Sub Prime Auto Financing How To Get Approved

Auto buyers with blemished credit may wonder how they can get
approved to buy a car. The answer is sub prime auto financing.
When seeking a sub prime auto loan the question shouldn't be
just, How do I get approved? The better question to ask is,
How do I get approved for the best sub prime auto financing
available?

Prospective car buyers who have a credit score below 620, a
history of late payments or a recent bankruptcy will all be
candidates for sub prime auto financing. However, all sub prime
loans are not created equal and the wise shopper will do a
little homework before going out to the car lots.

Pulling you own credit report is a good place to start any time
a major credit purchase is being considered. A buyer wants to
know as much about his credit record as a potential lender
knows. Check your report for inaccuracies and notify the credit
reporting agencies if you find any.

Being realistic about the car a buyer can afford also increases
the chances of obtaining a sub prime auto loan. This purchase is
the first step in repairing less than stellar credit and it may
require buying the best car for the buyer's budget not the
purchaser's dream car.

The largest possible down payment will further help the buyer to
find sub prime financing. A down payment may also lower the
interest rate of the loan. A lower interest rate generally
translates into a lower monthly payment as well.

Just as finding the right kind of car requires shopping finding
the right kind of sub prime auto financing requires shopping. An
auto dealer makes part of his profit from financing car loans.
The car loan made on the lot with the dealer may therefore cost
more than auto financing that is arranged before hand by the
buyer. Even a consumer looking for sub prime financing may be
able to be pre-approved for an auto loan. Walking onto the car
lot with a loan in hand gives a buyer more clout in the process
of negotiating the auto's price.

Where are some of the places a shopper with damaged credit can
look for an auto loan?

1. Financial Institutions That You Already Have Relationships
With - Many banks will help a current account holder to
re-establish credit, particularly if the customer has both
checking and savings account. Some credit unions are also
relaxing their credit standards to include sub prime financing.
If the applicant has direct deposit with the institutions and
will allow payments to be set up as regular debits this also
works favorably.

2. Look For Lenders Through References - Check with The Better
Business Bureau, use the yellow pages and ask friends for
references.

3. Look On The Internet- Be wary, however, of giving out credit
information to anyone who solicits loan business online. This
applies equally to anyone who solicits business through the mail
or over the phone. Always check a company out before providing
it with any sensitive information.

Once several lenders have been targeted, a buyer should sit down
with them and be honest about the situation. Many consumers
require sub prime auto financing and they should not allow
themselves to be pressured or intimidated because they are
embarrassed about their credit histories. Receive all offers in
writing and take the time to read them carefully and compare
them.

Finally, remember that receiving credit is an ongoing process.
Making timely payments on a sub prime auto loan can be the first
step in revitalizing a poor credit record.

Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loans

Unsecured debt consolidation loans are loans that individuals take out from a bank without placing any collateral for the loan. Such loans are availed to pay off credit card debt or medical bills. Normally, debt consolidation is undertaken to reduce and eliminate debt by paying off a high-interest unsecured loan, like credit card debt, with a low-interest secured loan like a home equity line of credit. Debt consolidation thus helps in lowering interest rates, which works in the long run to eliminate debt faster.

Unsecured debt consolidation loans are not secured by any collateral like a home or a car. These are mostly in the form of personal loans. Personal loans are one way of paying off credit card debt if one does not own a home or a car. Many banks offer such plans for their customers who have a satisfactory banking history with them. However, interest rates on unsecured personal loans would be higher than a secured home-equity line of credit.

Usually, the amounts disbursed as unsecured debt consolidation loans are lower than what would have been if the debt consolidation loan was secured. Wells Fargo Financial, for example, offers its customers home equity lines of credit for debt consolidation starting at $10,000, whereas unsecured personal loans for debt consolidation at capped at $10,000. So unsecured debt consolidation loans are essentially for those individuals who carry lower credit card debt, but still want to consolidate it and eliminate it completely.

While an unsecured debt consolidation loan is a good way to pay off high-interest credit card debt, very often individuals end up a few years later with a similar credit card debt and the added burden of paying off the personal loan. The critical element to debt reduction and elimination is to keep a check on one\'s spending. There are secured and unsecured debt consolidation loans available to help one out of debt, but the process must start at the individual\'s level.

Debt Loans provides detailed information on Debt Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loans, Government Debt Consolidation Loans and more. Debt Loans is affiliated with Direct Loan Servicing.

How to Save Money in a Grocery Store

Now there are ways to save money in the grocery store, and they may or may not take much effort on your part to learn some great ways to save money. Your greater savings can often be found in the perishable departments of a grocery store. The perishable departments are the bakery, meat, and produce departments. Looking at the grocery ads can also be of great assistance. Also, believe it or not something as simple as writing down a list can help you save money. I'll show you a few techniques that will help you save money.

Now for me, I have saved more in the meat department, than any other department. No, I am not purchasing meat that is barely fresh. Keep in mind that often the same or similar cuts of meat can be sold at very different prices. Why buy stew meat for a couple of bucks more, when you can buy a chuck roast, and cut it yourself. Did you know that the chuck sits right next to the ribeye? If you look closely, you can get some chuck steaks that are on the tail end of a ribeye, and enjoy a similar tasty cut of meat, for the same basic price. For the product department, take a look at the bags of bulk produce, you can find some good deals there, but check to make sure all of the fruits/veggies in the bag are good and fresh. Please bypass the cut up veggies, you can cut your own fajita veggies, or stop by the salad bar for less.

Often the items on the first page of a grocery ad are sold at a loss. Grocery stores do this to get you into the store. Why not plan a few meals around the meat items that are on sale. You can always stock up on soda's and snack items that are often one of the first places we cut when we are looking at staying on a budget. You may notice that these sales run in cycles, and you may be able to plan when you are going to purchase that favorite laundry detergent at a cost savings. So take a look at the ad, and remember Wal-Mart will match another store's ads, so if you shop there, grab the Wednesday's ads before you go.

Finally, going into a grocery store without a list, either mental or a physical one is setting yourself up for impulse purchase buys. Purchase what you are going to use. Grocery stores make tons of money off of us walking in grabbing a soda while we shop. You can bring a soda purchased on sale from home. Stick to your list. Don't cut yourself short, but keep your list down to what you need, you can also take a few moments before you leave and see if you have any of those items at home. I personally have way too many roasting bags; I didn't look before I grabbed that chuck roast that was on sale.

Even saving a few dollars here and there can help you reduce your grocery bill by 5 to 10%. Who of us here can't use that? You can spend it on something else, or even do something shocking like save that extra money for something else. You may also want to allocate part of your grocery bill to stock up on things you will need and items that do not spoil. It is difficult to have too much toilet paper, although it is possible. These are just a few steps in reducing your grocery bill.

Stephanie Manley is the editor for http://www.copykat.com

Copykat.com features recipes that taste just like they came out of a restaurant.

Home Equity Loans How to Get Cash Out of Your Home

Home equity loans allow you to take cash out of your home. \Home equity\ is defined as, how much your home is worth minus how much you still have on your mortgage loan. For example, if your home is worth $150,000 and your current mortgage loan balance is $100,000, this means that you have equity of $50,000. You can use your home equity loan to pay off credit card bills, pay for education or to finance home improvement projects.

The fact is, almost every city in America has seen strong appreciations in home values. Cities in states like Nevada, California, Florida, etc, have seen appreciations of up to 200%. Home values have literally doubled.

If you are thinking about getting a home equity loan, there are a few things that you need to understand.

Using the example above, you would get a check in a lump sum for $50,000. This loan would be repayable in monthly installments.

Your loan would be secured against your home. This means that you are pledging your home as collateral. If you are consistent in making your mortgage payments and you are financially balanced, this should not cause you any worries. Pay your monthly balance, as you would with any loan (e.g. mortgage loan, car loan, etc) and you\'ll be fine.

Shop around for the best interest rates. Varying lenders can offer substantially different interest rates. Low interest rates, mean lower monthly payments.

The interest payments on your home equity loan will be tax deductible so remember to factor them into your tax preparation, come April 15.

Get free, no obligation home equity loan quotes at http://www.kstreetloans.com

Sharon Listner writes about finance. Visit her website: http://www.kstreetloans.com for informative articles about home equity loans, debt consolidation loans and home improvement loans.

Credit Repair in the Courtroom Is All That Really Neccessary?

On credit repair forums everywhere you hear advice to \file suit\ against those reporting your file for violations of credit laws.

But really, do you have to go to that extreme to repair your credit? In most cases, the answer is no.

The vast majority of credit repair issues are resolved well before any papers are filed. Of those few that do result in court papers being filed, the vast majority are settled without ever making an appearance in court.

If the idea of having to go to court over that pesky collection agency is keeping you from repairing your credit, don\'t let it. The odds are about 1 in 1,000 that you will ever need to file suit. The odds of ever having to go to court because of your credit repair efforts is 1 in a million.

