Homeowners insurance is a must, whether your home is a mansion or a cozy cottage, and whether or not your home is paid for.  Of course, if it's not paid for, the lender will require you to maintain insurance at all times.  But the cost of your home insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars from one company to the next. While it’s important to have enough coverage to replace or repair your home and belongings if they’re damaged or stolen, there’s no reason you should pay more for Homeowners insurance than you need to. Here are ten tips that will help you find the best prices on Homeowners insurance and keep those home insurance premiums manageable.

Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower.

Buy your homeowners and auto policies from the same company. You’ll usually qualify for a discount. But make sure that the savings really yields the lowest price.

Make your home less susceptible to damage. Keep roofs and drains in good repair. Retrofit your house to protect against natural disasters common to your area.

Keep your home safer. Install smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and dead-bolt locks. All of these will usually qualify for a discount.

Be sure you insure your house for the correct amount. Remember, you’re covering replacement cost, not market value.

Ask about other discounts. For example, retirees who are home more than working people may qualify for a discount on theft insurance.

Stay with the same insurer. Especially in today’s tight insurance market, your current vendor is more likely to give you a good price if you have years of "loyalty" to one company.

See if you belong to any groups such as associations and alumni groups that offer lower insurance rates.

Review your policy limits and the value of your home and possessions annually. Some items depreciate and may not need as much coverage.

See if there’s a government-backed insurance plan. In some high-risk areas, such as the coasts and flood plains, federal or state governments may back plans to lower rates. Ask your agent.

It's not unusual for families to decide to "move up" in their housing.  Sometimes it's caused by an increase in family size and a need for more living space. Sometimes families want a more desirable home location - closer to work or church, or with a better school district, or a move to "the country." Whatever the reason, here are some thoughts about whether or not moving up makes sense for you and your family:

First, how much equity do you have in your home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of paying a mortgage, but if you’ve owned your home for a number of years, you may have significant unrealized gains that could be applied to the down payment on a bigger home.

Second, has your income increased enough to cover the extra mortgage costs and the costs of closing and moving?

Third, what is the current condition of the home market? If it’s a seller's market, you may get top dollar for your home.  In a buyer's market, your home may take longer to sell, and you may not get as good a price for it.  On the other hand, you can probably get a good deal in the purchase of your new home!  At the time of this writing, Omaha is still in a strong buyer's market.

Fourth, can you achieve your goals by adding on or remodeling? If you have a large yard, there might be room to expand your home. If not, your options may be limited. Also, do you want to undertake the headaches of remodeling?

And finally, how are interest rates? A low rate not only helps you buy more home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.  Interest rates today are still at historic lows - so even if you decide it's NOT time to move up, it may be time to refinance your mortgage!

Maybe you don’t want the upkeep and maintenance of a large home. Perhaps you are single and don’t need a lot of space. Or maybe you enjoy an urban lifestyle. Whatever the reason, condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in most areas. Before buying, consider these advantages and disadvantages:

• Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements in which to store belongings.

• Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you hate yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.

• Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.

• Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and admit workers when you’re not home.

• Security. Many condos have keyed entries and or even door attendants. Plus, you’ll be closer to other people in case of an emergency.

• Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees agreed to by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity or not.

• Resale. The ease of selling your unit is more dependent on the real estate market, and what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar. Single-family homes often have more distinguishing features and individuality.

• Freedom. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.  Of course, single family neighborhoods may also have homeowners associations with their own set of rules and regulations!

• Proximity. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or townhome. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors before making a decision.

Based on new home sales, the U.S. housing market hasn't been this bad since 1963.  In a time of historically low interest rates, a large inventory of homes for sale, and an otherwise superb buyer's market, people just aren't buying! The height of the market was July 2005 when homes were selling at an annual rate of 1.39 Million.  In May of this year, the annual rate calculated at 267,000 - about a 72% decline!

Usually, the Midwest isn't hit as hard as the Coasts, but this malaise seems to be permeating Omaha as well.  The real estate business is slower than it has been in quite awhile, and some agents are getting out of the business.  Of course, being the eternal optimist, I believe the market is still cyclical, and the market will eventually return.  My personal opinion is that it will start after the November elections - when a lot of seats in both houses of Congress are overturned, and some semblance of balance is returned to the federal government.

Until we stop spending our grandkids and great-grandkids money in multi-trillion dollar debt, and until we stop trying to tax small business out of existence, and until we start putting people back to work, I'm afraid nothing will change.  The economy is simply too unpredictable (and trending the wrong way) to be making important financial decisions such as a home purchase.

The neighborhood you live in can have a big impact on your life. Available amenities, culture, and convenience all play a part in selecting the perfect home in a neighborhood catering to you and your family’s lifestyle. Omaha has hundreds of distinct neighborhoods and subdivisions, so choosing one may seem like a daunting task.  Here are a few tips to help you narrow the choices.

First, make a list of the activities and the places you visit frequently: your job, the grocery store, movie theater, mall, health club, church, etc. See how far you would have to travel from each of the neighborhoods you’re considering.  Would you be satisfied with the commuting time, or would you find yourself forced to choose different destinations?  Is the neighborhood convenient to major roads?

Next, if you have children, or intend to have children, check out the school district. The Internet has several sources that will provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. You might also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. IMPORTANT NOTE:  Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future!

