HOMEWATCHING: HOW TO SUMMER-IZE YOUR HOME

Here is your checklist to get your home or condo ready for the summer months…whether you’re a SNOWBIRD or not!

As a member of the National Home Watch Association, I felt this month of April is the month, when so many snowbirds are on their way up north, to review some important topics to safeguard your residence, that we monitor when your away!

Florida’s tropical summer climate makes humidity control, flood protection and mold and mildew prevention three areas of concern for every Florida homeowner – whether you are gone for the season or just a month or two.

Check Your Electricity and Water Bills for Unusual Variances

Monitor your usage while you are away and check for any unusual changes in energy usage. For example, a variance in your electric bill could indicate an appliance or A/C malfunction.

Humidity

Summer in Florida means oppressive heat and very high levels of humidity. Nearly everything in your Florida home is vulnerable to the effects of high humidity, which causes: rusting appliances; mold and mildew growth; corrosion to electronic equipment and computers; deterioration to wood, cotton and leather; warping of woodwork; musty odors; insect infestation; and flaking paint and peeling wallpaper. Normal humidity levels are between 30

By Russell Miller

and 50 percent. You can control humidity levels in your home and inhibit the growth of mold and mildew by blocking outside moisture and minimizing indoor moisture by:

Remote Monitoring: To check the temperature and humidity levels in your Florida residence while you are away, consider installing a remote thermostat control. These devices allow you to monitor your home’s “vitals” via phone or computer and make temperature adjustments from afar. They also send out automatic alerts to your phone or email address if the inside temperature gets too high or too low, based on your set points.

Remember that hurricane season hits in the summer and fall, bringing torrential rain and high winds, along with the risk of leaks and flooding. Flood-risk location is the condensate pan in your A/C unit which can clog and overflow. A simple float switch connected to your remote monitoring system can be used to monitor this. Florida’s warm, humid weather creates the perfect environment for mold, mildew and bacteria to grow. Since pests and organisms attack organic materials, it is important to do a thorough job cleaning, vacuuming and disinfecting your home before you vacate.

A/C settings and mold prevention

Change your A/C filter. If it is washable, then wash it. An accumulation of dirt plus the summer heat and humidity can lead to mildew and mold growth, which can spread through the house.

If your thermostat is programmable then set it to run at 72 degrees for a few hours then to 80 for the remainder of a 24-hour cycle. If it is not programmable, then set to 78-80 degrees. Set the controls of your humidistats and/or dehumidifiers to 58 percent RH (relative humidity) to maintain acceptable humidity.

Other items like appliances and cable boxes can be shut down while you’re away.

Ice Palm is a one-stop shop for modern concierge services based in Fort Lauderdale. We provide a wide array of services for Snowbird Owners and Investors. Ice-Palm does HomeWatching while property is vacant, supervises house cleaning, renovations and other vendors. For peace of mind while you’re away, the Ice-Palm Team is there while you’re not!

Call 954-239-7176 or Canada 514-827-3666 www.ice-palm.com

Cable boxes: Unplug them. Water heater: Turn off the circuit breaker to the water heater. Small appliances like Dishwasher and washing machine: Empty them Leave the lid/door open. Refrigerator: set it at its warmest setting and automatic ice maker, switched to the “off” position. Make sure all smoke alarms are working and have fresh batteries.

Turn off the main water valve unless you have an automatic fire-sprinkler system. If you do, turn off the water valves to your washing machine, kitchen and bathroom sinks, dishwasher and toilets.

Ask your Homewatch expert to check on your property every 2 weeks for problems that could pop up, such as plumbing leaks or storm damage. Make sure he or she has your emergency contact information.

Use shades and curtains: Use shades, blinds, and curtains to block out the hot sun. Ceiling fans can help circulate air and keep your home cool without relying solely on your air conditioning unit. Make sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise to create a cooling effect. Clean your gutters: Summer in Florida can bring heavy rains, so it's important to make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris. Insulate your attic: Insulating your attic can help keep your home cooler by preventing hot air from entering your home through the roof. Stop newspaper/mail deliveries. Bon Voyage !

▸ Russell Miller, contributing author and CEO of Ice Palm International Concierge and Consulting. Russell is also a Florida licensed Realtor, part of the Sklar Team at Coldwell Banker Realty.

By Andrea L. Jakob, Esq.

An estate plan consultation is your chance to meet a lawyer to discuss your goals and concerns for your family’s future. During that meeting, you may review your assets and who you wish would receive them upon your death. Your attorney will point out other issues frequently arising in estate planning, such as taxes and possible disagreements between beneficiaries. Any previous estate planning documents should be reviewed, and the lawyer can advise you on how to change or update them to make sure they still meet your needs and goals.

Estate planning is a very personal and highly customizable process, and there are many unique estate planning strategies depending on your needs. Every family is different, and a "one-size-fits-all" approach to estate planning is not appropriate. Some people may have unique assets, such as art collections or cryptocurrency, that require special planning considerations. Others may have specific family dynamics or charitable goals that need to be addressed in their estate plan, while others want to minimize tax liabilities.

Here are a few unique planning strategies that an experienced estate planning attorney may utilize.

▸ Incentive Trusts: These provide financial motivations to your heirs for achieving certain goals or milestones. This can be a useful estate planning tool to ensure that your children are financially responsible, educated or leading a healthy lifestyle.

▸ Pet Trusts - Some people set up a trust for their pets, with specific instructions for their care and well-being. This includes appointing a guardian for the pet, providing for food and medical care, and even specifying burial arrangements for the pet.

▸ Charitable Giving: Some individuals include charitable giving as part of their estate plan. A charitable remainder trust can also be used to donate assets to a charitable organization while still retaining an income stream from those assets during your lifetime.

▸ Legacy Planning and Ethical Wills: These involve creating a plan for passing down your values, beliefs, and traditions to future generations. It may include writing a family history, creating a time capsule, and passing down personal mementos and other sentimental items. They aren’t legally binding but can be a meaningful way to share your thoughts and feelings with your children.

▸ Business Succession Planning: If you own a business, it's essential to create a plan for what will happen to the business if you become incapacitated or after you pass away. This could mean choosing a successor or making a buy-sell agreement to make sure the change of ownership goes smoothly.

▸ Family Heirlooms: Family heirlooms and sentimental items can be passed down to future generations. (Of course, kids don’t value chinaware or figurines like previous generations!)

▸ Trusts for Special Needs Individuals: Trusts can be established to provide ongoing financial support for those with special needs without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits. These are just a few examples of the many unique and interesting estate planning strategies that are available. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you create a plan that meets your specific wishes, personal objectives and unique family dynamics.

▸ Andrea L. Jakob, PA is located at 12401 Orange Drive, suite 219 in Davie. They can be reached at 954-862-1479 or on the web at www.jakoblegal.com.