Why do Forex Trading?

So.. you want to make lots of money in forex trading..? Well, before you get your feet wet....let me refresh your mind why forex trading is such a hot money maker...



Here\'s a few reasons why....



The cash/spot FOREX markets have certain unique attributes that offer an unmatched potential for profitable trading in any market condition or any stage of the business cycle. It leaves one to wonder why bother in the first place? The answer to that is very simple. Forex trading offers people who trade:



A 24-hour market: A trader has the chance to take advantage of all of the profitable market conditions at any time; which means that there is no waiting for the start like the New York Stock exchange.



Highest liquidity Possible: The FOREX market is the most liquid market in the world. That means that a trader can enter or exit the market whenever they want during almost any market condition minimal execution barriers or risk and no daily trading limit.



High leverage: It has a leverage ratio of up to 400 is normal when compared to a leverage ratio of 2 in the equity markets. Of course, this makes trading in the cash/spot forex market awkward a swell because it makes the risk of the down side loss much higher in the same way that it makes the profit potential on the upside much prettier.



Low cost per transaction: The retail transaction cost is actually less than 0.1% under the normal market conditions. At larger dealers, the spread could be less than 5 pips, and may expand a great deal in fast moving markets.



Always a good market: A trade in the FOREX market means selling or buying one currency against another. In essence, a bull market or a bear market for a currency is defined in terms of the outlook for value against other currencies. If the outlook is positive, you get a bull market where a trader profits by buying the currency against other currencies.



Inter-bank market: The foundation of the FOREX market consists of a global network of dealers that communicate and trade with their clients through electronic networks and telephones. There are no organized exchanges like in futures that are there to serve as a central location to facilitate transactions the way the New York Stock Exchange serves the equity markets.



No one can corner the market: The FOREX market is so large and has so many participants that no single trader, even a central bank, can control the market price for an extended period of time.



It is not completely Unregulated: The FOREX market is seen as an unregulated market although the operations of major dealers like



commercial banks in money centers are regulated under the banking laws.



For the average person who is willing to get into forex trading, this market is just a better bet. With it being so wide open like it is, you have a higher gross potential than with any other trade type.



Wishing you success



KC Yap

info@nicheinfosite.com



Copyright 2005

by KC Yap forex-trading-tricks.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Want more tips, tricks and techniques in make a killing in the forex market? If so.. please check out my blog on forex trading now and grab more FREE tricks to supercharge your forex trading profits NOW!

Building Business Credit

Most businesses want to be able to borrow money when they need it, without the owners having to guarantee the loans personally. This means less risk to the owners. But wanting to get credit for your business and actually getting it can be two different things.

One company recently approached us because over the past two years they had created a successful business, with over twenty employees. But they couldn't get a business loan because they hadn't taken the time to build a business credit profile and didn't know where to start.

You may have seen marketing hype about how a business credit profile can overcome a bad personal credit file. In most cases, however, it's important that small businesses have both good business credit, as well as solid personal credit on the part of the owners. This is especially true in the current environment where investors and venture capitalists aren't handing money out to just anyone who can breathe and has a business idea! Even established businesses will find it necessary in some cases to provide the business owner's personal guarantees on some loans or credit cards.

Building business credit is completely different from building personal credit, though your personal credit may be linked in some ways. For example, credit reporting giant Experian sells a business credit score that is based on both the risk of the business and the personal credit of the owner of the company.

In addition, you don't have the same credit protection laws with business credit that you do with personal credit. So you want to make sure you start out on the right foot, or it can be difficult to make corrections.

The key to properly establishing business credit is twofold:

1. Set up the proper business structure and take basic steps to ensure your business appears eal and stable to the business credit bureaus. That means getting the proper occupational licenses, and a phone number that is listed with directory assistance in the businesses' name, among other things. Your business will generally need some form of corporate structure to effectively build a business credit rating.

2. Borrow or buy products and services from companies that will report your credit history to the major business credit reporting agencies such as Dunn & Bradstreet and Experian.

Unlike personal credit ratings, where you can have a small income yet get a top FICO credit score, the best business credit scores are reserved for large stable businesses, those with several million dollars in sales a year and 25-50 or more employees.

But don't let that stop you! By taking a few careful steps, you can start small and still build a decent business credit rating to get you the borrowing power your venture needs.

A few warnings:

1. Don't try to uy good credit! Some companies will offer to sell trade references for a large sum of money. This is a rip off and if the credit reporting agencies find out, they will purge those references.

2. Don't spend large sums of money on a shelf corporation from a company that guarantees you will be able to use it to get loans. More often than not, the company won't have the kind of credit rating you'll need to be successful.

3. Don't try to get business credit as a substitute for bad personal credit. If you have damaged personal credit, work on rebuilding it while you're building business credit.

Entrepreneurs are usually hard-working, creative and willing to get the job done. Fortunately, those are the same qualities that will help you through the process of building strong business credit. Get started now! For more information about building business credit, visit www.BusinessCreditSuccess.com

About The Author

Gerri Detweiler is considered one of the country's top credit experts. She has been interviewed for thousands of radio, television and print newstories including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dateline NBC and many others. She has testified before Congress several times and worked on reform of the national credit reporting laws.

Online Debt Consolidation LoansWatch Out For Those Pitfalls

When the burden of those many high interest rate debts becomes unbearable and is crushing you financially, you need to pay off the debts by taking one consolidated loan. Online debt consolidation loans are helpful in many ways to get you the loan at lower interest rate and that is why the online option, instead of a personal approach to the lender, is gaining popularity.

There are many companies providing online line debt consolidation loans. Through the comfort of your home you can evaluate different loan offers of lenders that you got in writing after applying online.

By availing online debt consolidation loans you are able to bring all repayments into one easy monthly payment. One monthly payment also means you escape late payment penalties and fees that get added to your debts. Debts go on increasing because credit card companies charge very high interest rate on your purchases. Through online consolidation, securing a lower interest rate becomes a reality.

However, taking the loan online has its share of pitfalls. It is only by avoiding them that the debt consolidation may be fruitful for you.

You should know the exact amount you require to pay off the debts. Do some mathematics your self or consult any expert. Prior knowledge of the loan amount helps in picking up the suitable loan package.

Lenders encourage you to borrow extra money. Be wary of such lenders. Don\'t forget that you take debt consolidation loans against your home which is your largest asset .If you fail to pay back the loan, the lender will not hesitate to go for repossession of your home and you loose it for ever.

One trap that lenders may lay for you is so-called easy repayment term. They may offer a greater duration of say 15 to 30 years to repay the loan installments. They will lure you into long repayment duration simply by offering really low payments. Thus you remain involved in paying loan for many years. In turn this actually means you end up paying higher interest rate. Outstanding debt for bigger duration also means you may loose your house to the lender.

Online ads promise to give you many advantages. Do not go by what they have written on their site. Instead scrutinize their offers and find what is good for you. Almost every loan provider company offers a lower interest rate package. While they may be quoting their right interest rate, you must see if you qualify for those rates or not. In case you rush for availing the loan just on the basis of the ads then may be you end up signing for a higher than advertised interest rate on the dotted line.

Once you have availed online debt consolidation loans carefully, make sure that you stick to the plan of payment. This is as crucial as taking the loan; otherwise you may be in for a new trouble.

On taking these tips seriously, online debt consolidation loan will surely improve your financial health.

After having herself gone through the ordeal of loan borrowing, Natasha Anderson understands the need for good quality loan advice. Her articles endeavor to provide you the wise counsel in the most elementary way for the benefit of the readers. She works for the UK debt consolidation web site UK debt consolidations. To find a debt consolidation loans, bad credit debt consolidation loans, debt advice that best suits your needs visit http://www.ukdebtconsolidations.co.uk

How The Credit Card System Works

Smart use of your credit cards is important, and it is not how many cards you possess.

If there are advantages to possessing many credit cards it is in their proper use, not in their dollars of potential credit.

Here\'s how credit cards work:

Banks cooperate with each other to closely to track their cardholders, and most banks want to know how many credit cards you now have before they issue one of their own.

Banks share computer files to trade cardholder information. When a bank discovers you have too many cards (each bank has their own policy on how many cards are \too many\), they automatically reject your application.

Banks that offer the same card usually disallow repeat cards to a cardholder.

You normally may obtain only one card from an interconnected network of cooperating banks.

How does a bankcard system actually work?

When you apply for a credit card at your local bank, many events occur. While your local bank\'s name is displayed on your credit card, odds are that your card was instead issued by a different bank.

Interconnected banks trade favors and reciprocate functions.

Banks also hire each other to perform different services to cut their overall costs.

Bank card systems are complicated.

First, they must accept new applications, obtain credit reports, and establish approved accounts.

Then the actual cards must be printed and embossed. Ongoing paperwork includes preparing and mailing billing statements, sales brochures, late payment notices, and other details that make a credit card program succeed.

Few banks undertake every function required to operate a credit card program. To avoid complicated and costly processes, some banks act as credit card agents for others. Usually smaller banks contract with the larger banks for card-related services.

The largest card processing centers usually handle accounting, credit checks, mailings, statements, collections, and administrative details for smaller banks.

