Why Should You Appraise Your Home: with Jazmin Quintero-Watson of Aztec Appraisals

Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Aztec Appraisals, LLC opened our doors in 2005. Hispanic and, woman-owned small business. We started with 2 AMC’s, and are now on the list of every major AMC and top lender’s pre-approved appraiser lists. David Watson has been an appraiser for almost 13 years. We are both licensed Realtors as well so, we certainly understand the importance of an accurate and detailed opinion of value. We have completed numerous high end property appraisals as high as $5 million dollars in value, and over 13,000 square feet. Living in such a diverse metroplex, we also receive numerous requests from clients who prefer to have a Spanish-speaking appraisal representative to answer questions and put their mind at ease. When we call the borrowers, we make sure I answer any and all questions and explain the appraisal process in detail. Customer service is our #1 priority!

What is a list of reasons someone should appraise their home?

Divorce, refinancing, purchase, estate, if a Realtor or seller wants to have an idea of what to list their property for, and fighting taxes. Most recently, many Realtors have requested our services to measure their properties to determine the exact square footage for listing purposes since other sources are not considered as reliable.

How are home appraisers paid?

The price is determined by the complexity, and in some cases, distance of the appraisal. In general, when we complete an appraisal for an appraisal management company(standard fees apply and if more complex, the rate increases). We cover Harris, Fort Bend, and also have extensive experience in Montgomery, Galveston, Brazoria, and Waller counties.

How long does an appraisal take?

The actual appraisal visit varies since it really just depends on the characteristics of the property…,square footage, custom features/amenities, if it’s on acreage, if it has outbuildings, etc. So, for example, a 2000 square foot property with no major complexities could take about 45 minutes. As far as turn-time, we do our best to get the report back to our clients within 2-4 business days. Although we do receive quite a bit of “Rush” requests to make closing dates!

What is the best way for people to reach you and or your company?

We can be reached at 832-567-1124. Please feel free to visit us on our website at www.aztecappraisals.net and email jazmin@aztecappraisals.net

By Jazmin Quintero-Watson

Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Steve Gilder: A friend of mine started the company back in odd five and I became intrigued with the idea after talking with him. I liked it so much I bought the company! Its success is based around two things: efficiency and ease of billing. Before, we would be dotting all over town on any given day, just watching the gas gauge plummet, but with Got Mow all the yards on a particular day (for any one crew) are very close to one another. This means you can not only get a lot more work done, but you can keep your prices low. Everybody wins. And when it comes time to invoice the customer it’s all done by credit/debit card transactions. No check writing, no postage, no hassle.

What are some of the services your company provides?

We keep it simple so that we can excel at our specialties. We mow lawns. We fix sprinkler systems. That’s what we do.

How often should a yard or lawn be maintained in order to stay healthy and beautiful?

You know, we always say “mow every week” because that is the best way, but you can get away with every two weeks if that is your preference. Any more than that and you’re going to shock the plant. Botanically speaking grass is very interesting. It’s one of the few plants on the planet that actually likes being cut. The cool thing is you can’t mow it too often. The less of the blade you cut off the happier it will be. Rule of thumb: a third of the leaf, no more than that. That’s why if you mow every couple of weeks we would cut it higher. One thing that drives me nuts is people who want to save money by cutting every two weeks, but still want it cut short. Not gonna do it.

What services are required to maintain a lawn?

You want the best lawn on the block? Here’s how: get a sprinkler system and program it properly; mow it every week; give it a snort of fertilizer every spring; and aerate every couple of years. Boom. Done.

What kind of knowledge is required to properly maintain a lawn?

One thing is know not to cut the lawn too short. I’ve seen some folks scalping the thing and then wonder why they have dead spots. At least three inches should be left on the leaf and in a drought of the middle of summer, even longer. Remember that the longer the grass is, the better it will survive times of stress.

Also, know how to set your sprinkler system. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I’m sure we’ve all seen lawns being watered in the middle of the afternoon. You do that you’re losing most of the water to evaporation. Water when it’s cool and make sure you water deeply. What do I mean by deeply? At least a half an inch per watering. If you’re not sure how much water your system is putting down, put a rain gauge in the lawn (or an old soup can!) and see how long it takes to get to that half inch measure. If you have a pop-up system you’ll find it generally takes fifteen to twenty minutes; if you have rotors it could take five or six times longer. Every system is different, so test it out. If you get these two things right, everything else is gravy.

