Georgia A. Weaver Realtor Broker/Associate CRS, GRI

All home owners and renters should have at the very least paper copies of a home inventory and it should be stored away from the home. A video or picture documentation and the receipt is even better but it is good to have something. I wondered how many Iowans that were impacted by the flooding Mississippi had the documentation they needed to file claims with their insurance companies. If you don't have records of what you own go to this link and print off these forms. Take the time to record what you have, it took a long time to be able to earn enough to purchase those things and yes you probably have insurance.

It is helpful to keep this current at least once a year, why not at New Year's time. We get things that need to be insured at that time of year and the camera is handy. Record the info., snap a picture (you do need to print it) attach the receipt if you have it and put it all in the BIG envelope you keep IN THE SAFE DEPOSIT BOX, take the envelope to the safe deposit box and you are done.

The perfect time to begin a home inventory is when you are moving, you have to pack it, why not document it?

If you have older parents it is a good idea to help them do a complete inventory, a video camera is a big help too. Hey it can be fun, spend some time together and get a good deed done.

http://insurance.lovetoknow.com/Home_Inventory_Forms

New blog featuring local Storm Lake and Alta Iowa news and information, real estate, happenings and opinions. From The Storm Lake Broker Georgia A. Weaver BS Ed, GRI, CRS

If you are interested in this area mark this Active Rain blog and the city blog. We cover the local real estate market in depth, community events (including pictures), how national trends are impacting our area and lots more.

http://stormlake.iowablogpage.com/

The headlines are all gloom and doom, I am tired of reading them and I'm tired of seeing all the political mud slinging. I am making my own good news that will just maybe help someone else have a better day. I love helping sellers, buyers and investors but I have found ways to reduce my costs and in the process maybe improve my health and improve my business.

Below are ways I am saving money in my life and in my business. Please add others you are using to get a better grasp of your budget.

1) No Chi Tea in the morning - saving about $11.00 a week

2) Cut eating out by 2/3 - my husband and I both work long hours and it seemed like eating out was a necessity. It isn't - approximate savings a week $80.00

3) Packing both of our lunches - eating better and saving about $65.00 a week

4) Caffeine boost of 2 sodas a day - healthier diet and saving about $50.00 a week

5) Planning my showings better to save gas. Unknown savings at this point but I drive a Toyota Solara and get about 24 miles to the gallon.

6) On days I do not have office appointments or floor time I work at home. I live about 4.5 miles from my office but I do go home to share my lunch (with a small buy mighty chihuahua named Spike) and then back. Round trip for a normal day about 18 miles. About $3.25 in gas a week, not a lot but it all adds up.

7) Programmable thermostat in our home, we have moved and have propane for the furnace fuel. I have never had this type of heat but our previous home had 2 programmable thermostats and I really liked having the ability to manage the temperature when I wasn't home or when sleeping. Unknown savings, industry estimate is about $120.00 a year. Living in Iowa, in Blizzard Alley on the Buffalo Ridge I imagine we will save a lot more than that.

8) I have hired a service to do my mailings, they also do the postage. I don't have to take the time to write, place postage or mail the info. Estimated hours saved that can be used for other prospecting 3 a week. That is 3 I can be on the phone staying in touch or doing other more immediate contacting.

9) Reviewed my advertising for 09, refined and focused it. I didn't renew some, at a savings of about $25.00 a week.

10) Read more marketing books, blogs, checkout websites of competitors, learn more about SEO so I can implement it more efficiently and not have to pay a service. Knowledge of how to do something is abetter investment than paying to have it done in some instances. Currently, I do my own website and SEO but I have been seriously looking into having it done in 09. Cost savings in 09 will be $175 a month.

Anyone else out there have any ideas?

If you are as confused about insurance as I was checkout this article from Bankrate.com. It is excellent at explaining what insurances you don't need, the ones that really aren't much, if any, help to you but really help line the pockets of the insurance company.

I don't completely agree with the article on 1 type of insurance noted here: Flood insurance I believe is vital if you are in the 100 year flood plain. My belief in this is the result of being in a lot of floods and seeing the devastation the Mississippi caused along the eastern border of Iowa this year.

This article will help you get on a firmer footing with your insurance company, if they have you in one of the insurances noted in this article get them on the phone or better yet visit them in person, take this article, ask them to explain why you need the insurance in question and then decide for yourself. If you are trying to buy a home or trying to just make your mortgage and stay out of foreclosure this information may help you get your budget under control.

Realtors, this is a good area to address when you have Sellers come in who are getting close to or who are already in foreclosure proceedings. It is also a good area to have your Buyer clients review with their insurance agent prior to buying.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/insurance/20080909_useless_insurance_a1.asp

Location of Property: 621 IOWA STREET, Storm Lake Iowa 50588

The described property will be offered for sale at public auction for cash only as follows:

Date of Sale 12/02/2008 Time of Sale 10:00 AM

Place of Sale BUENA VISTA COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

411 EXPANSION BLVD STORM LAKE IA

Judgment Amount Accrued Costs Costs Interest Sheriff's Fee's

$65,609.43 PLUS $1,082.00 $6,411.29 Pending

Attorney Gregory Kreitner

126 WEST SECOND ST MUSCATINE, IA 52761