Buying a new home is an exciting time in life! Whether you are a first time homebuyer or experienced in the homebuying process, it is a huge accomplishment. However, the downpayment and monthly mortgage isn't the only costs that come with owning a home. Homeowners insurance may often be overlooked by first time homebuyers, as it's not a popular topic of discussion. When financing through a bank, homeowners insurance is typically required. Although it's required, it's most certainly worth the cost. Navigating through various homeowners insurance policies may feel confusing. Here is what to look out for when searching for the best homeowners insurance, ensuring you're paying the best price for the best coverage. 

1. Coverage

Coverage is the most important factor when searching for the right homeowners insurance. Most offer an array of coverage policies which are broken down by the amount protection they offer. This means how much the insurance company will replace your valuables after a natural disaster or a loss. The three main types of coverage policies include:

• Cash Value Replacement Coverage: This option will replace the cash value of the items lost, while taking into account the depreciation of your personal items.

• Full Replacement Coverage: Full replacement coverage will reimburse you the complete cost of your items, at today's cost. Meaning there is no depreciation. 

• Guaranteed Replacement Cost Coverage: If your home is a total loss, this coverage will completely reimburse the actual cost with no coverage limits, in today's dollar amount.

2. Additional Coverage Plans

There are an array of coverage plans that you can add to your existing policy, for even more protection. Many opt for this if they live in an area where natural disasters are known to occur. This may include:

• Flood Insurance: Those who live in areas prone to flooding are encouraged to purchase an add-on of flood insurance onto their policy. This will ensure your items are covered following an event of a flood or severe storm surges.

•  Earthquake Insurance: This plan will protect your values and items in an event of an earthquake. Those residing in California are more inclined to include this policy onto their plan. 

3. Get Three Quotes Before Making a Decision

Just as you browse and shop for your new home, you will want to do the same for homeowners insurance. Take this time to consider what you need within a policy, in terms of the coverage needed and where you reside. For example, those buying a home in Ohio most likely do not need earthquake insurance. By shopping around and learning pricing and options available, you will be able to make the best decision.

Choice Properties offers you a chance to find the home of your dreams. We work with your budget and ideas in mind to support your ultimate vision. Call us if you are ready to check out the available inventory or to speak with a reputable agent who can assist you with your home buying needs.

How to Determine the Value of Your Home

Are you wondering what your house, or the house you might buy, is really worth? The short answer is however much someone is willing to pay for it. The long answer depends on the market and whether you have reached out to a lender. Although it is wise to hear from a professional, it's also smart to do your own research. Knowing how to calculate your home's value with the help of online tools while gaining insight from a professional will better prepare you to buy, sell, refinance, or tap into your home's equity. Learn how to determine the value of your home:

Use Online Valuation Tools

A simple google search of "how much is my house worth" will bring up a list of home value estimators. These tools will use public records of property transfers, deeds of ownership, and tax assessments to predict your home's value based on recent sales and listings in the area. Take advantage of these online tools will help you gain insight on the current real estate market in your neighborhood and allows you to compare the prices of home against each other.

Get a Comparative Market Analysis

If you are ready to dive deeper into your home market value, consider asking a local real estate agent for a comparative real estate analysis. Although this is not as detailed as a professional appraisal, a CMA provides an agent's evaluation of a home to provide an estimate value. This is typically done for listing purposes, but can also be a useful tool. The agents at Choice Properties are eager to assist you with any needs, helping you get on the right track to selling your buying your home!

Hire a Professional Appraiser

Lenders will require an appraiser before they will approve a mortgage, but as a property owner you are able to hire an appraiser any time to receive a home estimate. Other key points an appraiser will evaluate include:

• Market: including the region, city, and neighborhood in which the home is located
• Property: Characteristics of the house, including improvements and the land
• Comparable properties: This includes sales, listings, cost, and vacancies within the area

Choice Properties offers you a chance to find the home of your dreams. We work with your budget and ideas in mind to support your ultimate vision. Call us if you are ready to check out the available inventory or to speak with a reputable agent who can assist you with your home buying needs.

A Checklist for First Time Homebuyers

Buying your first home comes with a wave of exciting emotions but can feel just as scary diving into the new world of home ownership. Purchasing a home is the American dream, and you should feel proud of your accomplishments! With this being one of the largest investments you'll make in life, it's worth going into the process knowing what is required. The award-winning real estate agents at Choice Properties have created a checklist for first time homebuyers, ensuring your set and ready to start house hunting!

Check Your Credit Score and Credit Report

The first task you should check off your list is checking your credit score. This is the number mortgage lenders will refer to when determining your loan approval or amount. If your credit score isn't where you want it to be, keep working on improvement! Having a good credit score will save you money down the road, as a higher credit score means a lower interest rate. While you are reviewing your credit report, be sure to double check for any blemishes or mistakes. Credit errors are more common than you think, and reviewing your report ahead of time allows you to contact the credit bureau to correct any mistakes.

Calculate a Budget

After ensuring your credit is in the clear, you can now calculate how much you can afford when buying a house. Consider using a mortgage calculator to determine your monthly mortgage payment, which allows you to adjust depending on the size of your down payment, the type of mortgage, and interest rates.

Shop For a Mortgage Lender

Just as you shouldn't buy the first car you test drive, you also shouldn't accept the first loan offer by a mortgage lender. Different mortgage agencies will offer a wide variety of rates and programs, so it's best to shop around to find one that matches your preference.

Find a Trusted Real Estate Agent

Although you think you may be able to tackle the home buying process alone, there are small details that go into making sure you find the best home at the best deal. Finding a trusted real estate agent ensures you are negotiating the appropriate price while not missing out on new postings. Working with a buying agent who immerses themself in the market allows you to rest easy with minimal stress. At Choice Properties, our expert agents make our customers a top priority, promising to work hard until we find the home of your dreams.

Visit Open Houses

While your real estate agent is finding you a home that matches your wishlist, it is also encouraged to browse open houses in the meantime. Browsing the internet for online listings is great, but viewing the properties in person is even better. Take advantage of open houses during weekends, mapping out times and directions to plan a full productive day. Taking photos and notes at each house helps you keep your thoughts clear and precise.

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

What's the Difference Between a Fixed Rate and an Adjustable Mortgage Rate?

Taking on a new journey of buying a home is an exciting time, but also comes with creating a budget and researching loan options. You may be asking yourself, what's the difference between a fixed rate and an adjustable mortgage rate? While the marketplace offers a wide variety of loans within these two categories, the first step when researching mortgage options is determining which of the two main loan types fit your needs.

Fixed Mortgage Rate

A fixed rate mortgage is a well-known loan option, especially for those looking to buy their first home. During this loan option, the interest rate is set for a certain amount of time, ranging from 10, 15, or 30 years. During that time, the interest rate does not change giving homeowners a state of certainty.

Adjustable Mortgage Rate

The second loan option is an adjustable mortgage rate. Unlike a fixed rate, this option means your interest rate can change periodically meaning monthly payments could go up or down. Adjustable rates typically start with a low interest, but will rise as time goes on, also rising your house payments.

One of the most difficult decisions most homebuyers will deal with is choosing between a fixed loan or adjustable loan. At Choice Properties, we understand each buyer situation is different, motivating us to ensure your home needs and desires are met.

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.