Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th.
Source: Fire-Prevention-Week/About
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different.
Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. Smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home. Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection.
For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates.
Importance of fire prevention
In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.
On this site, you’ll find loads of educational resources to make sure that every person knows what to do in case of a fire. We have everything from apps to videos to printables and much more, to make sure you have the resources you need to keep your family, your community, and your city safe.
About Fire Prevention Week
Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
Author: Athena Snow, written July 20, 2021, full article click here
Homes are flying off the market just as quickly as they are listed, but sellers can still miss out on getting top dollar if they decide not to upgrade – or upgrade poorly. Additionally, from upgrades to inspection and moving costs, the entire process can be overwhelming for the seller. Coldwell Banker recently commissioned a survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, exploring the difficulties of the home selling and buying process as well as the challenges around home renovations during those processes.
The survey found:
-89% who have sold their homes in the past three years reported that they made upgrades before selling.
-Over a quarter (28%) of those who have renovated their homes in the past three years were unsure how to get the most out of their improvements.
-Gen Zers and Millennials were more likely to say they struggled to find the money to make updates (34% and 31%) compared to Gen Xers and Boomers (14% and 4%).
-One in five homeowners (21%) said that they plan to sell their current home in the next 12 months.
Thankfully Coldwell Banker affiliated real estate agents can help sellers get the best value for their homes with RealVitalize, a program that allows home sellers to make improvements and repairs with no upfront costs. With more than 20 years of real estate experience, Rose Sklar of Coldwell Banker Realty is an expert at using RealVitalize to help her clients maximize their sale price. Below, we share some of her best tips for anyone hoping to take advantage of the program.
TIP #1 – Advise your clients: Talk to your agent first.
Americans of all generations are taking advantage of making upgrades to get more bang for their buck – 89% who have sold their homes in the past three years reported that they made upgrades before selling. However, 28% said they had the money to make updates before listing but struggled to understand the best updates to make to get the most return on investment.
Here’s where Rose and RealVitalize come in. With two decades of real estate knowledge, she has insight into the must-haves in renovation and upgrades because she sees what sells the fastest and what doesn’t. She follows the latest design trends to coach her clients on what buyers want – updated landscaping, minimalist furniture, modern cabinet knobs (“Spend some $$ here!” she says) and the most neutral wall colors. Then she’s able to help them take advantage of RealVitalize and the program’s network of home professionals to make those upgrades.
“I come into my clients’ homes before listing, and they tell me they just had fresh painting done. However, it’s often the wrong color – sometimes an ‘off’ cream that’s actually mustard, or a bright color that only they like. I always advise them – wait until your real estate agent weighs in before you start making updates,” counsels Rose.
Clients upgrading their homes is great – but only if they make the right upgrades. Utilizing the power of before and after photos, Rose and her team demonstrate the strength and potential that the RealVitalize program holds.
TIP #2: Inspect before you list.
Rose always recommends doing an inspection prior to listing. Fixing issues before potential buyers even walk through the door saves yourself and the client much added stress, those “what-if’s” and the possibility of the buyer asking for a price reduction when problems inevitably pop up.
Pre-inspections can also lessen the disconnect between the seller’s list of must-dos and the must-haves of potential homebuyers. According to our survey, features that would be must-haves for Americans if they were looking to buy a home include kitchen upgrades (45%), bathroom upgrades (44%) and updated HVAC, plumbing and electrical (43%). RealVitalize can help with updates – and convincing clients to perform a pre-inspection is easy when they understand the money doesn’t come out of pocket for these repairs.
TIP #3: Less Is More!
“Less is more!” says Rose, noting that home sellers often have trouble parting with beloved belongings. She understands their attachment, however, and shows empathy when working with these clients. However, when she shows them before and after pictures, that’s when they really start to understand how much more they could make if they use RealVitalize to pay for storage, hire moving and packing crews and bring in staging services.
While moving and storing items is stressful – according to our survey, among those who sold a home in the last three years, three fifths (61%) say it is at least somewhat stressful to move and store items – as Rose says, “It’s about helping clients realize: You can do this with RealVitalize.”
TIP #4: Sitting stale? RealVitalize.
Rose does her best to convince all her clients to use the RealVitalize program, whether they have big or small updates to make. “Gentle encouragement” is what she calls it.
Some clients can take more convincing, which is why Rose sometimes has to resort to a two-stage model in her encouragement approach. Stage 1 is listing without any upgrades and listing the house as-is. If the house sits stale on the market – which it almost always does, she notes – then she tells her client it’s time to move to stage 2. During the second stage, upgrades are made and new photos are taken. Once the house is relisted, she says she often sees the home close in record time.
Every client won’t understand right away the importance of renovations – but when RealVitalize is added to the picture, it makes agents’ jobs easier.
