When house hunting, the price of homeowners insurance probably isn’t top of mind. But homes with hidden risks can make getting coverage difficult, expensive or both. Learning how to identify them could save you a bundle. This could be a particularly important concern for first-time homebuyers and those moving from cities to suburban or rural […]
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Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Mortgage Outlook: A pre-election pause for October rates? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on the unequal employment recover and the case for used cars, many avoid bankruptcy out of fear, and how to opt out of pre-screened credit offers. Mortgage Outlook: A Pre-Election Pause for October […]
Q&A: Weekly free credit reports
Dear Liz: In a recent column, you wrote that credit reports are now available weekly from AnnualCreditReport.com. Most people understand that they are entitled to a free credit report once a year via that site. Please explain what is meant by “now available weekly?” By signing up for a paid service from one or more […]
Q&A: Social Security survivor benefits
Dear Liz: My husband passed away at age 59 last year. He was sick and unable to work the last four years of his life. I will be 56 in October. My understanding is I will not be able to draw his Social Security benefits until I am age 60. Is this correct? I struggle […]
Q&A: Changing tax law may have made home trust unnecessary
Dear Liz: I was told my father’s house did not qualify for a step-up in tax basis at his death because he had put the house in a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT). With your recent column mentioning the step-up when a home is inherited, I’m wondering if I paid unnecessary taxes. Answer: In at […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Credit card preapproval vs. pre-qualification. Also in the news: 3 ways to keep your distance with contactless payments, why sustainable investing could get a lot harder, and a look at your debt options. Credit Card Preapproval vs. Pre-Qualification Pre-qualification is a soft yes on qualifying for a card. Preapproval is a guarantee […]