Saturday, October 18, 2008

Paying Your Bills on The Internet With Ease

The standard system of banking and paying routine bills has changed hugely since the Internet has come into the picture. While the old-school process of bill paying commonly consisted of receiving electric, gas, water, credit card, student loan and insurance bills through snail mail, now days you have a medley. You no longer have to grapple with monthly envelopes, paper statements and stamps. The World Wide Web has introduced us all to a much more handy method of paying bills electronically. So if you presently don't pay bills online, you should really reconsider. It's not only easier, it's safer as well. 

Most banks offer their consumers the option to pay bills online. This should be a free feature when you sign up for a new bank account. Be sure to ask about this specifically, because some banks actually still charge you fees for online banking and bill paying. Regardless, let's examine some of the features that popularly go along with paying bills online. You can set up a regular scheduled payment for each monthly bill you have. This keeps things handy because the sum is then pulled out of your checking account each month on its own. While this works great for mortgage and car payments, it spotlessly won't work as well for electric or water bills purely because they fluctuate. However, you can still pay these bills monthly with ease. Many folks choose this modern method of bill paying merely due to the fact that it's easy and does not require stamps and trips to the post office.

Go paperless! This is an awesome aspect of online banking and the option to pay bills online. Let's say you require to pay your monthly credit card bill online. Not a problem. You can literally go paperless and receive no statements via snail mail. You instead will receive an email once each month with your statement posted online. All you need is a password for this. When you pay bills online for credit cards, you actually have a little more time to pay it since you're credited the date it's submitted electronically. Furthermore, many people enjoy the aspect of their personal information not floating around in trash cans and dumpsters. Going paperless can help prevent identity theft and more.

Get more data about financial issues such as advance magnum cash loans where you'll find everything you need to know about the payday loan reviews and much more.

Sellers Advantages and Property Auctions

Property tax lien auctions are advancing more with the highest status in the industry of realty. could the reason be that the economy is not at its greatest and the rate of home foreclosures has never been so high? When houses are foreclosed upon and then repossessed, the homes are then sold during a Property tax lien auction to the topmost bidder so the mortgage company can recoup its loss. Prior to foreclosure, some owners will go to auction with their homes to avoid credit problems. Over the next ten years according to some authorities, more than 35% of homes for sale will be purchased at Property tax lien auctions.

Some benefits sellers have when they decide to use Property tax lien auctions to sell their houses is the sale is quick and you don't have to wait for 'pending financing' rules set by the buyer. The money from the purchaser will be present at auction time

Homeowner who intend to sell his house at action should ensure the participation of enough purchasers who are either capable to pay from their source or who have got completed financing committment from financial institutions of repute. 

You can buy homes on auction in their current condition. This means that the bidders know that there are some things that need to be repaired and they have to take care of the aesthetic needs. The purchaser will not be worried with paying a lot for a new paint or carpet or even appliances before putting their home for auction. The buyer will be responsible for replacing the water heater if it is about to malfunction. Buyers understand when buying Property tax lien auctions they usually have a small amount of time to check out the property before bidding. The fault lies with them, not with the seller, if something doesn't work because they were unable to bring along a professional home inspector. 

In addition to many other advantages to Property tax lien auctions for the sellers is that they are not obligated to show the house according to someone else's schedule. Pets, lives, relatives -- sellers have these things too. The risk of getting a call at any time of day or night from an agent who would like to show the home is more than likely the hardest part about putting a house on the traditional market. Can they not accept this? Yes, certainly they can, but they're probably not going to sell their homes without looking at it first.

If an agent can not be shown the home, they will not come back to call again. You are recurrently on edge because you never know when a realtor may call to show your house to a prospective buyer. The residence has to be immaculate at all times, and there must be somewhere that pets can be taken when the house is to be shown. Sometimes it is hard, such as when you're called during dinner or when friends are over.

A number of homeowners are unaware of the potential benefits of using property tax lien auctions to sell their homes. For homeowners needing to sell their house succinctly, for whatever reason, property tax lien auctions is an easy option. Some homeowners think the advantages of property tax lien auctions outweigh the possible risk of a lower retailing price.

