Saddle Up For A Great Show

Are you a loan processor, escrow officer or real estate agent? If so, you’re going to want to check this out. We have a department specifically for you to obtain insurance quotes and evidence of insurance in under 3 minutes!

Say hello to Affinity, a free online program that allows mortgage pros to retrieve a pre-approved insurance quote that’ll help speed up the closing of escrow. No more escrow delays!

Did we mention that it’s available 24/7? So that means obtaining coverage on the weekend or after hours is a thing of the past.

All policies are subject to underwriting and inspection after the loan funds.

What’s the catch? There isn’t one. This program is free, there is no contract and available to you whenever you need.

Check out Affinity at www.EZAFFINITY.com or call to find out more at the toll-free line: 1-800-234-3659 or visit our booth at The Mortgage Round-Up Expo in Austin!

Who Will Represent California?

Given what transpired last week in the NFL with 4 teams battling to make it to the Conference Championship Weekend, we can expect this upcoming Sunday to be just as intense.

Last week in the first three games, the visiting team took the win and all succeeded with a 3-point field attempt. That was of course until the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills at their home stadium, with Patrick Mahomes leading the way.

This weekend however will be a huge game for the West Coast as two teams battle it out to represent California in the Super Bowl, which is also being held at the brand new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The winner of this game will return to the stadium on February 13th as they compete for the chance to be crowned Super Bowl 56 Champions!

Who do you think will take it all? Comment below or on our social media posts.

Tax Season 2022

It’s that time of year again when we gather all those documents, receipts and forms. If you guessed tax season, you’re right! This year the first day to file was Monday January 24th and will continue until the tentative deadline of Monday April 18th. Make the process as smooth as possible by being prepared and taking all documents needed to successfully file your 2021 year. Below we have included a short list of the items you will need to file, but always double check with your local and trusted agent.

  • Personal Identification – That includes an ID, social security, mail from utility companies
  • Documents about your income, formally known as a W-2 or 10-99 form
  • Any adjustments to your income – IRA contributions, student loan interest, etc
  • Itemized tax deductions and credits such as child care/ education cost, donations
  • Taxes paid on real estate, cars registration

As mentioned, these are only some of the required documents but we hope this helped you begin preparing to file your taxes this year. Happy Filing!

The Savings Await

If you’re in the market for new homeowners insurance, look no further!

Simply click to get your no obligation, 30-second free web quote and see the savings you can earn by allowing us to protect you home.

We are an AM BEST A+ and BBB rated A+ carrier and have high ratings on Clearsurance, a review based platform for insurance companies.

Visit us online to switch and save at www.westernmutual.com or call one of our licensed agents who are ready to help at 877-WMUTUAL (877-968-8825) Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST/PDT.

Cold Snap Preparedness

As we make our way through this winter season, we must remember to be prepared for the worst even if the weather seems to be calm for this time of year. Emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere. Prepare for the worst-case scenario (especially in wintertime) by keeping the following supplies in your winter car kit!

In addition to the items listed below, keeping a cell phone on hand is highly advised. Make sure your phone is charged every time you get in the car and keep a spare cell phone charger and a rechargeable battery pack in your emergency kit as well.

If you must travel, make sure you share your travel plans and route with someone before you leave.

Should you become stranded in bad winter weather, do not leave your car. Don’t try to push your vehicle out of snow, remain in car and turn on emergency lights before attempting to call for help.

Minimum Supplies:

Blankets, mittens, socks and hats

Ice scraper and snow brush

Flashlight, plus extra batteries (or a hand-crank flashlight)

Jumper cables

First-aid kit (band-aides, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap). See a first-aid kit checklist.

Bottled water

Multi-tool (such as a Leatherman multi-tool or a Swiss Army knife)

Road flares or reflective warning triangles (optional) but can easily be stored in trunk

Stay safe this winter.

