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Monday, January 5, 2009

Lifting the Fog Around Reverse Mortgage Property Types

By Reverandmortgage Vanrock

There seems to be some confusion as what types of properties are eligible for financing with a reverse mortgage.

FHA insures the vast majority of all reverse mortgages closed by lenders in the U.S. Lenders must follower their rules if they want the safety of the FHA mortgage insurance.

A quick background of FHA, it was set up in the 30's to as a way to facilitate the financing of residential housing. In other words, it was set up to increase homeownership.

FHA is not in the business of helping the investor as much as it is the actual resident who owns and lives in the property.

So, the first thing to understand, as a basis for understanding FHA insured reverese mortgages, is that the reverse mortgage is for owner occupied properties. Rental homes and second home do not qualify.

Now, does that mean their can be no investment activity or income from an eligible property? No, it simply means one must live in the property. one to four unity properties are acceptable if the owner lives in one.

What if the owner lives in the property and it is used as a bed and breakfast? No. FHA will not allow for any commercial purpose even if the owner lives on site.

Some customers come to me with a home on large acreage. The lender will finance a home and land up to what is customary for the area.

A good scenario is a house on fifty acres. It's not hard to find this in the outskirts of Dallas or Houston. If many local homes have sold on this much land, it can fly otherwise it won't. I the norm is 2 acres, 48 acres will be survey off.

In some rural areas I get calls regarding manufactured homes. This is okay under certain conditions: Home is built after 1976, double or triple wide, and sits on an approved FHA foundation.

Additional home types include townhomes, condos, and Co-ops.

Other types of properties qualify for a reverse mortgage. The problem is the mortgages are what is known as proprietary financing and are not regulated as much by FHA. The rules and benefits are far different.

Reverse Mortgage Business Benefits From Wall Streat Meltdown

By Rimj Vanrock

Well, I don't think I have to announce it at the top of my lungs, the stock market is down a ton since this time last year.

I was too smart for the stock market. I put my money in real estate so I'm down closer to 70%. I can't wait for next year.

With the stock market down as far as it is I'm getting a ton of calls lately from seniors desirous of getting a reverse mortgage.

I'm a bit dumbfounded, because I simply can't understand how the reverse mortgage can be used to somehow change or plug up some financial hole.

Well, the first thing I need to do is step back and understand the stress they are under.

But the question of using a reverse mortgage as some sort of damn to the financial mess or financial safety net doesn't make sense. Not at this point, at least for the reasons at hand.

Most tell me they want it for security purposes. What does that mean? They've lost a bunch of money in the market. Is having a bunch of money in a line of credit really going to help them?

I doubt it. Others have more grandios plans in they wish to take out large sums from their equity to reinvest, either in the stock market or other investments. They believe we are at the bottom.

I don't really agree with this person either. They, more than likely will be charged 6% on the money the take out (plus closing costs). And the average can't be higher than 10%.

The math doesn't work out very well, even if they get 10%. Less than a 4% return.

Look, the reverse mortgage is not the best investment strategy. Now, if you have a sure fire winner, I'd say go ahead and do it. But who has that. Last person I knew who had a sure fire winner went to jail for insider trading.

Please relax a bit with this shakeup in the market. Your equity in the home is important. Use it when you need it. Cooler heads prevail in times like these.

Learn 3 Reasons Why Credit Repair Law Firms Are Scams

By David Wada

There are hundreds of law firms out there that specialize in credit repair. I may get sued for writing this, but its my opinion that credit repair law firms like Lexington Law are scams.

Let's say you have a goal to have perfect credit, meaning no negative entries and the highest credit score possible. Keep in mind that often these law firms can do a great job, but there are couple major problems.

Problem #1: Price Is NOT Right

The most popular law firm charges a $99 set-up fee, and anywhere from $39 to $79 every month that they work on your file. The problem is since the law firms make their money from monthly charges, the longer they take to repair your credit the more money they make. That means that it will cost you between $567 and $2,000 to get your credit fixed. Which is why they're getting very, very rich.

But even that much would be worth it, wouldn't it? If they fix your credit for you? But how much sense does it make to pay $2000 or even $500, when you can get the same benefit from credit repair programs for less than a hundred bucks?! Well, you might say that your time is valuable and it's worth it to pay someone to do all the work.

