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How to Choose the Right Homeowners Insurance

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Choosing the right insurance policy is an important part of being a responsible homeowner. Homeowners insurance is designed to protect you and your family members from liability. It will also cover your home and possessions in the event of a disaster or theft. If you’re in the process of purchasing your first home, or shopping around for a new insurance provider, you may be confused by the many policy options that are available.

What You Need to Know About Applying for a HELOC

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If you’re a homeowner in need of extra cash, tapping into your home’s equity can be a great option. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) allows you to borrow against the equity in your home and use the money for whatever you need, debt consolidation, home renovations, vacations, college expenses or an emergency fund. When it comes to applying for a HELOC, here’s what you need to know about the process.

When to Hire a Professional for Home Improvements

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Are you thinking about tackling a home improvement project? Summer is the perfect time to accomplish those things on your home improvement to-do list. As a homeowner, it’s important to think about ways to increase the value of your home, along with updating it. Home improvement projects have many benefits including increasing your home’s value and making your home more enjoyable. For example, a dark basement can be turned into a fun recreational room just by adding the right lighting.

How Much Should You Save Before Buying a House?

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Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases most of us will ever make. Saving enough money to buy a house can feel like an overwhelming goal. However, if you put a savings plan in place, you can take steps towards putting money away for a down payment on a new home. Determining how much you’ll need for a down payment is the first step. Here’s how you can figure out what your home savings goal should be.

Extra Costs to Consider When Owning a Home

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When making the move from renter to homeowner, it’s easy to think your monthly mortgage payment will be the only big cost you’ll need to be concerned about. Many first-time homeowners make this mistake, and then discover all the additional costs after buying their home. However, this common mistake can be avoided. Here are some extra costs that should be included when you’re establishing a monthly housing budget.

How to Sell Your House Quickly

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Selling your home can be a stressful process, especially if you’re counting on the proceeds of the sale to help make a down payment on a new home. If you’re looking to sell your home, you’ll likely want to see that sale happen as quickly as possible. After all, it isn’t easy to be paying two mortgages at once. Here are 12 helpful tricks to get your home into the hands of its new owners as fast as possible.

Common Mortgage Myths

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Finding the right mortgage can seem overwhelming to a first-time home buyer or even a current homeowner who hasn’t gone through the process for many years. When it comes to getting a mortgage, there are misconceptions about the process that may discourage a home buyer. Here are four common mortgage myths and why you shouldn’t worry so much about them.

Essential Tools for Every New Homeowner

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As a new homeowner, you likely have a long list of items you need or want to purchase for your new home. From welcome mats to window treatments and wall hangings, there’s lots to buy in the first few weeks after closing on your first home. As you browse through new couches and home decor, don’t forget to stock up on the basic tools every new homeowner needs.