In the spirit of the late "casa de jiffy" thread, I'd like this to be a place where homeowners and future homeowners can post pics, advice, and questions.
I know I've been posing a lot of questions as of late in random threads about mortgage processes and first time home purchases, and it would be great to have a thread to discuss all of this with others.
Seven and I are purchasing our first house together, and it closes in...7 days :-)

So, I ask this.
Does anyone know where to get good quotes on home insurance or of a particular company that you've had good luck with? 

You and Seven live together?!?!?!?! 

Uh...yes. 

Oh... well congrats. 

Sallem's pregnant?!? 

Does anyone know where to get good quotes on home insurance or of a particular company that you've had good luck with?

I don't know the laws there but generally it's a good plan to go with the same company that you have your car insurance with. Often companies provide packages that are slightly discounted.
But remember I like in California getting a discount is fucking amazing so we go for it. 

post pics

 

lowness said:

Sallem's pregnant?!?

That was yesterday, remember 6/6/6? 

That's what I've been told.
I'm looking into Nationwide, as that's where we both have car insurance through, but the rates don't seem that marvelous for this area. 

I use State Farm.
My house is older than yours and has K&T wiring and they insured it, no problem. 

kitchen
stairway

i need to upload some more... 

My house is older than yours and has K&T wiring and they insured it, no problem.

The wiring and roof are both new, so we shouldn't have any issues, but my family (nosy bastages) keep telling me State Farm is expensive.
Not that I ought to listen to them... 

Call around and see who gives you the best quote. I have Auto Club, after a shitload of talking I got a pretty nice deal. 

stairway

The wood's a great shape.

Well, that's what my wife tells me... 

I love the staiway.
Beautiful. 

The wood's a great shape.

We were told that a previous owner finished it with boat shellac...which has apparently kept it looking really gorgeous for years.
The floors are similar. 

in NYC there's a good site called Manhattan Mortgage... but that probably isn't of any help. sorry.

we bought our first place though a few years ago, so i know what you're going through. scary and exciting. writing checks with very big numbers. but so great to have a place to call your own. 

I use State Farm.

I do as well. They were also great with claims. 

but my family (nosy bastages) keep telling me State Farm is expensive.

Not really that expensive, but I also have both of my cars insured through them.
There's a discount for doing that.
Also, you need to take into consideration how fast they react to a claim.
The cheapo insurance companies take forever to pay. 

backyard hill
bedroom 

I'm checking into Nationwide, State Farm and Allstate so far. 

eO, congrats to you and seven on your new home :) 

There was an article in Newsweek about State Farm not paying Katrina victims. They claimed the damage was "water" and not "wind" and most policies didn't include flood coverage.

I'm sure State Farm isn't the only one denying the claims...but...just food for thought. 

We have to get separate flood insurance because we live near the Monongahela River.
I think that's already taken care of, and it's actually relatively cheap. 

FYI, no insurance policies include flood unless specifically asked for.
Evidently it's too common. 

My house in winter:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/dmferg5/478205990107_0_ALB.jpg

Summertime:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/dmferg5/558454697_l.jpg 

thanks noangel :-D

your house looks great, doogie, especially covered with snow! 

Nice, I love the use of the seasons.
I sometimes wish I would get some snow here :( 

so what's the backyard hill staircase lead to?

i don't own a home, but i live at home with my folks (still in college). this is their first home, so i do all the not serious (serious meaning things like new siding, roofing,etc) and tell them when we need to do something major to the house.

my brother recommends not going with state farm, as they tend to try to not pay out when you file a claim, and will fight you to not have to pay it (he works at a law office and says around here they're they worst followed by some place i can't remember) 

Come and live with me volshy, lots of snow in Winter! 

front of the house...the mustard trim is a goner...
dining room which I'm painting over as soon as we close 

no anGel said:

Come and live with me volshy, lots of snow in Winter!

I'd love to. I'd have something special all year round. 

so what's the backyard hill staircase lead to?

Parking on a small way in the back.
It's easier to get into the house from the rear than the front...
Far less steps :-) 

We have to get separate flood insurance because we live near the Monongahela River.

STUPID MONONGAHELANS!!!!! 

just remembered allstate is the 2nd worst around here. (central nj) 

front of the house...the mustard trim is a goner...

What exactly were they trying to do with that square formation thing? Call the mothership? 

Wow, that's some dinning room. The previous owners see to like color. 

What exactly were they trying to do with that square formation thing? Call the mothership?

Room for squares

Yeah, I'm planning on doing some landscaping too...heh 

Wow, that's some dinning room. The previous owners see to like color.

I like dark and bold colors myself, but I'm not too fond of lavender and purple stripes.
It just doesn't work in that house. 

It just doesn't work in that house.

No, you're right. That's a little much.
What color are you going to paint it? 

that's some dinning room

It's like a bad episode of Trading Spaces.

The door/window trim is nice. I like the 2-panel doors too. 

What color are you going to paint it?

I was thinking a navy with green tones, but that might be too much too.
I like blues and greens, but I don't want the whole house to be the same shade of robins' egg. 

I like blues and greens, but I don't want the whole house to be the same shade of robins' egg.

I liked that in the bedroom. It looks great with the wood. 

It looks great with the wood.

Yes.
Dark and bold colors really seem to bring out the richness and color of the wood.
I think the living room is far too pale.
I suck at choosing colors though. 

I suck at choosing colors though.

Just find a few you like and test them out on the wall. I'm getting ready to paint the outside of my house. Currently it's grey but I think I am going to go with a green-gray tone this time around and I am getting a black front door. I can't wait. 

Our home insurance is with State Farm. I wouldn't have any other company, they've taken outstanding care of us with our total loss claim. 

I'm getting ready to paint the outside of my house

I've got to redo that mustard trim, but I'm not sure what would go well with brick.
My mom says teal.
/spew 

Stay away from State Farm and Farm Bureau, Pretty much anything with Farm in the name.

My Crib 

they've taken outstanding care of us with our total loss claim.

Hrmmm.
You have gone through a lot. Did you have any issues with filing your claim? 

Teal, goodness no.
That would just look odd.

My brother has a lot of brick on his place and he used a slate blue. Looks awesome.