As Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast, preparations are underway.

Annapolis real estate settlements are affected in ways you might not consider, if you have been lucky enough to settle without an impending hurricane!

A typical real estate settlement involves over a hundred parties, and at the last minute, buyers, sellers, movers, insurance companies, mortgage companies, title companies, and others are working together to get to closing.  A myriad of details are handled by team members.  My own settlement checklist has 74 tasks, all key to ensuring a smooth transaction for my clients.

When an event occurs such as a hurricane, and the likelihood of property damage is higher than usual, lenders may require last-minute appraiser visits to the homes, and insurers may suspend issuance of new policies.  Interruptions in power and travel can delay processing of loans, delivery of settlement documents, packing by movers, as well as buyers and sellers traveling for final walk-throughs and settlements.

All this means we are having an interesting time in our office right now.

A client mentioned a great web site for tracking weather, Weather Underground.  Here’s a link to the Weather Underground Tracking of Hurricane Sandy

Of course outside of business, getting ready at home means not only the usual items such as home and auto.  For those enjoying the Annapolis lifestyle, on or near the Chesapeake Bay, it may mean doubling up on the dock lines, relocating the boat to a hurricane hole, or even taking her out of the water a little early in the season.  The occasional water-lover even chooses to ride out the storm on board!

In Annapolis, the Ward One Residents Association announced:

Mayor Cohen is urging residents to prepare for Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain to the area early next week.  Sandy is over the Bahamas, heading NW at 10 mph.  Forecasts project Sandy to make landfall on the Delmarva peninsula in the dark hours of Tuesday morning and move inland.

“The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management is monitoring the storm closely so we can make important decisions to ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Mayor Cohen. “At this point, the best thing we can all do is prepare residents and businesses.”

With gusty winds and heavy rain expected, residents should make sure they have the following items available:

First aid kit and essential medications.
Canned food and can opener.
At least 3 gallons of water per person
Protective clothing, rain-gear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so (remember, a professional should turn them back on).
Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places; a friend’s home in another town, a hotel/motel, or a shelter.
Make sure to charge your cell phone.
Keep generator safety in mind and never use a generator indoors.  Use battery operated lanterns and light sticks instead of candles.

Always check on family, friends and neighbors who may need assistance in emergencies.  The better prepared you are at home, the better prepared you will be to assist the community in a major emergency.

For more preparedness information, go to Annapolis Office of Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management.  The City will also have all updated information posted on the home page at www.annapolis.gov.

Here’s the web site for the Annapolis Office of Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management

Best wishes with your preparations and your week!  It’s a beautiful day in Annapolis today.

P.S. Considering a move?  Please call for a confidential chat.  Your personal needs, wants, and finances are my priority and my passion and my specialties run from waterfront luxury estates to distressed properties.

Call me today for your Annapolis real estate needs, or for an introduction to a great real estate agent anywhere.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, eXp Realty, Annapolis Real Estate,Annapolis Waterfront Homes, Annapolis Luxury Homes, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 443-569-3977 or 888-860-7369 x146

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