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Had my first Power Outage

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Industry Observer DRE# ER40011786
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Went to the electric company this afternoon and got the electric transferred over around 4 pm today and 8 pm, had NO ELECTRIC.   I found the site you have to go to, but did not translate to English!

Luckily, the neighbor one floor down came up and she had some English.  Her husband called the electric company, and reported the outage.  Wasn't too long, about an hour.

I was immediately thinking about the things in the freezer and refrigerator.  I just went to the store, and had a few things in there.

It was almost 90 today, so also was getting a bit warm in the apartment, but was cooling off outside.

 

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Lise Howe
RLAH RE LLC - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Hi Joan! First power outage, first lesson in local utilities, and first helpful neighbor—all in the same evening! Glad everything was back up and running quickly. ⚡😊🏡

Jun 08, 2026 02:02 PM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

We had it a lot living back in NE. good post with great information. Thanks for sharing it. Bill

Have a fantastic week!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Jun 08, 2026 06:00 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Joan- you keep packing in those new memories and experiences!!! Thank goodness for helpful neighbors!!!!

Jun 08, 2026 07:42 PM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

Sounds like the power came back on right away! Did they turn it off ?

Glad it didn't cause you much hassle.  Looks like you have good neighbors!

Enjoy the week!!

Jun 09, 2026 12:18 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Lise, this was a bit scary in a foreign country, where most communication is in Portuguese.   Luckily the neighbor spoke some English, all good.

Jun 09, 2026 02:00 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Bill, anywhere I lived, haven't really had too many power outages.

Jun 09, 2026 02:00 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kathy Streib I think I could have enjoyed life WITHOUT the power outage.  Was wondering how long it would be out, as the frig is little, and everything would go bad.  Luckily for my friendly neighbor.

Jun 09, 2026 02:01 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Debra Leisek not sure why it went out, and was only half the building, but luckily was only out for an hour.  Was nice to meet a neighbor, even if it was this type of situation.

Jun 09, 2026 02:02 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Well, that's not so good, Joan. Are power outages an issue in Portugal? If you keep fridge doors closed during a power outage an hour won't hurt whatever's in the fridge.

Jun 09, 2026 04:13 AM
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Oh no, power outages always seem to happen at the worst time. Glad you made it through your first one, though! It’s definitely one of those homeowner moments that makes you realize how much we rely on the little things every day.

Jun 09, 2026 05:11 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Good morning, and I'm sorry to hear you had an issue with the electricity. I'm glad your neighbor was able to help and your power came on quickly. You may already know this, but if you cut/paste words on a foreign language website into google translate, it'll tell you what it says. 

By the way, do you have air conditioning in your home? I heard many homes in Europe don't and I was just curious.

Jun 09, 2026 05:13 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Nina Hollander, Broker I Googled on my phone when this happened, and it said they do not happen unless there is a good surge from tourists in the area.  I did keep the frig and freezer closed.

Jun 09, 2026 05:37 AM
Carol Williams

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner 
Those darn tourists!  😂

Jun 09, 2026 06:37 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Ritu Desai 703-625-4949 nice to see you!    It was a bit strange since I changed over my electricity around 4, then at 8 the power went out.

Jun 09, 2026 05:38 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kat Palmiotti you cannot imagine how much I use translate.  It is easier on the computer, and did not use it last night.  When the technician came for my Internet, he was from Brazil, and had very little English.  We chatted over Translate, quite funny.

OF COURSE I have A/C, it is just about mandatory.  It was 90 yesterday and humidity was fairly high, very hot.  After I come after a walk, it is nice to have a cool apartment.  I turn it off around 8 pm.

Jun 09, 2026 05:40 AM
Kat Palmiotti

I'm glad to hear you have air conditioning Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner - I would think it would be quite uncomfortable without it!

Jun 09, 2026 06:11 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Kat Palmiotti my friend David who owns a condo and lives there part-time doesn't have heat or A/C in his condo.   He melts in the summer and bought a portable heater last winter.   My Aircon has both.

Jun 09, 2026 06:36 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Author, Golfer, Traveler, Retired, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Joan,
Hopefully this won't happen often and won't last long when it does. 

Jun 09, 2026 06:37 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Carol Williams it was just strange timing for this outage, as I had changed the power over to my name at 4, and by 8, there was no electric.

Jun 09, 2026 06:39 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Ah, power outrages are common, but not knowing the language is a barrier.  Glad the neighbors helped out. 

Jun 09, 2026 07:00 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Leanne Smith that was the problem, could get onto the electric company's site, but couldn't read it.   I was very thankful for the neighbor.

Jun 09, 2026 07:47 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

That post had me laughing and wincing at the same time, Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner, because nothing tests your patience like a power outage right after you’ve signed up for service. The way you told it made the whole scene feel way too real, and I’m glad it all got sorted before the freezer turned into a science experiment. Thanks for sharing the adventure.

Jun 10, 2026 09:06 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Lew, so glad it wasn't long, it could have been much worse.

Jun 10, 2026 09:59 AM
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