Business Finance - Financing Decisions

by: Naz Daud

The goal of corporate finance is to raise sufficient capital at the least cost for the level of risk that management is willing to live with. The risk is that a business will not be able to service the debt and be forced into bankruptcy.

Broadly speaking there are 5 main ways of funding a company's needs:

* Receive credit from suppliers
* Obtain lease financing
* Obtain bank loans
* Issue bonds
* Issue stock

Supplier credit

This is the easiest way that companies obtain funding. Companies buy goods and services and have anywhere from seven days till 6 months to pay for them; when companies need more credit from suppliers the financial controllers will negotiate longer credit terms or larger credit lines. The payment terms can also be stretched and this can work well because the creditors do not want the customer to go into bankruptcy taking their money with them.

Lease financing

Instead of buying equipment, many companies choose to lease equipment - this is a form of franchising.Cars,computers and heavy equipment can be financed for short periods or indeed longer periods.

If it is a short period it is referred to as an operating lease and at the end of the lease the property is still useful and is returned to the finance company.

Long term leases are, in substance, ways are ways of funding a purchase rather than buying the temporary services of a piece of equipment. These are often referred to as capital leases.

For capital leases the leased assets and the financing liability are recorded on the leasing company's books as though the company had bought the equipment outright.

Bank financing

The next level of financing involves banks. If a company has a credit line or revolver with a bank it draws down and pays back up to set limits of credit as cash is needed and generated by the business. The credit is often secured by assets of the firm however if a business runs into trouble it may not be able to pay the bank and go into bankruptcy

Bond Insurance

Bonds have fixed interest rate contractual payments and a principal maturity. The risk comes to the firm's owners if they cannot be serviced. The principle bond owners can then exchange them for ownership of the company and oust the owners.

The After-Tax cost of Borrowing

Interest payments for borrowing from vendors, bankers or bondholders are tax-deductible, while dividends to shareholders are not. The after-tax cost of borrowing is the interest cost less the tax benefit.

Stock Issues

Stock issues have non-contractual, non tax deductible dividend payments. Stock represents an ownership in the business and in all of its assets. If additional shares of stock are issued to raise cash, this is done at the at the expense of the current shareholders' ownership interest. New shareholders share their ownership interest equally on a per-share basis with the current shareholders - this is why analysts say that the new shareholders dilute the interest of existing shareholders.

Summary

In summarising, the higher the percentage of debt to total capital, the higher a company's value, to a point. At the point where the risk of bankruptcy becomes significant, values fall. The cost of financing decreases as a company adds lower-cost shielded debt to displace the higher returns required by equity investors.

About The Author
Naz Daud is the Founder of the CityLocal Internet Business Franchise Opportunity.
http://www.citylocal.co.uk
http://www.citylocal.co.uk/frontend/franchiseinfo.php?cityid=79
http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=120141

7 Proven Steps to Fix Your Personal Finances That You Can Implement Right Now

by: Bruce Hokin

Fixing your personal finances is not rocket science. You can do it if you apply some commitment and are prepared to stick to the plan. Imagine how your world could open up if you were debt free. Imagine all the options. Quit your job, work fewer hours, have more holidays or just help others.

The proven methods listed below will work for you if you are determined to succeed and implement them in your own circumstances.

Step 1. Imagine how good life will be once the debt is paid.

Imagine for a minute how good life would be to if you were debt free. Think what you could do with the money you currently use to pay off those credits cards. You could use it to save for your future, save for your retirement, hit the sales with a clear conscience, go on holidays or save for your children's college education. Think on this often and visualize in your mind's eye how your life would change for the better once the debt was gone. If you seriously want this to happen to you it will be easier to follow the next steps.

Step 2. Do a budget.

Unless you know what your financial position is currently you won't know what targets to set, will you. Agreed? Good. The best, most simple way to do this is to set up a personal or family budget. A lot of people stop here and don't progress any further. Bad idea! This can be done very simply. Just follow the points listed below:

a) Get out your latest credit card statements. Add up all the unpaid balances.
b) If there are any other unpaid debts (not home or car) include these balances as well.
c) Calculate your (or family) monthly income - just the amount brought home each month.
d) Calculate your monthly spending. Work out where all the money goes. Don't leave any thing out.
e) Take the monthly spending total away from the monthly income total and review the answer.

Are you living beyond your means? Are you spending more than you earn each month? Are you putting any money aside for emergencies or saving to replace costly items such as the car or some major electrical appliances? Do you have any money left over to increase your monthly credit card payments? Set your self a goal of paying off your credit cards within a certain time.

The questions raised here can be addressed by putting Steps 3-7 into practice.

Step 3. Live within your means.

You can never get your finances under control if you continue to live beyond your means. The cost of living this way is the interest charged by the credit card provider. This is one of the major reasons you are suffering now. Commit yourself to live within your means. Once you have done the budget as outlined in Step 2 you can easily see what you have available to spend.

Step 4. Cut up your credit cards. (Well, maybe keep 1 for emergencies, if you have to.)

It is really important not to add more debt. Read that again. If you can live within your means, you can cut up your credit cards and focus on paying off the credit card balance as soon as possible. You may have items around the house that can be sold. Maybe a second car that is not a necessity. Sell these things and use the funds to pay down the credit card balances. Take on some extra hours at work, think of ways to earn extra income so that these extra funds can be applied to those credit card balances.

Step 5. Find bargains - have fun.

If this whole process becomes a drudgery then it will all become too hard and you won't keep going. Don't let this happen! Set some money aside so that you can, occasionally, buy those things you want. Learn how to only buy things you need and ensure they are at the cheapest price possible. Here are some hints that will help:

a) Look for sale items
b) Don't buy on impulse
c) Only use free cash funds to buy - not by credit card
d) Ask yourself "Do I really need this?" twice or three times before you hand over your hard-earned cash.
e) If there is something you really want - wait for it to go on sale.
f) Don't buy your items at the height of the fashion or the fad, wait a few weeks.

Step 6. Set aside a savings amount.

A target of 20% of your take-home salary is recommended. However, saving any of your salary is a good start. Set your goal and stick to it. The idea is to match your lifestyle to your income. Having some savings can help in emergencies, pay a larger deposit on your next car or be the beginnings of your holiday or retirement nest egg.

Step 7. Don't compare yourself with others.

Your task of living within your means will be made easier if you don't compare your lifestyle with others. You don't know, but their finances may be in a worse state than yours. If you want a better lifestyle, then save for it and/or work out ways to increase your income.

These are just the very beginning steps that you can take towards getting your finances in shape. With a little commitment and the right tools, you will succeed.


About The Author
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom" Personal Budget. It based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website http://www.freedom-personal-budgets.com

Refinance Student Loans - How and Why?

Syndicated by Article City, Knowledge Level: , Keywords: refinance student loans - how and why?
: Vanessa McHooley

Let’s face facts. Going to college these days, especially private universities, is no cheap task and can put you well into debt before you even enter the “real world” for yourself. Most people, especially young college students, do not have the tens of thousands of dollars to pony up every year for college tuition either. Therefore, most college students choose to use student loans to put themselves through college, whereby they can pay the tuition without breaking a sweat. However, when it comes time to graduate from college and pay these student loans back, many people do not know where to begin. How about refinancing these loans before you even start anything else?

Advantages of Refinancing

By refinancing your student loans, you can save yourself hundreds, even thousands of dollars before you start repaying your loans, an option that many people fail to use. When you leave college, chances are that you have a variety of loans on the books with an array of different interest rates attached to each one. Refinancing these loans can help you to lower these interest rates, or, at least, bring some of them down, thus lowering your monthly payments and saving YOU money in the end. Even if all of your interest rates cannot be refinanced, chances are that you can save money in some places through refinancing.

Where To Refinance?

But, when it comes to refinancing, where do you turn to find a reliable place to lower your interest rates? The Internet may just be your one-stop-shop for refinancing your student loans from college, as you can search a variety of sites that offer refinancing services to suit your needs. Be careful though. Not every web site offering financial help will actually help you, and non-credible sites may actually just be out to steal a buck from you. Deal with those college student loan web sites that deliver real refinancing results and are properly licensed. Then, sit back and enjoy your money-saving tactics.

This article is distributed by NextStudent. At NextStudent, we believe that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and were dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding as easy as possible. We invite you to learn more about Refinance Student Loans at http://www.NextStudent.com.

Finding the Ideal Home Builder - 5 Tips for Success

By: Robert OShaughnessy

As the real estate market cools, individuals and families considering buying a new home must evaluate many factors. Every search of homes for sale has common elements: location, proximity to good schools and employment, area attractions and distance to family and friends. Some evaluating the market may wish for an older home while others who want to buy a new house prefer the modern amenities common to most new homes offered by various new home builders.

