Painted Mural Arches: Give Them Something to Talk About!
Move Over, Arches: This Is The Throwback Painted Mural Trend Design Nerds Will Be Talking About All Year Perhaps you’ve noticed a return to more conventional, opulent rooms in interior design, as evidenced by the abundance of homes with board-and-batten walls, grand Persian rugs, classic plaid upholstery, and crown and picture frame molding in your social media feeds and favorite magazine pages. Homes with original character have long been prized, but the property market and many of the home improvements right now on Instagram and TikTok seem to be reflecting a newfound regard for historic elements. Renters are joining the trend in various ways, and homeowners who have upgraded to more contemporary homes are also copying these exquisite features to breathe life into otherwise boring areas. This mini-design movement’s DIY projects have primarily been focused on incorporating traditional architectural details. What if I told you that individuals are turning to paint cans and brushes rather than their toolboxes for the newest (and perhaps most budget-friendly?) iteration of the adding vintage character trend? That’s right; trompe-l’oeil architectural beauty is a popular, old-meets-new paint technique. Trompe-l’oeil is French for “to mislead the eye.” People are beginning to paint moldings and picture frame trim rather than hanging them. Consider Calvin Hrezik‘s 500-square-foot studio as an illustration. The flat has plain white walls, wood floors, and little living space, which is par for the course in New York City. Despite this, Hrezik has furnished and decorated the house to give it a sumptuous, Parisian-style air. She also cleverly used paint. Being an interior designer by trade, he used creativity to infuse personality into an otherwise bland abode. “I collaborated on trompe-l’oeil paintings throughout with my incredibly amazing muralist friend Colton Ackerman, but in a cartoonish, campy, ‘Mary Poppins’ way,” he adds. For a unified, encompassing appearance, a row of closets in the entry hallway are painted fully in Benjamin Moore’s San Antonio Rose (027). The pair added creative, almost doodle-like renditions of picture frame molding in a contrasting red tone on top of that peachy-orange base. The living room is decorated in Benjamin Moore’s Coastal Cottage (1164) and features painted drapes and garlands that hang from the ceiling. As she continues, Hrezik describes how “the tassels dance on the tops of the Benjamin Moore Coastal Cottage walls around the main area, tying off a faux curtain into the entrance and closet hallway, complete with a painting of my cat, Disco Stardust, engaging in her favorite activity of pawing at pigeons.” You can find additional deceiving visuals in the bathroom, this time in the form of “wallpaper.” Hrezik requested that Ackerman paint “frames filled with a handful of my favorite things, inspired by the thought of flooding all of the bathroom walls with my queer art collection” for this project. These wacky outlines were painted in Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray (2062-20), and they are located above the shower’s towering wainscoting of blue tiles. There’s no disputing that the painted mural trend may be moving from abstract geometric patterns and arches into this trompe l’oeil realm. These painted features may be more stylized than your standard crown molding or box panels. Although following this trend may take some time and effort, it is a very cost-effective method to give your house personality and charm. If you feel comfortable, you can create these graphics by hand, or you can collaborate with a pro as Hrezik did. However, when it comes to picture frame molding specifically, the look may be effectively achieved with a few colors and some deliberate measuring, painting, and tape to produce the shadows that actual molding pieces would cast. Because 2023 is still a new year for paint ideas, there will be even more eclectic ideas this year! Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
How Much Square Footage Do Couples Need To Be Happy?