Problem #2: You Do Most Of The Work Here's a dirty little secret with credit repair law firms. You still have to do most of the work yourself. More work, in fact, than when you use credible repair programs. Here's why:

First of all, you have to sign all kinds of paper work and Power of Attorney forms just to start the process. Some of these forms even require you to get your signature notarized. So the sign up process alone can take hours.

Then, you have to order your own credit reports from the credit bureaus.

Then, the credit bureaus are going to send the reports back to YOU, not to the law firm.

Of course, you then have to re-send the same letters to the law firms so that they have them for the records and making sure you make copies for your own file too.

Then, the law firm is going to scan your credit reports into a computer, and post it on their website.

Then, believe it or not, even with all the money you're paying the law firm, you still have to go to their website and choose for yourself which items you want to dispute and even how to challenge each negative credit item. You heard me right. When I hired a credit repair company, hoping they would take care of my credit, I had to choose which 'items to question' and know which items were errors. I wanted to protest, "How am I supposed to know? That's why I hired a professional!"

The law firm then takes the information you put on their website and create a standard dispute letters that they send to the credit bureaus.

Finally, the credit bureaus will still send all correspondence to your home address. So you will have to open every letter, read it, figure out if it's important, make copies of it for your records, and then put it in another envelope, address it, stamp it, and send it back to the law firm. You might have to do this five or six times every week.

So you can see how inefficient this process is. And because all of this takes so much time, the process drags on and on and the law firm just keeps making more and more money. In fact, credit repair law firms tell you that it can take a year, two years, or even three years before you reach your goal.

Problem #3: Forget about their crappy guarantee All they have to do is improve one item, such as a credit card inquiry, and they consider that they've done their job. Really! There's no money back even if 90% of your credit report is still negative after three years and $2000.

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Benefits of Getting Tax Filing Help

By Randolf Charles

When you file your next tax return, the odds are better than even that you will need some tax filing help. Most people think that the tax codes are complex and they do not really understand many aspects of tax returns. Whenever they receive their W-2 or 1099 forms, they take them to a tax preparer for him or her to take care of it.

Even though it is good to have someone else prepare your tax return, you should know what to do in theory. If you do not understand how to file tax returns or how to claim tax credits or tax deductions, you should definitely ask for tax filing help. You need to know how to do everything yourself even when you are not actually doing it yourself.

Many people rely too much on the tax preparers or tax accountants that they miss out on some tax deductions or tax credits. The tax preparer or tax accountant does not know everything about you and unless you tell him or her, it will not be used in your tax return to your advantage. If you know how to claim tax deductions or tax credits, you can make sure that the tax preparer or accountant claims everything that you are entitled to claim accordingly.

Some taxpayers are brave and do not want any tax filing help. They would rather save the money that they would pay a tax preparation service and do it themselves. Taxpayers can save anything from less than $100 to over hundreds of dollars in tax preparation fees if they do it themselves. It can be worth it but taxpayers must make sure that there are no mistakes that could be avoided.

Getting tax filing help, no matter from whom, can help a taxpayer avoid mistakes that he or she might make. If a taxpayer discovers later that he or she made a mistake in his or her tax return, he or she needs to file an amended tax return to avoid getting into more trouble with the IRS. Most of the problems can be prevented if the taxpayer is cautious when preparing his or her own tax return.

Yet another easy way to get tax filing help is to use a tax preparation software. There are many good and easy to use tax software such as Tax Cut or Turbo Tax that will help taxpayers prepare tax returns in a short amount of time. These software can cost very little but if a taxpayer wants a software that comes with lots of worksheets, then it is more expensive. However, the most expensive the tax software, the easier to use.

In general, it is best to get the tax filing help you need before you file your tax return. You can avoid the headache of having to file an amended return by making sure that everything is reported and claimed correctly the first time. There are many organizations that offer tax filing help for free.

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What Are Guaranteed Payday Loans?

By Dave Davis

If you need cash quickly and won't be getting paid for a week or two, there are quite a few options available to you. Many people turn to cash advance or payday loans to get the funds they need. Lenders can often give you the funds you need on the spot and this can save you late fees and other expenses.

