April, 2020

3 Reasons You Need Renter’s Insurance

Posted on April 29, 2020April 29, 2020 by agentinsure

As a renter in Cypress, TX, you’re not responsible for protecting your dwelling against damage or loss due to a catastrophe. You are, however, responsible for protecting your belongings and safeguarding your assets against liability claims due to accidents that may occur on your property. Renter’s insurance from InsureUS can provide this protection and more. Here are a few good reasons to purchase a renter’s insurance policy.

Protection for Valuables

Like most people, you’ve probably accrued quite a few items over the years, i.e. designer clothes, sports gear, electronics, etc. If these goods were stolen or destroyed by fire, would you have the funds to replace them out of pocket? Renter’s property insurance protects your goods against theft, damage, or total loss from a major disaster. Actual cash value coverage covers the cost of your goods, minus depreciation. Replacement cost coverage provides you with the funds to replace your goods outright, after subtracting your deductible. Renter’s property insurance in Cypress, TX is an affordable, practical way to protect your valuables.

Protection Against Accidents

Renter’s liability insurance is designed to protect you against accidents on your rental property. If a guest slips in your driveway or falls down your stairs after one too many drinks, you can be held responsible for paying his or her medical costs. Liability insurance covers the cost of accidental injuries in your rental home so you don’t suffer financial loss. With liability coverage, you can host festive occasions with confidence knowing you’re protected against mishaps on your property.

Compensation for Living Expenses

If your rental home is damaged by fire or gets waterlogged in a storm, you may have to move out temporarily until repairs are made. Additional living expenses insurance helps cover your living expenses elsewhere to include hotel, food, transport, etc. until you can move back home. To quality renter’s coverage at reasonable costs, contact InsureUS today.

Does a 15-year mortgage cost twice as much per month as a 30-year loan?

Posted on April 24, 2020March 10, 2020 by Victor Varma

Paying a loan in half the time does NOT mean making double payments. In fact, many homeowners are surprised at how little they need to pay on a shorter length loan.
For decades, the 30-year mortgage was the standard when it came to financing a home purchase. But, in recent years, the 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage has become popular for a couple of reasons.
One advantage of the 15-year fixed is that a shorter term can mean lower rates. Today’s interest rates are historically low at around 3.9% to 4.5%, so they aren’t the make-or-break issue they were, say, in the 1980s when the interest rate could easily top 12%. But interest rates count.
Another advantage isn’t as easy to see. On a 30-year $100,000 loan financed at 3.9%, the payment would be a very affordable $473. On a 15-year loan, the payment rises to $736, still likely affordable.
So, why not just take the lower payment for 30 years? Because nestled within that lower payment, is a big stack of money. On that $100,000 loan over 30 years, you pay nearly $70,000 in interest. That’s real money. On the 15-year note, you pay less than half of that: about $32,000.
The question for the buyer is whether to shop around for a lower-priced property overall (in order to make the 15-year numbers work), or buy something more expensive with features that make the 30-year mortgage more attractive.

Millennial buyers want the “goods” delivered!

Posted on April 17, 2020March 10, 2020 by Victor Varma

Millennials are buying homes, and it’s probably fair to say, they would like that deal delivered.
Those people born between 1980 and 1999, made up the largest share of home buyers last year (37 percent), according to data from the National Association of Realtors. Of those, 86 percent of younger millennials and 52 percent of older millennials were first-time homebuyers.
Millennials want different things from previous generations. While previous generations might have wanted to get away from the city, millennials are just as likely to want to be in it. So, if the city has spread out toward your once-suburban home, don’t be afraid to emphasize the location. Millennials want short commutes. They don’t like lines. They want everything delivered and that includes all the services of the city from groceries to fine dining or even fast food. They want lots of choices in restaurants and bars, and nearby entertainment.
According to the National Retail Federation, millennials are in a hurry. Millennial buyers don’t house shop casually. They are internet savvy and accustomed to doing research online. More than 80 percent of millennials look for a home on a mobile device.
Millennials are less likely to care about square footage than other generations. They prefer home features: Garages that double as recreation rooms, designer laundry rooms, and walk-in pantries that hold food, wine, and appliances.

Refunds confuse taxpayers, survey finds

Posted on April 10, 2020March 10, 2020 by Victor Varma

Nearly half (46%) of taxpayers don’t know a refund comes for overpaying taxes to the federal government.
That is one finding of a survey of taxpayers by Credit Karma.
About 70% of Americans typically expect to receive a refund check each year, and many are unsure about the origins of the money.
While 46% knew their tax refund money comes from their paychecks, an equal percentage thought the money was given to them by the government.
Forty percent knew that getting a tax refund means they overpaid income taxes.
About 11 percent knew it meant they were essentially giving the government an interest-free loan.
More than half of respondents (51 percent) did not know they could determine whether they get a refund each year by adjusting their withholding amounts.
More than half said they would rather get a tax refund than consistently have more money in their paychecks throughout the year.
Only 34% said they would prefer to have proper withholding.
According to data from the IRS, the average refund amount as of February 7 was $1,952–up 0.2 % (or $3)–when compared with 2019. The number of refunds issued was down 4.8%, as the tax agency paid 4.6% less cash.

Coronavirus and investments: Don’t worry, be happy

Posted on April 3, 2020March 10, 2020 by Victor Varma

So the stock market tanked in historic drops in February on news of the coronavirus Covid-19. It also recovered in an historic one-day recovery.
Dizzy yet?
Investment experts at Market Watch say ignore the headlines.
The market will go up and down during the virus crisis, but no experts think it will stay down.

Long-term investors need not worry
Those with a 401(K) or IRA are probably still doing well compared to the same time last year or even the year before. If you have some time before retirement, take a deep breath. You made a lot of money in the last three years, and you are probably still ahead.

Don’t let bad news make you sell good stocks
Headline risk. That’s what stock advisers call short-term bad news that panics some investors into selling.
Don’t panic.
Apple, for example, was selling for around $146 in 2018 but soared to more than $330 before the virus crisis. During the crisis, it dipped to around $220. But, even though in the short run, sales will be slower and the supply chains crazy, it’s still Apple. Still a great company to own.

Opportunities arise
Plus, in the meantime, as stock prices sink, buying opportunities rise. Buy the bargain. A short-term crisis offers lots of buying opportunities.
One caution from Market Watch: Don’t try to guess when the market will be lowest. No one can. Buy when the bargain seems good.
It might be time to look at your portfolio and consider rebalancing your ratio of stocks to bonds, according to Market Watch.