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Our Mission.

You care about your home. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® cares about homeownership. To help you become the best, most responsible homeowner you aspire to be, we want to provide you with free information and tools you can use to make smart and timely decisions about your home.

From time to time, we may reach out to you to help us support legislation and/or policies that may have an impact on you, the homeowner. You can choose to join our cause. Or you can choose not to. Regardless, your privacy is safe with us.

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Author Profiles

Gwen Moran

Gwen Moran has been writing about business, finance, and real estate for more than a decade. Her work has been published by Entrepreneur, Newsweek.com, Financial Planning, and The Residential Specialist. A Jersey Shore resident, she has weathered hurricanes, Nor'easters, and even one small earthquake.

Articles by this author

House destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008

(New!)

Is the Cost of Hurricane Insurance Worth It?

Hurricane Earl is a reminder that we’re in the peak of hurricane season. Is your home properly insured against hurricanes? Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 day (policy review/research)
Investment Med $540/yr (flood insurance)
Added to Binder
Yard sign at home up for short sale

Foreclosure Alternative: The Short Sale

A short sale is far from hassle-free, but it’s a better alternative than foreclosure. And now you’ve got a little help from your friends in D.C. Here are the facts about short sales and how to get started. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 10+ hrs
Investment Low up to $500 (for attorney)
Added to Binder
Moving van at house given up in deed-in-lieu arrangement

Foreclosure Alternative: Deed in Lieu

Facing foreclosure and you just want it over with? The deed in lieu of foreclosure may be your best alternative. Here are the advantages, disadvantages and tips on obtaining a deed in lieu. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 10+ hrs
Investment Low up to $500 (hire attorney)
Added to Binder
Earthquake-damaged homes

Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?

Should you shake loose the cash for earthquake insurance? Read More

Progress K
Effort Low Research policies, seismic maps
Investment Med $3,000-$6,000
Added to Binder
House with flood insurance

Is the Cost of Flood Insurance Worth It?

Flooding risks, as well as the value of your home and your possessions, help determine whether the cost of flood insurance is worth it. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 day (home inventory)
Investment Med $540/yr (avg flood premium)
Added to Binder
Moldy wall covered by homeowner's insurance

Homeowners Insurance: Is Mold Covered?

Whether mold is covered by homeowners insurance often comes down to the source of moisture and the wording of a policy. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 hrs (review policy)
Investment Low $500-1,500 (mold rider)
Added to Binder
Emergency crews on the scene of a terrorist attack

Homeowners Insurance: Is Terrorism Covered?

Homeowners insurance typically excludes war and nuclear accidents, but acts of terrorism can fall into a gray area. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 hr (review policy)
Investment Low $822/yr (avg premium)
Added to Binder
Woman sorting photos to find images of damaged house

Home Inventory: Value Your Possessions After a Loss

Use these tactics to create a home inventory after a casualty loss to support an insurance claim. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 days (document losses)
Investment Low $250-$500 (appraiser fee)
Added to Binder
Couple making a home inventory list

Create a Home Inventory for Insurance

Create a home inventory before disaster strikes to make filing an insurance claim a smoother process. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 day (home inventory)
Investment Low $150 (digital camcorder)
Added to Binder
Man using a camcorder to record home inventory

Compile a Home Inventory with the Right Tools

A home inventory of your belongings for insurance purposes is a relatively inexpensive way to make any future claims go smoother. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 day (home inventory)
Investment Low $150-$300 (fireproof safe)
Added to Binder
House destroyed by storm

Tax Deductions for Disaster-Related Losses

Special tax deductions for disaster-related losses can benefit homeowners hit by federally declared disasters. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Med $363 (on $100,000 AGI)
Effort Med 1 wk (paperwork)
Investment Med $500-$3,000 (tax-prep fees)
Added to Binder
Boarding up broken windows after flood

What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Flood

After flood waters subside, document, work with your insurer, and clean up safely. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 1 wk-6 mos
Investment Low $300-$650+ (tools, supplies)
Added to Binder
Flood waters surrounding blue house

Protect Yourself and Your Home from Flooding

Few places in the country are considered free from flooding, so protect your home and family. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 day-1 wknd
Investment Low $380-$785
Added to Binder
Roof heating cables to prevent ice dams

Protect Your Home from Cold-weather Threats

The right tools and pre-winter maintenance will ensure that your home and your family are safe and from cold-weather threats. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Med $350/yr (seal leaks)
Effort Low 3 hrs-1 wknd (winterize)
Investment Low $157-$467 (winterizing supplies)
Added to Binder
Palm tree waving in hurricane

The Right Disaster Insurance for Your Region

The region in which you live dictates what kind of disaster insurance you might need to protect your home from Mother Nature’s wrath. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 days
Investment Low $540/yr (avg flood premium)
Added to Binder
Fallen tree in front of yellow Colonial-style house

Insuring Against Natural Disasters

Your homeowners insurance covers many of life’s disasters, just not some natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, so consider supplemental policies. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 4-5 hrs
Investment Low $540/yr (avg flood premium)
Added to Binder
Home destroyed by natural disaster

Understand Disaster Insurance Claims

The secret to filing a successful disaster insurance claim is getting prepared long before catastrophe actually strikes your home. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 day (home inventory)
Investment Low $50/mo (data storage)
Added to Binder