negotiate the best relocation package and then look at the unreimbursed costs for tax implications(check Publication 521 Moving Expenses via IRS.gov)

• About the Tip. Typically one should tip the driver and each helper if deserving. Various sources note a $2-$5 per hour rate. Sound high? Think about your heaviest piece of furniture and having to move it yourself into and out of the truck(they did both ends of the move). It may not seem that expensive!!

Prepping Your Home May Mean Repairs

Often our daily lives are very busy.  So busy we drive into the garage, closing the door behind us, and dart into the house to dinner or to our favorite chair in the living or family room to collapse. 

Secondly, it isn't uncommon for a minor problem with our home to not warrant our immediate attention.  Ever have a slow drip from the shower head that only bothers you because the dripping water is cold rather than warm???  Or notice a small tear in the carpet that the dog or the kids made that was sealed with masking tape "to ensure it doesn't get any worse"??

The lack of knowledge and the act of ignoring 'little' problems with the house are the two major reason REPAIRS are TYPICALLY REQUIRED.   Partially completed projects can be a 3rd reason that repairs are required.

If you think a repair is too minor to require repair, ask yourself "Would I buy this house if I saw that"  and secondarily "Would I pay the asking price if I knew the seller left "that" in that condition???

A Realtor is a great person to consult if you wish to know how the market will respond to your home's present condition.  Touring the home together, he/she can note repair items to address and provide names of competent contractors.   If you prefer to get your own contractors, http://www.servicemagic.com/ and http://www.askangie.com/  are great sites to check out.

A self trained handy man/woman???  Try http://www.ehow.com/ or any of the "For Dummies"series books for step by step directions on most repairs.

 TWO TRUTHS TO REMEMBER:

   1. The buyer believes any repair is more

            expensive than it really is

   2.  The buyer wonders if "this repair" that I see

            wasn't addressed what else is wrong with

             the house.

        Both points can be used by a Buyer to justify
  a low offer and cause a difficult negotiations for
  Buyer and Seller.

 What repair caused you concern in the last house you bought???