All Entries in the "Insurance" Category
Nearly Half of Chicago’s Homeowners are Underwater
In real estate, negative equity occurs when more is owed on a mortgage than its home is worth. That homeowner is underwater. During the third quarter of this year, practically one out of every two metro Chicago real estate owners were submerged. According to the Zillow Home Value Index released Tuesday, 46.2 percent of all [...]
Homeowners Insurance and Injuries on Your Property
Homeowners insurance is an important thing to have. For most people, it’s just a precaution. However, if a situation arises where a claim needs to be filed, do you know how to handle it? In “Homeowners Insurance: Someone Gets Hurt On Your Property”on the Equifax Finance Blog, Linda Rey offers tips for what to do [...]
Appraisals Go Green to Account for Energy Costs
Mortgage underwriters generally weigh several numbers when deciding whether a family can afford a new home. They look at income, of course, and tally up expenses in the form of a home’s property taxes, insurance premiums and monthly payments. There is one number they ignore: how much a household spends on its utilities, a figure [...]
Avoid Paying PMI on Chicago Real Estate
Now is a great time to buy Chicago real estate thanks to all-time low rates on 30-year fixed mortgages and 15-year fixed loans. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the favorable market, don’t forget about private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) offers limited protection for lenders in case a homeowner goes into default [...]
Understanding Sports Health Insurance for Children
Sports can be fun at any age, but they can also be great tools for teaching leadership, teamwork and other skills. With fall rapidly approaching, chances are good that your child is already playing his or her favorite sport. If your child plays for a school or youth team, they need a sports physical to [...]