What are some lawn maintenance services that professionals have the ability to handle where homeowners may not?

You know, it really depends on the homeowner. I mean, messing with fertilizer or renting an aeration machine isn’t something a lot of people want to get into, but I know some who do and more power to them. One thing I would definitely say is leave the irrigation system to a professional. We’ve come across some homeowner fixes that have made the problem worse and leave us standing there shaking our heads. Oh, and before you hire anyone make sure they are licensed by the State of Texas. Very important. If you hire an amateur you have no recourse when they screw it up.

In your opinion, what are some benefits of hiring a professional versus trying to do it yourself?

Are you kidding? You get your weekend back! Done deal. Sign me up!

Are landscape maintenance personnel typically paid hourly or single-fee based?

Just me personally, but I’ve found paying by the hour is no incentive to get more work done. When you give people the chance at more money for more yards they really step up their game and get motoring, which in this business always boosts the bottom line. They get more money, I get more productivity- what’s not to like?

What’s the best way for people to get in contact with you or your company?

We try to have as large a web presence as possible- it’s the new age, you know! Check out the website at www.gotmow.com. However, if you prefer a personal touch, you can give us a call at 512-785-7787. Success in business comes from repeat customers, customers that boast about your service, and that bring friends with them.

By Steve Gilder

‍

Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

James Barrett Jr: The Barrett Company was formed in 2010 as a Home Inspection company. We are a small company, having only one Inspector and all inspections are done in-house by me. I received my TREC license in January of 2011 after retiring from the business of construction with 50 years of building in many different areas of the industry including residential, light and heavy commercial, and ending in heavy civil and military construction. I would add that the process required to become a licensed Professional Inspector was much more difficult than becoming a contractor in the states where I was licensed as a General Contractor. We do only home inspections as required by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), following the guidelines and requirements of the Standards of Practice. I do not include the several other types of inspections sometimes required by the lender or buyer; I do assist my clients in finding other types of inspectors if they inquire for recommendations. The Standards are available on the TREC website @ www.trec.state.tx.us.

What are two or three of the most common repairs that are needed on the houses you’ve seen in the North East Texas area?

The most common issues are generally caused and found in older homes we inspect. As for rating these issues, I would state that as homes age, and if it has been left with less than normal maintenance the most common issue are system failures aka: heating, air conditioning, electrical and water heating systems. Next would be roofing systems, then the common foundation issues caused by settlement. We are required to inspect the entire home and all installed systems for function, including doors, walls, ceilings, windows, stairs, appliances and active utilities. These issues also are the common issues that cause possible costly repairs for the potential buyer.

What should a standard home inspection cover?

The requirements for a standard inspection include:

• Structural Systems & Foundation
• Electrical System
• Heating, Venting, & Air Conditioning Systems
• Plumbing System
• Appliances, Installed
• Optional and Added Systems.

The full scope of systems to be inspected covers fifteen (15) pages of the Standards of Practice. My common site walk-out inspection report covers more than 300 items to be reviewed.

How long should it take for homeowners to receive their inspection report?

The Standards require that the report be forwarded within “a reasonable time period”. I deliver my reports within two (2) days after the completion of the walk-out inspection. All of my document transfer is done via E-mail, including the photo file. Some of the “large” inspection companies using computer field systems deliver their reports at the end of the inspection, onsite.

Should a quality home inspector also provide repair work? What are some of the reasons why or why not?

This is not allowed by the TREC, as it can become a Conflict of Ethics issue. It will cause the Inspector to be fined, possibly suspended or loss of License.

The requirements for licensing as a TREC Professional Inspector are 472 hours of Class & Field training, passing a Final Exam that has been found to be so difficult that approximately 70% of the people taking the exam will fail, some more than one time. Each year after passing the final exam and being licensed the Inspector must complete 16 Unit Hours of Continuing Education each year in order to be re-licensed every two years, totaling 32 Unit Hours for each two-year period.

