Monday, June 29, 2009
Category:
Personal Finance Tips
With the traditional home-buying season just around the corner, Tescocompare.com has offered some advice to assist people in avoiding expensive, lengthy and stressful ordeals:
- Get in touch with your insurance provider to query whether your current buildings insurance extends to your new home, as this may be covered from the exchange date up to completion. If this is the case, it should allow you extra time in which to shop around for a new insurance deal.
- In order to obtain a quote for buildings and contents cover, certain information will need to be provided such as the make of door locks and the value of contents. These details should be found out before moving.
- When totting up the amount of home contents insurance required, include the value of new, albeit smaller, purchases such as light fittings.
- Be aware that possessions worth more than £1,000 to £1,500 will tend to require individual cover under your policy. The cost will not be too much extra and will give you peace of mind.
- When it comes to home insurance, be sure to find a good deal as opposed to automatically renewing your existing policy. The latter is often thought to be the easiest option but it could leave you paying more than necessary.
- At the point of moving out, contact your existing energy supplier to inform them of your meter readings. This should avoid you from being liable for any gas and electricity used following your departure. Unless you have a good, guaranteed, ‘capped’ rate, that can be transferred across to your new property, then do not do carry it across without searching the market first.
- Once you are in your new home, do a little research on gas and electricity prices. If you are unsure who your inherited supplier is then get in touch with the local electricity distribution company to enquire.
- As soon as you are aware of your supplier, provide them with your details and meter readings. Also ask them how much gas and electricity has been used in the past 12 months to get an idea of the cost of future bills. This information can then be used to investigate other deals on the market.
- Every year or so, check on gas and electricity prices as these can be reduced as well as increased.
Debra Williams, from Tescocompare.com, commented: "Moving home is usually a stressful time, no matter whether you are a homeowner or renter. But there are many things you can do to take the stress out of moving and save yourself some money. Making sure you have the right home insurance in place for your new home can offer you peace of mind and shopping around for the most competitive policy can also save you money. The same applies to utilities, a new home often means different usage when it comes to gas and electricity and switching utility provider can prove to be a great money saving step."
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Homeowners who have recently moved into a new property, and who would like to put their personal stamp on it, could consider taking out a secured loan to finance any desired work. A secured loan could allow the borrower to turn their new home into a dream home. Projects could include anything from general re-decoration to the installation of a new bathroom, kitchen or bedroom suite. Homeowners that are keen to make the most of unused outdoor space could even utilise the money to embark upon a house extension, conservatory, or perhaps a landscaped garden. Secured loans are just on of many options to fund
home improvements.
