Whether you have kids or not, Trick-or-Treating is a fun night of costumes and candies. While we don’t want to take away from all the fun, as a homeowner, you do have a level of responsibility for the guests on your property. So, to ensure that you don’t have to spend the night worrying about potential liability, should a Trick-or-Treater accidentally get hurt on your property, here are some of the basics you need to know.
Are Trick-Or-Treaters Guests?
In short, yes. If your porch light is turned on during Trick-Or-Treating, that can be considered an invitation onto the property. Making Trick-Or-Treaters your guests, and causing you to have a level of responsibility for their safety on your property. Should your porch light be turned off, that is translated as not offering an invitation, making any Trick-Or-Treater that comes onto your property a trespasser.
Premises Liability & Trick-Or-Treating
As a property owner, you have a responsibility to create a reasonable and safe environment for guests. And if a guest is injured on your property due to your inability to provide that safe environment, you may be deemed responsible. However, it’s not that simple, there are a couple of things that need to be a part of the incident to constitute liability; actual damages, and negligent conduct being the reason for an injury.
It could be as simple as your Halloween decorations malfunctioning and hurting a guest, or even a simple trip and fall due to uneven pavement (that you should have fixed when you used our fall checklist to prepare your house for fall and winter). Ultimately, you are responsible for providing appropriate warnings for any dangers, or hazardous areas, of your property and/or taking actions to amend any and all risks possible (like that uneven pavement we just talked about).
What About Dogs?
We love our furry friends but Halloween can be a tough night for Fido. From spooky decorations to masks and costumes, there is a lot happening that is not normal and for many dogs, their threshold for the unknown can be reached quickly, causing even a mild-mannered dog to act abnormally. As the property owner and dog owner, you are responsible for the actions of your pet. Because of that, we recommend making your pets comfortably safe in a room away from where you will be handing out treats, with some soft music, or sounds to drown out any unexpected noises, and don’t forget to provide snacks and water as well. Ultimately, for the team at ZYYAH, it is not worth the risk of what could go wrong if your pet is startled.
Can Tricks Cause Problems?
Halloween means TRICKS and treats. If you love to set the mood on your property with scary decorations and lighting there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly be aware of the area around where you plan on scaring the guests on your property. For example, don’t set up a ‘jump scare’ (find an example of a classic candy bowl jump scare at the 13:45 mark) at the top of steps, should your guest fall backwards down the steps when. Secondly, be aware of the materials and/or props used to scare your guests. Avoid anything that is sharp, hard, or could generally cause harm. Finally, it’s spooky season, so don’t be afraid to have some fun, just make sure that you are aware of how your trick will be experienced by someone that is not familiar with your property.
Some Things To Think Of Before Trick-Or-Treating
Are there any cracks or uneven pavement or steps that I need to address?
Is my property lit well enough to navigate easily?
Are my walkways clear of debris?
Is there anything on my lawn, the garden or near my walkways that could harm my guests?
If I scaring Trick-Or-Treaters is the area safe and is my ‘scare plan’ reasonable?
Remember that Trick-Or-Treaters are not familiar with your property, it is worth walking through your property with that in mind to identify any potential issues.
Taking a few extra minutes in your preparation to ensure that your guests are safe and that you can enjoy handing out treats without any concerns. Leaving you to raid your candy bowl, or your child’s loot, with some peace of mind.
It’s not fun to think about what you would do if disaster were to strike but taking some time to prepare for the unknown by building your own emergency kit can give you some peace of mind and support when you need it most.
The events that could lead you to need your own emergency kit vary from place to place, from wildfires and hurricanes to an event that forces you to shelter in place or unexpected loss of access to water and/or food. Taking a moment to think of the potential events/issues that could occur in your area is the first step in planning your emergency kit. While the hope is that you’ll never need it, we know you’ll be glad you did in the event that you need to rely on it, or very sorry that you did not take an afternoon to put some supplies together.
Why A DIY Emergency Kit?