In the state of Texas “All” home inspectors are required to be Licensed, Insured and supervised by a state agency, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). The Professional E & O insurance required by the state must be active at all times to maintain the license. If any person or persons does not meet and maintain these requirements this person is “Not” a legal “Home Inspector”. All Inspectors are listed on the TREC website at www.trec.state,tx.us., if they are not listed, they are not legal, Period! The benefit to all home buyers is “Licensed Professional Inspector, Licensed by the State of Texas”! No General Contractor in Texas is required to be licensed by the state; Home Inspectors are required to be licensed.

If a home inspector misses a major defect, do home buyers have any recourse?

Yes, the TREC has in-place a recovery fund, which all inspectors must contribute to. Also, we are required to carry Professional Liability Insurance, knows as E. & O. (errors & oversights) insurance. All report forms are required to make the client aware of these funds for recovery of possible damages. All inspectors work very hard to prevent oversights and the problems that can be created by this. We do all we can to find these kinds of issues and always do our due-diligence to prevent problems. We are not builders and cannot see through walls, nor are we allowed to do any “destructive investigation” to find hidden defects.

What is the best way for people to reach you and your company?

MY website is on the Internet at www.thebarrco.com

I am also listed on the HomeAdvisor website.

The company contact number is 214-234-6196

My company E-mail is: jbarrett@thebarrco.com

‍

By James Barrett Jr.

‍

Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Hatcher Kimrey Insurance began offering insurance products in 1999. We are an independent agency offering homeowner, auto, small business, supplemental and life insurances. We are always there for you when you need us. We work hard to find you the best insurance for your needs.

Is there something about getting homeowners insurance that you wish more people knew?

When calling an independent agent, it takes a little time to get quotes. As an independent agent, we research the marketplace to obtain the best quote based on price and suitability for the client. We do different scenarios based on home with auto, as well as standalone auto and home, to find the best rates. If a homeowner has other needs, such as an umbrella, boat, or dwelling fire, each policy can be bundled to give a discounted rate on each.

It is customary for us to prepare quotes from numerous companies, and multiple quotes within a company. Also, in order to get the most accurate quote, we need information. So, be prepared to spend a few minutes discussing your home. The information we need is age of roof, age of heating/air conditioning, when was the water heater last replaced, have updates been made to the home in its electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems? This is information we cannot obtain from public records, but helps us in obtaining lower rates for you.

How do you help a homeowner figure out how the replacement costs for their house and belongings, as well as how much they should ideally be insured for?

Most insurance companies, as part of the quoting process, have replacement cost estimators that we fill out for each company. These take into consideration the size of the home, type and quality of construction, amenities, type of floor coverings, number of stories, etc. We do a lot of fact finding from public records on the home to obtain the information. The more information the client can provide, the closer we can come to obtaining a realistic value for their home.

What types of discounts might be available for homeowners in Texas?

Each company is a little different in the discounts that they offer. But, generally all companies are going to offer companion product discounts, i.e., auto, secondary dwellings, umbrella. Most will offer discounts for burglar alarm systems (monitored alarms as well as unmonitored alarms), new purchase discount, new home discount, and fire suppression sprinkler systems. Some companies that only offer home insurance will give a discount if the auto is also insured by the agent to compete with the companies that carry both home and auto and give companion discounts.

Why do home insurance rates/premium increase? Is there any way to prevent this?

Rates and premiums increase due to many factors, some can be controlled and others cannot. Weather has a large impact on rates for both home and auto. In the last six or seven years, we in Texas have experienced major losses from tornadoes, straight line winds, hail, drought causing wild fires, hurricanes, ice storms and freezing temperatures. Insurance companies have experienced record losses due to our inclement weather conditions. These losses are passed on to the consumer.

The rates usually follow the last three to four years of weather. As the effects of weather increase the losses, the rates rise, and conversely, the rates will lower as weather is better. A factor in premiums rising is costs of construction. Insurance companies must continue to evaluate costs of construction and maintain a level of coverage to be able to replace or repair your current home in the event of loss. So, as costs rise, so will premiums because they are based on the replacement cost value of the home. Premiums on new homes will increase as the home ages, because every year the new home discount gets less until it is gone, usually by the home’s tenth year.

