Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned natural, the process of buying a home is quite arduous and in all of the excitement and frustration, it is easy to lose yourself in the details.  When it comes to choosing your home insurance however, you must be vigilant and always read the fine print of the policy you choose so that you can avoid unwelcomed surprises if you need to file a claim.  Here is a list of posts detailing some of the things your home insurance probably doesn’t cover.

1. The Truth About Insurance – This is a list of seemingly odd things that home insurance may and may not cover.
2. Griffin-Owens & Associates – This is a post that serves as a checklist for homeowners  in preparation for cold weather and warns against weather related issues that are not covered by insurance.
3. Property Insurance Quotes – This is an interesting post about which states have the worst insurance coverage regarding natural disasters native to the state.
4. Dr. Boyce Insurance – This post is about whether flood insurance is needed and how you should determine what is right for you and what is and is not covered.
5. Home Insurance Agents – This is a blog post about the different types of home insurance available and what may or may not be covered under each.
6. California Dog Bite Laws – This is a very interesting article about whether animal bites are covered under homeowners insurance.
7. Suite101 – This is an article about how the state that you live in has a great effect on what is and is not covered in your home insurance.
8. Ice Pack – This is an article about flooding, a natural disaster that are not typically covered by home insurance.
9. Deadbeef – This article warns that the language in your home insurance policy can mean all the difference between items that are covered and those that are not.
10. Basic Homeowners Insurance – This article warns consumers about assuming what their basic coverage offers as it can differ between companies and states.
11. Personal Injury Attorney Los Angeles – This article is about animal bite coverage and if your home insurance is affected.
12. Saving Without a Budget – This is a blog about error and omission coverage for liability and the limitations of your home insurance.
13. World Finance News – This is a top 10 list of popular home insurance coverage myths.
14. c-tasc – This is a post about the rising costs of home insurance and the shrinking coverage.
15. Quote for Home Insurance – This is a blog that addresses questions about unusual circumstances that may not be covered by home insurance.
16. Mortgage St. Louis – This is a blog that runs down what is and is not covered in policies in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
17. Golden State Financial – This is a blog about why home insurance does not cover damage to land.
18. Carpet Cleaning Company – This is a blog about water damage and what is not covered by home insurance.
19. Doc Savage – This blog answers whether large appliances are covered under home insurance.
20. Money Blog – This is a blog about whether home insurance would cover bedbug infestation.
21. Daytona Homes for Sale – This blog explains why you may need an umbrella policy because of what your home insurance won’t cover.
22. Emergency Food Supply Kits – This is a blog that warns about disaster preparedness and knowing what is in the fine print of your home insurance policy before it’s too late.
23. Charleston Business – This post is about flood insurance, current legislation, and why it is not covered under home insurance.
24. California Homeowners Insurance – This article is about what happens with insurance lapses, abandonment of property and foreclosure and what will not be covered.
25. WTHR – This is an article about utility line insurance and why home insurance will not pay for utility lines.
26. Faith and Finance – This is a blog post about the fine line your home insurance will walk in order to not pay for things such as a leaky roof.
27. Homeowner – This is a post about the different types of water damage that are usually not covered by home insurance.
28. Utah Disaster Kleenup – This is an article about different types of disasters that are partially covered or not at all by home insurance.
29. Chumney Powell – This blog is about why floods are not covered by home insurance and the need for flood insurance exclusively.
30. Claim Insurance – This is an informative blog about how people do not read the fine print and assume they have coverage for things they do not.
31. Whole Life Insurance R US – This article examines common and not so common things that are not covered by home insurance and what to do about it.
32. Universal Articles – This article examines why you may be paying too much for home insurance coverage you don’t have.
33. Home Buying Institute – This article explains how home insurance works and what it typically will and will not cover.
34. Kelly Smith – This is a blog article that explains what happens to your home insurance coverage after renovations and what will be covered.
35. Williams Agency – This is a blog about what home insurance in Pennsylvania will not cover.
36. Insurance Quotes – This is a blog that explains whether bedbugs are covered by home insurance.
37. Felicia Williams – In this blog the author covers water damage and faulty workmanship and why there is a thin line between what is and is not covered by home insurance.
38. Reading Chronicle – This is a surprising article about how burglary can cost you more than your belongings when your home insurance won’t cover it.
39. ArticlesFox – This is an article about how mold affects what your home insurance will cover.
40. Money Sense Tips – This blog explains why many states will only cover some disasters or none at all.
41. Orlando Frasca – This is a blog about what you may not be aware that your home insurance may not cover.
42. Hello – This is an informative blog that examines different types of home insurances and why they all cover or do not cover different things.
43. My PennyAuctionSite – This is a blog article that warns the reader to be sure that they read the fine print of what is and is not covered in their home insurance, especially regarding disasters.
44. Finance Xplore – This is a personal account blog about a devastating earthquake and the woes of not having the right home insurance.
45. Bargaineering – This blog gives advice on home insurance type to avoid because of the lack of coverage.
46. Amy Andersen – This blog reveals that having people in your home for an extended stay or a short term lease may not be covered by your home insurance and a bad idea.
47. Financial Stock Answers – This blog has great comments and help about home insurance covering exotic pets.
48. Trulia – This blog lists the top 5 things to know about home insurance and what it may or may not cover.
49. Lisa Nichols – This is a great blog about what to know when buying condo insurance and what it may not cover.
50. AmerInsur – According to this blog, very little people know exactly what is in their home insurance and assume that it covers much more than it does.

