Winterize Your Home: A Guide To Help Prepare For The Winter Season
As the temperature drops, it’s a sign that it’s almost time to prepare your home for the upcoming winter season. Taking proactive steps to protect your home from the harsh winter elements can save you money on energy bills, prevent damage, and ensure a warm and cozy living environment. In this guide, we’ll cover essential tasks to ensure you’re ready for the winter season:Indoor Winter PreparationsProtect Your Pipes and Insulate Insulating your pipes is a critical necessity in home preparation for winter weather. Frozen pipes can lead to costly repairs and water damage. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas of your home, such as the attic, basement, and garage. Use pipe insulation sleeves to keep them warm.In addition to insulating your pipes, sealing windows and doors is also important. Drafty windows and doors can significantly increase your heating bills. Sealing any gaps or cracks with weatherstripping or caulk can combat this problem. For windows, consider using window film or heavy curtains to improve insulation.Prep the FireplaceA chimney inspection can save you time and hassle when preparing for the winter months. Before lighting the first fire of the season, have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional. Creosote buildup can lead to chimney fires.Be sure to stock up on firewood. Ensure you have a sufficient supply of seasoned firewood that is stored in a dry place away from the house to prevent pests from making their winter home in your logs.Lastly, if not tended to properly, fireplaces can pose many safety hazards. Installing or inspecting smoke and carbon monoxide detectors near your fireplace can ensure catching any problems before it is too late. Have a fire extinguisher nearby, and teach your family members how to use it.Stock Up on Winter NecessitiesPreparing for the winter season can mean a whole lot of things – one of the most important being stocking up on necessities to ensure you and your family stay warm, healthy and prepared for any scenario. Swapping out your shorts and bathing suits can create space for new winter apparel. Warm clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, and scarves can keep you warm as temperatures decline. Don’t forget warm socks and boots for extra protection against the cold.Stocking up on winter emergency kits can also help you to prepare in case of emergency. This includes essentials like flashlights, batteries, blankets, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit. Be ready for power outages and unexpected winter storms.Outdoor Winter PreparationsClean out the GuttersBe sure to clean out the gutters before it gets too cold. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which can cause water damage to your home. Clean out leaves, debris, and make sure downspouts are clear to allow proper drainage.Prune and Trim Your Outdoor Plants Trimming your shrubs, bushes, hedges and pruning trees can prevent various hazardous issues during the cold months. Overgrown branches can become hazardous when weighed down by ice or snow. Prune them back to prevent damage to your home and ensure safety.Take In Your Outdoor FurnitureOutdoor furniture and appliances are not cheap – but avoidable repairs are even more expensive. Store outdoor furniture, cushions, and grills in a dry, covered area or a garage. This helps extend their lifespan and prevents them from getting damaged by winter weather.Winter-proofing your home is a proactive approach to ensure your family’s comfort and safety during the cold months. Don’t wait until the first snowfall – start your preparations now for a cozy and stress-free winter season.The post Winterize Your Home: A Guide To Help Prepare For The Winter Season appeared first on Engel & Völkers.
How to Celebrate Spooky Season in Style
As the fall season begins, the air becomes more chilling and Halloween creeps in on us so does the opportunity to engage with your community, showcase your properties, and promote your brand image. From festive decor to trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving contests join us as we explore some unique ways to embrace, and celebrate, spooky season in style for your business.Partner with Local BusinessesReal estate isn’t just about buying and selling properties; it’s about fostering connections within your community. One way to do this is by partnering with local businesses. Whether it be with your local coffee shop that recently released their homemade pumpkin-spice latte recipe, or a local bakery with fresh apple cider donuts, consider teaming up to create a “Haunted Coffee Crawl” where participants can visit your office while enjoying spooky-themed beverages or snacks. This will not only help boost your local presence, but also enhance your brand’s image as a community-centric real estate company. This also allows for the opportunity for cross promotion of businesses through social media and content sharing.Take Engel & Völkers NYC for example, who over the years has participated with the local Business Improvement District in Trick or Treat East Midtown for Halloween. “Real estate plays a vital role in our lives, and as trusted advisors, it’s crucial that we become deeply ingrained in the vibrant communities where we reside and operate. The year 2019 marked an exhilarating moment for us when the doors of the Park Avenue shop swung open. This establishment bestowed upon us a splendid chance to immerse ourselves in the heart of our community, especially during the splendid neighborhood event orchestrated by EMP. Ever since then this event has become a Halloween extravaganza, casting its spell and drawing in folks from every corner of the city for a delightful evening of trick-or-treating and festivities!”Nicole Beauchamp, Advisor, Engel & Völkers New York CityEngage In A Local Charity or FundraiserEngaging in a local charity or fundraiser for Halloween is a heartwarming way to give back to the community, while adding a touch of altruism to your Halloween festivities. Consider partnering with a reputable charity, or organizing a fundraiser