Saturday, August 30, 2008

Car Title Loans Are Very Popular These Days Too

Category: Finance.

If you have plenty of money coming in each month and can keep all your bills paid, then this article might not be of much interest to you.



It is not that uncommon to get to the middle of the week and not have enough cash flow to make it until payday. If you are like a large part of the population and live from week to week, then it could be helpful. When you find yourself in this situation, it can be so stressful. Fortunately there are a few things you can do to come up with a little money to see you through. You have to get some money somewhere and unless you have a generous rich relative willing to help you out, you will probably be on your own. Pawn shops are probably doing a booming business right now because of people who are in desperate situations. You can go with the pawn option and pay a certain amount of interest when you pick your item back up or many times a pawn shop will pay a little more for the item if you just want to sell it outright.


When you have jewelry, electronics, guns, or other things of value that a pawn shop will take, you can use this merchandise to get a small loan that will help you out. If it is something you can live without, this might be the best option. If you have a free and clear title to a car, you can get a somewhat larger loan for that. Car title loans are very popular these days too. This can be a little risky though if the car title you use for the loan is for the car you are driving. The majority of places will allow you to renew the loan, but it will cost you more interest.


If you fail to repay the loan and interest, they can legally take your car and you could end up walking. It can be a hard thing to come up with the money to pay off a loan of five hundred dollars or more when you are on a tight budget. If you have a checking account in good standing, you can cash a check and they will hold it, usually for two weeks, and pick it up when it comes due. Check advance and payday loan businesses are also a good way to come up with quick cash. There is interest attached, usually fifteen or twenty dollars per hundred you borrow. They are great if you use these types of loans responsibly and that means only when it is absolutely necessary.


These check and payday loans are usually renewable too, but then that will cost you an additional fee.

Read more...

Fixed Cards - Finance Blog:

If you are looking at a credit card, then you might be looking to choose between a variable rate or fixed rate card.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Make Sure That You Include Everything Known Debt Item In Your List

Category: Finance.

It can be surprising how many folks out there have little to no idea how they got into so much debt let alone know what to do to reduce or eliminate their current state of debt.



In fact, many of approaches to debt reduction are rather simple to put into practice. Thankfully, the answers are not hard to find. After all, what most people want is more control over their money and better financial security. Essentially, what you need are a few tips to get you started in the right direction towards renewed levels of financial freedom by debt reduction. Yet, most are bearing such a large debt load that there is little of either. Lower Your Spending. You need to get a handle on your spending habits.


This is your starting point. Identify all of the areas where you spend excess amounts and stop spending immediately. Cut it down to the bare essentials. These are not necessary expenditures and consequently adding to your overall state of debt. Stop eating out. These things can wait.


Hold off on spending money on that new book, new pair of designer jeans, or a night out at the movies. There are alternatives to spending money that you shouldn t be or don t have. If they can wait, then make them wait until you can afford to buy. ) Know Your Debt Load. All of these daily expenditures can be reduced and should be until you have a handle on the situation. (Note: this goes for big purchases as well. Along with ceasing excess spending, you should begin compiling a list of all your known debt. Make sure that you include everything known debt item in your list. Having a clear picture of your total debt load can be an eye- opening experience and can help you better understand what can be done to improve the situation.


This includes all of your monthly expenses, loans( secured and unsecured) , credit cards, mortgage payments, rent payments, etc. Set Goals For Financial Change. Having all of this in writing and available for review will be a big help in the end and allow you to set financial goals. It is always preferable to have a plan for achieving results. The thing to remember about goal setting is that it must be kept reasonable and attainable, while still remaining something legitimate to strive for completion. That is what setting financial goals is all about.


With any major financial goal such as the elimination of a credit card payment or a loan, you should also break up the larger goal into smaller ones to keep it all manageable. You should also keep a record of where and how you spend your money each month so you have an idea of where you can make cutbacks. Spending Records And Budgets. This helps you know where your money is going and so provides greater financial control. This allows you to establish a budget that includes all payments and expenses so you can plan things out better and keep the most control over your finances from that point on until you have eliminated the outstanding debt or significantly reduced it.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Next, There Are Regular Cards

Category: Finance.

We ve all received those ubiquitous credit card offers in the mail haven t we? The goal is to snag as many potential credit cardholders as possible.



The fact is that hundreds of thousands of these" pre- approved" credit card offers are sent out by various credit card companies each year. As the prospective cardholder, you must wade through all of these different offers and make a decision about which credit card will be the most beneficial for you. Essentially, a credit card is a form of borrowing that includes a regular interest rate that is figured as part of the monthly payback for making use of the extended credit. In order to do that, you need to know not only what your reasons for getting a credit card are but also what sorts of features are available. There are a few different approaches to the use of these cards that most people take. Others make extensive use of the card and may end up paying balances over time.


Some people keep a credit card only for emergency purchases or with the idea that the amount will be paid back regularly and in full. These types of people will be apt to set up automatic billing arrangements using their card for monthly budget items. So, the most important thing to decide is whether you are going to make occasional or regular use of the card. There is often an amount of overlap that happens between the types of features that a card carries and the planned uses for the card. Knowing this will help you determine features like credit limit, the type APR( annual percentage rate) , finance charges, different types of fees, as well as extra features like cash advances, forms of travel, frequent flyer miles and rental insurance, to name a, and rebates few. There are three different credit card types that are offered by most credit card companies.


