Most of us are eternal optimists – we hope to lead a trouble-free life, and we don’t usually go around courting disaster. But insurers tend to know better. They know that, well, stuff happens, and that we just can’t predict what tomorrow will bring. And they also know that when trouble comes calling, it’s so much better if you’re prepared. We house our most precious people and possessions in our homes – our family and a lifetime’s worth of belongings we love. And these all need protecting. But the first priority when applying for a bond is putting homeowners cover in place. And, while banks usually insist on – and might automatically provide you with – some sort of protection for your...
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Homeowners are asking for breaks on their mortgage payments in droves, as millions of Americans face the prospect of unemployment or reduced income because of the coronanvirus pandemic. But requesting forbearance on your mortgage isn’t foolproof. The $2.2 trillion CARES Act stimulus package requires servicers to provide forbearance — a temporary postponement of payments — to any homeowner with a federally-backed mortgage. Americans with other mortgages may also be able to receive forbearance at their servicers’ discretion. Requests for forbearance have poured in. Forbearance requests grew by 1,896% between March 16 and March 30, according to a recent report from the Mortgage Bankers...
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The stress and excitement of buying a house has come and gone — it’s time to hang a welcome sign and call it home. But a new journey in budgeting begins once you’ve paid the closing costs and tipped the movers. Now it’s time to learn to budget as a homeowner. Nail budgeting basics Not sure how to make a budget? B uying a home marks a good time to learn. The 50/30/20 budgeting approach is a good foundation, where 50% of your household income goes to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to debt repayment and savings. See how your income breaks down using a budget calculator, or track your spending with a budget app. Even if you’re not new to budgeting, there are many additional things to consider now...
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For functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Owning a home is the one of the greatest investments you'll make in your life. Protecting your assets is not just smart—it's integral. The best way to do this is to purchase both a homeowner’s insurance policy and a home warranty. Purchasing both will cover your home, belongings, appliances and system components in case they need replacement or repair. But understanding the differences of the two products and why you need them can be tricky. What is homeowners insurance? A home insurance policy covers any accidental damage to your home and belongings due to theft, storms, fires, and some natural...
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How We Chose the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies Financial strength ratings The best way to compare financial solvency among insurance companies is to use financial strength ratings (FSR) from independent agencies. With a higher financial rating, the company is more likely to satisfy large claims (like if your house burns down). Since the whole point of insurance is to protect you financially, it’s vital that your carrier has enough money to pay out its claims — which, in the event of a natural disaster, can be sudden and massive. We set the bar high — our picks needed to have at least an A rating from A.M. Best, the only agency that focuses solely on insurance. Then, because the...
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Homeowner association In the United States, a homeowner association (or homeowners’ association, abbreviated HOA, sometimes referred to as a property owners’ association or POA) is a private association often formed by a real estate developer for the purpose of marketing, managing, and selling homes and lots in a residential subdivision. Typically the developer will transfer ownership of the association to the homeowners after selling a predetermined number of lots. Generally any person who wants to buy a residence within the area of a homeowners association must become a member, and therefore must obey the governing documents including Articles of Incorporation, CC&Rs (Covenants,...
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