When it comes to home repairs and renovations, it can be difficult to know what you can accomplish on your own — and which projects are best handled by a trained professional.
Costs, safety, time and the finished product are all things you should plan around. Consider the pros and cons of doing it yourself versus hiring a professional for a project. You may be able to do smaller things on your own, but some jobs are better left to an expert. What’s the time commitment? Thanks to online tutorials, you have access to near-infinite home repair knowledge. But how much time do you actually have to put that information into action? Before starting a DIY project, make sure you can complete the work within your target timeframe. For example, if you need to get a nursery ready before a new baby is born, can you expect to meet that deadline? Are you okay with spending so much of your spare time on it? How much will you save? Since you’re not paying someone else for their labor, you should be able to save a ton of money on your home project, right? The answer isn’t always that simple. For example, do you already have the tools and materials you need? You can always get a few quotes to compare the expense of hiring a professional. And keep in mind that you may have to hire a pro if there are issues, meaning extra spending on top of the money you’ve already invested into it. Is safety an issue? A good rule of thumb is that any project requiring a permit might be too big or too risky to DIY. This includes electricity, plumbing, digging and structural changes. It’s not worth the chance that a mistake could hurt you or make your home unsafe. Can you accept “good enough” instead of perfect? Let’s face it: Sometimes a finished DIY project doesn’t look as good as if a contractor did it. If you want a renovation to come out perfectly (or if you want to sell your home quickly), consider hiring a professional. Have questions about your home insurance and how your coverage can be affected by renovations? Reach out for assistance.
0 Comments
We recommend coverage amounts for your personal situation and break down everything we offer with clear-cut explanations so you know exactly what you’re getting. When purchasing property, doing your due diligence is more than a turn of phrase. The period when a house is under contract is an essential part of the homebuying process and requires careful attention to detail. By answering some simple questions about your home, we’ll get you the protection that you deserve, all through our secure network. We recommend coverage amounts for your personal situation and break down everything we offer with clear-cut explanations so you know exactly what you’re getting. The Basics The due diligence process is the buyer's opportunity to review all facets of a potential home sale. From home inspection findings to homeowner insurance costs, it's when you'll take the time to understand exactly what you're potentially buying. Here are a few due diligence do's and don'ts to consider: Do find out how long it lasts. Two weeks is fairly standard for the average due diligence process. However, shorter periods may be negotiated to gain a competitive edge in a seller's market. Don't make assumptions about when it begins. In some cases, due diligence is conducted before a property goes under contract. In others, it begins after the contract is signed. Do consult an insurance agent. Floodplain and fire-prone areas may require additional coverage. Make sure you know the estimated costs and what a new homeowners insurance policy will cover. Don't skim the home inspection. Make sure you're familiar with every line of the report. You may want to get quotes from contractors or negotiate repair costs into your offer. Do your research. Review neighborhood characteristics and check the area's crime rates. Look at zoning laws to ensure they align with your long-term goals. Don't forget to review the HOA. If you're joining a homeowners association, it's not enough to simply read your HOA documents. Make sure the community is in good physical condition and the association is financially sound. Being thorough in the due diligence phase will help you uncover potential issues and make the right choices for you and your family.
Simply having a roof over your head isn’t enough. As a homeowner you also need to take good care of this important part of the house, which means understanding what your homeowners policy includes (and what it doesn’t) in the event of damage or decay.
Is your roof properly insured, or are you carrying more risk than you realize? Roof Insurance Basics Generally speaking, if an unavoidable event like vandalism damages your roof, your homeowners insurance should cover it. However, if it’s determined the damage was caused by something within your control, like neglected maintenance, that’s where things get tricky. Factors that influence your coverage include:
Address minor issues before they result in major damage by conducting a roof inspection twice a year. Carefully check the state of your shingles and examine gutters, flashing and ventilation. Look for leaks and water damage inside and out, especially after big storms. The Bottom Line Don’t make the costly mistake of assuming any and all roof damage will be covered by your homeowners insurance. Avoid problems by double-checking your policy for specifics about your coverage and reach out if you have questions. This just in... there is a new Home Insurance Program available to Massachusetts residents that was just approved by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance. This is an A Rated Company by AM Best and specializing in Home Insurance near the ocean. They have chosen the Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency, with their corporate office located in Falmouth, on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, to be their Home Insurance Representative Agent. Find out if you qualify for this new Home Insurance Program by calling 508-444-0509 or get a Quick Online Home Insurance Quote at www.CalfeeInsurance.com Actual cash value or replacement cost?