Of course, most of these features will be attached to the type of card you choose. Each one has its own assortment of features, limitations, advantages, and price ranges. These are typically offered to new credit card users who have not had opportunity to develop their credit yet. There are security cards, which require a certain level of security deposit in order to use. Most of the time, the credit limits are kept very low or they are variable based upon the amount of the security deposit paid by the customer. With these cards, you do not need to pay a security deposit. Next, there are regular cards.


Most regular cards have very few features included. The premium card, which includes levels like gold, and titanium, platinum, is the top- level card with the highest interest rates and the most features available for users. The regular card is a middle- of- the- road card meaning that the credit limits are generally higher than security cards but are not as high as those in the next category are. Needless to say, finding the right credit card requires that you do your homework and simply know what it is you want and what will be beneficial for your purposes. If you have that figured out, you won t be apt to take the first card offer that you receive in the mail.

Read more...

For Me, I Think This Is A Big Portion Toward To Financial Knowledge Gain - Angelica Hoisington about Finance:

Here is what I learn- wealth never happens by chance. In order to achieve any level of wealth, you need to have a specific figure to focus on.

What Are Poor Credit Loans - Finance Articles:

Why is credit everything when it comes to loans Well, because banks want to know how risky it is to lend to you. Although you may have difficulties in getting a loan from most banks and financial institutions that are offering regular loans, there are also a number of companies out there that are willing to extend many loans to people with bad credit history.

In The Event That You Decide To Take Mortgage Refinancing And Have A Foreseeable Mortgage Payment You Would Need To Work Out Your Budget - Finance Articles:

If there s one reality that should be accepted by mortgage borrower that is the fact that mortgage interest rates nowadays are soaring unrelentingly. In the event that you decide to take mortgage refinancing and have a foreseeable mortgage payment you would need to work out your budget.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Secured Business Loans Are Pledged Against Any High Valued Property

Category: Finance.

It is quite true that every businessman strives to expand and grow his or her business.



Since most of the newcomer business owner faces various problems in arranging finance for running their business smoothly, lenders and financial institutions are offering special business loans, so that these business owners may achieve the desired level of success. However, making this dream true is quite tough, as this dream requires a lot of efforts and financial resources. In fact, business loans are a good way to arrange funds for meeting day to day and long term requirements of a sapling business. For that reason, not only sapling but well established business is also getting their business expenses financed through these loans. At present, banks and financial institutions are offering business loans to every kind of business. In fact, these loans are helping business owners to put their business thought in a more prolific manner, as financial shortfall is not restringing them from making any crucial decision.


In fact, these loans are a suitable finance manager for managing every major and minor financial requirement of an organization. When it comes to selecting an affordable and reliable business loan, most of the business owners prefer to go for secured business loans. Once the business owner has sufficient funds to meet his or her business requirements, he or she can easily fulfill the dream of expending the business. Secured business loans are one of those effective financial resources that give a business firm financial baking. Since money is the basic requirement for every business, ever business owner needs to secure a financial solution that may enable him or her to execute every business plan properly. With these loans, a business owner can fulfill a wide range of business requirements right from financing a new business venture to making investment.


Basically, these loans demand machinery, business premises or plant as collateral so that the lender may recover the loan amount in case of default payment. Secured business loans are pledged against any high valued property. With these loans, the expenditures of a business organization can be covered. Therefore, if you are planning to start a new business or want to expand the existing one, then these loans can prove to be the best financial help for you. These expenditures involve salary of staff members, building rent, furniture, transportation cost and may other day to day and major expenditures. Usually, secured business loans carry lower interest rates, as the risk factor is covered by the collateral.


In fact, internet is the best way to get the most updated information about available financial option for you business. However, if you are worried about interest rates of current business loans, then do a thorough analysis of the current financial market, as it will help you in finding out the best loan deal with a reliable lender. Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable financial solution for your business, then these loans can prove to be a good option for you.

Read more...

Here Are Some Tips On How And Why You Should Use Credit Cards On Your Web Site - Finance Articles:

If you have a web site that you use for business, then you should think about setting up your site to allow people to pay for things using a credit card.

Business Credit Cards With Various Reward Options Are Very Popular - Finance Blog:

Realizing the huge potential of the small business market, more and more credit card issuers have come up with business credit card packages specifically designed to meet the needs of business owners.

� Business Credit Cards Provide Credibility And Legitimacy To Your Business - Finance Articles:

� Business credit cards provide credibility and legitimacy to your business.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Check Whether The Property You Intend To Buy Is Affected By Any Town Planning Zones

Category: Finance.

Bargains can still be found at the remote villages of Paphos and those of Limassol. S. or an architect, whereas what has been said previously about other property acquisitions holds good for this nature of property as well.



