Preparing Your Queens Home for Spring

Applause roared from inside of the Colden Auditorium at Queens College during Richmond Hill High School graduation 2017.

Jay Sobhraj, Executive Vice-President of Zara Realty, just announced the names of two RHHS graduates who will be receiving a scholarship to study computer science at the college of their dreams.

Estrella Perez will be studying at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Malik Assad will be studying at the New York Institute of Technology.

"We are so grateful to Zara for this opportunity," said Perez, who is passionate about computer science. "I will not let you down Mr. Sobhraj," Assad proclaimed, as photos were being taken of the two.

The relationship between Richmond Hill High School and Zara Realty began last year when Zara Realty donated a $125,000 computer lab to the school. The computer lab has been used by a plethora of students for everything from curriculum to extracurriculars.

“This is a model for building real community between the school and the private community,” Principal Neil Ganesh said. “We have future leaders in our program and we’re really excited about this new resource for us.”

Recently, Sobhraj and information technology specialist Naresh Singh returned to the school recently to see how the “seed turned into a plant with burgeoning fruit.” Not only have students been able to focus on their passion of computer science, but there has been a trickle down effect into the school’s robotics program.

They found that the computer lab helped Perez, Assad, and the rest of the robotics team focus on enhancing their computer science knowledge, engineering skills, and form a serious direction for their robotics team, Qubit. In just one year, the team has been able to achieve incredible success which includes building their own robot.

Sobhraj and Singh were so impressed with the focus and determination of the these RHHS students, that they decided to announce the plan to award two computer science college scholarships right then and there.

“I really want to give back,” said Jay Sobhraj. “Never forget where you come from and always give back to the community... that's what Zara is focused on.”

Richmond Hill High School offers several pathways, which include computer science and IT, art, criminology and forensics, business and engineering. As a supporter of computer science and IT, Zara Realty plans to grant one or two students with this opportunity each year.

"We are grateful to Mr. Sobhraj and Zara Realty for being an active community partner with their vision set on making a long term change," said RHHS Assistant Principal, Paul Wilbur.

Zara Luxury Homes, the innovative real estate holding company, provides quality homes in both Queens and Long Island. They have been serving the rental community for 36 years. Visit theirwebsite or call them at 718-291-3331 to inquire about their rental properties in Jamaica, Queens and Long Island.

After a long, harsh winter, you should be adding a few extra steps to your annual Spring home assessment. It involves more than removing all traces of snow and ice melt from around your property. As a leading Queens, New York Public Adjuster firm, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers offers these tips to ensure your home will be well-prepared for the coming season. It is important to prepare your Queens home for spring by focusing on water mitigation and structural integrity to prevent insurance claims. This year, as you clean gutters, inspect your roof for winter damage, and trim trees, you can take pride knowing you’re protecting your home—and helping prevent costly property damage or an insurance claim. Here’s a checklist of the top tasks to perform now, to prevent issues later. Sometimes, however, despite taking every precaution, property damage does occur. Now or at any time, should your property sustain damage, know that the UPA team will gladly assist you with all aspects of your property damage claim.

Preventive Maintenance (Proactive Measures)

Roof and Attic Inspection: Check for cracked, loose, or missing shingles damaged by winter ice. Look for signs of water infiltration in the attic, as early detection prevents major, hidden water damage claims.
Gutters and Downspouts: Clean out winter debris (leaves, twigs) to ensure proper water flow away from the foundation.
Landscaping: Trim trees and branches that could fall on your home during spring thunderstorms. Remove dead, weak trees.
Foundation and Sump Pump: Inspect the foundation for cracks and test your sump pump to prevent basement flooding, a common issue in many parts of Queens.
Exterior Vents: Clear debris from dryer and attic vents to ensure proper ventilation.

Insurance and Documentation Preparation

At United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, we stress that the ounce of prevention you take now, will ensure that you have an optimal outcome later.

Document Everything (Pre-Damage): Take updated photos or videos of your home’s interior and exterior before spring storms occur. This serves as vital, undeniable proof of your home’s condition.
Review Your Policy: Understand your coverage, particularly regarding flood insurance, which is usually not included in standard homeowner policies. As a leading New York public adjuster firm, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers can review your insurance policy with you to ensure you understand what’s covered, what isn’t, and whether your home is fully protected for potential risks.
Create an Inventory: Update your home inventory list with any new items purchased over the winter. Keep receipts.

If Damage Occurs, Before You Call Your Home Insurance Claim Adjuster

Mitigate Further Damage: If a storm causes damage, you are required to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage (e.g., covering a broken window with plastic).
Document Before Cleaning: Take detailed photos and videos of the damage before moving anything or starting repairs.
Contact Our Professionals: Contact United Public Adjusters & Appraisers immediately. As a successful New York public adjuster firm our experts are ready to assist with assessing, documenting, and negotiating your claim to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Your Queens County residence is likely to be your biggest investment. Protect its value by performing these Spring preparedness chores, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are well-prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store for our region. Remember, if your residence does sustain property damage or asset losses, to contact the United Public Adjusters & Appraisers immediately for assistance. We’ll take charge of your claim and negotiate with your carrier to bring about a just settlement for you in as short a timeframe as possible. Speak with our professionals now to learn more.

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About United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc.

United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. is a nationally licensed public adjusting firm with a focus on complex, high-value property insurance claims.

With established offices in New York City and Long Island, our deep bench of adjusters, estimators, engineers, and advocates is built to support large-loss commercial, multifamily, and institutional clients.

We work exclusively on behalf of policyholders -never the insurance companies- to secure proper documentation, defend coverage, and recover what’s rightfully owed to you after disaster strikes.

Offices in Queens, NYC & Long Island | Serving Policyholders in Over 25 States

Call: 800-718-5677

Visit: www.unitedpublicadjusters.com