If you're in the market to take out a payday type loan, you'll need to find a lender that can work with you. Legal issues vary from state to state so the first thing you're going to need to figure out is whether this type of loan is legal for you.

If you live in a state where there is little to no legislation, you'll want to be especially sure to read the fine print to make sure you are not paying more than necessary in fees to borrow the needed money. In most cases, the finance charges range anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of the amount borrowed.

Since the finance charges can be pretty hefty, be sure to borrow only what you need and only what you will be able to pay back on your next payday. If you fail to pay back the loan by the due date, usually two weeks from the date the loan was issued, the interest will continue to compound leaving you with a debt that may be near impossible to pay back. You will definitely want to be wise when determining the amount of money to borrow.

Many payday lenders will direct deposit your funds directly in your account and will then withdraw your payment automatically. Other lenders will require you to post date a check to make your payment. You are usually expected to pay the loan back yourself and if you don't, they will cash the check you left.

If a payday lender tries to cash a check that has insufficient funds, they will usually charge you extra fees and increased interest. To avoid these complications, you should make sure that you can pay back the full amount, on time.

If you decide to get this type of a loan, it should be fairly easy to find. There are payday loan stores on almost every corner these days. You can also find an online store that provides this type of loan without too much trouble. Be careful so that you can avoid paying too much interest and this loan may be quite useful.

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Tips On Getting Home Mortgages

By John Bear

In order to properly define a home mortgage, let us define first a mortgage. A borrower takes a mortgage for a real estate property rather than for other movable properties. A mortgage loan is then used to buy a property that has been used as collateral. So home mortgages are basically loans taken by borrowers to purchase a home, which is the security of the loan.

When you get a home mortgage, it will enable you to defer paying for the house that you bought. Usually, it takes two parties in a home mortgage, which are the creditor, which is the one giving the loan, and the debtor, the person taking the mortgage. If you like, you can also include a legal advisor, a mortgage broker, and a financial advisor.

Like conventional loans, mortgages can be repaid in various ways: capital and interest, interest-only, no capital or interest, interest and partial capital, and more. Other kinds of mortgages include second mortgages, refinance mortgages, and bad credit mortgage loans.

The rate of interest that is to be paid with the capital is known as the mortgage rate. It is one of the most important aspects in home mortgages. Now, there are also another two kinds of home mortgages based on the rate: the fixed-rate mortgages and the adjustable-rate mortgages.

The type of mortgage that the borrower can take actually depends on the requirements and the borrower's situation. Other factors that could also influence the type of mortgage include the price range, how much can be borrowed, and the tax advantages of taking the mortgage.

Now, origination or the home mortgage process typically involves stages like the submission of application and credit history and income documentation, checking of the credentials and documents by the underwriter, and the granting of the mortgage. Of course, it is deemed important for the borrower to have a good credit history for him to secure a home mortgage. Entry and exit fees, administration fees and lender's mortgage insurance are some of the fees that are charged by creditors when taking a mortgage.

Nowadays, with technology at its peak, getting a home mortgage is no longer a long and painful process. In fact, many of the lenders provide online websites so borrowers can just conveniently discuss about mortgage, submit applications and even compare different options. With just a click of the button, borrowers can get all kinds of payment information and tax advantages through the sites' home mortgage calculators.

Believe it, but many of these home mortgages websites also feature financial advisors who can give out financial advices online or on the phone. The Internet is truly a lifesaver, now searching for that best mortgage dealer wouldn't be that complicated. Keep in mind though to check out their credentials.

Tax Preparation Tips

By William Blake

Well, it's that time again - tax time. It's time to gather all of those rumpled receipts from the shoe box and straighten them out. Whether you are doing your own taxes or having the service performed by someone else, getting all of your papers in order beforehand will help. Here are some tips for tax preparation:

1. Collect your tax documents. By the 15th of January, most people have received their W-2 forms from their employers. By the end of January, you should have all the paperwork you need from sources like banks, employers, investment firms, and mortgage companies. The documents they send to you are all important in the tax preparation process.

If you do not have all applicable tax documents, you might miss out on a tax deduction that you are really entitled to. For that reason, you should file and organize all the documents you need as soon as your receive them.