It is strongly suggested that before concluding a deal, you obtain a firm estimate of the repairs/ improvements required using the services of a qualified Q. In particular, you must check who your neighbours are, since in tightly knit communities, such as the local villages, they have their own way of living and attitudes towards life. Bear in mind that it is the seller who pays for the commission of the agents and not the purchaser and for this reason agents have the owner s interest at heart and not yours. The direct approach( find out who the owner is of the plot you are interested in and ask him if he wants to sell) may prove to be the best one. A survey on any resale property is strongly recommended, just as it would be in the UK or elsewhere. He will inspect the property and prepare a report, eventually showing any defects, which would not be visible to everyone s eyes.


Our Cypriot team or your lawyer will be able to recommend a surveyor to you. It will save you unpleasant surprises at a later stage, and depending on the type of defects stated( if any) , you may get a reduction on the price or you maybe in a position to request the vendor to repair them, or insist additional guarantees be inserted in the contracts. You will know what you are buying. One thing is for sure. A surveyor will not allow his love for a property to cloud his judgement as you may have done. If you intend to build a house in a certain area, you may find that the building density is so low that you will not be able to erect a satisfactory unit.


Check whether the property you intend to buy is affected by any town planning zones. In addition, the zones may exclude the use you have in mind in that locality. In addition a 5% -2% is payable for the structural design and 3% for structural supervision. There have been cases where a person acquired his dream holiday spot only to find out afterwards that it was sited within an animal farming zone of the parish in question( which implied that his neighbour could very well be a pigstry) . If you are at a loss as to the choice of a suitable consultant, seek the advice of the Registrar of the Association of Architects& Engineers( all licenced architects must be registered) . Please bear in mind that in case of large buildings you may be able to negotiate a lower fee( as also in the case of repetitive work) .

Read more...

Reverse Mortgage Requirements - Rene Whisenhunt's Finance blog:

Reverse Mortgage Requirements. In the United States, a person must be at least 62 years of age and own their own home to qualify for a reverse mortgage.

If You Are Like Most People, Having A Lot Of Credit Card Debt Becomes Very Stressful When You Are Trying To Make The Payments Every Month - Finance Blog:

If you are like most people, having a lot of credit card debt becomes very stressful when you are trying to make the payments every month. This becomes very discouraging because when you receive your next month s statement and you realize that you are making very little progress in paying down the balance.

In Turn, They Will Patronize Your Business - Finance Blog:

So you are a merchant, and you want to accept electronic check payments for your business.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

You Do Not Necessarily Have To Hire A Debt Consolidation Company In Order To Manage Your Outstanding Credit Card Balances

Category: Finance.

You do not necessarily have to hire a debt consolidation company in order to manage your outstanding credit card balances.



Unlike credit consolidation companies, you will not be able to turn all of your credit card debts into a single personal loan, but you can transfer your old balances onto a new card. It is possible to do it yourself, by using another credit card- one geared especially toward consolidating other card balances. These consolidation credit cards are a sort of do it yourself debt consolidation. In order to catch more clients, consolidation credit cards typically offer just the opposite of traditional credit cards: lower interest rates and no annual fees. These can get you out of debt relatively easily, if you know how to stick to the payment and lower your monthly expenses at the same time. On the Internet, there is stiff competition going on among credit card companies. You might even be able to save some money by transferring other debts onto this new card.


Among debt consolidation cards, many of them would offer you, a very low, upon sign up interest rate on balance transfers, or the amounts of your outstanding debts with the other credit card companies. If you had a loan with an 8% interest rate, and your new card had a 3% introductory interest rate, depending on the amount of time left on the loan, it may be wise to transfer your balance over to the card with lower interest. Many people like to go from one company to the next, chasing the lowest interest rate, this method is, but at best tricky. You must note, however that these introductory rates are only good for a specified period of time, after which your interest rate will shoot up to around 20% or more. There are still some good reasons to consider these do it yourself methods of credit card consolidation. By doing a bit of comparison shopping and computing a bit of math in the process, you might just find that you can save more by consolidating all your loans under one of the debt consolidation credit cards that offers the lowest rate.


While interest rates for credit cards have always been high, lots of companies are dropping their rates in an effort to get more customers. Credit consolidation credit cards to not have a monthly fee, which is quite unlike other credit cards. These companies are happy to let you transfer over your existing card balances, and may offer to reduce these debts. They are being forced to cut these annual fees in order to get customers because there is such a flooding of companies available these days. It is wise to note, however that you will still be paying interest on your transferred balances. These companies will negotiate with all of your creditors to reduce your total debt before consolidating it into one monthly bill and one single account. If you do not like the offerings of consolidation credit cards, you can always turn to a debt consolidation company.

Read more...

Nobody Wants To Get Into A Car Crash, Especially With Someone That Doesn T Have Insurance - Finance:

When you re shopping for car insurance, the choices you make for cober can affect the amount you pay.

Whatever Type Of Card Issuer You Are Looking For, You Need To Shop Around To Find The Best Deals - Finance Blog:

for a credit card but are unsure about which card issuer to choose, here are some tips on how to find the right card issuer for your specific needs.

If The Lead Company Does Not Own And Operate The Sites They Obtain Their Leads From, Than Keep Going Until You Find One That Does - Finance Blog:

Another bonus of getting a lower fixed interest rate may mean that you can pay off the mortgage loan amount in less time.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

This Is Where A Factoring Company Can Step In And Solve Many Problems

Category: Finance.

