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Questions to Ask Before You Have a Home Built

Posted on February 3, 2017January 19, 2017 by Victor Varma

Verify Credentials

Don’t settle for just any custom home builder; find out all you can about them. Ask them how long they have been in the business and why they enjoy it. Ask them about their challenges and how they have overcome them. Find out about other homes they have built in the area and go take a look at them. Check online to see if there are complaints against them.

Once you find a terrific custom home builder to work with, ask them about their credentials. This includes insurance and licensing. Ask them about their crew and what types of checks they conduct on them to make sure they have the right skills for the job. A professional isn’t going to bat an eye at your questions or avoid answering them.

Models and Selecting Details

Most custom home builder providers have models you can walk though and look around. Others only offer those images on a computer for you to look at. Talk to them about the various floor plans they offer and how you select your colors and other details. If there is something unique you want to have added, make sure they can do this before anything gets started.

Change orders can be tough to accommodate when it comes to building a home. They can also be costly in terms of the materials and the time involved. The building shouldn’t begin until are completely sure about what you want and all of those details have been fully discussed. Take all the time you need to make your final selections.

Budgeting

You may have a bottom line in mind when it comes to your new home. It is important for the custom home builder to know this figure and to respect it. They can share with you what they can offer for that price. They may have a land/home package for you to think about. It is also possible you are buying the land separate and hiring them just to build the home.

There are other factors you need to take into consideration though. This includes plumbing, wiring for electricity, and other factors. The builder of your home should be able to share these needs with you as they do have to be factored into the overall cost. Typically, they will subcontract that work so you are only paying one person to get the job done.

In other instances, you may be able to pick those subcontractors. Find out what the process will be in advance so you can be prepared for what you are responsible for. If they are going to cover the subcontractors, ask who they are and conduct your research. You need to be confident they can do an excellent job for you.

Scheduling

Ask about the other homes they have on their agenda and when they will finish them. It isn’t uncommon for a custom home builder to have more than one crew. This allows them to work on various projects. The crews may all work on certain aspects of any given home. This allows those with certain skills to use them to complete certain tasks.

Find out how long it will be for them to start the construction of your home and when it will be completed. There can be delays with permits, inspections, weather, and other variables they can’t control. However, they should be able to give you a reasonable timeframe for the work to be done.

It is important to us for you to have the home you really want. We hold ourselves to very high standards so you can get the best possible results. We have the experience to create an amazing home for you. Working with us, we can help you to design it and to ensure everything is taken care of. Safety is a top priority for us and we ensure all building codes will be followed every step of the way. We are selective about who we obtain our building materials from. We only use the best quality products so your home will look amazing when you move in as well as down the road. Check out http://mikeblakehomes.com to get an idea of what we can do for you.

By Mike Blake

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mike_Blake/2213447

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9592566

Auto Insurance Texas

Posted on January 31, 2017January 30, 2017 by agentinsure

The Lone Star state is a big place, and driving ever so popular. Texas mandates registration of auto insurance for all vehicle owners with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Traffic citations for driving without insurance in the state, can receive a fine of up to $350 for a first-time offense. The minimum level of auto insurance coverage is liability, to protect a driver from costs related to harm of another driver as result of an accident.

Required Auto Insurance Coverage

Depending on a driver’s record, and license classification, the minimum auto insurance carriage is liability. Drivers in Texas must have liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage at the minimum limits of:

$25,000 property damage coverage per incident
$30,000 liability for bodily injury per person
$60,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per incident

Optional Auto Insurance Coverage

Before signing on to auto insurance coverage, drivers in Texas can supplement liability insurance with the following options:

Auto rental
Collision insurance
Comprehensive insurance
Customized parts replacement
Medical expenses
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (bodily injury)
Uninsured motorist insurance (property damage)
Towing and repair labor

When working with an insurance agent, get more value for money on a policy with a discount for driver affiliation membership, or good student driving record. Combined insurance agreements may also cover auto indemnity at a lower rate. Factors such as age, claim history, model of car, credit score, and prior driving history while insured may impact total insurance premium price. If a driver has been classified as a risk as result of DWIs or traffic citations on their record by the Texas State DMV, auto insurance premiums will be higher.

To find out more about auto insurance in Texas, and to obtain a quote, contact InsureUS in Cypress TX.

Don’t drink, drive and Snapchat

Posted on January 27, 2017December 30, 2016 by Victor Varma

The worst possible New Year’s decisions probably don’t seem so terrible at the time.

Drinking and driving — the safety scourge of New Year — gets a lot of press for good reason. That one decision can change your life or even end it.

However, a new spike in traffic related deaths tells experts something else is going on in cars these days. Something deadly: Technology.