It is a buyer's market and every new home builder is competing for a shrinking pool of customers. Every home buyer is unique yet each will come across dozens of names when researching the homebuilder industry. The competition is fierce and home builders are outdoing each other with incentives and freebies all designed to bring new home buyers into the sales office. The potential new home buyer is advised to look underneath the noisy sales pitches and marketing efforts and evaluate new home builders based on competence, relevance to individual needs and reputation.

This article will offer 5 tips for success for finding the ideal home builder.

1. Solicit Referrals from Family and Friends
Your friends and family know you best. If they have bought a new home from a homebuilder, ask them how they found the home builder and who they recommend (and indeed, who they would avoid). If you have been inside their home, ask yourself if you like it and ask them if they are having problems. Remember, a referral from friends and family is more valuable than one from a stranger - or a marketing pitch.

2. Research Area Home Builders
87% of future home buyers begin their search online for the simple reason that, because a new home purchase is the biggest purchase of a lifetime, it is best to know your options. But there are a lot of new home builders out there. In busy markets like North Carolina, there are literally dozens all competing for business. Visit their websites. If they invest in a good website with valuable information, it shows they care about demonstrating professionalism and integrity. If they speak to your needs (upmarket, first time home buyer, large family, etc.), it suggests they have worked with people like you. If a website is all glitz and little substance, do not call. If the site has valuable information, interactive floor plans, new house plans, sample photos and the functionality to print plans and brochures, this demonstrates competence. So if you like the site - and like the information it contains - sign up for information. You may be given special promotions and will be the first to hear of new offerings.

3. Research the Experience of Previous Customers
It is extremely unlikely that you will be the first person to buy a home from a prospective homebuilder. Because the internet offers such a diversity of voices and opinions, if you do not know anyone who has worked with a considered homebuilder before, see what the online community has to say about the home builder. Some homebuilders have inspired such contempt that websites exist to showcase reasons to avoid them while others have created incredible loyalty. A little research may save you hours of pain and thousands of dollars.

4. Tour Model Homes and Ask Questions
When a home builder unveils a community of new homes for sale, there will be a model home open for public tours. Take one. Some "tip of the iceberg" questions to ask include: How often will access to the new home be given during building; Are there any fees required that need to be paid upon closing; How many times has a given plan been built; Is there a premium on the home site; What will be built on adjoining properties; What are area zoning laws; and How is code-compliance guaranteed?

5. Read the Paperwork
The new home purchase is a major decision so take the time to read all documents thoroughly. If something is unclear, ask questions. Everybody says "read the fine print" but in this case, perhaps more than any other, this is crucial.

* Written on behalf of New Home Builder Orleans Homes

Author Bio
Robert O'Shaughnessy is the Online Marketing Manager for Graphic Language in San Francisco. Graphic Language provides results-driven online solutions to businesses, primarily in the home builder industry.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Home Staging: 50 Tips - Get Started on Your Home Staging Journey

By: Teri B. Clark

"Home staging" was coined by Barb Schwarz back in the early '70s, and the concept has become well known as "house fluffing," "dressing to sell," and "home presentation" to name a few, but the concept has not taken hold among home owners when selling a home because many people do not understand the idea or cannot create a workable plan for staging their home correctly.

The focus of staging is to make a home more marketable by creating the most appealing home to the greatest number of prospective buyers. It should be impersonal enough not to infringe on a buyer's own sense of style.

Decorating is optional. Staging, on the other hand, is essential - that is if you want to sell your house for the most possible money in the shortest amount of time. Staging - it is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.

Since home staging is truly an essential part of selling your home, I wanted to share these 50 Tips To Get You Started on Your Home Staging Journey.

1. Be sure that your home is staged before you or your realtor takes the photos for the web. Over 70% of all new apartment/home searches are started on the Internet. It is imperative that the property looks good in the photos so that it can attract as many people as possible to see the real thing.

2. You should not have one person look at your house until it has been staged completely. It should not go through the broker walkthrough, MLS, open houses, or anything. Stage first!

3. Kate Hart of Hart & Associates Staging and Design LLC knows that home staging works for all properties regardless of the price point because home staging is about preparing your home for a faster and more profitable sale and marketing your property to the most potential buyers for its target audience. "I have staged homes ranging from $100,000 to $10 million and have had the same result- the homes sell faster and for top dollar compared with the competitors within their price range."

4. If you have dark cabinets, a light colored handle or something in shiny gold will enhance them. If you have light cabinets, you can give them the sleek look by using handles of the same color so that they are hardly noticeable or by using brushed silver handles. With light wood, you can also use darker handles, gold, bronze, or even colors.

5. Sometimes renovations are needed. However, here are five that you should avoid:

- Adding high end appliances to a modest home
- Adding hand painted tiles to the bath or kitchen
- Adding a central vacuum
- Adding air conditioning (unless you are in an area that all homes have it)
- Replacing windows with newer models

6. Be sure to check with your city or county building inspector before beginning a new project. Many departments require permits, even for things as simple as changing a dishwasher.

7. Everything in its place is a good motto to remember. Always find appropriate places to store your items. Litter boxes in the kitchen and trashcans in the pantry are just two examples of inappropriate placement.

8. Julie Dana of The Home Stylist has the following tip: Do not have any cleaning products visible. You want the buyer to think that the house cleans itself. You do not want to remind buyers that there will be work to do in this house, so put away laundry baskets and dish drainers as well!

9. Lisa Wonsey of Space/Lift explains that selling an empty home can be a huge mistake. Buying or renting furniture is especially vital in an empty home. Empty homes do not show well and can sit on the market for months until a buyer with a good visual imagination comes along, or until the seller drops the price so low that the home is a steal.

10. Your refrigerator will need to be cleaned, even if you are not leaving it. People will still look inside and a dirty refrigerator will turn them off. If you are taking it with you, you may as well clean it now. If you are leaving it, then it is imperative to have it sparkling.

11. Ruthanne Hatfield of Art of Interior Placement emphasizes that taking away items is needed, but adding back is essential, too: Each room should be embellished with accessories artwork, mirrors, accent tables, silk trees and florals, as well as dishes, bedding, and towels so all areas look inviting.

12. Check for unusual odors in your house. It may come from a pet or even from your upholstery.

13. Cleaning is rarely fun for anyone, but it does not have to be a terrible chore. Play some fun, lively music. Before you know it, your adrenaline will start pumping and you will be dancing your way through the house.

14. To clean those irritating stains in the bathtub, make a paste by using hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar. Use an old toothbrush to rub the mixture into the stain and rinse thoroughly.

15. To clean the microwave, fill a paper cup with water and a few tablespoons of baking soda. Nuke it for about 30 seconds, or until you see the contents explode. Then just take a paper towel and wipe it all off. The explosion spreads the cleanser over the entire area, and you can even use the moistened rag or paper towel to wipe outside the microwave and its surrounding area.

16. Mary Larsen of Larsen-Trochlil Designs offers the following professional tip: Do not offer money towards painting or installing new carpeting. Remember, if you are not willing to do it, your buyer is not likely to either.

17. Take a look around you. Do you have items in your home that are unused and have no real sentimental value? If so, get rid of them! These types of items can often be found in closets, cupboards, basements, and garages. Sometimes they are on bookshelves or even in your everyday living space. The more you are able to move out the more the next buyer will want to "move in."

18. If you do not have a plan for what to do with the stuff you no longer need, it will get put in the basement or the attic or the garage or simply stay in a pile in the room where it began. If this happens, then you really did not get rid of clutter - you just moved it to another location. When you are clearing the clutter for home staging purposes, you will have many different piles. Some things may go to a thrift store such as the Salvation Army, some things may go to the dump, some things may go into storage, and some things may be set aside for a garage or yard sale. Knowing what you are going to do with the extra clutter is essential to really decluttering your home.

19. Sylvia Beez of m.a.p. interiors inc. reminds us that: A home for sale should always be presented in its best light and immaculate condition, which is not the reality of everyday life. Potential buyers do not want to see how you live, with your children, cats and dogs, and mess. They want to see themselves in a perfect house under perfect conditions and that is how a home on the market should always be presented.

20. If your kitchen cabinets, pantries, and drawers - even your refrigerator - look jammed packed, it sends a negative message to the buyer. This message is that there is not enough room in your kitchen. If they were looking for plentiful storage space, after opening your crowded cupboards, they will believe that they will not find it in your kitchen. The best way to change this negative first impression is to have as much "empty space" as possible.

