Preparing your condo or real estate property for an earthquake and other condominium apartment tips

Originally published in the January 19 – February 02, 2007 Home Renters Guide in Vancouver, Canada by www.homebase.ca.

You can’t prevent an earthquake, but you can be prepared to avoid injury and be prepared to minimize the damage to your home. Go through your home, imagining what could happen to each part of it if it were shaken violently. For those living in a condo or apartment building, you may experience more sway and less vibration than in a single-storey building.

Work with your building or strata corporation manager to help quake-proof your home. Seek advice from professionals (insurance, engineers, and architects) if you are unsure what to do.

Previous earthquakes have proven that these items need attention:

- Tie down your water heater and other appliances that could break gas or water lines if they topple
- Secure top-heavy furniture like shelving units and armoires to prevent tipping. Keep heavy items on lower shelves.
- Fix mirrors and other hanging objects so they won’t fall off hooks.
- Located beds away from chimneys, windows, heavy pictures etc. Closed curtains will help keep broken window glass off nearby occupied beds.
- Put anti-skid pads (eg. Velcro) under TVs, VCRs, computers, and small appliances.
- Store valuable documents and special small keep sakes in a fire-resistant place.
- Keep sturdy shoes and outdoor clothing handy.
- Use child-proof or safety latches on cupboards to stop contents from spilling out.

Real Estate Apartment Safety

1. Never leave your apartment real estate property door unlocked, even while taking out the trash. You may find someone waiting inside when you get back!

2. If required to give the super-intendent a key to your real estate apartment or condo for emergency use, seal it in an envelope and sign your name across the flap with your signature overlapping onto the body of the envelope. This will deter against tampering. Periodically ask to see the envelope.

3. Make an effort to meet your neighbours. Learn to look out for each other’s interests. Know who “belongs.”

4. Don’t get on an elevator with a stranger. In an elevator, stand beside the control panel to have direct access to the alarm button.

5. Never isolate yourself in a basement laundry room. If possible, arrange to do laundry with a neighbour.

6. Never open your door to a stranger. Utility company employees can slip their IDs under the door. If in doubt, look up the company, telephone number yourself (don’t rely on a number they give you), and call to verify the information.

7. Do not prop outside doors open for any reason. If you find one propped open, close and secure it.

8. Use only your first initial on your doorbell and mailbox, and in the phone book for your real estate apartment address.

9. Immediately report any real estate building security problems to the super-intendent. Follow up to be sure the problem is corrected.

10. When your real estate apartment is unoccupied for a long period of time, leave a radio or television playing to give the impression that somebody is home.

Important tips for apartment condo finding

1. Get yourself in a gung-ho apartment condominium search frame of mind. You will be making dozens of phone calls and leaving many messages. If your messages aren’t returned the next day, you should call again, of course doing so with the utmost tact. If you don’t have a local phone number, get one. Apartment condos unlimited rents out very inexpensive voice mail boxes.

2. Keep your chequebook with you. When you see an apartment condo which looks good to you, you are going to have to decide and act upon it quickly. Good places do not stay on the real estate market long! People constantly lose good places due to indecision.

3. Collect all of your rental information before you visit your first vacancy.

4. Have a credit report with you and give yourself an edge over the next guy. Landlords will be impressed by your organization and preparedness. As well, you’ll save money by not having to shell out for each and every landlord who requires one.

5. Dress and groom as though you are going to a job interview. In many respects it is the same. Landlords for apartment condominiums of really good condo units usually have to pick of several applicants. They are looking for:

- Someone both able and responsible enough to pay rent on time.
- People who will treat them and their real estate property with care and respect.
- Quiet tenants who will not be disturbing to other tenants and neighbours.

6. Always keep your appointments and always show up on time. No-shows are a major source of frustration for building managers and condo landlords.

7. Don’t get discouraged! Finding a great real estate condominium apartment is not easy, but it is well worth the effort. Keep your chin up, get back on the phone and remember to always sound cheerful!

This is courtesy of www.homestore.com.

It’s time to pack up for your first apartment condo.

Here’s a helpful list of 10+ items to pack last and keep handy when you move to your new condo home … they’re things you’ll need to get to first and frequently.

1. Extension cords, batteries. Everything’s electric these days it seems. Computers, CD players, your Walkman, all those little gizmos you just can’t seem to live without. So it just makes sense to keep that extension cord or pack of new batteries right on top and within easy reach.

2. Tools. We’re talking hammers and screwdrivers, nails and screws, scotch tape, duct tape and especially, a tape measure.

3. A bottle opener and glasses. Thirst always seems to come first, particularly if you have to lug that stuff by yourself. Dehydration is a sneaky beast, so be prepared.

4. Snack, pizza and fast food coupons. You’re going to work up a hunger so think about treating yourself to a quick bite or a night out at Mickey D’s.

5. Address book or PDA. Keep those important telephone numbers handy.

6. Cell phone or regular telephone with plug – put these within easy reach. There’s always potential for an emergency.

7. Sufficient cash. Duh … but if you’re opening a new bank account you may have to wait for your first cheque to clear. Traveler’s cheques wouldn’t hurt either.

8. A copy of your real estate lease and personal ID such as a driver’s license. A speaking of banking, if you’re starting a new chequing account (or applying for utilities service) you’ll need proof of your new address too.

9. Cleaning materials. Especially paper towers – accidents do happen.

10. Light bulbs, a small lamp (perhaps a flashlight). It may be dark when you finally move in.

11. Alarm clock. You don’t want to miss your first day at school, right?

12. Box cutter. Don’t pack this puppy at all! It’s the first thing you’ll need to open your packages.

You can visit the following condo websites for more information about US and Canadian condo real estate development properties that are either under construction or during the planning and design stage.