Tag Archives: acquisition

When shopping for Home insurance, know what is in your policy.

Before I continue with this information let me give you a disclaimer; I am not an insurance agent or an attorney. For legal advice or any advice regarding this topic contact your insurance agent or legal counsel.

shoppingIn one of my blogs I discussed how to keep your home insurance low, but have you ever thought about what should be listed in your policy?

I get it. Some of the polices are written with such fine print that it would take a microscope to read it. How many layman really understand the legal mumbo jumbo contained in their insurance policy. A great Insurance agent can help you navigate the legal wrangling of your insurance contract.

Some things you should look for when you compare insurance policies.

Flood insurance: Many insurance policies do not cover floods of any kind. Even when you are not in a flood zone you might consider adding flood insurance to your policy. Floods not only happen naturally but also could be side effect of developments or construction in the general area.

Does your policy cover to “bringing your property up to code” in case of damage? Why is that important?

If your home was built 10 to 15 years ago it is possible that it may not meet current local code requirements. During the last 10 to 15 years many zoning ordinances and building codes have changed. To bring a home back up to zoning ordinances and building code standards could be a very expensive out of pocket expense when it is not covered by insurance. Typically, during the rebuilding process, buildings must be rebuilt to the new codes.

Man's Hands Signing DocumentAnother thing to look for in your policy is liability coverage that covers not only accidents, but also assault and battery. Regardless of how much we like our neighbors, friends, and family, when we invite them over to our home they may bring with them their personal life we might not know about. If they decide to duke out their disagreement on your front lawn you could be liable for damages or injuries they sustain. You need to make sure you are covered.

I would like to add another thought. Just because you paid off your mortgage does not mean you should drop your insurance coverage. What you should do is send a “paid in full letter” from your mortgage company to your insurance company so they can take your mortgage company off the policy. In some cases they will reduce your payment as long as you are personally occupying the house.

For more information on insurance related items contact your insurance agent or when you are looking to lower your rate contact one of the agents listed on our resource page. For any Real Estate related questions or concerns contact the Settles Team. We are never too busy to answer any of your questions or address any of your concerns.

Easy “no cost” seller ideas to use to sell your home when you are in trouble.


When you are faced with being forced to sell your home and you do not have the money to invest in repairing it, you may then have to sell it “AS-IS”.

Here are several things you can do to give your home the best chance to sell quickly even if it needs repairs.

Think of what you can do and not what you can’t do



None of these ideas cost you money and it is possible they may make you some money! (OK one maybe will but only if you have no other option)

In the sellers disclosure identify what needs to be repaired. Better to disclose than to hope the buyer will not see the areas that need attention.

  1. Start clearing out and start selling items you do not need. Look in every nook and cranny.
  2. Remove all your personal pictures and notes from the walls, desks, tables and refrigerators. Buyers are not interested who is in the house they want to know about the house.
  3. Vacuum the carpets all over the house, under the bed, under the couch, and the chairs.
  4. Deep clean all of the bathrooms, and the Kitchen. Do not forget behind the stove and under the refrigerator. People will pull the shower curtain to see how clean the shower is.
  5. Take a damp sponge and clean off all the finger smudges of the walls by the light switches and other places you can find. Don’t scrub hard be very gentle.
  6. Clean out overstuffed closets. Put the excess in to storage or sell it.
  7. Organize your kitchen. Get rid of the junk drawer (we all have one).
  8. Clean off the kitchen counter top. If you keep it cluttered, you are telling the buyer that you do not have enough storage room for your items.
  9. Clean out the garage. If you have to sell some of the stuff you have then do so!! Otherwise put it into storage. Do not use the garage as storage unless you are planning on telling the buyers that the house is too small and does not have enough storage.
  10. Clean up the yard!!!
  11. Mow the yard and keep it trimmed!!!
  12. Ask friends or family members if they have some plants you could plant in your yard when you have none.
  13. Clean your windows and open the curtains to let light in!!!

All these ideas, except for putting some of your items into storage, will cost you no extra money you would not be spending anyway. What you will be spending mostly is your effort to get it done.

The faster you can sell your home, the faster you can get back on track, and the faster you might be able to get in to a new home. The longer it takes, the larger the shortfall will be. In this case time is money!!!!

2014 Home-A-Rama, Westfield IN


G&G Custom HomesJust as in previous years, Home-A-Rama 2014 again has some great custom builders showcasing their craftsmanship. This time they are in the Brookside Neighborhood by Langston Development located in Westfield IN.

20140606_140355Brookside is one of Westfield’s premier neighborhoods with a variety of custom homes. Due to the variety of custom builders building in this Neighborhood you never will have a house that looks the same as your neighbors.

20140606_145017_1This year the Home-A-Rama 2014 features G&G Custom Homes, Bedrock Builders, Hoss Homes, M/I Homes – Showcase Collection, and Heartwood Custom Homes.

20140606_141705_1The Brookside neighborhood itself is a very diverse and stylish neighborhood with home prices ranging from $600,000 to $1.7 million. Just minutes away from all major conveniences like recreation, shopping, and schools. Brookside is located on 161th Street East of US 31.

20140606_143419Every one of the builders being showcased at the 2014 Home-A-Rama had a very unique style. I found that high vaulted ceilings and open floor plans are still popular.

20140606_142924Even when you have an open floor plan you still can find corners that will be quite enough for conversation or relaxing. Hideaway spaces like a hidden game room or reading /play room found itself into their design as well.

20140606_145845Pocket and barn doors have finally made their way back into the Midwest building style. It makes a stylish addition to a home and also will make room for other amenities. Clean lines and simple but stylish dĂ©cor design helped showcase the builder’s craftsmanship.

For more information about this or other neighborhoods, the builders, or the area in general contact the Settles Team.
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PLANNING TO START TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE?

stock investmentGetting started in Real Estate acquisition could be a scary and daunting undertaking. When you break it down into small action steps the elephant in the room can get smaller and smaller.

Before considering any Real Estate acquisition, especially for investment purposes, consider first building your real estate advisory investment team. On our Settles Team website we have some great information listed for experienced or first time Real Estate investors.

After you have your advisory team in place you need to make some crucial decisions.

For example:

  • How to pay for the investment?
  • Are you planning on holding or turning the investments?
  • When you hold the investments who will manage them?
  • How to take title of the property.

 

There are many more questions you should consider before looking and buying any investment property.

You need to take real estate investing serious and you should consider it as a full time job and not a hobby. Make a business plan with goals, action steps, and an exit strategy.

When you are planning to get into Real Estate acquisition for investment purposes contact the Settles Team. We will be happy to help.