We know there are some great ready to buy emergency response kits and some of them are great foundations for your supplies but as we said above the potential events vary from region to region and no two person’s needs will be the same (ex: a family with a baby will want to include supplies for their baby in their emergency kit). Taking the DIY approach allows you to customize and optimize your emergency supplies to your needs. While we’re on that topic, after you have identified the potential events that could occur in your area, the next step is to take stock of your unique needs. What are the things that you and your dependents need each day, consider everything from medical needs to nutrition, sanitation, and even creature comforts that might be a must (especially if you have little ones)?
What Do I Even Pack My Emergency Kit In?
The best option will be a bag, or bin, that is waterproof and could easily be transported when the need arises. Popular and easily accessible options include dry bags and even 5-gallon buckets.
Am I Now A Doomsday Prepper?
While we love a good apocalypse movie, this guide is not for those looking to assemble a kit that will allow you to survive and thrive after a catastrophic event. Our guide is for those looking to have an emergency kit that will get them through a few days, should they need to wait for services to be restored, or if there is a need to travel to an unaffected area without warning. If you ARE looking to take a deep dive into emergency preparedness, there are some great resources and communities out there that can help. If you are looking for ways to prepare for a ‘basic’ emergency, read on for our basic list and other things to include in your DIY Emergency Kit.
Basic Emergency Kit
Water and/or a water filter: Red Cross recommends one gallon per day, per person
Non-perishable, easy to prepare, food
Flashlight
Extra Batteries
Well-stocked first aid or trauma kit such as the ones offered by MyMedic
A week’s supply of any medications and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, extra glasses, etc)
Copies of important documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Two-way radios
Extra set of car keys and house keys
Manual can opener
Whistle
N95 or surgical masks
Matches
Rain gear
Towels
Work gloves
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Extra clothing, hat, and sturdy shoes
Plastic sheeting
Duct tape
Scissors
Household liquid bleach
Alcohol (No, not for drinking but rather for disinfectant and first aid use)
Entertainment items
Blankets or sleeping bags
Now that you have your emergency kit assembled, store it someplace safe but easily accessible within your home. While the hope is that you never need to use it, you can rest easy, knowing that your home is a little more prepared should something unexpected happen.
One question that has driven our team forward in the development of the ZYYAH App and is ‘how can we make it radically simple for homeowners to truly own their home and its’ management?’ While that might leave you scratching your head, wondering what exactly that has to do with your real estate agent, we’re pretty confident that this blog post will calm any doubts that empowering and simplifying the relationships between real estate professionals and their communities will lead to a homeowner experience that’s easier than ever before. After all, Real Estate Professionals are the ones that are helping homeowners further their home journeys every day.
1. Become The Leader Of Their Community
Simply put, a real estate agent makes it a point of staying in the know. If there is a neighborhood that’s about to boom, a painter that can work wonders in your new home, or a home that checks all of your boxes, your Real Estate Pro will know. However, they are only one person, and there are only 24 hours in the day. Which is why the ZYYAH App’s unique ability to leverage and empower connection that already exists, allows ZYYAH Real Estate Pros to elevate Home Service Pros, and Homeowners alike.
A ZYYAH Real Estate Pro’s ability to help guide and mold the local ecosystem within the ZYYAH App positions them as a leader and allows them to easily serve their clients well after any real estate transaction. Ensuring that their clients are only working with the best of the best, and can rest easy knowing that the knowledge and resources that ZYYAH provides ensure that their home life only gets better.
2. No More List Management
Managing email lists, texts, websites, pdfs of service pros, and all the other ways that real estate agents have utilized to maintain and strengthen their relationships with their clients have been helpful but time-consuming and often not sustainable. With the ZYYAH App, they are a thing of the past.
Setting up a ZYYAH Real Estate Pro account takes 5 mins, once a real estate agent has set everything up, they are ready to invite their favorite home service pros to become ZYYAH Service Pros and the rest is history. As ZYYAH Real Estate Pros invite their clients to become Zembers, their ZYYAH Service Pro favorites are provided to their clients, allowing their Zembers to reach out to service pros, they can trust, when they need them most, without any go-between or google searches. Creating a community of trust and ease from day one.
