How Do You Store Your “Stuff” At Home?

If you have worked with Glass Slipper Homes you know that we go paperless whenever we’re able to. For example, when you visit one of our listings you will receive a cd containing scanned copies of property information rather than a packet of paperwork. We like it that way – and we hope you do too!

This leads to the question of the day – how and where do you store important documents in your home? While we strive to make sure our homes are safe at all times, sometimes accidents happen. With this in mind, where do you keep documents like insurance policies? The title policy for your home? The closing documents that the title company gave you after a property purchase or refinance? Copies of your tax returns? Receipts if you’re a business owner?

A common answer is a Banker’s Box that you can purchase at any office supply store. While this is handy and economical, what if you store it in your basement and then you get water down there after a heavy rainstorm? Or if you put the same box anywhere else in your house, what will  happen to the information if something like a fire or smoke damage occurs? These aren’t things that we like to think about, but it’s important as responsible homeowners to do so.

If possible, consider scanning documents into your computer and then backing up your computer system using an on site option like an external hard drive or an off site option like Mozy or Carbonite. If scanning isn’t an option for you, consider a water and fireproof container for storing important documents – you won’t regret it!

For more tips on how we achieve paperless as well as we do, email heidi@glassslipperhomes.com!

Water in the Basement

Over the last few months, we have had a lot of rain. Needless to say, some of it has made it’s way into people’s basements. 

A few quick tips of prevention:

1) Walk the exterior and check the grade of the soil around your home. Does it slope towards or away from the home?

2) Replace any broken window well covers

3) Make sure that the gutters are clean. You may have to do this several times per year if you have a lot of leafing trees in your back yard.

4) Check the downspouts-are they far enough away from the house or is it puddling near the foundation?

For more details, check out this great website: http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=426766&rl=1