Most businesses run on a tight budget and the problem is more so if they have large customers buying products on credit. This is where a factoring company can step in and solve many problems.



Their money is often locked up between the time they sell their products to their customers and the time they receive the payment, which is normally 30 to 90 days. A factoring company is a third party that will" buy" your invoice, which you have issued to your customer after making a sale. This factoring fee is usually between 5 to 15 percent of the invoice value and will depend on factors such as your customer credit rating, the number of credit days and the total volume of business generated by you. They will reimburse you 60 to 90 percent of the invoice amount electronically with 2 days and the balance amount after they get the full payment from your customer, minus a factoring fee. The higher the values of your business, coupled with lower credit days, the lower the factoring percentage applicable. It drastically improves your cash flow, and this money can be utilized in paying off salaries, suppliers and even making cash or bulk purchases to avail of special discounts. By offering this financial service, the factoring company solves many of your problems in one go.


In a way, if offers you a flexible loan without you giving any collateral or documents such as profit and loss statements, which you would have to do so in case of a bank loan. The factoring company also frees you from the tension of payment collection since most of the good factor companies take on collection upon themselves. It does not also try to take over your business, as would be the case if you were funded by a venture capitalist. The amount of time thus saved can be utilized for other activities and help you concentrate more on increasing sales. Your factoring company will also give you regular collection statements and receivables statements. Since you will be getting most of the invoice amount immediately, you can also go in to take large orders from your customers. Your factoring company hence becomes an extension of your company by taking care of the entire credit department.


With this facility, both you and your factoring company can be up- to- date on the financial status of your company. Some factoring companies have now started advertising about custom invoice packages that let you send your invoices to your factoring companies through the Internet. It also saves a lot on courier charges and chances of documents being misplaced become low. In short, what a factoring company does for you is, it improves your cash flow, gives you a variable loan against your sales, handles your collection department, frees up your credit staff and hence enables you to enter into a positive sale cycle since the more you sell, the more money you receive against your receivables, thereby again encouraging you to sell more. An efficient and courteous factoring company can also be an asset since they could improve your collections from customers, thus presenting a professional face to your customers.

Read more...

The Industry Turns To Credit Bureaus For The Quantification Part - Finance Blog:

You may get offers from your professional organization( lawyers, and engineers, doctors) , your alumni association, and your environment club or sports association. In fact, every year credit card issuers send out several hundred millions of offers.

There Are Two Types Of Asset Protection Trust - Finance:

In order to understand fully this concept everyone should clear up the term trust.

This Way You Can Use The Grace Period To Your Advantage - Finance Articles:

When you begin looking for the credit card that will fit you needs there are several things that you will want to look into.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Buzz About Go Zone Investing Is Real

Category: Finance.

Let the boomer retirement avalanche begin.



If you re curious, she is a retired school teacher. The first official baby boomer born seconds after midnight on New Years Day in 1946 filed for early retirement social security benefits. The richest generation the world has ever known is officially entering retirement. With the possibility of a social security crisis, financial independence is more critical than ever. Most Boomers are concerned about their financial situation and about preserving their nest eggs. With rising life expectancies, innovations in medical science and technology, Boomers are under more pressure than ever to ensure that they make smart investment decisions and enter retirement with a sound plan for retirement living.


Boomers must look themselves in the mirror and ask if they are prepared for retirement. A big question mark is if Social Security as we know it today will be around 10 years from, or 20 years from now. Investment choices will play a key role, with stocks/ bonds and real estate being primary choices. Oil prices are high, the real estate market is down, the economy could head into recession and we re coming off a 5 year up cycle. The market is shaky right now. Stocks certainly deserve a place in your portfolio but I d be uncomfortable depending solely on stocks.


We have helped a number of wealthy clients wipe out significant tax liabilities by investing in cheap positive cash flow go zone real estate. The buzz about go zone investing is real. The 50% depreciation writeoff can be used dollar for dollar to reduce the adjusted gross income of a tax payer and is one of the few completely legal tax shelters left for most middle to high net worth individuals. Second, go zone real estate is cheap and will appreciate longer term. So, you create a tax shelter for yourself for the next 15 years to offset IRA and 401k capital gains by investing in go zone real estate. Third, most go zone investments are positive cash flow. Fourth, we manage the, it is turnkey entire process.

Read more...

Car Washing Polishing - Leta Chabot's Finance blog:

"Take Care of Your Car!

How Can You Be Sure That You Will Get A Loan That Suits You And Your Financial Circumstances - Finance:

It can be an exciting time when you re about to make a special purchase- a new car, or when you, motorbike or caravan re about to book a fabulous far- away holiday.

What Is Personal Property Insurance - Finance Articles:

In this day and age, a lot of things have changed from how they used to be, which can be new and exciting for most. flow figures about exclusive chattels indemnity is not forever the easiest thing to locate.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Stock Split Candidate Checklist

Category: Finance.

Before you can play a stock split you must have a stock split candidates list.



