Archive for December, 2008

Getting a Home Inspection

If you are in the process of purchasing a new home, it will definitely be in your best interest to have a home inspection done.

Not only will you want to have a home inspection done for your own sake, and peace of mind. But most lenders will require that you have a home inspection before they will proceed with the loan. The lending institution has just as much interest in the home as you do, so that is why they require a home inspection.

Getting a home inspection requires hiring a company to send out a home inspector to go through the home you are going to purchase. With you present, the home inspector goes through the home, and thoroughly inspects to make sure nothing in is need of major repair that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Basically, a home inspector goes through a home and checks wiring, fixtures, plumbing, and the foundation of the home to make sure it is structurally sound. He will also inspect the outside of the home along with the roof to make sure there isn’t any exterior damage.

Along with the home inspection, it would also be in your best interest to inspect for wood boring insects, such as termites and beetles.

A pest inspection is also required by the lender before they proceed with a loan.

A pest inspection is done separately from the home inspection and is done through a different company that specializes in pest inspections.

Not only are home and pest inspections required by the lending institutions, but it would be in your best interest even if they were not. They cost anywhere from $300.00 to $400.00 depending on the size of the home, and you are aloud to be present and ask questions through the entire inspection.

Imagine if you found your dream home and loved it so much that you purchased it without having the home inspection done. On the day that you and your family move in, it is the happiest day of your lives. Than, three days after you move in, you get your first rain fall while in your new house. Than, the next thing you know, you have rain coming through the ceilings up stairs.

After something like this, you’ll be wishing you had the home inspected. Trust me.

Believe me, this stuff happens. So be smart, and get a home inspection. It beats paying $15,000.00 to $20,000.00 for a new roof.

In addition, once you have a home inspection done, you will have peace of mind that the house is sound and in good living condition. However, should anything happen to go wrong after you move in that was covered under your home inspection, you will have the home inspection company to hold accountable for the damage, and not have to pay it out of your own pocket.

To summarize, the home inspection is very important to both you and the lending institution. You both have an interest in the property, so have the home inspection done, you will sleep a lot easier.

Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of www.explainingmortgages.com/, a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

Published in: Property | on December 31st, 2008 | Comments Off

Subprime Mortgage Loans Online - What To Expect

Applying for a subprime mortgage loan online can seem intimidating at first. With so many lenders to choose from, it can appear difficult to find the best mortgage loan. However, online subprime lenders allow you to search for rates, compare financing options, and avoid falling prey to predatory lenders.

What To Expect

Subprime lenders provide mortgage loans to people with adverse credit at slightly higher rates. Depending on your financial situation, you should expect to pay a couple of points higher than the prime loan rate. You will also pay some fees that should add up to no more than 2% of your mortgage.

Online subprime lenders offer all the same services of a traditional bank, but through the convenience of the internet. You can request quotes, ask questions, or apply for your mortgage loan online.

Searching For Rates

With online subprime lenders, it is simple to find basic quotes. Mortgage lending websites can offer you quotes from several different lenders. Another option is to go to individual mortgage lender sites and request a quote.

Generally, instant mortgage quotes come from only the most basic information that you provide. This is a quick way to learn which subprime mortgage lenders offer the best rates. This is also an easy way to weed out the predatory lenders with their excessively high rates.

Picking A Lender

Pick at least three lenders you believe are competitive and request a formal quote from them. Typically, you will need to feel out an online application, providing information about your employment history, property’s location, and other such details. All of the information requested are factors that mortgage lenders use to determine your rate.

Once you receive quotes, take the time to review their offers. Add in the cost of loan fees as well as the interest you will pay to determine the total cost of the loan. When you have decided on an offer, you can quickly finish the application process.

Applying Online

Applying for an online mortgage loan is practically the same thing as requesting a rate quote. Some mortgage lenders will require you to complete more information online; others will send you paperwork to complete.

When your application is completed, you will receive your financing package in the mail for your approval and signature. You will need to sign the forms in front of a notary. The last step is to send the paperwork back to the mortgage lender for them to finalize the loan.

To view our list of recommended subprime mortgage lenders online. Visit this page:
Recommended Subprime Mortgage
Lenders Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of
ABC Loan Guide, an informational
website about various types of loans.

