Number 1 choice for Ohio home insurance
The economy in Ohio is tough, good paying jobs are scarce, and gas prices are on the rise again. Almost everyone is searching for ways to tighten their belts and reduce their household costs.  Well, here are three sure fire strategies to lower your house payment!

1.      Mortgage interest rates in Ohio are near record lows and if you have not yet tested the waters to refinance your mortgage, now is the time! Thirty year fixed mortgages are hovering around  five percent. Say you have a home mortgage of    $ 150,000 and your interest rate is seven percent. You find out that you can lower your rate to five percent. You just knocked nearly $ 200.00 off your monthly payment!

2.      Most homeowners have their property taxes and home insurance included in their house payment that are then paid from an escrow account when they become due. It is no secret that home property values in Ohio have plummeted. But, did you know that your property taxes are based on the value of your home? First check to see what your property is valued at with your county auditor’s office.  If you feel that your property is overvalued by the county, you can appeal their appraisal. If you have the facts to back you up, you can be successful in correcting your property value which in turn will lower your tax bill!

3.      Home insurance in Ohio is on the rise! Insurance companies have taken double digit rate increases. Now is the time to shop your home insurance rates. The easiest way to compare home insurance prices is to contact an independent insurance agent who has the ability to shop your rates with multiple insurance companies. You can also lower your home insurance premiums by raising your deductible and reviewing your policy to see if you have coverages that are not needed. Is your home insured by the same company that insures your autos? If not, you definitely need to consider combining them with the same company. This move alone can save you between 10 to 15 percent on both your home and auto insurance! By taking all these steps, you might find that you can cut your home insurance costs in half!

One more point – If you are successful in lowering your property taxes and home insurance premiums, be sure to contact your mortgage company and ask them to re-evaluate your escrow account so your savings will show up in your mortgage payment.