Archive for November, 2007
Sunday, November 25th, 2007
All good things carry with them some degree of risk. The same holds true with real estate investing. Despite the promise of high rewards you should temper those ambitions with the reality that the risks involved are more often than not just as high as the potential rewards. For this reason you need to take every possible precaution in order to insure that you minimize your exposure to risk whenever possible or at the very least are prepared, financially and mentally to accept the consequences of those risks if the time comes.
The most obvious risk when it comes to real estate investing is the immediate risk of losing your investment. This risk can be a huge blow depending on how large your investment was to begin with but isn’t the worst thing that can happen during the course of a real estate investment gone wrong. While I’m certainly not trying to talk you out of investing in real estate all together it is a good idea to have a realistic view of the risks and the potential rewards.
If you are flipping houses as your real estate investment you have the potential to loose a little more as you can become injured during the course of your work. The sad truth is that many who are attempting to break into the business of flipping houses have neither adequate insurance coverage (this is true of themselves and the property in general and others that may be working on the property), the money, nor the time that a serious injury might require.
Another risk common to real estate investing is the fact that stuff happens. Market trends tumble, companies go out of business leaving towns and the local real estate market in shambles, accidents happen during the course of the work, natural disasters occur, and buyers change their minds and pull out at the last minute. Each of these things can have devastating consequences and are almost always events that are completely beyond your control as a real estate investor.
If that wasn’t enough many investors fail to have a proper inspection and find out when it is really too late that there are serious structural problems and other sorts of things wrong with the property. These things cost money to repair and cut into profits, occasionally resulting in a loss. The thing is that once you find out something is wrong with the property you are honor bound to either reveal the problem to potential buyers or fix the problems before selling the house. In the case of a flip, many major problems will undo the work that has already be done. If this doesn’t remind you of the importance of a thorough inspection I have no idea exactly what will but inspections are important for many reasons and can save a lot of time and money if you have one done ahead of time.
Do not allow the risks of real estate investing prevent you from taking the plunge. They are spelled out here to remind you that prudence and caution are wise when investing in real estate not to talk you out of this potentially lucrative field of investing. If you are interested in real estate investing there is no reason on earth you shouldn’t take the time and make the effort to learn more about its potential.
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Posted in Investment, Real Estate | No Comments »
Thursday, November 22nd, 2007
A debt consolidation loan is a kind of loan that serves different purposes. Often times, it is used to unite unsecured debts. This indirectly aids the one in debt to easily juggle his or her financial conditions and also be able to pay back the loan without anxiety. A consolidated debt is the easiest path of relief to everyone contending with credit card bills, student loans or car loans. What a debt consolidation loan does is that it will take away all the frustrating bills and assist you pay the money in one monthly payment. Your credit status will never be affected when you make use of this method. It stays unharmed.
There are different kinds of debt consolidation loan that you can lay your hands on. There is the secured and unsecured loan. In the former, you need to have something of a very high value that you can use to secure the loan. In other words, you will be required to have collateral security. A good case in point is a home. The lender’s risk is less and the interest rate is constantly low. On the other hand, the unsecured loan comes with a lot of risk for the lender. This is because you are not required to surrender any precious asset before being given the loan. So, this makes the lender to charge you a higher interest rate and in addition give you some other limitations when borrowing.
The debt consolidation loan is reachable for anyone with good credit rating. But those with poor credit rating are also given the opening to take the loan. This makes room for them to improve their credit status and in turn be able to pay off their high bills.
The best place to look for a debt consolidation loan is the World Wide Web. There is an avalanche of online pages on the theme. However, you are advised to gain a proper understanding of the theme first before getting yourself involved in debt consolidation loan. This is because not every online pages out there talking about debt consolidation loan is true. Some of them are deceitful and may dupe you of your hard earned money with a simple clause in the agreement. If you need support, you can get it from an online debt consolidation service. These kinds of people assist people like you to take a proper decision when seeking for a loan.