Start with the stocks that you currently are watching and ask the following questions: Has the Company Split Before? This is where you have to do a little research. Has the company done a stock split in the last three years? How many splits have there been in the last ten years? Has it done more than one? Look at the company s stock split history can you see a pattern?


Is it at a consistent interval, like every 18 months, etc, every 3 years. How often do they split? Do they split in the same quarter? Do you notice anything else? Or the same month? Any other pattern?


Check to see how fast the stock moved before the actual split. If the company has a history of splitting, look at how it performed. If there is more that one split you can probably see some common behaviors for the stock. Or at least you may have a clue that the market will expect a similar behavior and the stock price will reflect the expectations of the masses. Using history you can predict how the stock might behave this time if it splits. For example, if a stock has moved up 20 points in the two weeks before a split, for the last 5 splits.


Check to see how fast the stock moved before the split or how it moved( up and down) . You can expect a potential 20 point move in the two weeks before this split too( if a split has been announced) . If there has been more that one split you can look for patterns in stock performance. By using history to predict how the stock might behave this time you could time your trades to take advantage of the historically repeating stock prices. There might even be a pattern of upward movement prior to the actual stock split announcement. This is a great tool, because you are not the only person who has charts and historical information, everyone has them! Of course wisdom and self protection is always required, especially if the stock fails to move as expected.


If there are obvious patterns, you can predict how other investors will act, which lets you capture profits, because you know what to expect. For example: You looked at a chart of the last 10 years if the stock moved up 20 points in the two weeks before a split, for the last 5 splits. You can consider getting into the play when it makes sense, and then have fun because the stock will probably move 20 points this time too, unless news or conditions cause a problem. Do you think that the stock will move at least 20 points this time? What If The Company Has Not Split Before? I figure that when a stock price reaches$ 80 to$ 100 it s a good candidate for a split.


If the stock does not have a history of splitting there is a rule that I use. Especially if the stock has never been that high before. The thinking is" I can purchase 200 shares of XYZ because it is$ 4I d like to get ZZZ but it is$ 90 and I can barely afford 100 shares. " By splitting 2: 1( two- for- one) ZZZ s$ 90 stock will only cost$ 45 per share. Most companies prefer to have their stock under$ 80 because it seems more affordable to investors. Now it fits the price range of more people. People tend to like the idea of owning 200 shares of something much more than only having 100 shares.


Of course 100 shares of a$ 90 stock is identical to 200 shares of a$ 45 stock, but it s not the same emotionally. In other words, it s just a psychological thing and it does not really change anything else. What are some of the indicators that let us know a company may be ready to split their stock? Stock Split Candidate Checklist. A Direct Announcement, this would make the prediction a fact Stock has reached its historical stock split price range Company has reached their annual split announcement date Recently other companies in the sector have announced splits A Shareholder Meeting is scheduled that will vote on an increase in authorized shares A Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled Stock has excessive Turn OVer Rate( increased volatility, or higher stock, increased volume option activity) The stock price is high. Now that you have your stock split candidate list, you are ready for the next step.


Continue Your Education. Note that it is NOT placing the trade. Your game plan will answer questions like: When should I enter? You first must create a game plan for your trade. When should I exit? What do I do if the stock moves against me? When do I take profits?


Only after you fully understand the trading strategy and have a game plan for all situations are you ready to trade. Happy Trading. and by the way don t forget to check out my upcoming online web class to be spoon fed the hottest trades available" UPCOMING POWER PROFIT PLAYS" . If you would like to learn more about my trading philosophy I invite you to attend my trading workshops in person or participate in my free online trading seminars. Darlene with BetterTrades

Sunday, August 17, 2008

As Supply Outpaces Demand In The South Florida Condo Market, Selling Prices Already Are Equilibrating

Category: Finance.

During the past six years, the scene in South Florida has transformed from low- rise structures to high- rise condominiums hundreds of feet high- South Florida condo market has been booming.



Now, the dramatic hype of condo development is on the verge of landing its way back to ground, as real estate analysts predict. But as the building heights rise, so did selling prices. The apparent upward inertia of the South Florida condo market has been thwarted by inevitable economic realities, making even the most headstrong condo developers of the region recoil. Values of newly- built condos could pretty much tumble by at least 30% by the time the market plummets. As supply outpaces demand in the South Florida condo market, selling prices already are equilibrating. As a result of unbridled overbuilding, lenders are wary of financing condo construction, thus compelling developers across South Florida to cancel, defer or overhaul their respective projects.


It will also have amenities such as a fitness center, and library, theater. In May 2005, T- Rex Capital of Connecticut announced that it would construct a luxury condominium, named Eighty Points West, which will provide views of the West Palm Beach waterfront and a marina for yachts up to 90 feet. However, none of that has started yet, and the company s president Cliff Preminger said that construction has been postponed to next spring. The figures exclude the thousands of units built in South Florida since the year 2000, when the housing boom initiated. Metrostudy, a consulting firm based in West Palm Beach, reported that as of June 30, nearly 52, 2006, 000 condo units in Miami- Dade, and Broward counties, Palm Beach were either still under construction or already done but still unoccupied. Roughly 104, 000 units are being planned for the coming years.


