Protect your home before disasters and emergencies happen

by Dan Krell © 2012
DanKrell.com

Unlike recent years, when we experienced blizzards, earthquakes, and hurricanes, this year’s weather has been mild thus far – that is until last week. Although the disasters and emergencies we typically experience are usually local and often weather related; disasters/emergencies can also originate from other sources, such as: power outages, terrorism, wildfires, civil unrest, earthquakes, and pandemic health concerns. Even though we had some warning of the approaching storm, the after effects emphasize the need for preparedness.

If you don’t yet have a plan (or would like to update your current plan), preparedness information is available through Federal Agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.gov), the Department of Homeland Security (dhs.gov), and the Centers for Diseases Control (cdc.gov), and Citizen Corps (citizencorps.gov) .

FEMA’s “Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness” is a comprehensive source on individual, family and community preparedness. In addition to the pamphlet, there is an interactive guide with the focus “on how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster/emergency to protect people and their property” (www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide).

Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security offers advice on planning and preparing a disaster kit, as well as recommending to sign up for “Alert Montgomery,” which can alert you to emergencies by text messages, twitter, email and other devices (www.montgomerycountymd.gov/oemtmpl.asp?url=/content/homelandsecurity/index.asp).

Preparing for disaster/emergency also includes making sure your property insurance is adequate. Having the proper coverage may help you recover from a disaster quicker than those without coverage. Experts recommend that you review your home owners’ policy with your insurance agent (or insurance company representative) to make sure your coverage is up to date and is able to replace your home and/or possessions in case of a catastrophic loss.

Additional recommendations to mitigate damage from weather related disaster/emergency come from the American Insurance Association (aiadc.org). Your home can be prepared by ensuring that doors and windows are secure; ensuring that exterior doors should have at least three hinges and a deadbolt length of at least one inch; replacing older garage doors and windows for systems that are certified for wind and impact; consider storm shutter installation; repairing any cracks or leaks around windows, doors, roof, exterior walls and foundation; ensuring that gutters and downspouts are secure and can drain water at least five feet from your home; inspect the roof and repair if necessary; remove loose debris from around the home; remove dead or dying trees and shrubs; trim back tree limbs from your home’s exterior and roof; compile an inventory of your home’s contents by taking pictures or video.

Recognize your risks and plan accordingly. FEMA offers mitigation and risk planning resources such as: flood maps, loss mitigation software, and the risk management series. Along with these resources, FEMA offers specific advice on protecting your home or business from natural disasters, earthquakes, fire, flood and high winds (www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/howto/index.shtm).

And if you’ve yet prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remarks that “it’s better to be safe than sorry.” The CDC offers “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse:” preparedness for the Zombie Apocalypse and real emergencies (blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2011/05/preparedness-101-zombie-apocalypse).

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of July 2 , 2012. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

May 24, 2012

Asbestos can be found in the home

by Dan Krell © 2012
DanKrell.com

Hazardous materials are everywhere – even in some homes. Unfortunately, hazardous materials are often found to be dangerous years after they have been widely used. One such material is asbestos. Building materials containing asbestos are still found in many homes.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a lot to say about asbestos (epa.gov): “Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Because of its fiber strength and heat resistant properties, asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials (roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos cement products)…” Significant health problems can occur “…When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs.”

One building material that is said to contain asbestos is vermiculite insulation. Vermiculite is a mineral that was widely used for attic and wall insulation for many years. Unfortunately, the EPA states that over 70% of the vermiculite sold in the US from 1919 to 1990 originated from a mine that was found to be contaminated with asbestos. If you have vermiculite insulation, the EPA website states that you should assume it contains asbestos.

The EPA says, “The best thing to do is to leave asbestos-containing material that is in good condition alone. If unsure whether or not the material contains asbestos, you may consider hiring a professional asbestos inspector to sample and test the material for you. Before you have your house remodeled, you should find out whether asbestos-containing materials are present. If asbestos-containing material is becoming damaged (i.e., unraveling, frayed, breaking apart) you should immediately isolate the area (keep pets and children away from the area) and refrain from disturbing the material (either by touching it or walking on it). You should then immediately contact an asbestos professional for consultation. It is best to receive an assessment from one firm and any needed abatement from another firm to avoid any conflict of interest. In such a scenario as described above, asbestos-containing material does not necessarily need to be removed, but may rather be repaired by an asbestos professional via encapsulation or enclosure. Removal is often unnecessary.”

The EPA recommends: to keep activities to a minimum in any areas having damaged material that may contain asbestos; take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material: all sampling, removal or repair is to be done by professionals trained and qualified in handling asbestos. Additionally, never dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos; never saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials; never use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring; never sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing; never track material that could contain asbestos through the house. The EPA website (epa.gov/asbestos) has a complete list of recommendations and precautions for asbestos and vermiculite insulation.