Good maintenance in and around the home will help to keep rates down. Non-weather related claims cause rates to increase and a large percentage of these claims can be avoided by timely simple repairs, for example, keeping trees trimmed and away from the roof. As winds blow the tree limbs can rub against the roof and in time cause a loss of integrity of the roof which can lead to water leaks in the home. So, by keeping the trees limbs trimmed at least 18 inches from the roof will eliminate the potential for claims and increased premiums.

What are some of the most important decisions that new homeowners need to make about their coverage?

Make certain that you are covered by a reputable company that will have the financial strength to sustain great losses as in the event of major disasters from tornadoes or hurricanes that can affect great numbers of homes, subdivisions, towns, even cities. This can be determined by the company’s rating. AM Best rates companies based on its financial strength. Most financial institutions require a B+ or better rate. We work with “A” rated companies, so that you can always feel confident that you will be protected in the event of a major loss.

Customer satisfaction is also important to know, retention rates as well as how well the company pays its claims. Also, many companies will have lower rates because their deductibles are higher, especially on wind and hail. Be sure that you are comparing comparable policies and coverages when obtaining rates. You don’t want to suffer a loss to find out that you don’t have the coverage you thought you were getting.

What’s the best way for people to contact your company?

We can be reached by phone at 972-485-8900 (toll-free at 888-412-8908) or by email at mhk@hatcherkimrey.com.

By Michelle Kimrey

Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Flores Decorative LLC is a family-owned business out of the Dallas/ Fort Worth area, with many years of experience in decorative concrete. Whether it is a new or old concrete floor, we will turn it into a piece of art that you can show off to your neighbors and friends. We offer a variety of options for concrete floors such as acid staining, epoxy flooring for garages, scoring, removal of old flooring, decorative overlays, stamping, engraving, kool deck for pool areas and concrete floor sealing.

What are the most common reasons homeowners decide to get new flooring designs or styles?

One of the most common reasons would be that people just want something new or they are tired of their existing flooring. A lot of people also like that the flooring that we do is very easy to maintain, in most cases a quick sweet or mop will do the job especially in a household with pets.

What is decorative concrete staining?

Decorative concrete staining is one of the most popular services we offer. We offer both acid stain and water based stain. Both options require a clean surface and very detailed work that include masking off the areas that are not to be stained and prepping the concrete surface. When it comes to concrete staining you can choose to have your floor stained with a single color or multiple colors that will leave your floor looking gorgeous.

What advantages does decorative concrete staining give homeowners?

First off and most obvious, homeowners are going to have a beautiful floor that they are going to absolutely love. Concrete staining gives homes that extra special touch that makes them stick out, for example a stained driveway or front patio would definitely stand out in a neighborhood where most people have plane concrete slabs.

How are decorative concrete stained floors?

Decorative concrete stained floors are elegant and easy to maintain.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to install decorative concrete stained floors but with a limited budget?

When it comes to concrete stained floors and a limited budget, what I would advise homeowners is simplicity. Don’t do any scoring (I.E stars/ patterns), You’d be surprised how beautiful a slab of concrete looks with just one color of stain. Also the price also depends if the floor has to be stripped of any paint drops, oil stains or gum so if the homeowner could do part of that work it would definitely help them on the pricing.

What’s the best way for people to contact you and your company?

We can be reach us by phone at 214-584-4480, you can contact us via email at sergio@floresdecorative.com and you can always view and send us a message through our webpage at www.floresdecorative.com.

By Sergio Flores

What is the role of an Appraiser?

Real estate is expensive and changes hands much less frequently than most commodities. For this reason, the market value of any particular property is often difficult to determine. The role of a real estate appraiser is to help their clients to systematically determine the market value of a property, which is one of the first steps in any real estate transaction whether you are a buyer, seller, lender, or other interested party. Here are some further details about the role of a real estate appraiser.

An Appraiser is an Appointed Expert

Appraisers gain their title by being appointed by judicial or quasi-judicial authorities in their local jurisdiction. The services of a skilled appraiser are highly valued by banks, lenders, and other parties who care about the value of property because with their expertise, they are able to wade through the many significant factors that affect the market value of a home such as its size, structure, design, and location, and arrive at a knowledgeable market value estimate.

An Appraiser’s estimate is Broadly Relevant

After determining the value of a property, an appraiser provides you with a written report, which is then used as the basis for mortgage loans, taxes, settling estates, divorces, and more. The report is sometimes also used by a buyer and seller to determine a sale price. However, the most common usage of appraisers in the United States is for mortgage valuations: banks need to know how much your potential home is actually worth on the market before they agree to loan you the money for a mortgage.

