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Monthly Archives: March 2009
A Mortgage Refinance With Bad Credit The Pros And Cons
Author : Jose Luis
To many, the term 'bad credit' is the end of the world when it comes to getting financing in the near future However, it doesn't always have to be like that, you can take the bad credit mortgage refinance option!
Mortgage refinance vs equity finance
It is essential at the outset that you understand there is a fundamental difference between mortgage refinancing and equity financing Basically, with equity financing you are using the surplus amount you may have stored up in your property between your outstanding mortgage amount and the appraised value of your home However a mortgage refinance is where you find a new lender willing to lend you the whole appraised value of your property, the sum of which you then use to repay your existing mortgage lender and the remaining sum you can utilize in any manner you wish Because of this, you are faced with a different set of problems than would be the case with an equity financing
The pros of a bad credit mortgage refinance
Aside from any possible equity financing you can do with your property, without doubt the biggest upside to a bad credit mortgage refinance is the fact that it is a long-term and cheap form of borrowing Interest rates are likely to be low and, possibly, can even be fixed You could even possibly benefit from certain tax advantages from a bad credit mortgage refinance
Because of this, bad credit mortgage finance can allow you to do things financially that may not otherwise be available to you as a person with a bad credit rating You could use the equity you free up after you repay your original mortgage lender to invest in stocks and savings that will give you a better yield than you are currently getting on the property
Alternatively, you could pay off all outstanding debts you have so that you have no interest and debt payments to make each month – merely a mortgage repayment Finally, you could even use the equity you get to invest in a long- term investment plan like your pension In fact the options are so limitless that you should really consult with a financial expert who can best advise you on how you should put that money to the best use for you!
The cons of bad credit mortgage refinance
The number one downside to any mortgage refinancing, whether it be bad credit or otherwise, is the fact that mortgage lenders do not like to be repaid early As such they usually incorporate some expensive penalty clauses to try and make it not worth your while repaying them early With this in mind, you will need to read your original mortgage agreement with your original lender very carefully to make sure you won't have any onerous default payments to make; or, you could try and arrange for the new lender to swallow these
That said, if you make any arrangements with the new lender that they agree to pay these fees for you, you then need to make sure they do not put any restrictive clauses in your new refinance mortgage agreement that would prohibit you from refinancing your mortgage again at some time in the future if the occasion warrants such
Without a doubt, as a person with a bad credit history and bad credit rating, a bad credit mortgage refinance can open up avenues to you that would not otherwise be there You do, however, need to give consideration as to whether or not you want to take this route Not least because at the end of the day your house and family home is on the line!
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The LLC Set up
Author : David Gass
To set up an LLC or limited liability company is one of the major decisions that any business or company can undertake This form of business registration has a lot of implications for the operation and management of the company and can ultimately contribute to its success or failure But the first thing any business that wants to set up an LLC should do is to get good advice There are pros and cons to this type of business registration and to set up an LLC will take some time and money, the two most important resources that any business has It is useful to examine the options before investing either
The simplest form of business registration is a sole proprietorship This is usually a simple registration of the fact that an individual wishes to engage in public commerce and the nature of that business Unless there are other licenses to obtain from the local regulatory authorities because of the nature of the business, this means a trip to City Hall, filling out the required forms, paying the minimal fees, and obtaining a business number that allows the company to begin business The individual owner can then start up operations and assume all of the liabilities and tax requirements of the business
A more complex form of business registration is incorporation This involves registering the business as a corporation and issuing shares in that business to others who may wish to be part of the business The act of incorporation involves filing acts of incorporation with the state and while an individual can prepare and file these without an attorney, legal and financial advice is usually required to ensure that the documents are in order There will have to be a Board of Directors, officers of the corporation and a method to inform shareholders of the on-going operations of the business