Published in: Property | on December 31st, 2008 | Comments Off

How I Became a Hard Money Lender

Unlike other investors, my venture into real estate was a natural extension of my secondary business as the IP Ware software developer. However, opportunity and perseverance beget wealth, or at least a decent side income.

Aside from my ventures into lease optioning residential property, I and my partner have managed to acquire a number of properties with our own credit. However, when looking at our finances and the return we were getting for the amount of effort involved, we both decided there must be a better way. That is when it occurred to me. Instead of trying to leverage our existing assets for a diminishing return, perhaps we could be the bank.

Here is the scenario as it has played out. First of all, we control a decent number of properties with our own credit. Most were purchased with 100% financing using multiple capital sources. However, each contains only a primary lean and is financed using standard mortgage terms. Subsequently, there is a 20% secondary credit position available on each of these properties.

Now normally, an investor would use this 20% equity stake in the existing properties to leverage the purchase of more properties. However, our approach has been a bit different. Because interest rates are so low, we can borrow against the 20% equity position in each of the properties and loan this money to investors who need short terms financing to control and rehabilitate properties. Essentially, we are using our existing properties as collateral to borrow money at the going finance rate and loan it out at substantially higher rates of return. We have become the bank.

For investors who need money fast, this system works out beautifully. They pledge their property as collateral, and we loan out up to 75% of the purchase price. All parties benefit, and investors with opportunities that do not need long term financing have a source of funds to do their deals. Everyone wins.

If you are thinking of setting up this type of program yourself, there are a significant number of legal caveats that you must be aware of. The first is the company funding the second lean holder position on your existing properties must be aware of and amicable to what you are doing. This is a legal requirement of which there is no way of avoiding without committing fraud. Next, the usury laws in your state determine the maximum interest rate you can charge your customers. There are a host of additional laws that are more specific to the lending process, but a good lawyer will help you work through them.

Regardless, there is a decent return to be made helping others do their deals. Use your existing properties to secure the funds to lend, and make sure you have an experienced lawyer to help you sort out the details.

About The Author

Barrett Niehus is a principal for IP Ware Commercial and Residential Real Estate Investment Analysis Software http://www.freetrainer.com

Published in: Property | on December 29th, 2008 | Comments Off

Internet Sports Gambling Keeps Bettors Safe inside

Online sports betting world wide websites are all governed by three organizations. These agencies are OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA). Okla. St..s Ford gets $9.1M over 7 years

The OSGA is an unbiased federation that watches the current offshore gambling business, they undertake to also deliver the paying public the facility to easily distinguish trustworthy websites to play games with. It seeks to watch over the rights of betting afficionados, and also they charge no joining or annual costs. The Offshore Gaming Association is a well-qualified not to mention objective third party affiliation which conveys unbiased points of view, founded on your assessments, unbiased study, chats, insider tips and in addition provides inside news.

The Interactive Gaming Council is a non-profit-making organization. The council was founded to allow an arena for worried individuals to discuss subjects and also to advance mutual worries in the international interactive gambling trade, in an effort to establish unbiased and also duty-bound business standards and practises which heighten client trust in online betting products and services, and in addition to function as the overseas gambling trade’s public strategy guardian furthermore the council works as an information clearing house.

The Interactive Gaming Council have made a name for safety, consistency and also sincerity on account of the tough ideals it demonstrates, and in addition its allure for business enterprises of exemplary ethics. The IGC influences offshore sports gambling by upholding a specific 10-point series of standards and in addition charges betting sites license fees to feature the council’s logo. Unfulfilled betters can, if they like, state their disagreements to the IGC.

The FTGA was founded in order to create a benchmark which will improve the criteria of machine-accessible sports gaming business concerns. The IGC understand that by carrying on business with enterprises of good standing, they are able to form an alliance of the fairest and professional cyberspace betting businesses multinationally. In short, there are governing bodies that observe the behavior of live sports betting and which should serve to ease a few of the trepidation felt by doubters. On-line sports gaming websites are nowadays absolutely trustworthy, since personal data are not necessary also the compensation not to mention the odds should be equivalent to a normal Vegas-type Vegas style stake. These websites slash traveling, but nonetheless keep the atmosphere of a familiar Vegas style betting website, only now you are in a position to game in your home.