In the unfortunate event that you default on your payments and are unable to pay back your debts, your lender needs to know they can sell the property for enough money to cover the amount they loaned you, and they confirm the amount through the work of an appraiser. Because of the importance of accurate appraisals, most appraisers use a standardized form, such as the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report, as a guideline for their valuation.

What Exactly Do Real Estate Appraisers Do?

‍

A real estate appraisal aims to pinpoint a property’s market value for your lender, as well as other relevant information related to a sale process, such as estimated time to sell and location. Your bank will need an appraisal for the final parts of your mortgage approval process, in order to confirm that your home will at least sell for the amount of your loan in case you default and they need to recover their money.

Remember ? an appraisal is for your bank, not you. Don’t confuse it with a Comparative Market Analysis. Real estate agents use CMAs to help sellers find the best price to list their homes at. A good CMA will probably come up with a value close to the appraisal value, but the two will likely be different due to the different priorities sellers and banks have. So what actually happens in an appraisal?

• An appraisal report will be very detailed. Banks like to have as much information as possible, so the more detail in the report, the more they can be confident in your property’s value.
• The report will include standard information about your potential home, such as size, bedrooms, area, outside property and yard space, and all of the other normal descriptions of a house.
• On top of detailed information about the property, an appraisal report will also contain side-by-side comparisons with similar houses to give an idea of the neighborhood and how reasonable the home’s pricing is.
• If your potential home has poor access or a long private driveway, these will also be included in the report along with anything else the appraiser thinks might be harmful to the bank’s ability to sell the property.
• If there are any serious problems or obvious signs of damage, these will obviously be included in the report. Remember ? an appraiser isn’t a home inspector, so he won’t be actively looking for problems or signs of damage.
• Your appraisal report will also have a rough estimate of how long your home would take to sell, given the real estate market in the area.
• There are usually two ways price is obtained through an appraisal ? either a comparison with similar homes that have sold in the same location, or a cost estimate that tries to place the material price of rebuilding the home.
• Personal approval for a mortgage happens early in the process, but there will always be an escape clause for a bank if the appraisal is unsatisfactory.
• If your lender lets you choose the appraiser, make sure they are on your lender’s approved list or the appraisal may be rejected outright.

Why do you need an Appraisal?

Verification of your on-time payment history via your credit score will be a large factor in qualifying for your mortgage, but due to the hefty size of most home loans, banks require a little extra security. The appraisal comes in as your lender’s extra insurance that he won’t lose money on your loan ? something most banks aren’t fond of.

The appraisal serves to guarantee that the house will sell for enough to cover the cost of your loan in the unfortunate event that you default on your mortgage. In this case, the bank’s last option is usually a foreclosure, in which they sell your house to recoup those losses, so it’s important to them that they’re able to get a decent price.

What does an Appraisal entail?

An appraisal will usually cost less than four hundred dollars, comprising of either a comparison of your potential home with similar houses in the neighborhood, or an evaluation of the property’s replacement cost plus a decent estimate of the land’s value if your house is new. Updated appliances, plumbing, electrical work, roofing, windows, landscaping, and more can all improve your appraisal.

Warning!

An appraisal affects your bank’s profits so they should be carefully directing the process, preventing any mistakes from being made. But in case some choice is left to your discretion, make sure your appraisal is done by one of your lender’s approved appraisers to prevent any appraisal-rejection issues.

‍

‍

Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Kenneth Jeanes: Boardwalk Insurance Group has been in business since 2008. Our CEO owned another agency previously and then started his own home insurance carrier in 2007. We have the capability and the resources to write almost any type of risk, from your home insurance to your business insurance. I personally have been in the insurance industry since 1997 and was previously an underwriter for an insurance company.

Is there something about getting insured that most new homeowners don’t know that they should know?

I do not think most people realize there is now a credit score for your insurance. As with a lot of other things in life, your credit can help or hurt you getting the best insurance rate. It is important to note that some carriers do not use credit as a factor and each company has their own criteria for determining where you fit in their scoring.

How would you suggest that a new homeowner approaches “shopping” for home insurance? At what point should they start the process?