Image Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michiganmoves/3404846171/

The housing market has taken such a beating during the economic crisis that many are now recommending that people rent instead of buying a home. This advice is founded primarily on current economic factors that will change over time, but there is plenty of opposition to this viewpoint as well.

1. Credit is harder to come by. If you don’t have perfect credit, you may find it hard to qualify for a home loan right now. Be patient, save up your money for a down payment, and don’t rent the largest home you can afford. Instead, be frugal with your renting dollars and put more toward your savings until the time is right for you to buy.
2. Renting will make you poor. In the long run, making monthly rent payments you’ll never see again is a sure way to put yourself into the poor house. Homeowners make monthly mortgage payments and build equity instead. That equity can be leveraged when tough times call for borrowing.
3. The true cost of ownership. Add up all the costs involved with buying a home. There is a large outlay of cash up front, which usually includes a down payment, points, and closing costs. In addition, there will be homeowners insurance premiums, property taxes, and the cost of maintenance and repairs. Before you buy, make sure you have enough financial reserves to cover these expenses.
4. How to build wealth. Homeowners build wealth in two ways. First, the mortgage payments are like a forced savings plan. Second, home values appreciate over time. While these two factors do not reliably produce wealth over the short term, they are usually expected to have long term payoffs. With housing prices as low as they are, buying a home now is more likely to result in higher appreciation over the next ten years.
5. Cost offsets. There are tax breaks and other benefits of homeownership that help to offset the costs. Although the first-time homeowner tax credit has expired, you may be able to find down payment assistance if you buy in certain areas that have been hit hard by foreclosure.
6. Time is the key. If you are planning to move within the next few years, renting may still be the best option. The New York Times comparison calculator shows that it may take as many as six years to break even when purchasing a home.

The decision to rent or buy is a personal one, and the timing will be based on your personal situation. Just don’t expect to rent over the long term and still come out wealthy on the other side. At some point, everyone who can afford to should buy a home they can call their own

The present economy, as 2010 draws to a close, has forced many people to seek less expensive ways to maintain their lifestyles. Following realistic budgets and taking advantage of bargains have become essential skills. People who enjoy decorating their homes, or providing those services to others, have had to acquire the knack for finding trendy, yet thrifty and budget-savvy ways to decorate and accessorize rooms, or complete more extensive remodeling or renovations. This article presents a list of 44 blogs comprised of articles, tips, and other resources dedicated to helping the budget-savvy homeowner or interior designer to decorate in trendy, yet thrifty fashion.