Get more information about Pre Foreclosure Property such as purchasing tax liens where you'll find all you need to know about the Buy Tax Lien Laws and much more.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Debt elimination plan to help you get out of Debt

debt consolidation loans )


Financial debt worries can be a contributing factor in the break up of relationships but I guess I was just one of the lucky ones. A similar thing happened to me not that long ago and even now I am not over the full extent of its grip. To make matters worse, it was an insidious problem and took many years for it to make itself felt. Many people do not realize it, but as strange as it seems, 20,000 dollars of debt can sneak up on you. Fortunately I was lucky enough to find a company that could provide me with a consumer debt consolidation loan which made life much easier.

You see, bad credit loans were all I could get even though I had a decent well-paying job; it was just because I was awful with money. I know I am not alone in this but when I set my mind to having something, I would go out and get it straight away. You see small amounts build up slowly and it is simple to convince yourself that it will be easy to manage.

Before you know what has happened, the debt has grown beyond what you can easily manage. I don't know how but it didn't take long for the vultures to start and suddenly regular as clockwork, consumer debt consolidation loan firms would send me mail or phone me. Although I hadn't contacted anyone, companies offering consolidation loans were certainly interested in helping me out of my troubles. They say knowledge is power and this could not be truer than learning about companies that offer you money.

Many of these companies are barely legal but fortunately only a few of them are honest law abiding firms. Many of the consumer debt consolidation loans are set up to take advantage of people who are not good with money and are in a desperate situation to begin with. Many lie outright and have no intention of supplying a low interest rate loan they offer. Don't give up at this hurdle though because persistence pays off as it did for me with the company that I finally decided to deal with.

My previous career experience helped me with this because you see; I have worked in a wide variety of financial institutions and know quite a bit about credit. You may not have the previous experience I had, even though it did not stop my spending; but that doesn't mean you won't be able to source a consumer debt consolidation loan company like I did if you really want too. It has taken two years but I can honestly say, I am not clear yet but I am now on the road to financial recovery, finally.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

What is the Timeline for Foreclosure

If you are interested in discovering what it will take to halt foreclosure proceedings you will have to seek the knowledge that will be required in order to do so. In all honesty, the timeline for foreclosure is different from state to state, but there are similarities. If you are a borrower it would be smart to comletely understand and know the whole foreclosure process, not only the timeline for foreclosure. Many homeowners lack knowledge or are very uninformed, or even misinformed. This sad lack of understanding can wind up being devastating.

As you have most likely discovered, any undertaking without the required knowledge will usually end up being a bum deal. Many borrowers do not understand or want to admit that there are predators out there disguised as mortgage brokers, real estate investors and attorneys that will rob you blind. Your misfortune, likely caused by lack of knowledge can bring them great monetary gain.

The timeline for foreclosure will usually follow this agenda. The foreclosure timeline is initiated when you are just one day late in paying your house payment. Yes, one day late.  Usually, at this point no late fees have been added yet. If you do not pay your entire payment within 16-30 days a penalty or a late charge will be added on to the total amount due. Around this time you will certainly hear from the mortgage lender. They will inquire about why you haven’t sent your loan payment. If your housepayment goes more that 30 days behind, you will be defined as in default of your mortgage loan agreement.

Being in default in the simplest terms, at this point, means you are behind on your loan obligations. If you have not made a loan payment after thirty days, the lender may decide to exercise their rights and repossess of your house. Whatever you do, do not panic. Remain calm and remain in contact with your mortgage lender during this foreclosure process. These days the majority of lenders really do not want to take possession of the house. They will most likely be willing to assist you if they are able. Do not be afraid to ask about� what programs they have available to you.

Between the 60th and 90th days or non-payment, an official notice of default will be delivered to the homeowner. At this point during the timeline for foreclosure, collection costs will be added on and the lenders legal department will prepare and deliver the required documents to a local attorney. This is the start the actual foreclosure proceedings.

The last leg of the foreclosure timeline occurs anywhere between day 150 and day 415. The borrowers house will be scheduled for sale at a foreclosure sale or a foreclosure auction after the Notice of Trustee Sale is filed. There are certain guidelines and points that must be followed and adhered to during a foreclosure process. Keep in mind that a foreclosure is a legal event. The impending foreclosure should be advertised in the local newspapers, once the case is referred to local attorneys.