2. Know your tax ID numbers. Each taxpayer is identified by the IRS by a tax ID number which is usually your social security number. Each dependent on your tax return will need their own social security number recorded on the tax forms. This includes the social security number of the child care provider for your children.

3. Know your filing status. Some people qualify for more than one of the five different tax filing statuses. When it comes time to decide which one you want to file under, it is important to choose the status that will enable you to be awarded the most deductions and refunds.

4. Determine whether or not to itemize. You only need to itemize your deductions if it will be exceptionally beneficial to you. The majority of people who file their taxes do so without itemizing using the standard 1040 tax form. If you do choose to itemize, there is no need for concern.

5. Know what's new for the year. Tax laws, deductions, and credits are changed or added to each year. The sheer volume of tax laws on record would curl your hair. You could never know them all, but familiarity with the latest changes can make a difference to the amount of refund that you receive.

6. Buy good tax preparation software. Even though employees at tax preparation centers have experience calculating taxes and deductions, they are often using tax preparation software that you could purchase and use yourself. The majority of such programs come with great help systems that guide you through the process line by line.

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Are You Trying To Become Involved With Real Estate Short Sales?

By Annabella Sherie

Do you want to become involved with real estate short sales? There is so much opportunity to help someone from their financial burdens however before you can assist anyone with their problems; you first have to understand how to perform the process.

So what is a short sale? This involves when the lender of the mortgage takes a discounted price on the defaulted loan. Although this sounds simple; the process can take several weeks. However if you know what you are doing then you can end up getting a home at a great discounted price.

So if you are looking for real estate short sales; there are certain steps that you need to take to begin finding the best deals.

1. Classified Ads: This is a great way for people who are experiencing financial difficulties to get in contact with you. People who are facing financial trouble are desperate for help; yet they do not like to admit that they are having troubles.

2. Court Records: You can go to your local court house and find out which houses are in the process of being foreclosed on. This is all public information and anyone is entitled to getting access to this type of information.

3. Commissioned Real Estate Agents: You definitely want to have a commissioned real estate agent on your side that can help you look up the information that you need on this loan. These people have access to certain information that you can not have access to.

Real estate short sales are a great way to get a home with built in equity. No matter what reason you are searching for a new home; these types of properties tend to have great potential for the buyer and you will be helping the current homeowner out as well.

Even though all the infomercials promise that you can easily become a millionaire by investing in real estate; the truth is that it requires more than that. When you begin dealing with short sales; you are dealing with someone who is getting ready to lose your home. Visit our site below and get some valuable information about the short sale process and how to get a hold of a house before the actual foreclosure process.

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Comparing Mortgage Good Faith Estimates

By Mortgage Wizard

Knowing how to compare good faith estimates from mortgage companies will help you make an educated decision when deciding which lender to use.

Lender Fees: Lenders sometimes display their fees as one bundled fee or break them down so you can see where the money is being allocated. When comparing good faith estimates for the same rate from different companies you should start by focusing on the total lender fees. Points, origination, discount, processing, administration fees, appraisal fees, underwriting all fall into the top section of the estimate.

Title and Escrow Charges: These fees are not charged by your lender but they can be a determining factor to use a specific lender based on the rates they have negotiated for these services on your behalf. Some lenders will tell you that these fees are the same no matter who you choose. That just is not the case.

If you really want to dig and get the best deal sometimes you can capture savings by choosing a lender that works a tiel and escrow company and has bulk rates for all the services including title, escrow, loan signing fee, and the major endorsements.

When the third party fees are all coming from the same company lenders are able to negotiate better deals for their clients. When title, escrow, and notary are all coming from the same place the company is able to get a little more aggressive with each piece.

The total fees on your transaction should be your main concern. A lender that has gone the extra mile to deliver third party fees that are cheaper has you in mind.

Estimate Date: Since the mortgage market is very volatile make sure you are comparing estimates from the same day. Even if you are not ready to make a decision today you can narrow down your options and find the company you want to work with by comparing who has the best offer for that day.

Trust: The good faith estimate is just the beginning of your transaction. You feel comfortable in the way the company has presented themselves and with that they will deliver. Do they have any complaints against them? Your financing can be a very painless and transparent process as long as you work with the right company.

