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Happy 2025 from Everyone at Lallis and Higgins Insurance

- Monday, December 30, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Thank you for choosing Lallis & Higgins Insurance and putting your trust in our service, we enjoy serving clients like you and hope to serve you again in 2025.

As this year comes to a close, we want to take this opportunity to send warm wishes to you and your family. We hope your New Year is filled with the warmth of family and an abundance of happiness and health.

Our valued customers and clients have been the backbone of our success. We hope you enjoyed 2024 and we wish for you an even better and refreshed new year. Here's to a New Year that is as amazing as you are.


Happy Holidays From All of us Here at Lallis and Higgins Insurance

- Monday, December 23, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Happy Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. We hope you and your loved ones have a joyous holiday season filled with warmth and happiness, food, laughter, and beautiful memories. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support throughout the year. Here’s to a fantastic holiday season, may this special time be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories!

Yes, it’s been said, many times, many ways, but we still mean it just as much! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, we appreciate your business and look forward to being your provider in the new year!


Fireplace Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

- Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Fireplace Safety Tips

Nothing quite creates a winter holiday ambiance as well as a log in the fireplace and family gathered around to bask in its warmth and glow. Of course, playing with or near fire is dangerous for children, so please remember these tips from the AAP before you light your hearth.

  • If possible, keep a window cracked open while the fire is burning.
  • Be certain the damper or flue is open before starting a fire. Keeping the damper or flue open until the fire is out will draw smoke out of the house. The damper can be checked by looking up into the chimney with a flashlight or mirror. Do not close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning.
  • Use dry and well-aged wood. Wet or green wood causes more smoke and contributes to soot buildup in the chimney. Dried wood burns with less smoke and burns more evenly.
  • Smaller pieces of wood placed on a grate burn faster and produce less smoke.
  • Clean out ashes from previous fires. Levels of ash at the base of the fireplace should be kept to 1 inch or less because a thicker layer restricts the air supply to logs, resulting in more smoke.
  • The chimney should be checked annually by a professional.
  • Even if the chimney is not due for cleaning, it is important to check for animal nests or other blockages that could prevent smoke from escaping.
  • Minimize your child's chance of burns from the hot glass front of some fireplaces, including gas fireplaces. Safety screens can be installed to reduce the risk of burns.
  • Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of anything that is potentially flammable (ie: furniture, drapes, newspapers, books, etc.). If these items get too close to the fireplace, they could catch fire.
  • Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Make sure it is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house. If you leave the room while the fire is burning or the fireplace is still hot, take your small child with you.
  • Put fireplace tools and accessories out of a young child's reach. Also, remove any lighters and matches.
  • Install both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
  • Talk with children as early as possible the dangers of fires and the heat coming from them.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday season from Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: healthychildren.org


First Time Home Buyer Tips

- Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Home Key

For many people, owning your own home is a major life goal, but the process can be daunting. Large loans like mortgages have a set of processes and a commitment level that can intimidate first-time buyers, but with these tips, you can get through the financing, search and application process with ease.

Start with realistic goals

When you decide that owning a home is a life goal, you will first need to assess your finances. Typically, mortgage loans require a cash down payment before approval, which means you may need to save until you have a suitable amount ready. The average down payment typically needed to be eligible for the best interest rates is 20 percent of the sales price. For a home listed at $200,000 you would need around $40,000 saved as the down payment.

After you set your savings budget, determine exactly what you need in a house and separate those factors from what you want in a house. For instance, if keeping or decreasing your work commute is a priority, then a location near your job site is essential. Factors that may not matter as much to you should be relegated to a nice-to-have list, like a finished basement, or hard wood floors.

After considering the down payment and critical home features, the next stage of home buying boils down to how much you can afford.

Understand total homeownership costs

Home ownership costs do not start and end with the down payment and purchase price. There are long-term expenses associated with owning a home, which can include:

  • Maintenance and repair costs
  • Homeowner association fees
  • Lawn care
  • Property taxes
  • Homeowner insurance
  • Utility bills

Once you have recognized the total amount you feel comfortable spending on your home each month, add up the local and average costs of the above factors. That total should be subtracted from what you feel comfortable spending on your home each month and the remainder is your ideal monthly mortgage payment amount.

Pre-approval is crucial

Before you start the home search process, choose a mortgage lender to help you navigate the process. Finance professionals will help you choose the right mortgage, and will let you know the amount of home loan you qualify for through pre-approval.

Obtaining a pre-approval loan amount kick starts your search because it can act as a budget reality check, while also demonstrating to sellers that you are serious about purchasing. Professionals can also help you find governmental assistance programs for first-time home buyers, and will provide information about home prices and the buying market in your area.

With these tips in mind, you can begin your home search armed with information about your finances, the market and the exact features you need in a home.

Source: UMB


Get Ready to File your Taxes

- Thursday, December 05, 2024
Lallis and Higgins Insurance - Tax

Tax planning is for everyone. Get ready today to file your federal income tax return. Planning ahead can help you file an accurate return and avoid delays that can slow your tax refund.

Steps you can take now to make tax filing easier

  • Create or access your account information at IRS.gov/account
  • Gather and organize your tax records
  • Check your individual tax identification number (ITIN)
  • Make sure you've withheld enough tax
  • Get banked to speed tax refunds with direct deposit

What's new and what to consider the next time you file

  • Taxpayers may receive a Form 1099-K
  • Changes that may affect your tax refund
  • Avoid refund delays and understand refund timing

Bookmark IRS.gov resources and online tools

Make your first stop IRS.gov where you'll find online tools to help you get the information you need. The tools are easy-to-use and available 24 hours a day. Millions of people use them to help file and pay taxes, find information about their accounts, and get answers to tax questions.

  • File your taxes
  • Get your refund status
  • Volunteer to help eligible taxpayers file in your community
  • Protect yourself and your money
  • Download publications

IRS.gov



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