Published in: Gambling Luck, Luck Online, Sports + Movement | on December 28th, 2008 | Comments Off

Make the Most of Your Mortgage Leads

If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker and you invest in mortgage leads, or you are considering investing in mortgage leads, make sure you are making the most of them.

A lead provider, if they are a good one, can provide you with a good quality lead, the rest is up to you.

The lead provider has no control over what the potential customer might say.

Put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Purchasing a home or refinancing an existing one are very big financial decisions in the life of the consumer. They most likely will be a little apprehensive.

When you call a lead you receive from a lead provider, and the customer seems to be in a stand off mood, say something like this.

“Would you mind if I just went over some of the programs we have to offer, it will only take a minute of your time, and it will cost you absolutely nothing.”

This approach takes the pressure off of the customer, and nine times out of ten, they will move forward with you and listen to what it is you have to offer.

If a customer says they are no longer interested, it is only because they lost their nerve.

Say something like this.

” Oh, that is too bad, I have a lot of great programs that fit the description of the profile you filled out on line, it will only take a minute and it will cost you nothing.”

You will be surprised at the responses you receive.

Whatever you do, don’t give up after the first try. It is all about the approach. You do the talking, tell them what they need to hear about your products, it will make a huge difference in the amount of loans you close.

Jay Conners has more than fifteen years of experience in the banking and Mortgage Industry, He is the owner of www.jconners.com, a mortgage resource site, he is also the owner of www.callprospect.com, a mortgage lead company.

Published in: Property | on December 28th, 2008 | Comments Off

Earthquake Wave Bypass and Reflector Systems

Earthquakes send destructive waves thru the Earth, which cause huge damage to civilizations. Many structure, which sit on unstable ground get the worst of it. These structures, which are often built using non-Earthquake proof materials and designs will fail and collapse on their occupants.

In the Pakistan quake of 2005 over 80,000 died. This was a combination of factors, which included building a city on shaky ground and building non-re-enforced structures. There may be a way to prevent such massive death and destruction to known Earthquake prone areas using tricks of physics. How so you ask?

Well, what if we can stop the S-Waves or surface waves caused by earthquakes by building walls underground which would reflect the waves? By having flexible walls against hard rock or solid wall structures going down let’s say 400 fee in the ground, we may be able to accomplish this.

Now many would say that what I propose is simply nuts and perhaps it cannot be done exactly this way. However I hereby challenge the experts to prove it will not work and perhaps in doing so they may stumble across a similar line of thought or a different technology, which would work?

So often scientists will be critical of an idea, without completely considering it. So, I hereby challenge you now, to figure it out, as millions of lives are at stake and billions in costs to rebuild? Why you got something better to do? Fine, let’s hear it and bring that along too. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow - EzineArticles Expert Author

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

Published in: Web Of Videos | on December 27th, 2008 | Comments Off

More Return On Equity For Your Investment Property Dollar

Few would deny that real estate is a solid investment. It provides an attractive combination of stability, reliable cash flow, preservation of principal and capital appreciation. However, many investment property owners nearing retirement find themselves in a quandary. They are equity rich, but cash poor, with increases in the value of their property far outpacing income growth. They also are often tied down by the day-to-day issues of property management and, particularly in cities like San Francisco, California, shackled to the constraints of rent (and eviction) control. In fact, San Francisco is home to some of the lowest cash return on equity in the state’s real estate marketplace, which is somewhat counter-intuitive given California’s ever-booming property market.

The obvious answer is to sell the property and unleash the dormant equity, but that can be problematic. These investors face the reality of prohibitive capital gains taxes and recaptured depreciation, as well as the task of identifying an alternate investment venue; or locating, acquiring and financing suitable replacement property in the time period allowed, taking advantage of tax deferral under IRS code section 1031.

An ideal solution for many investment property owners may be to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of their property and utilize a subsequent 1031 exchange into a tenancy-in-common (TIC) ownership type, also known as co-ownership of real estate (CORE) interest in a suitable replacement property.

