Category: Local Events

After the Flood: A Landlord’s Guide to Recovery and Support

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The devastating floods that struck Central Texas in July 2025 left a trail of damage and uncertainty in their wake. Our hearts go out to everyone affected—especially the families who were displaced, the communities working hard to rebuild, and the landlords and tenants navigating the challenges of property damage and loss. At TALK Property Management, we’ve seen firsthand the toll this type of disaster can take, and we’re here to help you through it.

If you’re a landlord whose rental property sustained flood damage, here are the critical steps you should take in the days and weeks following the event:

1. Check On Your Tenants First

Above all, ensure your tenants are safe. Reach out immediately to confirm their well-being and find out if they’ve been displaced or suffered personal loss. Even if the property is damaged, maintaining open and compassionate communication builds trust and goodwill during a difficult time.

2. Document Everything

Before beginning cleanup or repairs:

  • Take detailed photos and videos of all damage—inside and out.

  • Create a written inventory of losses or structural issues.

  • Ask tenants to do the same for their belongings (they’ll likely need this for their renters insurance claim).

This documentation will be essential when filing your insurance claim.

3. File a Flood Insurance Claim Promptly

Flood damage is typically not covered under standard landlord insurance policies. If you have a separate flood insurance policy (such as one through the National Flood Insurance Program), contact your insurer immediately to initiate the claim process. The earlier you file, the sooner an adjuster can visit the property.

4. Arrange for Professional Assessment

Hire a licensed contractor or property inspector to assess the structural integrity of the building. Floodwaters can compromise electrical systems, foundations, and HVAC units—issues that may not be immediately visible but could pose serious risks down the line.

5. Begin Cleanup with Safety in Mind

Flood cleanup is hazardous. We recommend working with certified restoration professionals who can safely:

  • Remove water and debris

  • Prevent mold growth

  • Disinfect affected areas

Tenants should not return until the property is deemed safe for habitation.

6. Stay Informed About Local Resources

In the wake of the July 2025 floods, several city and county programs are offering support for property owners and tenants alike. Stay connected with city updates and relief programs that may offer financial aid, cleanup assistance, or temporary housing solutions.

7. Coordinate with Tenants Regarding Repairs and Relocation

Depending on the extent of damage, your tenants may need temporary housing. Work with them to:

  • Understand lease terms related to disasters

  • Determine whether rent abatement or termination is appropriate

  • Coordinate a realistic timeline for repairs

If you have a property management team like ours at TALK Property Management, we can help navigate these delicate conversations.

8. Rebuild with Future Resilience in Mind

As you repair the property, consider incorporating flood-resistant materials and drainage improvements. Evaluate landscaping and grading to divert water away from the home and explore upgrades that could protect your investment from future weather events.

9. Review and Update Your Insurance Coverage

Once the recovery process begins, take time to review your insurance policies. You may want to increase coverage limits or add protection for hazards that weren’t covered previously. Our team is happy to help you evaluate these options.

We’re Here to Help

At TALK Property Management, we understand the stress, urgency, and emotional impact that a natural disaster can bring. We’re committed to supporting our property owners and tenants every step of the way—from coordinating emergency services to managing insurance communications and repair timelines.

If you need help navigating the aftermath of the Central Texas floods, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re in this together—and we’ll get through it together.

Hope, Heroes, And Handbags: A Fundraiser For The Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center

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The Hope, Heroes, and Handbags fundraiser is an annual event that holds a special place in the hearts of Williamson County residents. Hosted by the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center (WCCAC), this event brings the community together to support a noble cause—helping children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. TALK Property Management has had the distinct honor of serving as one of the business sponsors of this incredible fundraiser. Let’s dive deeper into the event and why it’s so important.

What is the Hope, Heroes, and Handbags Event?

The event’s centerpiece is a live and silent auction featuring designer handbags and luxury items, with all proceeds directly benefiting the WCCAC. In addition to raising funds, the event celebrates the resilience of children who have endured unimaginable hardships and the heroes who work tirelessly to protect and advocate for them. These heroes include the WCCAC staff, law enforcement, therapists, and countless community volunteers who are committed to the center’s mission.

Why the WCCAC’s Work is Critical

The Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center provides a safe space for children who have experienced abuse, offering therapeutic services, forensic interviews, and victim advocacy. The center works hand-in-hand with local law enforcement and child protective services to ensure that each child’s case is handled with the utmost care and compassion. By providing these essential services, WCCAC helps children heal and gives them the support they need to navigate the legal process and start the recovery journey.

How the Community Can Help

Hope, Heroes, and Handbags offers community members a unique way to get involved. Attendees not only enjoy an afternoon of fun, fashion, and philanthropy but also play a direct role in supporting the life-saving work of the WCCAC. By bidding on handbags and other high-end items, participants contribute to the center’s ability to continue providing free services to children and families in need.

The fundraiser also offers an opportunity to recognize the everyday heroes who make the center’s work possible. It’s a chance for the community to come together and celebrate the progress made while acknowledging the work still to be done.

How to Get Involved

Whether through donations, volunteering, or attending the event, there are many ways to support Hope, Heroes, and Handbags. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses and individuals who want to make a lasting impact in the lives of Williamson County’s most vulnerable children.

Final Thoughts

The Hope, Heroes, and Handbags event is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of hope, a recognition of local heroes, and a way for the community to come together to support children in need. At TALK Property Management, it has been an honor to serve as a business sponsor for several years running, and we encourage other individuals and businesses to participate. You can make a tangible difference in the lives of children and help ensure that WCCAC can continue its critical work. If you have questions about how to get involved, reach out to us at TALK Property Management anytime.

Celebrating the Holidays in the Greater Austin Area

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This time of year promises fun-filled events throughout the Greater Austin Area for all to enjoy. Find the holiday light displays around town. Finish your Christmas shopping with local crafters. Or perhaps you have little ones that are chomping it to bits to see Santa; there’s a little something for everyone with these December events in Austin and surrounding areas.

Are you looking for holiday events in Round Rock this December? Don’t miss A Hometown Downtown Christmas, hosted by the Mercantile on Main and the City of Round Rock. Stroll through historic Downtown Round Rock for a chance to meet Santa, sip on hot cocoa, have your face painted, or meet a princess!

From now through December 23rd, take part in one of Austin’s most talked-about holiday events, The Trail of Lights. Hosted by the City of Austin and Zilker Park, the annual display of holiday lights is a tradition that many come from near and far to witness. 

We all remember Ralphie. Here’s your chance to relive this Christmas classic again! With various showtimes available, “A Christmas Story” will be playing at the Georgetown Palace Theatre through December 29th.

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is underway for your last-minute shopping needs in Austin. Through December 24th, this 12-day shopping event takes place at the Palmer Event Center. Doors open at 11 AM for booth-to-booth shopping, live music, and award-winning art. Once your shopping bags are filled to the brim with unique gifts, enjoy a cocktail at one of the two fully stocked bars on site. 

Once Christmas festivities in Austin have passed, it’s time to get ready for a New Year. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Austin, be sure to mark your calendars for the event of the year. Ring in 2020 with music, fireworks, and free family fun at the Vic Mathias Shores at Lady Bird Lake on December 31st, beginning at 7 PM.

Be sure to come back to our blog in 2020 for even more events in Austin. We here at TALK Property Management know about more than rental properties and investment opportunities. We keep track of the fun too!