How Much Square Footage Do Couples Need To Be Happy? Moving in together is a significant and frequent life-or-death decision for couples. But how much does the size of your apartment actually affect how content you and your partner are when you live together? It appears to be a lot. Recently, 900 people were polled by the lighting company, Sofary, regarding the expenses and advantages of moving in together. The results revealed that when it comes to square footage, couples do need their space – 1,800 square feet, to be exact. According to Sofary, those who were content in their romantic partnership typically had 12.8 percent more living space than those who weren’t. According to the study, the size of a home—even just 100 square feet—can determine whether a couple is happy or unhappy. The average home size for baby boomers was 1,835 square feet, compared to 1,733 square feet for miserable couples. The square footage to happiness ratio was far less constrained for millennials, though. Happy millennial couples shared an area of 1,810 square feet on average, while dissatisfied millennial couples only had 1,566 square feet to call their own. 1. Break up the stay However, despite the skyrocketing rent prices, most couples aren’t moving in together just to save money. 73.6 percent of surveyed couples decided to move in together because they felt ready to advance in their relationship. However, 45.7% of couples chose to live together because it was more convenient for them to see one another. While 20% of couples did so to save money on living expenses other than rent, just over one-fourth (28.1%) of couples moved in together to do so. So, while sharing a small apartment shouldn’t completely deter you from doing so with your spouse, remember that everyone occasionally needs their own space. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
5 Things Everyone Should Clean in January
5 Things Everyone Should Clean in January Everyone, happy January and welcome to the peak of the cold and flu season! The gloomy January days are the ideal time to clean your house because Covid is still around, and other infections have crept in. You may then start the new year clean and new. After holiday parties, January is a fantastic time to deep clean. This will prevent you from having to search for a hidden champagne glass beneath a table three months later as in previous years. A house cleaning expert discussed the finest items to clean in January. What she said was as follows. “Bid farewell to the holidays!” The parties are over, the revelers went home, and the holiday decorations are starting to droop. Take this opportunity to clean all your holiday swag and stash it away for next year. According to Jennifer Rodriguez of ProHousekeepers, “January is the time to pick up and organize Christmas decorative objects in preparation for a new year cleaning.” Wash any pillows, throws, or other soft goods you have for the holidays that can be washed by hand or machine. Thoroughly clean the bathroom The bathroom needs a thorough cleaning as well. After all, it is flu season, and over the holidays, the bathroom was probably one of your house’s most frequently visited rooms. For toilets, I suggest Microban, and for bathtubs, showers, and sinks, I suggest Clorox bathroom cleaning. “Microban says that for 24 hours following application, their solution keeps surfaces clean.” Put away gifts (and declutter) Another recommendation? To reduce clutter, make sure you’ve stored all your holiday presents. If you received brand-new clothing as a present, think about giving similar items that you no longer wear. Tackle hard surfaces Clean and sanitize all the hard surfaces in your home and other public areas to start the new year off right. Consider items such as countertops, tables, doorknobs, computers, faucets, and even items you might not think of, such as cell phones and laptops. Some germs can remain on these items and the likelihood that you will become ill increases if someone in your immediate vicinity coughs or sneezed and subsequently touched anything. Do annual maintenance tasks Every home needs maintenance work done at the beginning of the year. Because you won’t forget to do it, the timing is very wise. A fresh start and maintenance updates. In addition to inspecting your HVAC system’s filters for potential cleaning or replacement, Rodriguez advises checking your water filters to determine if they need to be changed. Additionally, pay attention to any dirty electronics, windowsills, curtains, and dryer vents, as well as fridge problems. After the holidays, “[these items] are typically disregarded since everyone is focused on their New Year’s resolutions and starting work again,” according to Rodriguez. Start the new year off properly by maintaining a clean and healthy house and avoiding illness. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
6 Tips for Surviving a Stay with Family
