10 Tips for Preparing for Home Ownership - Good information for Doorfly.com

Posted on March 10, 2011 by admin http://blog.doorfly.com/articles/2011/10-tips-for-preparing-for-home-ownership/ When someone is moving into their own home for the first time, they may not realize all of the new issues that they will have to deal with that were not a part of their life prior to owning a home. 1.Shopping for insurance. Home insurance is one of the first things they will need to deal with, as it will be required prior to closing on the home. As with any insurance, no two policies are alike. Some comparisons should be made between different types of coverage as well as the price. Some insurance policies cover the cost to actually replace a dwelling and the contents, while others only pay a set amount, regardless of the replacement costs on items. 2.Lawn maintenance. This is usually something that people have not had to deal with if they didn’t own their home previously. If you plan to do your own lawn maintenance, then you will need to purchase a lawn mower and perhaps a weed trimmer. You will also want to have a rake, shovel and watering hose available. If you plan to hire someone else to take care of your lawn maintenance, then you will want to check into the different companies that provide those services in your area. 3.Utilities. It will be important for a new homeowner to know which companies provide the utilities to their home and contact them to setup their accounts. Trash pickup is one of those utility services that is often overlooked prior to move in. 4.Get to know the neighborhood. Taking some walks and drives around the neighborhood can be a good way to familiarize yourself with where things are and who lives where. Take note of where the nearest convenience store is located and where the nearest mailbox drop can be found. Find out who your neighbors are, if you can. They can tell you a lot, like where the best parks are and the quickest route to the grocery store. 5.Winter needs. If you live in an area that gets snow, you will also need to prepare for snow remo val from your sidewalks, driveway and possibly your roof. A good strong snow shovel will be your minimum need, but you may want to look into the purchase of a snowblower as well. 6.Recommendations for repairmen. If you own a home, eventually you will need to call on repairmen to deal with things like a furnace that doesn’t work, plumbing issues or appliance repairs. Rather than looking through the phonebook when that time comes, it is a good idea to get the names of repair services that other homeowners have used and would recommend. That way you will have someone reputable to call on when the need arises. 7.Security. If you were previously living in a secure apartment building, homeownership comes with a different level of security. You are now responsible for how much security you need for your home and how you want to provide that. To start with, you will want to make sure that all your entrance doors lock securely and have deadbolts installed. If you want a further level of security, you may want to check into purchasing a monitored security system. 8.Tools. Every homeowner needs to have some basic tools around the home for simple repairs. A hammer, pliers, various screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, a utility knife and a measuring tape are a good list to start with. You may also want to add a shop vac and a power drill to the list. 9.Extra finish items. If this is your very first home of any type, there will be several small items that you may need to purchase before you move out on your own. Shower curtains and window blinds may be needed. A rug or entry mat at the front door, would be a good idea. You may need to purchase waste receptacles, a vacuum cleaner and a broom as well. 10.Budgeting. Carefully budgeting for the new expenses involved with home ownership is very important. You will want to include fluctuations in your utility bills and funds for miscellaneous repairs and improvements in your budget. There can be many other expenses involved with home ownership than just the mortgage payment, insurance and taxes. A little thinking ahead will keep the move into your new home, not only smooth, but exciting as well. Your first home, should and can be, a great experience.

Mitigation can save lives, property, money and lots of hassle!

Mitigation is one of those words people throw around expecting everyone to understand what it means. Though the word may not be common, it is very important. Here’s the definition.

“Mitigation” is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects. This means taking steps to reduce damage from future hazards, like flooding.

Oregonians who need to make repairs or rebuild as a result of the December and January storms have a responsibility to themselves, their families and their neighbors to rebuild in a way that reduces future flood losses. It’s safer, cheaper, and much easier to limit future destruction than to repair it afterward and the rebuilding phase of a disaster is the ideal time to consider ways to limit future damage.

Mitigation steps that can be taken to protect homeowners from suffering repetitive loss include rebuilding with materials less likely to be damaged by water and raising utility connections and electrical outlets. Owners should avoid building in a flood plain unless they elevate and reinforce the structure and/or seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage through cracks.

Not only does mitigation save lives and property, it also may qualify you for lower-cost flood insurance. Contact your insurance agents for premium rates, and check with your local planning department or online to find ways to mitigate.

More information about mitigation strategies to reduce flood risk can be found at www.fema.gov.

Flood Safety Awareness Week March 15-19, 2010 - From FEMA

SEATTLE—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-sponsored 2010 National Flood Safety Awareness Week, observed March 15-19 (http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/). Flooding is a coast to coast threat in the United States and its territories in all months of the year, irrespective of local “flood seasons.” According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster.

“We learn time and time again that you just don’t need to live in a mapped floodplain to need flood insurance, and it just doesn’t pay to quibble over what side of a line on a flood map one lives on,” said Hunsinger. “The fact is— twenty to 25 percent of all flood insurance claims are filed in low-to-moderate flood-risk areas where flood insurance premiums can be a real bargain.”

Property owners and renters need to know that they can take steps to protect their property and financial security before disaster strikes. However, many eligible residents are unaware that they qualify or that affordable flood insurance is available. Residents can begin to take steps now to protect their home and assets from rising floodwaters at any time.

· Make sure gutters and drains are cleared. Clean and maintain storm drains and gutters and remove debris from your property to allow free flow of potential floodwater.

· Move valuables and sentimental items to the highest floor of your home or business.

· Install backflow valves in waste lines to keep water flowing in one direction.

Protect your well from contamination.

Anchor or elevate fuel tanks and elevate the main breaker or fuse box and the utility meters
above the anticipated flood level in your home or business, so that floodwater won’t damage utilities.

Make sure you have the right insurance: Review your insurance policies and find out what they do and do not cover. Learn the difference between replacement cost coverage versus standard coverage, which only pays the actual cash value of insured property. Be sure that you have enough insurance to cover recent home renovations or improvements.

Know that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so be sure to consider flood insurance for both your structure and its contents. There is typically a 30 day waiting period for a flood insurance policy to take effect. Learn more by visiting http://www.floodsmart.gov/ and http://www.fema.gov/.

Learn your flood risk. Properties that are not located within high-risk areas can also flood. Find out your flood risk right now by entering your address at FloodSmart.gov “Assess Your Risk.” Insurance agents can also help check your risk.

Purchase a flood insurance policy. If you already have a flood policy, remember: your policy needs to be renewed each year.

Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your “family contact” in an emergency, and make sure everyone knows the contact’s address and phone number.
Build an emergency supply kit: Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines, and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit http://www.ready.gov/ for a complete disaster supply checklist.

Inventory your household possessions: For insurance purposes, be sure to keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance claims.

Store copies of irreplaceable financial and family documents in a safe place, preferably one that is protected from both fire and water. Documents include automobile titles, tax records, stock and bond certificates, deeds, wills, trust agreements, birth and marriage certificates, photos, passports and insurance policies. Keep originals in a rented safe deposit box. And don’t forget the household inventory file!

Flood insurance is available through nearly 100 insurance companies in more than 21,000 participating communities nationwide. Everyone can purchase flood insurance – renters, business owners, and homeowners. Nation-wide, the average flood insurance policy costs around $563 a year. And in low- to moderate-risk areas, lower-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) start at just $119 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk and how to protect their property by visiting http://www.floodsmart.gov/ or by calling 1-800-427-2419.


FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.