Need-to-Know Advice for Prepping Your Home for Snowstorms

The weather gets a little crazier every year, what with global warming and climate change. But you can prepare yourself for the craze of harsh winters, especially snowstorms, with the following need-to-know tips.

Stockpile, Stockpile, and Stockpile Some More

If you have a cellar, basement, pantry, or lots of shelves, then you are already halfway to an awesome food and water stockpile. How many people are in your household? How much would they eat and drink in a week? Stockpile on canned goods, non-perishable snacks, and cases of bottled water—enough for each person to have their own hold of food if disaster strikes. 

Have a Fireplace?

For those of you that have a fireplace, your aim should be a mid-sized stockpile of dry, cool wood. Keep your firewood nearby, like in a close shed or in the attic, so you don’t have to stomp through a blizzard to get your supplies. 

Insulate Your Windows

Use egg cartons or clear plastic to insulate your windows against the incoming cold. This is especially useful in cabins and old homes where the power goes out multiple times in bad weather. 

Make Sure Your Roof is in Tip-Top Shape

Your roof is the biggest insulation you have in your home. It keeps snow, rain, and other natural elements out of your rooms, while ensuring your warmth and dryness. At the beginning of each new winter cycle, call a roofer to inspect your roof to make sure it and the foundation is in tip-top shape. 

Batteries, Flashlights, & Candles

These are super-important elements to have in case of power failure. Stockpile candles in every room of your home, with lighters, and lighter fluid. You should also have a flashlight or two in every room, loaded with batteries. Keep a few cases of batteries on-hand for emergencies. 

Lots and Lots of Thick Blankets, Socks, and Insulated Clothing

In case of a snowstorm, stock up on thick blankets, plush socks, and warm, insulated clothes, like classic long johns. You will likely spend 90-percent of your time wrapped up to keep warm, especially if the power fails. You could even peruse Phoenix area furniture stores for insulated, super-comfy furnishings that keep you warm and cozy through cold weather. 

Snowstorms are big deals anywhere, but some people are either more used to them or more prepared for them. Be one of those people and ensure the safety of yourself and your housemates with the aforementioned prep must-haves. When it’s all over, you will be glad that you went to such lengths to prepare for anything. 

How to Make Your Home Sell More Quickly

If you are interested in selling your house as fast as possible, there are some steps that you can take in order to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. Of course, you can always lower the price, which will likely mean it will be snatched up immediately. However, if you would still like to get a fair price out of your home and sell it quickly, the following tips can help.

First, think about who will potentially want to buy your home. For example, is it most likely that an older individual or a young couple will be interested in it? Or is it more likely that a large family will be moving into the home? From there, you will be able to take some steps to add things to the home that will make it more appealing to certain groups of people.

If it is likely that a large family is going to move into the home, there are things that you can do to make the home as family-friendly as possible. For example, if the yard does not already have a fence, a small investment in a chain link fence Tampa may be all that is necessary to get a family to take a second look at your house. Not only will this be appealing to parents, but it will also be appealing to dog lovers. Things like installing a pool, a deck, or even a outdoor play area can go a very long way in making a potential buyer like your house to love your house.

It is a good idea to look at your house through the eyes of a potential buyer. What are the first things that an individual will notice about your house? Will they immediately think that it is modern and clean? Or will they think it looks shabby and needs a lot of work? Investing a small amount of money and doing some work on your own can go a long way in changing a person's first impression of the home. Cleaning up the yard, doing a bit of landscaping, putting a new coat of paint on the exterior of the home, and making the entryway look more attractive are great ways to improve a person's first impression. It is usually a person's first impression that will determine if the person buys or quickly passes by your home.