6 Tips for Surviving a Stay with Family Are you spending the holidays at someone else’s home this year? If so, you may be dreading sleeping on a lumpy pull-out bed or the countless hours of small talk with the in-laws. But staying at a family member or friend’s house doesn’t have to be that bad. In fact, we’ve put together six tips to help you survive the entirety of your stay (without going insane). 1. Break up the stay Want to enjoy the holidays closely with family, but don’t want to have a bad backache the entirety of your trip? Consider splitting your overnight stays between family and a hotel or Airbnb closeby. Start off staying with family so you don’t miss those important holiday festivities and finish in a cozy hotel so you are well-rested for your travels back home. 2. Bring your own pillow If you do stay your entire trip at a family member’s, you can alleviate some of that impending back and neck pain by bringing your own pillow. Experts agree that you can enjoy a better night’s sleep, simply by sleeping on your own pillow. Flying travelers who can’t bring their own should ask their host for an extra pillow or two for comfort. 3. Offer a host gift While you may have some complaints about the stay, you should still be grateful for your hosts to invite you in during the holidays. What better way to express your gratitude than by bringing a thoughtful host gift. Ideas include a bottle of champagne or wine, breakfast pastries, their favorite snacks, or a delicious bag of coffee. In addition to a physical gift, bring your best self and give the gift of engaging conversation! 4. Layer up Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the warmth of a home, especially if you both live in strikingly different climates. Out of preparation for your hosts keeping the house either too toasty or quite chilling, pack clothing that you can layer. Consider bringing a bathrobe, a thin pair of long underwear, fuzzy socks, and a cardigan or sweatshirt in addition to your regular trip-taking attire. 5. Don’t be afraid to ask We’ve all experienced the dread of jumping in the shower to come face-to-face with a confusing and complicated faucet handle. Don’t be afraid to ask your hosts the ins and outs of the home during your stay! We promise, they don’t mind giving you the Wi-Fi password or telling you how to work the microwave. 6. Keep busy Being around the same people 24/7 can make you go a little stir-crazy, and even the best host can’t prevent you from having cabin-fever during your stay. Ease your boredom by taking a daily walk or visiting attractions in the city you’re located. Even better, ask your host what you can do to help them out, whether that’s offering to run errands or helping with the housekeeping and cooking. End your stay by cleaning up after yourself (make those beds!) and thanking your family members or friends for allowing you to visit. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
8 Things You Should Avoid as a First-Time Renter
When Can You Evict Your Own Roommate? 1. Not Checking Your Credit Score With a low supply of available rentals, landlords and property managers are stricter than ever on applicant creditworthiness. According to real estate professional, Denise Supplee, “Since there are more and more applicants to choose from, the one with a strong job, good credit, and income will get an apartment over someone with little to no credit.” Making sure you meet the credit score requirement before applying will allow you to have a higher chance of scoring the property. You can easily check your credit score through free services online that provide tips for improving your credit. 2. Not Having Paperwork Ready In the world of rentals today, things move fast. For this reason, it’s important to have all your paperwork completed and ready to go. This includes a filled-out application form, six months’ worth of pay stubs, tax returns, references, and all your co-signer’s forms. Real estate experts recommend carrying a scanned copy of required documents for any showings you go to so you’ll always be prepared. 3. Assuming You’ll Get the Rental Just because you apply for a rental, that does not mean you are guaranteed to win the unit. Even if you have amazing credit and your finances are in order, the competitive market makes it difficult to predict whether or not you’ll land the lease. Keep your options open as you apartment hunt, and have a few backup units in mind as you wait to hear from the landlord. If you have your heart set on a particular property, mention that you would be open to paying a little more in rent; stating your willingness to pay may be just what your application needs to get noticed. 4. Paying More Than What You Can Afford Renters should be careful to not become eager and sign a lease for rent that is higher than they can afford. Just because the rent fits within your budget now, does not mean that it will after you account for other expenses. To avoid making this mistake, financial adviser Micheal Cannivet recommends using the 30% rule, which states that you cannot afford rent that costs more than 30% of your monthly income. 5. Panic Renting Due to the low volume of available rentals, renters may be tempted to take any property they can get. This is not the wisest decision, as you could end up stuck in a lease for a unit that is impractical to your lifestyle. Oftentimes, renters will settle for units smaller than what they need, but real estate experts warn against this unless you are looking to downsize considerably or pay extra money to have your leftover belongings kept in a storage unit. To avoid making hasty decisions, put together a list of features you are seeking, making sure to identify the must-haves. This will allow you to carefully analyze each property to make sure it’s right for you. 6. Having Too Narrow of a Search While some renters may have the problem of signing for whatever is available on the market, others have the opposite problem. When renters cling to a specific idea of what they envision in their head, they are quick to become disappointed with the rental hunt. Keep your options open as you search, and consider what really matters to you within a property. 7. Not Clarifying All Costs When first-time renters hear the monthly rent cost, they sometimes assume that rent includes utilities. Landlords today will write terms in the lease that outlines what the tenant is responsible for paying. This can include trash pickup, parking, amenities, Wi-Fi, electricity, gas, sewer, and pet fees. Before agreeing to a lease, read through the fine print to understand what you will be responsible for, and budget accordingly. 8. Not Doing a Walk-Through Once you have signed the lease, you are likely eager to get into your rental as soon as possible. However, before you move in, it’s important to conduct a walkthrough with the landlord or property manager and take photos of the property to assess and record current conditions. This will allow you to protect yourself against damage that was incurred to the unit before you moved in. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Studio Apartment