Goodbye Stress, Hello Earnings
From the first step out of the car, up the walkway to the front door, Rose knows that first impressions matter to potential buyers. The good news is, gone are the days of wondering what upgrades to make. Coldwell Banker affiliated agents guide sellers from start to finish – and when sellers use RealVitalize, high earnings, less stress and quick turnaround are almost guaranteed. A clean kitchen, a freshly painted door and killer landscaping can set potential buyers up for a wonderful walkthrough, potentially leading to a done deal at the end of the showing.
If you’re interested in the RealVitalize program you should reach out to a Coldwell Banker affiliated agent, Stephanie Cox 513-262-9189
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Coldwell Banker between June 22-24, 2021, among 2,037 adults ages 18+, among whom 1335 are homeowners and 432 sold a home in the past 3 years. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be -calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Deanna Gorecki at dgorecki@gscommunications.com.
Stephanie Cox has met or exceeded criteria established by Broker Agent Advisor relevant to experience, reputation, and achievement… and having demonstrated every quality characteristic of a superior real estate professional is hereby recognized and honored for exemplary service to their community and as a credit to the real estate profession.
Local Real Estate Professional Brings Home National Certification
Broker★Agent Advisor Recognizes Achievement
Phoenix, Arizona 10/03/2022
Now in its 29th season, Broker★Agent Advisor celebrates success and accomplishment of the industry’s finest real estate professionals through its ‘Certificate of Excellence’ program.
Through proprietary criteria, formulas, and other valuable considerations, Stephanie Cox has been certified by Broker★Agent Advisor in the Seven Star category as one of the best in real estate based on achievement, potential, leadership, ethics, community value, experience, capability, and trust for their service during the calendar year of 2022.
“Stephanie Cox exemplifies the type of professional we designed this program for,” says Chad Golladay, Executive Publisher of Broker★Agent Advisor. “A true credit to their company, profession, and community; one with whom the honor is truly ours in being able to share our certification.”
There is no cost or fee required for this certification, and all applicant’s credentials are verified, which makes this honor one of the most genuine in the industry towards identifying those truly worthy of special recognition and distinction.
Stephanie now represents their market alongside the finest men and women in real estate in Broker★Agent Advisor’s national online directory of certified professionals here: https://www.brokeragentadvisor.com/referral
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More About Broker★Agent Advisor
Established in 1996 Broker★Agent Advisor is a real estate trade publication which provides information, tools, and resources to assist the modern real estate professional in achieving greater success through their real practice.
SOURCE: Broker★Agent Advisor
CONTACT:
Jennifer Golladay
Director of Recognition and Referral
Broker★Agent Advisor
contact@brokeragentadvisor.com
A.N. Warrior team page is up~ join us this coming year! Excited for another year launched! A.N. Warriors has submitted over $4,500 over the years. (YAY!) This year I was able to donate $1,500 toward this cause that is very close to my family, and this is a HUGE Thanks to all of my clients to date of 2022.
The University of Cincinnati Brain Tumor Center, a regional destination, provides innovative and compassionate care for patients with brain tumors while striving to find cures and discover why these tumors occur. Funds from our past events have helped us achieve new benchmarks in brain tumor research. Each year, this event helps support at least two pilot research grants for our UC researchers who are determined to find a brain tumor cure. Several of these projects have led to clinical trials, including one that could change the face of cancer treatment walkahead.org for more information.
We all want to spend as much time as we can outside during the summer months. There’s nothing quite like a relaxing summer day in the backyard with friends, hosting a barbeque or enjoying an evening under the stars around the firepit. Summer is made for chilling and breathing in the fresh air and just unwinding after a long day. So this month, ramp up your outdoor space and bring your indoor style right to your backyard.
Bonus Living Spaces More and more, people are treating their backyard spaces as an extension of their living space. From outdoor pergolas to string lights, trendy rugs and comfy, weatherproof sectionals and lounge chairs, homeowners are creating stunning open-air outdoor living spaces. You don’t even have to have a huge space, you can add smaller pieces to your deck or patio to create a relaxing, cozy sanctuary. Whatever your indoor style is, you’re sure to find similar outdoor pieces.
Inspirational Botanicals The right plants, flowers and planters can make all the difference when it comes to creating a warm, inviting and colorful outdoor space. With so many stylish planters available, you can easily find ones that match your style and fill them with a variety of herbs, flowering annuals, cactuses, plants and shrubs. If you live close to a farmers’ market, be sure and check them out as they typically have a huge variety of cost-effective flowers, plants and herbs to fill your yard, patio or balcony.
Small Space Solutions There are tons of creative ways to transform a small space and make a big impact. Start with some lively décor, potted plants, outdoor pillows, candles and small scale furniture. Consider a vertical garden where you can plant your favorite herbs and vegetables. Adding string and solar lights can also help make a space feel extra cozy. And when it comes to furniture, think about a bistro set for casual dining, foldable and stackable chairs or a small loveseat and ottoman. There are tons of creative ways to make a big impact in a smaller space.
If you’re limited on outdoor space, don’t let that stop you from creating the perfect outdoor oasis. Infusing your personality and style to your backyard, balcony or back porch is the perfect way to gain more living space and enjoy a place where you can enjoy more fun in the sun all summer long.
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