1031 exchanges, also known as Starker exchanges or tax-deferred exchanges, permit owners to sell investment property and defer tax payments by reinvesting the proceeds into another investment property (or investment properties). In order to completely defer the payment of tax, among other things, the replacement property must be of equal or greater value and all the equity from the sold property must be reinvested in the new property. The marriage of 1031 exchange and TIC/CORE allows investors not only to defer their capital gains taxes but also to upgrade their investment real estate.

TIC/CORE is a way of sharing ownership of property among two or more persons whereby each tenant holds an undivided interest in the property. Tenants-in-common may own interests of differing sizes. TIC/CORE investors are on the title and considered separate owners of the real estate. They share pro rata in the income, tax benefits and appreciation of the property. Their TIC/CORE interest can be purchased, sold, gifted, bequeathed by will or inherited; and it is subject to property taxes, gift tax, and estate and inheritance taxes in the same manner as any property held in sole ownership. With a TIC/CORE property, each of up to thirty-five investors have the opportunity to own an undivided fractional ownership interest in an investment-grade property, such as an office building, shopping mall, apartment complex or industrial property, costing anywhere from $10 million to $150-plus million.

The benefits of investing in TIC/CORE properties are substantial. Such properties employ professional asset and property management, relieving the investor of day-to-day tenant headaches. More important, investors often receive greater cash flow and overall returns than they had in their previous sole ownership property. Typically, many people receive between 2-3 percent of their equity in their property in rental income. By selling this property and placing the equity into a larger investment-grade property, they can potentially experience annualized cash flow from 6-8 percent, paid monthly, and 12-16 percent overall return on their investment. Also compelling is that TIC/CORE exchange investors can diversify among several property types, and geographic locations through fractionalized ownership, while still enjoying 1031 exchange benefits on each amount. Thus, investors can potentially reduce risk in their overall real estate portfolio.

Investors seeking to exchange for a TIC/CORE property are best advised to work with a financial advisor experienced in 1031 exchanges. Such advisors work closely with top real estate providers, who give the investor access to the best properties available. In addition, many TIC/CORE opportunities have pre-arranged, non-recourse financing in place, which is perfect for investors working within the 1031 exchange time frame. Numerous hours of upfront investigation, evaluation, due diligence and life cycle planning transpires before a property is offered to an investor group. Investors faced with only a 45-day window to identify a suitable replacement property to complete a 1031 exchange can select a suitable project with confidence.

Given the tax deferral, institutional-grade quality of the property, professional property management and pre-arranged, non-recourse financing aspects, a 1031 exchange replacement property structured as tenancy-in-common ownership can be a very wise and profitable solution. It allows the investor to maintain everything they like about real estate (monthly income, preservation of principal, capital appreciation, etc.), while eliminating most of the hassles of property ownership.

(c) 2005, 1031 Exchange Options. Reprint rights granted so long as the article and by-line are reprinted intact and all links made live. This article is neither an offer to sell nor an offer to buy real estate or securities. There are material risks associated with the ownership of real estate. You must be an accredited investor. Securities offered through Sigma Financial Corporation, Member NASD/SIPC.

Cary Losson is the Founder and President of 1031 Exchange Options. A luminary in the TIC/CORE 1031 exchange marketplace, Mr. Losson is frequently quoted in journals and periodicals concerned with investment property issues and advice. For more resources to assist in your learning: www.1031exchangeoptions.com/resources.html

Published in: Property | on December 27th, 2008 | Comments Off

Looking For An Adjustable-Rate Mortgage ?

An adjustable rate mortgage is called as ARM in short and it is a type of mortgage where the interest rate is linked with economic index, in this adjustable rate mortgage your payment and interest rate are adjusted accordingly when there is an ups and down in the changes of the index. An adjustable rate mortgage is just opposite to fixed rate mortgage and in this adjustable rate mortgage the monthly payment and interest rate may vary time to time. Adjustable rate mortgage are the right choice as the interest rate will be decreased whenever the interest rates goes down and when you are planned to have the home for a short period of time.

The important features of ARM are Index, Margin, Adjustable frequency, Initial interest rate and Interest rate caps. Lenders uses Index as a guide to measure the changes in interest rate. The index guides used by the lenders are 1,3 and 5-year treasury securities, but there are so many other index guides are also available. The lenders markup is the margin that would stand for the lenders cost for doing the business as well as the profit they will make out of the Adjustable rate mortgage, this margin will be added up to the index rate in order to arrive the total rate of interest and this remain the same for the entire lifetime of your loan.

