Living along the Grand Strand comes with a lot to love, but hurricane season is also part of owning property along the South Carolina coast.

Whether you live here full time, own a second home at the beach, or have an investment or vacation-rental property, the best time to prepare for a storm is before there is one headed our way.

The National Association of REALTORS® recently published its Consumer Guide: Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season. It’s a useful reminder of several things coastal property owners should review while the weather is still quiet.

Here are some of the preparations I think are especially worthwhile for Grand Strand property owners.

Have a Plan Before You Need One

Know what you and your family will do if an evacuation is ordered—and where you will go.

If you plan to remain at home when conditions allow, identify the safest area of your house and think through what you would need if you temporarily lose electricity, water, internet or cellular service.

For second-home and investment-property owners who may not be in the area, have a plan for who can check on the property and secure outdoor items if you cannot get here yourself.

Check Your Hurricane Supplies

Emergency supplies are much easier to find before everyone else is shopping for the same things.

Review what you already have and replace anything that is expired, damaged or missing. Think about drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries and ways to keep phones and other important devices charged.

It is also a good time to make sure vehicles are fueled and your basic evacuation supplies are easy to access.

Take a Video Inventory of Your Property

This may be one of the easiest hurricane-preparation steps to overlook.

Use your phone to walk through the house and record each room, including furniture, electronics, appliances and other significant personal property. Don't forget garages, storage areas, closets and outdoor spaces.

For a furnished second home or vacation rental, documenting the contents of the property can be particularly useful.

Save your photos and videos somewhere you can access them even if your phone or computer is damaged.

Protect Important Documents

Insurance policies, property records, identification, financial documents and other important records should be backed up digitally, with originals kept somewhere protected from water and storm damage.

Make sure you can access your homeowners, wind and flood insurance information without having to search for paperwork during or immediately after a storm.

Review Your Insurance Before a Storm Is in the Forecast

Don't wait until a hurricane is approaching to figure out what your insurance covers.

Review your homeowners or condominium policy, wind coverage, deductibles and replacement-cost limits with your insurance professional. If the property is rented, make sure the coverage appropriately reflects how the property is being used.

Flood coverage deserves its own conversation. The NAR guide points out that flood damage generally is not covered by a standard homeowners policy, which is an important distinction for coastal property owners.

Ask your insurance professional questions now, while there is time to understand your coverage and make informed decisions.

Take a Walk Around the Property

Some hurricane preparation is surprisingly simple.

Look for loose furniture, grills, decorations, planters or other objects that could become airborne in high winds. Trim weak or vulnerable branches where appropriate and make sure gutters and drainage areas are clear.

If your home has hurricane shutters or another window-protection system, now is also a much better time to make sure you have all of the necessary panels, hardware and tools—and that you know how everything goes together.

Condo owners should also understand what preparations are handled by the association and what remains the individual owner's responsibility.

Stay Connected to Reliable Information

Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone and know where you will get official information if a storm threatens the Grand Strand.

Social media can be useful, but hurricane information changes quickly. During an actual storm threat, rely on official emergency-management and weather sources for evacuation orders, forecasts and safety information.

A Little Work Now Is Much Easier Than a Lot of Work Later

After spending years helping people buy, sell and own property throughout Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet and the South Strand, hurricane preparation is one of those homeowner responsibilities I believe is best handled when nothing urgent is happening.

You don't need to prepare for every possible scenario in one afternoon. Start with the basics: review your plan, check your insurance, document the property, replenish supplies and take care of the obvious items around the house.

Then, when the next tropical system appears on the map, you can concentrate on the latest information instead of starting your preparations from scratch.

Source: National Association of REALTORS® — Consumer Guide: Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season

If you're buying, selling or owning property along the Grand Strand and have a real-estate-related question about coastal homeownership, I'm always happy to be a resource.

Dan Sine, REALTOR®
Dunes Realty Sales
Surfside Beach • Garden City Beach • Murrells Inlet • Grand Strand