21. Marlene Feldman of Marlene Feldman Associates has the following suggestion for small dining rooms: If the dining room has an oversized china cabinet, consider removing it. Or, if has a top and bottom, remove the top. This will open up the space considerably

22. Take a look at your bathroom. If you are like most people, you will find half-used shampoo bottles, a jumble of hair accessories, a curling iron, foam curlers, several cans of shaving cream, tub toys, lotions, medication, books and magazines, oils, candles, toilet paper, and on and on and on. The amount of stuff we store in our bathrooms is far greater than the storage capacity for these small rooms, especially, if like many bathrooms, you have just a medicine cabinet and a very small vanity. The "stuff" that is not in use needs to be boxed up and moved out.

23. Katie Joanow of Star Staging explains that: You should remove extra chairs from the tables. Unless you have a massive space, you will not need more than 4 chairs around a table. Also remove extra leaves from the table. This will make the room feel larger.

24. Buyers want to see your carpet or your hardwood floor or your linoleum. Most home stagers suggest removing all area rugs, unless you have a large area of hardwood, where one rug is acceptable. Area rugs make spaces seem more crowded. Without them, your floor plan opens up.

25. Closets are great for accumulating clutter, though you may not think of it as clutter. Perhaps the clutter is wrapping paper, or Christmas items, or an old sewing machine. Maybe you have some keepsakes, or photo albums. Then of course there are the extra clothes and shoes. None of these things are likely to be in the throw away pile, but they should not be in your closet if you want to reduce the look of clutter.

26. Gail Greer of All Rooms Great and Small gives this tip about painting your home: You need to be willing to change paint colors. There are certain universally accepted colors and these should be used when repainting your home. Yellow or shades of gold are warm and inviting. You should also accent with yellow. Your eye absorbs more yellow and therefore sees it first. Green or blue in the bedrooms are great colors because they are restful.

27. Stand a few feet away from the entrance to the bedroom. What do you see? Whatever you see is the first thing that a buyer will see. Is it pretty? Is it bulky? Does it make the room feel small? Move anything from the doorway that is not inviting.

28. A spare room should be viewed as a bonus. It is a "plus" feature of your home, but only if the buyers can view it as such. For example, if your spare room is used mostly as an office, then, during the selling process,you need to make it just that - an office! Get rid of the spare bed and the extra dressers full of last season's clothes. Get rid of the boxes of storage items in the closet. Keep the essentials of your office such as a desk, filing cabinet, bookshelf, and a nice chair in the corner with a small table and lamp.

29. Holly Weatherwax of Momentum Realty explains that whenever possible, she recommends leaving the garage free from storage. If people see that the seller does not have enough storage and has to use the garage, they will begin to wonder if the same thing will happen if they buy the house. People like to think that they might actually be able to use a garage!

30. Find out what organizations in your area pick up items. Such organizations often include Goodwill, The Salvation Army, veteran's associations, and other local organizations. Another good way to get rid of items you no longer need is to use Freecycle. Here, you can list items you no longer need and then choose someone from a list of takers to have them. The best part is the person wanting the items comes to your home on your timetable to get them. You can find a freecycle group in your area by going to www.freecycle.org.

31. Get everything off the counters. Everything. Remove all appliances from the countertops. Even the toaster. Doing so will make you kitchen look larger and more spacious. It will also keep the buyer's eye from stopping on a particular item rather than getting a full view of the room. Put the toaster in a cabinet and take it out when you use it. Find a place where you can store everything in cabinets and drawers.

32. Charlie Ann Taylor of C.A.T.'S ROOMER has a lot to say about these focal points in your home: The kitchen and baths need to be model perfect because the kitchen and baths sell the home.

33. Have you taken away so much that your home no longer has any sparkle? Although YOUR personality needs to be removed, the personality of the house still needs to come through.

34. One of the most important factors to consider when placing items into a room is the idea of transition. As your eye moves around the room, you do not want it jumping from place to place or piece to piece. The movement of the eye should flow - not bounce. To accomplish this, you want to avoid abrupt changes in height.

35. Gail Jackson of Weichert Realtors explains that home staging does not need to be expensive: Paint is very inexpensive and gives you a big bang for your buck. Although a bit labor-intensive, painting is not expensive and gives your home a new, fresh, clean look.

36. Give each room a touch of the unexpected. This can be done with artwork placed in an unusual way, using a piece of furniture in a way that you normally would not use it, or adding a dash of color where the eye least expects to find it. Be creative.

37. Follow the "like-with-like" rule of the thumb. Tall with tall, small with small, wide with wide, and narrow with narrow will guide you throughout the decorating process. Mimic the shape of each space you are decorating. For example, a sofa should be accessorized with horizontal art so you are complementing wide with wide.

38. Marcia Smart's (Smart Interior Styling) tip is to: Recognize that your major competition comes from newer homes. People will take a newer home over an older home if all else is equal. That is why it is essential to give an older home something that puts it above the rest.

39. My favorite decorating tip is to look outside the box. You do not always need to use an item for its intended purpose. For example, do not just use a tablecloth for a table; make it a slipcover for your ottoman. It can save you lots of money and time when you purchase a tablecloth at a local chain verses buying yards of fabric and by purchasing the correct size it can become a no-sew project. Always keep your eyes open for new uses for everyday items.

40. Select a focal point for your room and subtly orient other furnishings and some lighting toward it. If there is a fireplace, it will nearly always be the focal point; other focal points might be bookcases or built-in shelving to house lovely collectibles, or a sofa with a striking painting on the wall above it.

41. Donna Reynolds of Home Rearrangements explains that there are two times that you can angle furniture: In a square room and if a room already has an angle in it, like a corner fireplace or a bay window.

42. In a bedroom, unless you have no other choice, you want to see the foot of the bed when you walk in. You do not want a bed to cross the doorway because it blocks the flow and makes the room look smaller. It is better to see the foot so that you can see the pretty pillows.

43. One of the easiest ways to create color is to add beautiful accent pillows to any room. Introducing a complementary accent color in a room can make a room "pop" and come alive. Accent pillows not only add color but texture and warmth as well. By adding throw pillows in a coordinating or contrast fabric to a couch chair, bench, or bed, you can transform your room and add instant warmth inexpensively!

44. One way to see if your home has curb appeal is to walk across the street and have a good look at your house. where did your eyes go? They should be drawn to the front door and entryway. If they are not, then you need to do something about it.

45. Kimberly Cash of ASPM Tidewater Home Staging Consultants, Inc. offers the following advice: People do not see their house as a product that you have to market and sell. However, selling your home is like packaging. People look at the outside before deciding to come in. Then they look at the inside before deciding to buy, and it is mostly based on looks. It is packaging. You need to wrap up your product, your home, like a beautiful package.

46. Once you have gotten the front yard in shape, it is time to work on the backyard. The most important areas of the backyard are the patios, decks, and porches. Getting these areas up to date will give the buyers a feeling that they are getting bonus space.

47. New window treatments can make a world of difference. They can add value and style to your home and be something the buyers view as a bonus - something they will not have to buy or replace when they move in. The caution, however, is that you keep the treatments neutral (keep your personality out of the room) and that you make sure they do not block the amount of light that comes into a room.

48. Debra Blackmon of Blackmon Design offers the following suggestion for your windows: Many homes have the louvers of the blinds turned down to face the floor. A more enhancing way to use blinds is to turn the louvers up to reflect much-needed ambient light onto the ceiling.

49. Sometimes, refreshing a room can be as easy as changing a light bulb. Bulbs like GE Reveal filter out yellow rays common in ordinary light bulbs, making colors, fabric, walls, and artwork appear richer, crisper, and more vivid.

50. Add pampering accessories! Things like bath bubbles, fluffy towels, and candles not only add the pampering feeling you are trying to achieve, they offer visual comfort with color and texture as well. Psychologically, we all crave that long soak with a good book, and even if we are only in the bathroom for 10 minutes to whip on some make up, just seeing those items displayed promises wonderful baths to come!

As you know, your home becomes a house - a product for sale. Staging your property gives you a more competitive edge in today's market by transforming it into a marketable product. A staged property helps you sell your investment for top dollar and is the first line of defense over lowering the price. Do not settle for less at the closing table simply because you did not understand the value of staging or did not want to take the time or spend the money to do it properly.

In this world of busy buyers, a property has to be staged to appeal to the their imagination. They want to be able to look at your home and know that they can live there. They want to know that their furniture will fit. They want to know that everything is in "move in" condition. That is why staging is so important. It allows buyers to imagine themselves living in your home with their stuff, not yours.

Presentation is everything and staging is presentation! The result is improved functionality and complementary space. Following the techniques in this book will maximize your equity while reducing the market time for your home.

Author Bio
Teri B Clark is a professional writer and published author. Her most recent book, 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought, explains these tips in more detail and offers many, many others. To learn more about Teri's latest book, visit http://staging-your-home.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Home Equity Loans Make Financial Sense

By: Mike Hamel

The optimum word in "home equity loan" is equity. Start with the fair market value of a home, subtract the mortgages (first and second) and any liens against the property, and what you have left is the equity. This equity can be used as collateral to secure cash in the form of a loan or mortgage.

