Structural Surveys – Are They Worth The Money?

by scrumble

Structural Surveys – Are They Worth The Money?

Structural Surveys – Are They Worth The Money?

As more and more homebuyers try to save money on their house purchase by cutting back onr structural surveys I decided to take a look at some of the risks involved.

Valuation Survey

First off, almost all property that is purchased with the aid of a mortgage is subject to a valuation survey. The valuation survey is done on behalf of the lender to establish the value of the property that you are purchasing. The survey is quite basic and does not include any kind of guarantee as to the structural integrity of the property.

Some property purchasers think that because they have already paid out for a survey then that is all they have to do but this can be a huge mistake.

So What Is A Structural Survey & Do I have To Have One?

Usually it is not a requirement by the lender or anybody else to have a structural survey and sometimes this can lead to problems as most people have no idea if the property they are purchasing has got structural problems or not.

The other point is that structural surveys do not come cheap and there is a growing tendency to risk it so to speak.

Structural surveys on any property are aimed at finding structural weaknesses in the property that could drastically affect the value. Here are a few examples of structural problems on a property that home buyers are unlikely to notice and can cost a small fortune to put right:

Dropped supporting walls commonly known as subsidence;
Hairline cracking to brickwork;
Dropped and cracked arches above windows;
Bulging outer walls;
Bulging roofs;
Uneven floors;
Cracked ceilings;
Dropped and cracked cornice.

Those are just a few of the major structural problems that property purchasers can inherit when they purchase a property. It may be that the problems occurred years ago and have now stabilized but they may still give you a major headache when you go to sell.

In the event that you purchase a property with subsidence that is ongoing then action will be required on your part to remedy which is likely to result in huge expenses. If you think your building insurance will cover you – think again as it is very unlikely that you are covered for subsidence.

Structural Surveys Can Save You Money

Twenty years ago almost everybody that purchased a property had a structural survey done so that they could feel safe. The main aim of a structural survey is for you to be aware of the major faults concerning your purchase before you make the commitment to purchase.

As is common, in cases where there are structural problems that need attention you will be able to use the survey to renegotiate the price of the property should you still wish to proceed. In cases like that then not only is your structural surveyors’ fees money well spent but in fact you may make a few thousand on it.

Conclusion

Purchasing any property involves a large amount of money and a huge commitment. When you consider the costs of the structural surveyor’s fees it might be wise to look at it as additional insurance and peace of mind for your investment and money well spent in the long term.

You can find local surveyors and compare costs for a structural survey or homebuyers survey at Surveyors Supermarket The UK No: 1 price Comparison Site For Property Surveyors.

Texas Home Insurance Money Saving Tips

by doug_wertman

Texas Home Insurance Money Saving Tips

How would you like to save money on your Texas homeowners insurance

As Texas home insurance specialists we understands that your home is probably your most valuable asset. It is also a huge risk for you financially. What if a catastrophe strikes? What if you suffered from a fire, flood, vandalism or any other catastrophe? What if someone visiting you slips falls and suffers a serious injury? And sues you? An accident like that could put a real big dent in your financial security.

For most people, insurance is a mystery. They know they need to have insurance for their homes (mortgage lenders require it), but they don’t understand the coverage provided by the policy. And they don’t know which insurance companies offer the best prices. Because most people don’t fully understand the insurance policy they are purchasing, many people think insurance is a rip-off.

Texas home insurance is not created equal. In fact, almost none of it is. There are thousands of different products out there, from hundreds of insurance companies. How do you find the insurance and the insurance company that is best for you? You read this special report and tap into my vast knowledge of the products and the companies that offer them.

Insurance Over Texas is a local Houston insurance agency specialized in Texas home insurance. With over 20 of Texas insurance experience I know what kind of insurance fits your needs best. I also know what insurance companies sell quality insurance at the lowest price. Since I am specialized in the insurance needs of homeowners and their families for over two decades, I have decided to dedicate myself to solving some of the mysteries of homeowners insurance quotes Texas.

Texas flood insurance and earthquake coverage are two perils for which there is no coverage.

You can get coverage for earthquake and flood damage in a separate policy or as an endorsement to your homeowners insurance Texas coverage.

Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value

Your Texas home policy does not provide coverage for all potential catastrophes that could damage or destroy your home. Earthquake and

There is also no coverage for damage caused by water that seeps into your home from the ground.

You do have coverage for losses related to fire, smoke, lightning, wind storms, hail, explosions, vandalism and theft.