Analysts trace the condo problems to short- term investors, who bought condos at low pre- construction prices and waited as the units rise in value before having to close on the properties. Analysts doubt that most of these will ever be built. These investors" flipped" the properties to other buyers for hefty profits, essentially trading condos like shares of stock. For the case of downtown Miami, the epicenter of the condo construction shockwave, the development is fuelled by international money. This trend systematically induced demands to inflate, steering prices upward while driving developers to build more. Condos also sprung up in downtown West Palm Beach as buyers were enticed by the idea of living near CityPlace, the shopping and entertainment complex that opened in 200Fort Lauderdale, on the other hand, isn t as overbuilt because the city restrains further residential building downtown until an affordable housing law is passed. More than 11, 000 units remain vacant in South Florida, according to Metrostudy.


Overall, the insufficient number of long- term owners purchased condos combined with investors dumping properties for sale has created a surplus of properties across the South Florida condo market. Investors have been getting frantic as they have been advertising all sorts price slashes, plasma TVs and other perks to attract buyers. This starkly contrasts the situation before when some lenders had no pre- sale requirements. While some lenders have discontinued financing for condo construction, others who remain have tightened lending policies, such as insisting at least 60% pre- sales. Another striking blow to developers is the continually increasing costs of construction materials. Neither will the Courtyards at Flagler Village be constructed.


Due to this, several condo developers" have canceled projects, put land up, returned deposits for sale and are at risk of foreclosure. " For instance, the Waves Las Olas would not be built in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Several other projects have been put into cessation in South Florida. Only a few years ago, the condo conversion craze was really hot when developers were buying apartments and turning them into condos to satisfy the insatiable demand. Developers and investors are attempting to salvage anything from the condo slump by converting units back into apartments. Since the start of 2004, 800 condo, more than 1- converted units in Palm Beach County have been reconverted to apartments. Real estate experts concur that it will take at least two years for the South Florida condo market to bounce back, provided that consumers stop using condos for overnight investments and instead revert to home- buying philosophy of past generations. In Broward, 1, 088 condos have been transformed into apartments, while 672 condos in Miami- Dade have been switched back to apartments.


For Sale by Owner VS Foreclosure in Florida. Rampant real estate speculation, development and the sub- prime mortgage debacle are being blamed for the glut of homes for sale that has left the market upside down and many homeowners under water and facing the prospect of foreclosure. The state of Florida seems, on the surface at least, to be experiencing a real estate meltdown. With many Adjustable Rate Mortgages( ARM) due to reset at higher rates the fallout may not be over. Compounding the problem is the expected increases in condo fees to cover property losses not covered by insurers. Further manifesting the situation is the insurance premium increases coming down the pipe to cover the devastation and property loss/ claims associated with the last several hurricane seasons. The fallout has created a unique opportunity to re- visit real estate opportunities right across the state.


One is a rise in For Sale by Owner properties. There are a couple of by- products to this type of market. Homeowners are looking for any edge they can get when they are looking to get out from under a high equity mortgage or negative equity mortgages. They can expedite the sale of the property by passing on the real estate commission savings associated with a For Sale by Owner. A For Sale by Owner allows the homeowner more options when it comes to pricing. This can represent a substantial savings to the buyer and certainly make your property more attractive when you consider the real estate commission savings on a$ 280, 000 property is$ 16, 000! They can offer creative seller concessions like" no condo fees for a year" or" 0% financing for 3 years" .


The For Sale by Owner also has more latitude when it comes to making their home" appear" to be more attractive. Essentially instead of passing the savings directly to the buyer they create a" package" that may seem more appealing. Creativity can certainly perk someone s interest, but I tend to prefer a straight" cash" discount or rebate. I have personally seen everything from" Free Plasma TV s" to" Timeshares in Puerto Rico" . This allows the prospective homebuyer the opportunity to decide how they want to best use the monies. The 2nd by- product, unfortunately, is" Foreclosures" - which have been rapidly increasing in Florida since 200Industry experts blame this increase on" sub- prime mortgages" . Cash has a set face- value; $2000 always carries a" value" of$ 2000 regardless of the buyer, whereas a" timeshare in Puerto Rico" will have different values to different people.


Sub- prime mortgages are higher risk because they are made to borrowers that typically do not qualify under traditional more rigorous criteria because of limited or poor credit history. Sub- prime mortgages typically have a higher debt service- to- income ratio and the homeowner simply can t make ends meet. Sub- prime mortgage loans have a significantly higher failure rate then prime mortgages. The end result is more foreclosures and an increase in houses for sale- the fact that they are" distressed" and vacant further erodes the overall values of all homes. The bottom- line is there is an abnormally high number of existing homes currently listed for sale in Florida. As the inventory of unsold properties continues to grow, residential real estate prices decline. As supply outpaces demand, property values drop.


For Sale by Owner may allow the homeowner to bridge that drop in value and allow them to avoid foreclosure.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Process Of Prioritisation And Principles For Resource Allocation Within The National AIDS Control Program And Influences Working On Programmatic Allocation Of Resources

Category: Finance.

Asset protection.



