Real Estate Investing Avoid Buying a Unique Home in Preforeclosure Even From a Nice Family
January 31, 2009
Early in my career as a real estate investor, I got a call from a really nice family about to lose their home to foreclosure. Located in the suburbs, the house looked pretty much like every other house in the middle-income neighborhood on the outside. On the inside, though, the house was very unusual.
You see, the husband and wife were theater majors in college and they remodeled the lower level of their home to look like the set of a movie. The home gym looked like the set of Million Dollar Baby. The playroom looked like the set of Home Alone. And the home theater (with seating for six and a big screen TV) was painted entirely black, floor, walls, and ceiling.
The parents home-schooled all four children, so the lower level also housed a study room with computers and desks. The two-car garage was fully carpeted because the youngest children liked to play there during the day.
The house was a full time home, school, gym and theater for this family. The parents thought they would live there forever - or at least until the last of their children moved away. But sadly, they missed a couple of mortgage payments and found it impossible to catch up. They called me in hopes of selling their house fast so they could save their credit.
When I did my due diligence, I learned that homes in this neighborhood did not stay on the market long. Close to the public schools, it was a quiet neighborhood with lots of green space. Add to that: the neighborhood homeowners association often held potluck dinners and street parties and were the envy of the surrounding community.
What could be better? I thought. A great one-of-a-kind house in a great neighborhood at a great price.
I bought the house with about 20% equity, no money out of my pocket, and cash back at closing. I immediately put the house on the market. At the time I thought the uniqueness of the property would be a great selling point. I thought it would stand out as “one of a kind” and families would fight to live there.
Boy, was I wrong.
Most people who looked at the house thought the unique features of the lower level were just plain weird.
I marketed the house specifically to families with children who I thought would love the spacious gym, the play room, the home theater, and the study rooms as much as the family who had put so much of their personal stamp on them. But no one else seemed to see the beauty of it.
Only the strangeness of it.
The house sat on the market five months without a decent offer. I watched my profit dwindle drastically over six months while paying holding costs, utilities, and lawn care.
Then I made a hard decision. I hired a remodeler to transform the lower level into an ordinary looking basement with smooth white walls, dropped ceilings and beige carpet. I watched even more of my profit evaporate.
But I quickly found a buyer.
Lesson to be learned: Three bedroom, two bath, bread-and-butter houses are the best investment properties for a reason. Everyone can imagine living in an ordinary house. Not everyone can see themselves living in a really unique one.
Dealing with Fraud in Real Estate Purchase in Alberta
January 31, 2009
The Real Estate Council of Alberta has resolved to take the issue of fraud very seriously. It is a fact that of late many Alberta residents have been victimized by mortgage fraud upon being lured by promises of big returns. There have also been cases where some person has quite unknowingly allowed a fraudulent act to become a part of their action which has given shape to the plan of some fraud mastermind.
Mortgage fraud and the victims of fraud in real estate purchase
Mortgage fraud is defined as the material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission that is relied upon by an underwriter or lender for funding, purchasing or insuring a mortgage loan. The misstatement, misrepresentation or omission refers to the lies as also the white lies. In case a lender makes an advancement of mortgage money while telling any small lie regarding the borrower’s income, property value, intended use of property etc. then a mortgage fraud is said to have occurred.
Common victims of fraud are those who have purchased real estate whose values have been over inflated by a series of fraudulent transactions. In this way several consumers have had incurred huge financial losses and their credit ratings have been damaged.
Dealing with real estate related fraud in Alberta
This is a crime and you need be informed and armed beforehand to effectively combat the damaging influence of mortgage fraud. You need to beware when approached for opting for any scheme set to help make quick and easy money in real estate. Caution needs to be observed when your name is being taken down for credit purposes or when you are being asked to create or alter certain documents in a real estate or mortgage transaction. If you are suspecting that you can get involved in a fraudulent transaction then you ought to immediately report such suspicions to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) for them to take suitable action.
