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Stay Focused on Home Purchases THUNDER BAY - MONEY - The housing market is hot, in part to low interest rates and home prices that were low for many years. Given that the purchase of a home is typically the largest purchase one will make in their life, jumping into the market and competing against other aggressive bids can be intimidating. The last thing anyone would want when buying a home or property is to have regrets afterwards, especially for those first time home buyers. Here are some tips to consider for first time home buyers. Make sure to get Pre-Approved It would seem like it's a given, but many first time home buyers will assume they'll know how much they can spend on their home based on online mortgage calculators. It's important to setup a meeting with your bank or mortgage specialist, since they can provide information to you on what price range you should be looking in, and specifics to consider like property taxes, and other monthly expenses you'll want to factor in. Consider Renting for the Short-Term Despite all the good that comes in owning a house, such as building home equity, it's important to ask yourself how long you plan on staying in that house. If your long term plan is still not known because of your job, or personal situation, it may be better to rent in the short term. Buyers need to realize all of the expenses renters don't need to worry about like property taxes, and home owners insurance. This also isn't considering any unforeseen maintenance costs that could arise. Skipping the Home Inspection Many new home buyers may try to cut costs and skip out on a home inspection.

Few personal milestones compel someone to buy life insurance coverage like becoming a parent. In the event of an untimely death, life insurance can serve as a financial safety net to ensure there's money available to pay for everything from medical bills to a home mortgage and future college education costs. Many Americans have taken steps to line up such a financial cushion. At the end of 2012, 146.2 million individual life insurance policies were in effect, with coverage totaling $11.2 trillion, according to the American Council of Life Insurers. Yet the distribution model has changed during the past few decades, and fewer Americans are relying on local financial advisers in their community to look at their overall financial situation and recommend a life insurance strategy, said Brian Bulakites, national sales manager for life insurance for Henrico County-based insurance company Genworth Financial Inc. The Internet has enabled consumers to shop more widely for insurance, but it might also cost them the face-to-face advice that can be helpful, he said. "The biggest thing we see in our industry today is that people don't have advisers," he said. "You want to find an adviser that you can build a relationship with - somebody that you can trust."

Dyman Associates Insurance Group of Companie - In Part 2 of a three-part interview, T. Rowe Price's Christine Fahlund discusses getting the most out of Social Security benefits as well as longevity and long-term care insurance. Christine Fahlund, senior financial planner for T. Rowe Price Group (TROW), retired in May after 18 years with the firm. Before her departure, Morningstar's Christine Benz sat down with her to get her wisdom on creating a successful retirement plan. In Part 1 of the three-part interview, Fahlund discussed how to assess whether you've saved enough to retire as well as the benefits and pitfalls of working longer. In this section, she addresses lifetime income sources, including Social Security and longevity insurance. Continue Reading

You're probably something of an expert in your own field-and that field probably isn't insurance or annuities. How, then, can you work through the minefield of clauses, guarantees, and pages of small print? Here are nine ways to start. While you may feel uncomfortable doing this, you're the one putting down thousands of dollars, and you have every right demand this. Remember: caveat emptor! It's the buyer who must beware; you must protect yourself. Ultimately, the language in the annuity contract is what matters, but it doesn't hurt to memorialize your verbal agreement with the agent in writing. Hopefully your agent is totally honest and will help write the agreement, and both parties can sign and date it. If the agent starts to waffle, trust your instincts.

If a tree falls in your yard, your insurance agent might not hear it. You probably bought your home policy years ago, then stuffed it in a file somewhere. Will it be there for you when you need it? Here's how to protect yourself: 1. You'll probably have to fight to get a big claim paid. Homeowners who suffer a loss of $30,000 or more get the most pushback from their insurers over damages, coverage and slow payouts, ShopSmart's recent survey data shows. But the coverage of huge losses is exactly why you buy home insurance. Protect yourself. You can cut your odds of a fight by doing business with an insurer that pays its claims. The best carriers for claim-payment satisfaction are Amica, Auto-Owners and USAA, according to the most recent Consumer Reports National Research Center survey of 9,905 subscribers who filed homeowner claims from 2010 through the first six months of 2013. Continue Reading