3. Easy Mobile Communications
Chances are that you are reading this on your mobile device and right before you started reading this article you were scrolling on one or more social media apps. Whether we like it or not, our lives are becoming increasingly more and more connected on mobile apps. The importance of mobile grows every day, and trying to maintain contact, and provide continued value to clients after a transaction or service has many real estate pros and home service professionals scrambling. With ZYYAH, Real Estate Pros are able to build a network of trusted relationships, allowing them to maintain contact, utilizing the forms of communication their clients are already utilizing, mobile apps.
As the team at ZYYAH continues to evolve the ways in which the ZYYAH App can support homeowners we are excited to find new and exciting ways to elevate the many ways that our ZYYAH Real Estate Pros and ZYYAH Service Pros strengthen their local community and guide their clients.
Do you have a fall checklist to make sure your home is prepared for the colder months to come?
If you answered no, you’ve probably been trying your best to ignore the fact that the sun is setting earlier every day and those sunrises are later and later every morning. Whether we’re ready to admit it or not, fall has arrived. But before you break out the pumpkin carving kit and flannel to cozy up next to your fire pit, there are a few things you should be doing around your house to prepare for the changing season, help prevent catastrophes, and maybe even save you some $$$.
While it can be daunting to track every task you need to tackle to prepare your home for fall and winter, but with a little bit of preparation, it doesn’t have to be stressful. The team at ZYYAH has put together a fall checklist of everything you need to know about managing your home as the cooler weather creeps in, the leaves start to fall, and we get closer and closer to winter.
You can consider this your go-to fall checklist for home management:
Outdoor Fall Checklist:
1. Fix Any Flaws In Your Driveway and Foot Paths
Depending on where you live, these next few weeks might be your last chance to repair any driveway and sidewalk cracks before the temperatures drop further. Take some time to check your driveway and/or footpaths for any cracks, disintegration, or washed-out materials. Most cracks or smaller jobs are easy for any DIYer to tackle (thanks to YouTube University). If you’re thinking a few small cracks are no big deal, remember that when water freezes in a small crack it will expand, expanding the crack as well.
2. Inspect your roof.
Nothing strikes fear into homeowners like a roof problem, then add winter into the mix and it’s a nightmare. Now’s the time to inspect your roof in as much detail as possible. Look for damage in metal flashing, scan for missing or damaged shingles, thinning coatings, and any other damage or wear and tear that could haunt your home life come winter.
3. Clean, Inspect & Possibly Replace Your Gutters
Let’s be honest, you’ve been taking your gutters for granted. You’re not alone, most people do… until they stop working. Clogged gutters can lead to damaged exterior surfaces, water in your basement, foundation issues, and are more prone to rust and corrosion. So before the leaves start falling, give your gutters a look over, clean them, install gutter guards, and if necessary, have them replaced.
4. Touch up exterior paint
Touching up your exterior paint can prolong the life of your siding and trim by protecting you from the elements. The key is to get this to-do done before the temperature drops below 50 degrees when most paints are no longer suitable.
5. Clean Outdoor Furniture & Tools
You may not be putting them away for the season just yet but you’ll want to get everything cleaned before you turn off your outdoor plumbing. Saving you some time when you do store them away for winter.
6. Wash Your Windows and Inspect Screens
Summer dust, storms, and pollen have built up on your windows and screens all spring and summer long. Save yourself from having to tackle this to-do come early spring (ie when it’s still cold) by conquering it now. All you need is a bucket, a squeegee, and a streak-free cleaner for the windows. This is also a good time to check your screens for any damage and/or remove them if you live in an area that gets hail.
If having a green lawn come spring is important to you, lawn care should be an important part of your fall checklist.
7. Prep Your Lawn For Winter & Plant Your Spring Flower Bulbs
Prepare your lawn and garden for next spring and summer this fall, yes really.
While you may not be able to see it above the soil, your lawn and plants’ roots are still going. Raking leaves and aerating soil will prevent your lawn and garden beds from suffocating. While applying mulch and fertilizer now will nourish and help protect your plants from winter damage, allowing them to spring back when the weather warms up (pun absolutely intended).