event that aligns with the spirit of the season. Whether it’s collecting donations for a local food bank, hosting a charity costume contest, or organizing a spooky-themed charity run, your involvement not only enhances your company’s social responsibility, but also fosters a sense of togetherness within your community. By extending a helping hand during Halloween, you’ll showcase the caring and compassionate side of your shop, leaving a lasting positive impression on both clients and neighbors alike.Last year, Engel & Völkers Westlake Village and Engel & Völkers Calabases hosted a “Pups and Pumpkins” event, where they partnered with their local animal rescue and dressed up the pups in adorable costumes. In addition, they incorporated lead generation tactics, such as a raffle for a basket of dog accessories. The event was a huge success that led to two deals and one adopted puppy.Create a Halloween Haven in Your OfficeOne of the most exciting aspects of the Halloween season is the opportunity to amp up your seasonal decor and bring some festivity into your shop. One of our favorites is to host a pumpkin carving contest among clients and staff and showcasing the results in window displays or on social media channels. This not only creates a welcoming atmosphere, but also sparks conversations and connections with potential clients who visit your office.Additionally, you can showcase your “spookiest” listings in your store-front. Whether it be a gothic- style manor or a colonial-style estate with a rich history, creatively showcasing listings by aligning them with spooky season can help them gain more traction – especially on social media.Trick-or-Treat ExtravaganzaEmbrace your inner child through the spirit of trick-or-treating in your neighborhood or business district. Set up a booth in front of your office and hand out treats to local children. This not only brings joy to children and families, but also shows your commitment to being an integral part of your community. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to engage with parents who might be considering a move, or new property investment.No matter how you slice it, Halloween provides a unique opportunity for businesses to showcase their creativity, engage with their community, and strengthen their brand image. By incorporating these tips into your fall marketing strategy, you’ll not only stand out but also create lasting connections with potential clients and homeowners.Happy House Haunting. The post How to Celebrate Spooky Season in Style appeared first on Engel & Völkers.
Engel & Völkers Announces Expansion in Panama
The global luxury real estate brand continues expansion in Central America with its first shop openingin Panama City, PanamaEngel & Völkers announced its entrance in Panama today with its newest shop opening in Panama City. Ciara Caponi and her team will now operate as Engel & Völkers Panama, becoming the premier destination for high-end real estate services in Panama.With more than a decade of experience in the real estate industry and a background that includes working with one of the top developers in Panama, Caponi brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the Panamanian market to this partnership. She is a member of ACOBIR (the Panamanian Association of Real Estate Brokers and Promoters), and holds a CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) designation. Caponi is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, bringing a multilingual advantage to her clients. Engel & Völkers Panama specializes in the sale and rental of high-end residential, commercial, and land properties in Panama’s top areas and developments.“We are thrilled to introduce Engel & Völkers to Panama, further strengthening our global presence,” said Anthony Hitt, president and CEO of Engel & Völkers Americas. “Ciara and her team have a proven track record of excellence in the Panamanian real estate market. Their dedication to providing tailored services and their extensive portfolio of top-tier properties align perfectly with Engel & Völkers’ commitment to delivering the highest standard of client service.”Panama’s real estate market is characterized by its strategic location, strong international demand, and favorable tax and legal structures. The country offers a unique combination of benefits, including political stability, a first-class communication structure, a dollarized economy, a sophisticated banking system and an excellent quality of life, making it an attractive destination for international buyers and investors. Panama boasts a diverse topography, with both Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, mountains, and a bustling urban landscape in areas like Avenida Balboa, Casco Antiguo, and Costa del Este. Engel & Völkers Panama specializes in the sale and rental of high-end residential, commercial, and land properties in Panama’s top areas and developments. With a focus on serving high-net-worth individuals and international clients, including those from Canada, the USA, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Spain, as well as multinational companies, they will offer a range of upscale properties, with a significant emphasis on apartments, houses, and new developments.“Engel & Völkers’ global presence and reputation, coupled with our local expertise, will elevate Panama’s luxury real estate scene,” said Caponi. “We offer a safe, tax-friendly, and diverse environment for those seeking a second residence, fiscal residency, or investment opportunity. Engel & Völkers Panama will be the go-to firm for luxury real estate in Panama. Engel & Völkers Panama is poised to transform the Panamanian luxury real estate market by providing international exposure, innovative marketing strategies, and a dedicated sales team.”The firm serves various markets, including Costa del Este, Santa Maria, Avenida Balboa, Casco Antiguo,Marbella, San Francisco, Coco Del Mar, Boquete, Coclé, and Pedasí.To learn more visit panama.evrealestate.com.The post Engel & Völkers Announces Expansion in Panama appeared first on Engel & Völkers.
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