One-Story Homes vs. Two-Story Homes What is a studio apartment? Studio apartments, also known as studio flats, contain a bedroom, living room, and kitchen all in one open space. There are no barrier walls in a studio apartment, requiring you to live, dine, and sleep in the same room. Depending on the size and layout of the space, a studio apartment can be quite spacious to live in. Some residents add dividers and curtains to create a sense of separation, while others fully embrace the open concept lifestyle. Studio apartments are a popular option for single renters who want to live on their own with a tight budget. To help you decide whether studio apartment living is right for you, we share both the advantages and disadvantages. What are the pros? Studio apartments typically cost less than the average one or two bedroom apartment, which is a great option for young people who want to live entirely independently for the first time. Rental experience expert Niccole Schreck says, “Moving into a studio apartment can be a great way to save money on rent without getting a roommate or settling for a less-than-desirable neighborhood.” In addition to more affordable rent, studio apartments will also likely have lower utility bills. Small units are more cost efficient to heat and cool, and the amount of needed lighting sources will be fewer with only one main room to illuminate. Furnishing a studio apartment is also cheaper than furnishing a typical apartment, since you only need to purchase a few items to fill up the smaller space. Cleaning and maintenance is also quite simple due to little room for extra clutter and only one main living area to deep clean. What are the cons? While studio apartments are ideal for the single lifestyle, if you are married or have children, the lack of space might just drive you crazy. Without storage closets and spare bedrooms, living in a studio apartment can make you feel cramped and overwhelmed and may force you to part with some of your belongings. If you enjoy entertaining guests, you will also find some challenges in a studio apartment since your once private bedroom is now exposed as guests sit in the open living room. With a smaller space, finding functional furniture that will fit is also a challenge. Finally, though the low cost of utilities may sound appealing, when living in a studio apartment, you will have to carry your laundry back and forth from the communal laundry room or a public laundromat. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
How to Deal with Bad Neighbors
One-Story Homes vs. Two-Story Homes You have just moved into your dream home in your dream neighborhood and all is well…until you are awoken at five in the morning by the noisy residents next door. Bad neighbors are an annoying part of neighborhood life, especially if you live in a townhouse or condo. Luckily, there are approaches you can take to deal with these less-than-desirable neighbors. Be a model homeowner The first step towards approaching bad neighbors is to first conduct some self-reflection to make sure you are being a pleasant neighbor. Evaluate your noise level – are you keeping TV and music volumes at a respectable level during the day and at night? Are your pets quiet and non-threatening to passersby? Is your yard kept well-maintained, and do you respect property lines? If you answer no to any of these questions, you should first work to resolve these issues before considering approaching your neighbor. You may find that they are causing disturbances in response to your own. Be friendly first To resolve neighborhood conflicts peacefully, you should first attempt to develop a friendly relationship with your neighbors. After all, how can you approach them if you don’t even know their name? If you are kind towards your neighbors and make regular conversation, they may be less likely to cause you trouble. It also helps to establish good communication whenever there is an instance where noise levels and disturbances may increase. For example, it would be kind to notify your neighbors of increased noise if you plan to have a party or renovate the home. Be sympathetic When you do decide to confront your neighbor about the disturbances, it is important to do so peacefully and understandingly. It’s a good idea to invite your neighbor to sit down and talk about the situation so they know that you are serious about the matter. Avoid creating accusations, as this may escalate the meeting and make it harder for the problem to be resolved. If your neighbor also expresses some complaints about you, be calm and thoughtful in your responses. The goal of this meeting is to come to an equal understanding and solution, so avoid bringing emotions into the matter. Document everything Under ideal circumstances, you won’t have to involve a third party to be relieved of your neighbor’s disturbances; however, this is not always the case. If you do have to contact the HOA, neighborhood group, city building department, an attorney, or the police, it is important to have the facts and proof readily available. This documentation should include notable dates, times, emails, texts, and photos. Research the rules Before you decide to take legal action to deal with the issue, make sure you know what you are talking