In an effort to reduce mortgage fraud relating to the real estate market of Alberta, Canada the RECA has taken up several initiatives-
- Efforts have been made to bring about a change in the industry by introducing mandatory mortgage fraud awareness course, improved investigative resources and processes, stronger sanctions against licensees involved in mortgage fraud and development of ongoing education processes incorporating mortgage fraud identification knowledge.
- There have been collaboration endeavors with other stakeholders and enactment of legislative changes and information sharing efforts extended.
- There has been made efforts to increase public awareness.
These will hopefully work towards curbing mortgage frauds to a desirable extent and make the investment in real estate in Alberta less risky.
Jason Uvios writes about on Dealing with Fraud in Real Estate Purchase in Alberta to visit :- real estate in alberta, alberta nursing homes and low cost seniors housing 2b lethbridge alberta
Finding That Free Debt Consolidation Quote
January 30, 2009
If you have gotten yourself into debt and are considering debt consolidation you should do all you can to get a free quote first. Getting a consolidation is usually the best way to get out of debt when you are in way too deep. Being into deep is exactly the reason you will need to look at getting a free quote to help you decide your next step. Make sure you get these free debt consolidation quotes from several different places in order to ensure you are getting the best one.
How exactly do you go about getting a free quote? First of all you want to make sure you compare, as many of them as you can, so be sure to check at as many different agencies as possible. Do your research and thoroughly look at all aspects of the loan.
There are certain things to look at and consider when looking at a free consolidation quote. When looking around for a free debt consolidation quote you should make sure that you are looking at interest rates and finding the lowest one possible. This means one that is lower than your current rate. When getting a free quote try as hard as you can to get an unsecured loan so that you do not have to put up your home or car up as collateral. These types of loans usually have slightly higher interest rates but will eliminate any unneeded stress later on due to another mortgage or car loan.
So where should you go to start looking for a free debt consolidation quote? First you should know that there are several different companies that can offer a free quote so you should have no problem finding one that offers the best deal for you and your needs. When looking for a free quote you give the company your information, whether over the phone or on an application that is mailed to you. Another place to look for a free consolidation quote is online where you will also fill out an application and maybe even get the quote in very little time. This offers a lot of convenience and speed when it comes to getting the quote.
Getting as many free debt consolidation quotes as possible before actually getting a consolidation is the best way to go in the end. This is because you will be able to get a variety of different quotes and see all your options at once. This in turn will allow you to get the best deal you possibly can for you and your needs. So when looking at your consolidation loans always remember it is a good idea to get a free consolidation quote first.
Check out http://www.my-credit-center.com/ for more articles on no credit credit cards and accept credit card merchant account.
Credit Card Balance Transfer How To Use It To Your Advantage
January 30, 2009
A credit card balance transfer is not right for everyone. Just like most of the options in the world of finance there are some definite benefits to getting your own balance transfer credit card as well as some pretty significant downsides. The key to success with any kind of balance transfer or any other financial product or service is to first learn all that you can about that particular subject before you can understand how to use it to your advantage. Never jump into getting a balance transfer credit card without all the facts, this is where so many people end up in hot water, they leap before they look and when it comes to money that is always a bad combination.
The benefits of a balance transfer are great in many cases. For example who doesn’t want to be able to switch the balance from one credit card with high interest to one with no interest at all? That is exactly what you can do when you have a new credit card that is still enjoying its interest free period. Of course if you do not have one of these you may simply want to perform the credit card balance transfer in order to enjoy a lower interest rate. This can save you thousands of dollars a year if you are looking at a significant amount of credit card debt.
There is a growing movement of consumers who are getting credit card after credit card so that they can constantly perform balance transfers. This is easy to do as all you need is to make sure that you are approved for a new credit card when the interest free period of your old one runs out, ensuring that you can simply perform a credit card balance transfer to the new card and once again enjoy paying no interest. Sounds easy, right?
This kind of balance transfer is straightforward and anyone can do it if they have a halfway decent credit rating. And if you can control your spending habits it might even be a good idea as the balance transfer credit cards will allow you a nice amount of breathing room and the time you need to start paying off the principle rather than just the interest on your loan. If on the other hand, you are like most people and you find it hard to not spend money when you can, then a credit card balance transfer is probably not the best solution for you.
