| Worried that something is seriously wrong with the crack in the basement? Stop fretting and get advice. Home inspectors don’t work only for buyers; you can call one anytime to get an educated opinion about whatever keeps you awake. For $250 to $350 on average, an inspector will look over your home’s structure and systems. Find one in your area at ASHI.org, the Web site for the American Society of Home Inspectors, which also has a virtual home-inspection tool so you can see what a typical checkup covers. Interview a few pros to make sure their field experience matches the type of home you own. |  |
The housing boom has lifted home values 51 percent over the past six years. For most of us that means that if our house was destroyed, insurance would pick up only a portion of the cost to rebuild. For the underinsured, the average shortfall is 21 percent, according to one firm that tracks building prices. Even if you bought a guaranteed replacement or an extended replacement policy, you could still face too-low coverage caps. (For more on being adequately insured, read the story here.) To see how much coverage you need, have a contractor estimate the cost of rebuilding. And don’t forget to check your contents coverage, which is often inadequate. Water is your home’s biggest enemy, and your regular policy won’t cover all types of damage. If you live in a floodplain, you need flood insurance (contact the National Flood Insurance Program at 888-379-9531 or floodsmart.gov). You’ll pay $1,000 a year on average if you live in an area that’s susceptible.
