Last week’s storm system (Tropical storm/hurricane Debbie) brought record rainfall and flooding to the southeastern US. As residents begin the clean up, AARP updated a great article providing tips to help when you’re faced with storm clean up.
Wait for Safety Clearance Only return home when local authorities deem it safe. Ensure floodwaters have receded and roads are clear of debris.
Prepare with Proper Safety Gear Bring flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. Pack N95 masks and gloves to protect against contaminants. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves.
Inspect Exterior for Hazards Check for downed power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. Seek professional help if major hazards are present.
Document Everything Take photos or videos of all damage before cleanup. Include every room, closet, cabinet, and drawer. Photograph items before discarding to aid insurance claims.
Contact Insurance Promptly Call your insurance company’s claims hotline as soon as possible. Provide detailed documentation of the damage.
Address Water Damage Clean stormwater residue using a wet/dry vacuum or mops. Use fans and open windows to dry out moisture. Remove and replace soaked drywall and insulation.
Clean and Sanitize Salvageable Items Use appropriate cleaning products for wood and solid surfaces. Wash soaked clothes immediately to prevent mold.
Discard Damaged Items Properly Group debris according to municipal waste guidelines. Check with local agencies for specific disposal methods.
Care for Heirlooms Use remediation services or dry out items yourself. Separate pages of wet documents and lay them out to dry.
Seal Off Home Gaps Use plywood or tarps to cover broken windows and gaps. Prevent further damage until permanent repairs can be made.
Hire Reputable Cleanup Crews Vet companies thoroughly and get multiple quotes. Avoid scams by reading reviews and checking credentials.
Reach Out for Help Seek assistance from friends, family, and disaster relief organizations. Contact FEMA and the American Red Cross for additional support
For more information on storm cleanup, visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Uncle Sam has a few tax tricks up his sleeve to help you buy a home, save on home-related costs and sell your home tax-free. Some of them are complicated, limited or come with hoops you have to jump through, but they can be well worth the trouble if you qualify. And if your budget is already stretched thin, you need all the help you can get. So, without further ado, here are 13 tax breaks that can help you buy a home and prosper as a homeowner.
Using retirement funds for down payment
Mortgage points deduction
Mortgage interest deduction
Mortgage interest credit
Home office expense deduction
Credits for energy saving improvements
Credit for electric vehicle charging equipment
Deduction for medically necessary home improvements
This specially-designated REALTOR can save the children of seniors a lot of time when their parents need to downsize
Not just limited to Conyers but all around Atlanta, many older adults who own homes eventually get to a point where their home no longer accommodates them as it was originally intended. They may no longer need the size of the home, be physically able to take care of the home or can afford the cost of maintaining the home. In too many cases, health challenges compress the time needed to plan for a housing transition, find a new home or other living arrangements and/or sell their current home.
The Challenge
The adult children will find there’s a plethora of resources, housing options and price points to consider, so finding a residence that is the perfect mix of warmth and proximity to health care providers and facilities while being functionally adequate for the challenges of aging means much time and effort is involved in considering all the options. Senior-specific financial and real estate considerations often must be handled by the children of seniors, while juggling their own careers and family life.
The Solution
If your aging parent or other loved-one needs to downsize or find a residence better suited for them, a SRES®-designated REALTOR is best trained to handle your loved-one’s real estate needs. They can sift through the options and present them to your parents, saving you a lot of legwork and time.
“The challenge is that ‘many adult children of baby boomers’ rarely have the time that is needed to gather all the necessary information about the services that would be helpful to their parent. This means the parent often remains in their ‘ineffective’ situation for longer. But also, connected to this, is that often the adult child is trying to show the parent that it may be best if they no longer live in the family home that has functional issues relating to the parents’ current health conditions or lifestyle needs. The other challenge is for the adult child to find and provide solid information to parents without making the parents feel as though their child is ‘babying’ them or trying to take over. Seniors Real Estate Specialists like me can help with all of this.”
To be experienced in serving this demographic, the REALTOR® must pass the National Association of REALTORS-designed course. Earning the SRES® designation means the REALTOR® specializes in the needs of clients aged 50 and over who are buying and selling real estate.
SRES®-designated REALTORS® are knowledgeable about these things and will save you time by finding reputable services or handling them for you:
Senior housing options and locations
Move Management Coordinators
Counseling strategies to help in life transition planning
Remodel/Renovation contractors in case they wish to age in place
Factors and trends in housing, retirement income and finance specific to those 50 and over
Identifying and protecting seniors from finance, mortgage and loan scams that target this demographic
Aware of Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA), senior communities and housing restrictions
Advisers for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, Reverse mortgages, 401k accounts, IRAs and pensions as part of wealth management and to assist in real estate transactions
Protecting a parent or senior loved-one from losing access to Medicaid, Medicare, VA or Social Security benefits when selling their real estate
SRES® REALTORS® also have partners in the Senior Care Market who help make the transition to a new home as easy as possible for all concerned. Kaye Ginsberg, founder of , a full service seniors relocation partner, explains:
“Senior Move Managers take the stress out of moving. We work together with the senior and their family to decide which belongings will go to the new home, then work with them to manage what to do with the rest (sell, donate or dispose). We coordinate packing and moving and then completely unpack the new home; including hanging pictures and making the beds.”
Ginsberg said, “The first step is for the senior to identify what they will take with them and what they would like family members to have – and that’s the hard part. This is the first time in history that we have two generations downsizing at once – and none of the “children” want any of their parents’ belongings. Which means that many items like china, crystal and silver are not holding up in value for re-sale. Perhaps it would be better to focus on what I like to call ‘Doing Good While Downsizing’. Why not donate items to a local charity who will make sure your items go to people in need who will appreciate them?”
Ginsberg says it’s good to strategize early: “It’s never too early to start thinking about the future. Even if you’re not ready to move now, it is wise to know what your home is worth and what other housing options are available for you. And it is certainly never too early to start thinking about what you want to do with your lifetime accumulation of possessions.”
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