The smaller banks pay, as a fee, a percentage of its annual credit volume. Both the large and small banks benefit from this relationship.

Bank networks commonly share parts of the credit card process.

One bank may offer applications; another may handle credit checks; a third (or fourth) bank the embossing and monthly statement function.

Major networks may have many lines of agent banks stretching out in a lengthy chain. Other networks may encompass only three or four agent banks.

So what happens if you simultaneously apply for credit cards from several local banks?

Although you may apply to different banks, many will be connected to the same major bank. This, of course, raises two possibilities:

1) The major bank will have a relationship with the agent banks that prevents the applicant from obtaining more than one card from the major bank. Even if you apply to twelve banks connected to the same major bank, the major bank will only issue one card.

All others are automatically cancelled as they enter the central computerized system. Your credit card will bear the name of the accepting bank. But in the process you generated potentially harmful numbers of inquiries on your credit report.

2) A major bank will issue several cards to the same individual if the agent bank assumes responsibility for your credit. The agent bank would then assume responsibility for any default in payment.

So before you apply for a credit card make sure that you do not already have one from that issuing bank.

Gus Skarlis is considered as of of the foremost automotive credit experts and has numerous websites devoted to educating the public about credit. You can find his website at: http://www.helpmycarcredit.com

Dollar Cost Averaging: Taking Some Volatility Out of the Portfolio

One of the holy grails of investing is the ability to achieve a decent return without volatility. After all, I think we all learned somewhere along the line that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. To say we are a long way from achieving that goal is certainly an understatement. But, until we do achieve that goal, dollar cost averaging can help.

Simply put, dollar cost averaging is investing at specific intervals over a specified period of time. Instead of buying at a single share price with a lump sum investment, dollar cost averaging buys when prices are both high and low, thus averaging the share price.

There is some argument that dollar cost averaging (DCA) can actually inhibit the return on investment, and I have no disagreement with that argument. If a purchase is made when the share price is low and the price soars in the future, the results will show better than when purchases are made at a higher average price. Secondly, short-term, dollar cost averaging often does not give the process enough time to show its true colors.

Thus, in order to truly benefit from dollar cost averaging, an investor needs to understand that it is a long-term process, and more a function of decreased volatility than of absolute return on investsment.

Looking at returns over a 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year period is helpful in determining investment research. We must remember, though, that these are only \frozen\ snapshots of investment returns at specified intervals of time. With dollar cost averaging, our need for funds is not only at the end of these specified intervals, it continues throughout the entire period. This lends credence to the continual need for decreased volatility.

For those investors who practice asset allocation, dollar cost averaging can be a great way to continually rebalance a portfolio. Instead of buying and selling to rebalance, investing on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.) can bring the allocation percentages back to their desired levels. Because trading is kept to a minimum, this strategy also manages the tax bite on potential gains.

There is a good chance that you may already be participating in a dollar cost averaging program. Monthly 401(k) contributions and quarterly dividend reinvestment plans are two prime examples of dollar cost averaging. Mutual funds also have \systematic deposit\ programs that are set to automatically sweep funds from checking or savings accounts on a regular basis.

Naturally, there is no guarantee that you\'ll actually profit from dollar cost averaging. This strategy does not protect against losses in a declining market. Such a plan involves continuous investments in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels. Before engaging in a dollar cost averaging strategy, you should consider your financial ability to continue purchasing through periods of low price levels.

The strategy also isn\'t a substitute for investment research. Bad investments will always lose money whatever your approach.

But if you are into investing for the long term and you want to take some volatility out of your portfolio, take a look at dollar cost averaging.

Glenn (\Chip\) Dahlke, a senior contributor to the Living Trust Network, has 28 years in the investment business. He is a Registered Representative of Linsco/Private Ledger and a principal with Dahlke Financial Group. He is licensed to transact securities with persons who are residents of the following states: CA. CT, FL, GA, IL. MA, MD. ME, MI. NC, NH, NJ, NY.OR, PA, RI, VA, VT, WY.

If you have any questions or comments, Chip would love to hear from you. You may contact him by email at dahlkefinancial@sbcglobal.net. You may also contact him at the Living Trust Network. It\'s URL is http://www.livingtrustnetwork.com.

Copyright 2005. Living Trust Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Cheap Insurance Ten Tips

Cheap insurance? Auto insurance, life insurance, health insurance, liability insurance - whatever type of insurance you need, you can buy it for less. Try the following:

1. Raise you deductible. Why have a $100 deductible if a $1000 deductible won\'t break you? It may hurt to pay the first thousand someday, but what if meanwhile you saved several thousand? High deductibles mean lower rates. Of course, get quotes with various deductibles, to be sure you\'re saving enough for the higher risk.

2. Lower your coverage. Insurance agents secretly admit that people usually get sued according to policy limits. You\'ll be sued for more if your limit is a million than if it\'s a hundred thousand. A judgement beyond the policy limits is a scary thought, but this can happen no matter what your limits are. If you don\'t have many assets or much money in the bank, consider lowering your coverage to save money. Get quotes first, of course, to see how much you\'ll save.

3. Lower the insurance company\'s risk. Using seatbelts, not smoking, and having alarm systems can mean cheap insurance. Ask your agent about any discounts that are available.

4. Use an independent agent. Why limit yourself to one insurance company? Independents can show you the cheapest policy regardless of which company it\'s from. Just check a rating service to see if the issuing company is financially solid, especially when buying life insurance.

5. Drop your insurance. The insurance companies will hate me for this one, but consider eliminating some coverages. You need liability coverage on your car, but collision coverage on a $2000 car doesn\'t make sense. Invest the money elsewhere, and take the $2000 loss once or twice in your life, or maybe never.

6. Buy stocks instead of insurance. If you and your wife both have good incomes, it probably makes more sense to invest your money than to buy life insurance. If loved ones have enough income or assets, life insurance premiums are usually wasted money.

7. Get rebates. Some states that allows \rebating\. California law, for example, allows agents to rebate part of their commission to you. If you live in a non-rebating stae, find a California company online!

8. Get the legal minimums. If you have no assets to protect, ask for state-mandated minimums on auto liability policies. Most companies give you their higher, more expensive \company minimums\ if you don\'t push the point.

9. Review your policies. It is common for parents to still pay for health insurance coverage on adult children long after they are working and have their own coverage. See what other unecessary coverages you may be paying for.

10. Get several quotes. For cheap insurance, compare quotes from several companies, and ask about different policy options. One more thing: take notes.

About The Author
Steve Gillman has been studying every aspect of money for thirty years. You can find more interesting and useful information on his website; http://www.EverythingAboutMoney.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=SteveGillman

The I Word is Coming to a Town Near You

Hello Inflation, it has been awhile, I see you on your way back again. Inflation? What inflation? Oh things like; Energy, diesel fuel, Aviation Fuel, Gasoline, Natural Gas, Milk, Wheat, Corn, Beef, Poultry, Hogs, Soy Beans, Building materials, paper, housing, Auto Prices, Health Care, Insurance, etc. You know the basics. Also considering the wholesale inflation, which comes from fuel costs being passed on, government regulations infringing on productivity and additional fees and fines to replace the taxes and incentives. When wholesale prices go up, those are passed onto the consumer.

How do we know all this? This is not a guess by any means. We have studied these issues for quite a while. Here is why we think this. Well as far as agriculture, we know from the droughts in the major farming regions and we can tell by the commodities market. We have seen the high temperatures and lack of water with Wheat and Corn in ID, MT, ND, SD, NE, KS. In other markets floods have hurt some crops. Also drought hurting the growing of feed for Cattle, meaning beef prices will go up. Canada MAD COW now our Mad Cow problem, problems with Japan\'s increased tariffs on beef. Hogs and Beef in KS cannot get the water they need. Also in farming we have seen areas where the Sierra Club is suing so many projects to stop or slow building of new reservoirs in NM, ID, CO, AZ, NV, OR, CA. Also the specialty crops are running low and not enough to meet demand, things like berries (see bear lake issues) and issues in Winnepeg and BC, grapes (2 buck chuck run supplies low), etc as well as issues with depleted soil in Central Valley CA, Desert Farmers along the AZ and CA border cannot use that amount of water since CA and AZ will need it for new housing areas, golf courses and other uses (see the Colorado river situation) Farmers VS Developers and housing in PHX, Tucson, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, many are predicting a bubble burst, we have seen issues in the REITs which was a little bit of a shake up.

Natural Gas from the lack of new wells being drilled, for instance off the coast of Maine and the Gulf. Lack of ability to gear up in infrastructure fast enough to supply this winter\'s need even though it should be a relatively non-violent winter as far as that goes-however few Hurricanes on West Coast last year showed us a lowered Jet Stream and lower latitude airflows, La Nina comes next and that means drought continued and water prices will go up and many business which use water will be worried and charge more too for their services. I have also been studying the EU droughts and heat and the issues with their exports meaning supply will not equal demand. Humanitarian needs are at issue as well. Meanwhile the Super Crops are being blocked by EU and WTO and much of those crops may not be able to be used in all markets. Some really bad deals here for humanity. Fruit in FL and the everglades issues are getting to be a bigger deal.

