Essential Information

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• Market Value: This is what a buyer would pay for your home and land in today’s real estate market. It fluctuates based on the neighborhood, school district, and the economy.
• Replacement Cost: This is the actual cost to rebuild your home from scratch (materials and labor) if it were destroyed. It does not include the value of your land.

• Flooding: Standard policies never cover damage from rising groundwater or overflowing bodies of water. You need a separate Flood Insurance policy for this.
• Earth Movement: Damage from earthquakes, landslides, or sinkholes is excluded.
• Maintenance & Wear/Tear: Insurance is for sudden and accidental damage. It won’t pay to replace a 20-year-old roof that started leaking or fix damage caused by termites and mold.

Your deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. Choosing the right amount is a balancing act between your monthly budget and your emergency savings.

• Higher Deductible = Lower Premium: If you agree to pay more when a claim happens (e.g., $2,500), the insurance company rewards you with a lower monthly or annual bill.
• Lower Deductible = Higher Premium: If you want the insurance company to pick up almost the entire tab (e.g., $500 deductible), you will pay more in "rent" for that policy every month.

This doesn't fix your house; it protects your bank account. If someone is injured on your property (like a slip-and-fall or a dog bite), liability coverage pays for their medical bills and your legal defense.

• Why it matters: One lawsuit can wipe out your entire savings.
• Pro Tip: Increasing your coverage from $100k to $300k is usually very inexpensive—often just a few extra dollars a month.
  

Most agents just sell a standard policy. Melissa can stand out by being the expert on the Houston/Katy "Flood Myth."

• The Angle: "You aren't in a flood zone, but you are in a flood region."
• Why it works: She can explain the nuances of the Barker and Addicks Reservoirs or how local drainage impact zones affect specific Katy neighborhoods. This shows deep local knowledge that a national "1-800" number insurance company simply doesn't have.buying, selling or investing.

Since Melissa understands both the mortgage/realty side and the insurance side, she can market herself as the "Closing Safeguard."

• The Angle: "I ensure your insurance binder never delays your closing."
• Why it works: One of the biggest stressors for homebuyers is the final week before closing. Melissa can position herself as the person who syncs the insurance, the lender, and the title company perfectly, ensuring a seamless "one-stop-shop" experience that saves the client time and stress.

 With construction costs skyrocketing in Texas, many people are dangerously under-insured without knowing it.

• The Angle: "Market Value vs. Rebuild Reality: Protecting your equity in an inflationary world."
• Why it works: She can educate clients on why their 3-year-old policy is likely outdated because the cost of lumber and labor in Houston has spiked. By offering a "Current Cost-to-Rebuild Audit," she provides immediate value that builds trust before she even asks for their business.