If you're thinking of becoming a homeowner, you've likely spent time budgeting for additional expenses - property taxes, lawn care, a big-screen TV to fill up that extra space...you get the idea. But have you factored in protection for your new home?
While you're crunching numbers, remember to include homeowners insurance. A standard policy will cover exterior and interior damage from incidents like vandalism, fire, wind and lightning. 

Are you in the process of buying a home? If so, it can be hard not to get overwhelmed by all the possibilities and choices. You can lose sight of things that are important to you in lieu of shiny countertops or pretty landscaping. Here is a checklist that will help keep you on track.

After taking a direct hit in 2012 during the economic slump, and then rising gently in 2013, the national inventory of homes for sale has jumped 11.8 percent in May. However, most of the homes were in the top and middle thirds of the market. Homes in the most affordable price bracket, most favored by first time homebuyers, has been falling [...]