Dairy Farmers in ID are up 12% but they want more money and the National Dairy Association is also pushing forward. Increased demand is putting the dairy farmers feeling that they can charge more and will soon need to upgrade. The fires in ID, MT are using up much water supplies very early and fire season has another 2.5 months left. Also CO, NM, WY not out of the season yet. What about the threat of Bird Flu?

With Building materials we are seeing increased government regulation, timber tariffs on imported from Canada. Paper industry is in trouble and the replanted forests and forest farms are usually fast growing trees good for paper, not building grade timber. Housing spikes caused this, many areas growing fast.

Oil prices up due to manipulations in supply, Middle East issues, China coming on strong with needs of her own, Military needs effecting supply and demand issues, International Terrorists screwing with infrastructures, South American trade war paybacks, oil pipelines too few, Nimby-ism slowing output and inflows while the demand has increased, Airline fuel down and therefore price has too increase to pay for the direct cost loads. Our growth and consumerism has outpaced our supply and infrastructures. With energy the Blackout of 2003, rolling CA issues, generation plants being shut down, slowness of building new Nuclear Power Plants, issues in OR along the major Columbia River with Bonneville Power, issues with CA and SMUD, issues with upgrades needed in Coal Plants to meet EPA upgrades also same problems in VA, NC, SC, and the Tennessee River Valley Authority. Pipeline break in AZ and Phoenix they were paying nearly $2.00 per gallon, but now in CA they are at $2.65 per gallon. Sabotage in Iraq screws up supply for worldwide market. We are seeing OPEC moving forward to keep prices high, China coming online with needs, world demand is going up, takes too long to ramp up our own production and few companies wish too, for fear of dropping of prices too quickly, meanwhile we are seeing $2.46 gasoline on West Coast and $1.90 in San Antonio, no one expects these prices to come down, recessions follow high fuel prices by 6 months? So these are all issues and everything we buy has these high costs figured in. Construction, farming, transportation. Some school districts complaining about cost of buses and kids hurting budgets and at the same time increased prices mean more monies to state coffers which charge percentages of fuel prices as tax.

This article is in no way a doom and gloom showing, because I do see increased economic sunshine in many markets, but not all, those which have the burdens of drought, fires, shortages and manufacturing are going to see some more tough times. When energy goes up, some businesses running redline on low margins with lots of competition will see harder times and layoffs in the near future, while other sectors will be continuing the recovery.

These companies must raise prices, nearly all airlines have announced even additional higher fares this week, 14 of the largest trucking companies; the ones which haul the food, building materials, cars to dealerships and everything on every shelf in America. Railroad is increasing rates too. And Independent truck drivers holding on by a thread with insurance costs up too. We are also not going to be able to release the Military reserves in such uncertain times. So Inflation, there she blows and meanwhile interest rates will increase and money flows continue offshore.

What is of concern is that without increased wages, higher percentages of consumer incomes will be spent on food, gas, energy and other artificially inflated or supply and demand driven goods and services, yes that includes many sectors.

Now is a very important time in our nations history and in the business cycles at hand. We will get through this as it also hits other nations who sell to us, the trick is to come out of this present period with after burners blazing and set a course to the future prosperity and into the annals of destiny. Which we may write thru our human spirit and will.

\Lance Winslow\ - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Shopping Online Protect Yourself

These days, there are great bargains to be found by shopping
online. Many items that previously were only available in stores
are now being bought and sold online every day. Books, cds, DVDs
and electronics are all growing in popularity as online
purchases. Then there are things like flights, hotel bookings,
car rentals and the like that are which are well established in
the online shopping world. More and more stores are putting up
websites that allow you to make online orders and even
supermarkets now let you do your grocery shopping online and
they'll deliver the goods to your door.

Added to this growth in stores and other big business websites,
there are also millions of small traders offering you goods
online too. Online auction sites such as ebay are experiencing
phenomenal success. These types of purchases however carry the
risk that you do not really know who you are dealing with but
you have to give them sensitive financial information in order
to pay for your purchases. You are forced to choose between
buying from small sellers and then trust them with your card
details, or forgo the opportunities they offer and deal only
with large and trusted names.

Payment Sites

This problem has been recognised and that is why it is now
possible to shop online from lots of small sellers while
maintaining your privacy and keeping your financial information
secure. There are payment sites with the most popular probably
being paypal, that are set up specifically to deal with issues
like these. Indeed, paypal is now owned by ebay, which shows the
link in importance between the two services offered by these
companies.

What websites like paypal allow you to do is pay open an online
account for free. You can then transfer money into your account
using a standard credit card payment procedure. The advantage of
this is that while you are providing your card information to
paypal, this is the only company who you are giving this
information to and since they are large and therefore,
hopefully, trustworthy, your privacy and security should be safe.

Then when you make all your various purchases with smaller, more
anonymous traders, all you do is make the payment through paypal
and this avoids all the dangers having to give all your
sensitive data out again and again. It is another example of how
using credit cards online are becoming safer and more
convenient.

Credit Reports and Scores Often Confuse Consumers

Most people who are of an age to care about their credit are aware that the three main credit bureaus, Experian, Trans Union and Equifax, maintain credit reports on them. The bureaus keep track of loans, credit cards and bankruptcies and make note of whether each consumer pays his or her bills on time. Most people are also aware that their credit history is also available in the form of a credit score, which is, in essence, their overall credit worthiness reduced to a three-digit number.

Beyond that, many people have, at best, a vague understanding about how their financial transactions are regarded by the credit bureaus. There are a number of myths and misconceptions about credit reports and credit scores and how they are affected by things people do financially. Here are a few examples of these popular misunderstandings:

A consumer has only one credit score - Not true. Each bureau keeps track of financial transactions independently of the others and may have more or less information to work with than the other bureaus. Plus, until recently, each bureau used their own scoring system. In all likelihood, if a consumer were to contact each bureau to obtain his or her credit score, the result would be three completely different figures.

Your salary affects your credit score - Your score is simply a reflection of how well you handle the credit available to you. If you earn more money, you might have more available credit, or not. Either way, the score is simply a reflection of what type of credit you have and whether you pay your bills on time. How much you earn is not part of the equation.

Canceling a credit card raises your score - Not necessarily true. Credit bureaus examine how much of your available credit you are using. Less is more; the bureaus like to see that you are using as little of your available credit as possible. If you owe a lot of money on credit cards and you cancel an unused account, it may look like you are using a larger portion of your available credit. That will actually raise your score!

Marriage merges credit reports - Your credit report is your own. That will not change if you get married. Jointly borrowed money will show up on both reports and will affect both of your scores. And just as marriage doesn\'t merge the reports, divorce won\'t separate the joint items. If you get divorced and your ex doesn\'t pay on your joint loans, your score will decrease.

The process of compiling credit scores is a complicated one. It\'s understandable that many people don\'t entirely understand how the system works. Perhaps the best way to keep tabs on what is going on with your own finances is to check your credit report regularly. You can get a free copy at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation, personal bankruptcy, establishing credit and credit counseling.

5 Tips for Choosing a Free Prepaid Credit Card

The words \free\ and \prepaid\ may light up your eyes, and it\'s no wonder that these new types of credit cards are fast becoming one of the hot new items in the credit card world. They give you instant approval to spend. They don\'t have a long drawn-out application process. And you don\'t even need a bank account to get one.

1. There Are No Free Lunches

As the saying goes, though, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. In this case, this saying is only partially true. Hence, here\'s our first tip for those shopping for prepaid credit cardsknow what you\'re getting into. Free prepaid credit cards may be the best bet for people who otherwise have trouble getting traditional cards, either because they have bad credit or no credit. They act as both a credit card and a debit card. But they aren\'t free. They have a downsidethese cards have high fees and penalties.

2. Read the Fine Print

So before you act on these cards, be sure to check the fine print. Compare your options to find out which has the best rewards program, giving you the best prizes for money spent on the card. Just like credit cards, these prepaid cards allow you to accrue these rewards the more money you add, and take off, the cards.

3. Compare Fees

On the negative side of things, compare the cards\' fees. Some cards may cost upwards of $20 just to start one, plus have monthly maintenance fees and fees to add and withdrawal money. These cards can also have fees to argue a charge, or to get a hard copy of your statement. All this money adds up, even if the fees are only a few bucks. So look for the lowest fees possible.

4. This Isn\'t Monopoly Money

Another tip to consider with prepaid cards is that these may seem like a good way to spend less money than regular cards. After all, the money is already added to the card, so it\'s OK to spend it, right? However, don\'t let this attitude lead to overuse of the card, because you\'ll only end up adding more money, and spending more fees, on the card in the long run.

5. Look into Special Features

There are some positives to keep your eye out for when shopping for prepaid credit cards. Many of them also offer not only rewards programs, but zero-liability fraud protection, meaning that you aren\'t responsible for anyone using your card against your permission, or stealing the card and committing credit card fraud.

Joshua Shapiro recommends Find Credit Cards to find a free prepaid credit card.

Home Construction Loans

You can maximize your savings by shopping for a lender that can provide you with a combination loan. The combination loan starts as a construction loan. During this phase, your lender cuts checks to your builder and their subcontractors as they successfully reach significant steps in the building process. Once your home nears completion, your lender activates a traditional mortgage.

