It's never too early or too late to take control of your finances

(ARA) - "Silly season" - the months of campaigning that lead up to a presidential election - is well under way, and it's a sure bet the country's money, finances and spending habits will be favorite issues for politicos of all persuasions. But while the debate and rhetoric is sure to be heated on both sides of the political fence, taking control of finances - specifically, your personal ones - is something worth considering this year.

"It's never too early or too late to educate yourself about your finances and to take control of your spending and saving," says Dr. Willie White, program chair and accounting instructor at Everest College in Aurora, Colo. White offers four tips to help get you started:

1. Assess your finances

Make a list of all sources of income and expenses, including: mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car payments and insurance and credit card payments.

If you recently experienced a significant change in your personal or financial life, then you may also benefit from consulting a financial professional. Even if you have to pay some money up front, a professional financial manager can help you identify possible tax breaks, or advise you on possible debt management strategies.

Dr. White also advises you to get a copy of your credit report; you can access it for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

2. Organize your finances

After you've assessed your situation, make a monthly budget with concrete, manageable goals. Set aside a certain time each week devoted to managing your finances, and automate as many of your payments as possible.

If you are not sure how much you currently spend, then you should keep a "financial log" for one month, in which you record all expenses on discretionary items such as food, gas, clothing, etc. Transition to online payments. "Paying your bills on time not only will save you money by helping you avoid late payments, but it is a crucial first step to building your credit score," says White. Moving to automatic deductions not only makes sure your bills are paid on time, but can also save you time and hassle.

3. Start saving

"There is only one rule to saving - spend less than you earn," says White. The key to saving is to create and commit to a reasonable budget that includes manageable savings goals. If possible, have a set amount go directly to your savings account by automatic deposit.

To make the most of your saving, White suggests you see if your employer offers a 401k as part of your benefit package, which allows you to deduct savings automatically and actually reduces your taxable income. If your employer offers a matching 401k option, maximize your savings to take full benefit of the matched amount.

4. Deal with your debt

For many, credit card debt can seem overwhelming, but there are a number of steps you can take to feel in control of your payments again. "Your first step can be to cancel credit cards with annual fees," advises White.

Dr. White also urges you to consult debt consolidation companies, which gather debt from various credit cards under one umbrella account, and help you reduce monthly payments.

However, the most important piece of advice Dr. White offers is to get informed. "The more you know about your finances and your options, the better consumer and investor you will be," says Dr. White.

Taking control of your finances is the first step to buying your new home. When you are ready to start the home buying process, call the buyer specialist at the Grove Team, Keller Williams Realty. Are you not sure where you are finanacially? The Grove Team can put you in touch with a mortage professional to put together a plan for your home buying future!

(817) 337-0000

www.groveteam.com

Spring into 2012 with the hottest colors for your home

(ARA) - As you anticipate what exciting things this year will bring, you might notice your home decor has been left behind. Fortunately, you can easily beautify and modernize your home using hints from design experts on the hottest color trends. Don't worry that you'll need to break the bank - simply updating the shades of your walls can create the feel of an entire new home without the cost of buying one. And you'll enjoy starting the year in fresh, contemporary surroundings.

"Our world has become increasingly complicated and fast-paced in recent years, to the point that many people are now taking steps back to re-evaluate their lifestyles and consider what's truly important," says Donna Schroeder, Dutch Boy Paints manager of Color + Design. "As we look back to simpler times, we also see how design and style have evolved. Dutch Boy's 2012 color forecast is based on this reflection and the self-expression of what people find meaningful. This year's diverse color trends are rich and full of history, helping people create spaces that truly show their inner selves."

Featuring five groupings of the hottest colors in home decor, the Dutch Boy color forecast offers options for any room or personal taste. The 2012 trends palettes are as follows:

Ethereal. Whether it's the search for enlightenment or just the best cup of organic coffee within 20 miles, the path is about more than the ground covered. The Ethereal collection floats above other color palettes, airy and atmospheric with tea-stained and faded hues evocative of the lightness of the sky under the midday sun. Light colors from this palette include Epidermal, Faded Mint and Feather Lite.

Primitive. A meandering path through the forest takes us past colors only to be found in nature. Deep barks, shocking citrines and raw earth inspired the natural colors of this palette. The Primitive colors are as mysterious as the shaded canopy of the woods that inspired them. Suffused with energy, they speak to growth, regeneration and life. This natural palette includes Raw Garnet, Symbiotic Green and Indigenous Teal.

Fundamental. We've walked far away from the beige computer housings of the 1970s, only to find the hues from this budding technological era coming back full force. Retro office meets geek chic for a new take on '70s style, as seen in this grouping. The Fundamental color palette makes full use of classic, contrasting neutrals like beige and gray - designed to work as the perfect foil for bold main accents of green, orange and vibrant blue. Basic colors in the Fundamental palette include Ink Blue, Aged Cognac and Rudimentary Beige.

Pastimes. It's time for a road trip back in time to motels boasting refrigerated air, a gallon of gas that cost a dime and the game of miniature golf that was every family's obsession. The Pastimes color palette is filled with exuberant shades reminiscent of lazy summer days at a lake house without a television, or the intensity of the circus coming to town. It's American culture from the 1940s and '50s - a simpler time, an antidote to the fast-paced buzz and hum of modern technology. Bright Pastimes hues include Clown's Nose, Kiddie Pool and Orangesicle.

Compose. A street of dreams with a focus on soft femininity and vintage 1930s floral fashions are at the heart of the Compose color palette. Rich, dark hues are offset by bright pops of color that despite their origin in an earlier era, look fresh and new. This is a collection that worships the creative being in all of us, and encourages self-expression through home decorating. This inspired palette contains shades such as Purple Pencil Skirt, Lip Stain Pink and Theatrical Teal.