The amount borrowed is based on a percentage of the appraised value of the home. The percentage rate can vary from 75% to 125%. The length of the financing will also vary. The two main types of home equity loans are fixed rate loans and adjustable rate loans.

Fixed rate loan - provides a fixed amount of money at a fixed rate of interest, repayable in equal payments over the life of the loan. Fixed rate financing costs more in set-up fees and comes at higher interest than adjustable rate loans. But if homeowners stay put and interest rates go up, they will save money over a comparable adjustable rate loan.

Adjustable rate loan - the interest rate goes up or down according to the index upon which it is based. Adjustable rate loans will have a cap on how high the interest rate can go. Usually called ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages), this type of loan has lower up-front costs and starts at a lower interest rate than fixed rate financing. This means lower initial monthly payments.

Putting home equity to good use
According to the Consumer Banker Association, the top ten reasons for getting a home equity loan are:

10. Vacation
9. Medical expenses
8. Business expenses
7. Household expenditures
6. Investment
5. Major purchase
4. Education expenses
3. Automobile purchase
2. Home improvement
1. Debt consolidation

Debt consolidation, the most popular reason people cash out their home equity, is a smart form of financing because of the money it can save. For example, say you owe $15,000 on a credit card that charges 17% interest. If you get a debt consolidation loan at 9% interest and pay it off in five years, you'll save you over $30,000!

If you're paying more than 15% interest on anything, you should seriously consider a debt consolidation loan. The right terms could drop your monthly payments by 35% - 50%, depending on interest rates, origination costs and tax consequences.

Even for people who have bad credit or who have filed for bankruptcy, a home equity loan is not out of reach. It can be a good way to make a fresh start. Websites like www.easyhomeequitymortgages.com help borrowers with bad credit get the home equity loan that best fits their unique situation.

Author Bio
Mike Hamel is the author of several books and the Senior Writer for AIM Techs (www.salesandmarketingllc.com), an Internet marketing company that specializes in improving visitor-to-sale conversions using proprietary software and advanced SEM techniques.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Cars and Credit Reports

By: Tom Justice

The Problem

I was driving home from the store the other night when I noticed a license plate that made me laugh to myself and then I proceeded to feel sorry for the poor sap driving. The plate read "0 DOWN". It was a white, shiny, new Ford Explorer (probably an 06'). Here's what really got me about the caption: Not only did this consumer purchase a brand new vehicle with no money down, but he was proud of it. DUMB! Commercial advertisements and society as a whole embeds the "Buy Now, Pay Later" method into our heads and it works so well that around 90% of all consumers who purchase new cars do not put $5 down on the vehicle before signing the papers. The sad fact is, is that the average new automobile loses $3,000 as soon as it leaves the lot. Technically, you have gone into debt for something that loses value before you even use it. As if this wasn't depressing enough, the less money you put down on a car and the worse off your credit is, the more you pay for the car. If this isn't one big sand trap I don't know what is!

The Role of Your Credit Report

Your online credit report is affected 2 ways when you buy a new car with no money down. First let's look at the role it plays after you decide you NEED that shiny new sports car. The mass majority of consumers are thinking of one thing when they sit in the 'sales chair' to go through the paperwork: driving the car home (man this is bringing back some bad, bad memories). In order to do this you will need to finance the vehicle which requires pulling up your credit history and your credit report. This can easily be done online right in the sales office while you look around to make sure no one else tries to sneak off with your new toy. The worse off your credit report is, the higher interest rate you will pay. (This is fine though as long as you can still afford to buy food every other week and pay a few bills here and there.)

The other role that your credit report plays in this game is the after-effect. The average new car buyer's car payment is 25-30% of their total income. This creates a nice, big road block on your credit report in itself for when you are ready to make another large purchase. Not to mention when you fall behind on even one payment and your credit file takes a hard blow. Try to keep these factors in mind next time the kid in you tries to make a financial decision.

The Solution

Well you're not going to like the best solution but here it is anyway: PAY FOR THE CAR IN FULL! If you saved the car payment every month in a good money market account; not only would you save time and money, but when you walked into the sales office with piles of hundred dollar bills you would get quite a deal! Okay, so you're more likely to win the super lotto than do that right?

Well here are a few ideas. As long as you practice a few you might get ahead of this nasty game a little bit or at least protect your online credit report. First, consider getting a 2 or 3 year old car. You can still get a shiny one and the previous owner will have taken the major depreciation of the vehicle passing the savings directly to you. Second, if you can, try waiting and searching to find the best deal possible. Trust me, there is more than 1 of those cars in the market. Third, put something down. Anything! For starters you could put down 10 to 15%. This will lower your monthly payment, lower your interest rate and maybe even cut your payoff time down. Lastly, get a bargain. Don't settle for the asking price by any means. Be patient and keep control of your focus. One definition of maturity is learning to delay pleasure.

Author Bio
Tom Justice is the webmaster for Clean Credit Online and does all the designing, marketing, SEO and maintenance for the site. He has a passion for personal finance and how the economy and consumers are affected by money. To see how you can use Clean Credit Online to help you with your personal finances please visit www.cleancreditonline.com

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Student Loan Consolidation - Big Benefits

By: Dean Shainin

You can benefit from student loan consolidation, but there are things you should consider. It's a good idea to start looking into how you can consolidate your student loans before the grace period ends. Big monthly student loan payments can be stressful when starting a new career.

Why Should I Consolidate My Student Loans Now?
There has never been a better time than now, to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in recent history. A student can get the best deals for consolidating debt and lower those monthly payments. Student loan consolidation can save you hundreds of dollars per year on repaying your student loan.

How Does Student Loan Consolidation Work?
When a student first applied for loans from several different government agencies and loan providers, they each gave a different interest rate and term for paying back the loans. The idea of student loan consolidation, is to take all the different loans and put them into one easy convenient loan. You then only make one monthly loan payment over time. This saves the student both time and money. Having a lower interest rate and less checks to write every month are the big advantages of consolidating a student loan.

Student Loan Consolidation Is Now Easy Online
You can now get a consolidation loan online quickly and easily. The Internet makes research and finding great programs, easy as a few clicks of the mouse. You can get done in a day, what would in the past, take weeks to accomplish. You can learn everything you need to know from information sites that provide the latest news and data in regards to student loan consolidation. This empowers you to get the best deals on student loan consolidation. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can get loan quotes and compare loan companies that are competing for your business.

Consolidation Loans Can Relieve Stress
Student loan consolidation can help student loan borrowers focus on their education, instead of debt. With a single new loan and lower monthly payments, you can focus on what's most important, education and your new career. There is no need to lose sleep at night stressing out about how you're going to pay back all those student loans.

Author BioDean Shainin is a consultant specializing in student loan consolidation. To get more ideas, articles, resources and information, visit this site: www.studentloanconsolidationtips.com

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Student Loan Consolidation Rates - Helpful Tips

By: Dean Shainin

Student loan consolidation has many benefits. Before you sign up on the dotted line, you should know how to get the best student loan rates. If you are tired of too many bills and monthly due dates, it may be time to find the best student consolidation loan you qualify for.

The most obvious way to get the best student consolidation loan rates, is by having great credit. It's easy to get great student consolidation loan rates with a FICO score over 660. But, there are several ways to get the best student consolidation loan rates.

Know Your Credit Before Shopping For Student Consolidation Loan Rates
By doing a simple Google or Yahoo search on FICO and credit scores to find the information you need to check out your credit score. This really should be your first step to getting the best student consolidation loan rates. With knowledge, you will get the best student loan consolidation rates for your financial situation.

Student consolidation loan rates can vary from person to person. The student consolidation loan rates offered will be based on your financial situation and FICO score. With a FICO score under 600, you will have a tough time getting a good student consolidation loan rate.

Refinancing And Home Equity Loans Used For Student Loan Consolidation
With a home equity loan, you can get the best student consolidation loan rates possible with good credit. Secured by your home, a student consolidation loan can help get rid of your high credit card rates and loans. You will have less bills to pay, with the best student consolidation loan rates to lower your interest on several loans.

Refinancing your home mortgage may be an option to get the best student loan consolidation rates.

The important thing to remember with home equity loans and refinancing, is to be logical and don't let your emotions get the best of you. You may get the best student consolidation loan rates available, but you still have to pay back the loan over time.

It's best to take the time to sit down and research all your options that are available to you to get the best loan and interest rate.

Resources Online For Getting The Best Student Loan Consolidation Rates
With today's Internet resources, you have an advantage when looking for the best student loan consolidation rates online. Take time to get educated on the process of getting the best student consolidation loan rates, and you can save yourself thousands of dollars on the student consolidation loan rates available, with just a few clicks of the mouse.