The new loan pays off your construction loan and rolls the remainder into the assessed value of the new property. The first way a combination loan can save you money is by eliminating a second set of closing costs. By handling both deals simultaneously, you save yourself and your lenders considerable time and money, savings that lenders are happy to pass along in the form of preferred rates.

Many banks let the commercial side of their business handle construction loans, while the consumer division oversees the mortgages. Therefore, the best place for you to start your hunt for the best deal is with the branch manager of the banks with offices in your area. Unlike traditional mortgages that can be handled over the phone or the Internet, construction loans require significant local oversight.

Fortunately, commercial lenders enjoy the opportunity to plant more roots in their communities. In fact, the commercial banker handling your quote for the construction loan may be able to pull strings to get you a more competitive quote for your eventual mortgage.

When shopping for construction loans, understand that the commercial lender will charge a much larger administration fee to compensate for the step-by-step management of your building process. Sometimes, you can expect to pay three, four, or five points (percentage points of your home's value) as a fee to the bank. Considering the amount of work involved in communicating with builders and subcontractors, most administration fees actually pay for themselves by freeing up your own valuable time. As an incentive to keep all of your business under the same roof, many banks will actually rebate much of your commercial loan's administration fee when the time comes to roll it over into the mortgage. You may receive a personal mortgage with no points, or you may even receive rebate points that you can apply to the principal.

Throughout your planning process, involve local banking professionals and ask your builder about positive experiences they have enjoyed on past projects with your contender lenders.

Kevin Adelsberg is a writer for FDLoans.com. For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything about loans, please visit us at http://www.FDLoans.com

Put Option Stock Put Options

What are Put Options?

A Put is a contract on a particular stock, index or other security that allows the investor to sell the underlying stock at a set price (strike price).

The holder of his option has paid a premium (cost of the contract) to buy it. Put options are profitable when the market is in decline. If the investor has a put on a stock that has now fallen enough to cover the cost of the premium, the person would be profitable.

Ways to Profit with Put Options

Trading them:

If the Put is profitable, the investor can sell or trade the contract back to the market. The profit on the contract is shown by the premium increase on the option. As the market declines, the premium increases. This premium increase allows the investor to sell the contract. He is not \exercising the option\. He is trading it out. This is how most options are done vs. exercising.

Exercising them:

When an investor exercises a Put Option, he or she is selling a stock they already own. The right of a put holder is the right to sell the stock at the strike price, regardless of the actual price in the market. If you owned a Put with a strike price of 50, and the market has declined to 40, you could purchase the actual the stock in the market at 40 and then exercise the put at 50. You would make 10 points on that stock, minus the premium paid.

The break-even for investors who own put options (disregarding commissions) is the strike price minus the premium paid. In the above example, if the investor paid $300 for the option - his break-even would be 47. Since the market in our example went down to 40, the actual profit for that person would be $700.

Writing a Put Option

When you sell or short a put option, you are \writing\ the contract. The writer is someone who is bullish on the market. The seller collects the premium (as opposed to the buyer who pays the premium) and is hoping the option expires worthless. The premium is the writer\'s maximum gain. So, obviously if the premium is all that he can make - having the option expire is the best case scenario.

Put option writing does carry risk. If the option is exercised (by the holder/buyer), the writer must purchase the stock from the holder at the strike price. In the example above, the writer would have had to buy the stock at $50 (the current price), while the market was at $40. He would be stuck with a stock 10 points above the market. His loss would be lessened by the premium received. The writer can buy back the put before it is exercised, but if the put has gained value, the purchase price would be higher than the premium he originally got - so, it would be a loss either way. The option is expiring is the best bet.

Covered Put Option Writing

Since the seller or writer of puts must purchase the underlying stock at the strike price, he must have the cash to do that. Selling stock short and using the proceeds to cover an exercised option can be done. Also, the premium received for selling the put option can assist a short position to get greater profit.

As with any option, time is the biggest factor. Put options expire monthly. All options carry large risks, but can present large profits. Educate yourself further and talk to your broker.

Learn More: Put Options

Nick Hunter is the President of American Investment Training (AIT) and the owner of http://www.brokerjobs.com - A financial career and education website.

New Bankruptcy Legislation May Make it Harder to Find an Attorney

The recently passed Bankruptcy Abuse prevention and Consumer Protection Act will make it harder for people with problem debt to have their debt eliminated through filing for bankruptcy. This new legislation will make it harder to have debts wiped out by the courts, and will require more debtors to pay back some or all of their debts. Considered by many to be a gift from Congress to the major credit card companies, this new law has many people rightly concerned about how to best deal with their debt problems. An additional concern that few have considered is that it not only will be more difficult to file for bankruptcy, it may also be difficult to find legal assistance once the new law takes effect in October, 2005.

Under current law, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy for consumer debt is a fairly routine procedure. A Chapter 7 filing allows most debts to be eliminated once the debtor demonstrates that they cannot pay their bills. While it is and should be considered a last resort for those in debt, a Chapter 7 filing allows those who emerge from bankruptcy to have a fresh start. Legal costs vary for assisting with a Chapter 7 filing, but they typically involve only a few hours of billing time on the part of an attorney. Under the new legislation most filers will be forced to file for bankruptcy under the more complicated Chapter 13. A Chapter 13 filing, which requires the structuring of a repayment plan, is somewhat more complicated and generally costs two to three times as much in legal fees. Adding to the complication is the fact that the new legislation will hold the attorneys for those filing for bankruptcy liable for paperwork issues, leaving the attorneys vulnerable to lawsuits from both bankruptcy trustees and the customers on whose behalf they file.

What this means to the consumer is that good legal help will be expensive and hard to find once the new bankruptcy law takes effect. Attorneys who specialize in bankruptcy cases will undoubtedly raise their rates significantly in order to offset their greater risk. Attorneys who seldom work on bankruptcy cases may simply stop handling them, thinking that the additional risk of a lawsuit isn't worth their trouble. Anyone who is currently experiencing debt problems, which might require the help of a bankruptcy attorney, should probably meet with one now. It is better to find one now, even if you don't need one, than to need one later and realize that you cannot find one.

Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding structured settlements.

Secured Loans: With Its Popularity It's Got To Be Something!

Although the loan market has provided us, customers, with a diverse collection of loans, Secured Loans are among the few loans that have gained outstanding, ever increasing popularity with the common people, rather than with the business class. Secured Loans are easy to obtain, they offer low interest rates and flexible repayment terms. To make a Secured Loan seem fair to the lenders too, they necessitate placement of collateral. At the end, Secured Loans are ideal solutions to any fiscal problem that needs attention.

Features of Secured Loans:

Collateral:

Secured Loans are also referred to as Secured Personal Loans because they are Personal Loans that need to be secured on an asset commonly known as \collateral.\ Collateral is a mandatory feature when any loan is \secured.\ It can be in the form of real estate - a house, property, etc. or also in the form of an operative bank account, jewellery, an automobile, etc. Collateral of higher value will enable you to avail of a higher loan amount. The basic idea of collateral arises so as to give the lender or creditor some kind of assurance that the loaned amount will be repaid. This is why collateral remains in the lender\'s custody until complete repayment of the Secured Loan. While on the topic, something worth mentioning is that in case you default in your monthly repayments, the lender can seize or confiscate your collateral

Low Interest Rate:

The presence of collateral puts a Secured Loan lender in a comparatively complacent position and this is why Secured Loans offer low interest rates compared to other Personal Loans like the Unsecured Personal Loans. Interest rate is commonly termed as APR (Annual Percentage Rate) and it ranges from 6% to 25% depending on the loan amount, value of collateral, credit history and your repayment capability. Since, interest is what determines how feasible a loan is, Secured Loan are a better option.

Loan Amount:

Being secured and being a preferred option for most lenders, Secured Loans make a larger amount available to it\'s borrowers. A typical Secured Loan amount ranges from 5,000 to 75,000. The amount that is finally approved also depends on value of collateral, credit history and financial standing of the borrower.

Loan Term:

Secured Loans have flexible repayment options that can suit your personal financial standing. In fact, Secured Loans are customized to your requirements. Based on your loan amount, your collateral value, credit history and interest rate, you and your lender choose your loan term. A loan term for Secured Loans generally ranges from 3 to 25 years. Your monthly payments will in turn depend on the loan term selected for you.

Credit history:

Good credit history helps you avail of a Secured Loan with a higher amount. On the other hand, although bad credit doesn\'t stop you from getting a Secured Loan, it limits the amount. However, as Secured Loans are backed by collateral, most lenders approve them even in cases of C.C.J\'s, defaults, bankruptcies and arrears. This makes Secured Loans available to those who would otherwise not qualify for a loan from their local bank.

Secured Loans are approved as soon as your collateral is evaluated and also after a credit check is carried out. This is why a Secured Loan is so easy to obtain. Based on what all Secured Loans offer, there is now a financial solution for the employed, the self employed and the unemployed, too.