1. Love Where You Live
   Susan is a field editor for such well-known publications as Better Homes & Gardens, Remodel, and Renovation Style. In this blog, she provides numerous thrifty tips about how to restore or renovate furniture and accessories, and remodel rooms, accompanied by high quality photos.
2. A Stroll Thru Life
   This blog’s author, now retired, enjoys spending her time decorating, sewing, and crafting. She offers decorating ideas to create the look the discriminating homeowner wants, as she says, “on a very tiny budget with just a few changes.” She also provides clear, detailed photos.
3. A Beach Cottage
   For those who enjoy beach cottage-style decorating, Sarah’s blog provides tips for a look that is a combination of “coastal, cottage, and country.” She encourages readers to just “wing it and not worry about perfection” while taking advantage of renovating old furniture, incorporating vintage items, or scooping up things that just “wash up on the beach” to add to the décor.
4. Colour Me Happy
   Maria Killam is an interior designer and color expert. She concentrates on helping clients save money by “creating warm, comfortable, and inspired spaces” using the correct color paint and accessories in strategically designed focal points in the home.
5. Little Red House
   Mary enjoys decorating and sharing her tips, accompanied by beautiful photography. She frequents thrift stores and incorporates her finds into her home décor.
6. Frugal with a Flourish
   Jess is a self-proclaimed “bargain hunter.” Her goal in this blog is to share decorating tips about “creating a fantastic space for as little cash as possible.”
7. Strictly Simple Style
   Karen Evans endeavors to redecorate her home “without breaking the bank.” She shares her experiences in this blog to help other people accomplish the same task in their own homes.
8. Copy Cat Chic
   Reichel B. confesses she loves decorating and finding good deals. In this blog, she offers her tips to others for doing both.
9. Young House Love
   John and Sherry Petersik are a young couple with an older house. They share their budget-conscious house remodeling and redecorating adventures in this blog to help other “do it yourself” homeowners.
10. Centsational Girl
    Kate is a self-proclaimed “bargain hunter, design lover, and incurable DIYer.” She uses her blog to share her tips on repurposing items she finds at thrift stores and flea markets, and decorate rooms “diamond style on a dime.”
11. Our Suburban Cottage
    Bargain hunter and “design nerd” AnNicole believes people can have “chic on a shoestring.” She uses this blog to share her decorating and renovation tips.
12. Thrifty Décor Chick
    Sarah is into “cheap” decorating through her thrift store treasures. She shares her tips about how to decorate tastefully without spending a lot of money.
13. The Inspired Room
    Design consultant Melissa combines realistic ideas for decorating with simple homemaking for inspirational “authentic” living. In this blog, she shares her decorating tips for using natural materials and repurposing other items.
14. The Shabby Nest
    Wendy, who is both a designer and a mother, strives to turn houses into beautiful homes, “without breaking the bank.” In this blog, she offers her tips for using natural items and frugal make-overs.
15. Shanty 2 Chic
    Sisters Ashley and Whitney recently moved their respective families into new homes. Their need to decorate on tight budgets prompted them to start a blog to share their adventure of transforming “shanty” items into chic décor.
16. Reinvented
    Kimm started her blog about budget-savvy home décor ideas for “real people with real stuff and real budgets.” She shares her decorating tips about reusing and “upcycling” frugal finds into functional, pleasing treasures.
17. Finding Fabulous
    Stay at home mom (SAHM) Jane believes in decorating for less by finding fabulous treasures to “revamp, repurpose, or renew.” She shares her simple design tips in this blog and hosts “Frugalicious Friday” for folks to share links to their own “fabulous finds.”
18. Musings from a French Cottage
    The blog’s author loves simplicity, particularly in the form of vintage and French designs. She shares her creative decorating tips in this blog for remodeling and decorating in French, vintage style.
19. The Polished Pebble
    Kelley Motsch takes simple, vintage items and transforms them into trendy new home décor items. She shares her tips in this blog about how to rethink and reuse “junk” and turn it into treasures.
20. Applestone Cottage
    Cindy and her husband Dan live in a little stone cottage surrounded my apple trees, hence the blog name. Dan builds and Cindy decorates “on a shoestring budget,” and she shares their adventures of transforming their little cottage into a home.
21. All Things Heart and Home
    Robin advocates “decorating on a dime” and “re-purposing beautiful junk.” She shares her decorating tips in this blog.
22. Cozy Little House
    Brenda Kula looks for simple and frugal ways to make a home cozy. In this blog, she shares how she accomplishes that.
23. Mary’s Meanderings
    Mary Ellen and her family moved to an old house that required some old-fashioned “elbow grease” and creative thinking. In this blog, she shares her practical decorating ideas for working with what you have available.
24. One Simple Country Girl
    Virginia country girl Donna loves decorating in a prim/country style. She offers simple, inexpensive decorating tips in her blog.
25. Coastal Charm
    Linda lives on the coast of Alabama and is an avowed bargain shopper at thrift stores and garage sales. She has a “passion for decorating” and uses her blog to share her tips.
26. White Flower Farmhouse
    Megan blogs about refurbished and handcrafted items, as well as how to transform this old farmhouse on a budget. The blog includes beautiful photos of the process.
27. Frugal Farmhouse Design
    Lori confesses to be a “lover of tag sales and flea markets,” and enjoys searching through estate sales, farmhouses, and barns for treasures. She shares her decorating tips based on her philosophy, “things do not need to be expensive to be stylish.”
28. Between Naps on the Porch
    Susan believes if something is beautiful and adds value to someone’s life, it is time to share it. She uses her blog, therefore, to share her decorating and renovating tips and photos based on “antiquing” and “thrifting” finds.
29. Dear Daisy Cottage
    Kim is a freelance writer with article published in numerous home décor magazines. In her blog, she shares her love of decorating with thrifty finds of “all things vintage” to help folks on limited budgets.
30. Magnolia Street Style
    The blog’s author knows how to find treasures among antiques, and at flea markets, yard sales, and vintage shops. She shares her decorating and redecorating tips with such finds.
31. Karla’s Cottage
    Karla Nathan is a successful published writer, with articles in numerous home décor magazines. In her blog, she shares from her experiences of finding treasures at garage sales, thrift shops, and auctions, and turning them into home décor treasures.
32. Miss Gracie’s House
    Rene is a stay at home mom (SAHM) living in a century old farmhouse with her family. While they continue the renovation process, Rene shares this blog about how she turns vintage and worn out items into new home décor treasures.
33. Edie Marie’s Attic
    Sherry loves interior design and bargain shopping, and wants to share her decorating tips with folks who appreciate a look that is “casual elegant, shabby chic, or flea market chic.” She started this blog to do so, coinciding with a craft booth she once had, named after her favorite aunt.
34. Notes from a Cottage Industry
    An avid “yard saler” into “thrifting,” Tracy Buxton specializes in painting and repurposing old vintage furniture.  She shares her decorating tips, combined with beautiful photos, in this blog.
35. At Home in the Country
    Jill “loves the thrill of the hunt” at garage sales and thrift stores. In this blog, she shares how she turns these items into cozy home accents in their country home in Hickory Hollow.
36. The Elegant Thrifter
    Stan’s motto is “always thrifty, always fabulous,” and he uses this blog to demonstrate his point. Stan is also a published author of a book about decorating with treasures found at thrift stores and flea markets.
37. The Vintage Nest
    Lynn pursues the perfect vintage treasures at yard and estate sales, auctions, flea markets, and antique shops. She shares in her blog how she turns these “special treasures” into home décor beauties.
38. The Thrifty Trendsetter
    Kara is young mother and her husband has returned to school, so finances are limited. As she continues the adventure of learning to do more with less, and be creative and stylish in the process, she shares her decorating and remodeling tips in this blog.
39. The DIY Show Off
    Roeshel is a wife and mom who understands budgets and “do it yourself” (DIY) projects. She uses her blog to share her tips about how to creatively repurpose items to design and decorate any home.
40. Décor Made Simple
    Dianna and her husband Greg enjoy “rescuing” and recycling old, discarded furniture, and transforming it into home décor pieces. The couple also frequents yard sales, flea markets, and antique stores for “junk” to transform. They share their “hunting” and decorating tips in this blog.
41. Room Remix
    PK has a degree and passion for decorating and interior design. She started this blog so she could help others with tips and creative ideas for people to stay within their budgets.
42. Crafty Nest
    Monica is a self-proclaimed “crafter and nester” who understands small budgets. In her blog, she shares decorating tips about how to upcycle shabby and unwanted items into stylish and trendy home décor.
43. Funky Junk Interiors
    Donna, who goes by the moniker “Funky Junk Donna,” invents “new junk from old junk.” She combines wit, expertise, and photos in this blog as she shares from her expertise and experience about room renovations and making unique furniture from repurposed “junk” treasures.
44. Restyled Home
    Linda is a home decorator and stager in Canada. In her blog, she encourages people to have fun restyling their homes with vintage pieces from antique shops, flea markets, and thrift shops.