That being said, you should also be aware from the beginning that if you are going to beat some of these collectors you must build a strong legal case against them. Many times the evidence you have accumulated provides the leverage that keeps the case out of court and the account off of your credit file.

You will need to become a good record keeper so you can prove each violation they commit. And they will violate the law just about every time.

You will also need to understand the credit laws so you know when a violation has taken place. If you are unsure visit a credit forum and you will surely find a lot of good advice.

Lastly, all over the web you see these \official\ looking sample letters that quote the law and sound like the writer swallowed a dictionary.

I strongly advise against using these sample letters. They are usually overly threatening and say way more than they need to. They basically tip off the collector that you are repairing your credit and not some poor sucker they have by mistake.

Always remember, the best way to get pushed by a collection agency is to make threats against them right off the bat.

The best way to beat a collection agency is to play by the rules and give no indication that you intend to sue them until after the papers are drawn up and you are ready to file them.

At that time, send them an \Intent to Sue\ letter that outlines both the specifics of their violations and your evidence to support your claim. Ask them upfront to pay the money they legally owe or you will file the suit.

Many times, they will delete the account because you have shown them they will lose in court and you are ready to take them there.

In rare cases they will make you take the final step and file the papers. If you do it, they will most likely settle the matter out of court rather than incur the expense and still lose the case. You may actually collect a few hundred dollars for your efforts.

So be ready to fight the fight, but don\'t expect to ever have to. Every account has three parties that can remove it from your file. The odds are very good that one of them will do it long before you ever approach the courthouse door.

Darell is a credit repair expert by neccessity and went from terrible and accurate credit to a mortgage in less than a year. Now he is trying to help others do the same. Visit his free website at http://www.rylansreviews.com/credit

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=DarellMckissick

What To Look For In Credit Card Travel Rewards

With the use of credit cards becoming mainstream, credit card
companies are looking for ways to make their card stand out in
the crowd. They want to entice customers to chose their card
over someone else's by offering customers the chance to earn
rewards for what they spend. A popular reward is for travel.
Most travel rewards center around air travel, but there are many
different types of air travel rewards.

Travel rewards usually work on the basis of earning points or
miles from the purchases you make on your credit card. Some
rewards work towards discounts off air travel, while others
offer a chance to earn free airline tickets. Other rewards that
may be offered are car rental discounts and hotel discounts.
Some of these travel rewards can also be used for non-travel
related rewards like at restaurants or shopping centers. Using a
credit card with travel rewards gives you an opportunity to earn
something while making purchases with credit card. You do not
have to do anything else, except use the credit card when you
make purchases. The idea is to offer customers something that
will encourage the use of their credit card.

There are many different types of travel rewards with many
different things to consider. Cards that offer frequent flier
miles are often considered to be the best reward cards
available. The earnings are much higher than with other types of
rewards. It is very important with rewards cards to understand
how you much you earn. The conversion rates vary from card to
card. One card may offer you a reward worth 2 cents on each
dollar you spend, while another card only offers a cent per
dollar you spend. To get the maximum benefit always know how the
reward system works. Some travel reward cards also have limits.
Some expire if not used in a certain time period and some have
no expiration. Some cards also limit where the rewards can be
used while others do not. There are also limits on the amount of
rewards you can earn. It is very important to check out how the
program works and all of the limits or uses.

Travel rewards credit cards give back to the consumer. Instead
of burying yourself in debt you can actually find a practical
reason to use credit cards. You earn something that you will
use. You end up saving a little money while you spend. It is
important to shop around for these types of cards, though. Cards
range in what they offer from air miles to hotel stays. They
vary from airline sponsored cards to a standard credit card, but
they offer you something for using them.

Second Mortgage / Home Equity vs. Refinance

Why should you take out a second mortgage or a home equity line of credit instead of refinancing?

Well,You Shouldn\'t!!

Why Not?

1.Second Mortgages usually have an interest rant that is twice or even three times as high as your first mortgage rate. You can refinance instead and keep a very low rate. In the long run a second mortgage will just cost you money in interest charges.
2.Home equity lines of credit are designed for mortgage account executives (salespeople) to sell you on using it like a credit card attached to your home. They will try to convince you to use it over and over again.
3.A refinance loan is better for the equity in your home. Very few companies will refinance your home at 100% of it\'s value without forcing you to take out a second mortgage. You don\'t want to use 100% of your equity because that means you no longer have that equity to fall back on in emergency situations.
4.Second Mortgages and Home Equity lines of credit are designed to provide account executives (salespeople) with another tool to sway you into putting another commission in their pocket.
5.Your equity is a precious thing and should not be used for unnecessary add ons or impulse buys. If you don\'t need it and there is even a slight chance you can\'t afford it, then don\'t get a second mortgage to buy it.

The only reason that I would ever recommend a second mortgage or a home equity line of credit is in an emergency situation. Only when there is no other option and you must take out a loan would I recommend either one of these options.

About the Author

Benjamin Ehinger has an extensive mortgage background and has studied the industry for many years. To learn more about Refinancing and Second Mortgages visit: http://bandcdriver.tripod.com/second-mortgage.htm

How Long Should I Keep Tax Records?

QUESTION:

How long should I keep my tax returns?

ANSWER:

One of the questions I am asked most often, both as an accountant and as a tax preparer, is how long should you hold on to records and files, receipts and bills, and the like.

First of all, it is my belief that you should keep the paper copy of your tax returns (Form 1040 or 1040A plus all supporting Schedules and Forms) forever! This provides a permanent record of your financial history. You never know when the information on a prior year\'s tax return will come in handy for a variety of tax or financial related reasons, or just to satisfy personal curiosity.

The time period for keeping all other records ties in to the fact that the IRS, and the appropriate state tax authorities, has three (3) years from the due date (or filing date if you had any extensions) of a tax return to audit that return (except in the case of tax fraud - then the IRS can go back forever). If you filed your 2002 Form 1040 by the initial April 15, 2003 due date, \Uncle Sam\ has until April 17, 2006 to audit it and ask for additional taxes.

I recommend keeping all back-up documentation that supports an item reported or deducted on your tax return for four (4) full years. This includes all applicable bank statements and cancelled checks as well as W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and appropriate receipts and bills. You can toss all such information for your 2002 tax return in December of 2006.

Hold on to your individual pay stubs for the year until you have received the Form W-2 for that year. Reconcile the year-to-date cumulative totals on the last pay stub for the year to the amounts reported on the W-2. If they match you can throw out all but the last pay stub. Keep the final pay stub for the year, with year-end cumulative numbers, with your tax return documentation for that year.

Certain documentation requires longer holding periods. For investments in stock, bonds and mutual funds you should keep all confirms and other appropriate back-up, such as notices of splits and records of any dividend reinvestments, for as long as you hold the investment plus four (4) additional years. You should keep the confirmation slip or other documentation for the sale or disposition of the investment for four (4) years after the sale or disposition.

Similarly, if you own real estate you should keep all Closing or Settlement Statements for the purchase and refinancing of the property, and documentation of any capital improvements, for as long as you own the property plus four (4) additional years. You should keep the Closing or Settlement Statement or other documentation for the sale or disposition of the property for four (4) years after the sale or disposition.

If you have invested in a limited partnership or \sub-chapter S\ corporation, or are a partner in a business organized as a partnership, a \sub-chapter S\ corporation or an LLC or LLP, you should keep the annual Form K-1 you receive from the investment or business for as long as you own an interest in the entity plus four (4) additional years, and keep any paperwork related to the sale or disposition of your interest for four (4) years after the sale or disposition.

Receipts and bills for personal expenses that are not related to any items reported or deducted on your tax return can generally be tossed after one year. Throw out all such bills for calendar year 2004 in January of 2006. You may want to keep bills, receipts and cancelled checks for equipment, applicance and the like for at least as long as these items are covered under warranty.

Do you have a question you would like to Ask The Tax Pro? Go to http://rdftaxpro.tripod.com/taxhelp.

Robert D Flach is a tax professional with 34 tax seasons of experience preparing 1040s for individuals in all walks of life. He writes and publishes the free monthly online newsletter STUFF AND SUCH (http://rdftaxpro.tripod.com/stuffandsuch) and several other websites, as well as several print newsletters and reports on tax planning and preparation. For more information on his websites go to http://rdftaxpro.tripod.com/websites.

Buying A Home In Camden Maine

The process of buying a home is not something to be taken lightly. A home is a large investment, and it\'s your responsibility to select a home that fits your needs and find a manageable mortgage for itno mean feat. We\'ll help break the process down into the most important pieces.

Article:

In the process of buying a home, the fun part comes firstdeciding what you want in your new home. Be organized, go ahead and make a list of the features that are most important to you. But remember to be flexible; your priorities may change once you\'ve looked at a few homes.