Always remember you should consider your financial position, the amount to borrow and the repayment option you will be able to afford. Based on them, look for a lender who provides the best possible offer. Take informed decisions with proper guidance from experts as they will have a wider opinion on the matter. Do the calculations yourself. The amount to be repaid includes the actual amount, interest and other fees charged by the lender. Try to repay your loans as soon as possible. Paying more means paying faster! Take an active part in choosing your repayment options. Ultimately, it\'s customized specially for you!!

Marsha Claire is offering loan advice for quite some time. To find Loans UK, secured loans, unsecured loans, debt consolidation please visit http://www.loansfiesta.co.uk

Buying a Home when SelfEmployed

Small businesses and self-employed individuals are what drives much of the Australian economy, yet self-employed home buyers face unique challenges when trying to qualify for a mortgage. In particular, the paperwork requirements are typically substantial, since self-employed persons do not have the same easy proof of income others do. When you work for somebody else, simply bringing in a check stub or statement from your employer is proof enough, but if you are self-employed, this isn\'t a possibility. Lenders must guard against fraud, and protect themselves against self-employed borrowers who overstate their income. This is why lenders will either require either an almost unmanageable amount of paperwork and verification, or a significantly higher than average down payment. Also, stated taxable income is often kept to a minimum as self-employed persons and their accountants take advantage of every deduction possible. Self-employed persons may also find it difficult, or even impossible, to separate their personal and business finances. If they have not been self-employed for a long time, up-to-date financial statements may not yet be available.

Banks have become more willing to work with self-employed individuals, and recognize that many such persons earn incomes far above the national average. Median self-employed incomes vary by state, but as an example, a PayScale survey (http://www.payscale.com/salary-survey/aid-9542/raname-SALARY/fid-7636) reports that the average self-employment income in the ACT is $46,633.

Fortunately, many lenders have special programs that offer a simpler option for self-employed individuals. Low documentation loans are specifically designed for those borrowers who find it difficult, because of reasons of self-employment, to comply with the usual requirements for income verification. A low documentation loan requires a borrower to complete a declaration of their financial situation. The declaration is a simple form which allows the borrower to make a statement regarding their income, without having to provide evidence. Good credit and a high down payment is usually required to obtain a low documentation loan. Because there is a high down payment requirement, lenders mortgage insurance will typically not be required.

While there are many mortgage products in Australia that require just ten percent down, a low documentation loan will usually require the borrower to have a substantial equity stake, in some cases 40 percent or higher. If you qualify for the First Home Owner Grant (http://www.firsthome.gov.au) however, some banks may be willing to count this grant towards the down payment. National Australia Bank (http://www.mortgagemall.com.au/nationalbankhomeloans.html) was one of the first banks to start offering low-documentation loans to self-employed borrowers, offering a package that does not penalize self-employed individuals with higher fees and interest. NAB\'s low-documentation loan product comes in the same variations as any other standard loan, and you can choose from fixed and variable interest rate options.

Some sub-prime lenders, such as Liberty Financial (http://www.liberty.com.au), also provide low-documentation loans for self-employed. Liberty\'s Nova program is designed specifically for self-employed borrowers, and it also includes a Jumbo option for high net worth self-employed persons, offering loans up to $10 million.

Although most lenders do require a significantly higher than average down payment, in some circumstances, you may be able to find a low-documentation loan for as little as 20 percent down payment.

Copyright 2006 Tracey Anderson

Tracey Anderson is a mortgage broker with 16 years experience in the Australian mortgage industry. For personalised information from leading independent brokers, visit http://www.mortgagemall.com.au

Benefits of a Secured Loan

The secured loan is favoured by many UK residents seeking credit for a number of reasons:

- A secured loan is far easier to obtain than unsecured loans. The added security that this type of loan gives the lender means that even those with a less than perfect credit history can get hold of a secured loan with relative ease.

- A secured loan is often offered with more favourable terms than other types of loans. With secured loans it is also far more likely that you will be able to borrow a larger amount of money and pay it back over a longer period of time.

- A secured loan can help you to free up equity that would otherwise remain dormant in your property, letting you make use of capital that would otherwise remain unobtainable.

- The interest rates on secured loans are often considerably lower than those offered on unsecured loans.

- A secured loan will enable you to get your hands on money that would otherwise take a long time to save up, allowing you the freedom to spend it on whatever you want.

- A secured loan can be used for any purpose such as; paying off debts, making home improvements, buying a new car, luxury holiday or anything you choose!

You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

How to Avoid Foreclosures

It\'s amazing how many families lose their homes needlessly. When a family encounters financial problems and can\'t keep their mortgage payments up to date, they could explain their situation to their lender or mortgage servicer and probably work out a special plan to resolve the problem. But in most cases they just let the problem worsen until their home is taken in foreclosure.

That\'s the finding of a recent survey taken by Freddie Mac and Roper Public Affairs and Media, a noted market research firm. In over half of all home foreclosure cases the homeowners never contacted their lender about their problem, it was found. It was also noted in the survey responses that about 75 percent of the delinquent mortgage borrowers recall being contacted by their mortgage servicers. But most of them gave a variety of reasons for neglecting to follow-up with those servicers to discuss workout options. Mortgage servicers collect monthly housing payments on behalf of the lender or other owner of the mortgage.

\The results of the survey are a wake-up call to delinquent borrowers everywhere,\ said a Freddie Mac vice president. \Its message is clear: when you get a phone call or letter from your servicer, don\'t ignore it - act on it. Pick up the phone, call your servicer and talk to them about the possibility of forbearance or some other repayment alternative because it just may be your best chance to avoid foreclosure. Part of the problem, as shown in the survey responses, is that there\'s a dangerous knowledge gap. People are definitely interested in the options available to them, but their awareness of those options is low.\

Copyright 2006 TheLowQuote

Jim Woodard Syndicated real estate columnist and feature writer
Mortgage / Real Estate Update Report
http://www.TheLowQuote.com

Details Of The Blue Sky from American Express Application

The Blue Sky from American Express is a rewards card designed for those who have very good credit. With this program, cardholders earn one point for every dollar they spend on every purchase. There is no limit on the number of miles that can be earned, and they do not expire as long as the card is active and in good standing. Points can be redeemed for any flight, hotel, rental car, or cruise with no blackout dates or restrictions on travel. Only one purchase can be made at a time in 7,500 increments, equivalent for a credit of up to $100.



There is a 0% introductory rate for purchases that is valid for six months, and a 4.99% introductory rate for balance transfers that is valid until the loan is paid in full on transfers that are initiated when an online application is submitted. After the introductory period, the rate on purchases is a variable rate of 12.99% and 22.99% variable for cash advances contingent upon credit history. There is no balance transfer fee, but future transfers may incur a fee and will be disclosed at that time. No annual fee is charged for the Blue Sky from American Express Card.



This card is most advantageous to those who plan to utilize the rewards program and pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires. It\'s important to keep in mind that not all applicants quality for the introductory rate.



Some of the benefits a cardholder can expect to receive with this card include the following:



Online access to account information



Protection of purchases



Financial statement at year\'s end (online)



Return protection



Extended warranty for purchases



Insurance for car rental



Emergency assistance and travel-related services



Emergency card replacement



Travel accident insurance up to $100,000

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

To obtain the Blue Sky from American Express application, Joshua Shapiro recommends Find Credit Cards. See www.findcreditcards.org/card/blue-sky-from-american-express.php for more information.

RV RefinancingSaving Money on Your RV the Easy Way

Why do people do RV refinancing? There are many reasons-they may want to take care of lower interest rates, lower their monthly payments, or lengthen their financing terms. No matter what the reason for your RV refinancing there are some definite advantages of taking this approach for some RV owners. But, before you jump into RV refinancing you should always weigh your options very carefully.

One of the first things that you should ask yourself is \Do I have good credit?\ If you have not looked at your credit report in over a year, you may want to check it before you start the RV refinancing process. Your potential lenders will be looking at your credit report and you should know if there are any errors on it or things that you were unaware of. You can get a free credit report easily by going to annualcreditreport.com. If it has errors make sure that you get them corrected before you apply for RV refinancing. Any RV owner who has been making timely payments on their RV and other financial obligations will probably have nothing to worry about but it is good to be sure.

If you have ever applied for a loan, you will be familiar with the process of applying for your RV refinancing. But, there are a few differences in RV refinancing that you might want to make note of. Sometimes the lender will want to inspect the RV before refinancing it to ensure that it is in good working condition without undue wear and tear. Most lenders also require that you have at least a $40,000 payoff amount when you get a refinance. You cannot refinance for more than you owe-unlike some home mortgage refinancing products. The RV must also be in your name in order for you to get it refinanced.

There are several ways to save with a refinance. If you lengthen out the financing terms, your payments will be smaller, but you should make sure that you don\'t end up paying a lot more in interest. If you lower your interest rate, you can always continue to pay your old payment amount and shorten the life of your loan. Or, you can just have a lower payment each month.

