Water, Water Everywhere on the Waterfront
Waterfront living is among the most desirable of locations in our area (Florida). The views and vistas are fantastic, not to mention the ability to walk out one's door to drop a line to fish or untie a line to enjoy boating. However, all this joy is not without some special concerns.
The most common fear heard from waterfront homebuyers is their concern that the river may rise and roll into their home. While it is not an impossible scenario, it is truly rare. More often than not, the water that posses the greatest risk to the waterfront home is not from the river, but rather from the water flowing overland toward the river.
Always remember that the river is the place that all water flows to. How a particular home is oriented to or obstructs the flow of water moving toward the river determines how dry the house remains. And for many homes in is not just how dry it is in the home, but also under the home.
The majority of water that affects the home is the surface water flowing toward the river. The volume of water can be in the thousands of gallons per hour during a heavy shower. If the grade of the lot is not proper, this can mean thousands of gallons of water in or under the home.
So, when looking at waterfront property, enjoy the view over the water, but be sure to look inland to be sure that your experience with water front living won't be with water in the living room!
But what should you do after you've experienced a flooded home? There is hope! Your home and its contents may look damaged beyond repair, but many items can be restored. There is a high probability that by acting quickly, your flooded home can be cleaned up, dried out, rebuilt, and reoccupied sooner than you think.
After your home has been flooded, play it safe. Always seek professional help. And while in the midst of cleaning and repairing, consider your preparation for the future. The American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests the following steps if your home has been flooded:
- Take Care of Yourself First - Protect yourself and your family from stress, fatigue, and health hazards that follow a flood.
- Give Your Home First Aid - Once it is safe to go back in, protect your home and contents from further damage.
- Get Organized - Some things are not worth repairing and some things may be too complicated or expensive for you to do by yourself. A recovery plan can take these things into account and help you make the most of your time and money.
- Dry Out Your Home - Floodwaters damage materials, leave mud, silt and unknown contaminants, and promote the growth of mildew. You need to dry your home to reduce these hazards and the damage they cause.
- Restore the Utilities - The rest of your work will be much easier if you have heat, electricity, clean water, and sewage disposal.
- Clean Up - The walls, floors, closets, shelves, contents and any other flooded parts of your home should be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
- Check on Financial Assistance - Voluntary agencies, businesses, insurance, and government disaster programs can help you through recovery.
- Rebuild and Flood-proof - Take your time to rebuild correctly and make improvements that will protect your building from damage by the next flood.
- Prepare for the Next Flood - Protect yourself from the next flood with flood insurance, a flood response plan, and community flood protection programs. This step also includes sources to go to for additional assistance.
For more information on repairing your home after a flood, please visit www.redcross.org.
Many people highly prize waterfront living, and find it a deeply fulfilling experience. Knowing what to look for when choosing waterfront property will make your life on the water easier and more rewarding. Choose and plan wisely - it's about knowing!
Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and has been featured regularly on HGTV's "House Detective". Wally has recently written a book entitled "Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector", available at GoHomePro.com or Amazon.com. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show every Saturday at 3 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit WallyConway.com for more information!
MORE RESOURCES:
Northfield Storm Water Prevention Seminar May 22 Wilmette Life These seminars will give residents the opportunity to ask experts on storm water engineering, landscaping, gardening and more about ways to minimize storm water damage to their property as well as provide “how-to” tips to home owners. |
Army pledge support to DepEd's Brigada Eskwela Philippine Information Agency The troopers will extend services like masonry, carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, landscaping/gardening, and ordinary labor (cleaning). The 8th Infantry believes that education is one of the solutions to our security problem and will help ... |
Myers Park home to nation's largest Earth-Kind research program Celina Record The Earth-Kind Environmental Stewardship Program is an American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)-recognized educational program focused on protecting the environment and conserving natural resources through research-based landscaping, gardening ... |
 Oman Daily Observer | Largest sewage treatment plant Oman Daily Observer The quality of treated water produced at Al Ansab STP is so good that it can be used for various purposes such as irrigation, beautification, landscaping, gardening, cleaning, toilet flushing and other industrial requirements. |
 North Shore Times | Better Homes and Gardens' presenter Jason Hodges to create Australian Garden ... North Shore Times Mr Hodges started his landscaping gardening maintenance business, Greenart Gardens 20 years ago with a ute from his parents' Willoughby home. “I find the north shore to be one of the most appreciative communities in Australia for general space and ... |
Home and Garden Show Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre The 29th annual Port Elgin Rotary Home and Garden Show has about 80 vendors at the Plex and takes place from 10 AM to 4 PM today (SAT) and tomorrow (SUN). Both shows feature landscaping, gardening and home renovation businesses. |
Buying and Selling Real Estate: Negotiating to Win-Win
You don't get what you deserve - you get what you negotiate for.If you've spent some time on homekeys.
