Real Estate

Be prepared for all emergencies

Preparing for each emergency is essential to your peace of mind. Whether you’re stuck in your car in bad weather, your child or a family member gets sick, your house suddenly has a leak in one of your pipes, or any other emergency that may arise; The preparation you invest in now will pay you dividends!

Trip:
When traveling abroad, take a photo of your passport when traveling in case the passport is lost or stolen. This will save you time and headaches at the embassy.

Fill your toiletry bag with any essential items for any ailment you may encounter.

Home maintenance:
Five dollars of sealant around your window now can save you a $ 500 repair bill later.
Teaching your kids how to operate a shutoff valve when they clog the toilet can prevent water damage and mess later on.

Plumbing Emergencies: Know where the shutoff valve is in your home!

It was New Years Eve and a cold winter day. I was coming home for lunch from work. When I approached our house, I felt that something was wrong! As I approached our house, steam was coming out of the fireplace. I went into the house to the kitchen, in my blue three-piece suit, and I noticed water all over the floor. I went into the pantry and saw that the water heater had a hole the size of a coin. Tried the shutoff valves and they didn’t budge. I quickly called a plumber we knew and trusted on my cell phone and he told me he was out of town to call his brother who was also a plumber. I called his brother and he told me where the shutoff valve was outside the house. I found the shutoff valve outside in the front yard and couldn’t close it because I needed a special long tool to stop it.
He said he would come right away! The plumber came over and turned off the water. I went into our closed bedding and pulled out several large towels to soak up the water and our mop. I’m still in my work clothes and I called work and said I have a plumbing emergency to attend to. The plumber bought a new water heater and installed it and I kept cleaning up the mess!

Moral of this story: Know where your shear valve is and have the right tools to cut it! Check your plumbing pipes regularly and make sure there are no leaks. Water heaters last 8 to 12 years.

Know who to call for your emergency, be it a plumbing expert, doctor, auto expert, or anyone else.

At Homes, Things to Remember Inside and Out: Have a checklist and walk around your house and check:

– New battery in smoke / fire detector.
-Change filters once a month or if you use a 3-month filter every three months- date them.
-Know where the house’s water shutoff valves are.
-Check the pipes under the sink regularly to make sure they are not leaking.
-Does your thermostat need new batteries?
– Check the sealant around your bathrooms around bathtubs, showers, sinks to see if they are developing holes and need caulking.
– Check around the windows inside and out to see if it’s time to replace the caulk.
– After rain and storms, check your roof by looking at your roofs and exterior to see if any shingles, gable screens are missing or if they are on the ground. Do you follow the siding of your house?

For over twenty years, my husband and I have had the same business cleaning our gutters, downspouts, checking and repairing roof vents, and cleaning and checking our chimney. We have built a relationship of trust over the years. When we were looking for a new pest control company, we immediately called them for a recommendation. We have built many relationships in this way over the years.

Develop strong relationships with contractors, mechanics, and others.
Personal recommendations are extremely important to have your own circle of experts. Choose your friends, handymen, plumber, electrician, roofer, heating and air conditioning specialist, doctors, trauma surgeon, lawyers, and other experts wisely! Plan things to happen. They will do it when you least expect it!

Connecting with others and building strong relationships is about helping others, finding common ground with them, and building a trusting relationship with the other person.

“Being trusted is a bigger compliment than being loved.” said George MacDonald, the Scottish novelist.

Sales King Jeffrey Gitomer says he wants to do business with a “Trusted Advisor.” Someone you trust and like!

Dr. John C. Maxwell, the world’s number one leadership guru, one of my mentors and coaches says there are three questions you can ask yourself.

1) “Can I trust you?
2) “Do you care about me?”
3) “Can you help me?”

Character and confidence are the glue that holds a good relationship together!

In cars things to remember:
– New battery in the car every 2 to 3 years.
– New windshield wipers every year.
-In your car and at home have an emergency kit.
-Walk around your car and check your tires.
– See if there are any leaks under your car.
– Know how to control your fluid levels.

It’s the little things that make a big difference between a small job and a big one.

Damaged car:
A few years ago, my husband and I were driving our used red Duster in New York City, where we lived and worked. The car came to a sudden stop on a busy highway. We put on our hazard flashers and tried to push the car to the side of the road! It was a long and miserable day! Imagine if it had also been snowing!

What should you do?

1) Be prepared. Have your emergency kits ready to check things regularly. Periodically update your list of experts! Charge your cell phone and keep a charger in the car.
2) Connect with others. Build strong and meaningful relationships with others. Talk to them regularly and have an up-to-date list of experts to help you.
3) Take a leisurely walk in and out of your house to see if everything is in order or you need a little help. Walk around your car, check your tires, windshield wipers, battery …!
4) When traveling with children and other family members, take your emergency kit and copies of all passports with you if you are traveling abroad.

What strategies do you use to prepare for your emergencies?

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