The borrower still has the right to halt the process leading up to the foreclosure of the property. Most states have laws regarding that. During the pre-foreclosure period, the homeowner may be able to purchase the property back from the lender if they have come up with the money. Sadly the majority of borrowers will be put out of their home by the local sheriffs department. These circumstances could be prevented if the homeowner pocesses the information about available options to them when they are facing foreclosure.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Facing Eviction? Take These Steps to Avoid Repossession

Firstly it is important to know that your lender can not evict you without a court order.

If you have been given a court order by your lender (received in the post) it usually means that other attempts made by you and the lender to overcome the arrears have failed. Some lenders are very sympathetic to borrowers who have got behind in their mortgage payments and may wait 6 months before applying for a court order. Some lender (of the ‘sub prime’ variety) will be all to quick to take late payers to court.

In order to start the eviction process the lender will apply to the local court to issue a ‘possession claim’ which will give you a date and time for a hearing in the county court. You should have at least 28 days’ notice of the hearing date. (Note; a court hearing does not mean you will automatically lose your home.) Even if the court decides you cannot afford to stay there, you will not be evicted from your home on the date of the hearing.

What you need to do before the hearing

A document called ‘particulars of claim’ will be sent as well. This sets out your lender’s case for taking possession of your home. You will also receive form N11M called a ‘defence form’ which you should fill in and return to the court within 14 days or receiving it.

It is important you give as much information as possible in the defence form as this give the court a chance to see your side of the story. The court will not evict people unless they have to so give them a good reason why they should order the lender not to evict you. You need to ensure you:

  • Check the details of your lender’s claim to see if you agree with them. Say if you think that the information is wrong.
  • You will be asked how much you can afford to pay off the arrears. Prepare a personal budget sheet to work out how much you can afford to offer and show this.
  • Put down an amount which you can afford, even if your lender has already refused this offer.
  • If you are hoping that your circumstances will improve in the future (i.e. the reason why you got in arrears will change or improve), or you want time to be able to sell you home, then say so in the space provided.

You should send this document back 14 days after receiving it. If you have missed this date it is still worth sending it if it will reach the court before the hearing date. Remember to keep a copy. 

What you need to on the day of the court hearing

  • Come prepared to the court with short noted about what you would like to say at the hearing. Don’t be afraid to refer to them when you speak. 
  • If your financial circumstances have changed since you filled in the court form work out a new budget sheet and take it with you.
  • Take 3 copies of your latest personal budget with you (one for you, one for the judge and one for the lender’s representative).
  • Try to answer questions clearly, calmly and fully. Remember you have as much right to put your case as the lender and the judge will be keen to get the full story.

What should you say?

If you think you can pay off some of the arrears in staged payment let the judge know your plan. If the judge agrees the lender can not evict you if you stick to these plans. If the judge does not agree with this plan you can ask for an adjournment or postponement to give you time to sell your property yourself.

If you plan to pay off the arrears in a short space of time (by remortgaging or selling your property ask for an adjournment). You should also ask for an adjournment if you don’t agree with the lenders figures. This will give the lender time to get detailed accounts ready for the judge.

If the judge does not accept any of your plans they can the district judge can make a possession order, which allows you a set period, usually 28 days, before your lender can take any action.

What if I can’t pay?

If you subsequently find you can not pay the amount which the court has ordered you to pay, you should go back to the court and ask for the order to be changed. Use the form N244, available from the court office. You should also contact your lender and try to make a new arrangement. If you can not make another arrangement there is a danger that you may not be able to avoid repossession and you should prepare for the worst or possible arrange to sell and rent back your home. . 

How To Sell Your House Quickly

Selling property can be one of the hardest and most stressful things you can do in your life. 90% of people sell through an estate agent so it must offer some advantages. So, should you do the same?

Well, it depends on time pressure you are under. When selling through an estate agent you will normally have to go through these stages:

  1. You need to pay for and complete any renovation and refurbishment necessary (2-3 weeks)
  2. You will need to conduct multiple viewings (4 to 8 weeks)
  3. If your estate agent finds you a buyer, you will need to wait a few months for the buyer to arrange a mortgage (8 to 14 weeks)
  4. If the buyer is in a chain, you will need to wait for their home to sell before yours can be purchase (2-3 weeks)

This can take between 4 to 7.5 months! That is a long time! It is a also a sad fact that 1 in 3 chains break down at the last moment due to buyers pulling out. It only takes one person to pull out and the whole chain falls apart.