If you are planning on planting bulbs for some beautiful spring flowers nows is the time to double-check your planting schedule (each region’s recommendations will vary) and order/purchase your bulbs. Once the soil has cooled down, it’ll be time to plant and you’ll want to be ready.
8. Start Composting, Your Garden Will Thank You
If you don’t already have compost bins, now’s the time to make or get some. Just think of how much garden goodness all of those autumn leaves will create if composted.
9. Clean Your Storage Areas, Shed, & Garage
Clean your storage areas, such as your garage, basement, attics, and shed so they are organized and ready for the season. While you don’t have to leave them sparkling, a general clean and look over will help make sure you won’t have any house guests for the winter, have room for your outdoor furniture storage, and that you can get to any seasonal decorations (because you will not want to be digging in your shed, outside, in December).
10. Test Your Winter Equipment
Save your future self some trouble and make sure any winter equipment, like your snowblower, is working properly.
11. Store Your Outdoor Furniture
Don’t test the warranty on your outdoor furniture by leaving it all to the elements. Store your outdoor furniture, inflatable pools, trampolines, and other larger outdoor items before it’s too late in the season, or invest in some decent waterproof covers if you are not able to store them inside.
12. Stock Up & Store Your Firewood
If you love a good bonfire or have a fireplace that gets some good use in the colder months, it’s time to stock up and store your firewood for the winter. Demand will surely rise as the temperature drops, so stocking up now will save you from having to hunt.
13. Turn Off Your Outdoor Plumbing
Take a few moments to drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots and sprinkler systems to prevent any water freezing. Not doing this can result in pipes bursting. Which is a preventable nightmare.
Indoor Fall Checklist:
1. Prepare Your Furnace For Winter
Consider getting your furnace professionally serviced and ready for the colder months now. By scheduling this service in the early fall you’ll be able to avoid the last-minute rush when the heating season begins.
If you aren’t planning on having a professional come inspect your furnace, make a point of visually inspecting your furnace and replacing the furnace filter.
Here are some signs that it’s time to call a professional:
Your Home Just Isn’t Heating Up: If your furnace doesn’t seem to work as well as it has in the past that could be a sign of various problems.
Your Furnace Is Noisy: Unusual sounds such as screeches or whines could be a signal that belts connected to the blower motor are worn or damaged.
Erratic Behavior: This could be caused by a faulty thermostat or a misadjusted furnace but only a professional can identify the root of the problem.
If you like to cozy up close to the fire when it gets cold, make sure your fireplace and chimney are clean and opperational.
2. Clean The Fireplace & Chimney
Before you can roast chestnuts, you need to make sure your fireplace is safe and ready to be used. Take some time to clean out and inspect your fireplace and wood fire stove.
Inspect the flue for creosote, a flammable by-product of burning wood. Accumulation of too much creosote in a flue or chimney can result in a devastating fire. Get your chimney inspected annually (or more, depending on use) for creosote buildup to ensure your health and safety.
Check your chimney for damage or flue blockages. Ensure the flue cap (the screen or baffle covering the top of the chimney) is in place. These are popular places for animals, such as birds, to take up residence and better to find out now. If you have a brick chimney, break out your binoculars and inspect your chimney for loose or broken joints.
When in doubt, call a professional to come to inspect and sweep your chimney.
3. Keep The Warm Air Inside & The Cold Air Outside
Drafts are not only a nuisance, they can also drive your heating bill up. Sealing up a drafty house can save up to 20% on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
You can inspect your windows for drafts by lighting a stick of incense or candle and holding it up to your closed windows, if the smoke or flame ‘moves’, you have a draft. If you do discover a draft, seal any gaps with caulk and if replacing the caulk does not solve the problem, it may be time to consider replacing your windows.
If your windows are not as insulated as you would like and replace them is not an option, now would be a great time to purchase and install plastic film window insulating kits.