There is nothing more difficult than curbing spending. If you have the available space on your credit card, are you going to be able to say no to those wonderful jeans you saw in the store window? What about that fantastic stereo you just saw the other day? Can you resist them? You must be able to if you want to use this technique of avoiding interest with credit card balance transfers. If you are in doubt then find another way!
More and more balance transfer credit cards are hitting the market today because the industry is recognizing what a powerful tool balance transfers can be for consumers. Everyone wants to save some money and the sad fact is that it can be very difficult, especially since having credit cards makes it so easy to spend more than we actually have. A credit card, especially a balance transfer credit card, can be a powerful weapon in your financial management toolbox; you just need to know your limits and your weaknesses. That is the only way to avoid trouble with balance transfers.
A credit card balance transfer could be your saving grace; then again perhaps it is the wrong solution for you. The only way that you can be sure is to learn all you can about the credit card balance transfer process and all of its pros and cons.
For more information on how a credit card balance transfer can save you money, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com.
Real Estate Investing Avoid Buying a Unique Home in Preforeclosure Even From a Nice Family
January 29, 2009
Early in my career as a real estate investor, I got a call from a really nice family about to lose their home to foreclosure. Located in the suburbs, the house looked pretty much like every other house in the middle-income neighborhood on the outside. On the inside, though, the house was very unusual.
You see, the husband and wife were theater majors in college and they remodeled the lower level of their home to look like the set of a movie. The home gym looked like the set of Million Dollar Baby. The playroom looked like the set of Home Alone. And the home theater (with seating for six and a big screen TV) was painted entirely black, floor, walls, and ceiling.
The parents home-schooled all four children, so the lower level also housed a study room with computers and desks. The two-car garage was fully carpeted because the youngest children liked to play there during the day.
The house was a full time home, school, gym and theater for this family. The parents thought they would live there forever - or at least until the last of their children moved away. But sadly, they missed a couple of mortgage payments and found it impossible to catch up. They called me in hopes of selling their house fast so they could save their credit.
When I did my due diligence, I learned that homes in this neighborhood did not stay on the market long. Close to the public schools, it was a quiet neighborhood with lots of green space. Add to that: the neighborhood homeowners association often held potluck dinners and street parties and were the envy of the surrounding community.
What could be better? I thought. A great one-of-a-kind house in a great neighborhood at a great price.
I bought the house with about 20% equity, no money out of my pocket, and cash back at closing. I immediately put the house on the market. At the time I thought the uniqueness of the property would be a great selling point. I thought it would stand out as “one of a kind” and families would fight to live there.
Boy, was I wrong.
Most people who looked at the house thought the unique features of the lower level were just plain weird.
I marketed the house specifically to families with children who I thought would love the spacious gym, the play room, the home theater, and the study rooms as much as the family who had put so much of their personal stamp on them. But no one else seemed to see the beauty of it.
Only the strangeness of it.
The house sat on the market five months without a decent offer. I watched my profit dwindle drastically over six months while paying holding costs, utilities, and lawn care.
Then I made a hard decision. I hired a remodeler to transform the lower level into an ordinary looking basement with smooth white walls, dropped ceilings and beige carpet. I watched even more of my profit evaporate.
But I quickly found a buyer.
Lesson to be learned: Three bedroom, two bath, bread-and-butter houses are the best investment properties for a reason. Everyone can imagine living in an ordinary house. Not everyone can see themselves living in a really unique one.
Renting Is A Great Alternative When Looking For Durham North Carolina Homes
January 29, 2009
Renting a Durham, North Carolina house can be a quick and inexpensive way to comfortably stay in town for a short period of time. If you aren’t planning to stay for more than a few years, it isn’t a good idea to take out a mortgage and buy property. But if you are used to living in a house, then apartment dwelling might not be an easy transition for you.