How to sell in less than 4 months

However, even with these obstacles in mind it is still possible to sell your home in less than 4 months by these following tips (and having luck on your side): 

  1. Get a reliable, reputable agent.
  2. Finish off any necessary DIY jobs
  3. Thoroughly clean and de-clutter you home
  4. Depersonalise your house and go neutral

It is worth remembering, "buyers are not looking to buy property. What they're really looking to buy is a better life - property just happens to be the way they'll get it"

 The problems with Estate Agents

In response to many complaints about estate agents the Office of Fair trading conducted a study and found serious concerns over the way estate agents serve the public.The consumer group Which? has also conducted research and found evidence of serious violations of the law and a massive 50% of consumers voicing dissatisfaction over the service received from their estate agent. They said:

"Consumers entering the home-buying or selling process are substantially disadvantaged by the way estate agents currently operate"

Now, in fairness there are some great estate agents out there but they seem to be hard to find. Will you be lucky enough to uncover a good agent? Are you prepared to pay 1.5 - 2.5% +VAT (i.e. the price of a new kitchen) to find out?

So what it the alternative??

One of the more popular alternatives if you need a quick sale is using a specialist home buying company to help you. They can purchase your property directly from you with out the need to go through an estate agent.

Sell Fast to Cash Buyers & "Sell and Rent Back" Specialists

First things first, it is important that you understand that using a specialist property buying company should only be considered if your need to sell property quickly is greater than your need to sell for the best price.

 Typically you find yourself in need of house buying specialist if:

  1. You are in financial difficulties
  2. You are being threatened with repossession
  3. You would like to sell your property & rent it back
  4. Your chain has collapsed and you're totally desperate to sell
  5. You need money quickly and remortgaging is not an option
  6. Bereavement or divorce means you need to move-on as quickly as possible
  7. You've inherited property that you want to cash-in quickly
  8. You're emigrating and your property is proving difficult to sell

How Quickly Can Cash Property Buyers Act?

Exchange of contracts can take anywhere between a few days and 3- 4 weeks. Completion can then be fixed to suit you but the norm is completion within 3-4 weeks.

How Much Can You Expect to Sell for?

Anywhere between 75-85% of your properties open market value (80% is the average but it will depend on the property and market conditions). Open market value is the price a property would sell on the open market within 3 months. This is typically less than the price estate agents advertise properties at as they expect to make offers.

So, the main service home buyer service can offer you is speed and a guaranteed sale.

Certainty and speed are rare commodities when selling property. For this service you have to be willing to sell at a discount. That is why they will buy your property between 75%-85% if its market value.

What other benefits can these companies provide?

 A good company will offer to:

  1. Pay your legal fees (up to GBP 500 which normally covers
  2. them all)
  3. Pay any survey and valuation fees
  4. Allow you to stay in the property after selling (rent back)
  5. Meet their promises on price and completion date
  6. Adhere to some Code of Practice from a recognized body such as the National Association of Sale and Rent Back (NASRB).

A Word of Warning!

Beware of any company that does not offer the benefits above. Some companies charge for valuation fees regardless whether they buy the property or not. Also beware of companies that string you along and then reduce their offer at the last minute when you are at your most desperate.

 

 

Busby

Busby is the English name for the Hungarian prémes csákó or kucsma, a military head-dress made of fur, worn by Hungarian hussars. In its original Hungarian form the busby was a cylindrical fur cap, having a bag of colored cloth hanging from the top. The end of this bag was attached to the right shoulder as a defense against sabre cuts. In Great Britain busbies are of two kinds: (a) the hussar busby, cylindrical in shape, with a bag; this is worn by hussars and the Royal Horse Artillery; (b) the rifle busby, a folding cap of astrachan (curly lambswool) formerly worn by rifle regiments, in shape somewhat resembling a Glengarry but taller. Both have straight plumes in the front of the headdress.

The popularity of this military headdress in its hussar form reached a height in the years immediately before World War I (1914-18). It was widely worn in the British (hussars, yeomanry, and horse artillery), German (hussars), Russian (hussars), Dutch (cavalry and artillery), Belgian (Guides and field artillery), Bulgarian (Life Guards), Romanian (cavalry), Austro-Hungarian (Hungarian generals) Serbian (Royal Guards), Spanish (hussars) and Italian (light cavalry) armies.