Somewhere in the middle of the previous two options is the option to set up an LLC An LLC is more complex than a sole proprietorship and simpler than incorporation It has some benefits and disadvantages The disadvantages to choosing to set up an LLC are mostly in the time and costs of going through the process Once the business has been set up as an LLC or a limited liability company the advantages begin to kick in
The major reason to set up an LLC is to protect the owner or owners of a business from liability This form of business registration limits the liabilities of the owners to the level of investment that they have made in the business All other debts, responsibilities or liabilities that are incurred or caused by the operation of the business are not their responsibility
The other main reason to set up an LLC is for taxation purposes Income from a limited liability company is only taxed once and the state does not levy additional income tax on the company or business itself This is different from a C-corporation where income is seen as both corporate and personal and taxed at both levels when dividends are taken
David Gass is President of Business Credit Services, Inc. His company publishes afree weekly e-newsletter on Small Business Consulting at their web site http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com
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What Is Home Equity And Why Should You Care
Author : T J Madigan
You might have heard a lot about the home equity loan from friends or co-workers, but still you are not sure what it is and how it works But really, what is a home equity loan? To understand what it is and how it works, first we need to know what home equity is To be able for you to have home equity, of course, you should have or own a home Your home can be your best asset and no matter how much money you are making at present, the time will come when you need a considerable amount of money – not just a little extra – but a large amount of money And don’t say that that’s not going to happen, because we don’t know what the future has in store for us
Home equity is the difference between the current market value (appraised value) of your home and the outstanding mortgage balance Therefore, if -
Your home’s appraised value is $ 100, 000
Your outstanding mortgage balance is $ 50, 000
Your home equity is $ 50,000
Now that you know what home equity is, it’s time for you to ask “what is a home equity loan”? A home equity loan has two major types; the home equity loan and home equity line of credit A home equity loan or a home equity line of credit allows you to borrow money using your home’s equity as collateral Both types actually put your home in the hands of the lenders If you are not able to pay your dues, this could mean the loss of your home So, be very careful in dealing with this kind of loan
To compute for your potential credit, most lenders set a percentage of your home’s appraised value minus the balance owed on mortgage The exact amount in which you can borrow also depends on some factors like your ability to pay, debts, and other financial obligation Given the above example:
Your home’s appraised value $ 100, 000
Percentage x 80 %
Percentage of appraised value = $ 80, 000
Less balance owed on mortgage – $ 50, 000
Your potential credit is $ 30, 000
Now that you know what home equity and a home equity loan are, the next thing you should be asking is, which home equity loan is best for you? To find which home equity loan is best for you, determine the purpose of your loan and how long you want to pay it, in terms of years In order for you not to get hooked-up on debt for a long time, borrow only the amount you need for a specific purpose only
For more free articles like this one, or up to date news and information on Australian home equity loans and U.S. home equity loans, visit: http://www.best-home-equity-loans.com.au
Recommended by ThoughtSearch.com: Do Not Give up on Real Estate- Buy a Home now for the price of a Used Car!
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FHA Loans in a 21st Century Depression
Author : Nick Kent
Earlier this year, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 was enacted by congress and the Bush Administration, in an effort to stimulate business investment and attempt to avert impending crisis and recession Needless to say, their efforts haven’t seen success so far, for reasons everyone is familiar with What you probably remember about the act is that you received a $300-$600 rebate check after filing your taxes, but what you may not recall is that the act also had a profound effect on the ceiling for FHA-insured home loans
Before March 6, 2008, the limit for FHA loans was $362,790 That meant that the FHA could not insure loans above that price As part of the economic stimulus package (referred to as the “FHA Forward” program) however, congress authorized the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) to increase their maximum loan limit from $362,790, to between $271,050 and $729,750, depending on location and the size of the home For instance, the FHA will now insure mortgages on single-family homes in Denver as high as $406,250 The most populous areas, and areas with the highest costs of living such as New York City and Los Angeles have seen their limits increased to $729,750
