Real Estate

making a change

After four (and more) years of hard work, study and learning, college graduates are ready to take on the world and start their career. However, these college graduates face obstacles soon after graduation. After studying for years and specializing in a field, their career should be ready for them, but that’s not always the case. College graduates struggle to find careers after college, making it increasingly difficult to pay off student loans as well as start life. Student loans are crippling college grads and making it incredibly difficult to pay anything back.

Children were always told that without a college degree, there would be no steady job in the world for them, a career that would allow them to pay all the bills and support a family. So growing up, these kids worked incredibly hard in school and did extracurricular activities so they could receive scholarships and grants to pay for part of their school. Even though they may have received scholarships, the tuition for college has skyrocketed, so they have to take out student loans.

College students after four years of college owe an average of $38,000. Nearly doubling the amount they took out due to interest. Now, this poses a huge problem for students who are just beginning their career and starting to stand on their own. On average, forty-four million students borrow to pay for college tuition, and for the average year of 2016, there is $1.2 trillion in debt for college graduates alone. A research study was conducted that surveyed college students and created data on which student loans they had obtained and how much of each. The study showed that 30.5 million students obtained direct loans, totaling $911.6 billion, as well as 16.8 million college graduates obtained the FFEL loan that totaled $342.6 billion. , Perkins loans totaled $8.0 billion, borrowed from 2.7 million people (Josuweit, Andy). Now, on average, this doesn’t sound like much compared to the number of kids going to college, but this number will double by the time it’s time to pay them off due to a delinquency rate of 11.1%. Which makes it almost impossible for the average college graduate to pay off their student loans in a short period of time, creating a lot of problems when it comes to starting their career and taking care of themselves.

Research has found that when comparing four-year universities and private colleges, as well as community colleges, student loan debt was much more significant at four-year colleges than at community colleges. In addition, they found that more student loans were obtained with students attending public four-year universities rather than private universities. The research also found that students who received Pell grants were more likely to borrow more money than other students. Forty percent of the $1.2 trillion dollars taken out for student loans was used to finance graduate and professional degrees. All of this statistical information has shown that of the forty-four million students who take out student loans to finance their tuition, most of them go to four-year public universities and are dependent on the lower-middle-class ladder. Now, just because these people are from the lower and middle class doesn’t mean they have to pay for it when it comes to attending college and striving for a better career. Student loan debt is a problem that needs attention and a solution to the crippling problem.

The topic of student loan debt for college students is something that hasn’t been talked about much in recent years. Attention was drawn to the issue when the presidential election came around and Bernard Sanders (aka Bernie Sanders) began proposing at the forum that college should be free to avoid student loan debt. Shortly after this proposal was announced, the actual statistics on the subject emerged. Student loan debt has nearly doubled in recent years due to the rising cost of tuition, making it nearly impossible for the average college student not to get student loans. The interest rate on the loans rose, causing the amount you withdraw to double before you had a chance to start paying it back. Sanders also called attention to the idea that a college degree is the equivalent of what used to be a high school diploma. He arguing that students should not be forced to pay for the education they should have received in previous years of schooling.

Many solutions have been proposed to eliminate the problem of student loan debt. Current President Barack Obama has called attention to solutions, such as student loan forgiveness, which allows college graduates to apply for loan forgiveness, wiping out their remaining balance of debt. The requirements for this are that the college graduate must be employed by the government or a non-profit organization, and must have made at least 120 monthly payments under a qualified payment plan while working full-time for the current employer. However, this solution also caused some problems, such as the student loan forgiveness program will not completely eliminate student loan debt, it would only slightly reduce the burden. While it does some good things, the solution would end up costing taxpayers a whopping $3.5 billion to offset student loans. This idea of ​​taxpayers paying out of pocket caused a big problem on the issue.

Another solution that was proposed was something more local. Companies have allowed recent college grads who have started careers at their company right after graduation to offer contracts to pay off their debt. College graduates who sign contracts with companies allow the companies to pay off their student loan debt if in return the students work for them for a certain period of time. Many medical students have found themselves signing ten-year contracts with a company to pay off their medical school debt. Now, while this solution may seem like these students are selling their souls, each student has the final decisions on whether or not she wants to accept the offer.

Student loan debt can be resolved in many different ways, but the most effective way would be to make college tuition free by eliminating the idea of ​​student loans altogether. When Wall Street crashed, the middle class helped bail them out. Wall Street can help put an end to student loan debt. Bernie Sanders has come up with a great idea, and with the help of a few small revisions, it could be the end of student loan debt for college grads. Placing a speculation tax on Wall Street would generate enough revenue to allow college tuition to be eliminated. And even if the income isn’t enough to eliminate the cost of college tuition, it will exponentially lower interest rates on student debt. Also another way to earn revenue would be to raise taxes for the upper class. Both ideas would bring in a significant amount of revenue to finance college tuition costs.

