The Amazon Guide

Given the recent hurricane and flooding disasters in the country, homeowners, real estate lenders, and insurers are giving flood insurance a lot of attention. There are some basic questions you should ask, and facts you should know about flood insurance, before making any real estate purchase. A great resource for any related questions is the government sponsored flood insurance website at www.floodsmart.gov .

First off- if you have a federally backed mortgage, you are required to have flood insurance in high-risk areas. Also, lenders may require flood insurance on real estate properties in high-risk areas. If it’s not required, but the responsible thing to do in your area, here are the basics.

What Do You Get From Real Estate Flood Insurance?

Basic homeowner’s insurance won’t cover flood damage for real estate structural loss, furnaces, water heaters, air conditioning units, carpeting and flooring. Flood insurance does that. You can purchase additional flood insurance for furniture and personal items. The coverage is fairly inexpensive- visit the government website for an estimate based on your real estate holdings.

Don’t think you’re at risk? The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) reported that a third of the payments it made last year were to real estate properties in “low-risk” communities. In the course of a 30-year mortgage, your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood (according to NFIP statistics). Your fire risk is only 9%. Having NFIP approved flood insurance guarantees your claim is backed by the government. Knowing that, what questions should you ask before making a real estate purchase?

Questions to Ask Before Buying Real Estate

In addition to the government sponsored website, your real estate agent and your insurance agent should be able to answer some basic questions regarding your chosen property.

• What is the property’s flood risk?

• Does the area participate in the NFIP?

• Is flood insurance required on this property by the lender?

• Is the property near a dam, or levee?

• Does the current real estate owner have flood insurance?

You may also want to ask your insurance agent about a Community Rating System (CRS) discount on your real estate property. Find out exactly what the policy covers, and what additional coverage is available. Finally, ask about premiums for higher deductibles, and associated fees and expenses.

Congressional Issues Affecting Flood Insurance

In June the National Association of Realtors (NAR) testified before the House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity to support H.R 1682, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007. Vince Malta, vice-chair of the NAR’s Public Policy Coordinating Committee said, “To maintain the vitality of residential and commercial real estate, certain safeguards must be made available such as the federally backed flood insurance through the NFIP.”

Reforms to the NFIP are expected to be ongoing as the real estate community, insurers, and government agents come to a consensus on the best ways to protect real estate investors and homeowners.

About the Author:

John Harris is a researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit Oceanside Homes for Sale

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Flood Insurance for your Home or Real Estate Investment

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From the moment you saw that positive pregnancy test, you knew life would never be the same. For the next nine months, you’ll be doing everything for two, from eating a healthful diet to getting regular medical care. You’ll also be exercising for two, which is why it’s critical to find a safe exercise, like prenatal yoga, that will keep you and your baby healthy and comfortable.

Prenatal Yoga is Good for You

Like any safe exercise, yoga has a host of benefits for expecting moms. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), exercising just 30 minutes on most days of the week may help prevent gestational diabetes, which is a factor in the development of preeclampsia, a potentially serious pregnancy complication.

Studies also support prenatal yoga’s benefits. Research at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital found that pregnant women who practiced yoga had lower blood pressure than those who walked for an hour each day. Thai researchers concluded that prenatal yoga shortened the amount of time participants spent in labor as well as the amount of labor pain they reported. A potentially shorter labor and perhaps less labor pain. What woman wouldn’t want that?

Yoga practice may also relieve common pregnancy aches. For example, child’s pose can help relieve the back pain that afflicts nearly 90% of expecting moms. If you suffer with sciatica, a compressed nerve that triggers shooting pain, specific forward bend poses can provide much-needed relief.

Insomnia, another common complaint, stems from a number of causes, including excitement, anxiety, and heartburn. But you don’t need to suffer through those sleepless nights— after all, you’ll have enough of those after the baby comes. The ACOG recommends using yoga relaxation techniques as a way to cope with pregnancy insomnia. These relaxation methods are a common feature in many prenatal yoga classes, and, once you learn to use them properly, they’re an effective, drug-free way to find insomnia relief.

Harry Lawrence

Visit http://www.harryzbiz.com/yogaforlife/category/prenatal-yoga for more articles and videos about prenatal Yoga.

http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Prenatal-Yoga—Ohm-Your-Way-to-a-Healthier,-More-Comfortable-Pregnancy&id=2414691

About the Author:

I am 44-year old advocate of healthy living and have resided in Tokyo, Japan for the last 20 years. I have years of experience working as a Medical Laboratory Technician and also have years of practical experience in the fields of physical training and well being.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – “Prenatal Yoga: ‘Ohm’ Your Way to a Healthier, More Comfortable Pregnancyâ€

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