The idea is to combine all your current debts that you owe into one large debt with the lowest interest rate possible. Instead of making monthly payments on several high interest loans ranging from 12% to 28%, you can make one payment each month to one company.

Today's career minded students can get help with the burden of having several student loans. You can focus on your career, instead of losing sleep over paying several monthly loan payments. Student loan consolidation can be the solution with many advantages. With today's Internet technology, you can get a student loan consolidation quickly and easily.

Author Bio
Dean Shainin is a consultant specializing in student loan consolidation. Get valuable resources, tools, information and more articles on student loan consolidation, visit this site: www.studentloanconsolidationtips.com

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An Overview of Student Loan Debt Consolidation

By: Angela Rogers

A student loan debt consolidation loan allows you to combine your federal student loans into a single loan with one monthly payment. The repayments of a student loan debt consolidation loan can be significantly lower than the payment required under the standard 10-year repayment option. Under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, banks, secondary markets, credit unions, and other lenders provide the student loan debt consolidation loan. Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, the federal government provides the student loan debt consolidation loan.

Most federal education loans are eligible for inclusion in a student loan debt consolidation loan, including subsidized and unsubsidized Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans, SLS, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Nursing Loans, and Health Education Assistance Loans. However, private education loans are not eligible for inclusion in a student loan debt consolidation loan.

To find out which loans can be included in a student loan debt consolidation loan contact the Direct Loan Origination Center's Consolidation Department if you're applying for a direct student loan debt consolidation loan. Contact a participating FFEL lender if you're applying for a FFEL student loan debt consolidation loan.

It is worth noting that you are still eligible for a student loan debt consolidation loan after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. You can also get a student loan debt consolidation loan while you're in school. You must, however, be attending at least half time and have at least one Direct Loan or FFEL in an 'in-school period' which generally means that you have been continuously enrolled at least half time since the loan was disbursed. There are a number of conditions that need to be met for you to qualify for a student loan debt consolidation loan, especially if you are delinquent or in default and your loan holder will be able to give you all the necessary information.

If the same holder holds all the FFEL loans you want to consolidate, you must obtain the student loan debt consolidation loan from that holder, unless you haven't been able to get a loan with income-sensitive repayment terms that are acceptable to you. To be eligible for a William D. Ford direct student loan debt consolidation loan, you must have either a direct Stafford subsidized or unsubsidized loan that will be included in the student loan debt consolidation loan or have at least one Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program Stafford subsidized or unsubsidized loan.

Get out of debt - debt help and relief guide: www.debt-helper.info

Author Bio
Angela Rogers is the editor for www.debt-helper.info - Your guide to debt help and debt consolidation.

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Benefits of Secured Loans - Comes as Freebie for the Borrowers

By: Aldrich Chappel

It is often seen that as years pass, newer alternatives of older things crop up while the older things fall into oblivion. Secured loans however have withstood competition from a whole range of financial products such as unsecured loans. Unsecured loan lenders tried to deflect borrowers from secured loans by showing them that there home was at increased risk if they took the loan. But, the borrowers who were loyal to secured loans and who knew that secured loan was not as being presented by some others, didn't move a bit from their choice. Accordingly, secured loans continue to maintain their turf even after years.

Do you know the reason behind borrowers' insistence to use secured loans? Secured loans help borrowers enjoy a large number of benefits. And borrowers are not ready to give up these benefits by not taking secured loans.

Before going towards the benefits of secured loans, it will be relevant if we discussed about secured loans first. A secured loan is one where amount is lent to the borrower with a pledge that he will repay the loan after a specified period. To give more teeth to the lender, the borrower will have to present certain collateral.

The list of benefits of secured loans to borrowers is endless. Apart from the standard benefits, there are several benefits that will depend on the case particulars. However, we will only talk of the standard benefits of secured loans in this article.

The very first benefit of secured loans is the cheap rate of interest. After mortgage, secured loans charge the lowest rates of interest in the personal finance category. Typical APR on secured loan ranges from 6-25%. Almost all other financial products charge a greater percentage as interest. Many borrowers question the differences between the rates advertised and the actual rates that they have to pay. There may be several reasons for these differences. The rates of interest or APR advertised is the standard rate of interest. However, depending on the value of collateral, borrower's credit status and several other factors, borrower may not be offered the standard rate. The differences in interest rate may also result because of the delay in accepting the offer. Until borrower accepts offer of loan, interest rate in the entire market changes. The borrower cannot then demand interest on the rate earlier offered.

Another important advantage of secured loans is that borrowers can draw as much of cash as they want. Compare the situation with unsecured loans and you find loan providers cautious in approving loans of higher values. There is always the fear for the non payment of the lent amount. In the case of secured loans, the loan provider is free of any such fears. Thus, borrowers have to just name the figure and the loan is ready.

The discussion about the benefits of secured loans will be incomplete without taking up the issue of easy availability. All financial products are not as easily available as secured loans. It is because of the relative safety that secured loan deals promise to the lender, that no lender will deny these loans to borrowers. Go to any loan provider and you will find secured loan deals.

Secured loans are to be used for a diverse range of personal needs. The benefit of secured loan is that it can be fine-tuned to any use. Whether it is debt consolidation or undertaking improvements in ones home, secured loans work as smoothly as ones own cash. The borrower receives the loan proceeds and it is up to him how he uses them. There is a flexibility of use in secured loans. Lenders do not interrupt in the manner of use of the secured loan.

The benefits of secured loans can be best enjoyed when the borrower has adequately prepared for its amortisation. Would one be able to appreciate the low rates of interest when the asset pledged as collateral is being repossessed by lender? No! Therefore, preparations for the repayment of the secured loan from the first day itself. Either make a monthly payment to the loan provider or discuss an alternative arrangement with the lender. Choose the method of repayment that best suits you and then clear the burden as soon as possible.

Author Bio
Aldrich Chappel has been associated with get-secured-loans,since its inception. Having completed his Masters in Finance from Lancaster University Management School, he undertook to provide useful advice through his articles that have been found very useful by the residents of the UK. To Find Secured loans, loans for homeowners, best secured loans UK visit www.get-secured-loans.co.uk

Consolidation Loan Student Programs: Bringing Your Debt under Control

By: Colin P

If you are like many students and recent graduates, you very well have amassed a great deal of student loan debt. In this regard, you may be looking for ways in which you can bring your outstanding student loan balance under control. You might want to consider the various consolidation loan student availabilities that you can take advantaged of in this day and age. Through consolidation loan student opportunities, you can take an affirmative step towards brining your outstanding student loan debt under control.

There are a number of benefits to availing yourself of what is available in the way of consolidation loan student availabilities. The primary benefit that you can obtain through utilizing and taking advantage of consolidation loan student opportunities is a savings in the amount of interest you have been paying on multiple student loans. As a general rule, consolidation loan student programs offer interest rates at a level under what you normally have been paying on your multiple outstanding student loans.

One of the other significant benefits of a consolidation loan student program is found in the fact that you will be able to relieve yourself of recurring late fees and related delinquent charges that you may be encountering in regard to outstanding student loans. If you are like many people who have racked up student loans, you very well may be facing ever increasing late fees and the like over time. Again, through consolidation loan student programs, you can rid yourself of the burdens of late fees and other charges.

An added benefit of taking advantage of a consolidation loan student program is found in the simple fact of convenience. If you have acquired a number of different student loans, you find yourself juggling multiple payments each and every month. This can be time consuming and even confusing in some instances. With the implementation of a consolidation loan student plan or scheme, you will only have to make one monthly payment, easing the burden of keeping track of a multitude of payments each and every month.

There are a number of different financial institutions that now offer consolidation loan student programs. There are companies that specialize specifically in offering people consolidation loan student opportunities. In addition to the companies that specialize in consolidation loan student programs, many traditional lenders (such as banks and savings and loans) now have implemented special consolidation loan student programs for students and graduates. Therefore, you have a variety of sources for a consolidation loan student program to choose from in this day and age.

By taking the time to shop around and consider different consolidation loan student availabilities you will be able to find a consolidation loan student program that best meets your needs and obligations. Through research and a bit of proverbial homework you will be well on your way to brining your student loan debt well under control, to bringing your financial house into order now and well into the future. Rather than continually paying for your education, you will make your education pay for you.

Author Bio
More information on your Student Loan Consolidation

Computer Loans - Become Techno Savvy the Easier Way

By: James Taylor

I read of computer loans as a banner advert on a website. The loan provider had mentioned of easy finance options to help people purchase computers. Suddenly the dream of owning a computer became so easy to realise. It had been my insistence to purchase a branded computer and an insufficient personal income that were obstructing me from the purchase. But, now with the finance options in hand, computers from the best known companies are not far off.

