Top 5 Questions Before Choosing a Home Warranty

When considering a home warranty, it's essential to ask the right questions to ensure you get the coverage you need and understand what you're paying for. Here's a guide to help you navigate the conversation:

Essential Questions to Ask About Home Warranties

1. What is covered? Home warranties can vary significantly in terms of coverage. Typical items include major appliances, electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems. Always ask for a detailed list of covered items.

2. How much is the deductible? This is the amount you'll pay out of pocket for each repair visit. It's important to know this upfront to avoid surprises later on.

3. When does coverage begin? There's often a waiting period before the coverage kicks in. Make sure you know how long this is so you have realistic expectations about when you can start using the warranty.

4. What's in the fine print? The details matter. Understand the limitations, exclusions, caps on coverage amounts, and conditions under which repairs and replacements will be made. Pay special attention to any clauses that could void your coverage.

Remember, a home warranty can be a valuable investment, offering peace of mind and potential savings on unexpected repairs, but only if it matches your needs and expectations. Always read the contract carefully and weigh the costs against the benefits before making a decision.

Ensure your home is protected with the right warranty. Uncover the top questions to ask with our guide and make an informed decision. Ready for personalized advice? Call Triniyah Real Estate at (203) 200-0933 to speak with a knowledgeable sales associate today!

The Rising Cost of Insuring Homes Against Climate Disasters

The increasing cost of home insurance in America, driven by climate-related risks, is significantly impacting the affordability of homeownership. This issue was a central topic at a recent affordable housing symposium in Washington, D.C., organized by the National Housing Conference.

Michael Butchko from Neighborworks America highlighted alarming data from Policygenius showing a nationwide average increase of 21% in home insurance premiums. This sharp rise is outpacing property value growth, with some areas experiencing up to 50% hikes. These soaring costs are not only pushing potential buyers out of the market but also forcing current homeowners to sell. The trend is exacerbated by major insurance providers withdrawing from disaster-prone regions, leaving homeowners with limited options.

Thom Amdur of Lincoln Avenue Communities emphasized that rising insurance costs, influenced by frequent climate events, inflation, and reduced competition in the insurance sector, pose a significant challenge not only to homeowners but also to developers. This could lead to a decline in affordable housing projects.

Experts like Peter Carroll of CoreLogic underscored the role of technology in identifying properties at high risk of natural disasters and stressed the need for future-focused risk assessments. To combat these challenges, Lincoln Avenue Communities plans to implement a scorecard system for its projects, considering climate and other risks, and aim to proactively mitigate these risks.

Nicole Bachaud from Zillow pointed out the public's growing concern about climate impacts on housing. However, affordability issues continue to drive buyers to high-risk areas. A major hurdle is that financial constraints often prevent buyers from making necessary climate risk mitigations to their properties.

Solutions discussed at the symposium included mandatory flood insurance, government backstops to bolster insurance supply, and incentives for climate resilience. Strengthening building codes and promoting resilient construction were suggested as ways to reduce insurance costs and mortgage delinquencies post-disaster.

Overall, the symposium highlighted the need for a more strategic approach to future housing developments, considering climate risks more heavily and focusing on creating climate havens. This strategic planning is essential to address the dual challenges of housing affordability and climate change resilience.

10 Items to Avoid Storing in Your Outdoor Shed

Avoid storing these items in your outdoor shed to safeguard them from the elements. If you have an outdoor shed, you're likely using it for storage to some extent. However, unless your shed is properly insulated (which is unlikely unless it serves as a hangout spot or she shed), there are certain items that should never be kept there. To protect your belongings, we've compiled a list of things you should avoid storing in an outdoor shed.

Sheds come in various sizes and shapes, serving diverse purposes. Depending on your local climate, it's advisable to use a non-insulated outdoor shed for specific items only. The combination of extreme temperatures, moisture, and the potential for pests can put many items at risk of damage. When you're organizing your shed, refer to the following list to identify items that should be kept elsewhere.

1. Paint: Paint is sensitive to temperature changes, and extreme cold and heat can alter its consistency, rendering it unusable. Store cans of primers, stains, and spray paint in a cool, dark area like your basement. Properly dispose of any paint you no longer need to avoid storage concerns.

2. Batteries: All types of batteries, from household batteries to those used in electronics or power tools, should be kept out of the shed. Temperature fluctuations can reduce battery life and, in rare cases, cause them to explode. Store batteries indoors, where the climate is controlled.

3. Electronics: Exposing electronics to temperature changes in an outdoor shed can lead to damage, including rusted wiring and short-circuited devices. Extremely cold weather can even freeze the liquid inside LCD or LED screens. Unless your shed is insulated, store electronics indoors.

4. Propane: While propane is meant to be stored outdoors, keeping it in an enclosed space like a shed can lead to fires in the event of leaks or sparks. Store propane tanks in an open, shaded area outside any structure.

5. Spare Tires: Storing spare tires in the shed may seem convenient, but fluctuating conditions can damage them. Cold temperatures can freeze the rubber, while excessive heat can cause dry rot. Store spare tires in a basement or climate-controlled storage unit.

6. Fabric Items: Clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and upholstery should always be stored indoors. Moisture in the shed can lead to mold and mildew growth on fabric. Insects like moths may also damage fabric. Consider using lidded plastic bins for outdoor furniture cushions and pillows to protect them in the shed.

7. Furniture or Upholstered Items: Solid wood furniture and items with leather or fabric upholstery should be kept out of the shed to prevent warping and cracking. Use the shed for outdoor furniture only and clean it thoroughly to maintain its condition.

8. Food, Bird Seed, or Canned Goods: Keep all types of food out of the shed to avoid attracting pests. This includes pet food and bird seed. Fluctuating temperatures can spoil canned goods, so store them in a more temperature-stable environment.

9. Books, Photos, or Paper Goods: Paper products can retain moisture and attract pests. Pages in books can stick together, and certain bugs may damage them. Photos can be ruined by high humidity, and important documents are at risk of exposure. Keep these items securely indoors.

10. Musical Instruments: Musical instruments are susceptible to damage in a shed. High temperatures can warp wooden instruments and melt glue, while moisture can corrode metal instruments and promote mold and mildew growth. Dedicate indoor space for your instruments to ensure their preservation.