Preparing to buy

It\'s necessary to get pre-approved and pre-qualified before you get down to serious home shopping, or sellers won\'t take you seriously. You\'ll also want to obtain a copy of your credit report from at least two reliable credit bureaus. The credit score is the primary determining factor of what rate you will be able to getand the rate in turn helps determine your monthly payments. Do some playing around with your budget and a mortgage calculator, and determine exactly how much home you can really afford to buy (it may be less than the number you can get approved for).

Home Shopping

A realtor can help you go straight to the homes that meet your criteria, making the process of buying a home much faster, but if you enlist the aid of a realtor make sure you get a buyer\'s agent, or one who works exclusively for buyers and is not actually working for the seller and trying to secure them the best deal. It\'s important to get an appraisal for any home you\'re seriously considering purchasing, as the appraisal can inform you of aspects of the home that aren\'t readily apparent (i.e. condition of the plumbing and electric systems, condition of the roof and foundation, and more).

Haggling Mortgage Details

This is probably the most important part of the process of buying a homemost people wind up paying more money in interest than they ever do towards their home. You\'ll have to decide whether you want a fixed or a variable rate (a fixed rate is usually better if you plan to be in the home ten years or more), and how much you want to pay down. In the past, lenders required everyone to make a down payment of at least 20%, but those days are gone. However, if you pay less than this down, you could wind up with the extra expense of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), unless you piggyback the loans (essentially getting two small mortgages instead of one large one).

Remember that mortgages are not set in stone; they are customized for each individual situation. You can often negotiate the interest rate down by paying more up front, or negotiate the down payment lower by paying more in interest. As with a used car purchase, someone is making commission from your purchase, and if you\'re not afraid to haggle you\'ll probably get a better deal.

Although it makes more work for you, it\'s also imperative to comparison shop. Not all mortgage lenders are equal, and you can\'t even go by word-of-mouth recommendations because there is no one mortgage company that is the best in every situation.

You\'re probably aware by now, if you weren\'t before, that the process of buying a home is going to be no walk in the park. You\'re going to be dealing with a lot of people who want your money, and it\'s your job to protect your own interests. But if you remain organized and don\'t miss any of the steps listed above, you\'ll be able to get the best deal available for someone in your situation. Your hard work will pay off in the long run.

Inside Camden Real Estate is a network entirely devoted to real estate information. The entire Inside Real Estate network has more than 100,000 pages of real estate for cities allover the United States. Inside Real Estate covers several topics from the basic \how to\'s\ of real estate to city-specific real estate information.

Senior Insecurity

Many millions of senior citizens and others have most if not all of their retirement portfolios in interest bearing certificates of some kind. Many have Treasury Bills, Certificates of Deposit, Government National Mortgage certificates, Money Market accounts, AAA corporate bonds and more. They have these because they are considered safe and secure and most don\'t fluctuate in value.

Most were bought some time ago and many are coming to maturity or are being called. When a bond, that\'s what they all are, matures or is called (meaning the debtor wants to pay it off sooner than the maturity date) it is paid off by the debtor to the creditor, the one who bought the bond originally. Now that person has a handful of cash and usually buys another debt instrument.

Joe Smith has a $100,000 CD in his bond portfolio. He has been realizing an income of about $5,000 to $6,000 per year in interest income. Along with his Social Security he has been able to get along because his house is paid for. He is just making it.

Because of the slowing economy we have seen the Federal Reserve Board lower interest rates ten times this year. This is supposed to stimulate the economy by getting businesses to borrow more money to expand. Unfortunately, many of these companies have plant and equipment standing idle so they don\'t need to or want to borrow even at these low rates. Yes, they will refinance their debt, but that is not going to create the results the Fed wants.

Poor old Joe heads down to the bank to buy another CD and finds out that the best interest rate he can get for himself is about 2% to 4%. His interest income has shrunk 40% to 50%. Where he was getting by before now he ain\'t gonna make it.

Joe says to himself, \I have to do something different if I am going to keep eating on a regular basis\. Someone gets hold of Joe and tells him about portfolio diversification and nice conservative mutual funds. When any broker or financial planner talks about diversification it means they don\'t know what to do with the money so they put some here and some there and hope for the best. Anyone who has listened to this story knows what I mean - it doesn\'t work the way it was presented.

Joe has been suckered into the stock market where he doesn\'t belong and is now locked into some bad positions.

The moral of this story is don\'t invest in something you don\'t understand by some smooth talker. The safety of your principal is much more important. It may be better to spend some of the principal as you need it rather than take a chance on higher returns that fluctuate in value.

Al Thomas\' book, \If It Doesn\'t Go Up, Don\'t Buy It!\ has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he\'s the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.

Copyright 2005

The Benefits Of Buying Cyprus Properties

You may be one of the many people who have fallen in love with Cyprus whilst holidaying there or maybe you are simply looking for a great place to make a property investment. Whatever your reasons for looking to buy property in Cyprus, you will find that there are a great number of benefits to be had from life in Cyprus; from the weather to the people. Below we look at some of the best:



The Weather - As any true Brit will tell you, the appeal of a life with constant sunshine should not be underestimated. The temperatures, especially around the flatter coastal areas of the island, are ideal for the average Brit all year round and the winter is mild and short, with an average temperature of 17˚ C.



Lifestyle - The lifestyle in Cyprus is typically very laid-back and relaxed. Many would-be ex-pats are drawn to Cyprus because of its low crime rate. In fact, most of locals don\'t lock their cars or houses as the theft and burglary rate is so low.



Buy to Let - Many of the properties in Cyprus have a high buy-to-let potential and this provides property investors with a sound investment opportunity.



Living Costs - If you have ever been to Cyprus on holiday you will already know that the actual living costs are remarkably low, making it an ideal destination for the Brits.



Local Hospitality - Not only do ex-pats find the local people extremely warm and friendly but about 90% of the population can speak English which makes Cyprus a great choice of places to live abroad if your foreign languages aren\'t so hot.



UK Basis - As the history of Cyprus has some roots in British rule, many ex-pats find the strong legal and financial ties to the UK reassuring. In fact, they even drive on the same side of the road!

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Cyprus Village Dreams is a company offering properties to buy in Cyprus. For more information visit their website on property developer Cyprus.

Investment Property Part I: How Not to Become a Slumlord

After riding the ups and downs of the stock market roller coaster for a while, an increasing number of investors are looking into property investment as a more stable alternative. With hot markets in many parts of the United States, the time may be ripe for you to get into this potentially lucrative trade. I would suggest, however, that you keep reading before you jump on the first property you find. You just might find something in this article that will keep you from breaking the bank and your back.

The hope of any investor is to build long-term wealth; this is a fairly straightforward principle and probably the reason you\'re reading this article. There are however, some rules to play by in the property investment game if you don\'t want to end up taking a shotgun with you every time rent needs to be collected. I\'m talking about how to avoid becoming a \'slumlord\'.

In order to best relate the rules of being a successful landlord, let me share a story experienced by some extended family members. It\'s a great example of what NOT to do if you want to get the most out of your investment property. After the story we\'ll see what rules and lessons we can learn. Names have been changed to protect the identity of the innocent.

Ben bought a beater single-family investment property in a very bad area and he his two sons, Josh and Nathan, all got busy. They put in hardwood floors-don\'t want to have to replace carpet every time you have turn over, right? And then they thought they\'d use really good paint-don\'t want have to repaint every time, right? And then they decided to splurge on good cabinetry and bathroom fixtures-a happy renter is a good renter, right? And to top it off, they put in nice towels on nice racks that said, \We are Family.\ Renters would appreciate that, right?

Right.

The first family to move in removed the bedroom and cupboard doors for firewood, tore out the nice bathroom fixtures and sold them at the swap meet, and fired small caliber rounds through the new hardwood floors. Ben discovered this when he received a call that the roof was leaking and he should, \Get your *** down here and fix it!\ He patiently tried to explain that roofs do that when you pull shingles for kindling. Other wonderful visits ensued, prompted by similar calls.

It only took eight months to get them out of the house; turns out that tenant rights as outlined by the county enumerate more rights than the rest of us enjoy collectively. As the family moved out he noticed that mom and the two older boys all sported matching shirts stitched with \We are Family.\ The rest carried various pieces of the house.

Ben, Josh, and Nathan began to rebuild the house, finding all sorts of interesting changes to its structure. Nothing really serious other than a supporting beam was chain-sawed out (apparently more firewood), tile pried up in one bathroom-no clear reason why, gang signs scratched into all the glass and mirrors that weren\'t broken and other little surprises.

While helping restring some crawl space electrical wire-later found strung in the closet for hangers-Josh found a rusted out .32 caliber handgun. Somehow the tenants had managed to pry bricks out of the chimney, which Ben needed to replace in order to meet code. Apparently someone had driven an M1A1 Abrams up the driveway; there was no other way to explain the huge cracks in a driveway that had remained perfect for 20 years.

What can we learn from this horrific, yet unfortunately true story?