Although the issue of student loan debt for college graduates has only just come to the attention of the public, the problem has been going on for quite some time. Growing more and more over the years. Not much has been done to fix the problem, but some ideas have been put forward to ease the burden on college students. With combined efforts of significant numbers, we could find America creating a real solution to the problem and eliminating student loans and even college tuition in general. Although the idea doesn’t seem realistic in today’s economy, there will come a time someday when a student can strive to get a better education for her future without having to worry about going into debt for what it takes to get there.

Real Estate

Properties in Dubai for sale – Invest in real estate in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai has become an international real estate hotspot, with major architectural developments and ambitious projects springing up seemingly overnight. With the market still young and demand outstripping supply, the time has come for foreigners to invest in this vibrant and captivating city.

In March 2006, the Freehold Law was passed allowing foreigners to lease for 99 years or freehold land in designated areas. Freehold or leasing allows the foreign investor many advantages. Owners can sell or rent their property in Dubai if they wish. The investment potential is high, with high demand for short-term rentals and yields around 10 percent. Dubai does not tax income, including income from rental property. Plus there is no Capital Gains Tax. With Dubai’s population expected to double in the next five years, causing increased rental demand, a property purchased for rental purposes can be seen as a long-term income generating asset. Owners are not required to live in the United Arab Emirates and there are a number of local and international property management companies, including Colliers International, Cluttons, Asteco and JG Property Management, who can look after the property when the owners are away. Property can also be passed on as inheritance if specific procedures are followed.

Some of Dubai’s most popular real estate developments (many of which offer family-friendly gated communities with access to swimming pools and other residential amenities) include:

  • The Springs – Offering 3-5 bedroom villas, located off Sheikh Zayed Road.
  • The Meadows – Located near Dubai Media City, it consists of 3-7 bedroom two-story villas.
  • Emirates Hills – An exclusive world-class development comprised of freehold villas located close to Dubai Media City and Emirates Golf Club.
  • Arabian Ranches – A freehold community of villas and townhouses minutes from Dubai and Jebel Ali, but located in the desert, offering access to the Dubai Polo Club and Equestrian Center.
  • Dubai Marina: offers luxury apartments and villas with sea views.
  • The Greens – Located close to the Emirates Golf Course and offering modern low-rise apartments available as studios, 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms.
  • Other up-and-coming areas include: Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeira Islands, Jumeira Park, Al Fujan and Dubai Land.

Investing in the dynamic and dynamic Dubai market is very simple. The only paper required is a relatively simple sales agreement. If necessary, foreigners can apply for financing. The two main lenders in Dubai that specialize in real estate mortgages are Tamweel and Amlak. When buying a property, it is advisable to use a lawyer and ensure that a formal contract is signed, especially if it is bought on the secondary market. It is possible and quite common to buy directly from the developer (such as Emaar or Nakheel) who may charge a transfer fee of between 1-3%. It is typical to have to provide a down payment, plus installments, with the final installment due upon completion or delivery of the property. Upon completion, the property must be registered with the Dubai Land Department. There is a land registration fee equal to 1.5% of the purchase price of the property. Homeowners should also expect to pay an annual property maintenance fee that covers things like necessary plumbing or electrical repairs, site cleaning, and security.

Buying a house abroad is an important decision. It is essential to research all aspects of a potential investment and only deal with trusted estate agents, as there is no formal structured buying process in Dubai. Well-known reputable real estate agents in Dubai include Better Homes, GoWealthy, Re-Max and Landmark Properties. The Dubai real estate market is likely to continue to flourish for the foreseeable future. Dubai is an international driving destination that offers a high standard of living, a tax-free lifestyle and a safe and secure cosmopolitan community, making it the perfect place to invest.

Real Estate

Commercial Property Management Tips for Professional Real Estate Agencies

When it comes to managing a commercial property today, controls and efficiency will help you provide a professional service to your clients. More particularly, all of your systems should be well documented and relevant to each type of property.

This then suggests that the particular checklists will apply to office property, commercial property, and industrial property. Checklists will also be different when it comes to property management with lease payments.

Here are some tips to help you establish a strong control process as part of your agency’s property management services.