Renting a house is a perfect compromise. You will have a large and comfortable place to stay, without being forced to make a long-term financial commitment. But if you have never rented before, you may find the process daunting. Therefore, exercise caution when looking for a Durham, NC home to rent. As long as you follow a few guidelines, you will have a satisfactory experience.
First, determine specifically what you want in a Durham home. Will you live by yourself? Do you want to bring a pet with you? How much space do you need? How much rent can you comfortably pay? Make a handy little list to use as your guide when considering the many Durham,
North Carolina rental home choices which will surely present themselves. This will speed up your decision making. Does it have a smaller number of rooms than you have on your ideal list? Are pets not allowed? Is it too expensive? You’ll know, by consulting your list, if it is immediately out of the question. You will have eliminated the necessity for long inner debates. And when you do find a house that you would like to rent, you’ll know it almost immediately.
Also before you start to search for a Durham, NC home to rent, you should gather all of your personal documents which will affect your ability to rent. Credit records, references, recommendations from your previous landlord, or letters from the school you are attending.
You never know what a prospective landlord will request to see when considering you for the rental. Therefore if you have everything together and immediately accessible, you will appear both professional and prepared. This will give you a great advantage when being considered for a Durham, North Carolina home rental. The more you can show the landlord that you are responsible and trustworthy - and not likely to be a big party animal - the better advantage you’ll have over other applicants.
When you have found the perfect Durham home to rent, ask to see a copy of the lease you will be required to sign. The house might be a dream, but if the contract is a nightmare then your stay will be very unpleasant. Look for details about utilities, visitor policies, pets, and insurance.
If anything is unclear to you, hire an attorney to look over the contract with you. It may cost a bit, but it will be money well spent to make sure the legal contract is acceptable to both you and the landlord before signing. If you find anything that you disagree with, you can either try to negotiate it with the landlord, compromise, or move on and find a different Durham, North Carolina home to rent.
Overall, the process of renting can be quick and easy. You only have to make sure that you are getting exactly what you set out to find, and not compromising in any way, and can come to terms with the landlord over the lease agreement. You will find an acceptable Durham, North Carolina home to rent in no time at all.
For the complete Durham NC Area Guide with information on the city of Durham NC, Hotels, Durham Restaurants, Durham NC Real Estate, and Durham Yellow Pages please visit http://durhamnc.areaguides.net/. Please direct any comments on this article to lmieditorial@searchinfluence.com.
Resorting to Home Refinance Loans
January 28, 2009
When the Federal Reserve lowered the prime interest rates to 4.5%, many homeowners jumped at the chance to apply for a home refinance loan. Some homeowners might have refinanced the home two years before and believed that the lower interest rate would reduce their monthly house payment considerably. When all of the paper work was completed and the new payment was stated, these homeowners realized that refinancing cost them more when all things were considered.
The items considered for a refinance loan are the identical items that would be considered on the first home loan that a applicant applies for when they purchased the home initially. All requirements for providing proof of income must still be met, and some homeowners find that changes in income, no matter how minute, can have a monstrous effect on the new interest rate that they get.
The handling fees for the refinance will be duplicated again, because each home mortgage loan requires filing fees, lender fees, title fees and will have closing costs applied. Some homeowners will choose not to refinance a home mortgage loan after they get all of the costs upfront and realize that the lower interest rate is not a bargain that they can take advantage of at that particular time.
The refinancing of a home mortgage loan is great if the homeowner purchased a home at a higher rate. If the homeowner has a second mortgage loan on the property for repairing the roof or installing a central air cooling system and heater, then the outstanding balances on that loan might hinder their ability to get another loan on the property, even if that loan is to refinance the first mortgage. The homeowner might be better off keeping the home and building equity if possible.
A homeowner will often regret not being able to take advantage of low interest rates. Some will get so discouraged about all factors of home ownership and place the house on the market to rid themselves of the property taxes that go with home ownership. They might try one last effort to refinance the home, and find that the lender will not consider a refinance at that time because the house has been placed for sale on the real estate market.