Rule #1
Location, Location, Location. Ok, so this might seem a little clich, but it\'s a fact that the location of your investment property will determine the kinds of tenants you will attract, and how much rent you can fairly charge. Remember, at some point in time in the future it may become necessary for you and your family to live there; what kind of neighborhood do you want to be in?

Rule #2
Don\'t go overboard when you\'re fixing up an investment property. You ought to expect reasonable wear and tear. Keep in mind that \'reasonable wear and tear\' means something entirely different to a person whose renting than it does to an owner. And for goodness sake forget the, \We are Family\ hand towels!

Rule #3
Know how to make basic repairs. Luckily for Ben and sons they had quite a bit of experience in various construction trades. Otherwise they may have lost even more money than they did through hiring out help. Knowing how to fix electrical wiring, repair drains, and replace windows will save you quite a bit of money down the road.

Rule #4
Screen your tenants as if they were moving in to live with you. This may be the most important step to avoid becoming a slumlord. Ask for and check references. Call previous landlords and ask questions like, \Did they pay rent on time? How was the condition of the house/apartment when they left? Did they ever disturb neighbors with loud music or yelling matches? How often would you have to make special trips for untimely repairs?\ Being as informed as possible about who you rent to will make a huge difference in the profitability of your investment property.

Rule #5
Know your rights as a landlord. Be familiar with the eviction process in order to avoid long, drawn out disputes with tenants. Most states and counties provide online information about tenant and landlord rights.

Don\'t repeat the mistakes made by Ben and his sons. Granted, getting into the investment property business takes hard work and you\'ll have to put up with things you normally wouldn\'t put up with. At the same time there are steps you can take to limit your liability while preventing yourself from becoming a \'slumlord\'.

In the next portion of this two-part article we will be discussing some of the financial aspects you should be familiar with in order to find the best deal possible on your first investment property.

Cameron Brown is an internet marketer specializing in ranking automation. For information on investment property, visit Security National Capital.

Top Things to Consider When Buying Lakeshore Property

If you\'re considering buying lakeshore property, you could be in the process of making one of the largest and most important investment decisions of your life. Will you make this decision based on all of the facts, some of the facts or emotion? This White Paper is a tool that will support planning and decision-making. It includes information on where to get relevant information, things to consider in your purchase and what to avoid. Buying lakeshore is not the same as buying residential property. There are a lot more things to understand and consider. This White Paper is generally designed to answer the question: What are the things that need to be considered in a lakeshore property purchase.

Top Things to Consider When Buying Lakeshore Property

Buying lakeshore is not as simple as viewing the house and garage and determining whether it is consistent with your \Buyer Criteria\. In addition to evaluating the property itself, there are many major things to consider.

LAKESHORE

What\'s the lakeshore like? Does it have rocks, natural sand, grass, weeds, or muck? Does it have a million snails? Some lakeshores have an area that you can plop down your lawn chairs, dig your toes in the sand, and watch your children build sand castles. Some lakes are notorious for having muck which means that you might sink up to your knees before you hit hard bottom. Is this what you really want? If you\'re fortunate you\'ll find a lake (in your price range) with a natural sand shoreline. But to do a fair evaluation of the lakeshore means getting out your hip-waders and getting a little wet. \When buying lakeshore property, the quality of the lake, lakeshore, and lake bottom are as important as the house\.

LAKE BOTTOM

What\'s the lake bottom like? Is it hard bottom, sand, gravel muck, or weeds? Does the lake bottom slope gradually or are there steep drop offs? This could be an important safety consideration if you have small children or grandchildren. \Learning about the lake is one of the most important aspects of buying lake property\.

LAKE

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides excellent lake information via their website www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/ Using this website you\'ll be able to determine; how large is the lake, what is the littoral area, how deep is the lake, plus much more. A good quick measure of the quality of a lake is to compare the ratio of lake acres to littoral acres (area less than 15 feet). For instance, Rice Lake (near Brainerd) has 434 acres and 202 littoral acres. This indicates that less than half the lake is less than 15 feet in depth, thus it would be a good overall multi-use lake. Conversely, Little Blueberry Lake is 522 acres in size with a littoral area of 522 acres, with a maximum depth of 15 feet. This indicates that the entire lake has the possibility of blooming over with weeds and vegetation as the summer progresses. It\'s a good idea to get in your boat and check out the lake first hand if that\'s possible. Doing this will also help you determine what kind of cabins/homes are on the lake. Are there million dollar mansions or shacks packed together? Another major consideration is whether or not a lake has milfoil or zebra mussels. They\'re proven to be nasty, and almost impossible to get rid of once they\'re established, and they have a negative affect on the value of lake properties.

LAKE USE

How do you plan on using the lake? Do you plan on swimming? Some lakes/lakefronts are too shallow or weedy for swimming. Do you really want to wade thru muck to go swimming? Do you want to just sit on your dock and relax? Some larger lakes like Minnetonka and Whitefish and others get so much boat and personal watercraft traffic that it\'s almost impossible to just sit on your dock and relax (especially on weekends). With lots of boat traffic, is it safe to water ski or pull your kids on the cool water toys? Lakes less than 150 acres may be too small for skiing. Lakes with a high ratio of littoral area may be too weedy for skiing. Larger lakes like Mille Lacs and Leech Lake have large unprotected surface areas, which enables the wind to whip across and work up four foot waves. Can you swim, ski or fish when there are four foot waves? Lake size matters!

FISHING

Do you or your guests intend on fishing? Do you want to fish in summer and winter? Some lakes are not fishable in winter, others contain \hotspots\. What\'s the quality of fishing - poor - good - excellent? What species of fish reside in the lake; walleye, muskie, bass, or rough fish? Is this what you want to catch? Is there winter kill?

BIODIVERSITY

Some lakefront properties offer vast biodiversity. For instance, on Rice Lake near Brainerd and Clear Lake near Pequot Lakes you will find a mixture of beautiful sand lakeshore coupled with cool natural flowing springs. Biodiversity like this is rare and priceless, but within your grasp. Lakes that are fed by rivers like the Minnesota, St. Croix or Mississippi offer more diversity to explore and enjoy. The adjoining river is an extension of the lake. In essence, the river increases the lake size and opportunities.

LOCATION ON THE LAKE

Every lake lot has advantages or disadvantages depending on where they are located and your perspective. If your house is located on the east side of the lake, you\'ll likely experience beautiful sunsets. If your house is on the west side you\'ll likely get a view of the neat sunrises. Does this make a difference to you? What\'s the elevation to the lake like? Steep or gradual? Can you see the lake from the house? Do you have to wade thru swamp or weeds to get to the lake?

LAKE WATER LEVELS

In north central MN, we\'ve experienced a few back to back years of below average rain fall. Some lake levels have dropped a foot or two. On these lakes, lake front property owners have experienced the \receding\ water level dilemma. Their boat lifts are dry docked, their docks eerily end before the water begins.

AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES

For some buyers, it is important to be close to the amenities that make cabin life comfortable. Such as restaurants, bars, gas, bait, golf courses, hardware and groceries.

DISTANCE AND TRAVEL TIME

For most buyers distance and travel time is important. If you are buying a lake home and live in the twin cities and plan on spending most weekends at the lake, distance and travel time can be significant factors in your purchase decision. Would you rather spend five hours or ten hours a weekend (in the car with anxious kids) commuting to/from the lake?

LAKESHORE BUILDING RESTRICTIONS

Lakeshore building guidelines are set by the state. Each county must adhere to the state guidelines but they can also set their own local restrictions. These collective guidelines dictate things like; set backs of the house from the lake and property lines, and where the well and septic systems must be located. Are you planning on buying a property with the desire to expand later? If so, make sure that your expansion plans conform with \lakeshore\ zoning guidelines. State and county zoning guidelines are available via the World Wide Web.

SEASONAL OR YEAR ROUND USE

Do you want a \summer\ home or are you also interested in using it year round as a get away? Do you snowmobile, cross country ski or ice fish? Is the house insulated for winter use? Have the water lines been plumbed so that you can readily drain them as winter approaches? Do you have to \crawl\ under the cabin to get at the water lines?

PUBLIC ACCESS

Does the lake have a public access? If it doesn\'t - how are you and your guests going to get your water toys in and out of the water? Is the landing concrete or sand/gravel? Will you be able to launch your boat? Beware of lakes on \chains\. Is there a usable/navigable channel that will accommodate the size of boat that you have?

ICE OUT

With spring comes ice out. Depending on the pre-veiling winds, your lakeshore could take a pounding. Mille Lacs Lake for instance is notorious for ice out conditions that send walls of ice and debris towards the lakeshore. These walls of ice will move small mountains of dirt and sand. Your gradual slope to the lake could become a five foot drop-off.

ROAD NOISE

Keep in mind that many lakeshores were plotted off before zoning regulations were in existence. Old wagon trails that were once lightly used have been paved and now carry lots of traffic generating significant road noise. Some lakeshore cabins are within 30 feet of busy highways. Is this situation safe for your children or grand children? What level of road noise is acceptable to you?

