One way to make your home a more valuable,  attractive,  and or “modern”  place to live is to add smart devices to your home.  While  a total smart home will cost you hundreds of dollars, just adding one or more $100 items might be a good start. I read two  ZDNET articles.  

As the first article suggests:  In these days it’s easy to automate your entire life. You can buy a car that can drive and park itself, a smart watch that can detect if you’ve fallen and call for help, and a robot vacuum that can map out where your home needs to be swept.   And thanks to Smart home set up, you can even automate your lights, and the temperature, and even how you get your news. These articles can tell you  where to start… these articles might give you some ideas:

Smart home products:  there’s something for everyone, no matter what phone one may  have or what voice assistant one may prefer.

Both these articles talk about smart speakers with tons of abilities like playing music, setting reminders, making phone calls,  answering questions and acting as a control hub for other smart devices via voice command capabilities.  The Amazon Echo speaker or the Echo pop or the Echo dot are tech examples.

Video Doorbells: You can add to your home  a video doorbell: they provide insight into who or what is at your door without you ever leaving your couch.   Our top pics for the best video doorbells have HD video and motion detection and connect to a mobile app as well as other smart devices so you can ask Alexa, who’s at the door?  Another way to protect entries of your home is to install a smart lock. Today’s devices use fingerprint technology and customizable key combinations and make it easier to go to Keyless and say goodbye to the day of forgetting your overcrowded keychain.

Smart thermostat: a device that can actually save you money on your electric bills by creating automated schedules.   The best smart thermostats adjust themselves to your climate schedule and offer voice control with Geo fencing technology.

WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE  full article link:  You will find links and information on certain brands and where to buy them… so you can do your own research.

Right now I am struggling getting my new sprinkler system box wifi set up—weak internet signal! 

If you live in Citrus County, you might want to check with BD resident for updating technology: Schlabach Security and Sound  https://sssonline.biz/

direct link to articles:

Smart home starter pack- Top 5 devices you need | ZDNET

The best smart home devices of 2025- Expert tested and reviewed | ZDNET

In Q3 2024, the average annual cost to maintain a single-family home rose to $10,433. Maintenance is crucial to keeping things running smoothly. And so…

It’s that time of year,  when I start talking about what are you doing to keep your home in its best shape? 

 Recent sales included three home inspections with a lot of the problems listed in this article.  I also include a FEMA and insurance information link for those who may have had some hurricane damage this past year…

 That air conditioning vent filter was three years old. You’re supposed to change those out every year. And if you have dogs or cats, probably more than that. 

Your dryer vent needs to be cleaned out once a year. (Fire hazard)

Your gutters need to be cleaned out a couple of times a year( if you don’t have the screens on them) because they can cause a back up of water and eventually a roof leak. 

If you have not had your home’s tile roof inspected since you bought the house, and have been residing in the house for a number of years…It may be time for a roof inspection, and to make sure that any tiles that have slipped are put back into place,  and cracked and chipped tiles replaced. That will extend the life of the roof.

 How old is your hot water tank? If your hot water tank is more than 15 years old, and you are trying to buy a home and obtain homeowners’ insurance,  you cannot get insurance on the home with an older hot water tank. It has to be replaced.

Do you have a Challenger brand electric box ?  Bent Tree and Bermuda Dunes villages mainly have them from the 1990’s.  They are supposedly fire hazards and insurance companies will not ensure a home that has that kind of electrical box. It’s a couple thousand dollars to change it out.

Those of  you who have a Black Diamond constructed home built between 2000 and about 2006…you need to check your windows to make sure that the Pella windows (that they put in and were not painted correctly)  have not rotted away. They will not pass a home inspection if they are rotted out.  They need to be replaced or rebuilt.  David Arnold does a great job, but he’s very busy.

Sliding glass doors…become hard to open after many years…Nextdoor recommendation:

“We had John’s Sliding Door come out and fixed our difficult to open slider. He came on time, cleaned up afterwards and very professional! It comes with a 3 year warranty. He even fixed our lock!  I would highly recommend him. 352-290-3846

New handy person recommended by my blog reader:

“While golfing a few years ago I noticed a young man just off the 15^th hole of the Ranch coarse cleaning the gutter system very similar to my home in Black Diamond.  As I required gutter cleaning, I approached him to schedule the service at my home.  I have been using him for two years now and could not be more pleased.  He knows how to walk a tile roof without damage, very reliable reasonable rates, and reliable service.  He does roof blow offs and gutter cleaning.  His name is Skyler Hoffman (352) 445-1410.  I would not hesitate to refer him to my neighbors. “

When was the last time you walked around your house looking at the outside walls?   Are you seeing any cracks? Seeing any burrowing animals?   

It is so important to be proactive with the maintenance of your home.  You never know when you may have to sell…A well-maintained home will not have to go through price reductions after its home  inspection if it is in good shape.

FEMA Assistance Programs for Flood Victims: What You Need to Know

Given the recent hurricanes affecting our local community, it’s more important than ever to have the facts and be prepared. Recovering from floods can be overwhelming, but FEMA offers several programs to assist with recovery. Here’s a quick guide to FEMA’s main programs and how we, as your local insurance agency, can help you protect your assets.

1. Individual Assistance (IA) Program

FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) provides financial help for:

• Temporary Housing: If your home is uninhabitable.
• Home Repair: To fix essential damage.
• Other Needs: For medical, transportation, and personal items.

To apply, register on FEMA’s website or call 1-800-621-3362.

2. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

If you have flood insurance through FEMA’s NFIP, you can file a claim to cover flood damage. If you don’t have flood insurance yet, consider getting coverage to protect against future storms.

3. Public Assistance (PA) Program

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program helps local governments and nonprofits recover by funding:

• Debris Removal: Clearing flood debris.
• Infrastructure Repairs: Fixing roads, bridges, and public buildings.

Local governments apply through state offices.

4. Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Program

The HMA program funds projects to reduce future flood risks, such as:

• Floodproofing: Elevating homes or structures.
• Flood Control Projects: Building levees and improving drainage.

Contact your local government for available programs.

5. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

If you’ve lost income due to flooding, DUA can help. Apply through your state’s unemployment office.

How We Can Help: Protect Your Assets

As your local insurance agency, we’re here to help you understand and navigate  insurance. Whether it’s reviewing your current coverage, assisting with claims, or finding better rates, we’re committed to ensuring you’re properly protected.

With recent hurricanes reminding us how quickly disaster can strike, contact us today to make sure your property is covered and you’re prepared for future events. Thank you,  Kevin Hewitson, Insurance,    kevin.hewitson68@gmail.com