Possibly the name's original sense of a 'busby wig' came from association with Dr Richard Busby, headmaster of Westminster School in the late 1600s; it is also derived from buzz, in the phrase ~ buzz wig.

The busby should not be mistaken for the much taller bearskin cap, worn most notably by the five regiments of Foot Guards of the Household Division (Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards). The 1911 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica notes that the word "busby" was at that time used colloquially to denote the tall bear and racoonskin "caps" worn by foot-guards and fusiliers and the feather bonnets of highland infantry. This practice has now fallen into disuse.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Hey! Take This House and Sell it

You can give prospective homebuyers a tour around your home as a way of showcasing it. A house show affords you the opportunity to show off the strong points of your home. Always emphasize your homes positive attributes in order to get it sold off quickly. Of course in such house shows you will be better to point out the strong points of your home than someone else, so it’s best that you do it yourself.

You can’t sell your home fast if you don’t make much noise about it. Part of selling a home successfully is advertising. You can advertise the sale of your home through media such as home magazines, newspapers or the internet. I know many people who have successfully sold off their homes themselves, without the help of any real estate agent because they advertised.

A beautiful home isn’t the only thing that a homebuyer may be looking to purchase. Homebuyers may also be keen about the proximity of a home to basic social structures such as school or church. The functionality of a home as well as its beauty matters a great deal to a many homebuyers.

If you are considering advertising online for the sale of your home, know that online real estate advertisements require a great deal of expertise in advert composition. You will want to make sure that your advert of the home online is catchy, brief and lucid enough. Advertisements online are usually targeted at a broader more heterogeneous target audience.

Homeowners are quite eager to sell their homes as fast as they can these days. The internet is an excellent way to sell off your home quickly. You can hire a very good real estate agent to help you sell your house fast.

If you don’t have the cash to advertise your home, you can rely on the word of mouth. This usually works faster than ads. You can tell friends and families that you want to sell your home and watch the power of communication work to help you sell your home fast.

Selling a home can only be possible if you are able to make a favorable impression on the minds of the prospective home buyers. People who are looking to buy homes are out to get a house that instantly appeals to them. You can lose prospective home buyers if you fail to make your home as attractive as possible.

You should be aware that there are certain things that a home selling contract must contain. A home selling contract must be include information such as the mortgage rate of the home or the recipient of the deposit. Make certain that your home selling contract contains all the necessary information.

Carol Shearer writes about interesting articles about take this house and sell it , and take this house and sell it take this house and sell it on our website.

What to Do to Qualify for Your First Home Loan

Everyone wishes to live in the dream house they always picture in their minds when they were kids. If you have saved up and worked hard throughout the years, then you are just a few steps away from that dream. But reality bites, and you realize that home buying needs a lot of serious preparation to ensure that everything comes out right.  There are some non traditional ways to buy your home, too, that you may want to investigate.

If you are excited to buy that house you always wanted, be prepared and read through these mortgage tips:

Pay your debt
Instead of saving up for your house, why not pay off your debts first? This is the more sensible thing to do than saving thousands of dollars in your bank. Debts, including credit card debts, actually limit your capability to save. Also, when applying for a home loan, lenders would always look at your credit card record as a reference on how much you can borrow from them.

Evaluate how much loan you can afford

There are two things you need to know before buying a home: How much you are willing to cash out as down payment and how much you are willing to borrow. Your mortgage loan, on an annual basis, should never reach 30% of your annual gross income.

Understand Loan Types
There are government-sponsored institutions (Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae) that can offer home loans at a very affordable price. You can also head to private lenders who offer a great package for first-time homebuyers. Going to your bank and applying for a mortgage loan is also a sound option.

Real estate shopping
If you got all your finances all figured out, then you can start shopping for you house. The first thing to do is to get in touch with a reliable real estate agent that can show you a number of options. It is important to choose the right neighborhood for you and your family. Make a quick wish list of the things you want and use this as a reference before you purchase a property. It is important that you personally inspect each house that you are looking at buying.

