Living within Your Financial Means
It may sound like an oft-written cliché, but when it comes to managing your money there is no better guidepost to follow. Of course it’s the American way to spend more than you make and, as we’ve seen with the recent surge in home foreclosures, it can lead to personal financial disaster.
So, let’s brush up [...]
Home Mortgage Pre-Qualification, Pre-Approval and Loan Commitment
Before getting too serious about house shopping, most people want to be certain they will qualify for adequate home financing in order to know how much house they can afford and what the total monthly costs will be once they move in.
Lenders help would-be homeowners in this process in three ways; pre-qualification, pre-approval and, once [...]
What is the Best Home Mortgage for Me?
Financing a home can be exciting and challenging at the same time. With so many home mortgage and real estate loan options available, how do you choose the one that is best for you?
By knowing the right questions to ask and knowing what level of financial risk you are comfortable accepting, you can decide on a mortgage that fits your financial situation like a glove!
» Read moreTypes of Home Mortgages
Understanding the types of home mortgage loans available can seem daunting. Learn about the different types of home loans and the advantages and disadvantages of each and how to decide which loan type is best for you.
» Read moreShould You Finance a Home in 2008?
Pick up a newspaper or watch the nightly news these days and you can’t help but see myriad stories about rising gas prices, slumping home prices, the declining US dollar, the lending crisis and impending recession despite 2008 being an election year in the US.
Just as reporters hyped the growth in real estate prices for [...]
What To Do If Your Homeowners Insurance Is Cancelled
Homeowner’s insurance, as we have seen throughout this guide, is an extremely important part of owning your own home.
We all want the peace of mind and security of knowing that should disaster strike, we will not be in jeopardy of losing what is typically the single largest asset we own and have invested so much [...]
Homeowners Insurance Claims Repairs And Rebuilding
So you’ve successfully filed a home insurance claim and your insurance company has accepted and agreed to compensate your losses. Congratulations and certainly you feel relieved!
Now the real work begins. Although finding your way through the confusing and sometimes frustrating claims process is behind you, the details of repairing or rebuilding your home still remains.
As [...]
Homeowners Insurance Claim Settlement Tips
When filing a homeowner’s insurance claim, most people want to be sure they get a fair settlement.
By preparing in advance and following your insurance company’s claims process correctly, the majority of homeowners should be adequately compensated for losses arising from insurable perils.
There are, however, some things you need to be aware of which affect the [...]
Home Insurance Adjusters and Appraisers
Filing a homeowner’s insurance claim and completing the claims process can be a confusing and sometimes intimidating process.
If you have suffered major property damage arising from an insurable peril such as fire, theft or injury, your first concern should be the safety and security of the members of your household, which may involve emergency medical [...]
Homeowners Insurance Claims Guide
We all hope that we will never have to file a claim for theft, injury or other perils in the home.
But the fact is that most homeowners do have to file an insurance claim at some point, whether because their home is broken into, a fire occurs, somebody is injured in an accident, a component [...]
Homeowners Insurance Claims Prevention Tips
Your claims history is one of the few factors affecting your homeowner’s insurance premiums that you can actively manage.
Aside from pride of ownership and a natural desire to make your house a home you enjoy and appreciate spending time together with friends and family, keeping your home in good condition and taking a few simple [...]
Homeowners Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need homeowners insurance?
If you care about your home and your possessions, the answer is yes! You can never predict when or where a catastrophe will occur, so you should be prepared. And if you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to have home insurance.
Are there any ways I can cut the [...]
Homeowners Insurance Exclusions and Endorsements
Your standard home insurance policy covers some things, but not others. Exclusions define what is specifically not covered and endorsements are extra coverage that supplement your policy.
Some things people commonly and mistakenly believe are covered by their homeowner’s policy include damage caused by flooding, earthquakes or war. Not all risks and perils are insurable, while [...]
Residential Insurance Policies
People too often make the mistake of assuming that they have to own a home in order to get insurance coverage, thinking their landlord’s policy will cover them in case of an insurable peril.
But, if you rent, own a condo or townhouse, a farm or ranch you need to purchase insurance to cover your property [...]
Lowering Your Homeowners Insurance Rates
Everybody hates paying insurance premiums; it’s a fact of life that people feel insurance costs are too high and you aren’t really getting anything in return.
Well … until you have a theft, fire or other insured peril occur; then suddenly those premiums you’ve been paying can seem like the best investment you’ve ever made!
Still, we [...]
Homeowners Insurance Policy Types
With so many insurance companies and types of home insurance coverage available to you as a consumer, knowing the differences is critical in making an informed decision when purchasing a homeowner’s insurance policy.
Whether you rent, own a condo or home, your primary residence should be covered against theft, damage and other potential risks.
Regardless if you [...]
Comparing Home Insurance Companies
The American Dream has long been to own a home.
And often, a home is the most valuable asset an American family will own, so protecting it in the unhappy event of fire, flood, theft or other unforeseen circumstances is critical.
And if, like most people, you have a mortgage secured by the value of your home, [...]
Seven Credit Card Mistakes Consumers Make
Learn about the top 7 traps many consumers fall into with credit cards and how you can avoid the problems and pitfalls that make the credit card companies rich.
Read these great pointers to manage your money and credit cards more wisely!
» Read moreBasics of Retirement Planning
Of course planning for your retirement is something you think about.
But what steps have you taken to be sure you’ll have an adequate nest egg in your golden years?
Read on for some simple tips on planning for your retirement years. The sooner you get started the better!
Know Your Retirement Needs
Retirement is expensive. Experts estimate that [...]
What Are Mutual Funds?
Basically, a mutual fund is a collection of stocks and/or bonds.
You can think of a mutual fund as a company that brings together a group of people and invests their money in stocks, bonds, and other securities.
Each investor owns shares, which represent a portion of the holdings of the fund.
Generally, you can use dividends paid [...]
Top Things to Know About Buying Life Insurance
Life insurance is important to providing for your loved ones in that worst case possibility that you die.
However, most people end up paying too much for life insurance or are under insured because they buy a more costly policy than needed.
Read this article to learn how to find the best value on a life insurance policy!
» Read moreTop Things to Know About Insurance
While we all want to think of our insurance company being there for us in time of need, it is important to remember that an insurer is not always on your side.
Insurers are out to make a profit, often at the expense of you, the insured.
Read this informative article to learn the things you really should know about buying and managing your insurance policies!
» Read moreHow to Avoid Personal Bankruptcy
If you encounter financial trouble, you could be at risk of facing personal bankruptcy.
Dealing with creditors is very stressful and you need advice to negotiate the best terms possible.
But remember that you do have legal rights that can help protect you from creditors and bankruptcy is not the only option.
Read on to learn how you can avoid bankruptcy and get back on the right financial path!
» Read moreBuying Insurance; Where to Start
So you’ve decided to purchase insurance for you car, apartment, medical needs or even to cover your own life.
That is the first step to managing risk wisely in your personal finances!
But where do you begin when shopping for an insurance policy?
With so many options and insurers to choose from, purchasing an insurance policy can be a daunting challenge.
Read on to learn a few tips and ideas on how to get the most value when buying insurance coverage.
» Read moreCredit Card Fraud Protection Guide
At the present time, persons who do business through fraudulent means never seem to stop. A huge percentage of Americans fall victims to scams and frauds, costing them hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Has this ever happened to you or someone you know? If not, it may be just a matter of time unless you know [...]