Good luck in your search! This is an important decision for your financial future. Make it a pleasant and beneficial one!

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Credit Cards To Rebuild Credit

By Dan Moskel

Getting a credit card to help rebuild your credit history is a very wise decision. A credit card can help you create a positive payment history.

When you have a damaged score you will be faced with a sub prime interest rate. This means you will have an interest rate around 19%.

It is still important to remove bad credit items from your credit report. However it has been learned that after a bad credit item ages 4 years it will damage your score much less.

On your card you will have to pay an annual fee and a high interest rate. Unfortunately this is an unavoidable cost, however with proper use you can ensure this is the last time you will have to pay high interest rates.

Your card will have a credit limit around $300. The other alternative is to get a secured credit card.

A secured card you will have to put a deposit down and the amount of your deposit is the credit line on your card. This card will report to the credit bureaus however it will not give you the same benefit as an unsecured card.

Both these types of cards offer instant approval. Before you apply for any card double check and make sure that they report to all three credit bureaus.

A helpful tip to get the most positive credit built from your card is to keep your balance at 10% of your available credit. If your card has a credit limit of $300 it will help if you can keep your balance at around $30.

This will show the bureaus that you use your credit, and you use it responsibly. In addition having this new line of credit will improve your ratio of available credit to debt. This is a very important factor when your score is calculated. It is the bureaus method of checking to see if you are in over your head.

The other alternative for a credit card is a shopping card. This card is only accepted through a designated catalog or through a website. These cards often only report to one credit bureau and have large fees.

You also can apply for a prepaid credit card however these cards typically do not report to a credit agency. However they do work like a bank account and if you are in chexsystems this is a good choice.

In sum we suggest a sub prime unsecured credit card. This will give your credit score the most benefit because it will increase your ratio of available credit to debt and help you create a positive payment history.

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Continental Finance MasterCard - Review

By Dan Moskel

The Continental Finance MasterCard is an unsecured sub prime credit card. This means that this card is designed specifically for individuals with a low credit score.

Your card will be issued with an initial credit limit of $300. However you will be able to received semi-annual credit limit increases, with a maximum limit of $2000.

You account will be reported monthly to all three credit bureaus. This will give you an opportunity to rebuild your credit score.

This card can help your credit score because by paying your monthly bill you will create a positive payment history. In addition by opening this account it will improve your ratio of credit to debt.

These two factors carry a lot of weight when your credit score is being calculated. We do encourage you to remove any derogatory items on your credit report too.

This card is unsecured which means that you do not have to put a deposit down. However you will have to pay an annual fee. This is typical with sub prime cards.

It does offer 9.75% APR, which is well below the standard 19% APR that most sub prime credit cards offer. It is accepted at millions of locations worldwide.

There is an easy approval process, and can be used by people with a bankruptcy on their credit history. You will get the results of your application with seconds of completing it online.

This card is issued by the First Bank of Delaware. This bank has a long history of lending in the sub prime market.

With this card you will have free online account access. You will be responsible to pay your monthly bill and keep your balance below your limit.

Your other option for a credit card with a damaged credit score is a secured card. However this card is reported as a secured line of credit to the bureaus which will help your score but not as much as an unsecured account.

You also can qualify for a shopping card. We do not suggest these cards because they often come with large fees and only report to one credit bureau.

In sum we do suggest the Continental Finance Card to anyone looking for a second chance with credit. You can use this card to re-establish your credit score and build positive credit because it will improve your ratio of debit to available credit and can create a positive payment history.

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Auto Insurance Laws - What You Should Know

By Mark Alison

Laws can be confusing sometimes. How much coverage is you required to have? What is the minimum amount? Do you have to have liability? What if you drive to other states? The questions are endless and it can be confusing at times.

The best source for your insurance laws is your insurance company. They will be able to answer the questions you want to ask them and be sure that you are covered in every instance. After all, it's their job to know. Have your questions ready when you call them to save time and make sure that you don't forget anything.

Each state will have specifics that must be followed when it involves your insurance coverage. Full coverage will cover injury to people, cars and property. Some states may only require coverage involving people. This is liability insurance. If you damage a car, then you must pay out of pocket for damages to your car, but insurance will probably pay for the other car.