Computer Loans have been born out of the idea of assisting every person in the UK to have a computer of his own. It is difficult to do without computers in the present age. Whether it is a simple classroom work for kids or your own office work, almost everything demands a computer. Such is the craze of computers that people will prefer to have a computer just as people would have craved to have television in its heydays.

People desirous of purchasing computers can easily apply for computer loans. Computer loan is similar to a personal loan, as far as the terms go. Though computer loans have a long list of benefits for borrowers, the best among these is the facility of stretched payments. Payments in a computer loan are stretched over a period called the term of repayment. Had it been for a cash purchase of the computer, borrower would have to pay the price of computer immediately. Only those with enough cash to make the immediate payment would have been able to purchase computers.

However, when computers are purchased through computer loan, borrower does not have to pay to the seller through his own pockets. It is the loan provider who makes the payment instead of the borrower. However, it will appear as though the borrower is making the payment. Bargaining on price, commonly associated with cash purchases can be conducted on purchase through computer loans too. This is because the borrower has the loan proceeds with him and he has the discretion on the manner and the amount up to which he wants to use the computer loan proceeds.

The amount that one had to pay to the computer dealer will now have to be paid to the computer loan provider. The manner in which computer loan is to be amortised is an important decision. The complexity of the decision increases because of the multiplicity of options available for loan repayment. You can either make a balloon payment towards the loan or pay through instalments that accrue monthly or quarterly.

Balloon payments are advantageous for borrowers who hope to lay hands on a sizable sum in the near future. Interest charges are significantly reduced through this method. The alternative method whereby payments are to be made through periodic instalments will bring greater interest to borrower's loan, but suits people with fixed incomes.

Interest is the cost of inflation on the amount lent to borrowers. Typical interest rate on a computer loan ranges from 7.25% to 15%. APR is generally dependant on the amount of loan that is being taken and the borrowers' credit status. Yes credit history is not going to leave you even in computer loans. A good credit history is preferable to get a larger amount for computer loans at cheap rates. Loan providers who work with sub-prime borrowers may arrange good deals for the borrowers with bad credit in computer loans.

As far as the question of mode of application goes, it is easier to apply for computer loans online. Borrowers who are about to purchase computers are already too techno-savvy to be explained the online process of application. In brief, the process of online application will not require the borrower to visit lenders office. By logging onto the lenders website and filling up his details in the application form given there, the applicant can initiate the approval process.

Computer loans help boost the technological revolution by making computers more accessible.

Author Bio
James Taylor holds a Master's degree in Commerce from JNU, he is working as a financial consultant for chance for loans. To find a personal loan or bad credit loans that best suits your needs visit www.chanceforloans.co.uk

Easy UK Loans - Loans Now Come Handy

By: Alex Jonnes

You may go for shopping with friends and family. What is the foremost thing you keep into consideration - price or brand? Different people have different perceptions; some of you may be brand conscious while others keep their eyes on price while shopping. Whatever you may be shopping a loan or a home, "convenience" factor plays the key role. Convenience connotes the easiness of shopping and how fast one can get the best thing he or she is looking for. The same factor rules the world of borrowers in the UK who wish to get the loan quickly and with ease.

Finance market in the UK is swamped with vast number of loans. Various forms of loans are available ranging from home to business loan. With the growing needs of the UK residents, lenders are trying to introduce new loan options to cater to their diverse needs. Speed and convenience rules the mind of borrowers in UK. But, is it that easy to choose a loan as it seems. Yes, if you can search for the lenders who can offer you an easy UK loan without much hassles.

First of all, you have to identify which loan you want to borrow. A personal loan can be borrowed to meet personal needs such as consolidating debts, making home improvements, starting up or expanding your business. Personal loans are further categorized as secured and unsecured loans. If you own a home or any property and loves taking risk you can apply for a secured personal loan. But, the process of borrowing takes a bit long time as the lender has to evaluate the value of the property you have put as a security against the loan. A secured loan gives the benefit of low monthly payments and loan with the longer repayment term.

If you are a tenant or a homeowner, you can apply for an unsecured loan. You are not required to keep your home or property at risk. The time taken in the loan process is considerably less. An unsecured loan bears a high rate of interest.

A homeowner can also apply for mortgage loan. He needs to keep his home as a security. Mortgage facilitates loan at better terms based on the equity stored in the home.

Once you decide which loan you want to borrow. Now, you need to search for the lenders who can offer the loan you need. Loan market is filled with countless number of lenders. In the past, borrowers had limited choice offered by traditional lenders, banks and financial institutions.

Entry of online lenders has given a new dimension to the loan market. Online lenders are definitely contributing a lot to the growth of market. Online loans are easy to apply and give complete comfort to the borrowers. Borrowers no longer need to approach physical lenders personally and stand in queues to submit their loan application. And then wait for the lenders decision to find out the status of your loan application.

Everyone wishes to save his or her valuable time. Online loans make it easier to apply for a loan. Borrowers can access infinite number of online lenders by using a computer equipped with latest technology namely internet, from the same place it could be your home or office.

Online lenders offer the convenience of applying for the loan. A borrower just needs to fill up a small and simple online application form which hardly takes few minutes. Loan representatives working for online lenders will go through your application and will give you the in-principle decision within 24 hours. Thus, the online process of applying for a loan offers complete convenience.

But, don't get settled for the very first loan deal you are offered. Accept the challenge to find the best loan. Collect loan quotes from several lenders, compare them and I assure you will definitely end up with the best deal.

The popularity of malls in UK shows that the trend of collection of everything at one place makes it easier for a customer to select the products he wishes to buy from the vast variety of products available. The same convenience is offered by online loans; one can access infinite number of online lenders and loan products and can choose the loan that matches his or her requirements to the best.

Author Bio
Alex Jonnes is associated with Easy Debt Consolidations. He has a Masters in Business Administration and writes on various finance related topics. To find Debt consolidation loan bad credit, debt consolidation loan lowest interest rates visit www.easy-debt-consolidations.co.uk

Mobile Home Insurance - What You Should Know

Author: Terry Edwards
There is a lot of misunderstanding about getting manufactured or mobile home insurance. A lot of people think that it is difficult or even impossible to do, but this isn't so if you know what to ask. Here are some tips you need to know before getting a mobile home policy.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about getting manufactured or mobile home insurance. A lot of people think that it is difficult or even impossible to do. But the truth is, a lot of home insurance companies now offer insurance coverage for your mobile home. It is important that you do your homework and become familiar with the different types of policies offered before you make your decision. Here are three tips to help you in knowing what to look for when you are trying to find a mobile home policy.

The three most important areas to be aware of are personal property or your personal possessions, liability coverage, and insurance on the home itself and surrounding property.

A good manufactured home insurance policy will offer protection on your personal possessions. Take a complete inventory of all your personal items. Include pictures of each item. Keep this list, as well as the pictures in a secure place that is not in your home, such as a safety deposit box.

If your home is destroyed, you will need this list and pictures as proof of your personal possessions to get compensation. You could trust your insurance agent with it, but it is better to keep a safe copy for yourself. This may seem unnecessary to some, but if you ever have a serious claim situation you will be thankful that you took a few minutes and followed this step.

Secondly, a good insurance policy will include liability insurance. Liability coverage protects you, the homeowner, if someone gets hurt on your property or in your home. It can pay for medical expenses and costs associated with the injury. A good policy will also help pay for legal defense in the event that you are sued. It should also cover damages made to the property when the accident occurred. However, it does not cover injuries to you or your immediate family living in the home.

To determine the amount of liability coverage that you might need, think about how many people will be in and out of your home on a daily basis. If you have teenagers that are always inviting friends over, liability insurance is a must! It is important to try to make your home and property as safe as possible. Keep the porch and walkways in good repair. Always have adequate lighting and keep your home free of excessive clutter.

Finally, make sure your mobile home insurance policy not only insures your mobile home, but also insures the surrounding property and out buildings. Have adequate coverage to give you enough money to replace your home in the event that something happens to it.

Find a good policy that will cover things like fire, storm damage, smoke damage, explosion and damage from vandalism. Nothing is more frustrating or disheartening than to have a disaster, whether natural or man made, wipe out your home, only to discover that it was not covered.

A manufactured home is your home. You need to have it covered just like any other home. Compare insurance companies and read all of the fine print. Get everything in writing. Then get the best deal you can on your mobile home insurance policy.