A debt consolidation loan will go a long way to give you relief from rising monthly bills and assist you repay the full amount without anxiety. As I mentioned before now, there is need to be amazingly informed of the theme before delving into it. My candid advice is to seek the support of a trusted attorney to assist you out.
[Via Ras Reed]
Posted in Debt Consolidation, Loan | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
Once you graduate and find a job, the reality of paying back your student loans hits. Below are some steps you can take to help keep the payments from causing you heartache.
The first rule is to stick to a payment plan. Set aside a certain amount every month for your loan payment. Making a larger payment than required each month can help you pay back the loan sooner, thereby saving you a great deal of money on interest. If you think you may “forget”, set it so the payment is electronically transferred each month.
Though interest rates of student loans are low compared to credit cards and other loans, it’s still a frustrating reality to deal with. But there is hope, if you’re making under $65,000 on your own or less than $130,000 if filing jointly you can deduct up to $2,500 of the yearly interest you’re paying on your student loan.
If you’re simply can’t come up with your monthly payment, there are options. Since your salary is only going to grow as you climb the corporate ladder, you can schedule graduated repayment plans with your lender. You start with a low monthly payment that will gradually get larger over the term of your loan.
If you’re absolutely out of options, you might be able to temporarily suspend your payments. If you lose your job or go back to school for an advanced degree, you can request a deferment of your loan payments. If your request is granted and you have a Stafford loan, the government will actually take care of the interest that accrues during your deferment.
If you can’t get a deferment, try forbearance. You can suspend payments for up to a year, though you’ll still be responsible for the built up interest.
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Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
Everyone who decides to flip a house has dreams of being the one to bring home the big one. You know that really huge success story about how you made more money in three months of working on a house than you and your wife combined made last year. The sad truth is that very few flippers ever have a flip that good and those that do often do not manage to do so on their very first flip. If you don’t have those dreams it’s glad to see that you have your feet firmly planted in the sometimes harsh soils of reality.
Flipping houses is one form of real estate investing that has received a lot of media attention in the last few years and is currently the source of many interesting television shows that play on do it yourself channels on television. If you haven’t managed to watch any of these shows you may be in a much better position to tackle your first flip than many who see these shows and get a false sense of confidence when it comes to bringing in a substantial profit by flipping houses. While the profits exist and are much better than most people would envision, the average first timer doesn’t fare on the higher end of the profit scales all too often.
In fact, most first time flippers make rather slim profits when the tremendous amount of work that goes into flipping a property is considered. One thing you will want to do when flipping your own property is take care not to get too greedy in the asking price. If you can make ten thousand or more on your flip after all expenses are paid (including taxes, realtors, and any fees) then you are doing exceptionally well and should be congratulated. It is those who decide to go for fifty thousand rather than being content with ten that find themselves alienating a good portion of the population that may have been interested in purchasing the property from the very beginning.
In order to make your flip a success you need to be negotiable on the price when all is said and done. This is where many people loose potential buyers and find themselves sitting on the market month after month until they find themselves in a situation where they must sell or risk loosing the house and in this situation they are often in a position that they actually loose money rather than profiting.
Success stories, when it comes to flipping houses are widely available though many of them are just as widely exaggerated. Be cautious in your optimism when it comes to flipping houses but plan for profits and you will find that you are much more likely to get them than if you enter into the house flipping and real estate investing process without a proper plan at your disposal.
Turn your house flip into a success story by spending as much time in the planning process as you spend in the entire labor process that is involved and necessary when it comes to flipping houses. If you do this and budget carefully while sticking to your budget religiously you will find that you are in a much better position to have the success you are hoping to have.
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
It doesn’t really matter what kind of investing you are participating in, it’s almost always a wise idea to have multiple streams of income in order to maximize your profits while spreading your risks. Even within the confines of real estate investing there are different types of investing that can help you spread your risks when markets meet turbulent times and this is a very good safety net for those who do not want to feel as though they are gambling away their investments on a real estate market that is fickle on its best days.