Additional information and precautions on asbestos in the home can be obtained from the EPA (epa.gov/asbestos) and (for Maryland residents) the Maryland Department of the Environment (www.mde.state.md.us). The EPA and the MDE regulate and license contractors to remove or encapsulate asbestos; the MDE maintains a list of licensed asbestos contractors.

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of May 21, 2012. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

May 2, 2012September 29, 2019

Non-hardship short sales on the rise

by Dan Krell ©2012
DanKrell.com

A March 2012 Housing Wire piece (housingwire.com) indicated that CoreLogic recently reported that there were 11.1 million home owners who owed more on their mortgages than what their home is worth, which roughly translates to 22.8% of all mortgages being underwater. At one time, most home sellers applying for a short sale were experiencing hardships and foreclosure. However, as the housing market continues to recover- an increasing number of short sale listings are from sellers who are current on their mortgage and are not experiencing hardships.

For home owners who are experiencing financial difficulty, there are a number of options available to keep your home; however often a last resort- the short sale is one alternative to losing your home to foreclosure. However, home owners who need to sell their homes (because of a job transfer, divorce, or other reason), but are not otherwise experiencing a financial difficulty nor hardship, are also turning to the short sale process because of depressed home sale prices.

Although short sale horror stories still circulate, much has changed and many lenders have attempted to “streamline” their short sale process. Still, this has not prevented Congress from attempting to force lenders to provide speedy short sale decisions. In 2010, H.R. 6133 H.R.: Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2010 was introduced to require a 45 day response from lenders, however it “died” in committee. A recent form of this legislation was introduced in 2011 (H.R. 1498: Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011), but GovTrack (govtrack.us) gives the bill an 8% chance of becoming law. Another bill, S. 2120: Prompt Notification of Short Sales Act, was introduced in February; GovTrack gives that a 2% chance of being enacted.

Beware of the circulated “wisdom” regarding short sales, because it is not always reliable or accurate (e.g., hardships and delinquencies). If your home has negative equity (underwater) and you want to sell, consult with an attorney; there are financial and legal issues that may affect you presently and in the future. The short sale process may seem straightforward, but it can get complicated quickly (especially if there are multiple mortgages involved). Many experienced short sale agents work in tandem with attorneys to make the process much smoother than otherwise would be expected.

If you’re an underwater home seller, but have assets and are not experiencing a hardship, your attorney can advise you on the short sale process. The issue pertaining to a successful short sale is not always about the seller’s financial status; but rather, a short sale is more about the amount the lender will accept as payoff for the existing mortgage. Yes, the lender will collect your financial information to use in their short sale determination; but a skilled negotiator may be able to reduce the overall mortgage payoff (even if you have to bring funds to closing).

Finally, an attorney is the only person who can provide you legal advice. Real estate agents advising you to stop making payments on your mortgage or to “fudge” your short sale application could be putting you in a precarious position: your credit can be affected, or your home can go to foreclosure when payments are stopped; providing false or misleading information to your lender is fraud (lenders and law enforcement are working together to stop short sale fraud).

Additional information about short sales:
Short sale is an option
Don’t be pushed into a short sale
House bill proposes 45 day lender response on short sale
Mortgage fraud on the rise

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of April 30, 2012. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

March 14, 2012November 7, 2019

Severe hoarding affects more than families and communities

Thanks to reality TV to bring about awareness to the nationwide hoarding problem; however, experts agree that chronic hoarding is still under-recognized. The Montgomery County Task Force on Hoarding Behavior Report (Prepared by Department of Health and Human Services February 2011) anticipates that the number of reported hoarding incidents will increase as awareness increases and the population ages. Awareness and recognition is paramount as there is a consensus that hoarding exists in most communities and has the potential to negatively affect the health and safety of those in the community as well as the environment.

Hoarding is often defined as the inability to discard large collections of possessions that appear to have little or no value/use. Additionally, clutter obstructs the use of the home or spaces within; and can pose a significant health or safety risk, as well as risk the maintenance of the home. Hoarders can accumulate things, trash, and even animals. Animal hoarding is a type of hoarding that is difficult to intervene for various reasons that include personal property issues.

In-home risks for hoarders and their families include: tripping, injury (or death) from falling objects, health issues that arise from pests and mold, delayed emergency care. As a result, utilities are often inoperable and the home can become condemned. Although neglect and abuse issues come to mind when you think about hoarders; however, Cristina Sorrentino Schmalisch, PhD, LICSW of the International OCD Foundation (ocfoundation.org) claims that hoarding is also a public health and fire safety issue “that can put the home at risk for condemnation.”