Homeowner’s have other loan options that might relieve the financial stress they are under. They might inquire about a home equity loan if they have owned the home for a considerable amount of time. This extra cash could be used for a variety of things and can even be used for making repairs to the house. Some homeowners will use the home equity loan balance to pay off the second mortgage on the home, so that they can reapply for a home refinancing loan in the very near future.
Many lenders realize the stress that some homeowner’s are under because they hold a home mortgage loan that features an adjustable rate mortgage. The monthly payments for the home have probably doubled and the homeowner might be at risk of losing the home through foreclosure because they cannot keep up with such high payments. Lenders are willing to reconsider refinancing loans of this type in an effort to boost the economy. The payments that are behind will usually be added to the loan and can be paid back over a specific payment period that makes home ownership more affordable.
James Brown writes about CreditSolutions.com coupon, Apartments.com promo code and foreclosure.com on-line coupons
Is Debt Consolidation Really For You
January 28, 2009
Well, it’s time to do something about your debt. You are tired of the sleepless nights, the harassing phone calls, and the generally depressing cloud hanging over your head. So after careful thought, you decide to get debt consolidation. But is debt consolidation really for you? How would you know? Many of us are the “take the bull by the horns” type and don’t do well with third parties working for us as we feel they are just taking our money. And you know that with debt consolidation, they probably are taking your money. That is even more reason why you need to carefully consider if debt consolidation will really fit you. The first task at hand in determining if debt consolidation fits you is to study all the facts around the area you are venturing into. Debt counseling, credit counseling, and debt consolidation are like the American Wild West in the credit arena. In other words, picture yourself at a card table with a bunch of unshaven renegade outlaws and all of them are out to get your money either fairly or underhandedly.
The first thing to understand when seeking a debt consolidation on your credit cards or other unsecured debt is that with a debt consolidation this debt will transfer to secured debt. Let’s face it. You approach the debt consolidation company as a high risk person who had problems with unsecured debt. There is no way they are going to get you unsecured debt. If a debt consolidation loan is advertised as unsecured then you had better check it out because usually debt consolidation is secured. By secured we mean that you will have to put your primary residence up as collateral or security for the loan in the case of default and you cannot pay. This means you would lose your house. Are you willing to take this risk? Is this for you?
Keep this one point in the back of your mind: credit card debt is unsecured. That means that no matter how much they harass you, they cannot take your home or car as these were not used as security on the loan. Considering this, a debt consolidation may not be for you if you have tough skin and weather the storm while you get your financial situation back on track. Debt consolidation companies claim that they can save your credit but in reality, by the time you get to this point, your credit is ruined. Better to try to pay something on your debts and weather it out because if you can manage to get through the storm you can rebuild your credit later. But with unsecured debt, you have more freedom actually.
Something else to consider when determining if a debt consolidation loan is right for you, ask yourself what you are going to do with your credit cards once the consolidation loan pays them off. Take a hard look at yourself and determine if you have the discipline to not run the charges up on you cards again after a consolidation loan gets you out of hot water. Ask yourself if you are willing to cut up your cards to keep that from happening. You know yourself best and it is of utmost importance to be honest with yourself when considering if a debt consolidation loan is right for you.
For more resources on managing your debt visit: http://www.debtconsolidatecenter.com/
Helpful Remortgage Information That You Should Know
January 28, 2009
If you borrow money form a lender and pledge your home as security for the loan then this is commonly known as a mortgage. It is also often known as a home equity loan because it is secured against the equity in your home. The terms and conditions of the mortgage are set by the lender and they set such things as the manner in which you are to pay the instalments; when you have to pay the instalments; the term of the loan; the fact that the lender has the right to repossess your property should you default on the payments; and the interest rate. If you are not happy with any of the terms, in particular the one governing the interest rate that is to be applied to the loan then you should consider a remortgage.
A remortgage is where you take out a further mortgage, normally with a different lender, and use the proceeds of the new mortgage to pay off your existing mortgage. In this way you can often get better terms and conditions and in particular a lower interest rate.