Image Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/webb-zahn/5087307081/

In this economy, can anyone trust that their job is safe? Job loss can be financially devastating, but it’s nothing compared to the risk of losing your home when you can no longer afford to keep up with the mortgage payments. Added on to your existing policy as a rider, protection against job loss can pay your mortgage when you lose your job through no fault of your own.

• Job loss results in foreclosure. According to a study conducted by the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, job loss and unexpected medical bills are the main causes of foreclosure in that state. Contrary to the popular view that subprime housing is the main cause of foreclosures, 57% of households said one or more of their wage earning family members had experienced job loss in the 12 months leading up to the foreclosure, and 47% said they had been blindsided by unexpected medical bills.
• It’s not about subprime mortgages. In New York, a Poughkeepsie-based nonprofit housing agency determined that 66% of homeowners who were seeking foreclosure prevention counseling said it was loss of jobs or a reduction in income that started their financial nosedive. Most of them had conventional fixed-rate mortgages, not those subprime loans with creative financing we’ve heard so much about. 79% of those seeking counseling have conventional loans, compared with 43% in late 2008 when the program began.
• It’s hitting middle America. Although the subprime mortgage market may have started the ball rolling and exposed the housing bubble and Wall Street betting – ah, trading – practices, the folks who are now most at risk don’t even have subprime credit ratings. As the financial slump wears on, more and more companies are looking for ways to cut expenses. With this kind of environment, it’s hard to tell whose job is safe anymore.
• Job loss rider. A job loss rider is a special add-on to your existing homeowners insurance policy that pays your mortgage and protects your home in the event you are let go through no fault of your own.
• Insuring the loan. The rider is designed to pay the lender, not the homeowner, in the event of job loss, so don’t expect to get any checks in the mail.
• Waiting period may apply. There is usually a 30 – 60 waiting period after job loss before coverage kicks in, so be sure to review your policy carefully and keep enough in savings to cover the first few months of expenses after an involuntary job loss.

No one expects to lose their job, but these days, it’s wise to think ahead. If your mortgage payment is heavily dependent on your income from working, now is a good time to consider adding a job loss rider. If you do find yourself out of work, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can look for a replacement job without risking the loss of your family home.

Choosing paint colors can sometimes be a daunting task. Some couples have trouble agreeing on one color while others do not know where to start. Picking the right colors for the room is very important. If you are choosing a theme or if you are just wanting to invoke a mood the colors are very crucial. Some people say certain colors can either calm you or make you excited. You would want a more calming color in a bedroom where as you would want a more vibrant color for a living area. These articles will help you choose which colors are best for the theme you have in mind.