I find that a lot of people ask their friends and family with whom they are insured and if they have been happy with their service. If I were the one asking the questions, I would also ask if they have had a claim with their carrier and how it was handled. I would also get a few different quotes, however I would not call every agent in town because most of us have a lot of the same carriers. When I am quoting a new account for a client, I provide a few different options to them and explain the pros and cons of each policy. For instance, one may have a higher limit for theft of your jewelry, but the annual cost is higher. I would wait until you have decided on the house you want; a good insurance agent should be able to provide a quote the same day or the day after your call. If you are asking for an insurance quote on 10 different properties in the same area and price range, the quotes are most likely going to be very similar.

What do you consider “adequate” coverage for a new home and how do you determine the amount?

Most insurance agents and the companies they offer provide cost-estimating software, which helps determine the value of the home. An agent will, of course, ask how much you are paying for the home, but that does not mean that would be the replacement value should there be a total loss. When an agent uses this software, they can input the details about your home and the system will calculate how much it would cost to rebuild your home at today’s rates. You should make your agent aware of things that have been added such as wood floors or a remodeled kitchen so they can factor in those items.

Why do home insurance rates/premiums increase? Is there any way to prevent this?

Rates are always changing and therefore premiums are always changing. For example, in Houston we have had and will continue to have hurricanes in our area every few years. We have had large claims because of these hurricanes and therefore our rates are higher than the rest of the state. A lot of times your rates have nothing to do with you, it may have to do with the higher claims frequency in a certain area or the area is a higher risk, such as a coastal exposure. Your rates can also be affected by your own credit score and your claims history at a previous residence. I would advise making sure that your home is correctly insured. While it needs to be insured for replacement cost, sometimes you can be over-insured. Many policies have an automatic increase feature which increases your dwelling value each year for inflation. This can be accurate or you may be over-insured after a few years. Talk to your agent about re-evaluating the replacement cost of your home if you think this is the case. Also, you can reduce your premium significantly if you have a central station alarm and working smoke detectors.

What are some of the most important decisions that new homeowners need to make about their coverage?

It is so important to make sure that you have a replacement cost endorsement on your policy for both the dwelling and your contents. In the event of a loss, you could get a fraction of what you need to replace or fix what has been lost or damaged if this endorsement is not on your policy. Also, I would make sure you have water back-up coverage on your policy as a normal policy does not cover this. If you have a toilet or shower back up and it floods your bathroom, this needs to be on your policy. Along those same lines, if you live in an area that floods a lot or you are close to a body of water or a bayou, I would highly recommend that you have flood coverage. Rising water of any kind is not covered and it is better to be safe than sorry.

What’s the best way for people to contact you and your company?

You can stop by our office, give me a call or send me an e-mail and I will do my best to assist you. We are located at 9100 Southwest Freeway, Suite 201, Houston, TX 77074 and our phone number is 866-595-4077. My e-mail address is kjeanes@boardwalkinsurance.com. Our Texas-based agency is licensed in over 25 other states in the US.

By Kenneth Jeanes

‍

Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Horton Tree Service was founded in 1967 by Homer Horton. Johnny Horton has been at the helm as President since 2008. Horton Tree is an accredited business thru the Better Business Bureau.

What are some important questions to ask the landscaper in preparation for the tree removal process?

Need to ascertain if the company you choose to do your tree removal is covered by general liability and carries workers comp insurance. If you tree removal is within 10′ of power lines, the workers would need to be EHAP certified. Never pay before the work is completed.

What are the most common reasons homeowners request for a tree to be removed?

Reasons for removal of a tree: dead or hazardous trees, new construction (add-on or pool), more sunlight needed for yard, tree overhanging house or too close to the hose.

What are the steps involved in the tree removal process?

If the tree removal is in an open area we notch and drop but usually we have to piece out and lower down with ropes. Occasionally we do use a large crane on big and hazardous tree removal.

What are some common issues you face when it comes to tree removal?

Tight areas and numerous obstacles i.e.: roofs, gutters, fences, decks, sprinkler systems, etc.

What advice do you have for the homeowner during this process?

Home owners need to move all mobile obstacles such as flower pots, lawn furniture, barbeque grills, etc. and then stay a safe distance away from the work area.

