Essential Preparation Tips for Gulf Coast Homeowners

Evacuating your home is an emotional and stressful event, which can be made even more stressful in the aftermath of the natural disaster if homeowners do not have the proper documentation to contact their bank, Loan company, insurance company and creditors whom they pay monthly. Below is a list of tips recently compiled for homeowners that can be applied to any homeowner facing the threat of a natural disaster.

Take the following mortgage and financial related documents and items with you when you evacuate:

• Original home loan agreement
  
• Home loan refinance agreements
  
• Second lien agreements (home equity loans, second mortgage, etc.)
  
• Most recent mortgage, bank and investment statements
  
• Checkbook
  
• List of insurance policies
  
• List of financial account numbers
  
• List of debt obligations, due dates, and contact information
  
• First two pages of previous year's federal and state income tax returns
  
• Back-up copies of computerized financial records

Write down the contact number for your servicer. This is the company to which you make your mortgage payments. In the past, loan servicers have offered extended grace periods and postponed foreclosure actions in the event of regional or national disasters.

In addition, servicers often will assist borrowers in making contact with their hazard and flood insurance companies. If your home is damaged in the storm or your income is affected due to loss of employment, you should call your servicer to inquire about this type of help.

Keep extra cash on hand. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) and other banking operations may be interrupted.