LAKESHORE PRICING

If you haven\'t shopped around for lakeshore property, brace yourself for \sticker\ shock. Depending on the location, quality and desirability of the lake and lakefront, lakeshore property in Minnesota will range from $1,500 to over $7,000 a frontage foot. For instance, on Lake Vermillion in northern Minnesota, many sales are in the range of $1,500 to $2,000 per shoreline foot. That compares with $4,500 to $7,000 a foot for the upscale cachet of lakes near Brainerd like Gull or Pelican Lakes, $3,300 on Leech and $2,000 to $2,400 on Lake Winnibigoshish.

Minnesota Lakeshore Pricing \Rules of Thumb\

* If you live on a smaller lake (100 - 500 acres) with gradual to level elevation and a good beach you can expect to pay $1,500 - $2,250 per foot of lakeshore.

* For medium size lakes (500 - 1,000 acres) with gradual to level elevation and a good beach you can expect to pay $2,250 - $3,750 per foot of lakeshore.

* On larger lakes or chains (1,000 - 15,000+ acres) with gradual to level elevation and a good beach you can expect to pay $3,500 - $7,000 per foot of lakeshore.

These figures do not include structures nor do they take into consideration location, beach quality, elevation, trees, exposure and neighboring properties which always influence the market value of property.

Anticipate paying more for a \quality\ lake and lakeshore. Buying into the \right\ lake and lakeshore will have a major impact on your ability to enjoy your purchase and the amount of your return on investment.

In summary; when buying lakeshore property, the quality of the lake and lakeshore are as important as the house. Houses can be remodeled, lots can be landscaped, but you can\'t fix the lake, lake bottom or lakeshore.

If you\'ve enjoyed this article, please be sure to forward it to a friend! The original version in color and with pictures can be found at www.paradiserealestatemn.com. It can be found at the bottom of the HOME page.

Mike and Harriette Wock are founders of Paradise Real Estate, LLC http://www.paradiserealestatemn.com, which specializes in lakefront cabin renovations. For information about engaging Paradise Real Estate, LLC , for your own needs, please contact:

Harriette and Mike Wock11440 St. Croix Trail N. Stillwater, MN 55082

Cell:612.803.2312 Home:651.439.1808 Email:mikewock@yahoo.com

Do You Need Money In a Hurry?

Here are a few ideas that can help you!

In an emergency, what can you do?

You can always sell something. In most people\'s homes there is
something of value that they can sell. Try jewelry, sports
equipment, an antique, video equipment, etc.

As a friend or relative for a loan.

Always pay them back. Preferably as soon as possible. Tell them
when you can and will pay it back.

Use your credit cards. Some banks offer them with no fees.

Use your homes value. Home equity loans a good source of
emergency money. This one may be tax deductible.

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Five Mistakes To Avoid When Making a Short SalePart III

Parts I and II of this article series detailed two mistakes to avoid when making a short sale. The first is not to believe that short sales are quick and easy. The second is to remember that banks do not lose money on short sales.

Now Part III tackles the final three mistakes you need to avoid when making a short sale.

Bogus Belief #3: Seller bankruptcy stops foreclosure.

Many sellers seem to believe that if they declare bankruptcy, the lender can\'t foreclose, allowing them to stay in the property forever without paying.

As the investor, this bogus belief makes trying to convince the seller to cooperate in a short sale difficult. Why would they want to sell if they think they can live free forever?

So it\'s your job to be aware of this myth and inform the seller that bankruptcy actually DELAYS the sale for a number of months but does not stop foreclosure. This is therefore a critical fact to remember when talking to sellers in pre-foreclosure.

Bogus Belief #4: If the foreclosure auction is less than 6 weeks away, it\'s too late to negotiate a short sale.

I used to believe this one myself. But that\'s because I was making the mistake I warned you about in Bogus Belief #2. However, once I discovered that banks lose more money by not letting investors buy the property before the foreclosure sale, I realized that some lenders are actually willing to delay the auction in order to complete a short sale.

By attempting to negotiate a short sale even if the foreclosure auction is less than six weeks away, you\'re helping the bank save money. And you\'re helping the homeowner save his credit.

Bogus Belief #5: The seller can\'t get any money if you\'re not paying the bank in full.

This is true. Unless you are creative.

It is true that the seller can\'t get any money for the sale of the PROPERTY that might appear on the closing statement. And this could be a deal-breaker for the seller who needs that $500 or $1000 in cash to move. Only there is a way to legally circumvent this dilemma. Simply buy something else from the seller, such as appliances, furniture or any of his personal property you can use. Then put your purchase on a separate bill of sale, NOT on the closing statement.

It\'s perfectly legal for the seller to get money, but keep in mind that it is impossible to get the bank to accept a short sale when there\'s money for the seller listed on the purchase contract or the closing statement.

Most bankers realize you are probably giving the seller something to get out of the house. They just don\'t want or need to know about it.

Deb McMillan, OPHP, CMI, is a real estate investor and writer, living in Hamilton, Ohio, and has written a home study course on Short Sale Success Systems detailing how to get deep discounts from the bank when buying pre-foreclosures. She has been investing in real estate since 1986 and buying, selling, and teaching short sale strategies since 2000. She teaches how to talk to sellers to get them to do what is necessary to save their credit and reveals strategies to negotiate with the banks to get deep discounts when you buy the real estate. She also teaches about bankruptcy and what you can and can\'t do once a homeowner files. Log on to http://www.shortsalesqueen.com for more information on how to make your deals close.

Choosing The Best Credit Card To Apply For

Always shop around to get the best deal when choosing which credit card to apply for. If you don't do your due diligence you could end up with a card that has too high of an interest rate, that has an unnecessarily high annual membership fee, etc. Here are some things to look for when checking out the different credit card offers you may receive in the mail.

1. Credit Card Terms:

When using a credit card you are in effect borrowing money from the credit card company. The terms and conditions of credit that you agree to when you apply for the credit card will affect your overall cost. Compare terms and fees before you apply.

2. Annual Percentage Rate:

The APR is the yearly rate that is charged for money borrowed on the card. It must be shown on the application and on billing statements. Some plans are variable rate programs. They can change with interest rates or other economic indicators. Some cards also have a short term low interest rate fee that rises 3, 6, or 12 months after you have had the card. Does the card you are looking at getting have this and if so what will you be being charged(APR) after the rate goes up.

3. Free Period:

Do you start getting charged interest from the moment you use the card or is there a grace period, a free period that lets you avoid finance charges by paying your balance in full before the due date. A credit card can be a real nice way of getting free money. You do have to watch out though for the cards that don't offer the grace period. If your card includes a 'grace period', the issuer must mail your bill at least 14 days before the due date so you'll have enough time to pay.

4. Annual Fees:

What annual membership or participation fees do you have to pay. Most cards have these fees.

5. Transaction Fees and Other Charges:

Many other fees can also be added onto the card and knowing these can make the difference in having a card you want and one you could quite easily live without. For example: some issuers charge a fee for a cash advance, if you make a late payment, or exceed your credit limit. Some charge a monthly fee whether or not you use the card.

6. Other considerations:

How high is the credit limit?
How widely is the card accepted?

All these tips can help you get the best deal when shopping for a credit card. Just remember to look at the fine print on anything that you sign. This is the easiest way to come out the winner and getting the card you truly want is what it's all about...Because Money Matters

James Mercer runs the Because Money Matters blog, http://www.becausemoneymatters.blogspot.com. It is updated each day Monday-Friday giving advice on financial matters that are important to everyone. From credit cards, home loans, stocks, commodities, to scams and scammers that are trying to rip you off. Come on in and check out the advice that could make your life much richer.

Real Estate Marketing Flyers 24/7 Marketing

The real estate marketing flyer box is a 24 hours a day agent,
and is standard equipment among high producing real estate
agents.

And what do you suppose you do with them? Stuff them with real
estate marketing flyers, of course! And as you may know, real
state marketing flyers are the bread and butter of the real
estate indusrtry.

A good, informative real estate marketing flyer has enough
information on it to get the most desireable response; a phone
call or email message to you. The rest, as the say, will be up
to you.

The flyer should at a minimum have your full name, address, and
phone number(s), your photograph, a photograph or two of the
listings, price, property description, and description of the
location, neighborhood, and amenities.

A good real estate marketing flyer will also be attractively
designed, neat and devoid of clutter. It should also be done in
clear and easy to read type fonts.

Although color copies are relatively expensive these days it is
still a good idea to have at least a splash of color.

Perhaps your real estate marketing flyer can reflect the
happenings in your community, such as a photograph of the local
sports team, an attractive park in the area, or a scenic view.
Let the flyer sell you and your listings for you!

And as implied above, real estate marketing flyers are no longer
restricted to placement inside homes. Additionally, you can
place them outside homes and have them market your listings
24/7.

Many real estate marketing flyer boxes come equipped with easy
reach business card dispensers. Some all-weather-resistant
construction boxes will hold over one hundred single sheet
flyers in a upright fashion.