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About Author
By the way, you can learn more about Mobile Home Insurance as well as much more information on all types of home insurance at http://www.HomeInsuranceA-z.com

Obtaining a Home Loan

Secrets of Securing A Home Loan
Four Typical Buyer Questions
1. How do I qualify for a loan?
Start by meeting with a lender. The lender will help you explore options for financing a home.
2. How do I select a lender?
•Call two or three lenders.
•Conduct a short telephone interview.
•Make an appointment with the one that makes you feel most comfortable.
3. How does the lender determine my loan qualifications?
•As general guide, you can purchase a home valued at two to three times your annual income.
•The lender will also consider your savings and debts.
•There are loan programs for first time buyers.
•There are programs for buyers with credit issues.
•Ask the lender what is best for you.
4. When should I call a Realtor?
•Meet with a lender first to determine loan qualifications.
•Get a pre-qualify letter.
•Conduct a brief telephone interview with two or three Realtors.
•Select the Realtor that makes you feel most comfortable.
•Make an appointment.
•You may be asked to sign a buyer agency agreement. It's fine to sign a short term agreement.
•Before you sign a long term agreement, be sure you're comfortable with the Realtor.
Your first meeting with the Realtor
Be open minded. Make a list of features you'd like in your home:
•How many bedrooms?
•Do you need a garage?
•How far do you drive to work?
•Do you have animals?
•... and so forth.
If you give the Realtor definite parameters; they can find a house for you.
Your first meeting with a lender
Bring this information with you: Salary and bonuses. •Employment verification.
•Two years of tax returns or W-2 forms.
•Military history. •Amount of dividends and interest income.
•Other regular income such as alimony, child support etc.
•Current bank statements both checking and savings.
•Market value of stocks, bonds or Certificates of Deposit.
•Face amount and cash value of life insurance policies.
•Value of personal property and automobiles.
•Balances and account numbers for loans, credit card balances and personal loans.
Four types of loans:
1. Fixed Rate - the interest rate stays the same over the life of the loan.
2. Adjustable/Variable Rate - the interest rate can change during the life of the loan.
3. Government Loans - VA and FHA.
4. Bridge/Swing Loans - Short term loans that are paid off quickly.
Within these categories are many variations designed to fit different needs. Which one is right for me?
Many factors enter into the selection of a loan:
Your financial circumstance.
Expectation of future financial changes.
How long you intend to hold the property.
How comfortable you are with the monthly payment.
How comfortable you are with the payment amount changing from time to time?
Discuss your preferences with the lender and the Realtor.
What does my loan payment include?
P includes payment on principle amount
I includes payment on the interest
T may include payments into an escrow account to pay taxes
I may include payments into an escrow account to pay insurance
How much do I need for a down payment?
Down payments vary. They can be anywhere from zero to twenty percent of the homes value.
Veterans and active military may obtain a loan with zero down.
What does the lender need to know about my credit?
•If you have had credit problems, discuss them with your lender.
•Bring written explanations of credit issues.
•If problems have been corrected and credit reestablished, you'll probably be fine.
•Credit problems no longer mean you're unable to get a loan.
How long will it take?
•Your lender needs to verify all information.
•The process may take from one to six weeks.
•Within three business days after application the lender must provide you with a "Good Faith Estimate", which is the amount of closing costs you'll be expected to pay and an estimated monthly payment.
•Stay in touch with your Realtor and Lender.
•Do not be afraid to ask questions.
•Home buying can be unnerving; ask the professionals what to expect.
TERMINOLOGY
FHA Loans Federal Housing Administration loans are government insured loans. They allow you to buy with a small down payment.

VA Loans Veterans Administration loans are available to veterans and active military. A VA loan may require no down payment.

Balloon Payment A payment that calls the entire loan due in a short period although the loan may be amortized over a longer period of time.

APR The actual cost of a loan as a yearly rate.

Appraisal An estimate of the value of the home, made by a professional appraiser. The maximum amount of the mortgage is generally based on the appraisal.

Interest The sum paid for borrowing money.

Origination Fee The fee charged by the lender to prepare all the documents.

Points Prepaid interest on the loan, charged at the time of closing. Each point is one percent of the loan amount.

PMI Private Mortgage Insurance is an insurance policy the borrower buys to protect the lender from non-payment of the loan.

Title Insurance An insurance policy which insures you against errors in the title search, guaranteeing you and the lender your financial interest in the property.

Copyright (c) 2007 Wee Dilts

About The Author

Wee Dilts created the original for sale by owner flat fee MLS program, authored the best selling “How to Sell Real Estate by Owner” book, and has assisted FSBOS since 1983. Colorado For Sale by Owners can register for MLS, purchase her book, or download Free FSBO tips at http://www.fsbofriend.com

Have a FSBO questions? Send it to fsbofriend@msn.com

Understanding The Basic Finance Options

No matter what our goals happen to be, most of us find ourselves in need of good sound finance advice from time to time. We can find all sorts of qualified finance advisers around us.

When it comes to getting your finances in order, it is a good idea to understand a little about all the tools that you have at your disposal. Here are a few reminders of the several different ways you can gather support and information to help you manage your finances.

No matter what our goals happen to be, most of us find ourselves in need of good sound finance advice from time to time. We can find all sorts of qualified finance advisers around us. Our local bank is usually willing to help us understand the workings of saving and investing, and without charging anything for going over the basics. Many communities have non-profit organizations that help with preparing budgets and providing counseling when persons are in need of a few tips on breaking bad financial habits.

Counseling is also available to help you meet long term financial goals as well. As an example, if one of your goals is to finance college tuition for your children, a qualified counselor can help you set up a savings program that will allow you to set aside an equitable amount on a regular basis in some sort of interest bearing account. By using a finance calculator to layout your monthly budget, and make sure your budget is realistic, you can begin to make headway toward building that college fund.

Of course, it may be that you need some guidance in seeking a finance loans to purchase a home or start a business. You will want to speak with more than one finance lender, so that you can do some comparison shopping on finance rates, monthly repayment terms, and how much of your monthly payment will be applied to your principle. You also want to know if there are any penalties for paying off the loan early, or if there are any incentives that would make it worth your while to retire the debt earlier than planned.

Finance equity can also be a topic where you would want to seek some expert advice before making a move. Understanding just exactly how much equity you current have in your property can make all the difference in evaluating your overall financial health. This is especially true if you are considering the sale of a portion of your properties. Without a reasonable amount of equity accrued, you may find it advantageous to hold on to the properties for a little while longer.

If you want to learn to handle more of your finances on your own, there are probably several avenues in your community where you can take a finance course or two. Your local community college may have courses that can be taken in the evenings or on weekends. Credit associations often have short term courses that are geared toward particular areas of financial management. Check in the phone book and with your local chamber of commerce to find out what opportunities are coming up.

Record keeping is also important to your fiscal health. If you have a home computer, you can avail yourself of finance software. Some computers come with basic finance tracking packages already loaded into the hard drive. If you need something a little more robust, there are a number of different software programs on the market today. Often, you can download a trial version of any finance software you are interested in and see if the package will do everything you need it to do.

With so many tools at your command, you can arrange your finances and begin to set goals that will make life much easier for you in the years to come.
About Author
TangoPang is a writer. For more Finance advise, please visit http://www.findcheapinsurancequotes.com or click
Finance and Insurance

The Keys to Obtaining and Refinancing Your College Loan

Author: Smith Chen
The next are secret student loans. personal student loans are given to somebody with a good credit make. They can be worn for something, not just the charge of teaching. They are also unsecured. This means they force no collateral, but they have really high help toll.

How many of you are mocking your nails wearisome to person out what you should do to get your college rewarded for? You know you poverty a loan... but what kind? What are the differences? Would it be a good idea to refinance or consolidate any loans you already have? Is this the right time? How greatly do you actually poverty? What do college loans assurance? If youre wondering about these stuff, choose read on.

Before you run out and get a college loan, you first poverty to know how greatly of a loan you are untaken to poverty. Of course, the apfather part of the loan is your teaching and the charge of your courses. But there are many other stuff that you may poverty to have assuranceed thforceful your college loan. This can be your scope and panel, school equipment, lab equipment, books, etc. But this just pertains to your actual training. There are other stuff you poverty to take into consideration. This can be car assurance, gas, transportation, fitness assurance, food, etc. You poverty to add all of these truthors up for each year. Then, multiply it by how many existence you are to be in college. This will give you a forceful guess of how greatly money you will poverty.

Some college loans can be worn for something. The lender couldnt nurture fewer as long as you pay it back. If you propose on receiving a part time job, you can reckoning on part of your salary being worn towards stuff that your college loan does not assurance. However consider youll poverty to keep part of your salary to pay your monthly college loan payment!

Now we shall go over the some letterings of college loans out there. A little later, I will clarify about refinancing a college loan.

First, we will go over central student loans. These college loans can also be subsidized or unsubsidized.

Subsidized loans are when the government pays the help of the loan for the students. You must show that you are in great monetary poverty in order to get this lettering of loan.

Unsubsidized loans are when the student must pay the help, but the help is not delayed awaiting after graduation. everybody can get an unsubsidized loan. Both of these letterings of central student loans are the most regularly worn.