Julie Jacobs writes articles about Boats and RVs, and how to finance them. For more information about a RV Refinancing visit drvfinancing.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JulieJacobs

Stay Clear Of The Wrong Payday Loan Companies

Are you facing a cash crunch? And do you need money instantly? And to top it all, is your pay day far off? Well, don\'t panic. Just apply for an instant payday loan. An instant payday loan is an unsecured loan that can be used to meet all your instant cash requirements. These instant pay day loans can be used to meet an emergency in case you need to pay off an unexpected bill or for any other purpose. The instant cash advance is transferred into your account within 24 hours, so these loans are also referred to as same day cash loans or overnight cash advances.



Easy availability



Same day pay day loans are easily available now. In fact, to make things even more convenient, cash advance service is now available online. As a result, the process is quick. All you need to do is apply for the instant cash advance through the online forms that are available on the website of the cash advance service provider. Following that the application would be processed, verified and approved and the same day payday loans cash advance would be deposited directly into your account. So, when you apply for a cash advance today, the money would be credited directly into your account within 24 hours. Just make sure that the application form is complete and accurate.



A word of caution



Even though instant pay day loans are now easily available and the choices are unlimited, it makes sense to be cautious when you select a lender. There are certain basic factors that should be kept in mind while selecting the lender for getting an instant cash advance. At the same time there are certain tell tale signs to warn you that you cannot trust a cash advance service provider.



In case a lender charges early repayment fee for the instant payday loan, which implies, a fee that is slapped on because you repay your loan before the due date, try not to take a loan from the company. In other cases, there might be a late repayment fee implying that you would need to pay the entire fee again if you do not pay back the loan on the due date along with the accrued interest. At times, a cash advance service provider might charge a fee if you are taking a loan from the lender for the first time along with the fee for the loan. In either case, stay away. You would definitely find another lender who would not charge this late repayment fee or the membership fee. Also, if a lender refuses to disclose details like the interest rate or refuses to give you a copy of the agreement, then you should just stay clear. With the numerous options available, finding another suitable lender for same day cash loans isn\'t really a problem anymore.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

The author is one of the top experts in the instant payday loans industry today. He has spent last several years studying the online payday advance business. He has developed the single best online faxless payday loans service available. This service can be accessed at www.200cash.com, home of 200CASH.COM, INC.

Real Estate Listing Agreements: Which One Is Best for You?

If you are thinking of selling your house through a real estate agent, a Real Estate Listing Agreement will be one of the first documents you sign. A listing agreement is a legally binding contract that identifies the extent of the roles and and responsibilities between you and the agent.

Although a Real Estate listing Agreement can vary from place to place, a common practice among listing agents to use boilerplate, industry standard forms. No matter which agreement you decide to sign, read it carefully or consider hiring a legal representative if you need to. Remember everything on a Real Estate Listing Agreement is negotiable.

Common Real Estate Listing Agreements

There are three common listing agreements or contracts, and the one you sign will determine the level of service, rights and responsibilities that both you and your agent will agree to over a set period of time.

Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement - The Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement is the most common listing contract. The agreement gives the selling agent an exclusive right to list and sell your home for a set period of time. The commission you pay the agency will come at the time of closing and is usually take out of the proceeds from the sale.

• The agreement applies even if you find the buyer yourself.
• In the event that an agency other than the listing agency sells the home, the listing agency typically splits its total commission with the second agency.

Exclusive Agency Agreement - Almost identical to the Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement, the Exclusive Agency agreement allows the seller to retain the right to sell the property without paying a commission if the buyer was not introduced to the property by the agency.

In the event that an agency other than the listing agency sells the home, the listing agency typically splits its total commission with the second agency.

Open Listing Agreement - An open listing agreement gives no single agency exclusive right to sell the property. The seller can sell it himself without paying a commission to anyone and can he can sign the agreement with more than one agency.

If the seller does pay a commission, it\'s to the selling agency only. No commissions would be shared in an Open Listing scenario.

Common Terms to Consider in Listing Agreements

Term of the Agreement - The term of the agreement sets the amount of time that your agent will represent you and market your home. The longer the agreement generally benefits the agent because it provides more time to find a buyer for your house. In a weak market that may be okay, but in a sellers market, you may not want to commit your self to one agent for an extended period of time. but if homes are selling quickly, you don\'t want to be committed to one agent for more than a few month. Consider how long home in your area are typically on the market before they close when considering how long to lock yourself into a listing agreement. If the house doesn\'t\' sell with the agreed time, you can always extend the period of time if you are satisfied you\'re your real estate agent\'s work to date.

Commission - Commissions are negotiable. The industry standard is usually between 5% to 7%. Some real estate agents or agencies have policies not to negotiate significant reductions in their commission schedules. When interviewing agents compare what services each offers and compare what commissions schedules the agent is willing to work on. A higher commission rate doesn\'t always mean that the agent will market you house more aggressively or more effectively than a discount commission broker. As the commission rate can save you thousands or tens of thousand of dollars, understand what services your will receive for the amount of money you will pay at closing. Buyer\'s agent can find out how much commission is offered on your home through the multiple listing service (MLS).

Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - A listing agreement commonly authorizes your agent to post your home in the MLS. There are few reasons why you wouldn\'t want you home posted to the MLS as it is the single best way for other agents and buyers to find your home. Most MLS listings are picked up by Internet real estate directories that can be searched by consumers.

Regional MLS systems often overlap into popular neighborhood. Understand which MLS systems your agent will list your home and what timeframe it will be listed. Also check to make sure the MLS systems where your home will be listed will also be picked up by the popular Internet search engines. The public does not have access to all the all the data that agents and brokers can access.

Which Agreement Is Best for You? Most agencies offer only the Exclusive Right to Sell agreement. Before getting paid themselves, a good real estate agent spends a great deal of time and money marketing and closing their listings. The Exclusive Right to Sell agreement protects the real estate listing agent\'s investment when marketing houses. Signing an Exclusive Agency agreement can be tricky because it leaves you the option of selling the house yourself.

In reality, the seller rarely finds the buyer herself. But when it does happen, there is the problem of which party gets the credit. Did the buyer become aware of the house because of the sign out front or an ad on the Internet? Signing an Exclusive Right to Sell solves this problem.

An Open Listing agreement will allow you to sign with many different agencies, but there is little motivation on the part of a listing agent to market the house since a commission is only paid to the selling agent.

Jeff Morrow

Get more real estate house selling advice and tips at We List Homes 4 Less.
Real Estate Listing Agreements - Which one is best for you?

Mobile Homes

Mobile homes or manufactured homes refer to residential structures that have the ability to be moved from one place to another. Initially called trailer homes, mobile homes have now come a long way. Modern mobile homes are much more intricate and beautiful in their designs. Some newer mobile homes appear no different than traditional brick, cement and mortar homes to the amateur eye.

There are typically two kinds of mobile homes- the singlewide and the doublewide. Singlewide mobile homes are less than sixteen feet in width when assembled, while doublewide mobile homes are more than twenty four feet in width. Singlewide mobile homes consist of single pieces which are transported by means of truck trailers to the site. Doublewide mobile homes have two parts, which are fixed together on site. Some people have reservations concerning doublewide homes, as they believe they are prone to leakages if assembled improperly. However, doublewide homes are very spacious. Triplewide mobile homes are also manufactured, but they are very scarce. A triplewide home is immensely spacious and can provide for as many as five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Mobile homes or manufactured homes need to meet the standards of the Housing and Urban Development code of the US, popularly called the HUD code. This code was effectuated in June 15, 1976 and it delineated norms to manufacture mobile homes. These norms relate to building standards, fireproofing, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electricity systems. Apart from these rules, if the mobile home has garages, sheds, etc. then they must meet the codes.

Earlier mobile homes were classified as movable property and taxed as vehicles. This led to a spurt in people buying them, as they saved a lot on taxes. Modifications occurred in the designs of mobile homes, and newer homes are actually permanent structures that remain on one location throughout their lives after being assembled. They no longer have wheels, but can be dismantled and erected at another location if needed. This led to amendments in the taxation process. Today mobile homes are also classified as real properties and taxes are accordingly levied on them.

Mobile Homes provides detailed information on Mobile Homes, Mobile Home Community Parks, Mobile Home Rental Dealers, New Mobile Homes and more. Mobile Homes is affiliated with Motor Home Rentals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=SethMiller

How Do I Bring Consulting Into My Lease Purchase Business

As you are making your cold calls on property, you will run into sellers that are having a hard time selling, however, the numbers just don't work for you to take on the deal. Do you just say, I can't work with those numbers.

Heck, no. In fact, I don't even use that phrasing.

After I get all my information on the house, financing, why they are selling, and what their needs are; I know whether or not the deal will work. I always send a follow-up letter, and a brochure. I follow-up a couple of days later to be sure they got the information, and mention that I could consult with them and help them move the property quickly, usually in 30 days or less.

Remember, the time factor here. You are using consulting because the numbers don't work. The seller, however, needs to move the property within a specific time frame, so you have an additional option and a very good solution for him.

If the seller is not time motivated, you will not get a consultation immediately. Consulting might work later on, but she/he is going to want to think about it. When I cold call on these, I follow-up with a brochure, my phone call that they received the information, and that I will get back to them or they can call me if the traditional methods don't work for them. I always say to them, I just want them to know that there are other options for them to go with.