The general rule is that you need proper coverage for the states you drive through as well. If the state you're traveling through needs more coverage than you have, it's your responsibility to extend the coverage for the states you travel through.

There are other options for insurance then paying for it. States have different liability laws involving motor cycles and scooters. If you're strapped for cash and you can't afford insurance, simply check out the state's laws about these vehicles. In Washington, you don't need insurance to drive a motorcycle.

You must keep proof of insurance on you at all times. If you were pulled over, you are required to provide it. If you don't, then you must appear in court and show proof or you will be fined heavily. Appearing in court is not a fun thing to do, be sure you have your proof at all times.

The biggest factor in finding cheap auto insurance is keeping your driving record clean. Knowing a little bit about the laws can help a great deal!

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Getting out of Debt Through Credit Card Consolidation

By Caden Flynn

Finding your way out of debt can be difficult. However, if you find yourself in this position, there are some steps you can take. These options include credit card counseling and debt consolidation.

If you have many credit cards and are just falling deeper in debt, credit card counseling can help you. In this program, a counselor will help you to learn how to manage your debt. They will help educate you about credit card debt and give you the skills to find your way out of debt. This counseling will help you avoid the destructive spending habits you have acquired, and be more diligent about paying down the balance, two main issues which draw people into debt in the first place. They will teach you to be responsible with how you use the card, to avoid racking up even more debt.

When you begin the program, your final goal will be to be debt free. In order to pay off all of your debts, you must do whatever it takes. This means asking lots of questions when you meet with your counselor. If you don't understand the explanation, it is okay to ask again. You can also do research yourself. The point is that educating yourself about your debts can help you get out of them.

When you enter a credit card counseling program, one of the things they can help you with is debt consolidation. However, you'll want to do your own research to be sure that this is right for you, and understand the side effects of consolidating your debt.

For example, be sure to ask about whether you'll be able to use any of your credit cards during the debt consolidation process or for future balance transfer options. Because this is reserved for people with a lot of debt, most programs require that you give up the use of all of your cards just to obtain a good credit rating. This, of course, is the surest way to avoid adding to the balance while you're trying to pay it down. If you seriously want to get out of debt, you should stop using your cards. After all, overusing the cards and racking up a balance that you cannot pay off are what got you into debt in the first place.

When you decide on credit card counseling, make it your top priority to get rid of all of you debts. Carefully research the debt management company you choose, to make sure that they will be able to help you out of your specific situation. Stick with it, and you will be able to get out of debt and stay debt-free.

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Looking for a Cheap Loan UK

By Rashel Dan

No matter how great the pay is at a certain job, there will always be instances wherein you will need to get a cheap loan UK for immediate cash needs. This is the time when you can consider a cash advance, payday loan, or just any kind of personal loan.

The catch about these short term loans is that they can often result in loan payments with added high interest rates. But there are places where one can make a person loan and not suffer the consequences of paying too much back to a loan institution.

Places To Get Fair Loans

Traditional outlets such as banks can give you fare rates. This is especially great in the sense that banks are always accessible and you probably won't have trouble making a loan. The drawback is that a bank (if popular) will charge a little more interest than if you go online.

Now, there are online lenders and online banks that have lower rates because of their low overheads. Online banks are probably the best places where you can get the lowest loan rates. You also don't necessarily have to be in the UK to manage your loan.

If there are any problems with a particular personal loan, online banks and online lenders can be easily and conveniently accessed. Surprisingly, you might also find that supermarkets, shops and post offices are offering financial loans, but there are not many who are keen on the idea just yet.

Borrowing and lending exchanges is another alternative for a cheap loan UK. Now, these exchanges work in much the same way that a co-operative works. This means that they can offer people low-cost personal loans. It comes out low-cost because they cut out most of the people in the middle who try to gain commissions from representing lenders. It's these extra costs that can add to the interest of a loan as one is paying it back.

With exchanges, people can lend and borrow from each other directly. This can be done by two parties entering into a legal contract with each other. What the exchange does is it manages the collection of the payments and if there are payments that are not made on time or not made at all, then a recovery process similar to a banks can be implemented.

Risks is low because amounts that are loaned or borrowed are spread between 50 borrowers and lenders at the very least; thus, lower payments are required.

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