Should You Accept A Full Purchase Offer For Your Note or Not?
You could be facing a dilemma when considering payout options on selling your mortgage note!To accept a full purchase offer or a partial purchase offer is not always an easy decision.Sure, to take the full purchase option is an easy decision to make if you're holding a second position note on a property that doesn't have any equity after you add the first and second mortgages, but what if that's not your situation?Full purchase payouts can be good if your primary concern is to just get out of the note and be done with it.
Top Tips for First Time Home Buyers
Advice to Help When You're Buying a HomeFirst time home buyers might feel better to know that they're not the only ones who feel confused about the process of buying a home. Nearly all home buyers feel the same way, even if they've bought a house in the past, because it's easy to forget the home buying steps you took to get there once the event is behind you.
Coming to Las Vegas - the Las Vegas Real Estate Boom
Nobody seems to be 'Leaving Las Vegas' anymore - in fact just the opposite is true. Just as in the time of the rush Las Vegas real estate has been drawing the attention of investors and new citizens alike.
Real Estate Web Design - 3 Items You Must Include on Your Site
Real estate web design requires you to do things a little bit differently because you are selling either your services or actual homes, so there must be several things present on the web page to make it user friendly. Unfortunately, many real estate web sites are poorly designed, ask visitors to supply tons of personal information before being able to view any information, don't provide enough information not to mention photos, and are all around a pain for many visitors.
Home Buying - School District Issues
A good school district is a key factor in home buying if you have kids. It can also be a positive selling point when it comes time to sell your home.
What to Look for in a Home
Searching for just the right home can be very exciting. You may plan ahead for the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that you want.
Home Selling: Making It Easy On Yourself!
It's a dream for many to buy and take ownership of a home. It's something one aspires for in their lifetime.
Why A Final Inspection Is Necessary
In the sales contract, the sellers of your new home agreed to leave all the light fixtures, custom blinds, and refrigerator. When you walk in the home on moving day, to your surprise, all of those things are gone.
Directionals Move Properties
One of the most effective and frequently overlooked methods of filling or selling a property is the use of directional arrow signs. I'm guilty of it myself, although usually I'm merely lazy instead of overlooking this great marketing technique.
Notify Them When Youre Moving
One of your first steps, when you're getting ready to move, is to pick up a stack of change-of-address cards from the post office. Yes, old-fashioned go-by-snail post cards! You'll want to notify everyone in your address book and also.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments come through a variety of different options. However, whether it is a vacation property, a first home, an early retirement house, or a rental property that you find appealing, real estate investments are all the rage, and are quickly becoming one of the safest investments available, especially in our less-than-perfect economy.
Buying a House in Scotland
Buying a house in Scotland is slightly different from buying a house in other parts of the UK. It's not particularly complicated, and buying north of the border can often be quicker, but for those relocating from England and Wales there are a number of points you need to bear in mind.
Part 1: FAQ's From Media Interviews With Real Estate Author
Do you feel there is going to be a real estate bubble?Nash: No. Are some coastal and resort markets over-heated, yes.
Maltas Market Battle
With new destinations such as Bulgaria, Slovenia and Croatia offering two and three bedroom apartments for sale for 50,000, there was concern last year among some Malta estate agents that 2005 could see a drop in the number of UK and Irish buyers choosing to buy a holiday home on the island.With good all year round temperatures enticing many buyers for the winter months as well as the summer, driving on the left and a warm welcome from the local population who nearly all speak English, Malta has been popular for some years among overseas property buyers.
Top Tips for Buying and Selling a Home
BuyersLooking for a home-Use Internet for overview of properties, communities, and schools. -Visit potential neighborhoods at different times of day.
Home Selling: How To Set The Right Asking Price
Many homes remain unsold for a long time because they're over-priced. Pricing your home right is essential if you want to sell your home in quick time.
Property Auction & Why You Should Run A Mile From Them
That's A Funny Thing To Say About Property Auctions; They're All The "RAGE, Aren't They?"From The Desk Of Colm DillonHello Colm here ..
The Person With The Most Money Wins!
More money can mean better:- Health Care - Relaxing Vacations and Adventures - Education for your children or yourself - Better home than you have nowBest of all it can reduce stress from not having to worry about money!Many of us have problems in life that additional cash will help solve the situation. Did you know that 80% of problems in life could be simply resolved with additional cash.
Apres-Ski
European tax haven Andorra enjoys the same fiscal benefits as better known Monaco, adding to property demand from those looking for residency in a tax shelter as well as traditional ski chalet buyers who flock to the country between December and April each year.With the end of the ski season last month many ski resorts in Europe have closed up shop until early December with overseas property owners having little prospect of rental income in the summer months.