  1. Leasing documentation should always be reviewed when it comes to taking over the management of a new property. In many cases, you will find that part of the documentation is missing in some respect or that critical dates have not been met. If someone gives you a lease schedule as part of handing over the property, make sure the schedule is fully cross-checked with your existing lease documentation. You should also understand that lease documents are not the only documents related to occupancy. You can and usually will find special documents related to licensed occupancy, and these would normally include car parking, signage, storage, and special use areas. These documents can be separated from the lease documentation.
  2. Check for backlogs on the property as part of the delivery process. Any existing backlog will need to be quantified for any action that may be required. Request copies of any documentation and letters related to the arrears search. If special agreements have been entered into with existing arrears, you will need a copy of the documentation.
  3. Get to know the tenants and the property as soon as possible. When it comes to changing property managers, tenants can be quite sensitive to new arrangements and new people. Introduce yourself personally to tenants in a Property Delivery journal.
  4. Understand what the owner requires from reports and approvals. Each owner will be unique and different when it comes to the communication and reporting process. Some owners will have special cash flow requirements and reports to substantiate cash flow. In complex properties with multiple tenants, this can become quite a challenge. Make sure the property manager you choose has the experience to meet the owner’s demands.
  5. Talk to the maintenance people involved with the property as soon as possible. They will tell you a lot about the property today and possible maintenance failures in the future. This information will help you plan for cash flow and expenses for years to come. Ask maintenance personnel about specific plant and equipment factors that are critical to the property’s performance. Any older plant and equipment should be closely monitored for possible failures.
  6. Outgoing management is part of the control base of real estate management. Property expenses must be managed based on the building budget and the requirements of any and all lease documents. Many leases will have different control factors and reports when it comes to cost recovery. For this very reason, all lease documents should be carefully examined as part of the repossession procedure.
  7. The history of the property will always be relevant. Get copies of past reports, financial activity, and lease documentation when possible. This information will help you when it comes to establishing the status of the existing tenancy mix and how the property can progress as an investment.
  8. Income and expense budgets can be current or from this year. Those estimates should be passed on to the new owners and property managers. This way you will know how existing outbound recoveries have been established and on what basis.
  9. Vacancy reports and strategies will vary throughout the year. Importantly, any vacant area is successfully marketed to reduce vacancy downtime. Any pending or upcoming vacant leases must be aggressively marketed to find the necessary new tenants.
  10. Rent review profiles and option strategies will be reviewed as part of the lease documentation scrutiny. Look up all the critical dates related to rent reviews and option terms. Critical dates need to be entered into some sort of journal system so that you can trigger the event early or on time.

Professional commercial property management services are only achieved through systematic actions and well-qualified people. Take steps to establish your own systems as early in the property management process as possible. These above items can be modified and expanded depending on the type of property and the location of the property.

Real Estate

What Are Some Homes For Sale in Kissimmee?

Homes For Sale

There are plenty of houses for sale in Kissimmee but what you might not know is that Kissimmee is also home to a handful of luxury real estate properties. Whether you’re in the market for an executive style residence or a large family vacation home, there’s something to fit your budget and your lifestyle. With the help of one of the top Kissimmee realtors, you can find a home with all the amenities you’re looking for at a price that’s right for you.

Using the latest technology, you can track down your next dream home on a whim without any hassles or high costs. We’re here to assist you every step of the way! – Call or e-mail us today to discuss your needs and we’ll do the rest. The experts at Weichert Realtors are here to guide you through your next Kissimmee move. The best way to find the perfect Homes for Sale Kissimmee is to get started with a free, no obligation, no pressure consultation. Then, we can start the discussion about your goals and objectives for a Kissimmee real estate purchase that will make you happy for years to come.

Another popular amenity in Kissimmee homes is a screened-in porch or patio. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while still being protected from mosquitoes and other insects. Screened-in porches and patios are perfect for hosting outdoor dinners, relaxing with a book, or just enjoying the fresh air.

What Are Some Homes For Sale in Kissimmee?

Central air conditioning is another common amenity in Kissimmee homes. With temperatures reaching the high 80s and 90s in the summer, air conditioning is essential to staying cool and comfortable. Most homes in Kissimmee have central air conditioning, although some may have window units or other types of cooling systems.

Kissimmee is also known for its natural beauty, and many homes offer views of lakes, rivers, or conservation areas. Some homes may even have their own private access to these natural areas, allowing residents to enjoy activities such as fishing, kayaking, or hiking.

For those who enjoy an active lifestyle, many homes for sale in Kissimmee offer amenities such as tennis courts, basketball courts, or fitness centers. These amenities are often found in gated communities or planned developments, which offer residents a sense of community and security.

Finally, many homes for sale in Kissimmee offer modern features such as updated kitchens and bathrooms, smart home technology, and energy-efficient appliances. These features not only make a home more comfortable and convenient but can also save homeowners money on utility bills.

