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When Your Client's House Burns Down, Do They Know All That They Lost?

By
Real Estate Agent with Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office

 It happened early this morning. They slept through the smoke detector alarms, but luckily the family dog woke them up. Everyone got out okay. But their home is is now a black hole. It's frightening but with a 'no loss of life outcome,' everything else is secondary.

I'm blogging because my client's found themselves with an insurance person for hours today, trying to recreate every little thing in their home. Thankfully they have insurance, but what they did not have, was an itemization of what they owned. Many of us in the Rain Puddle have blogged about First Time Home Buyers (FTHB's) and for sure, this key point would be a good thing for all of us to mention to them when they get the keys.

Take photos of your rooms, your closets, everything. The photos can be done easily, digitally, but don't just keep the photos on your laptops because the laptops might burn up in a fire - it's reality.

Itemize your belongings. Clothes, shoes, books, cookware, everything. Jewelery. If you have an attached garage, itemize everything in there as well. Some (most?) insurance companies will provide you with itemization sheets.  If they don't, do it anyway. As you add things to your 'inventory - new computers, phones, pagers, etc., take the photos and add to your list. Did you, Mr. Client, go to an art show and buy a painting? Take a photo, take the artists info and purchase receipt. 

Now that you have accumulated photos and items? Get a safety deposit box at a bank. Yes you can store an itemized list and digital photos on a website and retrieve it from some one else's home that has NOT burned down. But what about the necessary receipts?  I still think a safety deposit box is the best bet. Did I miss anything? What other tips do you knowledgeable Rainers have on this topic? Up until this point, I sometimes told clients to itemize; but now, you better believe that I will always be discussing this issue with them. 

And thankfully, the material items are all that was lost in this morning's fire.

 

Comments (61)

"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL
Oh God...Urbanize MDF...And have yourself a laugh...It ain't pretty...But, knowing you, you already know that...This whole thing cracked me up...An urbanized MDF can easily be misunderstood...Times like this make me want to die my hair black...LOL...TLW...ROAR!
Nov 06, 2006 01:45 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO

The first time I saw MDF I had fun trying to figure out what the D would stand for. Imagine my surprise when I found out it meant something sweet! lol

Nov 06, 2006 01:49 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
I guess I got this started again.... will someone say... "the party has started back up again"   LOL   TLW...where is the champagne and the chocolate?
Nov 06, 2006 02:03 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO

All I have is hot cider!

Nov 06, 2006 02:07 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Here...I have to turn in now...It's late...Must work in the A.M...

 

 

 

 

Those are chocolate covered bottles of Dom Perignon...Do me a favor...Don't cut your tongues...I forgot to bring the first aid kit...LOL...TLW...ROAR!

Nov 06, 2006 02:14 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
Jeff, I have to go to sleep too; up at six thirty so I can vote before our usual Tuesday meeting.   Here is coffee for you after you finish the Dom.  \__/>
Nov 06, 2006 02:19 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
Damn,,..... the ladies leave me and I am all by myself again.   Well...I will just call Brian Brady and see who has the best boxer shorts on now....   Nite ladies.
Nov 06, 2006 02:46 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL
Damn...He drank all the Dom...I wonder if he cut his tongue licking the chocolate off the bottles...TLW...ROAR!
Nov 07, 2006 01:07 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
Forget the Dom, I was hoping for a few crumbs of chocolate! 
Nov 07, 2006 01:20 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO

Jeff, I don't know if you will see this, but - we had a visit from one of the President's of our company at our office meeting today, and so he was there when I brought up the camera idea and discussed the whole issue with my colleagues.  He said it was a great idea about the cameras!  So I wanted to thank you for the tip. 

Nov 07, 2006 01:34 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

I am off to bed but wanted to take just one minute to...Damn The picture browser isn't working...I was going to give you a basket of chocolate....I hope the thought counts...P.S. he may still be checked in he is really good about that stuff I thing I have only seen him check out once of twice...TLW...ROAR!

 

Nov 07, 2006 01:47 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
Sleep well sweet lady, and it's ALWAYS the thought that counts.
Nov 07, 2006 01:50 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL
You slipped in under tha wire...I don't know which one of us is sweeter...But listen I did something a little strange. I don't want you to be too surprised when you come looking for me. I just remembered I forgot to tell you about it...But here it is...Must sleep now. See you in the Am....TLW...ROAR!
Nov 07, 2006 01:58 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
TY for thinking of me! Luckily, Bryant's post was featured and I read it and already commented on it....twice!  So when you get up in the morning you can read HIS blog lolol.  That reminds me I have to make sure I have him on my associates list now.....
Nov 07, 2006 02:08 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Hey Carole... I got it.... thanks and my pleasure. I just want my name on those camera's.... LOL   Hey.... maybe I am serious... lol   Many of you realtors are so opposed to out of state lenders. Yes, I am in NJ... I just closed a new construction loan today in SC... on time, no changes, and package in hand by noon. Just food for thought.  ;o)

 Nite lovely ladies...  oh yea, TLW.... the chocolate & champagne was good....  ;o)   thanks

Nov 07, 2006 02:15 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL
Off topic here...Does anyone care...Nope...We get to say anything we like with Carole...Jeff, you caught my attention with "package in hand by noon"...I love to hear that. Glad you enjoyed the party...Good morning Goose...TLW...ROAR!
Nov 07, 2006 09:05 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Hey TLW.... good morning to you. I love catching your attention. Still good to having you around.  Hey....I hope you don't mind... but I gave a TLW "ROAR" in BB's blog from yesterday. I am not sure if you caught that.

Nov 07, 2006 11:09 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL
Goose...You caught my attention by speaking my language. I saw you ROAR...Didn't catch it last night because I was trying to catch up on reading all the new posts from the last 5 days and then I had to respond to lots of email about a missing lovely wife...TLW...ROAR! Cat out.
Nov 07, 2006 11:31 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO

You guys are certainly up early......good morning......yawn.  Jeff I have two good friends who live in NJ and currently rent. If they get the house buying 'bug' I will forward them to you.

Time for more coffee - WIFE needs to be missing for 48 hours then we can call the Law and Order guys......

Nov 07, 2006 11:54 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Morning?  did I go to sleep?  lol  Before I went to bed.... I decided to write a blog..... I had a long day of just work, work, and work... good day though. And someone else's blog inspired me to write a political blog....which can be touchy for me.... in any case...I crawled into bed at 2:30 am..... and I was up by 7:30 am..... 

Anyhow...get a chance, would love your opinions in my most current blog. thanks

Nov 08, 2006 12:13 AM