Weatherstripping is an easy and cost-effective way to cut your heating costs by reducing drafts. You can check the weatherstripping by opening a door, placing a piece of paper in the entryway, and closing the door. The paper should not slide back and forth easily. If it does, the weatherstripping isn’t doing its job.
Once your home is keeping the warmth in and the cold out, you can curl up with some cocoa knowing, you’ll save some $$$ on your heating bill this winter.
4. Avoid Gas Problems
If you utilize a gas heater, fall is the right time to have a professional check your gas heaters. Keeping them in tip-top shape will not only cost you extra cash to run, but it could also cost you your health by spewing toxic gases into your home. To help keep it running in between professional services, you will want to check the air-shutter openings and exhaust vents for dust and dirt. Give the air passages to the burner a vacuum and clean the burner. Finally, follow any other advice the manufacturer offers.
Make a point of checking your home’s safety a priority while working through your fall checklist.
5. Review Your Home’s Safety
If you haven’t already, it’s time to perform a complete review of your home’s safety features and go over any emergency plans such as your fire evacuation plan.
Some things to check:
– Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Fire Extinguishers – Clean up any fire risks such as lint within your dryer duct – Review the storage of fire risks, hazardous materials, and any poisons
6. Shampoo Your Carpets
While this doesn’t really have anything to do with preparing for the colder months, now is the perfect time to give your rugs and carpets a refresh. The humid summer days are a thing of the past and the cooler days of fall make it easier to open up your windows to help your freshly shampooed carpet dry faster, avoiding mildew.
7. Clean and Reverse Ceiling Fan Blades
To be honest, when’s the last time you even looked at the blades of your ceiling fans? Ceiling fans get pretty dirty due to a summer of usage. To clean them, use an extension pole and duster to clean them off. Then, push the switch on the side of the motor housing to reverse their direction, causing the blades to rotate clockwise, pulling warm air down from the ceiling.
8. Give Your AC Unit A Rinse
Just like your ceiling fans, a summer of heavy-duty usage has your AC unit looking a bit rough around the edges. Get rid of the dirt, pollen, dust, and who knows what else by spending a few minutes rinsing it off and preparing it for next summer.
Managing your home can be overwhelming, the team at ZYYAH gets that. Wanting to simplify your homeownership journey is what has driven us to develop the ZYYAH app. Learn more about our mission here.
Preparing to purchase your first home can be overwhelming. From having to be confident in your creditworthiness to finding the right agent (or not) and home; it can all cause serious anxiety for first-time buyers. At ZYYAH, we make it our business to cheer our community on every step of the way when it comes to owning a home. We’ve compiled a list of a few things you can start doing right now to prepare for and work towards the purchase of your first home.
We hope this helps take the edge off and encourages you to take the next (or first) step in owning your very first home!
GET A GLIMPSE OF YOUR CREDIT REPORT
When you’re applying for a home loan, it’s crucial you have your finances and credit in good condition. For first-time homebuyers, this means having at the very least a 580 credit score (suitable for some FHA loans) or next best a 620 to start. These scores will get you a home loan secured at a rate that fits your financial picture. The higher your score, the better your interest rates, so it’s best to check your credit report and begin cleaning up hiccups in your report as soon as possible.
CHECK YOUR FINANCIAL STATUS
You don’t have to be filthy rich to become a first-time homeowner, so don’t fret. But you do need to have money in the bank to cover potential down payment and closing costs and to show lenders you’re in good financial space. Though your down payment will depend on your mortgage and lender, it’s best to begin saving as soon as you can. Some lenders only require as little as 3% down for buyers with excellent credit and many first-time homeowners can secure a 3.5% requirement for their down payment. Begin thinking about how much you intend to spend on a home or utilize a free calculator to assess how much home you can afford so you have a benchmark for saving.
SECURE A LENDER OR AGENT
Before you begin shopping for homes, you need to know just how much you can afford. That’s where your lender or agent comes in. If you have a real estate agent in mind, reach out and let them know you’re ready to begin the loan pre-approval process. Many agents already have a list of lenders they work with directly and may be able to secure you a good rate working alongside them. If you don’t have an agent or decide to decline, begin looking at lenders nationwide, locally, or at your current financial institution to start the pre-approval process. Once you know how much you’re working with, it’s far easier for you or your agent to know where you should begin looking for homes.