1. Color Me Confused: Find out how to choose the right colors for any room in your home. Find ones that match your personality and the theme for the room.
2. Choosing the Right Color for Your Living Room: What do you want your living room to say to others? Learn how to pick out the colors for your living room walls.
3. Choosing the Right Dining Room Colors: The dining room is where most families come together and sit down all at once. Find out how to choose the right colors for the dining room.
4. Faux Like a Pro: This is a great new painting technique that many are loving. Learn how to do it like the pros do here and get great tips and hints.
5. The Right Paint for Your Living Room: Get help choosing the right paint colors for your living room walls. There are a few questions you should ask yourself when you are deciding.
6. Pick Colors with Your iPhone: There are actually apps to help you pick your colors for any room using your iPhone. Learn about them here and how they can help you choose the right colors for any room in your home.
7. Home Theater Room: Some colors will make your room look smaller than it actually is. Get tips here on what colors to choose for your home theater room that will make it look bigger.
8. Right Colors to Sell Your Home: If you are looking at selling your home you may want to read here. There are certain paint colors you want to stay away from to make your home more appealing.
9. Tile Colors: If you want to update your room with some new tile, look here on how to pick the right tile colors. You can combine it with colors you already have in the room or do a contrasting color to your walls.
10. Painting Like a Pro: Get pro tips on how to paint any room in your house. Also get tips on how to pick the right colors for any room.
11. Picking a Rug: Mixing your colors can be easy with accessories. Learn how to pick a rug for any room and color scheme.
12. Picking the Perfect Colors: One blogger shares tips on how to pick the right colors to match your sense of style.
13. Selecting Colors: The colors of a room can either make or break it. Get tips on picking the right colors to fit any style of room.
14. Historical Paint Colors: If you want to bring a historical touch to your home, try these tips. Picking out colors is very important in conveying the style you want.
15. Bold Accents: See a few ideas on how to make your white kitchen pop. You can add bold splashes of color to bring a new feel to any room.
16. Living Room Colors: This blogger shares tips on how to pick your living room colors. Find out what colors go together well and which ones you may want to steer clear of.
17. Say No to White: One blogger says to stay away from white walls. Find the colors that make you feel good and choose those to paint your home.
18. Techniques and Tips: Paint like a pro with these tips on how to do different painting techniques. Learn how to mix different colors and styles.
19. Four Tools: Take a look a these tools to help you pick your colors. They can help you decide what colors you want to mix and match when you paint.
20. Pick the Perfect Colors: Get tips on how to pick the perfect colors every time. Don’t be frightened by the amount of choices. Learn how to go in and pick the color you want without being too overwhelmed.
21. Free Online Tools: Get help picking out your colors to pain any room in your home. Try these out before you go into the store to pick a color.
22. Two Colors: One painter shares tips on how to pick two colors for your walls. Find out why you should pick two colors and how to best pick them for your home.
23. Great Colors: Picking your living room colors is a big decision. They convey a certain mood and must go along with your lighting and decorations in the room.
24. Color Trends and Tips: See what are the current trends in paint colors for your home. There are also a few tips to help you pick the right colors and get them on your walls.
25. Psychology of Colors: When choosing your colors for your living room, take time to stop by here. See what the colors say about you and what mood they can convey to others in your home.
26. Feng Shui: Many people believe the way you color and decorate a room has the ability to affect your life in that room. See here how to properly decorate and color your living room.
27. Picking Colors: Try different techniques to applying the paint once you have picked your colors. There is no limit to how you can get the paint on the wall and to what colors you can go with.
28. Living Room Colors: There are so many different colors, patterns and textures out there to choose from. Get tips here on how to be happy with the colors in your living room.
29. Make it Come Alive: Take a look at some of these great examples of color in your living room. See how they used the colors together and what accessories you can add as well.
30. Get Ideas: If you are looking for color scheme ideas, stop by here to see what one blogger has to say. They can help you get ideas for your living room or any other room in your home.
31. Painting Your Living Room: If you are looking to redecorate your living room, this blog might have the ideas you are searching for. Painting a room can bring new life to a room and change the whole feel of it.
32. Living Room: This is the most used room in your whole house. Everyone gathers here. Learn a few tips on how to redecorate the room and how to get it more useful to anyone who enters.
33. Decorator Secrets: Want to know what an interior decorator would say? Find out here and get tips on how to choose the right colors for your living room.
34. Happy Living Room: Learn how to pick the right colors and placement of furniture to make your living room comfortable and happy to be in.
35. Living Room Ideas: Get a few ideas and tips on how to add color to your room without painting and a few storage ideas as well.
36. Inspirations for Living Rooms: Take a look at some of these pictures and get inspired for your own home.
37. Design Ideas: Discover a few tips on how to add color to your living room and how to decorate. See if any of these inspire a new look for your room.
38. Tips for Decorating: Utilize these ideas to add splashes of color or just a new look to your living room.
39. Jazz it Up: Use color to add more life to your living room or any room in your home. You can change the feel of the room simply by adding splashes of color.
40. Colors are Important: Many believe that the colors you have in your home can invite balance to your home and life. Find out why they think that and which colors you should choose.
41. Best Paints: Whether you are redoing the outside or the inside, stop by here to see what the best choice in paints are for those jobs.
42. Living Room Color Ideas: If you are at a loss for what colors you want to paint, try stopping here to get a few suggestions of the most popular color schemes.
43. Room Ideas: If you are just starting to look try this wonderful site. Get tips on any room in your house and start adding color today.
44. Country Theme: If you are wanting to bring the country into your home, take time to stop by this site. Learn ideas on how to decorate country and add color to your room.
45. On a Budget: You can decorate and add color on any budget. Get tips here from one blogger who does just that. She shows you how to spend less and love what you have.
46. Furniture Choices: If you are wanting to add colors or just change up the living room, look here for some great furniture ideas. You do not have to paint to add color.
47. Living with Bright Color: Don’t be afraid to add bold colors to your room. See how you can do that here and also where to add those colors.
48. Most Popular Color: See what the most popular color choices are now and see why they are that popular. Discover whether these are colors you want to put in your home.
49. Victorian Style: If you love the Victorian style homes, this is the site for you. Get decorating tips and which colors are the best to use for this type of style.