You have to give value in your consultations. If you don't have some kind of written material for them, which I strongly suggest, you will have to sit down with them, and do a lot of hand holding. This also limits you to only working with individuals in your immediate area, and as we mention in our manuals and e-books, consulting on the web is a dream, and can add substantially to your cash flow.

You also need to have a reasonable price structure. I know some people believe in charging a bundle for consultations (many of these individuals only work in areas e.g. CA they can get away with this; I'd like to see them try this in let's say Indiana, Kentucky, or some areas in the South); however keeping your pricing at a affordable level gets you more business, more referrals, and ultimately more money. Pricing is going to also be very dependent on the area you are working in.

I'd rather have five consultations per week than just one, because I then have five people that can refer me to their friends and colleagues.

What we do is offer several packages to sellers. The consultation is at a basic rate with 30, 60 and 90 day follow up periods. The price is commiserate with the follow-up periods.

So try consulting, it's another income stream for you, that is also a win-win-win situation for you, the seller and the tenant/buyer.

Copyright 2003, DeFiore Enterprises.

About The Author

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 17 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our FREE how to Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

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Comparing Auto Insurance Quotes Online

Auto insurance refers to the insurance which is used for insuring the automobiles against any kind of uncertain accidents that may cause damages to the vehicle. The main purpose that the insurance serves is to give protection against the losses incurred due to accidents. Auto insurance is a type of insurance that consumers must buy to protect the life span of their vehicles and also for any kind of damages that the vehicle may suffer in an accident. Auto insurance is used to insure many automobiles such as cars, trucks and any other kind of vehicles that may need it. Different kinds of coverage are available under these insurance schemes such as Third-Party Foreign Theft and Fully Comprehensive insurance, to suit the interest and the needs of the insured.



Before buying auto insurance, it is very important that the person requiring insurance analyses the companies that provide vehicle insurance quotes. Different companies offer different quotes for the insurance of the vehicle, so the consumer must look out for the best one, which suits his needs and which proves to be highly economical. Many companies also give different discount schemes to attract more and more consumers. The consumer can save a good deal of money while purchasing auto insurance by comparing the quotes of different companies and choosing the cheapest one which satisfies all needs.



Comparing the quotes of different companies on the internet for buying insurance provides a wider platform to the consumer, where they can compare quotes from several companies and choose one among them. The main thing about choosing a quote is that the quote need not necessarily be cheap but the company must be an established one which the customer can rely on should they have an accident.



The consumer should not only compare the quotes of different companies but also the company\'s reputation and their way of service. While comparing, the consumer is more acquainted with the different kind of coverage that are available and can choose among them according to the needs. Buying insurance online is the most popular way of buying insurance because it is really fast and convenient, which suits to the busy life of people who have little time to phone around the various companies to relay the details of the insurance cover they are after over and over again. And the best part is that it is free of cost, i.e. no cost is involved in gathering the quotes online from different companies.



Auto insurances are needed because of the reckless accidents that happen on our roads day after day. These can only be reduced once the certainty of the accidents is reduced. The companies quote their prices for insuring depending upon various factors like the age of person to whom the vehicle belongs, the location where the car is bought and supposedly to be used and also many other factors like whether the driver already has points on their licence. The details regarding the car, like where it is being parked, whether or not it is kept in a garage (which is supposed to have less risk of being stolen) and also the mileage of the car are also deciding factors. If the car travels less than a specific limit of miles then such cars are likely to receive some kind of mileage discounts.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ideal Auto UK offers the opportunity to find information regarding car insurance and members can also sell used cars online. Be sure to read through some informative vehicle insurance articles also.

Wise UK Buy To Let investment today

Copyright 2006 Vincent Wilmot

Being a landlord may be a very sound investment especially with
rising property values - yet property investment can be risky
and lenders will give you a loan for a bad scheme. The wise Buy
To Let investor, before buying property or getting mortgages on
any Buy To Let idea, gets expert financial advice - often using
a good property investment calculator and often low cost.

The two main property investment choices.

There are two main choices in property investment, buy a house
to let when the maximum UK mortgage will be at most 85% of
valuation, or let your own house and buy yourself a new house
when you may get 100%. But certainly, before you buy a property
to let or decide to rent your own house and buy a replacement
for yourself in England, you should get an expert estimate of
your likely profit or likely loss, and also get an estimate of
how big a rent and mortgage loan you should be able to get !
Even if your Buy to Let idea is at an early stage, with no
actual property in mind yet, you should be able to get good
advice on your approximate estimated ballpark figures.

Buy To Let Mortgages.

Before you make an offer or bid for a property, you may want to
apply for a mortgage - lenders will often not need to know what
property you want to buy but may want to know what rent you hope
to get. For your Buy To Let property purchase a 10% cheque will
normally do for a deposit, but you will get at most an 85%
mortgage so you will usually need another 5% at completion.
However, you may find some sellers prepared to cover that 5%. If
you want speed, you can get a surveyor to go with you when you
view a property - but if you need a mortgage then the lender may
want their own survey done after also. But be warned that many
selling good Buy To Let mortgages will give you dangerously poor
advice on the wisdom of your property purchase - for that you
really need independent advice !

Letting property that you already own.

If you are thinking of renting out property that you already
own, or if you are now letting property, then it may be wise to
get an expert report on how good a financial property investment
it is. You are investing the value of your property, and you
should be sure that it is making reasonable profit. Your current
property value estimates, and current mortgage loan amounts will
allow an expert appraisal including rent level advice and
taxation advice.

Do be the wise investor.

If you are wise then do not consider buying property to rent
out, until you get an expert estimate of your likely profit, or
likely loss, and expert advice !Major UK lenders like the big
banks have said that they think all investors thinking of buying
property to rent, should get an expert financial appraisal
before seeking a Buy to Let investment mortgage - as does the
Council of Mortgage Lenders guide Buying to Let. Many lenders
will not calculate your Buy to Let mortgage on your income,
property price or value, but on your expected rent as do good
mortgage calculators. Some lenders may use your income, or part
rent and part income, but lenders can give you a Buy to Let
mortgage on a project likely to make a loss and which you cannot
afford, and letting agencies can land you with a rent level that
is too high or too low, so you do really need expert investment
advice first - and with luck that need cost little !

Indian Real Estate: Swinging High

Indian Real Estate: High Return Seduction

Real estate prices in India continue to remain at an all time
high, quite beyond the reach of many except for a few of
Fortunes Favourites. The last year has witnessed a doubling in
the capital value of real estate in most cities, and
interestingly the increase was not confined to developing
suburbs, but saturated areas as well, with their limited choice
options. Real estate and property consultants continue to
predict upward swinging land prices affirming the boom as a
stable long-term trend. They attest there are more end users
rather than speculators and short-term investors, who are
snapping up deals for a room with a view. In large part, it is,
also, driven by IT / ITES and foreign direct investment, as in
the case of EMMAR-MGF's ambitious project scheduled to come up
in Mohali.

Given that the real estate prices in India are looking fairly
upbeat, as an investor or an end-user looking for the ideal city
to call home or base a new business venture, a look at the
various metropolises might help zero in on a city that offers
the most.

Chandigarh

Cleaner and eminently more liveable than any other Indian city,
the Chandigarh real estate market is peaking, while scaling new
price highs every day. Escalation of land costs by almost 40% in
the last few months is mostly due to high IT / ITES demand, as
well as, the enforcement of the Punjab Apartment Ownership Act
in Mohali this year. Despite a 100% price hike, Chandigarh
remains a hot option with NRIs, making buying property in its
prime sectors akin to looking at Delhi's Jorbagh or Aurangzeb
Marg. Although saturated with limited options, yet Chandigarh
real estate prices continue to increase by 10% each month.

Retail activity on the rise, Rajeev Gandhi Chandigarh Technology
Park proving to be a magnet for IT professionals, biggies like
Spectramind, Wipro, Convergys showing interest, proximity to the
National Capital Region (NCR), property prices in Chandigarh,
Mohali and Panchkula are rising fast, a trend that maintains an
upward trajectory.

The high demand for real estate sustained by a shift towards
nuclear families, has resulted in Mohali and Panchkula seeing a
25 to 40% rise in the last few months, ever since the
implementation of the Punjab Apartment Ownership Act. A 500-yard
plot that was going for Rs. 70-lakhs in April is now selling for
Rs. 1.30-crore at Mohali.

With a promise of high returns, investors and developers have
been circling like sharks snapping up large chunks of land in
the peripheral regions of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. It
remains to be seen whether an excess of supply works towards
lowering the costs. In the end, real estate prices in the
Tri-city area will ultimately hinge on the quality of
development and infrastructure.

Delhi

Saturated with virtually no land space available for building,
Delhi is experiencing a rising demand for flats, and prices in
Rohini, Pitampura and Mayur Vihar have doubled within the span
of a year. Gurgaon

Gurgaon, part of the NCR is undergoing a severe supply crunch as
present and future development supplies are drying out with most
of them already committed. Some of the recent acquisitions of
office space have been transacted by Ciena, Dell, Regus, ESPN,
new players in Gurgaon real estate.

