Consumer Tips

Getting Your Home – and Your Mortgage – Ready for Summer

Union Plus Mortgage Team

May 5, 2017

Things to Check Around the House

No matter where you live, now is a good time to take inventory of what to take care of at home, to ensure that you’re ready for the months ahead. Be sure to check off the following items:

• Check the batteries in the smoke alarms and flashlights
• Replenish any emergency items like water
• Have your air conditioner inspected by a professional
• Check exterior doors and windows for cracked or broken glass

Review Insurance Needs

It’s important to evaluate homeowners insurance coverage on a regular basis. This will help make sure that coverage keeps pace with the cost to repair or rebuild a home and replace its contents, including any upgrades made over time. While this could lead to higher premiums, it helps to be more adequately insured and less vulnerable to high out-of-pocket expenses.

The following are just a few items that can affect insurance and the premium being paid:

• Home remodeling project
• Installation of a pool or trampoline
• The age of a house and roof—and the materials
• A home-based business

To ensure that you’re properly covered, contact an insurance agent and review coverage every year. In addition:

• Consider combining your policies. Many insurance companies offer discounts for bundling policies.
• Purchase umbrella liability insurance to protect yourself against claims that may exceed your current coverage limits. Umbrella policies generally offer $1 million or more in additional coverage at reasonable rates.

Think About Your Future Home Financing Needs

A regular mortgage check helps you think about whether your mortgage still aligns with your current goals, such as making renovations, buying your next home or a vacation property, refinancing your current mortgage, or helping one of your children buy their first home. Checking in with your home mortgage consultant to evaluate your current situation only takes a few minutes and is a great opportunity to help ensure you’re making the changes necessary to meet your goals. Even making a small adjustment, such as changing your payment schedule, could benefit you in the long run. 

And remember, after closing on a loan through the Union Plus Mortgage Program, you’ll be eligible for special benefits that include receiving a My Mortgage Gift^SM award from Wells Fargo – $500 for buying a home or $300 for refinancing your home, for use at participating retailers – and access to mortgage assistance through Union Plus in times of hardship such as layoff, disability or strike.^1,2 

Keep in mind that parents and children of union members are also eligible for certain benefits.