Homeowner’s Insurance: How to Save!
You likely may not be considering the proximity of a firehouse when purchasing a home. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, residing near a firehouse has many benefits including, of course, safety. But did you know it could translate into a decrease in your homeowner’s insurance premiums?
True, not all homes are going to be close to a firehouse. However, we all know the crucial role homeowner’s insurance plays in protecting the home and its belongings. Below are three tactics you could implement now to reduce your insurance premiums.
Three Tips For Buying Home Insurance
Comparison Shop
Although not always the most pleasurable experience, shopping around to see what competing companies offer is one of the most powerful tools you have available. One great example is the knowledge you will gain by scouring the reviews of past and present customers. Visiting the website of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners can help call to your attention critical distinctions when choosing your homeowner’s insurance company.
Decrease Coverage
We often think we need to insure our homes for the full price we paid. If you purchased your home at $500,000 you should insure it for that amount, correct? Actually, no. If you experience a major loss you probably will not need the entire purchase price to reconstruct the home. Why? Because the purchase price contained the value of the land also. However, you still need to consider present day costs. Make a full inventory so you do not underestimate the value of your belongings.
Ask Questions
Even though insurance companies have differing discounts the following considerations may result in a reduction of your bill.
- How long have you been with the company?
- Senior discount
- No claims in recent history
- Sprinkler system or smoke detectors
- No smokers in the home
- Multiple policies with the same company
- Improved credit score
- Security features such as alarm system or cameras
Top 5 Characteristics That Distinguish The Best Real Estate Agents
Yes, most of us will not be moving next to a firehouse. But we can save on our homeowner’s insurance in other ways. Give us a call today if you have any questions!
F0rg3+ 3v3Ry Rule You Ever Learned About How To Create A Password
The Man Who Wrote All Those Crazy Password Codes “Regrets Everything”
If you’re like me, you struggle with having a different password for all of the different websites and apps you use.
I recently read an article overhauling rules for creating the most secure password for your accounts.
I know you’re wondering; how does this apply to real estate? I’m glad you asked.
We know that just about 100% of home buyers actively on the market at some point in time are looking at homes online.
If people are looking online, they’re most likely setting up online accounts.
And what do you need to set up online accounts? You got it… Passwords!
What were the old password and security rules? The same rules that have been around for more than a decade.
- Use a combination of special characters (!@#$%^&*), mixed in with super long confusing letters and numbers in an order sure to confuse even the savviest internet computer hacker. Once you’ve set up your “ultra-high security” password don’t get too comfortable, you have to change that password every 90 days.
- Your other choice is to live life on the wild side. Make your password simple and memorable. Maybe some form of your name, child’s name, special dates and the such. Then you pray nobody knows enough about you to guess your low-security password.
All of this came from a pamphlet published by The National Institute of Standards and Technology, written by a mid-level manager named Bill Burr. Wouldn’t you know, Mr. Burr, who at the time of this writing is 72 years old admits much of the old password advice was inaccurate. “Much of what I did,” he said, “I now regret”. – Wait what…? In fact, the complex passwords had a less than positive effect.
Now, enter a new age of internet passwords. A new set of rules.
Rules that will make passwords both easier to remember AND more secure than the now known less secure passwords of the past. The new rules recommend long, easy to remember sentences or phrases. The Wall Street Journal reported that “correct horse battery staple” written as a single word would take as long as 550 years to crack., as opposed to the only 3 days it takes to break TrOub4dor&3.”
The best part about this new password guideline. You don’t have to change them unless you think they got stolen. Now if only we could get back the time lost composing these silly passwords. Then trying to remember them, only to reset them to another even more silly password.
Want more tips on making life easier? When it comes to selling houses in Coral Springs check with Miranda Executive Realty at The Keys Company. When you call us, you won’t even need a password. #Winning
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