Month: October 2012

Insure It Before You Move In

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Moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to shop around for homeowners insurance. Ask your current agent for a cost for insurance for your new house. That figure can be compared to the cost your Mel Foster Insurance agent can secure from one of the 25 available providers.

You can save up to 25% on your insurance by carrying coverage for multiple items. Your homeowners can be combined with your auto insurance, allowing you to qualify for a multi-line discount. Be sure to also include insurance for a boat, motorcycle, RV or collector car. The more toys you have to insure, the more you’ll save!

If you are a first time homeowner, you’ll have plenty of questions for your insurance agent. You might need help determining the deductible that’s comfortable for you. Carrying an umbrella policy might also be wise when you move into your new home. An umbrella policy is an excess liability policy that protects you against liability losses that could exceed your primary coverage. It’s an added option that can give you peace of mind in your new home.

Before you pack up your electronics, jewelry and precious family heirlooms, take pictures of everything. It’s a good idea to have an inventory with photos in case of damage during the move or a catastrophe. Leave the photos, CD or flash drive in your safe deposit box or a fireproof safe in your home so it will be available after a disaster. Your agent should review these assets to help you determine if you need additional coverage for your jewelry. You may not have enough coverage to pay for the replacement value of everything you own under your standard homeowners policy.

Determine your savings potential today by getting a free online quote of your insurance coverage.

Why they’re driving by and not stopping

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It’s the over grown bushes. The peeling paint. The dead potted plants on the porch. These are things you’ve been overlooking for so long that you hardly notice them. But potential buyers do notice.

Buyers think these small things to fix mean bigger repairs are lurking. Maybe there are other things in the house that have also been neglected. They’ll drive right past your house to find another home that’s less work to fix up. Your home becomes known as “that house with the dead plants on the porch” instead of the home with the spacious rooms and beautiful kitchen.

Some basic tools and a few hours on a weekend can get the front of your home in top showing condition. Walk up your driveway or front steps just as prospective buyers will be doing. Take a picture and examine every detail closely. Look for signs of wear, tighten loose bolts, replace light bulbs and declutter your front porch. Give every surface a heavy cleaning and patch holes or paint as needed.

Regardless of the season, your yard needs attention. In the winter, keep your drive, walk and steps clear of snow and ice. Making your surfaces spotless, even in cold weather, projects an image of cleanliness and order. This also reduces the chances of slips and falls when hosting open house.

In the warmer months, it takes more effort to keep the yard looking manicured. Be sure to keep the lawn tidy and use a few colorful potted plants near the door to make your porch more inviting. Potted annual plants only cost a few dollars and should be replaced if they get unruly or dry out from the heat. Before the first frost, retire your plants and place some pumpkins on your porch for seasonal interest.

If you had only $100 to spend to spruce up your front yard and entrance, consider purchasing some solar landscaping lights, new house numbers, a new mailbox and paint for the front door. A nice coat of paint can freshen your entire entry and hide any imperfections on your front door. This small investment could go a long way in securing a buyer for your home.

The final step in your home’s mini make over is to take another picture from the curb. How does it compare now to other homes on the market?

Get Smart With Your Home Search

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You’re already online if you’re reading this blog. That’s a great first step to embracing technology to find a home. But there’s more out there to make your home search faster. Use your web enabled phone and our free app to search anywhere, anytime.

The free app is available for download through iTunes® App Store and the AndroidTM Market. You can search for homes, see photos and contact an agent to schedule a showing. The apps show all homes for sale in Mel Foster Co. markets giving you a full range of listings.


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