Buying your First Home: Part 2

     So it's time to look for a realtor. There are a lot of them out there and it might seem a bit overwhelming trying to pick one. We tried randomly picking a realtor and were disappointed. He took our contact information and what we were looking for and said that he would email us some listings. Two weeks later we still had not heard from him.

The next step for us was to ask some friends if they had any recommendations. We contacted the realtor that our friend recommended. She asked us some questions about what we were looking for and had emailed us listings within the hour. She always responded quickly to our questions and concerns.

When you're looking for a realtor, don't wait two weeks trying to give them the benefit of a doubt like we did. They are in business to make money so if they really want your business, they will get back to you very quickly.

Tune in next week for another addition.

Buying your first Home: Part 1

It’s exciting when you first decide to buy a house. I should know, my husband and I just purchased our first home two weeks ago.  During the process I felt excited, overwhelmed and I wished I had a guidebook to tell me about each step in the process. My goal is to give you a basic idea of the process and little bit about our experience in the next few posts. It will in no way be a story that applies universally, nor will it be a complete guide to home buying, but hopefully it will give you a blueprint of how it will go.

Once you decide to buy a house, you should find out your loan pre-approval amount from your lender. It doesn’t guarantee that amount, but it gives you an idea of your price limit.  We didn’t do it quite this way. We looked around at the home listings for a while and looked one house with the listing agent before we really got serious. Our bank has an online application for home loans that we filled out. The next day a loan officer called us to talk about which loans we were eligible for and what would be the best fit for us. After we chose a loan and received pre-approval, we looked at our budget. It’s best to take your pre-approval amount, lay out your budget and figure out what you can really afford including property tax, insurance and PMI if you don’t have a 20% down payment. Once we had our amount set, it was time to look for a realtor.

Tune in next week for another post on buying your first home.

NAMIC PAC- Washington DC 2015

It was another exciting year joining NAMIC PAC (National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies- Political Action Committee) to speak with our State Representatives and Senators regarding some issues associated with our Insurance Industry. It is vital for our companies (especially small county mutuals) to stay involved in the growing trends of the industry because what works for national and international companies do NOT work for our community based insurance companies. It is important that we meet with our representatives and make sure they know that some of the regulations that they are being asked to vote on effect the small companies in their hometowns/districts.

It works! As a result of  our efforts, they have already had Representative Fincher sign on to the International Insurance Standards Transparency and Policyholder Protection Act of 2015. Representative Fincher was also awarded the NAMIC Benjamin Franklin Award for all of his support of the Insurance Industry's issues.

So, a BIG Thank you to NAMIC for being the voice of over 1,500 Mutual Companies big and small, nationwide! Thank you to all of the State Representatives, Senators and their staff that we were able to meet with. We will see you again in 2016!

4th of July Safety

• Secure pets who are afraid of fireworks inside.
• Don't allow children to light fireworks. 
• Never place your body in the path of a firework.
• Don't allow young children t play with sparklers. They burn at around 2,000 degrees
• Do not aim fireworks at other people.
• Make sure the area where you light fireworks is free of dry grass, shrubs, trees, buildings and vehicles.
• Once a firework is done burning, pour water on it.

As you grill this holiday remember to:

• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Keep it clean of grease and fat buildup to prevent grease fires.
• Make sure gas connection is tight.
• Keep charcoal starter fluid away from children.

Lightning Safety Awareness Week

This week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week. We wanted to share a few tips with you to keep you safe.

By Mark Coldren, via Wikimedia Commons

In the house:

• Stay away from windows and doors
• Do not lay on concrete walls or floors
• Do not shower or bathe until at least 30 minutes have passed since the last rumble of thunder

Outside (there is no safe place outside):

• Move inside as soon as you hear thunder or see lightning
• Stay away from elevated areas
• Avoid isolated trees
• Do not lay down on the ground
• Do not stay in a body of water (lake, river, ect.)
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity

Summer Car Trip Tips

Sunscreen:
     You can still get burnt when you put your arm out the window. Using "broad spectrum" sunscreen      will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Don't forget to reapply.

Sunglasses:
     Protect your eyes from UV rays while on the road.


Pet Safety:
     In order to keep your furry family members safe, animals should either be transported in pet                carriers or protected by a safety harness. The 2013 Harness Crashworthiness Study gives good            suggestions on the best harness for your dog.

Bring water and snacks:
     Pack lot of water to keep everyone hydrated during your journey and snack to satisfy cravings            while on the road.

Pack activity books and toys:
     To keep kids occupied pack a secret bag of toys, games and books to surprise them with                      throughout the trip. If you forget to pack extra games, you can always count on classic car trip            games to keep the whole car entertained.

     Audiobooks can also keep the whole family riveted during your journey and they are free to rent        at the library.

First Aid Kit:
     A first aid kit is always handy to have while travelling. You never know when you may                        accidentally cut your finger.

Car Prep:
     Make sure that your tires are properly inflated. There is normally a sticker on the inside of your         door that indicates the proper pressure.

     Make sure that your spare tire is properly inflated, sometimes they are underinflated. If you do            have to change your tire, it will make driving easier and safer.

     Make sure that all of your car's fluids are full. This will help to protect your vehicle.

Positive attitude:
     A positive attitude and a cool head in hot weather make congested highways safer and more pleasant places to be.

Home tips for Vacationing!

Well, it is that time of year again. Summer fun and Vacations are upon us! While we are gone on our wondrous adventures, it is always in the back of our mind….”how are things at home”, “what will I find when I get back”. Here are some simple tips to help ease your mind while you are away:

1.  Don’t post your vacation on Social Media before or during your trip. This sends out a big signal to EVERYONE that you are not home. I know it is hard, but wait until you return to post those awesome memories for everyone to see.
   
2. Have a Security System? If you do, make sure that it is set. It wouldn’t hurt to have a close family member or friend with a key to your home and access codes, just in case something comes up while you are gone. If you don’t, make sure to talk to your neighbors so they can be on the lookout for anything strange or out of the ordinary.  
   
3. Take photos of your personal property. This is a simple step that can save you a lot of time in the event of a loss (also shows proof of property). With technology today it is as simple as taking photos with your phone or digital camera. I would suggest downloading the pictures to a USB drive and having a friend hang on to it while you are gone. Or, you can go to an online site like www.knowyourstuff.org and sign up online to keep a Home inventory. Or, you can even get a Home Inventory App for your phone.                                                                            
4. Keep your jewelry, special documentation, guns, etc. in a home safe. If it is a small lock box or safe, make sure that it is secured to the home in some way (may want to secure to the floor etc).
   
5. If you are going to be gone for a longer trip, you might want to turn off your water (unless you have sprinklers set up on a timer. This will help in case there happens to be a malfunction to your washing machine or dishwasher hoses. (This step in more important in winter when pipes could freeze).
6.  For your personal property on you while you are away, I would suggest having copies of your credit cards and the company numbers in case your wallet is stolen. Review your homeowner’s Policy for theft coverages. Some policies will cover personal jewelry, etc. Make sure to have your agent’s information in case you need it.

Most of all… HAVE FUN! Enjoy your time off with your family and friends.

Know that we are here for you if you need anything. We hope you have safe travels!

Sincerely,

Barbie Lambert

Manager

East Tennessee Mutual Insurance Company