There are different ways to insure your home. Generally you insure both the structure and your personal property. Let’s take the structure first.

There are two types of coverage: replacement cost and actual cash value.

Replacement cost coverage is highly recommended for all Texas homeowners. Under replacement cost coverage, the insurance will cover the cost of replacing the part of the structure that is damaged, up to a maximum dollar amount.

Under actual cash value coverage will cover the cost of replacing the damaged structure minus the depreciation. If you have an older home, this maybe the coverage you want. Unless your policy specifically says it provides replacement cost coverage, the coverage is for actual cash value.

So how much insurance should you have?

Basically, unless you want to pay some of the costs yourself, you should insure your home for what it would cost to rebuild it if your residence were destroyed.

How do you find this out?

Your insurance agent can provide you with this information. If you don’t have an insurance agent and you should, you can contact your local builders association. In the home construction world, building costs are calculated on a square foot basis. As such, to determine the cost to rebuild your home, take the square footage of your house and multiply by the average per square foot building rate in your area.

Your possessions are also insured on a replacement cost or actual cash value basis. Again, unless specified otherwise, the coverage in your policy is actual cash value.

Home insurance policies also have limits on coverage for such items as jewelry, fine art and computer equipment. Read your policy and see what these limits are. For example, the standard policy will provide a maximum of ,000 coverage for your jewelry if it is lost or stolen. If you have lots of jewelry, fine art or computer equipment, you should consider purchasing a special personal property endorsements or floaters that provides the coverage you need.

Speaking of needs, you need to take a written and a visual (still pictures or video) inventories of everything you own in your home and in other buildings on the property.

Include all furniture – Indoor and outdoor, appliances, stereos, computers and other electronic equipment, hobby materials and recreational equipment, china, silverware, kitchen equipment, linens, jewelry and clothing. For the major items (computers, televisions, stereo systems, etc.).
Write down the serial number, make or model number, purchase price, present value and date of purchase of each item.
If you have the receipts for the items, attach them to the inventory.
Make at least two copies of the inventory and store one of those copies offsite a safe deposit box is a good place.
Store the pictures or video of the inventory offsite as well.

10 Ways to Save On Your Texas Home Insurance

Now that you know the basics of a homeowner’s insurance policy, here are 10 ways you can pay less. In many cases, you can get the same level of coverage for fewer dollars.

One Insurer, Multiple Insurance Policies – Do you have a Houston auto insurance policy? Is your auto insurance insured with the same company that provides your home insurance?
If the answer’s no, you’re paying too much for both policies. Almost every insurance company that sells home insurance wants its policyholders to also buy auto insurance from them. These insurers offer so-called multi-policy discounts. These discounts can be as much as 27% and some insurers apply the discounts to both the auto and the homeowners/renters policy.

Raise Your Deductible! – The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in if you have a claim. For example, if you have a 0 deductible and you file a claim for ,500 in damage to your home, you pay the first 0 and your insurer pays the balance, ,000. The higher the deductible you choose, the more you pay. However, the higher the deductible, the lower your policy premium. Depending on the insurance company, you can save between 12% and 37% if you have a deductible of ,000 to ,000.
New Is Better! – Insurers really like newer homes. That’s because it’s less likely something will go wrong with the electrical, heating and plumbing systems. In addition, the structure itself is in better shape. Insurers offer discounts of as much as 8% to 15% if your residence is new.
Location, Location, Location! – Where do you live and what is your home made of? If you’re in the Eastern United States, it’s better from an insurance perspective to have a brick or masonry residence because such a structure has a greater resistance to wind damage. By contrast, frame homes are better in the earthquake-prone West. The right structure in the right region can save you 5% to 15%. Further, if your home is near a fire station, you will pay less for homeowners insurance. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you may be required to buy a flood insurance policy. If you are not required to buy the coverage and still live in a flood-prone area, your Texas home insurance policy will not provide coverage for losses arising from flooding.
Insure the House, Not the Land! – Nobody is going to steal your land. Fire and high winds won’t destroy it. As such, when deciding how much homeowner’s coverage to buy, don’t include the value of the land. You should only cover the value of the house and any other buildings on the property. If you include the value of the land, you’re paying too much.
Don’t Insure What You Don’t Have! – Each year, you should review your policy to see what coverage you have for your possessions. If you have made a major purchase, you will want to increase your limits of coverage, but what if you sell something or something’s? You don’t need as much coverage. Pay particular attention to items that are covered by endorsements or floaters to your policy, items such as jewelry and computer equipment.
Better Safe Than Sorry! – Smoke detectors, burglar alarms and deadbolt locks are usually worth discounts of at least 5%. You can get even bigger discounts, 15% to 20%, if you install a sophisticated sprinkler system or an alarm system that rings at the police station or a security company. However, not all of these systems qualify for discounts. Before you install one, check with your insurer to find out what type of system qualifies for a discount and how much you would save on your premium if you installed the system.
Where There’s Smoke There’s fire! – Smoking (unattended cigarette butts, etc.) produces more than 23,000 residential fires in this country each year. That’s why some insurers have discounts if all the residents in a home are nonsmokers.
Group Discounts! – Some insurers offer discounts to certain business or alumni associations. If you are a member of such an association or associations, ask the directors of the associations if there are any insurance companies providing discounts to members.
Don’t Jump Around – If you’ve been with an insurer for a while and you like that insurer, stay put. Some insurance companies automatically have discounts for policyholders who have been with the company for a certain number of years. For example, 5% for at least three years, 10% for at least five years.