You really have two course of action when it comes to bringing in multiple streams of income when building your financial portfolio. The first is to spread your real estate wealth and investments across several different types of real estate investments. There are a few types that come immediately to mind. First there are rental properties. You have two options even with these. You can either choose to rent properties outright to families, students, singles, and the elderly in your town or you can offer a lease or rent to own situation for those who have struggled in the past but still have the dream of home ownership.
Other options for bringing in multiple streams of income through real estate is to have a few rental properties and couple those with a few flips in the works, perhaps a commercial property or two, and a pre-construction deal or vacation condo in the pipelines. One thing is certain you should always be on the lookout for your next real estate investment if you really want to make good money in this business while having a little added security. Rentals are passive income for the most part, especially if you have a solid property manager taking care of the details and the other investments are often icing on the cake.
If you want a truly diversified portfolio however, it is a good plan to include a few investments that aren’t related to real estate investing. While I firmly believe that real estate investing is the way to go for most people there is much money that can be made in other fields and it would be pointless to discuss multiple streams of income without mentioning a few that were unrelated to real estate investing. Retirement plans are a great option and you can now invest in a retirement plan of your own even if you are self-employed. It is definitely worth considering as yet another stream of income, even if it is income that you will need to wait a while to receive. Franchise businesses are often great money makers for those who need more immediate results from their investments efforts, and stocks and bonds are also great long term investment strategies.
The truth is that there are many things you can do to create even more streams of income to add to your real estate investments. From making money online through affiliate marketing, blogs, and direct sales you can also tackle brick and mortar businesses, though these tend to be just as time consuming as real estate. The point is that you want to bring in money from different avenues and real estate investing is one of many different routes to explore when deciding on your investment future and establishing those multiple streams of income.
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
While you may not be able avoid taking out a loan for college, here are six tips to help minimize the cost of your college education.
* Choose an affordable school. Quality of education is not directly related to the cost of education. State schools are partially funded by the government, so they are often less expensive.
* Most state schools offer greatly reduced rates for residents. Depending on what is required to establish residency, it might be work moving before starting college in order to get the less expensive tuition.
* Take a summer job. If you can find a job that is related to your area of study, it will not only help you financially, but help make you a better student as well.
* Look for scholarships. Many scholarship programs have been cut back in recent years, but there is still money available. Check with your financial aid department. Also check with your professors. They often know of scholarships that are handled on a departmental level instead of through financial aid.
* Try to get a job tutoring. Work study usually isn’t at a very high pay rate, but getting paid to teach your favorite subject will often make you a better student while giving you some extra money for expenses.
* Consider the total cost. Don’t just look at the cost of tuition when evaluating a school. Keep in mind other factors. If a nearby school would enable you to live at home, it might be much less expensive than a distant school with cheaper tuition.
* Consolidate college debt. Once you’ve graduated look for programs that will let you consolidate any debt that you have at a low interest rate. This will allow you to put more money toward the principle and pay it off quickly
Posted in Student Loan | No Comments »
Monday, November 19th, 2007
Anyone that has gone through college knows it cost a lot, which leads to many take out student loans. Just as with any type of loan, it is important that you do your research to find the best student loans for your situation. Different loans will get you different amounts of money with various circumstances behind the loan. However, there are a few things you can do with any student loan to save money.
With student loans, the interest rate is adjusted every July 1st making it difficult to know how much you really are going to have to owe when getting out of college. There is, however, a way to lock your interest rates to avoid having them raised after a certain period of time. By consolidating your interest rates you can have them permanently locked for the remainder of your studies.
The next thing to look at to help you save money on your student loans is automatic payment. A lot of lenders will offer you incentives and reduced interest rates when you have your student loan payments automatically deducted from your account. The reason being is that you are guaranteeing the lender that you will be paying the loan on time and in full amount by giving them access to your account. This also makes it more convenient for you allowing you to avoid missing a payment.