RESEARCH FIRST-TIME BUYER PROGRAMS
Many states and cities have programs in place that offer a wide variety of incentives to first-time buyers like lower interest rates, closing cost assistance, or even down payment assistance. You’ll want to look up programs in your area you qualify for and reach out. Many programs even provide tax breaks to first-time buyers.
KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN
Now that you’ve taken these steps, you’re prepared to get looking for your perfect home. Whether with a friend, alone, or with an agent, it’s best to keep your options open. Not only should you shop around for the best mortgage rates and programs, but you’ll also want to stay open to finding gems when you get to the point of looking for your new home.
Purchasing your first home is an exciting and sometimes stressful time. There’s a lot to accomplish before you can get to the more glamorous parts like looking at homes. But once you start getting everything working towards your goal of homeownership, you’ll find that, while sometimes overwhelming, it’s within your reach.
So what are you waiting for?! Start getting your finances together, searching for first-time homeownership programs, saving money, and carving your unique path to the home you’ve been dreaming of. And when you’ve found that home, our team at ZYYAH will be ready to provide the best insights to support your home.
Stay on the lookout for the release of the ZYYAH app so you can get personalized insights and suggestions straight to your phone!
Times are changing and the need for cloud-based storage or encrypted data expands. We want to keep you up to speed on the power of digital document storage in today’s world. As cloud storage becomes more common and security becomes an increasing concern, we’ve made it our business to build out a vault feature within the ZYYAH app that safely stores and encrypts your important home documents. You may be asking, “What are the benefits of storing my documents in a cloud?” Here are some answers that will provide you with what you need to know about the perks of digital document storage and how it can create ease in your daily life as a homeowner.
Accessibility
Gone are the days where you have to wait to access important information or documents until you are home. If you’re in a location with a secure internet connection and an accessible device, you can access your documents right when you need them. Digital document storage makes it easy to get to your files in a flash without having to worry.
Recovery
If you’ve ever misplaced an important file or accidentally spilled coffee on a document you needed for a transaction, you know how frustrating it can be. With cloud-based storage protecting your documents, you don’t have to worry about losing or destroying mortgage documents you’ll need; they’ll be virtually tucked away from unpredictable mishaps. When your important documents are encrypted in the cloud, recovery is easy. You’re able to back up files and submit them to the cloud’s memory so that if you ever need to recover them, you can.
Security
The good thing about cloud-based storage is there’s a team who works endlessly to ensure the tools you use are effective at securing your information. There are often many users of cloud-based tools or platforms utilizing them simultaneously, so developers work to ensure your documents aren’t easily accessible by someone other than you. With keeping files in a folder at home or in a loose file cabinet, you run the risk of someone easily accessing your information. Features like passcodes, fingerprint recognition, 2-step security, and more make digital document storage one of the most secure ways to store your information.
If you’ve been considering utilizing digital document storage for your mortgage files or other important information, explore the benefits of utilizing the ZYYAH Vault™ feature. You’ll be able to get to files in no time when you need to file a claim, reassess your home’s value, refinance a mortgage, and more. You don’t have to worry about security or misplacing your documents in the midst of paper clutter. ZYYAH makes homeownership hassle-free and radically simple so you can enjoy home as you should.
It’s true, more homeowners are moving toward sustainable practices in their homes. As the seasons change and the weather heats up, it’s time to start thinking about ways you can shift your home into a more sustainable one. By implementing these low-maintenance changes into your everyday life, you too can begin to create a more sustainable home; task by task. Sustainability doesn’t have to be complex, and you should feel totally inspired when it comes to doing your part in creating a more sustainable world through how you run your home. So read on, ZYYAH has compiled five ways you can do that at little to no cost!
Start a compost bin – Organic materials like compostable straws or kitchen waste can be collected in a compost bin. This nutrient rich waste can become fertilizer for your grass or plants, putting rich soil back into the earth.