Making an offer
If you already decided which house to buy, discuss it with your real estate agent and make your offer. Negotiate with the seller with regards to pricing and other terms and conditions. Remember to put everything you settled and agreed on in writing. Be sure to read and reread all the statements in any contracts before you sign them.

Follow the tips above if you want to stop paying rent and finally become a homeowner.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Don't Get Stung By Auto Leasing Like I Did!

The truth about car leasing, especially bad credit auto leasing is that leasing is a choice that's filled with several pitfalls for the ordinary consumer.  Leasing regulations don't call for as much disclosure as when you're buying a new or used car. This has brought about numerous leasing frauds that pull a fast one on the customer by making them believe they are into a great deal when, effectively, all they are getting is a bad business deal that only helps the dealer.


Here we look at some of these common scams and how to avoid them:

1. An exceptionally low rate of interest:

A few bad credit lenders will offer a lower rate of interest by either quoting the money factor as the interest rate or calculating the loan without amortizing some amounts into the loan lease.  For example, the money factor is commonly showed as a four decimal digit, something along the lines of 0.004. A few dealers cite this as a 4% interest rate when, as a matter of fact, you need to multiply it by 24 to arrive at a closer idea of the interest rate on your loan. Therein, the interest rate is a good deal higher 9.6% than the "quoted" rate of 4%.

Make certain you compare the numbers and understand the formula they used to compute their interest rate. Watch out for any amounts not factored in the computation. If you're not happy, don't enter into the lease contract.

2. You may end your lease early for a low fee

What's the biggest leasing scam of all? This is! You ask your neighborhood bad credit car dealer how much will it cost you if you want to terminate your lease early. The reply: "You want to get out early? No problemo, you only pay an early termination fee of $300".This is what caused me to be in serious trouble on my first auto lease. No matter that I didn't have any money to start with..now I had even less. The amount he is quoting is only the teeny-tiny administrative penalty for early termination. There is a much stiffer penalty called early termination fee and this can run into the thousands.

Try not to be quite as naive I as was (of course I had just gotten out of college - what did I know about finance) and don't confuse the early termination administrative penalty with the 'true' termination fee.  Take your time reading all the contracts, even if you think you're head's gonna explode. You may save yourself from a lot of pain and save a lot of money in the long run. 

3. Why pay for an extended warranty

On almost all auto leases, the warranty is included in the monthly payments. Why should you pay any extra money for something that is already included. Some of the lenders also try and trick you into purchasing an extended warranty for 36 months, when you only have a 24 month lease. Obviously, not needed! There are numerous games that unethical dealers may try to foist off on you.  As before, READ the small print. If you have problems with understanding anything that's in front of you, ask if you can take the paperwork home for someone more knowledgeable to look over before you sign.


There are several other items that can be tagged on, sneaked in or overlooked by you, including the  zero security deposit.  This doesn't tell the whole story as security deposits have already been factored into the lease. 

As usual...Caveat Emptor! I hope that you received some useful information from this article on auto lease scams.  The most important thing to remember is that you need to read everything before you sign it.

Credit Report And Score-The Right Way Keep A Good One

Each year your credit report comes out with your score at the bottom of it. It could be any where from 350 to 800 and it will vary from person to person.

Your credit score is based on your credit history, outstanding debts, credit length, number of inquiries made to your credit report and the different types of credit that you have.

The thing that will carry the biggest weight is your previous credit history, since this takes in to account, what you been doing over the past 7 to 10 years. if in this time you have incurred late payments or filed for bankruptcy ,then your score will be a poor one. But if there are none of these then you will get a perfect score.

The next thing is any outstanding debts that you may have. This may be your mortgage or a loan that you have applied for. If any of these are paid of early, then that is a good thing. If you have just taken a new debt, like a loan, then this could effect your credit score.

If you do not know already, 700 or higher is considered a good credit score by the experts. Those that do reach this figure, will be able to get any finance they apply for at a lower interest rate. But people who are below this score, will have to pay a much higher rate.

The good thing about credit report and score, is it will change each year. So if you do not score well one year. then you get the chance to improve on it next year. But, first and most importantly, you need to find out what brought it down, this way you can see how to make it improve.