No slouching, no bunching! The self-closing lid and ventilation
system keeps the real estate marketing flyers just like new.

So, if you're not marketing via real estate marketing flyers, or
if you are not marketing with outside flyer boxes you may want
to consider stepping it up a notch or two. Afterall, the more
successful agents are marketing 24/7! Are you?

Best Car Loan Rates Prime Lenders vs. Sub Prime Auto Lenders

The best car loan rates are out there if you search for them.
Based on your credit past, you may find either a prime or sub
prime auto lender is your best choice. The surest way to find
the answer is to request free online loan quotes to narrow your
choices.

The Differences Between Prime and Sub Prime Lenders

Prime and sub prime lenders differ in the types of loans they
offer. Prime lenders offer A loans to those with credit scores
of 650 or higher. Sub prime lenders provide loans to everyone
else. Sometimes though, financing companies offer both types of
financing.

Sub prime loans have higher rates and fees since the risk is
higher for lenders. Reasonable lenders will only charge a couple
of points higher for most types of loans.

Who Has The Best Rates?

The only way to find who has the best rates is to do your own
comparison shopping. Depending on your credit score, you may be
surprised who can offer you the most competitive package.

As important as low rates are, fees should also be considered.
Fortunately the government made comparison shopping easy by
requiring lenders to disclose the APR of any loan. The APR
includes both closing costs and rates.

Find The Right Lender

You should start your car loan shopping online, not at the
dealership. There are too many incentives for the salespeople
for you to be sure you are getting the best deal.

Start with a car loan broker site that brings many lenders
together. You can quickly access free quotes from there. Then
follow up with other lenders.

And don\'t give permission for a lender to access your credit
report unless you are pretty sure you want to go with their
offer. Otherwise, you will find that multiple credit inquires
will lower your score and hurt your loan application.

While there are no instant solutions to finding the best auto
loan rates, online sites do make it faster. A couple of hours
spent securing your vehicle financing will both save you money
and make the car buying process easier.

China Syndrome

There has been great condemnation recently because China has been selling its goods on the world market at prices below what other countries, especially the U.S., can produce. It has been called exporting deflation.

The major reason for these extremely low prices has been their labor costs which I am told are about $100 per month for ordinary factory workers. Even factories in Mexico are being closed and shipped to China because of the labor differential. These extremes in production costs are literally putting many, many companies out of business. When you look at the labels in almost any store you will note the product is made in some Asian country. As far as you, the consumer, is concerned you are buying a product at a good value. Political considerations aside there is no question this has been beneficial to retail buyers.

Is there any reason China should act otherwise? No, they are acting like any businessman. Yes, I realize it is a country, but countries do the same as businesses just on a larger scale.

Suppose you and I each own a hamburger franchise. I have a McDonalds and you have a Berger King across the street. We each sell our hamburgers for 99 cents. The competition is equal. You also own a huge cattle ranch and slaughter house/packing plant as well as a large bakery and you want to increase your retail food business so you pass along the savings you make from the meat production and bakery to the burger stand. You reduce the price to 75 cents and now make a profit of 20 cents per burger whereas I only make 10 cents and must sell it for 99 cents. When someone wants a hamburger where do you think they will go?

I can scream all I want about how unfair this is, but so what. He is not selling at a loss and even if I lower my price I can\'t go low enough to make a profit. I eventually will lose all my customers to him and will go out of business. Is that fair? Sorry, but fair doesn\'t count. That\'s business.

China is selling hamburgers (whatever) cheap, but they are of equal quality. Consumers want both quality and price (value) and don\'t care where it comes from. Countries are complaining that they are selling \too cheap\. No they are not because they are making a reasonable profit. One of their production tools (cheap labor) is so good that businesses from all over the world are moving there to take advantage of it. If they don\'t they will be out of business. You can\'t blame them.

Over the next 10 to 20 years China can become the world\'s leading country because of their economic development. They don\'t have the overhead (translation - central government, entitlement programs, lawyers, labor unions, etc.) we do so they will be able to keep costs down. Eventually (many years) their central government will slowly evolve toward giving more to their people, but it is going to be decades. In the meantime, learn to speak Chinese.

Al Thomas\' book, \If It Doesn\'t Go Up, Don\'t BuyIt!\ has helped thousands of people make moneyand keep their profits with his simple 2-stepmethod. Read the first chapter athttp://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he\'s the man that Wall Streetdoes not want you to know.

Copyright 2005

al@mutualfundstrategy.com; 1-888-345-7870

Debt Consolidation Loans Presenting a Systematic Approach to the Debt Problem

Most of us will wonder whether consolidation of debts in the debts consolidation process is as important to make the entire debt settlement process named after it. Considered just a preliminary processing of debts, borrowers do not regard the consolidation process important. The following case however, will reveal the significance of the process of consolidation of debts.



Mr. Blake has entrusted the task of debt settlement to one of the best loan providers in the UK. Being equipped with a debt consolidation loan at the lowest rate of interest, he expects to successfully lead the debts to settlement. Things however, worsen when a debt crops up unawares. Either he considered the debt too trivial for being considered or it just slipped his mind. Now, the entire debt plan has gone kaput, with no knowledge how to deal with the new entrant. A new debt plan needs to be designed again if the new debt needs to be included.



All these could have been safely precluded had a proper cognisance of all debts and their clustering had been performed. The problems that can emerge as a result of not following the process advise that it be surely performed. Consolidation process is more of a reality check. The enormity of the debt problem can be recognised better after the debts have been totalled up. The debt consolidation loan size will also depend on the total amount of debts.



This does not in any way reduce the importance of the other processes involved in debt settlement. The stage of debt consolidation prepares the groundwork on which the entire process of debt settlement is based. Debt consolidation loans require the borrower to part with the process once the debts have been listed. Therefore, a few minutes of reconciling with the debts will not be as troublesome for borrowers. Yes, it is just a few minutes that will be needed to complete the task of debt consolidation.



After the debts have been consolidated, the part of the debt consolidation loan provider commences. The loan provider deals with debts in the following manner:



The creditor is paid a one and final payment in lieu of the amount due on the borrower.

The creditor is requested to lower the rate of interest or freeze the rate of interest.



Most creditors are repaid through the latter method. Lenders of unsecured loans, for instance are requested to lower the rate of interest. Where a loan has been secured against an asset, not much can be done because the creditor will instantly repossess the asset to recover his dues. This method however, helps in saving a lot on the interest cost and thus on the actual repayment cost.



Debt consolidation loans help to remove the immediate repayment burden from the borrower. Since the term of repayment in case of debt consolidation loans is large, a borrower is able to prepare for the repayment beforehand. Varied repayment methods are available with lenders to ease the repayment process. The most often used method of repayment is through monthly repayments spread over the term of repayment. This method is recommended because with time the repayable amount goes on decreasing and the monthly instalments are lesser.



The participation of the loan provider in the debt consolidation process is a distinct feature that is available only on debt consolidation loans. Home equity loans and credit cards that too are used for debt settlement, however do not offer this facility. The purview of operations of the lender in this case ends once the amount is sanctioned. This is the reason why more people prefer debt consolidation loans particularly for the purpose of debt settlement.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Andrew baker has done his masters in finance from CPIT.He is engaged in providing free,professional,and independent advice to the residents of the UK.He works for the Secured loan web site loans fiesta for any type of loans in uk,secured loans,unsecured loans,debt consolidation loans please visit www.loansfiesta.co.uk

Investment Secrets The Investment That Made Donald Trump Billions

There is an investment secret that has made many of the world\'s wealthiest investor\'s huge capital gains.

It has out performed shares, mutual funds unit trusts and property, with lower volatility and has out performed many so called higher risk investments such as managed futures and currencies.

This simple investment secret for capital growth is open to all and only needs a minimum investment of around $10,000.

So, what is it? Read on

It\'s, investing in land

If you have never considered land, its time to start, it really is the investment secret that has made astute investors worldwide fortunes.

It\'s now affordable for smaller investors and there are many specialist companies catering for inexperienced investors who can give all the advice and help you need to turn your investment into long term capital gains potential.

As Donald Trump said:

\I just love real estate. It\'s tangible, it\'s solid, and it\'s beautiful.\

Howard Hughes was another who took advantage of this investment secret and made big gains, buying underdeveloped land in California, which is now worth billions.

You don\'t have to be rich to invest in land either, anyone investing in mutual funds, unit trusts or shares should consider it as a portfolio diversification.

A recent newspaper article featured an investor who turned just a 1,000 investment into 3.5 million in just 11 years!

Now, you may not do as well as this investor but land represents a fantastic opportunity for those who know how to buy in the right location.

So where should you buy land?

The investment secret of investors worldwide is to buy land in the UK for capital growth.

Why?

Quite simply, it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, has a rising population and a huge shortage of affordable housing.

This means land in the RIGHT location is in short supply.

Buying in the right location

To maximize this investment secret you need to buy in the right location.

