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9 Ways To Prepare For A Major Home Disaster

By Ira Freireich

Real Estate Agent with Best Buyer's Broker Realty

March 18, 2011 10:35 AM

Here is a list of what to do to prepare for any sort of home disaster -- fire, flood, storm, etc.

1. Subscribe to an online data backup service or backup computers once a month and take the storage drive to another location.

2. Keep passports in a safe deposit box

3. Take pictures of each room initially and update them as improvements are made, storing them somewhere offsite - like Flickr

4. Take pictures and keep hyperlinks of all expensive purchases, including jewelry

5. Hire an architect or use floorplanner.com to document each floor layout along with precise wall/ceiling measurements, each outlet, light switch, crown molding, other trim, type of flooring, any unique items to structure of property

6. Put phones in a consistent place each night

7. Get fire ladders for any second floor bedrooms

8. Scan each photo and receipt for expensive purchases, again keeping them offsite, or on an online data backup service

9. Do not be frugal with homeowner's insurance. Spend the extra $50 per year for the most coverage.

If you have additional ways we can prepare for a disaster do send us them via the comment section.

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Best Buyer’s Broker Realty is an Exclusive Buyer Agent specializing in Long Island real estate (Nassau and Suffolk properties) and neighbouring Queens County properties.

We don’t take any seller listings (yet we have more homes for you to see than most agents) and never have any potential conflict of interest like other agents who also represent sellers. We represent buyers only, 100% of the time. We can show you more homes for sale because we have access to MLS, FSBOs, Exclusives (homes that agents try to keep secret), foreclosures and homes not on the market that may be of interest to you.

We are not your traditional real estate agent. Our goal is to advise and protect home buyers and help them obtain the lowest price and best terms on their dream home. Call us at 516-887-6901 to see how we can help you save time and money. Or visit our sites at http://bestbuyersbroker.com or http://bestbuyerbroker.com

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Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Have an evacuation plan for all family members... where to meet in the event that home is no longer an option.

Mar 18, 2011 10:38 AM

Mark Maupin See Blog Free Investors Training

National Real Estate Network, LLC - Highland Township, MI

National Real Estate Investors Network Host

This is a thougthful list, and Georgina made a valuable addition, too. An evacuation plan is the easiest to create but the hardest to remember to create.

You mention an important thing with the insurance. Too many people, investors and retail home buyers alike, get cheap here.

I will add another thing--applying to each real estate investors and homeowners. You need to have a "Go Back" fund, otherwise known as a reserve or "Just in Case" fund. You always need extra money, just in case things happen. With homes, they almost always seem to go wrong. If you have the money to pay for it, it's minor. Otherwise, it's a major expense.

Mar 18, 2011 10:59 AM

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Ira Freireich

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