If you built or bought your home with a mortgage and been paying a high rate of interest on it you may consider a remortgage. It could be that the loan market is offering lower interest rates in general or that you in particular are now able to get a lower rate of interest. This could be due to your credit score or rating having improved since you took out your mortgage. This is the time to remortgage and save huge amounts of money over the term of your loan. A lower rate of interest means a cheaper loan.
You may have more equity in your home now because real estate prices have gone up. You could consider a remortgage to allow you to use some of that extra equity to increase your mortgage. If you get a lower rate of interest you may be able to borrow more and still pay less per month.
If you do have spare equity in your home you may be able to do a debt consolidation remortgage. This is where you refinance your mortgage and increase the loan to enable you to not only pay off the existing mortgage but also your unsecured debts such as loans and credit cards. As you are using your house for collateral you are likely to be able to get a lower rate of interest than you the rate on the unsecured debt.
If you can afford to pay a bit extra per month you may consider a remortgage and reduce the term of the mortgage. If you reduce your mortgage term the mortgage will cost you a lot less. However, it will cost you more each month because you need to pay more of the capital each month to repay the loan over the shorter period of time.
Shelley Green is the owner of http://www.mortgages-click.com, a site that specializes in Mortgages. Shelley Green is also the owner of Loans Click and Refinance Click.
Internet Mortgage Leads, Why Aren They Working
January 27, 2009
When it comes to Internet mortgage leads, mortgage companies and sales people have to ask what will really generate more and better clients. The advent of the Internet has of course changed the way business is done all over the globe. It is a matter of perspective and sometimes flat out results that show whether that change has actually been for the better.
A good lead for a potential client is a very valuable thing for mortgage lenders. Without them, a lending company can pretty much count on closing up shop. While there is a need for both lenders and clients to successfully make contact with each other, they often miss each other like ships passing in the night.
Buying Internet mortgage leads from those companies that play the middleman and bring lenders and clients together can seem like quite a blessing. This is commonly done on the Internet, the scenario consisting of potential clients entering information for lenders to compete over. This is the source of many non-exclusive generated leads.
It is a scenario that can work well for the consumer but not so well for the lender. These non-exclusive leads are not only generally picked over, a large majority of these consumers are only trying to get a basic idea of what is available to them. More often than not, Internet generated leads actually lead nowhere.
The leads are sold to lenders in bulk and often turn out to be rehashed information from months earlier. Because consumers tend to shop around, the information can frequently be the same lead on a different form. These non-exclusive leads often do more harm than good in the long run.
When it comes to large financial decisions, people want to feel good about the choices they make. They don’t want to be pressured but they do want to be well informed before they decide to get serious. The Internet is a venue that allows this, which is why less than five percent of Internet leads become actual sales.
The point of being in business is to make a profit and losing money by paying for Internet mortgage leads that have no return can put a serious kink in the works. Although one generated lead can wipe out a years worth of fees, sitting around and waiting for it to happen is generally not the best course of action. Taking a proactive stance and opting for more reliable results is always a best bet.
Exclusive mortgage leads are always going to be more lucrative. Instead of several brokers tromping through the aged data and information of a lead, lenders have an opportunity to deal with a potential client one on one. The exclusive lead is a better opportunity to successfully make a sale and close a deal.
Moreover, in this day and age when putting out personal information on the Internet has become an iffy thing to do, finding mortgage leads through telemarketing allows consumers to actually talk to a live person. This makes the potential lead more comfortable and more information can be gathered than on a simple form found on the Internet. The closing rate for transactions carried out in this manner is much higher than that of Internet leads.
Compared to Internet mortgage leads, the exclusive leads of telemarketing have a higher closing rate, doing away with the problem of not getting a return on lead fees. Plus, unlike leads from Internet shoppers, telemarketing leads have obtained extensive information from clients ready to make serious decisions. All this leads to a much more reliable source of potential customers and clients.
While Internet mortgage leads are not all that exclusive, Vertical Measures is a lead generation company that specializes in developing high quality, telemarketing mortgage leads for mortgage brokers in the US. Visit http://www.VerticalMeasuresLeads.com or call toll free 866-566-6100.