about. Contact your HOA to get an understanding of the community rules, and consult a lawyer to see what action you can take. After doing this, if you can determine that your neighbors need to follow the rules, notify them that you will take formal action if the problem does not get resolved promptly. As discussed above, it is essential to do this calmly so that you don’t cause any unnecessary upheaval. Contact the authorities If you have done everything you can to get your neighbors to stop creating disturbances, the last course of action you can take is to contact the authorities. Contacting authorities should be your last resort, so make sure to conduct research on which authority is the most relevant to handle the issue. Minor disturbances can be taken care of by city code enforcement or the HOA, whereas major and potentially harmful disturbances should be handled by the police. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
One-Story Homes vs. Two-Story Homes
If you are actively seeking a rental home, you have likely come across a variety of floorplans. While the debate of one-story versus two-story may seem as simple as personal preference, there are a variety of factors you should consider when choosing between the two. Here, we share the pros and cons of both one-story homes and two-story homes to help you decide. One-Story Homes One-story homes can aid in simplifying your lifestyle when it comes to maintenance since everything is located on the same level. Inside, you won’t have to worry about lugging up vacuums and carrying items up and down the stairs; outside, you won’t have to worry about using scaffolding to clean gutters, paint siding, and clean windows. In addition to ease of cleaning, you may also find that your heating and cooling bills decrease with a one-story home due to less square footage. One-story homes are also safer to navigate for young children, the elderly, and people with mobility issues. Eliminating the stairs that lead to a second flood can reduce the risk of falls and accidents, and allow everyone to get where they need to be safe. Finally, one-story homes are easier to evacuate in the case of an emergency. Being ground level allows you to open any window in the event of a fire without having to worry about the fall. One-story homes are also the safest structures to be in during an earthquake. While one-story homes have great benefits, there are also some negatives to consider. The first con is the lack of space. If you desire a larger home, you will have to opt for a larger amount of land, which is often more expensive than two-story homes that only require vertical space. Privacy is also limited in one-story homes; all windows are ground level which means anyone can look inside, unlike a two-story home, in which the second-floor windows are too tall for peeking. Two-Story Homes Living in a two-story home brings an increased sense of privacy and safety. As mentioned above, windows on the second floor of a house create private spaces since there are no chances for outsiders to look in. Having two stories can also create a separation in the space, where the downstairs is used for friends and entertainment and the upstairs is used for family and private relaxation. If you choose a two-story home, you will also have a lower risk of burglars, since an open window on the second floor is more unattainable than one on the first floor. Thieves are also unlikely to risk going upstairs and back down carrying your items. Finally, having a second floor can make for a beautiful design inside and out, and a second-story porch or balcony allows for a lovely view. Just like one-story homes, two-story homes also come with some negatives. The first is a greater risk of accidents since accessibility to the entire home is limited by stairs. Young children will need to be carefully monitored, and parents may need to install a gate at the top and bottom of stairs to avoid dangerous falls. Elderly people or those with mobility issues may also wish to install a chair lift to access the second floor, which can be quite pricey. You may also find that your heating and cooling costs will increase, as you will have to adjust the thermostat frequently to find a comfortable temperature for the whole house due to hot air rising and cold air dropping. Finally, two-story homes may be noisier than one-story homes, since people will walk and talk above the first floor. If the home is not properly designed for acoustics, you may find these sounds to be cumbersome. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
Why Renting May Be Right for You
Add Your Heading Text Here While owning a home may be a lifetime goal for many people, homeownership does not match everyone’s lifestyle. The costs that come with buying and owning a home can be significant, allowing some families to opt for renting a home. Not only does renting offer financial benefits for families, but it can also offer flexibility that is suitable for a more nomadic lifestyle. Here, we share five reasons why renting may be a better option than buying. 1. No Down Payment Home buyers must place a hefty down payment when purchasing a home, which is typically equal to about 20% of the property’s value. Renters generally have to pay a security deposit, which is equal to one month’s rent. For comparison, a 20% down payment on a house with a market value of $200,000 is $40,000, while the average monthly cost of rent for one of the most expensive places to live in the US is $4,419. Though a down payment results in the homeowner having equity in the home, which increases as the mortgage is paid, a down payment is significantly higher than a renter’s up-front costs. If you find that you do not have a substantial amount of money for a down payment, then the most logical option is to rent. 2. No Maintenance or Repair Costs One of the benefits of renting is that the maintenance and repair costs are little to none. The owner of the property, or the landlord, has a responsibility to provide regular maintenance, home improvements, and repairs. If you find that your rental home has a leak in the roof, a crack in the window, or an appliance that stops working, your landlord is required to fix or replace it. On the other hand, homeowners must take care of all repairs themself and cover the renovation costs. Depending on the age and condition of the home when purchased, owners may find themselves in a pricey predicament when making repairs. 