In conclusion, homes for sale in Kissimmee offer a wide range of amenities to suit different lifestyles and preferences. From swimming pools and screened-in porches to natural views and modern features, there is something for everyone in Kissimmee. When looking for a home in Kissimmee, it is important to consider what amenities are important to you and to work with a real estate agent who can help you find the perfect home.

Real Estate

Deck Cleaning and Wood Deck Stains: A Do-It-Yourself Guide

Looking out the back window, you decide that once again it is time to prepare your deck for the upcoming season. The grill still has its winter cover and the patio furniture is stacked in the corner. You can imagine what the platform will look like when it’s finished, but that little pit in your stomach reminds you how messy cleaning and staining the platform can be. If you use the right types of products, the task can be accomplished much more simply. The key to making a finish last is in the prep work you do before applying the first drop of stain.

Deck Stain or Sealer – How Do I Choose?

Exterior wood is subject to damage from the elements. The constant cycle of wetting and drying in the sun will cause deck boards to warp, crack, cup, and splinter. It’s essential to not only try to seal out the moisture, but also to use an oil-based staining product to keep the wood conditioned. Think of a drop of water placed on your skin. Once the water evaporates, the moisturizing effect is cancelled. This simplified analogy is similar to putting water-based (or water-based) stain and seal products on your deck. Using the same analogy, now think about putting a drop of baby oil on your skin. The oil acts as an emollient keeping the skin more supple. That’s why we recommend using oil-based products for wood decks. The oil acts as a better moisture repellant and will delay the drying effect, which leads to premature aging. Oil-based sealers will add years of life to your deck.

You may have noticed the switch back and forth between the words “stain” and “sealant.” Professionals use these words interchangeably. Think of outdoor wood products as a hybrid of these two words. Deck staining products are actually tinted sealers. You cannot use a stain followed by a urethane sealer or varnish as you would on an interior project. Moisture would attack this combination and the floorboards would become a mess. Sealers lock in moisture, and the pigmentation they contain provides UV protection so wood doesn’t turn gray. The easiest stains to maintain will be semi-transparent and deep penetrating oils. Film-forming products, also known as solid stains, will give good initial protection, but can be prone to peeling and are very difficult to remove. If you don’t already have a solid stain on your deck, you may want to avoid applying one, as there is no going back on that decision.

Starting over: choosing the right terrace cleaning products

Many of the deck cleaners sold at Home Centers like The Home Depot and Lowes contain sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as household bleach. While bleach is an effective mildew remover, it does not address problems with dirt trapped within the wood or allow for easier removal of graying wood fibers. Both dirt and grayed wood will contribute to premature failure of the finish. In addition, sodium hypochlorite greatly affects the lignin in wood. Lignin is the “glue” that holds wood fibers together. If you were to look at a cross section of a piece of wood that has been cleaned with lye under a microscope, you would see a jumble of fibers. This cross-weaving of the fibers can cause problems with stain/sealer penetration. Again, this means less stain life for your deck, as well as a potentially stained finish. Bleach also causes the wood to bleach or wash unnaturally.

Most deck restoration professionals use a two-step deck cleaning process that involves a landscape-friendly cleaning agent called sodium percarbonate, followed by an acid-based cleaner to balance the pH. Sodium percarbonate is considered an effective mold remover. When the powdered chemical is mixed with water, hydrogen peroxide and soda ash are released. This oxygenating reaction bubbles up dirt and contaminants on the surface for a deep cleaning effect. This reaction also loosens sun-damaged gray fibers, allowing them to be gently scrubbed with a medium-bristled brush and rinsed off with a garden hose. You can also use a pressure washer set to less than 800 psi to facilitate faster rinsing. Certain types of sodium percarbonate-based wood cleaners also contain other ingredients that help emulsify the old, deteriorated finish.

After completing the first step of the cleaning process, while the wood is still wet, apply an acid cleaning agent. This will serve to balance the deck after cleaning. An additional effect is that the wood is illuminated and the tone of the terrace is evened out. The acids used for this step are usually oxalic, citric, or a combination of both. Oxalic acid can irritate the lungs. After your final rinse, the deck is now perfectly prepared to accept the stain/sealer of your choice.

Seal the elements with a high-quality oil-based sealer.

Try to choose your staining products wisely. Paint stores like Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore will carry higher quality wood deck stains. As with anything in life, you get what you pay for. Spend a little more up front and you may not have to stain your deck as often. Avoid products that contain acrylics. These products will build up over time and create a finish that is almost impossible for DIY enthusiasts to remove without using very strong caustic chemicals.