The most obvious way to save money with your loan is to be on time. The minute you are late with your payment the interest rates will go up and your credit will go down. If you do feel the pressure of making the payments on time, make sure to talk to the lender before getting too far behind to see if you can work out an arrangement of some sort.
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Friday, November 16th, 2007
A scholarship is money given to pay or offset school expenses and lower the number of student loans you need. The amounts can range from only a few dollars to an all expenses type. This latter one is often referred to as a full ride. The counseling offices of most high schools will have a book that lists the more common scholarships available. Below are descriptions of some of the most often used sources.
Many companies offer scholarships through the local school systems. This is a way for a company to encourage students to study subjects applicable to that companies business. Some of these scholarships are free but others have a stipulation of working for that particular business upon successful completion of studies. This is a type of student loan, as you need to repay it by working off the debt.
Minority groups encourage members of that particular minority by offering money for education. Other groups specify that it is designed for women or of a particular faith. Scholarships of this nature usually do not define the subject matter to be studied.
Local universities often court outstanding athletes by having their abilities tied to the scholarship. These students receive the money but are expected to also use their athletic talents at the school offering the award. This is also a type of student loan, with the payment being performance in the sport. .
Most of the scholarships discussed here are offered at the high school level. Talent scouts notice good athletes and companies and minority groups maintain close ties to many schools. This community involvement helps to ensure a vital workforce and top-notch sports teams. Keep in mind that, while actual money may not be needed in return, many of these are student loans requiring payment in some form.
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Friday, November 16th, 2007
Real estate investments are quite expensive. Not only do you need the money to purchase the property you will be flipping but you will also need money for the improvements, repairs, and renovations that need to be made along the way. Unfortunately, the real estate business is a tricky business and there aren’t very many traditional lenders that are willing to go full out in support of your real estate investment business venture.
This means you are going to have to either fund a good portion of the expenses yourself or you are going to have to find some other means of financing your house flip. First things first, the less you pay in interest the more money you bring home. You do not want to max out your credit cards in search of profits from a house flip if it can be avoided. Merchant accounts aren’t much better but they can help you keep better track of exactly how much money you are spending on the flip and some will even give you 90 days same as cash (this is great if you can complete the process within 90 days).
It should be said that these aren’t methods that are endorsed by the writer but they are definitely possibilities when it comes to funding your house flip. The best-case scenario is that you would have the money to play with and assume no real risk in the house flipping process but very few people trying to get started in real estate investing have that luxury.
That being said, one way that is extremely risky (especially if you are nearing retirement age) is to cash out your retirement funds. This is not attractive for many reasons not the least of which are the facts that there are hefty penalties for doing this and you are risking your retirement security. It is an option however if you are in a bind for your flip. If your flip is successful it’s water under the bridge, the money can be returned or reinvested and the profit from your flip can then help fund subsequent flips or other types of real estate investments.
If you discuss things carefully with your family and decide that you are all willing to take the risk you can also risk your home by taking out a second mortgage for the funds. Again this is not the preferred method because the assumed risk is great for the security of your family. It is very important that everyone involved be aware that flipping houses is a risky investment. Not only is it risky because you aren’t experienced but the real estate market is fickle. Your house could sit for several months requiring costly carrying costs before it sells.
Forming a partnership is another way to share the risks and help lighten the burden when it comes to flipping houses. Keep in mind that this is a stressful business venture and should be treated as a business venture. For this reason a volatile or fledgling friendship may not be the best risk for a venture such as this. If you do choose a partnership you need to carefully discuss the type of financial and labor investment that is expected of each partner and the share of profit that each partner expects to receive as well. You should also consider carefully whether you are willing to risk the friendship for the sake of profits or would you rather go with a partnership that isn’t a close friend (most real estate investment groups have people willing to help with the financial side and assume the risk for the lion’s share of the profits).
Banks will typically fund a portion of the property costs if you can come up with an adequate down payment and show them a well thought out business plan. Do not rely on banks however if you have poor credit, lack a business plan, or do not have a sizable chunk of your own money to invest in the venture.