Wash your clothes in cold water – Hot water can greatly decrease your washer’s efficiency and drive more water consumption. Start washing your clothing and linens in cold water to save energy and even money on your next utility bill!
Make your cleaning products – Whether you’re cleaning fruits and veggies or scrubbing the counters, there are some amazing natural ingredients that will get the job done. Vinegar, water, and lemon juice are wonderful ways to clean produce while not contaminating them with chemicals. Natural products like alcohol and baking soda are wonderful at scrubbing down surfaces and warding off bacteria. Not only do natural products help the air, they don’t contaminate your lungs. DIY some cleaning products to keep pollution at a minimum.
Place smart power-strips in the home – These cool strips can sense when your devices are not being used and will cut electricity use until you’re ready to use them again.
Decrease your daylight electricity usage – Unplug, literally. Once school is out, the kids can spend less time gaming and more time outside putting foot to gravel. Try unplugging your TV and other entertainment throughout the day to save energy. You can even keep the lights out until evening and open up the windows for some nice natural lighting.
Creating a more environmentally friendly home should never be intimidating! To unlock 10 more amazing ways you can make moves toward a sustainable home, subscribe & download the free Z-BOOK: 15 Low-Cost Ways to Create A More Sustainable Home!
With more homeowners making the transition to sustainable homes, as real estate agents, being able to support clients on the journey can make a world of difference. Not only has “going green” and sustainability been the theme over recent decades, the demand for sustainable homes is ever-increasing. While most industries see sustainability as a trend needing tending to, you should know that as agents, it is more-than-ever engrained into the fabric of the homeowner society.
Both new and seasoned homeowners are looking to do their part in impacting the earth as well as combating the global climate change crisis. And though it may sound cliché, many are looking to start right where they are, at home. Many believe the myth that sustainable homes are far more costly to purchase than other homes. Yet sustainable homes whether newly developed or revitalized, are still on average running about the same in price as modern homes.
So, how can you empower your clients who want to start on the journey to sustainability? ZYYAH has compiled a few quick recommendations for you. So no matter where your clients are in their sustainability journey, you can easily support them, knowing that with your expertise, you both are making a wider impact. Here’s how:
Know the Facts About Energy Saving – While some clients think it’s more costly to purchase a sustainable home, the energy savings are tremendous in both the short- and long-term. Try crunching numbers in your area to show how energy or resource savings match up to overall costs.
Highlight Green Energy Mortgage Loans – If your partner institution or your clients financial institution offers “Green Energy Loans” or savings on interest rates, it may be well worth it to inquire. Lenders are more aware than ever of the desire for homeowners to go green; which is why several are offering unique rates that serve buyers in the short- and long-term. Do your client a favor and look into it.
Suggest Sustainable Alternatives – If purchasing a sustainable home from the get-go seems like less of an option for your client who desires more sustainable living, empower them with fresh options. Not every home needs to be 100% sustainable to run more efficiently. Gift your clients with coupons to sustainable appliance brands as a thank-you or suggest windows and insulation from energy efficient providers. There are many adjustments clients can make to a home that will do the job!
Share Your Sustainability Expertise – Are there tax benefits or rebates for sustainable homes in your city? Do your research and let your clients know up front. If you’ve taken a sustainability seminar or received a certification to assist your clientele in securing sustainable homes, let them know. This can help encourage a buyer who is on pins and needles about which direction to take. There’s nothing like knowing your agent knows their stuff!
Don’t “Greenwash” a Home – If there’s a home with energy efficient features or a sustainable structure but is not credited as a sustainable home, don’t overdo it. Be upfront with your client and highlight eco-friendly features, improvements, or details as they are. Give them the full spill on what is or isn’t sustainable about a potential property. This leaves room for decisions, and you can even help your client to see value in other aspects of the home if necessary.
ZYYAH knows the demand for sustainability is not going anywhere, and rightfully so! Whether your next client is looking to step into exploring sustainable homeownership or not, we want you to be prepared when the next one is. If you have a pre-existing client who is working on shifting their home to a more sustainable one, or want to gift your newest buyers with some empowering ways to create a more sustainable home at a low cost, provide them with ZYYAH’s free Z-Book: 15 Low-Cost Ways to Create a Sustainable Home! Download it now so you can share it and stay up to speed on small sustainable changes that can make a big difference at home.
