Insurance Content Index - Page 1

Having the right kinds of insurance -- including good medical, disability, automobile, homeowner, long-term care, life, and even travel insurance -- is key to good financial planning. This page about insurance gives you the lowdown on how to successfully navigate the often perplexing world of insurance coverage.

One of the fees you pay when you buy a home is for title insurance. Title insurance assures the lender that you own the home free and clear, with no liens on it. When you buy title insurance a title company will run a title search to check public records for information on the home. Who pays for the title insurance varies by state - sometimes it's the buyer, sometimes the seller. Learn the ins and outs of title insurance here.

**Refinance Fees: How Much Is Too Much?** When you're refinancing your mortgage, how much should you be paying in refinance fees? It can be hard to tell what fees you're paying to the lender, what is prepaid interest, and what are the other costs of the loan. Refinance fees, especially for prepaid interest, can add up to the closing costs of refinancing your loan. Have your lender explain exactly what all the refinance fees are going toward before you make any decision about refinancing or canceling your refinance.

**8000 Tax Credit First Time Home Buyer Rules For Buying With A Partner** Can you qualify for the 8000 tax credit for first time home buyers if you are buying a house with a partner? if you're not married you can probably still claim the first time home buyer tax credit on your tax return, even if your partner doesn't qualify for the first time home buyer tax credit. Ask a tax professional for help to make sure you maximize the benefits of the 8000 tax credit for first time home buyers. Also, when buying with a partner, it's usually for the best to draw up a partnership agreement about how the home will be purchased.

**$8000 Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension Causes Confusion Over Start Dates, Mobile Home Rules** The home buyer tax credit extension that opened up a home buyer tax credit to trade-up buyers, not just first time home buyers, has caused some confusion over the rules for the home buyer tax credit. The start date has been a big point of concern for the home buyer tax credit extension. Officially, home buyers must close after November 6 to qualify for the home buyer tax credit extension. RV and mobile homes have also caused some confusion. Read below for some of the IRS answers for the home buyer tax credit extension.

**8000 Tax Credit First Time Home Buyer Requirements: Buying From A Relative** To qualify for the first time home buyer tax credit, you must follow the 8000 first time home buyer tax credit requirements. There are specific rules against buying a house or receiving a home as inheritance and qualifying for the 8000 first time home buyer tax credit. If you buy a house from a more distant relative's estate, that might allow you to qualify for the first time home buyer tax credit. Consult with your own attorney to make sure that you are following the 8000 first time home buyer tax credit requirements.

**Selling A Home And The Due On Sale Clause** If you are selling your home and are not planning to pay off your loan, you should know that your loan probably has a due on sale clause. The due on sale clause allows the lender to call the loan due. The lender can accelerate the payments owed and force you to pay off what is owed on the loan. If you are the lender on a loan and your borrower sells the property without getting your permission, you should make sure your loan documents have a due on sale clause.

**HUD Revised Streamline Refinance Transactions** Streamline mortgage refinance applications will be undergoing some changes. Under the HUD revised streamline refinance, there are changes to the mortgage seasoning, payment history requirements, and verification of assets, employment and income. For a streamline refinance without an appraisal there will be a new maximum mortgage amount, and under the HUD revisions, there is is maximum combined loan-to-value amount for the streamline refinance. Read the full letter below for more details on the changes to HUD streamline refinance applications.

Getting answers about your income account. What are you supposed to do when a broker seems unable or unwilling to provide you with details about one of your accounts? You do have options: get in touch with a manager, use a different representative or find public data using another company's information. You should always feel as though you are benefiting from the very best customer service.

**Bad Neighbors Fight Over Access To Yard** Neighbors can turn into bad neighbors when fighting over fences or yard access and maintenance issues. The best way to deal with a bad neighbor is usually through communication, but you may be able to get some legal help. Look up your local ordinances to see what kind of rights you're given to your neighbors land to maintain your own property. A bad neighbor can ruin an otherwise perfect home for you, so try to resolve bad neighbor situations so both neighbors are happy.

**Home Buyer Tax Credit Cut-Off Dates: Do I Qualify?** The $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit has been extended and a new $6500 trade-up buyer tax credit was expanded. Some home buyers are upset because they don't qualify for the home buyer tax credit. It's unfortunate that some people just missed the cut-off dates for the home buyer tax credit, but the tax credits have to begin and end somewhere. Do you qualify for the home buyer tax credit?

**Loan Modification Help: Get Some Answers From The Bank CEO** Are you in loan modification hell? Like thousands of other people, this reader has filed for a loan modification, but can't get any answers about the future of his loan modification from his lender. The banks are swamped with loan modifications and foreclosures right now, but you deserve answers about the future of your loan, too. If you're not getting anywhere by calling customer services lines and other options, try using the format below to document your loan modification situation and get some answers from the bank CEO.