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Finances & Insurance

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Featured Project

Invest a Tax Refund in Your Home: $500 Projects

Invest a Tax Refund in Your Home: $500 Projects

Here are five great ideas for investing a tax refund in your home if you receive $500 or less back from the IRS this year. Read More

Progress $ E K
Save Money Low $90/yr (low-flow toilet)
Effort Low 1-2 hrs (surge protector)
Investment Low $500
Added to Binder
Alan J. Kahn of AJK Financial Group

(New!)

Tips for Investing a Tax Refund in Your Home

HouseLogic talks to financial planner Alan D. Kahn, who offers tips for investing a tax refund in your home based on where you are in life—and with your house. Read More

Progress K
Investment Low 1 day (review finances)
Added to Binder
A portable generator can be purchased with tax refund

(New!)

Invest a Tax Refund in Your Home: $2,500 Projects

If you want to invest a tax refund in your home this year, consider these five great projects that cost around $2,500. Read More

Progress $ E K
Save Money Med $115/yr (tankless heater)
Effort Low 1-2 days (storm windows)
Investment Med $2,500
Added to Binder
Low-flow showerhead in bathroom

(New!)

Invest a Tax Refund in Your Home: $500 Projects

Here are five great ideas for investing a tax refund in your home if you receive $500 or less back from the IRS this year. Read More

Progress $ E K
Save Money Low $90/yr (low-flow toilet)
Effort Low 1-2 hrs (surge protector)
Investment Low $500
Added to Binder
An energy-efficiency exterior door

(New!)

Invest a Tax Refund in Your Home: $1,000 Projects

Consider these five great projects that cost around $1,000 if you decide to invest a tax refund in your home this year. Read More

Progress $ C E K
Save Money Med Up to $135/yr (new washer)
Effort Low 2 hrs (entry door install)
Investment Low $1,000
Added to Binder
Home loan customers receiving a good faith estimate

(New!)

RESPA Rules Limit Fee Increases at Home Closing

A revamped good faith estimate and HUD-1 settlement form mean fewer last-minute surprises at closing because of limits on fee increases. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High Up to $668 (closing costs)
Effort Low 11-14 hrs (loan paperwork)
Investment Low $37 (avg credit report fee)
Added to Binder
Foreclosed home with boarded-up windows

Fight Foreclosures in Your Community

Even if you’re current on your mortgage, nearby foreclosures can affect your community through lower property values, higher crime rates, and lost services. Read More

Progress C K
Effort Low 1 hr (mow vacant home's lawn)
Added to Binder
Foreclosed home with for sale sign in yard

Facing Foreclosure: What to Do Right Now

If you’re facing foreclosure, don’t panic: There are steps you can take right now to save your home or at least lessen the blow of its loss. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $454/mo (aid of counselor)
Effort High 3 mos (trial modification)
Investment Low $0 (HUD counseling is free)
Added to Binder
Car accidents will impact your umbrella insurance rates

The Cost of Umbrella Insurance for Homeowners

The surprising thing about the cost of umbrella insurance is that it can be influenced as much by your driving record as it can be by your record as a homeowner. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Low $60/yr (multi-policy discount)
Effort Low 2 hrs (purchase a policy)
Investment Low $300/yr ($1 million umbrella)
Added to Binder
Backyard trampoline covered by an umbrella insurance policy

What’s Covered by Umbrella Insurance?

Homeowners can better guard against liability claims by understanding what’s covered by umbrella insurance and, equally important, what isn’t. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2 hrs (purchase a policy)
Investment Low $300/yr ($1 million umbrella)
Added to Binder
Person injured at a home

Umbrella Insurance and Homeowner Liability

Umbrella insurance offers added homeowner liability protection that kicks in after homeowners insurance reaches its coverage limits. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2 hrs (purchase a policy)
Investment Low $300/yr ($1 million umbrella)
Added to Binder
This Week's Finance Poll

Which type of mortgage relief have you received from your lender?

See results

  • Loan modification

  • Refinancing

  • Short sale

  • Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure

  • None. I was turned down for relief

  • None. I’m current on my mortgage

Save Money on Insurance

Tips on how to get the lowest rates

Project Money Saved
Cancel Your Private Mortgage Insurance $600-$1,200/yr (cancel PMI)
The Cost of Umbrella Insurance for Homeowners $60/yr (multi-policy discount)
Improve Your Insurance Score $60/yr (premiums)
Homeowners Insurance: Are You Over- or Underinsured? $8-$12 (unneeded rider)
More Insurance Articles
Audio Guides
  • Save Money on Your Mortgage - February 19th, 2010 from Real Estate Today Radio © NAR
Home Inventory Toolkit More Insurance Articles