Image credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/quirky/468857168/

For the most part, homeowners insurance covers losses that are sudden, unexpected, and not your fault. When it comes to termite damage, many homeowners may be surprised to learn the problem isn’t covered on their policy. That means you’ll need to be vigilant in looking for signs of termites, and dealing with infections before they get out of hand. Remember that when it comes to home repairs, waiting to fix problems usually leads to more expense.

• Would you know one if you saw one? Termites are often confused with winged ants because of their similar size and body composition. Termites can be identified by their straight antennae, uniform waist, and wings of equal size, while ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, and forewings that are longer than the hind wings.
• Termites in the yard does not necessarily mean you have an infestation. If you find termites crawling around an old stump in the yard or emerging from your woodpile, chances are your home is safe, but it’s best to inspect it anyway.
• Inspect your home. Look for mud tubes that extend over foundation walls and other home supports. To determine if an infestation is active, break the tubes open and check for the presence of small, creamy-white worker termites. Also check the paint or wallboard on an exterior wall of the home. If the covering is wavy, you may have termite damage
• Have your house inspected. Looking for signs of termite activity is something most homeowners are not trained to do. While you can do some basic research on identifying active infestations, hiring a trained pest management professional is your best bet for determining whether you really have a problem.
• Quality trumps price. When it comes to termites, you don’t want to trust just anyone with the treatment. Choosing a pest control company based on price alone could cost you much more in the long run. Instead, make sure to find a pest control company with a solid reputation and many years of experience.

With today’s economy, many people are tempted to treat termite problems themselves. While you could save some money with this approach, you can’t rely on the results. In the end, if the infestation continues – or worse, grows – you’ll end up paying a professional to solve a much bigger problem later on.

Depending on what region of the country a homeowner lives in, they may have to prepare their home against floods, hurricanes, tornados or severe storms. Weatherizing a home is an important step in attempting to prevent damage done by a natural disaster. Not only does this protect the house against damages, it may lower a homeowner’s insurance premium.

The articles below discuss how to prepare a person’s home against the unexpected weather Mother Nature can put upon them. Floods, storms, hurricanes, tornados, bad weather and earthquakes; there is something for every circumstance.

