Personal Finance Content Index - Page 1

We cover the basics and more about personal finance, answering frequently asked questions about credit and debt, identity theft, saving for college, retirement, estate planning, insurance, taxes, job hunting, and raising money-savvy kids. Check out the articles, columns, blog posts, radio shows and videos for tons of personal finance advice.

We cover the basics and more about personal finance, answering frequently asked questions about credit and debt, identity theft, saving for college, retirement, estate planning, insurance, taxes, job hunting, and raising money-savvy kids. Check out the articles, columns, blog posts, radio shows and videos for tons of personal finance advice.

**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.

**Qualifying For a Mortgage Loan Stricter For Home Equity Lines Of Credit** Today, bank requirements for a loan are stricter for new home equity lines of credit than they were just a few years ago. Banks and lenders are tightening the requirements for home equity lines of credit and other personal lines of credit to make sure their funds are safe. Now, banks might require higher credit scores, more equity in your home, and other strict requirements before they will give you a line of credit. However, if you shop around, you may be able to find a bank willing to give you a home equity line of credit.

**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.

**Getting financial help on a budget.** Thousands of people come to ThinkGlink.com for financial and personal finance help. If you are in need of financial help and you are on a budget, here are some tips that might help you. You can also think about your financial future and use the information on our site to help you out. You can visit with a top consumer credit counseling service, take advantage of all of the free financial help on ThinkGlink.com and check out some of our free books and other products at the [ThinkGlink Store](http://thinkglinkstore.com/).

**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.

Are government bonds safe? With the economy in recession, it's natural to worry about where you are putting your money. Government bonds are almost always a safe bet, but you shouldn't expect to see a great interest rate.

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.