If you have any unpaid debts or bills, then it is best to settle them. Always keep a regular check on your credit report to see if there are any mistakes on it. If there are any mistakes, then report it and have it investigated and then corrected. Always be in control of your spending, as this is the only way any one can have and maintain a good credit score.

If you are finding things hard financially, then seek help as there are always financial advisers who can give you assistance.

You will notice when you get a copy from the three credit reporting agency's, which are Expedia, Equifax and Transunion that they all do not look the same, but they all say the same thing and that is whether or not you are in good standing. You can get a copy of your credit report from these three agency's at the same time or after every few months. The best part is that you can get a copy for free.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

A Reverse Mortgage May Be Right for You

Reverse Mortgages


There is much talk in the finance world about a supposed new service called the reverse mortgage which is designed to ease the burden on seniors when they are a homeowner. While at first glance a reverse mortgage appears to be the answer to a retired homeowner's financial dreams, there are those who would have everyone believe that they are not a good idea. In reality, they can be both good and bad just like many other financial arrangements but their popularity has been a long time coming considering they have been available since 1961.

Probably the biggest reason for their new found popularity is the number of ‘baby boomers' that will be coming up to retirement from 2008 onwards. What this means is that America will have an unprecedented number of people retiring with many having their main asset being their homes and gone are the days when the American worker retired at the age of 62, with a pension and social security, then passing by age 70.

Many people coming up to 60 years of age have either made little provision for their retirement or have decided that traditional financial methods are not worth the effort so they need an additional source of income. The great benefit of a reverse mortgage is it pays out a monthly income but no repayments are made which means the debt just increases whereas with a traditional repayment mortgage, payments are made to lower the amount owed.

As far as the borrower is concerned they will not have to provide proof of any income and the money they have been receiving will be repaid in full when the loan is ready for repayment. People that arrange these reverse mortgages do not need proof of income nor is there a lower limit plus the credit score is not taken into account and the flexibility has helped many retired people in a dire financial situation.

Another huge benefit to reverse mortgages arranged by the government is that the children of the borrowers will not be left with a debt as the lenders can never be owed more than the value of the property irrespective of how much money has been lent or if the value of the home decreases. In some instances where the loan remains unused, a reverse mortgage can be costly but for the vast majority of borrowers it is the best way for them to have a familiar roof over their head for as long as they need it.

This is not a course of action where the advice is given by someone who only helps with reverse mortgages when they have nothing else to do so seek the assistance of a professional. Unlike forward mortgages, fees and rates are regulated by HUD so everyone is on an even playing field, and many mortgage companies often have many more programs available and are not limited only to just the few products that just one bank has to offer.

Many elderly people are worried about bringing up the subject with their children for fear they might believe they are trying to swindle them out of their inheritance but this generally couldn't be farther from the truth. In actual fact, a great deal of pressure is removed from family members who do not have the means to look after their parents so in most instances they are more than happy with the arrangement.

The Fear Of Mortgage Loans

With many people exposed to the news medias negative reports about home owners experiencing mortgage loans difficulty. No wonder people are beginning to shy away from buying a home, or at least thinking more carefully before taking a dive.

It is not actually all mortgage loans that homeowners are having problems with, as it is just a handful of the different types of mortgage loans that are offered to consumers. The typical type of loan that has so many people in trouble is the adjustable rate mortgage.

The adjustable rate mortgage loans generally starts out with a fixed interest rate for the first two or three years then, based on the current market, the interest rate may increase or decrease. And nine times out of ten, you will see an increase before a decrease in interest rate.

The people that get caught are generally people with poor credit history or first home buyers. These people who may not qualify for a loan from main stream lender or indeed a mainstream loan product.

If You are stuck heres some ideas

If for one reason or another you signed for an adjustable rate mortgage loan, there is some hope. Before you reach the point where your interest rate changes, get ready with back up cash. There is the chance that your payments will increase and you must be prepared to pay the new amount. In some circumstance the interest has doubled.

When you do have these types of loans it is best not to bet that you will have a decrease because the loans are market based this is mostly wish full thinking.

Why not start to look at other options, these options could have better offers and possible longer fixed terms. Don't worry to much about penalties or other things firstly you are just looking around and this should not effect anything till you sign on the line. Just simply calculate the difference in loans you never know you may be much better off.

Barry Jackson writes for Make You Rich A website dedicated to making you and saving you money