Summer is swiftly approaching, and we want you to get a head start on preparing your home for all of the excitement it will bring. With warmer temperatures come home maintenance and organization needs that need attention. Here’s how you can get prepared.
Tend to Your HVAC – Have you completed maintenance on your cooling system or repaired the coils to your AC yet? If you’ve been putting it off, here’s your reminder to have everything checked out in the coming weeks.
Get Your Ducts Cleaned – There’s nothing like fresh air circulating through the home on a hot day! Having clean ducts will help fight off allergens and keep your home easy-breezy, so you have one less thing to worry about.
Powerwash the Patio – If you’re planning on entertaining or sitting out back on a nice day, it won’t hurt to deep clean the patio. Take some time to tend to the patio and get it ready for all of the barbecues and parties. A deep clean will do wonders for saving your patio or deck from deep wear and tear.
Do the Driveway – Is your driveway plagued with dents and potholes? Or maybe it’s causing the neighbors to do a double take? Refresh your driveway pavement and have it brought up to par. You’ll be glad after a long bike ride to glide right into the garage or to know that your houseguests can come and go without risking a flat.
Clean the Pool – Don’t take a dip without having the pool properly cleaned and calibrated. If you have the luxury of a home pool, treat it with care and be sure to have a seasoned professional do the work!
No matter how you prep your home for summer, we want you to know that tending to your home can be highly rewarding and bring great peace of mind. If you are looking for someone to maintain your home or to do quality repairs quickly, check out our partners at Hello Covered. With their home warranties and insurance plans, you’ll have these things and more covered so you only have to call one place to get your home in order!
At some point in time, everyone wants to know what the majority of the things around their home are worth. Whether it’s a fish tank that has been sitting around unused or a smart TV you use to binge watch your favorite shows, there’s a good reason to find out. Once you have a bird’s-eye view of all your valuables, we can help you figure out whether you’re over-covered or under-covered, and what to do about it to make sure your stuff is protected. No matter what the dollar amount is, we know it may be priceless to you.
What is a home inventory?
It’s exactly what it sounds like! A home inventory is just a gathered list of the things in your home worth noting and protecting. The fridge. The television. Your antiques. Anything that you want to protect should be noted when doing a home inventory. When you think of protection, it’s not the just the big stuff that matters. ZYYAH makes inventory easy so that you can list items that have sentimental value to you as well.
Why a home inventory is important
Having a bird’s-eye view of your valuables is essential. There are logistic and financial benefits to knowing exactly what you own. Having a home inventory is one of those things that doesn’t feel important until it’s too late. When filing claims, or for moving, there are not many things you can do that will make your life as easy as if you’ve completed a robust home inventory. ZYYAH makes inventorying your home quick, easy, and error-free through our digital scan tool. Some of the benefits of taking inventory of your home with ZYYAH include:
Super-fast, mobile phone inventory
An overview of your belongings’ value and coverage
You save money by ZYYAH recommending the correct coverage and warranty bundles
You dramatically simplify the process when filing claims, if needed
How to calculate your stuffs’ worth
Without knowing what’s in your home, it’s impossible to know your home’s needs. That’s why we’ve built the smartest, easiest-to-use home inventory tool possible. We use AI to analyze photos and videos you upload to inventory what is in your home. It’s simple:
Just three steps:
1. Snap photos or videos of your room and/or the items in it
2. ZYYAH then analyzes your items while you add the cost you paid
3. All done: Your home inventory is set and ZYYAH gives you custom coverage quotes in seconds
Now what?
When you have a clear picture of your home, it makes moving, maintenance, and warranty or insurance coverage a snap. Protect your belongings and let ZYYAH recommend you the perfect coverage or when an appliance needs a tune-up! When you use ZYYAH, you make it all easier to stay on top of your home so you can enjoy the people and things in it!
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