# 🐾 Harley’s Home Tips #30# You Love the House… But Can You Insure It?

Hey friends, Harley here. 🐶🐾You found THE house.Great location.Great yard.Inspection looks pretty good.Your lender is moving forward.So you’re all set, right?Not quite.There’s another question buyers sometimes don’t think about early enough:## Can you actually get acceptable homeowners insurance on the property?Because getting insurance isn’t something you want to discover is difficult three days before closing.## 🏠 Why Insurance Matters BEFORE ClosingIf you’re financing your purchase, your lender will generally require homeowners insurance.But not every property is equally easy or affordable to insure.The house itself can affect:• Whether coverage is available• How much coverage costs• Your deductible• What the policy excludes• Whether repairs or upgrades may be requiredThat can affect both your ability to close and your monthly budget.## 🚩 What Can Make a Home Harder to Insure?Insurance companies evaluate risk differently, but factors can include things such as:✔ Roof age and condition✔ Certain electrical systems✔ Older plumbing✔ Previous insurance claims✔ Wildfire exposure✔ Flood exposure✔ Certain property conditions✔ Location✔ Replacement costAn older home isn’t automatically uninsurable.But you want answers before you’re emotionally and financially committed.## 🌲 Location Can Matter More Than Buyers RealizeThat gorgeous house surrounded by trees?Beautiful.That waterfront property?Amazing.That rural home tucked away from everything?Peaceful.But location can affect insurance availability and cost.Wildfire risk, flooding, distance from emergency services, and other factors may influence your options.Don’t assume your current insurance cost will be similar at the next house.## 💰 Get the Insurance Quote EARLYHere’s a mistake I’d rather buyers avoid:Waiting until the last minute to call an insurance agent.Once you’re under contract, start investigating coverage promptly.Ask about:• Estimated premium• Deductibles• Coverage limits• Exclusions• Replacement-cost coverage• Additional coverage that may be appropriateThen use the actual estimate when reviewing your housing budget.## 🔨 The Roof Can Be a BIG DealA roof may not be leaking today and still create an insurance concern.Age, material, condition, and remaining useful life may affect an insurer’s willingness to cover the property or the terms they offer.That’s another reason the inspection and insurance conversations can overlap.The roof isn’t just about:**“Does it leak?”**It may also be:**“How could this affect my insurance?”**## 📄 Ask Questions About Previous ClaimsAvailable information about previous losses or repairs may deserve attention.A past claim doesn’t automatically mean you shouldn’t buy the property.But you may want to understand:**What happened?****Was it repaired properly?****Could it affect coverage?**Ask questions instead of guessing.## ⚠️ Don’t Shop on Price AloneThe cheapest policy isn’t automatically the best policy.Compare what you’re actually getting.A lower premium with a huge deductible or important exclusions may not be the bargain it first appears to be.Know what is covered.Know what isn’t.Know what you’d have to pay if something happened.## 🐾 Harley’s Bottom Line### Don’t just make sure you can BUY the house.### Make sure you can INSURE the house.Before closing, understand the property’s insurance options and what they’ll really cost.Because discovering an insurance problem early gives you options.Discovering it at the last minute gives you stress.And Harley doesn’t like unnecessary stress.Especially when we could be celebrating your new keys instead. 🔑🐾Thinking about buying?Stephen will help you remember the questions that can easily get overlooked while you’re focused on finding the perfect home.📞 360-261-2062🌐 stephenburright.comPaws up,**Harley 🐾**Stephen Burright and Harley Too