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Home Improvements To Add Value To Your Property

September 27, 2021

These Homeowner Tips Brought to You By Martinez & Associates Insurance Services

There are several popular improvements that can add value to your home. With the right improvements, you can enjoy increased comfort and practicality while you are living in the property, you can add to the appearance of your home, and you will find that the value has been boosted considerably if and when you decide to sell your property.

2. Adding an addition.This is another way to add an additional room to the size of your property, so if you have the space, then an extension could prove to be a great idea. You will enjoy a larger property and can increase the amount of room that you have downstairs as well as upstairs. This is another great way to make the most of your homeowner loan by adding value to your property.

3. New kitchen or bathroom.The kitchen and bathroom are rooms that are often scrutinized by potential buyers. They are also rooms in which you spend a great deal of time. Creating the right look and ambiance for both of these rooms can be easy these days, and with a choice of great kitchen and bathroom designs available, you can make these rooms look and feel perfect.

4. Replacement windows.Many people can be put off buying a property if the windows are in need of repair and are old. Not only do they look bad upon first impression, but they also affect the light, heat, and comfort levels in your home. Replacement windows, such as double glazing, can help to increase energy efficiency and can improve the lighting, ambiance, and appearance of your home.

5. Heating & cooling.Having the right heating and cooling system in place is another important factor in the comfort and salability of your home. For most buyers, central heating is a must these days, and by having central heating you can enjoy cozier winters, a warmer home, and a more sellable property.

6. Outdoor spaces.Home value is increased by projects that make your outdoor space more accessible and functional. Decks and patios can have a return on investment of more than 64 percent depending on the materials used, such as wood or composite decking. Stone and brick patios, as well as lower decks, are other possibilities that might be fantastic DIY projects if you're handy.

7. Interior changes.A little interior design may make a big difference. Simple and straightforward design modifications might help you arrange your house for sale for a reasonable price. Consider these simple yet worthwhile home repair tasks to boost the overall value of your home and attract buyers:

Changing out the light fittings.
Light covers and heat registers need to be replaced.
Replacing doorknobs and other hardware.
Custom window coverings, such as shades.
Update the floors
Bringing your paint colors up to date.
Baseboards, ceilings, and inside doors should all be repainted.

Home renovation projects can be tough to prioritize and budget for, and guaranteed to prevent any arguments, which is why it's crucial to pick the ones that will provide you the most value. Focus on remodels and upgrades that will increase rather than decrease the value of your home if you plan to sell it in the future. Stick to a budget and consult with a broker to choose where to begin while preparing your home for sale. And...don't forget to call us at 432-580-8750 if we need to increase your coverage!

Healthy Ways to Boost Your Energy

August 21, 2021

These Healthy Energy Tips Brought to You by Martinez & Associates Insurance Services

Getting an energy boost that can keep you going all day often means sacrificing good nutrition. Few foods give you the kick that a cup of coffee, a can of cola, or a sugary candy bar can. If you’re watching your weight, the challenge is finding foods that can not only give you a boost but are good for you as well.

The goal in planning your daily diet is to focus on meals that are low in fat, high in fiber, contain protein and have complex carbs. This ensures a slow breakdown of sugars and regular energy throughout the day.

Having a good breakfast is the first and most important step in building up your energy stores to get through a busy day. Even if you aren’t particularly hungry, you should eat within four hours of walking.

What you eat for breakfast should account for about 25 percent of the day’s calories, so go for low-fat, high-fiber cereal and mild or a complex carb such as a bagel with juice. Avoid foods with a high level of simple sugars; the sudden energy boost will be quickly canceled out by a crash in energy later in the day.

Staying hydrated can also help. Drinking at least six glasses of water a day can keep you from feeling sluggish and tired.

In addition to water, another source of energy that’s good for you is Hair of the Dog, which comes in carb-free and sugar-free versions. Hair of the Dog is an energy beverage that contains 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, milk thistle extract, and patented detoxifiers, which protect the liver from the damage caused by toxins such as medications, pollutants, and alcohol.

Snacks can also provide the body with the energy it needs. Just be sure to choose wholesome snacks rather than those loaded with sugar or fat. Go for fruit, a few baby carrots, some cheese or a handful of nuts, a glass of milk, a few whole-grain crackers, or even a low-fat granola bar. Snacks that fit in your purse or can be stored in a desk drawer for easy access will ensure you get the quick boost you need when your energy starts to flag.

If you still have the energy after reading this please call or email us and we will be happy to provide you with an insurance 'check-up'

How To Make Your Vacation Safe

July 24, 2021

Vacation Tips From Martinez & Associates Insurance Services

As the summer vacation season is in full swing thoughts turn to fun in the sun, getting on an airplane or even camping. Remember your homeowners insurance will cover your personal property while on vacation. If you plan on traveling to a foreign country, call our office for an insurance review.

Don’t post on social media until you return.

Let a trusted neighbor know you will be away and have them keep an eye on your home. It is a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.

Be aware of any travel and health alerts at your destination

Write out a schedule and give it to a family member for safety purposes.

Make copies of all of your credit cards, important identification information, including your medical insurance cards, and your traveler's checks.