What’s the best way for people to get in contact with you?

Our preferred method of contact for a quote for tree service is the phone. Specific details can be gathered at the time of the call. We also have a quote request on our website and that is followed up on daily. Our company can be found at www.hortontree.com.

By Johnny Horton

Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Ed Wise: I started Wise Insurance Group on April 1, 2011 after stints at Liberty Mutual, Countrywide Insurance, and Farmers. I learned about insurance at these different companies and knew I wanted to run an independent agency where I could bring the best policy with the best value to each client. The overriding goal of Wise Insurance Group is operate in an advisory role for each client whether an individual, family, or business.

What are some of the services your company provides?

We provide a full suite of insurance solutions for individuals and families from a variety of companies. The insurance solutions include auto, home, life, long term care, disability, as well as commercial insurance products such as general liability, professional liability, commercial vehicle, and more. I’m a big believer in helping create educated consumers which is why I blog about insurance related topics.

Please briefly explain the idea of home insurance to our readers, what it is, why it was created, etc.

Home insurance is designed to protect the homeowner from financial loss when something happens such as damage from a water leak, hail storm, fire, etc. There should be enough coverage on the home to replace it if there is a total loss. Home insurance was created to provide homeowners a way of sharing the risk of a loss with a financially strong entity, the home insurance company.

What facts should I gather about my new house before I start shopping?

We use a questionnaire to help gather information about everyone’s home we quote home insurance for. Basic information should include square footage, number of stories, number of bedrooms & bathrooms, as well as their grade (basic, semi-custom, custom, etc.). In addition, we ask about flooring type, wall coverings, is there a fire place, swimming pool, trampoline, what kind of pets they have, roofing material, and exterior walls.

If the home is over 15 years old, it’s also important to know when the roof was last replaced and have there been updates to the home’s plumbing (water heater), electrical system and heating and cooling systems. There are discounts for these items from many of the carriers. We’ll also ask about whether a monitored alarm system will be or is installed.

If the home is near water (pond, stream, creek, etc.), I will run a flood zone determination to confirm whether the home is in a flood zone or not. Lastly, I run CLUE reports which show claim and share this information with new home buyers to confirm repairs were made for damage from water leaks, hail damage to the roof, etc.

If the home has been built in the last 5 years, it’s important to know if it is a certified “green” home. There are a couple of insurance companies that provide a discount for a green home.

How can the location of my home affect my insurance costs?

Location does impact what a person pays for home insurance. If the home is in the city limits, factors like crime statistics, home age, fire department ISO classification, and weather patterns shape the home insurance premium. If the home is out of the city limits, issues like fire department ISO classification, responding fire house distance, presence of water, and brush hazards shape the premium.

In addition, if the home is located in an area where earthquakes have occurred, or is prone to hurricanes, I review the special coverage they may need that their home insurance policy won’t cover or needs to cover. For instance, homes located on or near the coast, should confirm they don’t need a separate wind (hurricane) policy and that their home insurance includes coverage for wind driven rain.

How do I make sure I am not under-insured? What does it mean to make sure I insure my home to “replacement value”?

It’s important to insure the home for what it would cost to replace it due to a total loss. That means there should be enough coverage on the home to completely cover any demolition that is required, hauling debris away to the dump (this usually requires special permits), and then rebuilding the home. Most people don’t realize that home construction includes plans or blue prints, permits, inspections, EPA skirting around the lot, fencing, etc.

One of the steps we take is to divide the home’s insured value by the number of square feet in the home (excluding an attached or detached garage). This provides the homeowner with a cost per square foot. Most agents should be able to provide what claims are estimating the average cost per square foot should be for a home (this will vary depending on finish out, location, etc.) in their area and guide them as to whether they are properly insured or not. If the amount the home is insured for hasn’t changed in 5 years or more, it should definitely be evaluated.

In your personal opinion, is it worth it to get additional coverage for some of the valuable items in my home?

Most home insurance policies have limits on the amount of coverage the policy provides for valuable items (jewelry, artwork, collectibles, antiques, musical instruments, etc.). These limits can be dollar limits such as $2,000 total for a jewelry loss, they can limit the type of loss (mysterious disappearance is usually excluded) or both.

