Real Estate Kingdom

As we approach a new year the turbulence and changes in the housing market continue. The days of buying a home, then quietly folding your hands and living happily ever after are gone for ever.

This is not your grandmothers or even mothers homeownership. Today to be a homeowner and remain a homeowner, it's important to stay educated and informed. Why? Because the housing market continues to change everyday. Especially now.

In the past when real estate almost sold itself, financed itself and quietly got along with everyone. Even the uninformed , uneducated and misdirected could survive - and even prosper owning a home. That's no longer true. There's a shaking going on in the housing market, in case you haven't noticed.

Many market experts call it an adjustment. Every industry has it periodically. When a market adjustment or shaking happens it shakes loose everyone whose under financed, uninformed or unprepared. To stay a homeowner in this turbulent market you have to be all three. Properly financed, informed and prepared.

You'll need skills to weather this housing storm and the sooner you get and use these skills that better chance you'll have of weathering this housing market shake-up. So, as we move further into 2008 make it a point to use the following five skills. Having and using them will make 2008 a better homeownership experience for you.

Here's the Five Skills Every Homeowner Will Need in 2008 To Survive.

1. Learn how to improve your home to save energy.

With energy cost soaring through the roof and gasoline approaching $100 a barrel as experts predict, gaining more knowledge of how to conserve energy grows more important each day.

With the instant cost savings, tax breaks and tax credits from the government, you can't afford not to know more about this cost cutting subject.

To learn about energy savings and how you can receive tax breaks from Uncle Sam for having a more energy efficient home.

2. Learn how to choose a dependable contractor or repairman. The cost of home improvements and repair is one the largest expenses you'll have for your home.

With most contractors and repairmen charging upwards of $50 to $100 an hour and beyond, it's vital to be able to choose a dependable contractor without going broke.

This is a skill every homeowner must have to get the most for their money, because not all contractors are created equal.

The key is to know how to separate the big promise makers from the promise keepers. To find out more on how to choose a dependable contractor.

3. Learn how to buy the best value insurance.

With housing values declining or flat in many areas of the country, it's too bad we're not insured for that. However, knowing how to examine your insurance policy and shop for the best value continues to be an important skill.

A recent university study found over 37.4% of the homes researched had improper insurance coverage. These homes had either too much coverage for the value or too little coverage to rebuild in case of fire or other natural disaster.

So, knowing how to buy the best value insurance for your money is another skill to have in 2008 because every penny will count.

Remember you won't have appreciation to cover you anymore - in fact your home may be declining in value for the next couple of years. To find out more on how to buy the best value insurance.

4. Learn how to shop for the best refinancing.

If you're in a fixed rate, low interest loan now you may never need to refinance again. Congratulations. But should you need to make an unexpected repair, have another major expense or just need some extra cash - you'll still need to know how to shop for the best refinancing deals.

If you have an adjustable rate loan now, you'll definitely need to have and develop a skill to shop for refinancing.

With the glut of lenders throwing numbers, promises and solutions at you from every direction, you better know how to separate the lenders from the predatory pretenders. To read tips on how to refinance the right way.

5. Learn how to do more ... do-it-yourself.

With the cost of hiring a contractor expected to increase in 2008, another skill you should consider cultivating is learning to do minor repairs and replacements yourself. But make sure you know your limitations.

The good news is you're living at a time where you have access to more help, information and instruction on how to do it than at any time in history.

Take advantage of the many learning avenues available. It will surprise you how easy and simple changing a light switch, fixing a leaky faucet or landscaping your back yard is when you have the right instruction. You'll self-esteem will soar and as well as your savings.

As we quickly move into a new year, as homeowners it's essential that we stay informed. Unlike days gone by you'll find the housing market will be less forgiving of homeowners and would be homeowners who ignore the new school rules of homeownership.

You must now make it a point to understand the written and unwritten rules you'll face in 2008 and beyond. Why? Because the ideas and decisions our Congress and banking industries will create and enforce in 2008 will affect all homeowners and would be homeowners.

The most informed and prepared homeowners will weather this storm. Stay tuned and I'll continue to do my best to keep you informed and prepared in 2008.