As the availability of private mortgage insurance and other options increased early this decade, FHA loans lost popularity, but the past several months have seen a resurgence in FHA loans With some major sub-prime lenders recently on the edge of default, banks have become increasingly hesitant to (and in some cases just can’t afford to) offer 100% mortgage loans, and FHA loans have become a common alternative for consumers who otherwise would not be able to acquire conventional financing for their homes
The FHA was created as part of the National Housing Act of 1934 (subsequent to the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the New Deal), as a reaction to the collapse of the banking system in the 1930′s Its purpose was to counteract the vast decline in homeownership during the Great Depression It’s not surprising then that consumers are looking to the FHA for assistance again, as we enter what is considered by most to be the greatest economic threat the U S has faced in nearly eight decades
It is important to make the distinction that the FHA does not originate loans, but rather insures lenders against loss, in the event that a borrower becomes unable to meet the terms of their loan That being the case, all FHA loans are not created equal Different lenders offer various terms and incentives, and for that reason consumers should seriously consider meeting with a Certified Mortgage Planner (not the same as a broker) who can help them in compare offers from the lender or lenders who meet their personal criteria
With the latest polls showing continuous increase in pessimism regarding the economy, and decrease in consumer confidence, it’s no surprise that we’re returning in droves to some of the same institutions that helped us during the Great Depression It not possible to predict with certainty what will happen over the next several years, but at least we can take comfort in something this time that we couldn’t last time: we’ve seen it all before
Rate1st is the largest online lending network in the United States, and is proudly provides a safe, efficient, and easy way to shop for FHA loans during hard economic times. To contact a Certified Mortgage Planner about information on an FHA loan, please visit http://www.Rate1st.com.
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Be Aware Before Applying For A Reverse Mortgage
Author : Rex Steel
With the increase in retirement age people over the next few years analysts expect there to be an increase in applications for reverse mortgages as well With so many retirements expected to happen within the span of a few years experts also agree many potential retirees will need the equity from their homes to make it through retirement Even though a reverse mortgage can be an advantage to retirees there are pitfalls to consider before jumping into one
First you have to go to an approved reverse mortgage lender Some people who have used private lenders have horror stories about their experience There have been instances of hidden percentage rates and clauses that can leave the homeowners penniless Most analysts recommend using a FHA insured home equity mortgage to ensure there are no hidden clauses
A reverse mortgage allows the homeowner to draw money on the equity of their home without having to pay it back or make any monthly payments as long as they live in the house Another danger of a reverse mortgage is if the homeowners have to go into a long term care facility or an extended hospital stay then they forfeit their home to the lenders Children will have the option of repaying the debt in order to keep the home but the interest rates are usually too high to make that a viable option Some homeowners have had this happen relatively soon after taking a reverse mortgage and feel like their homes were literally stolen from them Of course nobody can predict the future, especially when it comes to health issues, so this is just the risk you take when applying for the reverse mortgage
When the reverse mortgage was introduced in the late 1980′s the interest rates offered were primarily adjustable This was a huge risk to take and if interest rates were to rise it would impact the amount and timeframe of the loan Lenders have since introduced many fixed interest rate options that greatly reduce the risk these days Another complaint from seniors who have investigated a reverse mortgage is the fees that are charged upfront Some closing costs can be as high and this is sometimes a deciding factor for people to accept or pursue another option
The idea of the reverse mortgage can sound very attractive to homeowners on the verge of retirement or the recently retired It can offer the opportunity to relieve the financial stress of retirement or the opportunity to pursue activities you dreamed of in younger days and they can work well for some people You just need to be careful of the pitfalls that can happen after you apply and are accepted
Rex Steel has been involved with the mortgage industry for over 25 years. He has written countless informative articles. For more information on a reverse mortgageplease visit his new and informative website.
