Winter Safety and Home Improvement

DECEMBER 2019 | MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

WINTER SAFETY + HOME IMPROVEMENT

Ginger Zee

ABC News’ chief meteorologist helps you get prepped for winter

Our experts discuss how to prepare your home and family for a blackout Why an education in real estate can launch you into a dream career

WEATHER THE STORM THIS WINTER Switch to Amerisure and experience industry leading insurance services for your construction, manufacturing or healthcare business.

Looking for free winter safety resources? Visit amerisure.com.

Are Big Home Improvement Projects Worth the Cost?

Adding to or renovating parts of your home can make you happier in it, but are these projects really worth it? We spoke with HomeLister CEO Lindsay McLean to get her take.

Can home improvements help you get more when you sell your home?

Absolutely, but only to a point. They can help you get a higher price when you sell but are unlikely to push your home above the neighborhood average, so keep that in mind when budgeting. Improvements often have the highest return when they help you remove a perceived negative.

Should owners do big home improvement projects before they sell?

Unless you are fixing a glaring issue, most big home improvement projects only pay back 50-75 percent. That means if you spend $10,000, you can expect to get $5,000-$7,500 more for your home when you sell. Take on these big projects for your own enjoyment of your home, not just for resale value.

How to Stay Safe While Heating Your Home This Winter As winter officially begins, it’s a great time to think about heating and fire safety in your home.

About 80 percent of all fire deaths are caused by home fires, with heating being one of the leading causes.

The good news is there are steps you can take to protect you and your loved ones, especially as we enter the colder months.

A fire-free home To help keep your home firefree, make sure all flammable items like paper, clothing, bedding, drapes, and rugs are at least 3 feet away from space heaters, stoves, and fireplaces.

In addition, you should never leave space heaters

Tammy Franks Senior Program Manager, National Safety Council or fireplaces unattended, and, if you must use a space heater, place it on a level, nonflammable surface, not a rug or carpet.

When buying a space heater, consider a model that shuts off automatically if the heater falls over, and keep space heaters away from children and pets.

Reducing your risk If a heating fire occurs in your home, you’ll want to make sure you are alerted and prepared to get out safely. Smoke alarms are critical in these scenarios.

All homes should have smoke alarms installed on every level, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas, on the ceiling or high on the wall.

Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and the batteries should be replaced every year. Alarms that are 10 or more years old should be replaced.

By following the above safety tips, you will help protect yourself and those you love from home heating fires. For more fire safety tips, visit nsc.org. n

Publisher Tom Zwicke, Isabel Carretero, Sydney Eckstein, Alexandra Devine Business Developer Jordan Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Tiffany Jackson Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Dustin Brennan Director of Sales Stephanie King Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Content Strategist Vanessa Rodriguez Cover Photo ABC/Ida Mae Astute All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

FOLLOW US: @MEDIAPLANETUSA

2 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

INQUIRIES: US.EDITORIAL@MEDIAPLANET.COM AND US.ADVERTISE@MEDIAPLANET.COM

PLEASE RECYCLE

MEDIAPLANET

Serving CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TX

What You Can Do to Prepare for a Blackout Mike Holmes Builder/Contractor, TV Host, “Holmes and Holmes”

When the power goes out, essential items in your home will no longer work, which can prove costly or even fatal.

We asked a couple of industry experts about what you can do to brace for an outage.

What is one of the biggest risks when it comes to a blackout?

Mike Holmes: Well, that depends on the time of year. If the blackout is during a heat and humidity wave, then having no air conditioning or relief for the elderly, young children, or peo-

Ray Simpkins Channel Manager, Home & Outdoor Power, Caterpillar, Inc.

ple with breathing conditions could be fatal. If the blackout is due to record-breaking rain and severe winds, then there could be serious flooding. If the outage is during a winter storm, then snow, ice, and frigid temperatures could cause pipes to burst.

Ray Simpkins: From a power standpoint, there are many risks such as home damage due to frozen pipes, a sump pump going out, refrigerated food or medicine spoiling, or the inability to properly heat your home.

Power surges may also occur,

damaging appliances, electronics, or power-dependent medical devices.

Why is it important for homeowners to have a concrete plan in case of a blackout?

What are the best ways to prepare for a blackout?

What should people have on hand in case of a blackout?

MH: With the increasing severity in our weather, homeowners should be prepared now more than ever and have a plan. It just makes sense to protect your family, as well as the most expensive investment in your life, which is your house. I think it’s in a homeowner’s best interest to plan for the worst and consider adding items like some form of a backup generator, water sensors, drain guards, and surge protectors to the home. In the end, it could save you thousands of dollars in potential damages.

RS: Energy-wise, a dependable portable generator set can provide home backup power for any emergency. This power source should be easy to set up and operate, keeping the lights on and all of your critical appliances running. There are a range of durable and affordable models on the market today.

RS: No one wants to be scrambling for a solution. Talk to a professional who can help you understand your power needs.

Get a portable generator set that’s right for you and have it ready to go in case of a blackout.

