In San Andreas, The Day After Tomorrow, The Impossible Twister Will Bring Armageddon

Disasters happen.  It is a part of life here on Earth.  If you believe Hollywood, we are generally all going to be in for a devastating end, unless we happen to be the unlikely hero who saves as many as we can before things really hit the fan, all in the span of about 2 hours.  Maybe what’s coming may not be as bad or as widespread as Hollywood portrays it to be, but to be honest, disasters happen.  The Impossible was based on the true story of a Tsunami hitting Southeast Asia after all. 

    So what can we do about them?  Hide our heads in the sand or be prepared.  Whether it is an unimaginable blizzard hitting the east coast, a hurricane hitting the Gulf of Mexico, a twister hitting tornado alley, the 10.0 earthquake hitting my neck of the woods in California, the flooding of your neighborhood, or just a fire in your own home, there are some universal things we can do to be prepared for the worst that mother nature can throw at us. 

No matter what the disaster, natural or otherwise, there are some universal tasks that you can do to keep you and your family safe when it occurs.  The best thing you can do is be prepared and have a plan.  Planning alleviates questions and gives you the tools you will need to solve any problems that may come up.  If people know what to do in an emergency, they are less likely to panic and this can help save lives.  Part of the plan should include designated evacuation routes and reunion spots so that you can make sure your family gets out of your home safe.  Your plan should also include backups to both as well.  To make sure everyone knows what they are supposed to do, you need to practice.  When you are not in the midst of a disaster is when you should prepare an emergency supply kit.  This kit should include things like food, water, medication, flashlights, radio, batteries, and a basic first aid kit.  Other items to consider would be pet supplies, toilet paper, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as pillows and blankets.  Putting a kit together is half the battle, but please do remember that things can expire.  Check your kit often and replenish or replace items as needed.  This is also a great time to become familiar with basic first aid, in addition to CPR.  Look, things can happen, but if you are prepared and have a plan, it may not be as big of a disaster to you and your family.  

To Sell then Buy or To Buy then Sell?

What to Do?

Since we have had a regular real estate market for the past two years, it is becoming more common to see existing home owners looking to upgrade to a larger or smaller home, depending on their situation.  Recently, I spoke to several home owners who are considering making a move this year.  The one common question from the homeowners is, should I first sell my house or buy a house?  This is a really good question, but the answer can be complicated.

Which to Choose?

If you sell your house before buying your next home, you may find yourself under pressure to find the right property.  You may have to settle for less of a house, or worse, end up paying too much.  Attempting to purchase your next home before your current house is sold can more difficult, since most buyers are not in the situation in which they can qualify for a new loan before paying off the current mortgage.

Don’t Settle, Make a Plan!

Before making the decision to move, it is important to know your bottom line before anything is final.  It is critical to determine how much you will net from selling your current home.  In most cases, this will impact the purchase price of your next home.  At the same time, it is important to know how much it will cost to purchase your next home.  Not the purchase price, but the closing costs associated with title and escrow fees; and how much your lender will want up front for property taxes and fire insurance.  This will all impact how much you can put down on your new home, which will affect the most important item, your new monthly payment. 

Where are you Going?

Part of the process of making the decision to move is to know where your destination will be. It is essential to determine that the house that you want to buy is available.  If you are looking for a house that may not even be on the market, it will impact the decision of selling before buying your next home.