In the first six months of 2016, highway deaths rose 10.4 percent, to 17,775, from the comparable period of 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“This is a crisis that needs to be addressed now,” Mark R. Rosekind, the head of the agency, told the New York Times.

Safety officials aren’t alone in their concern. The insurance industry is also convinced that using phones and apps on phones, tablets or laptops, is the biggest cause of the rise in road fatalities,

Robert Gordon, a senior vice president of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, said in an interview with the New York Times.

When the first examples of tech-distracted driving became obvious a decade ago, the problem was driving while trying to make phone calls or text on a phone.

Response to this problem was to make new cars Bluetooth friendly so that drivers would not have to take their hands off the wheel. Instead, their phones would work right from their cars.

And that has worked well. So well, that now there are a host of apps that also work very well through the car. Result? More Internet use than ever and, possibly, more distraction than ever, as drivers concentrate on podcasts, social media, navigation, and more.

Three questions to identify fake debt collectors

Posted on January 20, 2017December 30, 2016 by Victor Varma

Debt collection scammers abound and can cause massive problems once they get you to pay them or reveal personal information.

But you can identify an actual debt collector with three simple questions, according to thesimpledollar.com:

1. What is the name, address, and phone number of the company you are calling from?

They ought to be able to tell you that, after all. Once answered, tell them to send you a validation notice. Don’t discuss the bill.

2. What is the name and address of the debtor you are trying to reach?

Legitimate debt collectors will know that. If the information they give is wrong, do not correct them. Tell them to send a validation notice to the address on file. Then hang up.

3. What are the last four digits of the debtor’s social security number?

Trick question. Legit debt collectors won’t answer this because it violates the law.

New Year’s budget resolution? – Try zero-sum budgeting

Posted on January 13, 2017December 31, 2016 by Victor Varma

If your goal is to make 2017, a better financial year, try Zero-Sum Budgeting, a simple idea that can bring big results.

According to FamilyFinancier.com, Zero-Sum Budgeting revolves around two main ideas: Budgeting to zero and paying for next month’s expenses with this month’s income.

What is budgeting to zero?

* Budgeting to zero means spending every single dollar on a specific goal.
* You could have goals like paying a bill, savings toward a holiday or adding to an investment.
* Over time you can identify overspending in one or multiple categories and make adjustments. Slowly you can create a reliable growth in savings.

How to Pay for Next Month’s Expenses Today

The second main goal for the zero-sum method is to pay for the month ahead with the current month’s income. This allows for two benefits:

* No issues paying bills on time
* Safety net of at least one month’s income in case of emergency accomplishing these two goals would put someone far ahead of the average American. According to a recent Federal Reserve survey, 46 percent of Americans said that they would have to borrow or sell something to pay for a $400 emergency. Given this reality, paying bills a month ahead can take time unless a person already has savings. Once accomplished, this goal can provide substantial financial security and peace of mind.

Tips for Implementing the Zero-sum BudgetStart with your monthly bank statement in hand. Make a list of spending categories. Assign expenditures to one of these categories. This helps you see what you actually spend and where. Now, decide where you can cut spending and where you can add spending, to suit goals such as paying off bills. Make sure every single dollar you bring in has a ‘home’ in your budget. A few recommendations for someone trying this, or any other, budgeting method:

* Use an app, tool, or spreadsheet to help stay organized and accurate. This makes the process so much easier.
* Find an accountability partner.
* If overspending is a problem, roll with the punches and work to get back on track.

Pop the cork on the bubbly! It’s a great time to sell (and buy)

Posted on January 2, 2017December 13, 2017 by Victor Varma

Everything is coming up champagne and roses for home sellers in 2018 as experts predict more home sales and rising home prices as Millennials appear to finally be buying.

For the new year, the real estate scene looks great for both sellers and buyers.

Buyers will benefit from low mortgage rates, ticking just past 3.9 to 4 percent in mid-November 2017 for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

Analysts do not expect those rates to rise much, if at all.

In many areas, the number of houses for sale is low and that drives prices up. On the other hand, prices are not as high as in the recession-era market. Experts say that should give buyers some confidence.

The construction industry appears to be addressing the problem of a low supply of homes for sale as new construction rose in mid-November 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The overall economy also forecasts a healthy housing market, as more people are working and tax cuts may add money to the economy.

Banks stop banking on mortgages, report says

Posted on December 30, 2016November 15, 2016 by Victor Varma

Fearful of regulations and expensive penalties, banking is backing away from traditional mortgages.

According to Inside Mortgage Finance, banks loaned less than half of all mortgage dollars in the third quarter of 2016. This is the first time in 30 years that banks and credit unions have not taken the lead in mortgage lending.