Choose any path to fit your home, whether it's a light, shimmery mint from the Ethereal palette, or a natural natural green from the Primitive palette. Using these cues from the color professionals, you can ensure your home enters 2012 in style.

Did you know the Grove Team, Keller Williams works with a professional stager with our listings? If you are considering listing your home for sale this spring, contact the listing experts today! Find us at the office, (817) 337-0000 or online, www.groveteam.com.

Choose the right homeowner's insurance for your lifestyle

(ARA) - Are you a first-time home buyer? An established homeowner? An empty nester? Whatever stage of life you're in, it pays to make sure you have the right insurance - and you're not paying for coverage you don't need.


Homeowner policies can be customized to fit to your lifestyle, so you're not automatically paying for coverage on home upgrades you don't have, such as security systems, expensive jewelry or antique collections, says Charles Valinotti, senior vice president with insurer QBE.

He says regardless of lifestyle stage, there's one type of coverage everyone should have - insurance to replace possessions in their homes. "If the home is destroyed, contents will be replaced at today's value."

Here's a summary of other essential insurance coverage to fit your lifestyle:

When you're new to home-buying

You've closed the deal on your biggest purchase yet and you need sufficient protection, even though you don't have many belongings. You'll need insurance for the structure of your home, as well as against common disasters, such as fire, severe storms, vandalism and theft. Extra liability insurance is a good idea in the event someone is hurt in your home.

"Remember to add coverage as you make improvements costing more than $5,000 or add TVs, computers, stereos and furniture to your home's inventory," says Valinotti.

When you're an established homeowner

You've moved into a home that fits your family's needs and is filled with belongings you've acquired - such as family heirlooms, artwork and expensive jewelry or rugs - that typically aren't covered by a basic homeowner's policy. Make a home inventory video to document your personal property and keep the video in a safe place away from your home, like in a bank safety deposit box.

"Established homeowners should consider buying an insurance policy 'floater' or 'rider' to cover these special items," Valinotti says.

When you're an empty nester

Not only have your children moved out to work or attend school, you've scaled down your lifestyle. Valinotti suggests that now is the time to reassess the value of your home and your possessions. "If your children have taken their things with them, such as furniture, laptops or televisions, you may need less coverage than you did before," he says. Thinking about starting a home business now that the kids are gone? If you work at home, you may need a supplemental liability policy that covers your work-related activities. If you decide that you're finished with your homeowner responsibilities and want to rent an apartment or condominium, remember: You still need insurance coverage.

Valinotti recommends talking with your insurance agent about what protection is essential for your specific stage of life. "That way, you'll be sure to have enough coverage to return to your current lifestyle should you experience a major loss," he says.

Do you have more questions on homeowner's insurance? Call the experts at the Grove Team for information and contact information for local insurance partners in the area!

(817) 337-0000

www.groveteam.com

Great information on price changes across the country

Thank you Bill Adcock for the continued information!

Bill Adcock

Sr. Loan Consultant NMLS#572242
817-538-3858 Mobile 855-844-9467 EFax

"Delivering a Better Experience"

Plan now for home improvement throughout the year

(ARA) - If you've finished making your holiday gift list, don't put the pen and paper away just yet. While the holidays take up a lot of attention right now, it's also a great time to look a bit further into the future. With the new year just around the corner, planning for home improvement projects now can help you prioritize and budget.

Spending more time indoors at home might be bringing some potential projects to your attention. Maybe you've noticed fraying carpet under your toes, chipped paint on a window frame or a paint color that feels outdated - whatever needs to be addressed should get marked down on your fix-it list.

Give yourself a deadline for completing the list and then call a household meeting to start prioritizing. One of the most important things you can bring to that meeting is an idea of how much you can afford to spend. Given that the economy is still lagging - and many people are feeling that pull on their pocketbooks - it's wisest to avoid going into debt to accomplish everything you want to do.

Setting a home improvement budget gives you parameters to work within as you weigh the importance of each project on your list. However, you should also come to the table with a reasonable idea of how much it will cost to complete each of the tasks you want to finish.

Armed with your list and your budgetary figures, go through each item, weighing the pros and cons of both doing it now and letting it wait. You'll inevitably have a lot of options, including putting things off and saving more money throughout the year, or investing some money in repairs now and letting your savings grow for midyear projects. Naturally, you'll also need to consider the constraints of weather on your projects - if you want to put on a new deck, you'll have to wait until at least spring. Consider the fact that an outdoor project might feel a lot more necessary when warmer weather arrives than it does now.

Your long-term plans for your home should also come into play. If you're planning on selling anytime soon, consider carefully whether the projects you plan on doing will pay off at sale time. Additionally, if you plan on catching a buyer's eye, take an objective look at what might help you make the sale. If you're working with a Realtor, you might even want to discuss with them the best fix-ups and repairs within your budget.

Will 2012 be the year you start the home buying or selling process? Call the local experts on the Grove Team, Keller Williams Realty to get started today. Find us online, www.groveteam.com or call the office (817) 337-0000.

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Are you ready to begin the home buying process? Contact the team of buyer specialist on the Grove Team, Keller Williams to start your customized home buying experience today!

Call the office, (817) 337-0000 or find us online today, www.groveteam.com

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Check out the newest Grove Team listing - 9704 Rancho Drive in the Deerfield Addition of Fort Worth! Call the Grove Team, Keller Williams today to schedule a showing of this awesome home!

(817) 337-0000

www.groveteam.com