http://www.mortgageloan-network.com
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Mastermind Your Way to Business Success
Author : Jan Marie Dore
I’m a big believer in mastermind programs and success teams A business mastermind team is a group of entrepreneurs who get together to support each other in growing their business, in moving through stuck places, and in brainstorming ideas for new opportunities
If you’re a business owner you may notice how easy it is to get stuck in the details of running your business and how hard it is to stay focused on the big picture of where you want your business to go If we don’t get support and feedback from other people who know us and our business well, it’s almost impossible for us to see how and where we’re getting stuck We don’t often take the opportunity to step outside our business, take an objective viewpoint, and reconnect with our vision
The benefits of participating in a mastermind team are many You benefit from the creative ideas of many people instead of just your own limited thoughts The group will help you problem solve your biggest challenges The synergy of the group helps you to step out of your comfort zone into the place of new possibilities The group will also hold you accountable so that you’re more likely to take action to reach your goals
If you want to pull together you’re own success team, here are some tips to get you started:
Create a vision of the outcome you want
The first step is to get clear on what you want to create What do you want your business and life to look like 5 years from now? How do you define success? The clearer you are on your vision and the outcomes you want, the more likely you are to achieve them
Write out your goals and objectives
Less than 5% of people write out their goals, but those who do are much more likely to achieve them than those who don’t Writing out your goals and objectives to achieve your vision will give you and your group a clear roadmap to your success
Decide who you want on your success team
Think about who you’d like to invite Who would be the right partners for you? It’ been said that our business will be as successful as the five business people we spend the most time with Our income and success tends to stay in the same range as the group we’re connected to
Take responsibility for your experience
Decide what you’d want to get out of being a part of a mastermind team What would be the best outcome you could achieve? If these people were your ‘virtual board of directors’, how would you want to interact with them? Establish guidelines for trust, honesty, confidentiality, commitment, timeliness, and accountability
Rotate leadership
The group doesn’t need one leader, but it’s good for each member to rotate through the leadership role This may mean the person who hosts the meeting reminds people of the day and time, sets the tone, facilitates the discussion, and keeps time so that everyone gets air time Or, you may set roles for each member, such as meeting scheduler, host, note taker, and time keeper
A mastermind team can be a powerful support for your business success Commit to taking action to create your own personal success team, and watch your results multiply
Jan Marie Dore publishes the newsletter ‘Success Secrets for Women Entrepreneurs’. She teaches solo professional women marketing and sales strategies to attract new clients, grow their business, and make more money. Subscribe and be invited to free teleseminars at www.femalepreneurs.com
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Business Tax Deductions Is It Really Necessary To Keep Receipts
Author : Wayne Davies
I regularly receive email from sincere folks who ask questions like this: “Is it true? If I don’t have good records, will I really pay more tax than I could/would/should have?”
Or how about this one: “If I don’t have receipts, does it really matter? If I get audited, will the IRS nail me for not substantiating my deductions?”
The answer to every one of those questions is an emphatic “Yes!” And if you think I’m just making this stuff up to scare you, well, think again And here’s the proof that the IRS does really “nail” the average Joe for not having receipts
I’d like you to meet an average Joe, although his name is really Mike — Michael Robert Cottrell Mike was self-employed and made about $5,700 in self-employment income one year He didn’t report that income because he thought, “I have at least that much in expenses, so my expenses offset my income and I really didn’t make any profit So there’s really no need to report the income or the expenses ”
Well, Mike got audited by the IRS, and when the IRS told him to “prove” those deductions with a paper trail, Mike was unable to do so He literally had no records whatsoever to document his claim that his net profit was zero
He admitted to receiving the $5,700 in income, but then proceeded to claim that about 50% of that income was spent on materials, 25% went toward subcontracted labor, and the rest went to pay other miscellaneous expenses and debts
The IRS said, “Prove those deductions ” Mike said, “I don’t have any records They were lost when I moved ” The IRS said, “Sorry, Mike No receipt, no deduction ”
End result: Mike was “nailed” by the IRS with a tax bill to the tune of $1,625 Because he didn’t have any written record of his deductions, his deductions were disallowed
There you have it It does happen And it can happen to you, if you choose to Be Like Mike
NOTE: The information about Mr Cottrell is a matter of public record — Michael Robert Cottrell T C Summary Opinion 2003-162
Yes, there are a few exceptions to the “No receipt, no deduction” rule For example, you can deduct your vehicle expenses based on mileage rather actual expenses This is known as the Mileage Rate method, and you do not have to keep receipts to use the Mileage Rate method
But generally speaking, it’s best to cultivate the habit of keeping your receipts and filing them in a well-organized record keeping system Otherwise, you take the risk of running afoul of the IRS, and that will not bode well for you on Audit Day
Wayne M. Davies is author of 3 ebooks on small business tax reduction strategies. For a free copy of his Special Report ‘How To Instantly Double Your Deductions’, visit www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com.