When it comes to insuring your most valuable possessions, you have important choices to make. In the event of a loss involving your home or car, do you know how you'd like to be reimbursed? Does your current policy reflect these preferences? Carefully evaluate these two types of coverage to ensure you're well-informed. Actual Cash Value If you elect for an actual cash value insurance policy, you'll likely be compensated for the fair market value of the item at the time it was lost or damaged. Pro: These policies often have less expensive monthly premiums, so you could insure expensive items for less. Con: The payout is not based on what you paid for the item. This means you could be out the difference if something has depreciated in value since you purchased it. For example, if you had a wreck and wanted to replace the car you bought five years ago, you'll probably be accepting payment for what a vehicle of that make and model would fetch now, minus your deductible and wear and tear. Replacement Cost Many agents recommend replacement cost insurance, especially for homeowners. This sets you up to be reimbursed for the full amount it would take to rebuild your home and replace everything in it. Pro: You can replace older items for what they would cost to purchase new. Con: This option tends to be more expensive. Also, you must replace all items claimed to recoup the payout and you can't use the money for other things. Keep in mind that multiple factorscome into play when determining how an insurance claim will be paid out, but by learning about your options you can set yourself up for success. Please reach out with any questions you have. The best homeowner insurance is the insurance that best meets your needs. The insurance shopper that takes the time to understand the basic elements of home insurance will have much more confidence and sense of satisfaction when making an insurance purchase. The homeowner policy has been around for a long time and so most of us have a general concept on how the policy works. The more you know about the market value of your home and the approximate cost to rebuild it the better off you will be when shopping for the homeowner policy. This kind of knowledge is the foundation for determining what kind of policy to purchase. The age of your home has a direct bearing on the market value. The older homes built in the 1900’s have much lower market values today because most of them have depreciated. The market value for an older Victorian style home may be $50,000 but the actual cost to rebuild that home may be $200,000. The older homes that depreciate in market value are insured with actual cash value policies. They are often called market value policies. These policies will reimburse you for the market value of your home when there is a total loss. The market value policy is the best homeowner policy for the older home that has depreciated. The replacement cost policy is better designed for newer homes or homes under construction. The replacement cost of a home and the market value are almost the same. Replacement cost is applied to the dwelling and most often to the contents of the dwelling. Replacement cost will repair or replace any loss with like kind and quality of materials without depreciation. The best homeowner insurance for you will be determined by the age and market value of your home. The discounts for older and newer homes are the same. The protective device discount for deadbolt locks, smoke detectors, and fire extinguisher apply to both types of policies. Fire and burglar alarm systems are additional discounts that could be applied to both older and newer homes. Check our recommended insurers for more details. Here are some resources that we think you may find useful as a potential home buyer or real estate agent. We will be updating this list regularly, so stay tuned. Inspection Contract Download our inspection contract here. 266 CMR 2.00: Definitions Definitions of common home inspection terms. 266 CMR 6.00: Standards of Practice Massachusetts rules and regulations for licensed home inspectors. Realtor's Seminar Realtors: Get updated on home inspection procedures and the newest MA rules and regulations for home inspectors. Our Brochure View and download our print brochure. EPA Private Well Standards Information from the EPA for homeowners with a private well. MassSAVE Brochure Learn ways to save money and improve home energy effiency. Seller's Questionnaire Download our questionnaire for home sellers to fill out. What About Radon? Some common questions and answers about radon gas. |
Real EstateStay up to date on Cape Cod Real Estate! Land for Sale, Water Front Properties & more! Register now for free email updates of new listings matching your home search.
Auto Insurance
Homeowners Insurance Condo Insurance Renters Insurance Rental Home Insurance Rental Condo Insurance Landlord Insurance Motorcycle Insurance Personal Umbrella Policy Earthquake Insurance Flood Insurance Off Road Vehicles Motor Home Insurance Mobile Home Insurance Travel Trailer Insurance Recreational Vehicles Boat & Yacht Insurance Jet Ski Insurance Personal Watercraft Snowmobile Insurance Archives
September 2023
Categories
All
Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency, Inc. is proudly serving primary home, vacation home, auto, collector car, business, general liability, property, professional liability, contractor's liability, worker's comp, key man, whole life, term life, group or personal disability, & long-term care insurance policies to patrons in the following Cape Cod, Massachusetts towns, communities and villages: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Buzzards Bay, Centerville, Chatham, Cotuit, Craigville, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Hatchville, Harwich, Hyannis, Hyannisport, Marstons Mills, Mashpee, Orleans, Osterville, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Woods Hole, Yarmouth, and Yarmouthport.
|