#HomeownersInsurance

Check where you land and save this for later! 📌 With average 2026 interest rates hovering around 6.5%, the income needed to buy a home looks very different than it did a few years ago. ⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE: This list is based strictly on NATIONAL averages for property taxes and homeowners insurance. If you are buying in a high-cost area like California (especially the Bay Area or Silicon Valley), the math shifts significantly due to local property tax baselines and the current home insurance market. Want to know the real numbers for your neighborhood? 👇 DROP YOUR CITY OR ZIP CODE in the comments below, and I’ll break down exactly what it takes to qualify where you live! BUYING or SELLING anywhere in the US. DM me for a chat. FOLLOW me @budsellshomes and share this to a friend in need... #Mortgage #realestate #homebuying #househunting #viral

Want to save money and avoid costly surprises as a homeowner? Here are 3 changes I would make to my homeowners insurance policy today: ✅ 1. Verify you have Replacement Cost Coverage, not Actual Cash Value. Most homeowners don’t know there’s a huge difference. Actual Cash Value factors in depreciation. For example, if your roof has a 20-year lifespan and gets damaged after 10 years, the insurance company may only pay for the remaining value of the roof. That means you could be responsible for thousands of dollars out of pocket. Replacement Cost Coverage helps pay to replace the damaged item at today’s cost. ✅ 2. Add Sewer and Water Backup Coverage. This is one of the most common claims homeowners face, and it’s typically not included in a standard homeowners policy. Tree roots can crack pipes, drains can back up, and sewer lines can fail. The problem is most homeowners don’t discover they aren’t covered until after the damage is done. Adding this coverage can be one of the cheapest and smartest upgrades you make. ✅ 3. Add Equipment Breakdown Coverage. Think HVAC systems, electrical panels, water heaters, appliances, and other major home systems. If they fail due to a mechanical or electrical breakdown, this coverage can help pay for repairs or replacement. In many cases, it costs only a few hundred dollars per year and could save you thousands. Owning a home isn’t just about buying it. it’s about protecting it. Take a few minutes to review your policy and ask your insurance agent about these coverages. A small change today could save you a lot of money tomorrow. Follow What’s A Mortgage for more homeowner, mortgage, and wealth-building tips. #HomeownersInsurance #HomeownerTips #WhatsAMortgage

One of the smartest homeownership hacks almost nobody talks about…👇 Create a dedicated email address just for your home. Think: [email protected] Use it for: • Utility accounts • Homeowners insurance • Mortgage statements • Contractor receipts • Appliance warranties • Permits • HOA communication • Security system logins • Paint colors, manuals, and renovation records Everything related to your home lives in one place. Years from now, when you need a warranty, sell the house, or remember who installed the HVAC, you’ll thank yourself. Your Westchester County Top Realtor, Whitney Okun Licensed Real Estate Salesperson 917-848-9229 [email protected]

Here’s what we did⬇️ Immediately after closing, we went on our city’s website… and we filled out the paperwork for a tax exemption. A lot of cities and counties have property tax exemptions if you can prove that you own and live in the property - especially if you’re in an area with a lot of rentals + investors, you get benefits as an owner-occupant. For us, our tax exemption lowered our property taxes by $3,600 a year - which breaks down to $300/month. Once the exemption was approved, the city sent us the updated tax bill, which we forwarded to our mortgage company. Because our taxes are paid by the mortgage company, they were able to lower our mortgage payment! Go to your city/county/and state website to see what exemptions are available for homeowners in your area! If your area doesn’t offer exemptions, here are a few other ways to lower your payment: 1. Shop around for homeowners insurance once a year - this is also paid monthly with your mortgage, so getting a lower rate will lower your payment! 2. Ask your mortgage company when you can request early cancellation of your PMI - and then request it! This will lower your payment. 3. Track mortgage rates (I like Mortgage News Daily) and refinance if rates drop! If your goal for 2026 is to buy a house… ❌DO NOT just wing the process - there’s way too much money at stake! ✅INSTEAD, Comment CLASS to take the FREE Homebuying 101 class! Over 20,000 people have signed up for this class over the last 7 years, and you’ll learn: -hidden costs (and how much money you’ll need) -top 3 mistakes first-time h

🏡 What is the 28% Rule? A helpful guideline when buying a home is the 28% rule. It suggests keeping your monthly housing payment—including your mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and, if applicable, HOA dues—at or below 28% of your gross monthly income. While everyone’s financial situation is different, this rule can be a useful starting point for finding a home that fits your budget comfortably. Thinking about buying a home and wondering what price range makes sense for you? I’d be happy to help you understand your options and guide you through the process. Send me a DM, and let’s find a home that fits both your lifestyle and your budget! #realestate #buy #new #home #austin