Once the land is granted planning permission to build houses, investors will see a big capital gain on the land and can sell at a profit.

920% average gains!

The AVERAGE capital gain on UK land has been a staggering 920% over the last 20 years.

This is far in excess of shares unit trusts or mutual funds and many leveraged investments. Even better this investment has featured low volatility.

Keep in mind this is the AVERAGE and astute investors with good plot location have made far bigger gains.

Limited downside

The downside is limited as well. Even if a land investment does not appreciate much in value it\'s unlikely to fall in value much either. As over the longer term land prices tend to rise in value anyway.

Mark Twain once said:

\Buy land their not making it any more\

That\'s good advice! As you can see this investment secret is essentially easy to understand and is open to all investors.

Liquidity buy back options

If you need your money quickly, many land companies offer a solid buy back option for the land purchased, so you can cash in your investment at anytime.

Land therefore has a lot of advantages and when you add them all up they give everyone access to the investment secret the world\'s wealthiest investors have known for years.

free report on land investing

Telling you all you need to know about investing, buying in the right location and buy back options, request your FREE copy today:

http://www.lpgroupinternational.com

Bad Credit Car Loans Things You Should Know Before You Apply

If you are seeking a car loan and you have credit problems you are probably seeing that bad credit can make getting a loan difficult. However, getting a car loan with bad credit is much easier than getting approved for a credit card with bad credit.

Lenders are much more likely to approve you for a car loan than a credit card because the car is used as collateral for the loan. Unsecured loans with bad credit are much more difficult to get.

Different Kinds of Auto Finance Companies - To find a car loan online, there are many lenders to choose from. Some of the lenders will submit your application to many different auto finance companies and some of them are direct lenders with their own loan programs. Some of the car loan companies online work only with dealerships to finance your car.

Know What Kind of Lender You Are Dealing With - Be careful when you apply with a company that will only finance you through a dealership. If you are going to use this kind of financing, make sure you also have other loan offers to compare the interest rate to. Many lenders work with dealerships to charge the borrower an excessive amount of interest. They will charge a much higher rate than the borrower would have received if he/she had shopped around.

Don\'t Have Your Credit Pulled Too Often - Every time your credit is pulled after the first couple of times, your credit score will drop a little each time. Make sure you only apply with 3-4 companies before you decide who to work with. If the company will submit your application to multiple lenders, this can be a bonus for you to get a competitive rate or multiple offers without having your credit pulled over and over.

Recent Bankruptcy? - If you have a recent bankruptcy, get comparative quotes to get the best rate. However, know this. If your bankruptcy has been within the last 2 years, your interest rate will be much higher than if you wait and apply after 2 years from the discharge date. Once a bankruptcy has past the 2 year mark, more lenders are able to approve the loan, which makes the interest rate more competitive.

See our list of recommended bad credit car loan companies by visiting, Recommended Bad Credit Auto Loan Companies.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

How Will Check 21 Affect You?

You may already be familiar with Check 21, a federal law that goes into effect on October 28, 2004. If you're like me, this maybe something you hadn't heard about until just yesterday. TheCheck Clearing for the 21st Century Act, otherwise known as Check21, is the process of turning the checks your write into images andtransmitting them by computer.

What does this mean to you?

Expect the time your check clears to decrease drastically. If you livepaycheck to paycheck and often count on a one or two day grace period to getfunds into your account after paying bills, you'll need to re-organize your budgetingprocess. Checks will clear in a matter of hours now, not days.

You will no longer be getting your cancelled checks back with yourbank statement. If you get anything at all, it will be a substitute check which is a certain kind of copy of your original check.

You may be charged extra fees. It's possible that by using this method, your check will be paid twice: once with the original and once with thescanned image. Or there may be an error made in the amount a checkwas written for in the process of turning an paper check into an electroniccheck.

What you should do:

Re-organize your budget. You have to make sure that you have thefunds in your account to cover every check you write to avoid bouncingany checks.

Request substitute checks. You will not be entitled to a credit to youraccount if an error has been made unless you have a substitute check.

Balance your checkbook. If you are not in the habit of balancing yourcheckbook with your bank statement each month, you need to start.This will ensure that you'll find any mistakes that may have been made.

Learn more. Consumer's Union did not support Check 21. Find out whyand learn more about Check 21 HERE

Shannon Jarvies is a WAHM with five beautiful children and a wonderful husband.

She also runs a Debt Management Website where you can find resources on how to eliminate debtincluding debt consolidation, budgeting help and money saving tips and ideas.

For MortgageRefinance Help Get the Best Mortgage Professional Not a Bank Loan Officer

When you need a mortgage -- either because you are buying, refinancing, taking out equity or getting into investment real estate, you need a good mortgage professional. Now, you may be tempted to go to your local savings and loan, as they may promise lower fees or zero costs. Meanwhile, in virtually every case, banks can't compete with mortgage professionals on the two most important things -- interest rates and service.

Also, the banker who promises very low closing costs will probably be making his money on a higher rate, and he'll likely try to sell you on discounting that higher rate, by paying a percentage of the loan amount. This is a common tactic bank loan officers use, and it is a very poor strategy in almost every case for you to buy a rate.

Finally, bank loan officers can't come close to the service of a good, honest mortgage professional. When dealing with a bank, you have to go to them, you have to close your loan where they tell you to close, you can only get your interest rate locked in when you've jumped through all of their hoops (mortgage professionals can lock your rate the day you call, over the telephone).

Mortgage professionals are in the service business. Unlike bankers, mortgage professionals need you, because they work strictly on commission. So, they will do everything possible to make you happy, because they want your referrals, and they want you to come back every time you do a loan.Good Mortgage professionals will treat you like you are their only customer. They give you their personal cell phone numbers and tell you to call them anytime of day. They meet you anywhere - home, work, your favorite coffee shop or restaurant, or any other place you designate. They go the extra yard to close your loan.

I once helped an elderly gentleman, on a fixed income, who needed to get cash from his house, in order to fix a dilapidated roof. He had 14 liens against his home, which made nearly impossible to refinance. I worked for a month, getting all of these items cleared. I even dealt with a bank collector, and got him to take thousands less for an old debt, just so we could close the loan and the man could stop the rain from coming into his home. Almost every bank loan officer would have sent this man away, because they don't want to do this much work.

So, remember, you need a mortgage professional, when getting any kind of home or refinance loan. Be sure you get the best.

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com

Small Business Loan Proposal

Applying for a small business loan can be exciting and yet stressful at the same time. For the best results and to heighten your level of confidence, be prepared when you visit the lender you\'ve chosen for your business loan interview. After you have your business plan prepared, start preparing for the loan by writing a loan proposal to present to the lender.

The loan proposal should state some crucial information, and many details, about both yourself and your business or business idea. It should state who you are, how much money you need and where the money will be spent, how you intend to repay the loan, and what you plan on doing in the even that you cannot repay the loan.

The following are key elements to include in your loan proposal.

1. Summary.

This should be listed first in your proposal, but will be written last. It should contain clear, concise, accurate, inviting information about your business or your business ideas. It should summarize how the proposed loan will be used, how it will be repaid, and how it will benefit your business. Remember your competition in the summary of your loan proposal, and point out features of your business that are different from your competitors.

2. Management Profiles.

The management profile section of the loan proposal should explain, most importantly, who you are. Be prepared to reveal everything about yourself and your experience. Have a current resum included as part of the loan proposal, as well as a summary of your skills, qualifications, and other credentials for yourself, as well as for all other owners and key members of your management team.

3. Business Description.

It\'s not necessary to state the same information mentioned in your business plan as in your loan proposal. However, you do need to present a solid description of the business. Include a brief history of the business in your loan proposal, and detail the current activities. If it\'s a new business, explain the details of the business that will be developed. Your goal will to be to clearly demonstrate that you fully understand your markets, your competitors, and the industry, including current trends or risks and how you plan to overcome those potential dilemmas. If the loan is for an existing business, include literature that details your products or services, such as current sales sheets, brochures, or catalogs. Include attachments to your loan proposal for this section, such as letters from suppliers, customers, or other business references. Demonstrate through these letters that you provide excellent customer service, and that you pay back your creditors.

4. Business Projections.

Create at least two years\' worth of projected income statements and cash flow statements. Your projections should be clearly stated and, most importantly, realistic in nature. Generally, you probably won\'t need to present the \worst case\ or \best case\ scenario unless the lender asks for you to write the projections that way. You should, however, be prepared to answer questions pertaining to what you\'ll do if some of your projections don\'t work out as planned. For example, if you anticipate obtaining a large, new contract or customer based on improvements made with the business loan, and that contract never goes through, it could change your loan proposal projections drastically.

5. Financial Statements.

Your loan proposal should include both business and personal financial statements. Be aware that the lender will fully analyze the history of your financial statements, calculating all ratios. Be prepared to point out any significant trends you\'ve shown in an introductory paragraph.