Of course, according to Dr. Schmalisch, the consequences of hoarding are not limited to the hoarder; the effects of hoarding often spill over on surrounding homes and the neighborhood, especially if the hoarder lives in a multi-family building (such as a condo or apartment). Pest infestation, structural problems, flooding, and electrical fires are just a few of the potential problems that have the potential for property damage and possibly lower the property value. In fact, long term effects of hoarding can also shorten the operational life of systems within the home as well as threaten the structure itself.

The national hoarding problem is very much a local problem as well. Because local incidents of hoarding have been increasing, the Montgomery County Task Force on Hoarding Behavior was established in 2009 by the Department of Health and Human Services to address the complex issues associated with the disorder. The mission of the TFHB was to “coordinate all County actions related to severe hoarding cases in Montgomery County and develop comprehensive long term, proactive strategies to prevent and remediate hoarding situations.”

If you’re unsure how to tell if someone has a sever hoarding problem, common signs include (but not limited to): clutter that blocks windows and doors; clutter that makes it difficult or impossible to use the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom for their intended purposes; repairs are not made to the home to avoid having visitors; clutter/trash related pest infestations; clutter is unsafely stored close to heating and cooking areas.

Hoarding intervention is commonly approached through both mental health services and building code enforcement. Although it is often difficult to force a hoarder to receive mental health services, the home condition can be addressed through code enforcement citations. For more information or seek help contact the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2012/03/14/severe-hoarding-affects-more-than-families-and-communities-homes-and-real-estate-at-risk/

By Dan Krell

January 26, 2012September 9, 2018

Housewarming ideas and origins

by Dan Krell
©2012
DanKrell.com

If you’ve recently purchased a home or maybe thinking of a purchase in the near future – a housewarming party may be in your future. Before you decide to hold the “open house” for friends and family, you might consider the origins of the housewarming tradition and consider incorporating some of its original tenets.

Many believe that the etymology of housewarming is believed to originate from the idea of receiving people into your home “as if to make it warm.” Some believe that the housewarming began as a means of physically warming a new home at a time before furnaces were considered to be an expected feature of a home. The home would be “warmed” by the community, who provided the firewood as the housewarming gift. However likely this may be, today’s housewarming is most likely the survival of an ancient ritual that continues with contemporary customs.

In Archaeologia, or, Miscellaneous tracts relating to antiquity, Volume 50, Part 1(Published by the Society of Antiquaries of London, 1887: viewable on Google eBooks), there is an acknowledgement to how the “modern house-warming” was part of family survival and ancient succession customs of “joint living.” The housewarming, as an extension of “joint living,” was the tradition of the family sharing food and other necessary possessions with the new home owner; so as to help them start and maintain their home. The basic idea of “joint living” was such that the extended family had stake in the new household’s survival because of property succession rituals. Sharing food during the “house-warming” was an expression of family “joint living” within the new home.

According to Domestic life in England, from the earliest period to the present time (Published by the Editor of “The family manual and servant’s guide”, 1835; viewable on Google eBooks), housewarmings during the middle ages were restricted by King Edward III to “certain ranks.” However, it may be that housewarmings regained popularity when King Richard II held a housewarming for the re-building of Westminster Hall in 1397; it is believed that ten thousand people attended and feasted at this housewarming.

The custom of giving bread, salt, and sometimes wine is a contemporary custom that appears to have developed from ancient feasts and family survival rituals. The symbolism implied is to have abundance and happiness in the home.

Obviously, housewarming customs have changed over time. From helping to heat a home and feed the family, the housewarming has been extended beyond family to include friends, neighbors, co-workers. Much like King Richard’s housewarming, guests are often fed rather than feeding the new home owners. Housewarming gifts have also changed; guests, who years ago thought nothing more than bringing food and firewood, might think of helping with the home’s aesthetics and comfort by bringing objects d’art such as paintings and knick-knacks. Today, contributing to the new home owner’s first mortgage payment might be a welcome housewarming gift.

When planning your housewarming, consider creating new traditions and/or incorporating customs from your cultural heritage. Housewarming customs vary around the world; some traditions are spiritual while others are symbolic. Some cultures are very meticulous about the housewarming ceremony and gifts (some cultures require the move-in day to coincide with astrological charts).

Remember that the purpose of the housewarming is to initiate the first of many happy times in your home, so have fun with it and enjoy!

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2012/01/26/housewarming-ideas-and-origins/

More news and articles on “the Blog”
This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

Protect your home before disasters and emergencies happen

by Dan Krell © 2012 DanKrell.com

by Dan Krell ©2012 DanKrell.com

Remember that the purpose of the housewarming is to initiate the first of many happy times in your home, so have fun with it and enjoy!

by Dan Krell © 2012
DanKrell.com

by Dan Krell
©2012
DanKrell.com