1. Regional Disaster Information and Advice: Prepare your home against natural disasters, and also help protect the environment against natural emergencies. Discusses natural disasters, region by region.
2. A-B-C Plan: Preparing home for natural disaster with the A-B-C plan-Anchor, Brace and Cover.
3. Handyman Tips to Disaster Proof Your Home: A handyman’s perspective on defending your house against natural disaster. Tips and tricks for preparing house recovering after a disaster does occur.
4. Bob Vila Tips: Using trusted carpenter Bob Vila’s techniques, your home will be weatherized and prepared for any disaster.
5. Preventing Basement Damage: Basements are naturally at risk for flood and water damage. Here is a website describing products and techniques to prevent damage to your basement.
6. Protecting Homes and Businesses: Protect your home, businesses or other shelters from flood damage. Damage from floods can also be damaging to your pocketbook, so invest in the future by preparing now.
7. Easy Ways to Prepare For a Flood: Simple ways to prepare your home before a flood occurs, from waterproofing to plugging holes and entryways, ideas are easy to implement for anyone.
8. Gutters and Flood Damage: Waterproofing your basement to help prevent flood damage. Also, discusses how clogged gutters are problematic in flooding situations.
9. Natural Disaster Home Owner Insurance: Sometimes even with all the right preparation, damage may still occur after a flood. Having the right home insurance will help repair any damage sustained.
10. Weatherize Your Basement: Remember to waterproof your basement to avoid flood and water damage during storm season.
11. Realtor Disaster Advice: Flooding and water damage prevention tips, told from a realtor’s perspective.
12. Hurricane Advice: Keys to surviving hurricane season. What to do before, during and after a hurricane.
13. Storm Proof Your Home: Tips and tricks for storm season-proofing your home in an attempt to avoid damage.
14. Flood Proof Your Home: British website giving advice for weatherizing a home for flood season.
15. Blizzard and Snow Weatherization: Preparing your home against cold weather, snow and blizzards can save you money in the long run.
16. Storm Season Preparation: Hands-on tips from a blogger in Florida about things to do prepare your house for storm season.
17. Fire, Water, and Storm Insurance: Although, your home may have been weatherized against the disaster, it is still important to be insured for fire, water and storm occurrences.
18. Hurricane Preparation Check List: Hurricane preparedness tips and a checklist. Easy ways to prepare your home and family before disaster strikes.
19. Insulating Home Against Weather Damage: How to weather proof your home, with insulation tips from caulking to weather-stripping.
20. Storm Proof Your Home or Business: A British site discussing how to protect your building or home against hurricane and storm damage. Tips for both residential and business owners.
21. Tornado Proof Your Home: Tips to protect your house from tornado damage.
22. Hurricane Proof Your Home: Hurricane proofing your home will help to protect your largest and most expensive asset.
23. Sustainable Homes: How to make a sustainable house, yet also make it safe against natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, and high winds. Describes what an earth-sheltered home is, and how to build one.
24. Natural Disaster Home Owner Insurance: Protecting your home against floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires. Also, having effective and full insurance coverage that will assist you if damage occurs.
25. Two Part Disaster Preparedness: Disaster preparation is a two-part process. First make your home as resistant to possible to damage, and two, be prepared for all emergencies that could occur. Having a communication plan and emergency materials on hand, will make disasters easier to deal with.
26. Tornado Safe Room: How to build a tornado safe room in your home.
27. How to Build a Wind Proof House: How to windproof your house, and prepare for high wind storms this winter.
28. Tornado Preparation: How to keep your home and family safe during tornado season. Preparing home beforehand will reduce damage later.
29. Hurricane Proof On a Budget: Hurricane your home on a budget. Even if you can’t spend a lot of money you can still steel your home against hurricanes.
30. Preparing Your Family’s Home Against Disaster: As a parent, you will have children and yourself to worry about during a disaster. Getting your home weatherized beforehand will save time and stress later if disaster strikes.
31. Earth-sheltered Homes: Earth-sheltered homes will protect you and your loved ones when natural disaster strikes.
32. Disaster Preparedness: Secure both your safety and your investment by using this disaster preparedness.
33. How to Prepare Your Home For an Emergency: How to prepare your home for an emergency; both indoors and outdoors.
34. Preparation is Key to Surviving Disasters: Survival disaster includes preparing your home before disaster occurs. Article mostly geared towards earthquakes.
35. Recovery and Preparation Tips: Australian insurance company discusses tips for recovering and preparing for natural disasters.
36. Bomb Proof Wallpaper: How bombproof wallpaper helps to prepare a home for disaster. Save your money and save your possessions.
37. Earthquake Safe Your Home: Is your home earthquake proof? You should hire professionals to work on your home and make it disaster proof.
38. Earthquake Foundations of Your Home: Indian website discussing how to make your home earthquake proof by changing your building structures and components.
39. New Construction Built to Avoid Earthquake Damage: Canadian website listing construction tips to reduce earthquake damage to new homes.
40. Wind Proof Your Home: Weatherizing your home to avoid blustery winters and windy seasons.
41. Retrofit Your Home: Retrofit your home to prepare it for the next earthquake. Retrofitting can cost a lot up front, but save money in potential earthquake damage.
42. Winterize Your Windows: How to weatherize your windows against wind and rain storms.
43. 25 Tips for Weatherizing Your Home: If you live in one of these five cities, you should weatherize your home. Also, 25 tips for weatherization are given.
44. Summer Weatherization: People often forget to weatherize their home against summer heat. This article will give tips about weatherizing home for summer.
45. Window Caulking: Weatherize your home by caulking and weather stripping your windows. Protects against heat, water and wind.
46. Important Reasons to Weatherize Your Home: Is your home weatherized against potential threats from natural disasters?
47. Benefits of Weatherizing Your Home: British article about weatherizing home benefits, both to use energy wisely and to prepare against disaster.
48. Insulating Concrete Form Tornado Proofing: Using Insulating Concrete Forms to make your home tornado proof.
49. Hurricane/tornado Proof Your Home: Advice about building a hurricane/tornado proof home. Tips so make sure that your home will be protected in the biggest storms.