Like, Follow & Subscribe

As your preferred insurance carrier for over 75 years, Western Mutual would like to invite you to stay connected with us by following our social media page on all major platforms. This will allow you to keep up with our weekly blogs, frequently asked questions, website updates, human-interest stories and our soon to come, Facebook live sessions.

We are active on the following platforms; just search us by name!

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and our very own media room that can found on www.westernmutual.com

MLK Day

Today we remember the man who not only changed history but taught us that darkness cannot drive out darkness and only light and positivity can do that.

His influence and actions helped to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1965 which prohibited racial discrimination in voting. We thank Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his positive role in changing the law for a more inclusive and better tomorrow.

Civil Rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient, are just a few accolades received by the one and only Martin Luther King Jr.

That Friday Feeling

Thinking about getting a quote and saving some money but your current policy hasn’t expired yet? There is no reason to wait! You can start your new policy with Western Mutual immediately and simply request to have your other coverage cancelled. There is no penalty or fee and you’ll be reimbursed for any unused premium on the old policy.

If you need assistance or have any questions, we would be more than happy to help out.  To speak with a live agent about how to switch and save or to retrieve a quote, call us at 1-877-WMUTUAL (877-968-8825).  We are here to serve you Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM PST.

Business Performance 101

As we approach the halfway point of January and look ahead to the remaining 10 weeks of the first quarter, we remind you the importance of planning for success. As the working world increasingly transitions to a continuous performance management model, businesses are shifting to setting quarterly, rather than annual, goals and with good reason.

  1. Shorter-term goals are less likely to be derailed. Especially in today’s business environment where things can change overnight, 12 months is a really, really long time.
  2. The condensed timeframe helps employees to set smart, realistic goals. If you’re familiar with  SMART goals, you know the value of setting goals that are realistic. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.
  3. Quarterly goal-setting creates an opportunity to celebrate little wins, With annual goals, you either win or lose, so to speak, once a year. This means you’ve got just one opportunity to use goals as a motivational tool each year.
  4.  Managers get a clearer view of employee progress. When we’re stuck in the day-to-day activities of our jobs, it can be hard to see progress. But short-term quarterly goals create a natural stopping point, allowing us to check in and take stock of how far we have – or haven’t – come.

Maybe We Should Call Someone?

Houses frequently make noises—a floor creaks, a pipe gurgles, a refrigerator hums—but while some sounds are harmless and even charming, others are early indicators of potential problems that warrant attention. Especially if this is your new home, not newly built but new for you. Here are some potential troublemakers.

Furnace – Squeaking could be an indication that the bearings in the motor need to be oiled or that a piece of one has broken off. Ignoring this could cause the motor to fail. Popping could be a sign of moisture in the gas line, or that the gas line has become clogged.

Noisy Pipes – Anyone who’s ever lived with radiator heat knows how noisy pipes can be. It is highly suggested that these items be professionally inspected and taken care of as a radiator can make sounds – like someone is hammering from inside – which usually indicates maintenance required.

Wall Creaks – Skittering sounds, squeaks, buzzes and other noises coming from your walls and attic may mean there’s something living in your house that isn’t part of your family. If you hear something, search the outside of the wall for anything out of the ordinary.

Humming Appliances – If your dishwasher sputters or grinds, something may be stuck in the chopper blade area. A buzzing refrigerator may mean that the compressor is ailing. A humming dryer could mean that there’s an object caught in its blower wheel. These conditions are difficult to diagnose without expert attention.

Pops and Bubbles – Over time, sediment builds up on the bottom of a water heater as minerals precipitate out of the water and settle in the tank. Excessive sediment accumulation may produce a popping or rumbling sound, which should be your signal to call in a repair professional.

Whistling Windows – Improperly installed windows, worn weather stripping, changes in temperature and the simple passage of time can all cause an unwanted whistling inside the house. Not only is the sound annoying, it can also lead to energy waste.

We hope this assist you in identifying and resolving any potential problems you may be experiencing.