Make sure you know how to use it, where to store it, and how to refuel it. n

MH: Homeowners should be prepared for any severe weather forecasted, especially as we head into the winter months.

Being prepared means making sure you have sufficient supplies on hand like bottled water, food, batteries, flashlights, and other necessities, but also making sure you have a snow shovel, and bags of salt or sand.

Smart Access Control For Connected Properties An Integrated Multi-Family Solution Learn How Brivo Multi-Family Solutions Can Advance Your Smart Building. brivo.com/acaas/smartaccess | 866.692.7486

4 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

MEDIAPLANET

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW. WITH CAT YOU’RE READY FOR WHATEVER OLD MAN WINTER SENDS YOUR WAY.

WIN A CAT® GENERATOR SET OR A CAT TACTICAL LIGHT! GO TO CAT.COM/WINTER TO REGISTER TO WIN.

© 2019 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

Why Remodeling Your Home Will Build Its Equity and Increase Your Joy Not only can renovations make you happier in your own home while living there, many can even pay for themselves when you look to sell your property.

Ginger Zee Has Some Tips for Getting Your Home and Car Prepped for Winter Many Americans don’t adequately prepare for winter. ABC News chief meteorologist Ginger Zee suggests how to prepare for extreme weather conditions.

Home improvement reality shows are a great way to find inspiration for your next remodeling project. That could be something small, like repainting a room or installing a new garage door, or more comprehensive, such as remodeling a kitchen, creating a master suite, or adding to your home.

According to the “Remodeling Impact Report,” conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), taking on projects is usually worth the investment and time.

First impressions count and by investing in the curb appeal of your home, you are not only creating a more enjoyable experience from the outside, but adding value to your property.

Below are two of the most profitable improvements you can make to your home’s exterior:

PHOTO: ABC/IDA MAE ASTUTE

season, but one or two big snowstorms help bring numbers up to average.”

1

New roof Your roof is one of the most protective features for your home and is also one of the greatest investments you can make. Results from the “Remodeling Impact Report” noted that remodelers and Realtors estimated a 109 percent return on value.

2

Garage door Replacing your garage door generates an estimated 95 percent return on value. With extensive design options from garage door manufacturers, a new garage door can provide another way to customize your home and add curb appeal.

Robert Kirsic, CKBR, President, NARI

6 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

Y

ear after year, many Americans do not adequately prepare for winter. Without taking proper precautions with their homes and cars, extreme weather conditions can catch many people off guard.

Zee, who has covered nearly every major hurricane in the past decade (including Katrina, Sandy,

and Michael), hopes Americans will better prepare for winter this year.

“I like to remind folks that even if you have a warmer-than-average winter, you can have two or three significant cold snaps that make it feel like it was a terrible winter,” she said. “In New York City, for example, we can have nearly no snow the entire

Prioritizing safety According to Zee, the first thing most people overlook when preparing for winter is their car.

“If you live in a place that has ever had winter precipitation, you have to get your car prepped,” she said.

“Most Americans spend so much time in their car and that’s when most weather emergencies happen.”

This prep work can be as simple as having additional clothing, such as boots and gloves, packed in case of a snowstorm.

“You need to be able to survive the extremes,” Zee said. “Be sure to have flares or something brightly colored to tie to a vehicle, which can help you get rescued if you are stuck in the snow and are getting buried.”

For people driving to work in bad conditions, Zee recommended getting a radar.

“That way when you are pulled over, you can see where it gets lighter or ends, and allow that time to pass,” she said. “Absolutely nothing is worth risking your life for. Especially a job.” n Ross Elliott MEDIAPLANET

Whether you’re a new homeowner or preparing to sell an old property, real estate expert Barbara Corcoran has advice for you.

Corcoran got started in real estate when she was 23 years old. Ramone Simone, who would become her first boyfriend and business partner, saw her working at a diner and recognized her potential.

“He gave me a thousand dollars to start,” Corcoran said, “or I’d probably still be at that counter.”

Corcoran is now a real estate expert on TV, starring in ABC’s “Shark Tank.”

She’s never short on advice when it comes to real estate and how best to invest in your property.

“A new kitchen always pays off because it’s the first buy-in of any buyer that walks into the house,” she said. “They always go to the kitchen and fall in love with or dismiss your house.”

Corcoran prioritized replacing countertops, refrigerators, flooring, “and having a fresh coat of paint makes sense in any room, you’ll always get your money back on the paint,” she said.

Not flushing away money After the kitchen, homeowners should next attend to the bathrooms.

“It could mean something as simple as new shower curtains, new white towels, and a new toilet top, or glazing the tub,” she said. “It doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch, but a freshening up of the bathroom is the second-best investment.”

For young buyers, Corcoran suggested prioritizing location over the house itself.

“Most people buy the best home, but buying in the best location always proves a better investment, because you can improve it over time and you can spend money on it, and still get your money out,” she said. “The rule is, and it has never changed, buy the worst house on the best block. It always pays.”

Ross Elliott 8 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

How to Protect Your Two- and Four-Legged Family Members From Winter’s Wrath

PHOTO: DEBORAH MANDELL

Barbara Corcoran Shares How to Turn Your Property Into a Money Maker

As we welcome in the colder weather, the Red Cross is offering tips to help keep your family and pets safe and warm.

Heat your home safely Be cautious when turning the heat back on for the cold months. Make sure to keep children, pets, and anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from all heating sources, especially space heaters. Additionally, never leave a lit fireplace

unattended or uncontained by a glass or metal screen.

Be careful with candles as well — never leave them burning and consider using flameless ones.

Don’t let your pipes freeze Water expands as it freezes.

If you live in a colder region, the water in your pipes can freeze, putting immense pressure on, and sometimes breaking, your pipes.

The best way to avoid frozen pipes is to help

prevent them in the first place. Before the cold weather sets in, take a look around your house for any exposed outdoor pipes, uninsulated water supply pipes, and pipes that run along exterior walls. Do what you can to make sure all these pipes have proper insulation, but if you are in a pinch, wrap them in at least a quarter inch of newspaper to provide much-needed protection.

You can also help prevent your pipes from freezing by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air circulate, letting water trickle through the pipes to keep them from freezing, and keeping the temperature inside your home at or above 55 degrees.

Keep your pets warm If possible, bring your pets inside during the cold weather. If your animals must stay outside, make sure they are sheltered, and have unblocked access to food and unfrozen water. Make sure the sheltered area is large enough to allow the pet to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold in their body heat.

Raise the floor a few inches off the ground and cover it with cedar shavings or straw, and make sure to cover the doorway to prevent rain or snow from getting in.

Always wipe your dog’s paws when they come inside to clean off salt, chemicals, and ice. This will also give you an opportunity to check for wounds. n Deborah Mandell, VMD, DACVECC, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council; Professor, Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, University of Pennsylvania MEDIAPLANET

The True Value of an Education in Real Estate Justin Courtnall Director of Business Development, Big Outdoor, Dallas/Ft Worth

Patrick Venne General Counsel, The Federated Companies, Miami

We spoke with two real estate professionals who got their careers jump-started by participating in an online educational program.

They say the crash course gave them years’ worth of experiential knowledge before even working a day.

What made you want to pursue a career in real estate?

Justin Courtnall: I grew up with a family background in residential real estate development and I was intrigued by the grander scale of commercial real estate. I did a lot of networking with commercial real estate professionals and I felt like it would be a great fit for me.

How to Love Where You Live Without Breaking the Bank Using credit cards to pay for small home improvements makes sense, but what about financing a bigger project? This line of credit could save you big bucks over time while helping you build your dream home.

Homeowners are staying in their homes longer, and yearn to make changes to suit their personal style and needs. There are many reasons to renovate, but a top motivator is simply the age of your home.

Aging homes mean homeowners either want to modernize or need to replace well-worn parts of their homes.

To finance big projects, or even multiple smaller projects over time, the low rates and flexibility of a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can make sense.

With a HELOC, you obtain a predetermined line of credit based on a portion of your home’s equity. HELOCs typically have a 10-year period in which you can draw funds as needed, often at a lower interest rate than other financing options, and you only pay for the funds you use. n Michelle McLellan, Senior Product Management Executive, Bank of America

How has being in a program prepared you for your future career?

Patrick Venne: I was looking to develop a skill set with a practical, immediate application to my daily professional endeavors.

I found it. In short, I was able to bypass the decades of trial and error many professionals require in order to learn from experience by simply following in the footsteps of those who had already built the vast knowledge base I was looking for.

JC: I pride myself in providing clients with the highest level of service and knowledge of their real estate needs. Enrolling in an online commercial real estate program at a major university helped me understand some of the major topics I would use in my commercial real estate career.

What advice can you give to other students who are considering a career in real estate?

PV: Success in an industry as transaction-based as commercial real estate is tied to seeing opportunities and taking them.

The more people you develop a professional relationship with, the more likely you are to find yourself an opening. That’s the great thing about an online program — I developed professional connections with people all over the world. n 10 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DUE DILIGENCE GREEN BUILDINGS EQUITY FINANCE Advance your real estate career with the online Certificate in Commercial Real Estate Practice at BU’s Center for Professional Education.

Spring classes start January 21, 2020.

Attend a webinar online: Tuesday, January 7, 2 p.m. EST

Sign up at cpe.bu.edu.

Pub:

Run Date:

Size:

MEDIAPLANET

Color:

Thinking about home improvements?

Discover the power of a HELOC.

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be a convenient way to finance your home improvement projects. Our low rates make this a good alternative to other borrowing options. Plus, you can use funds now, pay down the loan and use it again later if needed.

Explore the possibilities! Apply today.

Visit bankofamerica.com/HelocApply, call 800.641.0567 or text home equity to 226-526.

Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.

Equal Housing Lender.

Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply.

This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Š 2019 Bank of America Corporation.

AD-12-19-0047.B | MAP2864570 | 12-2019