Image Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcmom/4730503980/

Many of today’s mortgages are required to have Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. If you’re thinking that gets you off the hook for buying homeowners insurance, think again. PMI is insurance that protects your lender if you default on the home loan. It does nothing to protect you financially in the event of a fire, theft, or natural disaster.

• Lenders typically require that borrowers carry PMI if they don’t have the usual 20% down payment at the time of purchase. That’s because home loans without the larger down payment are seen as riskier investments, and the lender needs to be sure to get repaid if the borrower defaults.
• The PMI payment is usually rolled into the monthly mortgage payment made to the lender. After several years of paying on the loan, borrowers may contact their lender and ask that the PMI payment be cancelled. You will need to be sure you have paid down the loan enough to cover the original 20% down payment amount.
• The Homeowner’s Protection Act (HPA) requires lenders to send annual disclosures to borrowers to tell them how much of the loan principal has been paid off. Your notification should alert you when you have 30% equity, and are entitled to cancel your PMI.
• For mortgages that originated on or after July 29, 1999, lenders are required to refund all unearned PMI premiums. In other words, if you were eligible for cancelation but continued paying premiums, your lender must refund your money.
• You can avoid the PMI payment by taking out a loan to cover the costs of the down payment amount. This is also known as piggybacking, where the borrower comes up with a smaller down payment (such as 5%) and finances the remaining portion (in this case 15%) as a second mortgage. The piggyback loan typically comes with a higher interest rate than the primary mortgage. However, people with good credit usually find that this type of financing costs less than getting a single mortgage for more than 80% of the purchase price and then paying extra for mortgage insurance.

While HPA doesn’t apply to mortgages in place before July 29, 1999, homeowners still have options. If you have more than 20% equity in your home, you may be able to cancel your PMI. It never hurts to contact your lender and ask. You may be surprised how much money you could be saving.

You may be apprehensive to file a claim on your homeowners insurance policy, and rightly so. Filing a claim can increase your monthly premiums, and your property may be added to a database used by insurance companies to track homes with a history of claims. This could make it harder to sell your home or renew your policy in the future, depending on the size and nature of previous claims.

If you do file a claim, however, you’ll need to know what to expect. In the insurance world, there are simple claims and not-so-simple claims.

• For simple claims such as storm damage, window breakage, and some types of theft, your insurance claims adjuster will contact you by phone. You will probably need to get an estimate of the damage, which could entail hiring a contractor or providing appraisal documents for jewelry. The company will then mail you a check, often without coming out to the house to inspect the damage in person.
• For more complicated claims, such as vandalism, water damage, and fire, the insurance adjuster will more than likely schedule a time to come out and review the damage themselves. They will take photos to support your claim, and help you fill out the necessary paperwork.
• Some insurers require you to use only approved contractors for appraisals and estimates. While you will have your choice of vendors, they must carry certain certifications that help to ensure their work is quality and they aren’t shady dealers.
• The process can take several weeks to many months, depending on the type of claim and the amount of damage. Water damage, for instance, can cause mold that poses a health risk to humans. This may require more lengthy inspections and extensive repairs, and can make it difficult to live in your home while work is being completed.
• Whatever you do, don’t sit back and wait for your claim to be taken care of. Stay in touch with your claims adjuster, contractors, and repair specialists to make sure they aren’t waiting on more information from you or others. Facilitate the handling of paperwork to keep things moving along.

Filing a claim on your homeowner’s insurance policy can be a hassle. Before you file, be sure the financial rewards of doing so outweigh the costs.

Condos are an attractive option for some folks. If you prefer to own a home but not have to deal with things like mowing the grass or shoveling snow, a condominium can be a good idea. Still, it’s not all fun and games. You still have all of the normal home expenses, including things such as homeowners insurance.

If you’re thinking about moving into a condominium, it’s important to know the ups and the downs:

Why you should go condo

• Condos usually offer a number of amenities that you may or may not be able to afford in a traditional home. You might have access to a swimming pool, for example, or a fitness center with equipment that is prohibitively expensive to have in your own home.
• You have to worry less about maintenance. Condos offer maintenance staff that fix up common areas, and usually repairs within your unit.
• Security is often tighter in a condo than it is in a traditional home, or in a neighborhood. Condominiums usually have security personnel that help to look out for you and your home.

Why you should not go condo

• Condominiums often have less storage than a traditional house. There usually aren’t attics or basements, but you may have access to storage lockers or some other form of storage.
• Your outdoor space is going to be smaller. If you like to do some gardening, or if you enjoy having people over for outside gatherings, you’re going to be more limited.
• Condo fees can be prohibitively expensive. To be sure, those fees pay for things like amenities and repairs, but you’re going to be responsible for paying whatever fees the condo board decides you ought to pay, whether or not you want those amenities.
• Resale can be tougher for condominiums. This obviously depends on the market in your local area, but if another unit in your building is for sale it can be tough to sell yours.
• You need to follow all of the condo rules. While you have a voice in what those rules are, they can also affect your ability to use your property the way that you’d like to use it.