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Thursday, November 15th, 2007
One of the primary sources for student loans is the federal government. These are called Stafford loans. There are two types, direct and FFEL. These differ in a number of respects and have the same eligibility requirements. The major differences are how the loans are repaid and the needs.
The direct student loan program receives its funds from the federal government. The FFEL uses private lenders such as banks and credit unions for funding. Not all private lenders participate in the FFEL program. The repayment options also depend upon which institution is used and their particular requirements. There are two types of loans, subsidized, and unsubsidized.
A subsidized loan is based on financial need. The federal government subsidizes the interest on these loans. This interest does not get applied during the period prior to repayment or during authorized repayment periods.
An unsubsidized loan is available to almost anyone. These loans have the interest start to accrue from the moment the loan is authorized until the loan is paid in full. In addition these loans can be capitalized. This means that the interest will be added to the principle and the interest will then be applied to this higher amount. To keep this at a minimum, it is suggested that at least the interest be paid as it accumulates.
The amount of money available is dependent upon whether you are a full time or half time student. No Stafford loans are available to students who are enrolled for less than one third of an academic year. Your financial aid department will assist in determining the amount of money available. Both the direct and FFEL loans are in addition to other monetary sources such as grants and scholarships. Because these are interest-accumulating loans it is best to consider any available grants, gifts or scholarships first and then base the loan upon the remaining balance.
Posted in Student Loan | 3 Comments »
Thursday, November 15th, 2007
If you are anything like millions of Americans you have probably caught countless shows on cable television that boast the serious profits that can be made by flipping houses. This is a very true statement, serious money can be made when one goes about flipping the correct way, however, serious money can be much more easily lost when a house flip goes wrong. If you are hoping to find your way to fortune through real estate investing you need to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and understand a few house flip basics.
The first thing you need to understand is that the ultimate goal in a venture such as this is to make as much money as possible in as little time as possible. This means several things to the wise investor not the least of which is that you must always have a complete inspection performed before you make any sort of financial commitment to the house. A good inspection can help you identify work that must be done, whether or not there is any structural damage, or whether there are any unexpected problems such as signs of termites or water damage behind the walls.
These are very important things to know and should have a significant impact on your offer on the property as they will have a direct effect on how much you will need to invest in making the property sellable and whether or not the property will even be profitable when you consider how much money will be needed to get it in minimal selling condition and how much you can reasonably expect to sell the house for after that.
Once you have the inspection done it is a good idea to take into account all the things that will need to be done to improve the property and the things that must be done in order to get the property in sellable condition along with permits that are needed, inspections that are needed, and jobs that require licensed contractors in order to meet local code requirements. Each of these will take a significant amount of investment in order to accomplish and that should also reflect in your offering price.
Far too few would be house flippers manage to take in the big picture when making plans and this is where they end up missing out on the bigger profits that can be made by successfully flipping houses for the lowest possible investment with the highest possible return on their investments. When making your plans you will want to go with changes that are cost effective.
Avoid making significant structural changes to the house unless you have a licensed contractor sign off on the wisdom and safety of those changes, as they can be very costly as well as dangerous to the stability of the property. At the same time you should salvage as much as possible within the existing structure. Flooring and paint are almost always required in a house flip but you do not always need new cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom fixtures. Chances are new doors and hardware in the kitchen would be a great fix for drab and tired cabinetry while greatly impacting the overall look of the kitchen without robbing you of some serious profits (doors cost significantly less than making new cabinets and can add the appearance of custom cabinetry).
The biggest idea to walk away from house flip boot camp with is the idea that the most visual impact you can have on the home for the least amount of money the better. In other words you don’t want to purchase a home that needs new heating or air conditioning as they are not visual changes and are quite expensive. Find a house to flip that needs minor cosmetic repairs and a little dose of style and imagination and you will be able to maximize your profit. That is what real estate investing is all about after all.
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