There is no time like the present to really reflect and learn from recent adversity and put plans in place to remedy and improve our residences. If you own a home, you are well aware how much responsibility is entailed especially when facing hurricanes. One may wonder if maybe time should be spent considering whether to sell, downsize or just be better prepared!

With the recent effect of two storms days apart, for those of you putting your home on the market for sale now, or in the coming months, it is topical and prudent to not only address the curb appeal (ie fixing broken screen doors, clearing out clutter, freshening up paint, etc) but to be sure your property is hurricane-ready.

Your checklist may include:

• Shutters are intact and close securely

• Fixing cracks in the roof and loose tiles

• Securing pergolas and balconies

• Strengthening moorings

• Installing a generator or having one in the garage that could be included with a sale

While all seems obvious now, prospective purchasers will most definitely be looking more at features that will help protect their home and their investment in the event of storms. Even your neighbourhood will come under scrutiny. Areas which have been diligent about burying cables underground and trimming large trees will be advantaged.

As a buyer, minimising your homeowner responsibilities may have great appeal. Particularly if you travel often or are elderly or have little time to attend to repairs and maintenance, you would benefit from owning a condominium in an established development. Condominium complexes have protocols and resources in place particularly for hurricane-preparedness which are invaluable if you are off Island or unable to perform the work yourself.

Property managers and on-site caretakers may assist or get help with:

• Closing shutters

• Cutting back foliage from power cables

• Inspecting loose debris

• Stowing garden furniture and outdoor items especially barbecues

• Turning off major appliances

• Plugging gutters

• Establishing contact information for neighbours

These ‘managers’ are also key to record damage assessments while the boards file collective insurance claims as per condominium policies.

There are no guarantees you will have power throughout or immediately after a storm, but it helps to live in a community that is designed to reduce the exposure. Many modern condominium complexes, such as Belmont Hills, buried cables underground which provided for power continuity throughout the recent storms. City living developments benefited from their power being restored sooner, given their close proximity to Belco. Six Dundonald also had vehicles sheltered within their underground parking garage.

So, in the aftermath of the storms, get those honey-do lists taken care of, prepare your house for sale with ‘hurricane benefits’ in mind and think more positively about buying into a condominium development!

Sue Sharpe is a sales associate at Rego Sotheby’s International Realty. She can be contacted at ssharpe@regosir.com or 537-5831.

Alternatively, visit www.regosothebysrealty.com.