To promote efficient allocation of resources in such a system requires making decision makers knowledgeable about HIV, building technical capacity for effective resource allocation, instilling the importance of data based decision making within the institutional set up and ensuring availability of relevant, updated and valid information. Donor influence could be accounted for by its unique nature of being extensively financed through International Development Assistance[ 34] . While it does not afford the debtor a complete level of protection for the residence, it makes the residence sufficiently unattractive to a creditor so that in practice, creditors very rarely pursue residences in QPRTs. The figures in the above table are population averages and therefore mask the wide differences in the indicators in the different population groups. Study participants considered the existence of an unambiguous hierarchical system of allocating public money, with well- described responsibilities, authorities and a separation of power at each level of decision- making an asset. The pace of redressing inequities in the distribution of scarce health care resources in Namibia has been slow. Process of prioritisation and principles for resource allocation within the National AIDS Control Program and influences working on programmatic allocation of resources.


Themes touched upon in the interview guide included participant s understanding of the national process of resource allocation, strengths and gaps working in the system. Many American attorneys limit their practices to specialized fields of law. To gain a variety of perspectives and opinions, interviews of decision makers at various levels and in different departments within the bureaucracy were conducted. Asset protection( sometimes also referred to as debtor- creditor law) refers to a set of legal techniques and a body of statutory and common law dealing with protecting assets of individuals and business entities from civil money judgments. Some of the techniques discussed above protect rental real estate, intellectual property, businesses, collectibles or other valuable assets. Provincial Finance and Planning departments involvement in developing provincial PC 1s were described by two participants as" (A) 2& #65533. 3 day negotiation process" , with limited consideration to individual program capacities and needs as the PC1s were based on federally developed templates. The initial reaction of provincial governments, as revealed by four participants, was a rejection of the program because HIV was not considered a Public Health threat and loans for the program were transferable to the provincial governments.


The nature of the demand is attractive because it is relatively insensitive to price. The use of these entities is not an absolute shield against creditors, because a creditor cannot be forced to go away.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Never Lend Your Card To Another Person

Category: Finance.

Thieves look through your trash to find receipts containing your credit card account numbers.



Clerks in a store where you make a purchase with your credit card may make a copy of your name and account number for their own use- - or they sell it to others. Today, most receipt will only show the last few digits of your card number, but you must still be careful. Fraudulent phone sales with tempting offers or charitable donation solicitations, asking for your payment by credit card. Here are some simple, common- sense steps you can take to greatly reduce your exposure to criminals trying to use your credit cards fraudulently: Sign your credit or charge cards as soon as you receive them. They get all the information they need to use your card for their own purchases- - and you will never receive the merchandise offered. Keep your credit or charge cards in a separate card holder.


Men should carry the card holder in a pocket that is difficult for pickpockets to reach. Do not keep them in your wallet. Ladies should always zip up their purse and hold on to it while shopping or in any public place. See our article on" Lost or Stolen ATM and Credit Cards" to be informed on the rules for notifying the issuers if your card( s) is stolen or lost. Backpack style purses are an invitation to pickpockets. Advise your credit card companies ahead of time if you will be traveling or changing address. Notify the card issuer immediately to dispute any fraudulent charges and request that a new account be opened.


Keep records or receipts of credit card purchases in a safe place to verify against your statement. Shred any receipts or old credit card statements before throwing in the trash. Credit card companies now send you" checks" to use against your card. It is well worth the low cost of a basic shredder to protect yourself. This is to encourage you to incur more charges on their card and are often subject to finance charges, even if you pay your bill in full and on time. Be careful with clerks at small stores and gas stations.


It is better to shred these immediately since they contain your credit card number. Be aware of your surroundings and, avoid making credit, if in doubt card transactions with the clerk. Any legitimate business will understand if you say, "I have a rule to not give my credit card information over the phone. " Ask them to send you the information by mail. Never give your credit card information for an unsolicited phone sales offer or request for donations. If they get upset, it's probably a scam. Never lend your card to another person.


Never sign a blank credit card receipt for any reason. If you follow these cautionary steps, you will not be a good target for credit card fraud and will greatly reduce the chances of having problems.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Bonds: Basically An IOU From A Company Or Government, Bonds Are A Relatively Safe Investment

Category: Finance.

Fifty years ago, the average worker didn' t need to worry about saving for his retirement.



Still, those same workers generally saved about 10% of their paychecks for a rainy day, leaving many with a tidy retirement fund. If he stayed with the same company for 20, 25 or 30 years, he was guaranteed a pension, in addition to a monthly social security check form the United States government, and medical benefits under Medicare. Today's workers aren' t offered those same retirement benefits, many fail to, yet put even 5% of their annual salary into a 401K retirement plan, let alone save additional funds on top of that. Whether you can put aside$ 50 a month, or$ 500, learning a few investment basics is crucial in order to get the best future bang for your current buck. Today's worker, (no matter how much, or how little they make) , must become a savvy investor in order to guarantee a comfortable future. Here are a few of the most common investment opportunities available to both the high and low- end investor: Stocks: Stocks, are a way, or equities to invest a small portion of ownership in a specific company.