A very important criteria for most people is whether or not the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department or check online for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type – burglaries, armed robberies – and whether the trend is increasing or decreasing. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?

Also, determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with the economic development office or your real estate agent to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

Finally, do your own tour. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can, and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are there children in the area to play with your children?

Of course, there is no such thing as a "perfect" neighborhood.  Ultimately, it’s how you and your family feel about the neighborhood that really counts!

I'm always a little surprised when I meet someone that has lived in one city all of his or her life.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  In fact, my wife would praise such stability.  And I can't think of a better place to spend your whole life than Omaha.

But I guess I'm cut from a different cloth than most people.  You see, even though moving to a new town or state is rated as one of the most stressful life experiences, I like to move!  I've lived in the states of South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Oregon, Illinois, Florida, and Nebraska.  My wife would say I live in a state of restlessness (or on some days a state of confusion). 

Most of my moves were related to advanced education and career choices, but I never regretted any of them (well, maybe Florida).  But most of the time I was excited about new adventures and new beginnings.  And I think my kids have grown up with a good understanding of our nation, and the people who inhabit it.  Their experience in change and meeting new people makes them more socially adept than many. 

But it's interesting that something that means excitement for one person can mean just the opposite for others.  Many people hate to move because they feel they're being uprooted from family and friends, that they're going to a place where they don't know anyone, and where new friendships will have to be built over time.  One person's excitement is another person's fear.

And now, as I've reached my mid-50s, I find the idea of a move a little less exciting, and a little more unsettling.  My wife and I have been married for more than 34 years, and we just celebrated the longest period of time we've lived in the same house - 6 years!  And it's here in Omaha - where we're perfectly content to retire and finish out our lives.  We're home at last!

My daughter and her husband recently took their home in Maryland off the market - after two years of being unable to sell it!  They purchased some acreage a couple of years ago, and have been looking forward to building a new home on that property - but that was before the bottom fell out of the real estate market!

My daughter tells us that their home has lost approximately $200,000 in value in the last two years - and they just can't get enough for it to make it worth selling!  They've decided to just sit it out for awhile and wait for the market to normalize.  And in the mean time, they have 10 nice acres with apple trees and a stream for camping!

My daughter and son-in-law's dilemma has reminded me of how good we have it here in Omaha.  Our real estate is pretty reasonably priced compared to many places in the United States.  (The same cannot be said about our real estate taxes, of course.)  And in the past, some Omaha residents have looked with envy on places like Florida, California, or Las Vegas with their fast-appreciating property prices.  Wouldn't we all love to have our house double in value in 5 years?

Well, there are a whole lot of people now that envy Omaha with our slow appreciation in real estate prices, slow depreciation, and moderate plateaus.  Yes, we've been hurt by the down real estate market too - but not nearly as much as our friends and family in the Coastal states!  Something to be thankful for in spite of the market.

I want my kids to understand that Memorial Day is not really about cookouts, the end of school, the beginning of summer vacation, or a day off from work.  It's not about the first chance of the year to go camping or boating.  It's not about picnics.

Memorial Day is a solemn day.  It's a serious day.  It's a day of remembrance and thanksgiving.  We remember the tens of thousands of men and women who have given their lives to gain, protect, and maintain our freedom, and the blessings a free nation provides.  And we thank the men and women who serve and protect America today.

I don't want to take these people or this freedom for granted.  Thank you veterans, and thank you to the families who have suffered the terrible loss of a loved one in war.  And thank you to our active duty forces - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard - wherever you are around the world.  It's because of you that we live in relative peace and prosperity in the United States of America.

As spring arrives, there has been a lot of discussion in Omaha about potholes.  Generally, our roads are in good condition and it's easy to get around this city - but it seems the most recent winter weather created a "perfect storm" for pothole creation! There are always potholes in the spring, but this year there were POTHOLES!  Big, deep, unavoidable, car-swallowing potholes!

Those who live in northern states with real seasons and freeze-thaw cycles know about potholes.  Moisture from rain and snow seeps into the soil below the roadbed through cracks caused by heavy traffic.  Severe winter temperatures causes that moisture to freeze, expanding the ground and pushing up on the pavement.  As the temperature rises and the soil thaws, the ground may return to normal level, but the pavement remains raised - creating a hollow space between the pavement and the ground.

Next, cars and trucks continue to drive on the raised pavement, which cracks and breaks into the hollow spaces below, forming a hole.  As traffic continues, the edges of the hole continue to erode and widen - thus making the pothole worse.  Then we get some late snows and the plows help add to the problem.

So when the snow is all melted, and the sun is shining once more, we're left with holes ranging from a small divot to a bomb crater, and everything in between.  That slows down traffic, increases accidents as people swerve unexpectedly to miss a hole, and breaks car suspension systems.  And that's why people hate potholes!

This year, with an overabundance of potholes, the City of Omaha had to call in private contractors to help city crews keep up with it all - but we finally seem to be pretty much caught up.  Only 6 or 7 months until Pothole Season begins again!

Even though the $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers, and the $6500 tax credit for repeat homebuyers expired on April 30, 2010 - there are some people who have another year to take advantage of these credits!  If you've been deployed outside the United States for at least 90 days between December 31, 2008 and May 1, 2010, you have until April 30, 2011 to buy a home, and until June 30, 2011 to close on it!

The IRS says:

“Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual's spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.”