Blog - Month: April 2019
Month: April 2019
3 Things Every Northeast Ohio Homeowner Should Know About Natural Disasters
Northeast Ohio isn’t known as a “high-risk” area for dangerous storms or wildfires. In fact, Cleveland is ranked as the #2 safest city in the country when it comes to natural disasters according to CBS news. That doesn’t mean a natural disasters or weather-related events don’t happen here, though. Flooding and the occasional tornado have been known to damage homes in Northeast Ohio. Hopefully, you’ll never have to experience what it’s like to have your home damaged or destroyed by severe weather. But, if you have ever wondered about how natural disasters can impact homeowners in the region, here are a few things you should know. First Steps If your house is damaged or destroyed by a weather-related event, there are three groups you should contact right away: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA is not just for hurricane survivors. If you need help after a disaster, contact this office to apply for aid. Homeowners Insurance Company. From homeowners’ policies to flood insurance, you need to contact any property insurance coverage you may be paying for as soon as possible. Your Mortgage Company. If you are still making payments on your home, let your mortgage company know what happened. They may be able to pause your monthly bill as you figure out next steps. What Disasters Happen in Northeast Ohio? While it’s impossible to predict every natural disaster, Nor
How to Get Your 2019 Spring Cleaning Done in Just One Day
That’s right. In just one day, you could have all your spring cleaning done. It’s ambitious, but you’ve got this. According to the American Cleaning Institute – yes, there is such an institution – about 75% of American households participate in some form of “Spring Cleaning” every year, with most of the remaining 15% doing some form of springtime “deep clean” every few years. It’s true — almost everyone does some spring cleaning, but that doesn’t mean it’s any fun! Our recommendation? Don’t procrastinate. Here’s how you can get it all done in just one day: Gather All Your Supplies First Before you can conquer your spring cleaning, make sure you have the right tools for the job. Few people enjoy the big task of cleaning out their home each year, and interrupting your rhythm to get new supplies can be an excuse to procrastinate. Make sure you have everything you need up front and make an easy-access pile of supplies to ensure you don’t have an excuse to quit this marathon! Make a Schedule Once you have gathered your arsenal of brooms, floor cleaner and trash bags, take a minute to review all the rooms you need to tackle. Write this list of rooms down or consider inputting the it into the notes app on your phone. Here’s why. Lists are motivators and rewards. In fact, some psychologist
3 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Listing Agent in Northeast Ohio
When you’re ready to sell you house, one of the first steps is finding the right listing agent. From headshots on yard signs to park benches, you’ve probably seen real estate agents promoting themselves all over. But, where do you begin? Finding the right partner to sell your home starts with asking the right questions. Here’s our list of three key questions to ask a real estate agent to help you have a successful home sale in the Cleveland area and beyond. How long have you been a real estate agent? Obvious question, right? More experience isn’t always what you’re looking for, though. While an experienced agent may have more connections or a refined pitch, younger agents may have more time to focus on your home sale. If you’re considering an agent with less experience, ask them about the courses or seminars they’ve completed. If you’re satisfied with their training, this is a good time to find out how many clients they’re working with. If the number is low, your sale may mean a lot more. Looking for a more seasoned professional? Ask about how many successful sales they have, not the number of years they’ve been in business. Closing rates tell a lot more about an agent’s skills than the number of years they’ve been in business. Can you provide a few references? This question goes back to the idea that successful sales matter more than years in bu