FAQs
Bankruptcy
Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy?
I can’t pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy?
What’s the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Buying a home
Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy?
Can I buy a house with no money down?
How much house can I afford?
How much money do I have to put down to buy a house?
Should I buy a home or continue renting?
Should my partner and I buy a house together even though we’re not married?
We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?
What is involved in buying a house that’s for sale by owner?
What’s the Homestead Act?

Buying, selling, or leasing a car
How much will my monthly car payment be?
Is there any way to get out of a car lease?
Should I buy or lease a car?
Should I pay cash for a car or finance it?

Credit basics
How can I correct errors on my credit report?
How can I figure out my net worth?
How can I get credit if I have no credit history?
How can I protect myself against identity theft?
How can I reduce my spending?
How can I repair my poor credit?
How do I get a copy of my credit report?
How long should I keep copies of my tax returns?
How much money should I keep in a savings account for emergencies?
I can’t pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy?
Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?
Will debt consolidation hurt or help my credit rating?

Credit cards
How can I lower the interest rate on my credit card?
How can I pay off my credit card debt?
I get a lot of credit card offers. How can I tell which one is best?
I’ve finally paid off my credit cards. Should I close the accounts or leave them open with zero balances?

Mortgages
Can I use a piggyback mortgage as an alternative to private mortgage insurance?
Can my mortgage lender require me to have an escrow account?
I am behind on my mortgage payments. Will my lender begin foreclosure proceedings?
I’m a first-time homebuyer, and I don’t have a lot of cash to put down on a house. What type of mortgage would be best for me?
I’m having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?
My mortgage includes a statement that a penalty may be imposed for early payoff. What does that mean?
Should I choose a mortgage with no points and pay a higher interest rate, or should I put money toward points to lower the interest rate on a mortgage?
Should I pay off my student loans early with a home equity loan?
Should I take out a home equity loan to pay for my child’s tuition?
What are the advantages of making biweekly mortgage payments?
What’s involved in getting a VA mortgage?
What’s the difference between a home equity line of credit and a second mortgage?
Which mortgage is better–fixed rate or adjustable?
Why do I have to purchase homeowners insurance in order to obtain a mortgage?

Private mortgage insurance
Can I use a piggyback mortgage as an alternative to private mortgage insurance?
What’s private mortgage insurance , and can my mortgage lender require me to have it?

Refinancing a mortgage
Do I need to let my homeowners insurance company know that I’m refinancing a mortgage?
I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?
Should I refinance my home mortgage?

Selling a home
How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?
I’m having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?
I’m retired now and own my home outright, but I need money to live on. How can I use my home to raise some money without selling it?
Should I sell or rent out my present home?