The next are secret student loans. personal student loans are given to somebody with a good credit make. They can be worn for something, not just the charge of teaching. They are also unsecured. This means they force no collateral, but they have really high help toll.

Now, we go to for father loans. As you guessed, this is a loan that fathers can take for the ample quantity of the college teaching. You just have to want mommy and daddy are disposed to do this for you! The bribe rate and help rate is greatly drop with this lettering of loan, regularly because fathers have good credit and the wake to pay the loan off.

Now we come to consolidation loans. This lettering of loan is worn to consolidate all of a student's loans together so they can be rewarded off in one calm payment propose to one lender, very than having some payments to some lenders. Many students end up receiving this lettering of college loan after they made the gaffe of receiving too many college loans at once.

Those of you, who do already have a loan, may be helped in refinancing. Refinancing college loans regularly seems like a good idea, and it is...if you use it to your help. I'll clarify that in a detailed. First, you poverty to understand a few stuff. Most college loans are of a alterable percentage rate awaiting the rate is protected. You stiffen a rate by means of a loan consolidation or by refinancing. When toll are very low, it regularly is a good idea to endeavor to get your loans or loan consolidated or refinanced.

Before you can even think of refinancing, you must know that is only existing to you good people that have forever made their monthly loan payment on time. If this does not sound like you, then I want you good blessing wearisome to refinance!

Refinancing toll are regularly one or two percent drop than your unique college loan rate. Refinancing toll can collect you up to 60 percent. But this is where the feasible drawback is and most people cleanly don't achieve.

The drawback is a cryptic one - that most people never see. In order to get your college loan payment drop thforceful refinancing, you are given a greatly longer time time to pay the loan off. Instead of 5 existence to pay it off, it can convert into 20 existence to pay it off! This may sound good to you in the creation. At the time, it will defer you with treat money that you may be in poverty of for other costs. But in the long run, it just charges you more money because you will be paying help greatly longer to the lender. In truth, it can charge you thousands more!

The smart way to do it is after you refinance and attain the drop rate; pay more towards the monthly cost. This way you will pay off your loan greatly earlier than average and at a cheaper rate. But only put more towards paying it off when you can provide it. recall you refinanced your college loan because you couldn't provide the payment to create with. So now youve refinanced just pay off your loan as best you can at your own measure, effect the above in view.

I want I didn't snurture you too greatly. The important thing you have to consider is that most lenders achieve money from you thforceful the help you pay them. If you pay your college loan off quicker, you will make the lender fewer fruitful! Take a respite and use your cranium before you soar into something.
About Author
Dafoe Abraham is an author and internet marketing consultant. Find more about Loan Info and review page loan

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com

Financial Aid for College Student

Most of us are always so stoked about leaving high school that we forget about finding college financial aid. If we've found and been accepted to a school, that's good enough. Sadly, school is a huge financial burden that can get out of hand if not properly approached and dealt with.

When we head off to a University, we hardly have time to ponder the money situation. Unless we've already had a bout with the "real world," many of us don't consider the financial issue. Since the majority of college seekers don't have a fund set aside for the next four years, college financial aid becomes our savior. It's always prudent to sort through the masses of loans and grants, prior to getting that dorm room. If you do your research, you can locate a number of sources for college financial aid.

Most of us are always so stoked about leaving high school that we forget about finding college financial aid. If we've found and been accepted to a school, that's good enough. Sadly, school is a huge financial burden that can get out of hand if not properly approached and dealt with. When I was accepted to a University, I was ecstatic. I found myself consumed with career possibilities for the future, and a whole fresh world to meet new friends and have fun. I didn't want to consider the debt it may acquire. Fortunately I looked into college financial aid. I was able to attain a Pell grant, in addition to a student loan. These funds made it possible to attend college, but I knew that I would owe some money in the end. I simply needed to be frugal.

When in search of college financial aid, I recommend finding as many grants as you can. These are sums of money that are awarded to you. You do not have to pay them back. There are many grants out there to choose from. Like scholarships, grants leave you with no future burden of bills. Pretty much every state offers their own kind of grants. Whether it be attained due to your income situation, or your academic achievements, grants are free cash. Let's face it, college is a huge expense. We can't face this financial struggle on our own.

College financial aid is available to pretty much anyone these days. It doesn't matter if you're fresh out of high school, or in your mid-twenties with two children, there is a form of aid out there to assist you in getting that bachelor's degree. The key in acquiring college financial aid is not going overboard. Sure, you want as many grants as possible, but you don't want to go crazy with loans. Remember, you have to pay these back, and they can bite you in the ass. College is an important part of our present and future. We want that further education in order to achieve success, therefore it is good to investigate college financial aid before that time arrives.
About Author
TangoPang is a education consultant. Read about education at http://www.centrexcampus.com . Or click Centrex Campus to read more.

Top Mutual Fund Companies To Invest In

Mutual funds are considered to be the best option by some investment managers. These funds can be managed by professionals and have the potential to provide the investors with high returns. Mutual fund companies invest an investor's money in various stocks, bonds and other short term or long term securities. Top mutual fund companies ensure that the investors are provided with he best possible services and options.

If a person chooses to invest in mutual funds then he/she has two options. He/she can either invest directly and purchase funds through several agents who sell mutual funds. The likes include banks, insurance companies, stock brokers and discount stock brokers. On the other hand an individual may buy mutual funds directly from a mutual funds company. One major advantage of dealing directly with mutual funds companies is that there are no transaction costs involved in the process. Unlike other mutual fund sellers, mutual fund companies do not have any hidden agenda. Also, an individual does not have to worry about the mutual funds being loaded (that is when owners have to pay transaction costs in the beginning, middle or at the end of the deal).

Mutual fund companies invest the money of investors in various stocks, bonds and equities. The combined holdings of a mutual fund are referred to as its portfolio. Each share in the company represents an individual investors share in the funds and the income generated. So when a person invests in a share of the company, he/she becomes a shareholder with the mutual fund company.

In case of profits all the mutual fund holders are provided with dividends by the company. However, if losses occur then the shares of the company decrease in value. Mutual fund companies generally divide the funds on the basis of the risk factor involved and the fees charged for each. They generally charge more if people want to invest in high risk funds. But a high fees does not necessarily indicate higher returns because these stocks fluctuate on daily basis. Based on their risk factor and the duration for which a fund should be held mutual funds are generally divided into the following types:

* Class A Stocks These are considered to be the best option if people have plans of holding the stocks for 2 or more years.

* Class B Stocks These are beneficial for long term holding of stocks. Generally small investors prefer these stocks. There is no front end fees and also the sales charge keep reducing.

* Class C Stocks These are considered best for short term investors. Front end fees is not required in these stocks either.

No matter how well a company's mutual funds perform, certain risk factors would always be there. Before investing in a mutual fund an individual needs to decide how much risk he/she is willing to take. Only then should one go ahead with it.

About The Author

Sandra Stammberger owns and operates http://www.iraaccounts.org Ira Account

Despite Financial Despise Bad Credit Secured Loans at Eyes

A consumer’ credit history is recurrently trailed by credit rating agencies. The data reported by these agencies is mostly provided to them by creditors and includes whole account of the relationship a person has with the lender. Thorough account information, including payment history, credit limits, high and low balances, and any hostile actions taken to recover overdue debts, are all reported frequently. To live with dignity and pride, the financial market has opened bad credit secured loans. These loans are aimed at respite despite adverse credit scores.

On availing these loans, individuals need to arrange collateral as of their guarantees. Important papers, jewellery, car etc., too are the other options of pledging the borrowers have. Credit scores allege to assess the likelihood that a borrower will repay a loan of other credit obligation. That is why, the higher the score, the better the credit history of the individuals.

Coming to the interest rate charge upon the bad credit secured loans are a bit costlier. Owing to stiff competition amongst lenders in the market, the individuals have rather good opportunities of catching easy deals. All that is necessary for the applicants is that make online study of the bad credit secured loans before jumping into the financial market.

Time period for the repayment of the bad credit secured loans are designed in such a way that may feasible to the borrowers. Flexible clauses and small instalments are some added benefits to the borrowers.

Now, bad credit secured loans have aroused confidence in the individuals with adverse credit history. Usages of these loans are uncountable. These loans cover all the personal purposes of individuals. Wedding, purchasing car, home improvement, children’s education or installing a business etc. loans cover up all the individuals’ financial demands. And, give respite despite adverse credit history with bad credit secured loans.

About The Author

Peter Taylor is a senior financial analyst at Bad Credit Loans with an acumen for finance and insurance. In recent years he has taken up to provide independant financial advice through his informative articles. His articles are widely read because of the lucid manner of wriiting and thoroughly researched datas. To find Bad credit secured loans, bad credit loans, bad credit personal loans, bad credit payday loans, bad credit loans UK visit http://www.badcreditloans.uk.com/