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70 only resulted in negligible damage. is same casual attitude about preparedness can leave an REO manager unprepared to deal with the consequences of a serious natural disaster. Several natural disasters in recent years have broken records for their severity. In 2014, Buffalo, New York, experienced over 72 inches of snow in four days due to two separate storms. Five of the 10 largest California wildfires have occurred in the last 10 years alone. Some areas that weren't impacted in the past are suddenly experiencing serious damage. It's important for REO managers to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. When a natural disaster is ex- pected to hit a region where you have properties, be sure to track the weather event closely and keep up-to-date with the latest predictions. MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE Preparing for a natural disaster can mean the difference between an asset being completely destroyed or marginally damaged. No one wants to do costly, unnecessary repairs if they don't have to. You may not need to stock up on water bottles and batteries, but there are things you can do to protect your property. Knowing what kind of damage your property may or may not be subjected to and preparing to minimize the damage can help save a lot of time, money, and headaches. REO managers should have a checklist of the pre- ventative measures they need to take based on the type(s) of disasters most likely to affect their properties. REO managers should also secure a list of trusted service providers they can rely on when repairs are needed both before and after a weather event. e good news is that many preventa- tive measures are part of standard property maintenance. Keeping trees trimmed, ensuring openings are properly sealed, performing roof maintenance, and even confirming insur- ance coverage are all things that are typically done regardless of whether a natural disaster is expected. However, other preventative measures will need to be disaster specific. During a hurricane event, things like boarding windows, stacking sandbags, securing objects to prevent them from becoming windborne, and clearing out debris can make the postevent cleanup much easier and safer. Some options can be more costly but may be well worth it, depending on the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the area. For example, hurricane straps help secure the roof to the walls in high winds and can be used for both hurricanes and tornadoes. ASSESS THE AFTERMATH Sometimes, even taking the highest of precautions won't prevent a property from expe- riencing damage during a natural disaster. Some companies offer on-the-ground inspections of affected areas immediately after a natural di- saster and provide their customers with damage assessments. If your asset needs repairs post- storm, that list of trusted professionals will come in handy. Being a thousand miles away from an active repair represents an issue in and of itself. Effective communication is the key to providing assurance that work is progressing as expected. Regular phone calls that ask the right questions and provide immediate direction are essential. In some cases, traveling to the asset or schedul- ing a third party to inspect the repair process on your behalf may be necessary. Additionally, it's also important to pay at- tention to what's happening "after the storm has passed." As we saw when Hurricane Michael hit North Carolina recently, most of the damage to the already-devastated properties was not caused by the wind and falling rain but rather by the se- vere flooding weeks after the storm had passed. SHOWCASE THE NEW FEATURES Despite your best efforts, taking on unex- pected costs after a natural disaster can be disap- pointing and may not be totally preventable. Most disappointing could be damage to recently completed repairs, requiring the same cost to be incurred again. However, after the necessary repairs have been completed, you may also be able to use that to your advantage. Turning a disaster into an opportunity is a savvy move that can help recoup some of the funds lost to repairs. Need new windows? According to an article from the National As- sociation of Realtors, millennial homebuyers are looking to be energy efficient and maintain their privacy with glass that can go from clear to opaque in seconds. Upgrading that window replacement may be well worth the investment. Flood waters ruin your flooring? Installing laminate or wood-look tile offers easy mainte- nance and resistance to wear and tear. You can also emphasize that newly sealed basement or ease buyers' minds with the protection from that new roof. Don't forget about the exterior. It can be hard to think of spending more money on flow- ers or replacement siding if you're dealing with other serious, more costly repairs. However, natural disasters can wreak havoc on the curb appeal of a property. Setting the right tone with an attractive look can help make or break a sale. By strategically taking advantage of repairs, you can better appeal to the market by upgrad- ing something you may have had to replace anyway. ese things may not have been part of the original plan, but they can certainly become selling features. Whether the buyer is looking for a forever home or plans to flip the property, your repairs are one less thing they have to worry about themselves—and that can help set your property apart and reaffirm their decision to buy. Dealing with a natural disaster can be tough. While we can't control Mother Nature, we can control how we interact with her. With the right preparation, engaged monitoring throughout the storm, and due diligence in the aftermath, REO managers can put themselves in the best position to come out on top. REO managers should have a checklist of the preventative measures they need to take based on the type(s) of disasters most likely to affect their properties.

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