Luke’s real life auto insurance quote came back at 303 dollars a month. Luke got pissed… and put his new webcam to use. (Like all of our stuff, it’s scripted.)

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Is Filling Out Surveys For Money A Scam – Here’s How Real People Are Making Money Filling Out Surveys

by Dublin City Public Libraries

Is Filling Out Surveys For Money A Scam – Here’s How Real People Are Making Money Filling Out Surveys

Is Filling Out Surveys For Money A Scam

I am certain that you have seen the hype and over blown ads to entice you to start your own online business. The opportunities are limitless with the explosion of the internet, especially in the last few years. The problem is do any of these solutions realistically make you an income? Is Filling Out Surveys For Money A Scam

The online business that we are going to take a look at is one that is getting a great deal of attention today. Many people are discovering that they can make a decent living by filling out surveys for companies from their computer with online surveys. This internet trend is being questioned, and with healthy skepticism. Is taking online surveys a scam? Is anybody really making any cash with this trendy money machine? Really?

I am guessing at one or another, many people have taken at survey at a store or even the grocery. Maybe your banking institution has called your home to ask you a few questions for their customer service satisfaction survey. All types of businesses are paying a great deal of money to each person for answering a few questions to find out what is the product to market or to gage their products in the market place to their potential customers.

As the internet becomes more accessible to a broader range of the population, many companies are employing the power of the internet to get information from their market surveys. This opportunity offers many individuals to earn some money on the side that would not otherwise have a chance to make some easy money.

The varieties of companies that will offer a sum for your valuable answers to their surveys are doing this for a reason. It will save them so much more money by offering surveys than to take on new staff to engage the consumer in other marketing campaigns.

You are not alone if you are some of the many persons who are doubtful as to whether any money can be made by just filling out a few surveys. Is Filling Out Surveys For Money A Scam

But, there are many people already earning a decent coin by providing their opinions to survey questions. To be sure, not all online survey companies pay the same rate. Some survey contributors have reported earnings as far as 0 per one-hour survey. The average person will receive anywhere from to for every completed survey.

Where should you start to embark on getting extra cash you deserve? The first step is to join a survey network that maintains a huge database of surveys for you to complete. There are free survey sites where you can become a member and for your time and energy they will pay you with a free entry into a sweepstakes. Of course you just cannot make money with these sites.

If you really want cash in your pocket you should focus on taking surveys from a paid membership survey network. The cost is minimal to you, about and it is a one time fee only. Once you become a member you will have complete access to their database of surveys guaranteed to make you start earning some real money.

Ensuring you join a network with a money back guarantee, you one time investment will be compensated if for some reason you are not satisfied with your results. A quality legitimate survey network site will be more than glad to return your investment without any questions as they know that every person who joins their network will be a satisfied client.

The greatest advantage of taking survey online is it can become a really good part time income supplement just for filling out online marketing surveys. You can easily apply, and make over 00 in your first month by taking the first step of only a small investment in yourself.

The best of luck in your new opportunity for an online income. If you have any questions, we will be happy to be of assistance to you. Is Filling Out Surveys For Money A Scam

What to Invest Your Money in During the Credit Crunch and Global Recession

What to Invest Your Money in During the Credit Crunch and Global Recession

Every day when we read the papers, talk to people, watch the news on TV, it all seems doom and gloom, in fact with prices across the UK now dropping, being an owner of a house doesn’t seem to be the sure fire bet it used to be!

