With homeowners insurance premiums soaring and an increasing number of companies tightening guidelines on just who -- or what -- they'll insure, it's especially important to start looking for insurance and learn what factors will lead to higher premiums even before you begin house hunting.
      National Association of Realtors President Cathy Whatley said earlier this year that homeowners insurance premiums and the lack of available coverage have become significant barriers to homeownership. Most affected are those who have no credit history and existing homeowners who have water-related claims.
      "In light of today's insurance crisis, homebuyers should not take their insurability for granted," she said. The Insurance Information Institute (III) says the average cost of homeowners insurance increased by 8 percent last year and is expected to rise another 9 percent this year. But many homeowners have seen increases ranging from 30 to 70 percent.
      Catastrophes like Hurricane Andrew and the Northridge Earthquake have triggered the increases, the industry

     If you're one of the millions who will be moving this year, you know it can be a stressful time for the whole family. One of the things you don't want to have to worry about is your belongings remaining intact. With proper packing techniques, you can ensure your belongings stay safe.
      Some 43 million U.S. residents -- 16 percent of the population -- moved to a new residence during the period from March 1999 to March 2000, the period in which most recent U.S. Census Bureau figures are available.
      "Research tells us that moving is usually one of the most stressful events in a person's life, ranked as high as the death of a loved one or divorce," said Joe Harrison, president of the American Moving and Storage Association. "But with the right kind of planning and care, you can make your move a lot less stressful."
      To begin, make sure you have the following items on hand: strong packing boxes, bubble wrap for packing fragile items, tissue and ink-free packing paper, scissors, knife for opening boxes, several broad-tip markers to label boxes, and rolls of packing tape.
      Whether you're handling the move on your own, or are hiring a company to handle the actual move but are still doing your own packing, you should keep the following in mind: