Avoid these homeowners insurance mistakes

Homeowners insurance may not be the most exciting part of buying a home, but it’s one of the most important. Buying a home is probably your biggest investment, so use every tool to make sure that you’re covered. Homeowners insurance calculators are powerful tools toward that end, but they aren’t always tailored to you.

What You Need to Know About Homeowners Insurance

Basic homeowners insurance only covers damage caused by “fire, theft and certain natural disasters,” meaning you may have to purchase additional coverage depending on where you live and what materials were used to construct your house. For example, you may want to consider a home warranty to cover repairs and replacements that home insurance won’t cover.

According to Forbes, there are 4 Costly Homeowner’s Insurance Mistakes to Avoid:

Under-insuring your house. Without enough insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding your house if destroyed, you may be left in a financial crisis following a disaster. You should calculate the cost of rebuilding your house and make sure your protection matches that cost. Additionally, you might consider coverage for your valuables.
Assuming you have flood insurance. Depending on where you live, flood coverage could be essential. Many homeowners are unaware that basic coverage does not include flood insurance, but for those living in coastal or other flood-prone areas, that extra coverage is critical.
Thinking you have one, flat deductible. It’s common to assume that your policy has a set deductible (usually between $500-$1,000), but that’s not necessarily true. Depending on the cause of damage — hurricane, windstorm, earthquake, and so on — your deductible could increase dramatically if your insurance has different deductibles. You might be able to switch to a policy with a flat-rate deductible, depending on your insurance provider; if not, you’ll need to maintain an emergency savings fund just in case.
Believing you’re covered for mold or sewage backup. This is another kind of coverage that many basic policies don’t provide. Additional insurance for mold can run at a high price, so it’s important for you to evaluate the humidity levels where you live and find out if your home was built without mold-resistant materials (a common problem in older houses).

*Investment and Insurance Products are NOT Bank Deposits, NOT FDIC-Insured, HAVE NO Bank Guarantee, NOT Insured by any Federal Government Agency, May Go Down in Value.

Share:

Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.

First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

4 Common Costs Of Renovating An Older Home You’re on the market for your first home, and a great deal comes across on an older home. You love the potential it has, but then a question comes to mind: how much will it cost to renovate this house? 5 min read

FHA Mortgage Loan Insurance If you’re in the market for a new home, it’s quite likely that you have thought about acquiring mortgage loan insurance through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Established in 1934, the FHA has helped millions of people insure their properties. Over the years, especially following the economic crisis of 2008, the FHA has implemented requirements for potential homebuyers. Loan Limits To remain eligible for FHA loan insurance, consumers must fall within the loan limits. These limits are not only divided by state but are also doled out per county. If you’re curious as to what your state’s FHA loan limits are, you can refer to the Federal Housing Administration’s website. Debt-to-Income Ratio This ratio was set to ensure homebuyers do not purchase a property that they cannot afford. By using these calculations, it can be determined whether or not a person has the potential to meet the demands of owning a home. The ratio is looked at in two different ways: Mortgage payment expense to effective income = Total mortgage payment divided by gross monthly income. The maximum qualifying ratio is 31%. Total fixed payment to effective income = Total mortgage payment added to monthly revolving and installment debt, which is then divided by gross monthly income. The maximum qualifying ratio is 43%. Credit FHA requires that a borrower have good credit standing. In order to receive approval, a lender analyzes the borrower’s past credit performance. Loan approval will likely be declined should the credit history reveal slow payments, poor financial decisions, and delinquent accounts. Other issues are having no credit history, filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, making late payments, being subjected to foreclosure, and receiving collections, judgements, or federal debts. Apply for an FHA Loan with First Bank You have a friend at First Bank to better understand the loan requirements. We work with the Federal Housing Administration to offer FHA insurance mortgages. In order to quicken the process, you can apply online. Just be prepared with some financial information, such as income, assets, and expenses; you will also have to know the property’s information, like the estimated purchase price and down payment (if buying) or estimated property value and loan amount (if refinancing). ——— Sources: 2 min read

What Are 20-Year Mortgage Rates? There are various factors to consider when purchasing a home, including how to finance it. Some consumers may opt for a mortgage with a shorter term while others find it beneficial to extend the mortgage. It may be best to look for a 20-year mortgage for a lower price without putting yourself in debt until retirement. First, let us help you answer the question, “What are 20-year mortgage rates?” What are 20-year Mortgage Rates? 20-year mortgage rates are an alternative to 15 and 30-year mortgage rates, the most common types of mortgage loans. 15, 20, and 30-year mortgages are usually offered as fixed-rate mortgages, meaning the interest rate you pay never changes. A 20-year fixed mortgage rate typically allows you to build equity faster and pay off your home in less time than other longer-term mortgage loans. They also typically have lower interest rates than other mortgage options because the term of the loan is shorter. Benefits of a Fixed-Rate Mortgage First Bank offers conventional fixed-rate mortgages, available in terms of 15, 20, and 30 years. There are many benefits to a First Bank fixed-rate mortgage, including: Predictable monthly P&I payments Protection from rising interest rates for the life of the loan Sound investment for long-term home owners What is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage? First Bank also offers adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs. ARMs have interest rates that change periodically. When the rate changes, your monthly payment will either increase or decrease depending on whether the rates rise or fall. First Bank’s ARMs are available for 30-year amortization schedules, with initial periods of 3, 5, or 7 years. Contact First Bank Today Whether you’re buying a home or interested in refinancing, First Bank has a loan option for you. If you are still have questions about mortgage rates or conventional loans, contact the First Bank Mortgage Help Center, or visit a First Bank branch near you. 2 min read

FHA Loans vs. Conventional Loans: How to Tell the Difference Overwhelmed with the prospect of buying a home? FHA loans and conventional loans are likely two sources of financing that you’ve considered. Let First Bank help you understand these options and come to a conclusion about which best suits your needs and budget. After all, choosing the right loan is key for timely, affordable payments. Choose the Right Loan with First Bank If you’re a first-time homebuyer or interested in purchasing your second home, there are different qualifications for each loan you should consider: FHA loans—The FHA, or Federal Housing Administration, provides mortgage insurance on loans made by approved lenders. Single and multi-family homes in the United States (and U.S. territories) can qualify. First Bank can help put you on the right track to securing one of these loans. The advantages of an FHA loan can be: Owing a lesser down payment, as low as 3.5%. Enjoying quicker eligibility following a major credit issue such as bankruptcy or foreclosure. Allowing a co-applicant to help you get the loan, even if you don’t live in the same household. Conventional Loans—A non-government insured loan that can be used with a second home purchase or an investment. Unlike FHA loans, conventional loans can require a higher credit score (often a minimum of 640), but they can have some major advantages for you. Conventional loans can allow: A risk-based premium, unlike FHA where one set premium rate is required from everybody, MI if applicable. Your monthly payments to be lower, even if you have a higher interest rate. Your loan to cover a higher loan amount. You to cover different types of loans like, investment or second home (FHA doesn’t do those types). When considering an FHA loan versus a conventional loan, keep in mind that conventional loans are not affiliated or insured with the government like FHA loans. Additionally, an FHA requires mortgage insurance and conventional loans do not, unless the LTV exceeds 80%. There is an upfront MI premium (1.75%) that is required on FHA loans that is not required on Conventional loans. For a more detailed look at FHA loans versus conventional loans, or assistance with applying, call or meet with your local mortgage loan professionals. *Loans subject to credit approval. 3 min read

Avoid these homeowners insurance mistakes

Ready to talk to an expert?

What You Need to Know About Homeowners Insurance

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...