6. Loan Purpose.

One of the most important parts of your loan proposal is a detailed description of how you will use the loan proceeds. Have a good understanding of the type of loan that you need, and remember to include the proceeds of the loan in your cash flow projections, as well as the interest in your projected income statement.

7. Repayment Plans.

Repayment plans should also be stated in your financial projections section of the loan proposal, but details of repayment plans should be detailed separately. Propose the terms you want, and prepare for negotiations with the financial institution. The lender will consider a number of factors as they review the overall risk of lending you the money. Understandably, this will impact the repayment terms that they are willing to offer for your business.

Especially if your credit is good, and even if your credit is not so good, remember that in your loan proposal, you are offering the bank a deal that will make them money. Don\'t go in asking the lender for an \allowance.\ Instead, enter the interview with your loan proposal objective in mind; namely, focusing on how much money you\'ll need, and remove the idea of going into the meeting wondering how much they\'re willing to lend. Never go into a meeting asking for a loan, wondering whether or not they\'ll lend to you. If this first lender won\'t approve your loan proposal, have confidence that a different will.

Rebecca Game is the founder of Digital Women , an online community for women in business. A 30 year entrepreneur and dedicated to helping other women find business loans. Visit her site: Loans for Women

http://digital-women.com
http://loans.digital-women.com

Stock Market Insanity

Let\'s first define insanity. It is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. And that is what most investors do and they can\'t understand why they are not able to make money in the stock market.

Do these investors need a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a talk with their minister or none of the above? I know, you think they should talk to their broker or their financial planner. Believe me, folks, these two are part of the problem and not the solution.

If they knew the answers everyone would be rich. Let\'s go back and look at who taught these mavens how to invest. The Wall Street brokerage houses taught them or rather did not teach them the most basic rules of the game. Why? Because brokerage houses want you to buy (for commission) and they do not want you to sell even though that means another commission. There are two basic reasons they don\'t want you to sell and it has nothing to do with that one selling commission.

If you sell you might take your money out of your account and that is one of the things the Maul Street crowd never wants to happen, but the most important is they make money when your account is invested. It is not a lot, but it in a nice steady 1% or more. You are their unspoken collateral in the worldwide money shuffle.

Any broker who suggests a customer sell is usually chastised in some way or just plain fired. A broker who allows large sums of cash to accumulate in customers accounts is told to invest (?) it or hit the road. The house (that\'s the brokerage firm) does not want to see customers with big cash balances although there are times when that is exactly where they should be. Remember 2000 to 2003? During that three year period wouldn\'t it have been better for your account to have had no stock or fund positions?

Brokers or financial planners are not taught simple methods to protect customer funds. And I mean simple. Too many folks during the 2000 debacle lost 40% of their money and more. There was absolutely no reason for this if basic money management techniques were instituted.

Customers could be made aware that they should not give back more than 10%, maybe as much as 15%, of their portfolio value when the stock market goes in the tank. That occurs on a regular basis. Declines in equities of 20% to 40% happen regularly and no customer should be mesmerized into holding during those periods.

During the 2000-2001 period there were less than 3% recommendations by brokers to sell and those sells were after the stock had crashed about 80% to 90%. It is too late then. Your money is gone.If brokers and financial planners had been taught to advise people to place 10% stop loss orders their retirement accounts they would be much fatter today.

Stop doing the same thing over and over again because of bad advice. Learn to sell when your position goes negative. Don\'t be one of the insane.

Al Thomas\' book, \If It Doesn\'t Go Up, Don\'t BuyIt!\ has helped thousands of people make moneyand keep their profits with his simple 2-stepmethod. Read the first chapter athttp://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he\'s the man that Wall Streetdoes not want you to know.

Copyright 2005

al@mutualfundstrategy.com; 1-888-345-7870

Cheap Loans For The Borrowers Fixated On Low Cost

Finance market is at peak reaching for new heights. Increasing number of lenders in the finance market has opened a new dimension for the borrowers to take advantage of borrowing money at competitive interest rates. Each lender wants to grab more and more number of borrowers and thus offer infinite number of loan options and that too at cheaper rates. Cheap loans are the latest addition in the loan category that offers cheap and easy loans to the borrowers.

The word \cheap loan\ is defined differently by different people. For some a cheap loan can either be a loan with the lowest monthly repayments for a sum of money, or to another a loan which has the lowest amount of interest repayable in total. A cheap loan can be in the form of cheap personal loan, cheap secured loan, cheap unsecured loan and the list is endless.

The usage of cheap loan is not confined to middle or lower class people. It just implies that a loan is offered at better terms and conditions that go perfectly with the borrower\'s requirement. These terms vary from individual to individual. For a regular income earner, a lower monthly loan will help in saving a big sum of money. On the other hand, for a businessman whose monthly income is not stable, a loan with flexible monthly payments such as overpayments, underpayments or payment holiday will be highly suitable.

Before you apply for a loan, the first thing you need to consider is what a cheap loan means to you, a low cost, lower monthly payments or a longer monthly term some of these or a combination of all these.

Various loans are available in the loan market to meet the needs of diverse group of people in UK. To find a cheap loan, you need to do a bit of research. You can start your research with finding the lenders who can provide cheap loans. Traditional lenders such as financial institutions and banks can be approached to find out their terms and policy of lending. Applying for a loan from a bank involves a lengthy and rigorous process. It involves lot of paperwork. A borrower has to stand in queue to deposit their application form and has to wait for a long time to know the status of their application. What will a borrower do with the money he can borrower today which he needed a week back to meet some urgent financial crisis. Important factors such as speed and time get ignored in the whole loan application process.

But, in case if you have learnt to match pace with the latest technology then you can look for online lenders who can offer you better deal at cheaper rates. Online loans can save your precious time and money. Online lenders understand that the key factors rules in today\'s fast-paced life are speed and right timing. And that\'s what they focus on. The online process of applying for a loan is easy. A borrower just needs to fill up a small application form with some personal details such as name, loan amount one wants to borrow and few other. One should not worry about his or her personal information getting misused; majority of the online lending websites ensure its privacy.

Do read the privacy policy of the websites to make sure that your details are in the safer hands. A borrower can browse infinite number of online lenders by browsing through several lending websites to find the loan that is cheap and matches his or her personal needs and financial circumstances to the best. A borrower can collect loan quotes from several lenders for the loan that he is looking for and then he should compare them to find the best cheap loan.

Next thing you need to focus on is your credit status. A good credit rating will help you borrow money from the finance market at better rates. People with bad credit rating too can get a cheap loan but, the interest rate or monthly payments will be comparatively higher. As there exist a risk of default or failure to pay the installments on the part of the borrower.

A loan that involves low monthly payments, longer repayment term, flexible repayment options and low cost will be a perfect mix of what is called a cheap loan. A well-planned thorough research will help you find a cheap loan that goes well with your financial circumstances.

Amanda Thompson holds a Bachelor\'s degree in Commerce from CPIT and has completed her master\'s in Business Administration from IGNOU. She is as cautious about her finances as any person reading this is. She is working as financial consultant for chanceforloans .To find a Personal loans,bad credit loans, Cheap Loan, Debt consolidation, home equity loans at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit http://www.chanceforloans.co.uk

Bridging Loans

A couple of years ago my wife and I were in the process of selling our house. We were pretty sure we had found a buyer and had agreed on a price acceptable to both them, and us but they wouldn't be able to buy our house for about three months. My wife and I were totally ok with this since we weren't in any particular hurry to move, we just wanted to move into a bigger home outside of town, somewhere a bit more rural.



Well, one weekend while we were driving around the countryside looking at houses, we saw the perfect farmhouse. It was exactly what we were looking for. Not too far out of town, on a quiet road, overlooking a little lake and surrounded by tall oak trees. In short it was perfect.



We contacted the selling agent and found out that the price was within our budget, but only just. We told him it would be three months before we'd be able to buy it and this caused him to pause. Apparently there was a lot of interest in that little house and he couldn't justify delaying the sale for three months. So we let it go.



Why a Bridging Loan?



We did find another beautiful house so the story has a happy ending but is there anything we could have done to get that first house? The answer, had we known it at the time, would have been a bridging loan. Bridging loans are short-term loans offered by commercial lenders to borrowers for a specific purpose. They can range in time from two weeks, for a very short loan, to up to three years for commercial bridging loans. Homebuyers who have not yet sold their property and wish to buy require these bridging loans.



Interest Rates



The interest rates are probably higher than for your typical mortgage but this is because of the added flexibility and convenience you have from the lender. There will also be set up fees involved. However, they may work out at significantly cheaper than some of the alternatives such as renting accommodation. There will also be many situations in which the price will be well worth paying if it means getting your dream home.



You should always shop around before agreeing to a bridging loan as rates and fees can vary significantly. You don't have to get it from your mortgage provider although there may be advantages to doing so.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the loan information sites www.selectloans.co.uk/ and also www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk. At the Personal Loan Store you can find all the different loan types explained.