Instead of drawing all your money out of the bank and putting under the mattress (!), how else can you “protect” your money?

I’m going to suggest something that no-one else has yet………………

Instead of hoarding the cash, or leaving it in the bank for greedy bankers to give it away to some other greedy bankers, why not SPEND IT INSTEAD!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read correctly……………

Money doesn’t make us happy, it only makes us happy when we give it away! i.e., when we receive goods or services, in exchange for money. All those people (and local councils) who invested in shares in banks like Northern rock, Bradford and Bingley etc, have lost their money! People, who invested in anything to do with Iceland, have lost the lot, and it would seem that includes our council tax too!

So are “bricks and mortar” still the best option?

Well, despite falling house prices, yes I would say this is still the case, just don’t expect a quick return.  The value of houses goes up and down over time so view them as a LONG TERM investment

Remember when houses used to be homes and not investments? With what has happened over the past few weeks, this looks like this should be the new way of thinking. Carry on investing in your home. Spending money on it, will reap rewards in the future as your home will be more marketable than others who have not spent money, plus when and if the market recovers, yours will be amongst the first to sell!

So, this is the idea……….

At present, anecdotal evidence suggests a very negative outcome for the economy in the next few years. That’s means our money possibly won’t go as far, will buy less, and with everything happening with the banking system, it’s not as safe as it once was; so what IS safe? Where can you put your money with a view to investing it?

Why not invest it in some improvements for your house?

No, I’m not crazy, read on…………

House prices in the UK have experienced phenomenal growth over the past few years. The warning signs have been in place for some time, with top surveyors reporting that houses were “overvalued by at least 40%”, and recent drops in house prices, and the stalling of mortgage markets, seem to suggest that this has largely been true.

Many people will probably think at this point “so why should I throw money at my house?”. Well, although prices are dropping, they won’t drop for ever, and will eventually bottom out, stay static for a while, and then one the economy recovers, will start to go up again, it could be suggested. One only needs to look at historical house price data, and historical economic data to see that economies are “cyclical”, that means that a clear pattern emerges of prices going up and down, and values of thing such as houses, going up and down.

A long term view is needed to survive this particular crisis, and I believe that a long term view needs to be considered as far as your house in concerned. Houses still require maintenance, and homeowners still like to make their house look nice, and be warn and comfortable, in fact some people wont be affected by the downturn as much as others, senior citizens with no kids or mortgage being a prime example.

Instead of putting your money into the bank, or under the mattress, why not spend it on your house? As the saying goes, “Don’t move: Improve!”. In fact anecdotal evidence suggested by the building trade, seems to point to a recent trend of homeowners getting a variety of home improvement jobs done on their house, including obvious jobs that have to be done, such as exterior rendering, damp proofing, replacing damages or broken items or features on the house, but also a new trend is emerging.

Many people are now taking “the bull by the horns” and spending their money on their homes, despite the falling markets, and they are doing this for a variety of reasons.

Despite the credit crunch, some people still are moving and selling, although that figure is a drastic reduction from this time last year, but of the people who DO end up selling, (and some do),  many of them have taken steps to ensure that their house WILL sell.

These are the smart people.

My advice would be to concentrate on the EXTERIOR, not the interior. When most people move into a new house, they normally decorate the interior themselves, to their own taste, so if you want to sell, forget the inside! Also make sure that things are FIXED. Get someone to sort any leaks, any cracked pebbledash, loose or hollow render, get rid of green mould, fix any loose slates or tiles, mow the front lawn if applicable. MAKE AN EFFORT!

People who are making an effort are making sure the outside walls are freshly painted, and any estate agent will tell you, if you want to sell your home, painting the outside and clearing the front up is perhaps the best and most effective thing you could do to your house.

Basically you can do this yourself (and it’s a LOT harder than it sounds), or you could get a contractor in to do it for you. Doing it yourself, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing or have little experience in painting a house, can end up as a disaster! As far as choosing a reputable contractor, that’s another article altogether, but in brief, getting someone to sort the exterior of your house out, in preparation to sell is not as painful as it seems if you follow this general advice.

•1)      DO NOT even entertain offers from ANYONE who knocks at the door unannounced with some “special deal” or such like. If they have to resort to sending spotty teenagers around in feral packs, onto housing estates, to knock strangers doors, they can’t be any good can they?