Adjustable frequency is how often the rate of interest gets changed that is called as reset date. The adjustable frequency differs from one ARM to the other. The adjustable frequency gets changes every year normally, it can also be once in 5 years or it could change once in a month. It is better it changes less often as your financial risk gets lower as there will be change in the loan payment.

The initial interest rate is the rate of interest you would be paying until your first reset date, this will determine the initial payments of your loan and the lender may use this for qualifying you for the loan, normally the initial interest rate is less as your monthly payment will increases after the first reset date.

The interest rate caps will limit the amount that your monthly payment and rate of interest can increase, the most common caps includes initial adjustment caps, periodic adjustment caps, and lifetime caps

The questions would arise in your mind why should you go for ARM if the payments can go up, the answer is simple the initial interest rate in adjustable rate mortgage is lower compared to the fixed rate mortgage and will remain the same during the entire life term of the loan, this means lower interest rate is lower loan payment and this will in turn helps you to qualify for huge amount of loan.

David is the owner of Loan Lenders, and Finance Basics websites. David provides great resources for people seeking information regarding loans, mortgages and remortgages.

Published in: Property | on December 25th, 2008 | Comments Off

Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders: Construction Loans - You and Your First Home

Picture it. Your first home. Your dream home. The home that you, yourself, are going to construct. However, you find that you are in a bit of a financial bind. There is no need to fret; the funding for your new home is available through various new home construction lenders.

Although construction loans can be issued to both owners and builders, some lenders are a bit reluctant about lending to inexperienced builders. The loan sometimes includes the cost of the land on which the new home is built. In short, construction loans set up a line of credit that pays the suppliers and subcontractors while the home is being built, making them happy.

A new home construction loan is set up in stages, which are either monthly or in accordance with the building process. During the latter stages, the amount of funds used during the specific period of time is calculated and given to the lender so that the workers can be paid.

Before applying for a construction loan, you must be approved for a residential mortgage in order for construction to begin. Stated income construction loans provide funding to help you build your new home, and do not require verification of your income, whether you are having trouble verifying it, or you simply choose not to disclose that information to the lender. In turn however, the interest rates, and subsequently, the down payment, of stated income construction loans may be a bit higher than that of any other type of new home construction loans because there is more risk involved when the income is not verified. The advantage of this type of construction loan, besides the lack of need for verification, is that these loans tend to be approved at a much faster rate.

Gregrey Pashby is a writer and contributor for Bad Credit Lender who specialize in bad credit loans and hard money loans. Located in La Jolla, California, Bad Credit Lender provides competitive private California hard money loans, bad credit home loans, and bridge loans. In addition, Greg is one of the main contributors to the California Home Mortgage Loan web blog.

Published in: Property | on December 25th, 2008 | Comments Off

Bryan Ellis on Virtual Real Estate Investing

Landlords and rehabbers take notice - you may soon be focused on the new concepts of “Virtual Real Estate Investing“. There are many variations on what this term means, encompassing everything from using the internet to aid in real estate investing efforts to participating in online games such as SecondLife.

To get the facts, I sought out the man generally considered to be the father of virtual real estate investing: Bryan Ellis.

Ellis says he adopted the term “virtual real estate investing” sometime before Y2K after he realized that making money online is conceptually very similar to making money with physical real estate.

One example of the parallels between virtual and physical real estate Bryan Ellis cites is the similarity between the monetization of domain names versus physical property. “There’s a huge difference between a website and a piece of real estate, but the ways you can profit from them are similar: ‘flipping’, rental/leasing, advertising sales, etc…all of these apply to both markets” he states.

I must admit: Its easy to see the parallels. After all, if you own a valuable piece of real estate, it’s “valuable” because other people are interested in that specific piece of property. Likewise, if you own a desirable domain name, others will find value in it because it serves their purposes. In either case, you could sell or lease the asset and turn it into cash.

In our next installment of this series on virtual real estate investing., Bryan Ellis will share the internet analogies to the physical concept of real estate development.

Published in: Internet Marketing, Markets, Property | on December 25th, 2008 | Comments Off