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Amortization Table Calculate Your Own the Quick and Easy Way
Author : Ed Lathrop
Within the world of finance is a world of borrowing because using other people’s money is how regular people get started in big business
Borrowing is also how people who don’t happen to have $400,000 at their disposal purchase nice new homes in nice neighborhoods Without mortgages, very few people would own homes and the middle class wouldn’t exist, as there would be two classes of people, the homeowners and those who rented from them
The most important part of borrowing is knowing how much money you are paying back to the lender and how much money you are wasting on interest Central to this knowledge is the understanding of what an amortization table is and how to use it
In this article not only will we discuss these two things, but also you will actually be taught how to build an amortization table and we will calculate one as we go along
What will the table tell us?
The first step to calculating an amortization table is the understanding of what the table will tell us In short, amortization tables break monthly payments into two parts, the principal paid and the interest paid So, it would behoove us if we knew what the total monthly payment was to begin with
I know, it probably sounds like a cop out because we could calculate the payment, but that part of the equation will be left for another article Here, we’re going to go to a financial or mortgage calculator and find out the payment Then, we will do the calculations to break the payment down into its two parts
Let’s start by using an example In this example, the numbers may sound peculiar but we are going to use numbers that will make the example easy to follow So, let’s say we have a mortgage with a principle of $360,000 The mortgage will be paid off over 30 years, or 360 monthly payments The interest rate will be a 1970′s type 12%
Interest calculation formula
Now, we will see how much interest we will pay on the first payment First we will take the amount of principal we have left to pay In this case it will be the whole mortgage of $360,000 We need to divide it by the number of months we have left to pay because we are building a monthly amortization table This will tell us the amount we are paying interest on for one month
Next, we want to multiply this amount by one month’s interest One month’s interest will be found by dividing the yearly interest rate by 12 Then we have to multiply this amount by the number of months left to pay on the mortgage, in this case 360 If we didn’t do this, we would just be seeing the amount of interest that would be paid if there were only one month left to pay the mortgage
Simplify the formula
Here’s how that formula looks: Int on month’s payment=principal left/ number of months left x monthly interest x number of months left Now, if you look at the formula you will see the term “number of months left” twice Once it is a numerator (above the line) and once it is a denominator (below the line) This means we can divide it by itself So, the formula now looks like: Int on month’s payment=principal left x monthly interest Pretty easy, huh!
Begin calculating
Now, let’s build our amortization table $360,000 x 01= $3,600 This is the interest paid the first month Not sure where the 01 came from? It is 12%, or 12, which is the yearly interest rate divided by 12 giving us the monthly interest rate
Next, we take the monthly payment we got from a mortgage calculator, which is $3,703 01, and we know the interest on the first payment is $3,600 so we will subtract it from $3,703 01, which will tell us the principal part of the first payment is $103 01 This is the first entry in our amortization table $3,6000 interest and $103 01 principal
At this point, we know we no longer owe $360,000 on the mortgage because we have paid $103 01, so the principal left is now $360,000 – $103 01, or $359,896 99 We now multiply this number by 01 to get the interest part of the second payment This is $3,598 97 and, since we know the total payment is $3,703 01, we will subtract $3,598 97 from it to get $104 04 which is the principal paid on the second payment
There you have it You just continue calculating in this way for another 358 payments and you will have built your amortization table completely by hand This, by the way, is something few people can say!
Even if you don’t continue on making these calculations, you now know, from a very inside perspective, exactly what amortization is all about!
Ed Lathrop is a successful Real Estate investor. He has developed a Website where you can print out a mortgage payment table showing monthly payments for hundreds of different combinations of interest rates and borrowed amounts. Get your free printout at : House Payment Chart. Also, find out how to get your amortization schedule and use it to save big money at: Amortization Schedules Free.
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