Traditional banks have shied away from making mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. This follows a series of costly lawsuits brought by the federal government surrounding these loans in the last few years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Non-bank lenders, such as Quicken Loans, have stepped into the market snapping up borrowers with less than pristine credit.

Meanwhile, banks have concentrated on jumbo loans (those more than $417,000 in most parts of the country) because they are considered less risky both financially and legally, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Living longer means planning for later life

Posted on December 23, 2016November 15, 2016 by Victor Varma

With Americans living longer than in the past, planning for long-term care has become a priority.

In March, the results of a Nationwide Retirement Insurance survey revealed that many women over the age of 50 are hiding a big retirement worry from those they love: the fear of burdening family if long-term care is needed. But, it doesn’t have to be such a worry, or such a secret. With planning ahead of time, people can feel secure in their futures.

Some of the issues families must consider:
1. Housing: Will Dad sell the house and move to a long-term care facility if he can no longer live alone? Does he agree? Has he chosen some places he likes? If he does not agree, what are the options for the family?

2. Health care: If mom stays healthy and active, she may avoid the move to long-term care. It could be helpful now, while she is strong, healthy and of sound mind, to create a living will or health care directive that lays out exactly what they want to happen if they get sick and need long-term care. Getting that information on paper and signed can help to protect her and ensure that wishes will be followed if they cannot make those decisions on their own.

3. Legal decisions and planning: There are several documents that are helpful and important in situations where long-term care is a possibility. The first of these is a living will or health care directive, as outlined above. The second is a health care power of attorney. This designates a specific person to make medical decisions if a person cannot make them.

4. Financial planning: Long-term care can get expensive. To reduce this expense and stress, it is important to consider purchasing a long-term care policy that will pay for costs when that help is needed. Having long-term care insurance can lessen the financial impact.

Celebrate at home, not on the road

Posted on December 16, 2016November 15, 2016 by Victor Varma

The holidays are here, bringing with them family, fun and a dose of partying. It may be no surprise then that December is known as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2013, there were more than 10,076 fatal crashes that involved a driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

There is good news: The number of fatal, alcohol involved crashes in the entire year of 2013 has declined from a high of 13,582 fatal accidents involving alcohol in 2005.

To remind individuals of the dangers involved in driving while impaired, the NHTSA launches a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign each year, from December to January. The NHTSA reports that nearly 1,000 deaths occur because of impaired drivers during the month of December alone.

Although fatal crashes where drivers died have declined over the years, more drivers are impaired not by alcohol, but by other drugs. From 2006 to 2012, drug involvement in this type of crash increased six percentage points. Although the campaigns used to target drunken driving specifically, now that marijuana is legal in a handful of states, the campaigns have changed to target impaired driving as a whole, including driving after smoking marijuana or ingesting another drug.

For example, in May 2016, AAA reported that deadly crashes that occurred after drivers had used marijuana in Washington State doubled between 2013 and 2014.

These campaigns highlight the importance of making the right choices during the holiday season. If you’ve been out drinking, there are options: call a cab; get a ride with a sober friend; have a designated driver. There are always options that are better than getting into a car and driving after you’ve been drinking or partying for the holiday season.

Tips for Avoiding Car Accidents This Holiday Season

Posted on December 14, 2016February 19, 2017 by agentinsure

When winter hits in Cypress, TX, more auto accidents occur. This is because roads are slick from rain and ice, it gets dark earlier, affecting visibility, and more people are preoccupied with holiday thoughts in their heads. However, just because accidents are more likely to occur during this timeframe doesn’t mean you can’t do things to prevent them. Here are a few tips for avoiding car accidents this holiday season.

Stick to Routes You Are Familiar With

Believe it or not, but you are more likely to be involved in a car accident if you are driving on roads or routes you are not familiar with. As such, when you are out driving this holiday season, stick to roads that you are familiar with to avoid an accident.

Pull Your Emergency Brake if You Are Sliding on Ice

You can’t always avoid icy roads. But if your car starts to slip on a patch of ice, hitting quickly on the brakes can cause you to slide even more, which can cause an accident. Instead, pull up on the emergency brake to attempt to stop your car faster. Keep this tip in mind, so you don’t panic if this happens to you.

Never Drink and Drive

The last way to avoid car accidents this holiday season is never to drink and drive. While it may be legal to drive after having a drink or two, your reflexes are drastically slowed when you drink even a single drink. This can cause an accident to occur. Simply avoid drinking and driving to reduce the likelihood you will be in an auto accident.

Avoiding car accidents not only helps to keep you and your family safe, but it can help to keep your auto insurance premiums affordable. If you are looking to price out auto insurance policies, contact InsureUS, serving the Cypress, TX area today. We can help you with all of your auto insurance needs, regardless of whether you have accidents or not. Give us a call today to get started.