•2)      Be very wary of junk mail also. Many companies, especially exterior wall coatings companies, double glazing companies, damp proofing companies and driveway installers, frequently trade for a year or so, make the money they want to, and then close down, not paying any tax, and not honouring any guarantees. Watch out for envelopes (usually a dark colour) that come through the door with a leaflet or letter, and a pre paid reply card. DO NOT REPLY TO THEM! Your details would also be sold on to marketing companies in many cases.

•3)      Ask friends, neighbours and family for recommendations or approach trade organisations or reputable surveyors, for someone to paint the outside of your home, do your driveway or some other related exterior home improvement. MAKE THE EFFORT, do the research! Basically if you want the best outcome, you’re going to have to get up out your chair and do something about it!

•4)      If and when a contractor or a rep from a wallcoating company does come round, make sure you DON’T get pressured into signing on the day. Believe me, trades people are desperately looking for work at present and the ball is in YOUR court. Thank them for coming out to see you and in preparing the quote, but explain that you want to think about over the next few days. (In my own experience running an exterior wallcoatings company, quotes given by competitors can differ wildly, so get some comparisons before you decide).

•5)      (and as a footnote, and to fit in with these frugal times),  don’t take out a payment plan or finance agreement as you will most certainly pay a fantastic amount MORE for the work. That is also depending on whether any credit or finance is actually available in the market! Basically if you can’t afford it, don’t have it! Talk to someone you know who is a senior citizen, we could all learn from these people. Back a few years ago, before cheap credit, if you could not afford something; you quite simply would not have it. If you wanted it badly you would SAVE UP YOUR MONEY and then buy it! Simple really.

So there we are, and a rather controversial view given the current economic climate, but hey, what can you do?

So my advice would be to spend any money you have on your house, you will eventually reap the rewards, but don’t expect a quick return on your investment, and hey, why not? If you don’t spend it, either your local authority, your building society or your bank may possibly lose it, so make hay while the sun shines eh?

Why not get a free quote for an exterior wall coating instead from NEVER PAINT AGAIN!

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How To Make More Money Online

by yewenyi

How To Make More Money Online

Ever since the Internet became more easily accessible and computers became more widely available, people have been looking for ways to make money through the Internet. With the Internet, it’s possible to tap markets from around the world from the comfort of your own home. Today, the realm of online businesses, electric commerce, and Internet entrepreneurship has become so large and successful that even companies that don’t operate businesses online are expected to have even a simple website with product and contact information. Whether you are a website owner looking to generate more traffic and money or an online businessperson looking to increase sales, finding new ways to make money online is essential to being successful.

Perhaps the most simple and easy way of making money through the Internet is by using your website to advertise. For example, you can place ads on your personal blogging page and you earn money depending on the number of clicks your ads get. Aside from advertising, you can earn money by selling your own products online. There are a number of ways that you can earn money through the Internet and one of the most recent booms in Internet entrepreneurship is paid teleconference sessions. Read on to learn more about paid teleconference sessions and how they can help you earn money through the Internet.

Paid teleconference sessions

Paid teleconference sessions are a type of conferencing solution that allows you to connect with and talk to others through the telephone, while earning money for your conferencing time. Normally, the conference host is paid by-the-minute for these premium conferencing services. By using such teleconference services on your website, you can start earning money just by talking to the people who call you. For example, if you sell a product online, paid teleconference sessions offer a conferencing solution that allows you to provide help and assistance to your customers. Likewise, those who sell books, write articles, run blogs, or have a website of any kind can use such conferencing services to connect with their customers, webpage visitors, fans, or anyone who decides to call the premium conferencing number.

How premium conferencing services work

1. The website owner signs-up with a teleconferencing company that offers paid teleconferencing services. When the site owner and the website are approved, the owner will be given a premium conferencing number. The site owner is the “conference host” for the specific teleconference number issued to him or her.
2. The premium conferencing number is placed on the website as a conferencing solution that people can call from their telephone or mobile phone. The prices paid by the caller are slightly higher than regular calls and the money goes to the telephone companies that the teleconferencing company is affiliated with.
3. The money earned from the premium conferencing calls is split with the conference host.

Benefits of paid teleconference sessions

There are several advantages of making use of paid teleconference sessions. You don’t have to give your personal information, like your telephone number or mobile number, to others. Privacy is one of the biggest issues when it comes to premium conferencing and with teleconference sessions, you can enjoy your conferences without having to give-up your privacy. The teleconferencing services are normally offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The conference host has the ability to make flexible schedules by setting the times during which the host accepts calls. Signing-up and using the services of paid teleconference companies is usually free for the host. Premium conferencing allows website owners to have added features and services, and provides opportunities for earning extra money online.

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