Look for deals. You can find websites all over the internet that can help you score deals on hotels, amusement park tickets, airline travel and so on. Make sure you look for bargains after you set the budget.

Put inside and outside lights on timers.

Advise your alarm company and local police if you will be gone for an extended period.

Stop the paper and garbage service.

Don’t take expensive jewelry with you. Jewelry can get lost or be a target for thieves.

Never put your home address on your luggage tags. Write your phone number instead.

If you are traveling to a foreign country remember to study up on laws and customs. You will have a much better time if you understand the culture.

Make sure all electrical appliances are turned off.

Before you leave for vacation, you may decide to close your curtains to prevent people from peering inside your home to see whether you're there. However, closed curtains also stop those who aim to help the police, your neighbors or friends from seeing inside your house

All of us at Martinez & Associates Insurance Services hope you are able to get away, and if not, have fun anyway!

Beat the Heat!

June 18, 2021

Hot Weather Tips From Martinez & Associates Insurance Services

Summer is here, and the 4th of July is just around the corner. As we move to do more outside activities, it will be important to remember to stay cool. For people who labor outside throughout the summer, heatstroke is the most serious risk and should be handled as a medical emergency. Heatstroke happens when the body's temperature is out of control, causing damage to the brain and other internal organs. Heatstroke can result in permanent impairment or even death if not treated promptly.

Drink plenty of water
Do not consume alcohol in the heat
Appliances generate heat. An oven can easily raise the room temperature by 10 degrees. Save cooking with heat for cooler hours during the day, or cook outdoors on your grill. It is also a good idea to run the dishwasher and clothes dryer at night.
Choose garments made from natural fibers, such as cotton, which is breathable. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing that will allow air to circulate while you are out in the heat.
Eat small meals more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein because they increase metabolic heat. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
Do not leave children or pets in a closed vehicle, even for a few minutes.
A cool shower or bath is a great way to stay cool and much more effective than using an electric fan.
Limit physical activity: Take breaks during the day.

Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related sickness, defined as a body temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Hot, red skin, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, disorientation, delirium, and coma are some of the symptoms.

Please keep an eye on your neighbors who are old, housebound, or otherwise hesitant to seek assistance in your neighborhood. On hot days, you can offer to host them in your air-conditioned living room, transport them to a nearby cooling center, or phone family or city agencies to make arrangements for them to stay cool.

All of us at Martinez & Associates Insurance Services hope you stay cool and enjoy your summer! Keep us in mind if you need to insure your summer toys.

Tips To Help You Reduce Stress

May 18, 2021

Stress has always been a part of our lives. In this hectic time, people lead an increasingly stressful life. Experts state that a little stress can be good; it keeps you sharp and ready to move forward and is sometimes vital for achieving optimum performance. However, medical research has determined that prolonged stress is very bad for the body and can block the body’s natural ability to repair, regenerate and protect itself. Over 90% of disease is caused by stress. Stress is both a physical and psychological response. It can lead to chronic disease, obesity, insomnia, deteriorating relationships, depression, and more.

Stress is such a powerful and harmful force that it is vital that you learn effective stress management techniques to live a successful, happy, and healthy life. We must remember that we will always come across inevitable factors that cause pressure and anxiety on us. What we do not know is that it is not really the problems that are difficult to deal with, but our attitude towards them. So basically, the cause of stress is your attitude toward these things. What, then, is an effective way to deal with stressors?

Below are five great tips for handling stress.

1. Identify what makes you stressed and uneasy. Making a list of your stressful experiences is useful. Immediately deal with the issues that you can change, for instance, waking up earlier for work in the morning, not leaving things till the last minute, and delegating tasks in case you are taking responsibility for everything. Forget about the issues that you cannot influence, like being stuck in a traffic jam or not getting into the elevator because there is no room for you.

2. Calm down. Wash your face, breath slowly and deeply, and notice if there is tension in any part of your body and release it. You can also listen to relaxing music, or call a friend. Releasing your inner feelings to a friend is a healthy option.

3. Remember it will pass, and it will be over before you know it. Remind yourself that the stressful event will end sooner or later can make you see the positive sides of things. At the same time, calm down your emotions and think of what is the best thing to do rather than take your energy away from what needs to be done.

4. Know yourself. Ask yourself: What triggers your anxiety? If, for example it is your job, then maybe it's time for you to reconsider whether it would be best to find a less stressful job. You can also make your job more tolerable by allowing yourself to get that needed vacation or leave.

5. Learn to use your relaxation response. Just as we all have within us the stress response, we also have an opposite response, which is the relaxation response. A person should elicit that on a regular basis. The relaxation response involves two steps. Repetition the repetition can be a word, a sound, an expression, or a repetitive movement. The second step is to ignore other thoughts that come to your mind while you’re doing the repetition, and come back to the repetition. The technique should be used once or twice a day for about 15 minutes. Sit quietly and choose a suitable repetition, like a prayer, the sound Om, or the word love, or calm.

Consequently, you’re less likely to be upset by a stressor and thus less likely to have its harmful effect occur. Eventually, it is your choice. You could either continue to react in the same stressful way, or you could choose to improve your life by changing your attitude and becoming relaxed. There's no other way around it.

And of course, we hope that your interaction with Martinez & Associates Insurance Services is as stress free as possible!