If the homeowner has any of these items, and they combined value is $2,000 or more, this is excellent coverage to add to the home policy or to purchase separately. For all scheduled jewelry, I strongly recommend that mysterious disappearance (I lost it) coverage be included. Many carriers will insist on an appraisal that is no older than two years.

Can I save money on my monthly premium if I add certain safety features to my home?

Most home insurance companies provide a discount on the home insurance policy if the homeowner has operational smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, deadbolt locks and the home is visible to neighbors. Additional discounts may be available for homes with a centrally monitored burglar and fire alarm system and some offer an even better discount if the alarm system is monitored by the local fire and police departments.

How can I ensure that I am working with a home insurance provider that I trust?

It’s important for any homeowner to do their homework when selecting an insurance company. Start with the financial ratings provided by A.M. Best and Standard and Poor to confirm whether they are financially strong. Check with your state insurance department too. Many provide a listing of what perils are covered and which ones are not. The Texas Department of Insurance provides homeowners the ability to compare policies between companies and there should be information on how well they handle claims. If the agent represents more than one company, ask who they have their home insured with!

What’s the best way for people to get in contact with you and your company?

We can be reached in a number of ways including:
Office number: (469) 464-5740
Email: ed.wise@wiseinsurancegroup.com
Twitter: @wiseinsgroup
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wiseinsurancegroup
Website Blog: www.wiseinsurancegroup.com/blog

By Ed Wise

Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Terri Symington: I draw upon a lifetime of passion and experience with the arts, from being a dancer with a jazz/ ballet company, a fashion illustrator, an art director with a well known home furnishings/fashion catalog, into becoming an accomplished award winning interior designer. I create relaxed, sophisticated and beautiful interiors for discriminating clients who want and expect the best in quality and originality.

• Design Consultation
• Pre-Construction Planning (Recommended for all new construction projects)
• Materials Selections
• Space Planning
• Color Planning & Coordinating
• Furnishings/ Art/ Accessories
• Custom Window Treatments
• Universal Design / Accessibility
• Environmental Sensitivity Issues
• Sustainable / Green Design
• Extensive Selection of Fabrics
• Custom Bedding Treatments

What is a common misconception people have about working with an interior designer?

I believe that one of the biggest misconceptions people have in hiring a designer is that they “shop” for a designer based on comparing how a designer charges compared to the other designers. One of the first questions I always get is “How do you charge?”…when that should be one of the last questions asked. A potential client should select their designer based on what the designer has to offer in terms of style and creativity, as well as compatibility. Not every designer is for every client…and not every client is for every designer! The interview process is for both parties to determine compatibility.

How is the budget set and then spent for a new project?

Budgets are based on the scope of services and the amount of time that a project will require. Each project is unique with differing requirements. The projects I work on range from new construction which can take up to a couple of years, to hourly consultations.

Therefore, a discussion regarding budgets can become very complex…but one of great importance to have a clear understanding and plan of, in order to make sure that the client’s needs are met.

Can you briefly talk about the main benefits of hiring an interior designer to stage a home when it’s for sale?

Staging a home for selling requires a different approach to interior design. The interior furnishings should help bring out the best features of the home, while taking one’s focus away from areas that need to be down played. At the same time, the furnishings and accessories should have a broad appeal to a wide audience so that a potential buyer can imagine his or herself as living in the space.

What are the costs associated with that?

Costs for staging a home will vary, depending on how much time is required to edit the home owners personal furnishings and effects. If the home is new, it will require the short term rental of furnishings and accessories. The number of rooms/square footage and the number of movers needed to stage the space will also have to be factored into the associated costs.

What advice do you have for homeowners in Connecticut who want to redecorate but have a limited budget

For any homeowner working with a limited budget…regardless of where they live…is to first start with a plan whether it is for a single room, or a whole house. From there I always recommend to start with good investment pieces to form the foundation of the furnishings. Inexpensive furniture is typically not well constructed, and the short life expectancy of the piece actually makes it out to be a very expensive purchase. Go for quality over quantity! Then add pieces based on your plan over a period of time, as the budget allows.

What’s the best way for people to contact you and your company?

The best way to reach me is to email me directly at: terri@symingtoninteriors.com Make sure the title line indicates your purpose or interest so that the email does not get lost in the mix.

By Terri Symington