Known as the best opportunity for long- range growth, stocks can be a risky short- term investment. The number of shares that you buy, in proportion to the number available, determines how much of the company you actually own. There are three types of stocks available for purchase: -Large- cap stocks, from well- established companies. -Small- Cap stocks, represent lesser- known companies with fast- growth potential. -Mid- Cap stocks, lie between the large- cap and small- cap risk range. Bonds are issued as a way for corporations and government agencies to raise money quickly. Bonds: Basically an IOU from a company or government, bonds are a relatively safe investment. Bonds come with a guarantee that the purchaser will get back their original investment, with a set amount of interest at a specific date. Cash Equivalents: This is a type of short- term investment that is easily converted into cash, such as Treasury or T- Bills( a government note offering low interest) and money market accounts, Although a safe investment, their return can be rather low.


These fixed- income investments come in several categories, or grades: -AAA, AA or A offers relatively low risk. -BBB, are medium grade. -Bonds lower than BBB have higher risk of default. -Junk Bonds, offer the highest risk, and are often worth nothing by their maturation date. Mutual Funds: This popular investment is a simple way to expand your investment portfolio, by allowing investors to pool their money in a collection of stocks, and cash equivalents, bonds, in order to make the most profit at the least risk. Investing money wisely takes a little research and experience, but today's options make investing an option for just about everyone- no matter how much or how little they have to invest. The rationality with this type of investment is, if one fund does poorly, another will make up for the loss.

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Total Amount Paid Out Is Higher Than That Of Other Loans

In the U. The loans that can be included within the consolidation are PLUS loans, Federal Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans.



S, there are two programs that allow students to consolidate their loans, these include: the FDLP( Federal Direct Student Loan Program) and the FFELP( Federal Family Education Loan Program) . Consolidation includes reducing one's monthly payment to a more affordable fee as well as expanding the time needed in order to pay the loan back. Ultimately, debtors can choose a term of anywhere from 10 to 30 years. A fixed interest rate is established for the entire loan, regardless of one's credit history and if they pay the payments on time. The total amount paid out is higher than that of other loans. The average is ultimately rounded to the nearest. 0125 and no more than 25% .


The interest rate is ultimately decided upon based on the weighted average of all the interest rates of the existing loans being consolidated. Other features included within the loans including grace periods are not given to the newly consolidated loan. Some of the most popular US lenders include: Sallie Mae, Next Student, FDLP, Nelnet, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase& Wachovia Education. There are a variety of consolidation lenders. The idea of consolidation began in 1986 with the Federal Loan Consolidation Program. The Government Accountability Office contemplated in 2005 on giving the FDLP sole discretion of consolidating loans.


The change of the interest rate was established by the Congress in 199Any loan that was taken before that date had a specific variable interest rate that was decided upon by the FDLP loan origination center( university or college) or ultimately the FFELP lender. However, the United States Department of Education would ultimately gain another$ 46 million of debt because of administrative cost which would offset the savings in avoiding various subsidy costs.

Always Remember Such A Detail When You Are Applying For A Loan

Bad credit auto loans can be of two types: either secured or unsecured.



There are both advantages and bad parts to getting a secured loan. A secured loan means you provide some sort of collateral as a guarantee that you will be paying everything back, while an unsecured loan implies no collateral whatsoever. First, they are easier to obtain- in a way, the fact that you have collateral somehow makes up for your bad credit. You are, much more likely, as an individual to pay back for the auto financing. In addition, this gives you more credibility. Moreover, it may be the wiser decision as well.


Considering that unsecured loans are much more risky for the person lending the money, you would have to face higher interest rates. At a first glance, it may seem risky to use an existing car or your own home to guarantee for a loan, but it may be a great money- saving solution when you are searching for auto financing. Therefore, if you are really in search of money and applying for an unsecured loan has not worked for you so far, this may just be the answer. If you fail to pay back the loan, whatever you had provided as collateral will obviously enter the terms of repossession. However, be very careful when you make the decision between different bad credit auto loans. Always remember such a detail when you are applying for a loan. However, if you do not possess such items which are valuable enough or simply do not want to take the risk, other options are also available.


In most cases, this collateral consists of a different vehicle or real estate. You can use items such as guns or coins, namely collectibles in order to obtain auto financing- as a matter of fact, anything that has a value exceeding that of the loan itself. If all goes well, you will of course receive the items back at the end of the interval. In the case of such objects, it is common practice for the one who provides the auto financing to be in their possession on the period of the debt. If real estate or vehicles are involved, you can be, however at ease- you can continue driving your old car or living in your home. Probably a slight formality will be necessary- a deed to your apartment or the title to your car- but they will definitely not prevent you from using them normally. Lenders do not usually ask for possession rights upon these.


In addition, when bad credit auto loans have reached their complete satisfaction( i. e. you have paid them off) , your things will return to your ownership completely. Be very careful- if you fail to pay and the lender repossesses either your car or home, it may be too late to buy them back, because they have immediate selling rights from then on. All you have to do is manage your payments efficiently. Therefore, it is preferable not to get into such a situation in the first place. With the Internet at your fingertips, you have every chance of finding the best companies that offer bad credit auto loans, on a location near yours. There is no magic recipe for deciding between a secured loan and an unsecured one- it is a matter of you knowing your financial situation very well and acting appropriately.