3. Flexibility in Location Because rentals are more short-term than owning a home, renters have more flexibility when it comes to location. If you desire to live in an expensive city, such as Los Angeles or New York, you will find that renting is much more attainable than buying a home. Renting is also great if you frequently relocate due to work, or just want to experience living in new places. In contrast, if you are looking to live in one location for a prolonged period, then you may want to consider investing the money you would use for rent, into buying a home. 4. Flexibility to Downsize At the end of their lease, a renter has the option to either renew or find a new property. This flexibility allows renters to downsize to a more affordable space if desired. It is easier to downsize with a lease than downsize from an expensive house due to the fees that come along with buying and selling a home. This is an important benefit for retirees who are looking to find a home that matches their budget. 5. Lower Insurance Costs To ensure their home stays protected, homeowners need to have a homeowners insurance policy, which on average costs $1,249 per year. Similarly, renters must have a renter’s insurance policy to protect their possessions. However, unlike homeowners insurance, renter’s insurance is much cheaper at an average of $179 per year. For this fee, the renter’s insurance typically includes furniture, computers, and valuables. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
Protecting Your Rental for Hurricane Season
Hurricane Season If you have lived in South Carolina for any period of time, you are likely familiar with the onset of Hurricane Season, which begins June 1st and lasts through November 30th. During this time, the weather is unpredictable, but there are things property owners and tenants should do to prepare in case of an emergency. It is crucial to take precautions to protect your rental home, and your family, during the event of a hurricane; to help, we have provided some tips to follow. Check Your Insurance The first thing any property owner or tenant should do to prepare for hurricane season is to check their insurance policy. Most basic policies do not include coverage for storm or significant property damage. For this reason, it is important to ensure that property owners have coverage for flood and hurricane damage and understand the details of each policy. In addition to storm coverage, property owners should also require that tenants to have renter’s insurance (if it is not already required). This will allow the tenant’s personal belongings to be insured in the event of a natural disaster. Inform Tenants If you are a property owner or manager, it is a good idea to speak with your tenant about forming a plan in the event of a hurricane. Share the precautionary measures you have already taken to protect the property, and refer them to preparedness resources, such as scemd.org and ready.gov. This is especially important if the tenant is not familiar with the area, or has not lived in an area prone to natural disasters. You should also ask tenants about their plans for the storm, and whether they are planning to evacuate or stay in the unit. Prepare the Property Both property owners and tenants can take action to prepare the rental home for safety before a hurricane hits. Start by moving all outdoor furniture and decorations inside and removing any dead branches that could potentially cause damage to the rental or other surrounding homes. If the property has hurricane shutters, double check that they are in place; if there are no shutters, board up the windows to protect them from high winds and debris. You should also check that your roof does not have any signs of a leak, and consider using hurricane straps to strengthen the roof and secure it to the home’s walls. To prepare the inside of the home, make sure to unplug all electronics and appliances to prevent damage from electricity loss. Also store important items and documents in a fireproof safe and stock your pantry to ensure you have food and water essentials for an extended period of time. Prepare Yourself Once your home has been prepared, there are more precautions property owners and tenants should take to keep themselves and others safe during a hurricane. First, it is important to stay informed about what is happening. The earlier you learn about the formation of a hurricane, the more time you will have to be prepared, and the less stressed you will be during the event. Keep an eye on local news sources and government websites to stay in the know about developments and ordinances. You should also make an emergency plan in advance, including an evacuation route and emergency contacts to refer to. Finally, pack an emergency kit that can easily be taken in case of evacuation. This should include three days worth of food and water for each family member, first aid kits, battery powered flashlights/lanterns, batteries, a tool kit, portable cell phone charges, and personal hygiene items. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