Noida

Boasting of the finest infrastructure in the country, Greater
Noida is experiencing increased activity in Sectors 56 - 64, its
IT hub. With the new expressway providing easy access to Delhi
and top quality facilities ensure Greater Noida as one of the
fastest emerging preferred destinations for HCL and other major
IT firms. An in place infrastructure i.e. roads, housing, water,
electricity, relatively low real estate costs, large tracts of
land available for built-to-requirement, campus style
developments, Greater Noida is the new IT destination.

Bangalore

India's Silicon Valley, Bangalore continues to retain its
popularity as the best place to set up shop for IT companies,
and as more of them flood in, they are fuelling the demand for
housing and retail development. And, land prices have seen a 75
to 85% since builders shifted focus to Bellary, Surajpur and
Outer Ring roads. The continuing demand for large office space
by IT / ITES, off-shoring / outsourcing, financial services and
banking sectors is adequate testimony of their long-term
commitment to the city. It is a promise that the real estate
market in Bangalore will continue to boom as long as global
firms remain smitten with its charms.

Continuing to attract investors, Bangalore has managed to lure
Vancouver-based Royal Indian Raj International Corporation into
investing a staggering $2.9-billion in a single real estate
project appropriately called Royal Garden City.

Mumbai

As multinational banks, financial institutions and consulting
firms flock to India's business and financial hub, Mumbai real
estate retains its position at No. 15 of being one of the most
expensive real estate in the world either in terms of both
rental and capital value. More so than either Manhattan at No.
20, or Delhi at No. 32.

As long as India is seen as an attractive investment venue by
global and domestic players, real estate in India will maintain
its edge as a high return asset.

This article is sponsored by: www.indiarealestateblog
.com

Swell Your Bank Account Balance in 2005!

We have heard time and time again that money doesn\'t grow on trees. How we wish it does. Life is super expensive! You may have even taken a second or third route to pursuing income.

I am no financial planner but the following tips will assist you in getting your finances in order and making the money you have last longer.

1. As soon as the mail arrives, separate the bills and put them into one designated area. Sort through them and put the bills into 2 folders labeled 1-15 for the first 15 days of the month, and the other folder labeled 16-31. Twice a month, designate a day to pay your bills. Be sure to schedule your bill paying day on your calendar so it gets done in plenty of time. By the way, I also keep a folder for medical reimbursement receipts for my insurance and for tax documentation.

2. Designate a separate auto depreciation account that money is transferred into monthly. It doesn\'t have to be a large amount. Have it transferred automatically, and sure enough, by the time you need to buy a car, you will have money to turn to.

3. What motivates a purchase? Do you shop when you\'re blue, stressed, frustrated, bored? If you know you use shopping as a coping skill, then don\'t set yourself up! Don\'t go to the Mega Bucks Boutique. Go someplace where the prices are reasonable and you won\'t replace your current emotion with guilt. Go to the dollar store. Yes, the all-incredible, super, glamorous collar store. You need to buy something, right? I buy generic children\'s Tylenol ($3-5), Band-Aids($2-4), shampoo($2-5), gift bags($2-3), all the trimmings for a child\'s birthday party($20-30), hair stuff for my daughter ($2-4), bath soap($2-4), cleaning supplies ($2-4) and on and on. Think about paying the cost of these items in other stores (listed in parentheses) and then think--I only paid a dollar. It is is amazing all the stuff people pay too much for and find on the shelves of these kinds of stores. Along with the good feelings someone gets when purchasing something expensive, there is a sort of a euphoria that can be felt when you save a significant amount of money. Better yet, later you don\'t feel guilty for saving your family $20. (Teresa Higginbotham)

4. Consolidate your credit cards. You may have heard this before and it is REALLY IMPORTANT. By paying the minimum monthly balance on many cards, you are paying lots of finance charges and postage. Choose 1 credit card with the lowest APR and highest credit limit. Transfer old balances to this card. Your balance will look a lot higher because all spending is on 1-2 cards. You will be able to pay a much larger balance though now that you only have 1-2 cards instead of 10!

5. Keep track of expenses. I don\'t mean a rigid budget, but for a month or so, keep a small notebook with you and record your purchases. Include the miscellaneous ones- the People magazine, snapple, and starbucks. Record these expenses and at the end of the month, total them and match them up against your income. You will see where the money is going. Perhaps much of it is falling into categories such as the miscellaneous one. You can cut back on these incidentals by assessing whether or not you really need these items. I don\'t mean not to enjoy life and relax but keeping tabs on where the money is going is really helpful when making decisions about how you want to spend most of your money-travel, retirement, or eating out? Make small incremental changes when possible.

I hope these money saving and enhancing tips benefit you in your pursuit of a balanced life.

Rebekah Slatkin is a professional organizer dedicated to getting people organized through hands-on decluttering sessions, teleconferencing, coaching, and her website http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com Visit http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com and subscribe to Organewz, her ezine dedicated to organized living and get organizing tips and downloads- free.

Educate Yourself to Amazing Car Finance

When it comes to making a car purchase, paying for it is a big part of the battle. Even mid level new cars run into the $20,000 range. Because of these prices, few people pay cash for cars anymore and statistically about 7 out of every 10 people use car finance to pay for their new vehicle. In order to get the best car finance possible, you need to understand how the whole process work.

First, you want to figure out where you are going to get your car finance. There are a number of institutions that can get you financing. Banks, credit unions, the dealership, or even auto manufacturers can provide financing for your new or used vehicle.

Second, with a car finance, you need to realize that whether you buy a new or used vehicle will affect your financing. As a general rule, interest rates will be lower on new cars than on used ones. Also, new cars can often qualify for financing over a longer period of time than can used cars.

Next, when it comes to our car finance, don\'t believe everything you see or read. Commercials for special financing for those who are first time buyer or have bad credit abound in papers and on the television. These are usually a little too good to come true and come attached with requirements such as extra high down payments and extremely high interest rates. In some cases, both apply to the loan.

Before you go to get your loan, make sure you know about your own credit history. Get a copy of your credit report and go over it with a fine toothed comb. Look at the score as well as the payment histories on it. If anything at all looks incorrect, make sure you get it cleared up. When a lender looks at how much money to give you, they will check out your debt ratios, how long you have been at your job, your history with similar loans, and your credit report as a whole.

Once you are armed and ready to consider your car finance, shop around. It is usually a good idea to look for the financing before you buy the car. You will better know what you qualify for that way. Also, you can use your information to bargain further with the dealer. In order for them to finance your car, you should ask them to beat the rate you have from wherever else you have looked.

Remember that everything is negotiable. Just because the car finance rate you got is pretty good, it doesn\'t mean that you have to pay what they ask. Negotiate the rate of your loan, the price of the car, or anything else you can talk to them about. It can\'t hurt and you could save yourself a lot of money that way. As the process goes on, don\'t get caught up in the numbers. The dealers will try to give you monthly payment numbers only so that you don\'t notice any added charges. However, sit down with a calculator and just figure out the payments yourself and you will have nothing to worry about.

Always know that car financing may seem complicated, but it doesn\'t have to be. Educate yourself, shop around, and make sure you know what is going on and you should have no problem. Better yet, you will find yourself with a great new or pre-owned automobile.

Christopher M. Luck has an extensive background in dealing exclusively with the top car financing companies in the industry and is now offering his free professional financing secrets to the public. If you are at all interested in Christopher\'s free personal advice, tips, or secrets on financing you can visit his automotive blog.

Best Investment Real Estate Locations

Where are the best investment real estate locations? If you have enough experience investing in real estate, you can make money almost anywhere, but there are always places that are better or worse for real estate investments. For maximum profits, you want places that have a better demand/supply ratio. You can use the questions below to find them.



Real Estate Demand



1. Does the area have decent job growth? Ask local authorities and use census information. Ideally, you want to see job growth equal to or exceeding population growth. You also want areas with professional jobs moving in. It is estimated that for every professional job created, there are four service jobs created, and all those employees need a place to live.



2. Is the population growing? You can check the US Census figures online, or ask the local government if they have the statistics. Stay away from areas that have little growth.



3. Is there a decent quality of life? It's subjective, but important. Are there theaters and bookstores? Count coffee shops and cafes. Trendy areas usually have increasing demand for housing. It's also a good indication of a high quality-of-life if people are willing to take lower-paying jobs just to live there.



4. Is there wealth in the area? It's a good sign when there is some degree of wealth in a town. Look for nice homes. Wealth means everything doesn't die when the economy slows.



Real Estate Supply



1. Number of homes for sale? Lower supply of homes for sale means upward pressure on prices. This indirectly drives up rents as well, which makes for better investing.



2. New construction? Census figures can tell you what's happened over the last ten years. Check with the local authorities to see if the the number of housing units they've issued permits for is more or less than the expected population growth.



3. Rent and vacancy levels? Rents have to be high enough, and vacancies low enough to justify investing. When we first came to Tucson, every building had vacancies We saw a man holding a sign that read, Apartment - $250 Per Month. A great place for renters, but not so great for landlords.



4. The available land that is buildable? Of course, less available land is better for future appreciation. When the land runs out, the prices start accelerating upwards.



When you use these questions to compare various towns and cities, you'll see the differences more clearly. You'll have an idea about how housing demand compares to supply in each. This will help you pinpoint the best investment real estate locations.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com