Avoid Disaster: Austin Homeowners Thought it Would Never Happen to Them

Sept. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Devastating fires have swept through Austin destroying over 1000 homes. “The only bright light in this disaster is that home owners who have a current home inventory will receive faster, easier and higher insurance reimbursement payouts. This means less stress for families already experiencing overwhelming tragedy” says Michelle Ketterman, Founder CEO of the The Inventory Experts, a Dallas-based third-party Home Inventory service.

Unfortunately, the majority of the 1000 Austin residents that lost their homes to fire will probably be victimized twice: first by the fires and then by their inability to complete an accurate insurance claim.

A properly done home inventory includes almost everything on the property; not just ‘the big stuff.’ In many cases, the little stuff can more than double the contents value of a home. In an emergency, home and business owners should take photos of every wall, drawer, cupboard, closet, large item, and room. These photos should be downloaded and e-mailed to a secure server for later retrieval. Photos must be accessible after the event as proof to the insurance provider. Property owners that have the foresight to take photos of possessions need to be smart and not store the photos on a cell phone - cell phones are usually the first thing lost or damaged during a crisis.

Homeowners are also reminded that after tragic events like the Austin fires, some less than scrupulous characters prey on the vulnerable and unsuspecting. Home and business owners are strongly encouraged to thoroughly check and double check the credentials of anyone who is granted access to property and possessions. A third-party Home Inventory holds much more weight than a self-compiled inventory, but property owners are  encouraged to always be sure they have the full picture of who is invited into their home. A helpful guide to finding the right Home Inventory Professional can be found at EthicalInventories.com

To assist concerned home and business owners in the Austin area, The Inventory Experts will be available to perform third-party inventories at 45% off our standard rate. The Inventory Experts has coordinated with several ethical, credentialed, and insured Home Inventory Professionals from around the country who are making themselves available to assist The Inventory Experts help Austin property owners.

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Owned and operated by Michelle Ketterman, nationally recognized as ‘The Inventory Expert,’ The Inventory Experts is Dallas’ premier third-party professional Home and Business Inventory service. Michelle also wrote the Home Inventory Professionals Code of Ethics, Professional Standards, and several industry resources. In 2009, Michelle founded The Inventory Institute, a national initiative that provides credentialing, industry standards, uniform education, and a vehicle for peer review and communication for Home Inventory Professionals. The Institute also educates the public on the need for current inventory and how to find qualified, insured professionals. The Inventory Institute was founded after learning that over 40% of Home Inventory Professionals throughout the country claimed to be licensed when there was no industry license in any state. For more information, contact ProveItsYours.com, TheInventoryInstitute.com or 972-834-8592.