Buying a home involves more than just saving for the down payment. Closing costs are an important part of the process, and they often catch first-time buyers by surprise because no one explains them early on. From prepaid taxes and homeowners insurance to appraisal and inspection fees, knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead and avoid unnecessary stress. Think of it like planning a road trip. You budget for the destination, but you also need to account for the fuel, tolls, and other expenses along the way. The more you understand your costs upfront, the more confident you'll feel when it's time to make an offer. Curious how much home you can afford? DM me for a free breakdown. #FloridaMortgage #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #PreApproval #HomeLoans

Putting your house in a trust is not just about signing the trust documents, you have to finish the transfer work too! Quick checklist: 1️⃣ Create the trust with an estate attorney 2️⃣ Retitle the property into the trust correctly 3️⃣ Record the new deed with the county 4️⃣ Update your homeowners insurance so the trust is listed properly 5️⃣ Double check who is the trustee, successor trustee, and beneficiary 6️⃣ Review how the house title works with your mortgage and state rules A trust can help your home avoid probate, but only if the paperwork is actually done right. Questions? 👇 #housebuying #trust #homebuying #homebuyingprocess

Wondering what the average home payment looks like? 🏡 Watch this quick breakdown with my trusted lender, then message me if you’d like a personalized estimate based on your income and budget. 📩 Comment or DM PAYMENT to get started. Disclaimer: The payment shown is for illustrative purposes only and is based on a sample scenario for a $650,000 home. Actual monthly payments will vary based on factors including purchase price, down payment, credit score, loan program, interest rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues (if applicable), and lender qualifications. This is not a commitment to lend or a loan approval. Please consult with a licensed mortgage professional for a personalized estimate. #monthlypayment #paymentbreakdown #realestate #explorepage

Can you afford the house… or just qualify for it? One of the biggest mistakes I see is assuming that because a lender approves you for a certain amount, that’s automatically what you should spend. There’s a big difference between what you can qualify for and what you may be comfortable paying every month. Here’s the formula many lenders use to estimate what you qualify for: 1️⃣ Take your gross annual (pre-tax) income 2️⃣ Add your partner’s income (if buying together) 3️⃣ Divide by 12 4️⃣ Multiply by 0.45 (45% debt-to-income ratio) 5️⃣ Subtract your monthly debt payments That gives you an estimate of the maximum monthly housing payment you may qualify for. Here’s the more conservative “28% Rule” that many financial experts recommend: ✔️ Take your gross annual income ✔️ Divide by 12 ✔️ Multiply by 0.28 That’s a monthly housing payment that many people find more comfortable to live with. Remember, your mortgage payment is only part of the picture. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, utilities, maintenance, and your personal financial goals all matter too. If you’re thinking about buying this year, let’s run the numbers based on your budget—not just what a lender says you can borrow. 📩 Comment MOVE and I’ll help you figure out a price range that makes sense for your lifestyle and send you my guide 👇 Would you rather buy at the top of your budget or keep some breathing room each month? #LasVegasRealEstate #LasVegasRealtor #HomeBuyingTips #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #MortgageTips

Owning a home isn’t just about building equity—it’s about protecting it. The good news? Many of the most important maintenance tasks take just a little time but can help prevent costly repairs down the road. Simple habits like changing your HVAC filter, checking for leaks, cleaning gutters, servicing your heating and cooling system, and reviewing your homeowners insurance each year can go a long way toward keeping your home in great condition. No home is completely maintenance-free, but staying ahead of small issues is almost always easier (and less expensive) than dealing with major repairs later. A well-maintained home not only provides peace of mind, but it can also help preserve its value over time. 💾 Save this post as your homeowner maintenance checklist—you’ll thank yourself later! #VailRealEstate #Homeownership #HomeMaintenance #VailValleyHomes #ColoradoRealEstate

Check where you stand—and save this post for future reference! 📌 With average 2026 mortgage interest rates around 6.5%, the income needed to purchase a home has changed significantly compared to just a few years ago. ⚠️ Keep in mind: These estimates are based on national averages for property taxes and homeowners insurance. Your actual costs may vary depending on your state, city, loan type, credit score, down payment, and other factors. Want a personalized estimate based on your budget and location? Send me a message—I'd be happy to help! 🏡 Bimpe_houstonrealtor 630-272-4324 #houston #firsttimehomebuyer #realestate

Everyone talks about Florida having “no state income tax” 📩 Thinking about moving from New York to Florida? DM me “FLORIDA” and let’s talk But here’s what they don’t always tell you 👇 ✅ Florida property tax: ~0.83% vs New York ~1.43% ✅ Florida has no state individual income tax ✅ Average commute: Florida ~27 minutes vs New York ~33 minutes ⚠️ Homeowners insurance can be much higher in Florida: ~$4,231/year vs New York ~$1,383/year Florida can save you money in some areas, but it can also cost you more in others The important part is knowing the real numbers before you make the move 💥 If you’re thinking about leaving New York for Florida, I help buyers understand exactly what they’re getting into before making the move 💡 Save this post