Archive for March, 2008
Staying Safe in Your Home-Tips on Preventing a Home Invasion
This morning I heard the awful news that Mary Ellen Walsh was found dead in Bristol, the victim of another home invasion but this time in New Britain. Although not in her own home but in that of a friend, Mary Ellen reminded us all that crime can impact us even in places we should feel safe. I am truly sorry for her, her family and her friend Carol Larese who is recovering in the hospital.
I am not going to get into how angry it makes me that this home invasion ever occurred, why or how it happened or how disgusted I am that I can’t leave my doors unlocked because some low-life may get this idea in my area. Long gone are the days where you enter your home and leave the doors unlocked. Maybe those days never even existed but I like to think they did.
Normally, I don’t comment on issues like this but this event touches a basic need we all have and that is security – more specifically security in your own home.
Other than buying a gun and getting a big, mean dog, (which I have no problem with, by the way) how do we stay safe in the one place where we should never have to feel unsafe – our home?
Here are some tips from CrimeDoctor.com
Use a wide-angle peephole and instruct everyone in your family not to open the door to strangers. Chain latches are ineffective as a barrier, so use your peephole to look outside before opening the door. Be suspicious of someone claiming to be making a delivery that you did not order or use other tricks to get you to open the door.
Fortify your doors, windows and sliding glass doors.
Audible alarm sirens can prevent home invasion…if they are set. Alarm systems can be designed so that perimeter door and window sensors are activated while the home is occupied. The alarm can be set to instantly go off upon unauthorized entry. Be prepared to give a prearranged duress password to the alarm company if they call. Most alarm panels have an emergency panic button that will function much like a 911 call and will instruct your alarm monitoring company to call the police. Alarm company lawn and window signs help advertise that your house is wired and capable of getting a response from the police. These alarm signs and decals offer good deterrence value and may cause the robber to select another victim.
Automatic dial telephones, that can call 911 in speakerphone mode, can be effective in getting police assistance. If a home invader breaks in you may have just a split second to push the 911 direct-dial button on your telephone. If you dial in speakerphone mode the police dispatcher can listen in on what is going on in the room. Every telephone in your home should be programmed with this feature and all family members should be instructed how to make this emergency call. Your home address will automatically pop up on the police dispatcher screen and an officer should be dispatched even if the phone wire is cut. All 911 hang-up calls are supposed to be investigated by the police because of this type of scenario.
Click here for other tips from Crimedoctor.com
Additional tips in this video from Good Morning America on ABC.
Even more tips from Chubb Insurance
Stay safe.
6 comments March 31, 2008
Cheers to the Worst in Real Estate Photos
Fellow Connecticut Realtor, blogger and photographer/photo enhancer Athol Kay has dedicated his blog, ReAgentinCT, to revealing the worst that Realtors have to offer in his “Bad MLS Photo of the Day” posts. Nearly 365 posts later – a full year for the Realtors out there - the bad photos keep on coming.
In honor of a full year of blurriness, clutter and weird things on the wall, I’m paying a little homage to Athol. He’s made me laugh and links to my blog now and then. I owe him a little on-line love.
Here are my favorites, categorized by mistake the Realtor made (sometimes it’s Athol’s comments that kill me more than the actual picture):
Going Crazy with Photo Editing Software and Not in a Good Way
People for Sale?
No cameras please, I’m trying to poop.
I don’t dislike you…just your weird stuff.
I don’t know what it is, I just hope it’s completely dead.
Lighting, please.
Also available for rent… by the half hour.
Cluttered house, cluttered life
Agent Remarks: The entire block is willing to chip in for closing costs.
Bad Skills
My husband smeared Vaseline on the lens for my agent headshot and now I can’t get it off.
Why Is This being Photographed?
Skeeters can clear take a mans head off this time a yeer.
Sellers, you can learn alot from the worst of these photos. Next time your house is on the market, look at the photos in the Multiple Listing Service. Better yet, have your listing agent send you the photos electronically (via a slideshow or posted to a blog) and send them to your friends. If your agent send them to you, then they’re probably not ashamed of the bad job they did. If they send them to you and they’re awful, then make them hire a photographer and you may need a home stager.
2 comments March 28, 2008
Want a Real BFF? Pet Adoption Day on March 29, 2008
Like pets more than people? Want to hear the pitter patter of four paws? Want a real best friend – one who isn’t going to talk behind your back?
Our Companions is hosting a pet adoption event on March 29, 2008 at the PETCOs in Avon and Manchester from 10 AM -2 PM. Dogs, cats and even bunnies are up for adoption.
Manchester PETCO at 432a Buckland Hills Drive
Avon PETCO 9 West Avon Road
Add comment March 27, 2008
There’s Gold in That Thar Deck – Adding a Deck Means Money In Your Pockets
One of the easiest, least expensive exterior projects for your home is the addition of a wood deck. Even in Connecticut where you can enjoy your deck only half of the year, decks are an additional room for your house during those warm months.
A deck is economical to put in. And out of other exterior projects, a wood deck is more likely to pay off when you sell than most other projects such as the addition of a garage or sunroom.
According to the National Association of Realtor’s 2007 Cost Vs Value Remodeling Report, the average deck in New England costs $10,634 and home sellers can expect to recoup around 84.4% of the value on resale.
I was actually surprised to read that the average garage addition only recouped about 67% of its cost.
If you’re contemplating a sale soon or just want to enjoy the outdoors, adding a new deck may be the way to go.
Add comment March 26, 2008
“I’ll Sell If…” Listings Are Clogging Up The Real Estate Market
Like a clump of hair trapped in the bathroom sink, “I’ll sell if…” listings are clogging the drain of the real estate market, slowing down the free flow of real estate transactions.
“I’ll sell if…” listings are homes for sale – sort of. For various reasons, the owners do not have to sell. Like some buyers, these sellers are just browsing except they are browsing for buyers. The sellers don’t have a need to sell other than getting the best price – they are what Realtors call “unmotivated.”
“I’ll sell if…” listings likely come with a whole list of to-dos for the buyer. The buyer has to offer a certain dollar amount, has to be available to see the property on the fifth day of the month between 12:15 and 1:15 AM when the moon is full, has to be willing to take the home “as is” or otherwise meet the terms of the seller. Often, these listings are over-priced, not in move-in condition or a combination of the two.
“I’ll sell if…” listings are a black-hole – offers go in but they rarely come out signed.
1 comment March 25, 2008
Deadbeat Tenants Win the Day in this Eviction Video
I came across this in an email newsletter from Landlord2Landlord. Video is of a landlord in Baltimore, MD trying to legally evict a tenant who hasn’t paid rent in three months – since they moved in.
Poor guy is trying to do it the right way – pay attention to what the city official tells him about the number on the house. This is the nightmare scenario – a professional deadbeat moves into your property. God only knows what the inside looks like.
This video and my pictures from Really, Really, Really Bad Tenants , Even More Really, Really, Really Bad Tenants and How Much Really, Really, Really Bad Tenants Cost should make you think twice about owning rental property.
1 comment March 19, 2008