The application of the sealing product can be done by spraying, brushing or scrubbing. If you spray, be sure to brush the product in with a porcelain bristle brush to get it into the wood and prevent bleed-through. Most oil stains should be applied in what is called a wet-on-wet coat. The first coat is applied and allowed to penetrate into the wood. Within a short period of time before the product dries, apply another coat. Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and the instructions on the can.

deck maintenance

Let the wood dry for 72 hours before putting the furniture back on the deck. While the stain/sealant on the deck is still intact, it’s okay to use a light mixture of bleach and dish soap to periodically clean any mold or grime from the surface. By following a simple maintenance plan of recoating the horizontals (floor and railing) every year with a light coat of oil and doing the rail system every two years, your deck will always look fresh and last a lifetime.

Real Estate

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Buying a Yacht Charter Business

You are a navigator. And an entrepreneur. You are fond of collecting ships and you want to earn a lot of money. You have a passion for the sea and you want to share your passion with others. Then what do you do? Easy. Start a boat rental business. While there are many things to consider, such as customer safety and business transactions, owning your own boat rental business can be a smart move.

Of course, there are many things to consider. You need to find an ideal location and start marketing and using social media for promotions. But should you consider buying a boat rental business? There are a plethora of things to consider when thinking about buying a business, not to mention a business that deals with rentals. However, there are enough signs that boat rental companies are a smart investment in the long run.

Here are 5 reasons why you should consider buying a boat rental business.

1. It’s the hottest thing right now.

It is currently one of the most popular and profitable businesses to hold onto, in part because boating is becoming more popular with people who don’t own boats but would love to get on the water. The most potential yacht charter customers are tourists and police departments. The reason why most of these clients prefer to rent a boat is because buying boats can be very expensive.

2. Rent to Fishermen

Renting small, motorized, wheeled boats to fishermen can be a lucrative rental business venture. Anglers travel far in search of the perfect spot to fish. In addition to anglers, you may find clients looking to charter a boat for a relaxing time on the water.

3. Flexibility

The business can be water based and operated from a marina or from a rented dock. Or the business may be land based and the boats may be rented with a trailer.

4. Profit margin

A high profit margin is normal for rental companies capable of offering exceptional service and a great product. Offering good products and services will mean an increase in sales and constant growth. You’ll get referrals and expanded business.

5. Associations

Hotels and motels can act as reservation agents for the business while providing excellent service to their guests. A split of the rental income represents a fitting financial incentive for any motel owner who is more than excited to have this type of business in their establishment.

Real Estate

Book Summary: Tax-Free Wealth: How to Create Massive Wealth by Tom Wheelwright

As a child I was lucky to have my father as a business mentor. When the time came and I entered the business world, I couldn’t lean on him because he passed away young. The Rich Dad/Poor Dad books were my saving grace when it came to financial education. A lot of the concepts I knew about from my dad, but the advanced strategies and how-to’s actually came from Rich Dad’s books. Tom is a Rich Dad advisor.

Why is this important to me?

I am not doing this summary to waste your time. My vision is to provide concise action steps you can take right now to improve your financial life and career. If you want to continually improve, you have to be committed to continuous learning. Take advantage of continuous learning with the right partnerships and you will be successful in your career.

The Cash Flow Quadrant really sums up the essence of financial success. If you focus on the left side of the quadrant, then you can earn a good income, but if you focus on the right side, you can become rich. Robert Kiyosaki points out in Rich Dad/Poor Dad that people on the left side of the quadrant make money, pay taxes, and then spend it. On the right side of the quadrant, people earn money, spend it, and then pay their taxes. This is a big difference and can be the biggest lever for success in your financial arsenal.

Tax-Free Wealth points out 24 tax strategies you can use on your path to Tax-Free Wealth. In the interest of time, I’ll point out a few along with some comments on each.

1. Rule #1 – It’s your money, not governments. People tend to freak out when it comes to taxes. Remember that you are the one who creates the value and makes the business work, be smart and use tax strategies to minimize taxes and maximize your investment. The key here is tax evasion, NOT tax evasion. Every concept in this book is fully legal and encouraged by the IRS.

2. Rule #2 – The Tax Law is written to permanently reduce your taxes. All financial plans need a solid foundation. This is why you can simply NOT focus only on the rate of return. You can get a great rate of return, but if you can lose it to a lawsuit or if 50% is consumed in taxes, you will lose in the long run. 99% of the tax code is written as incentives to encourage people to start businesses. The reason the government does this is because businesses create jobs and that is the most important economic engine.

3. Rule #3 – The fastest way to put money in your pocket is to reduce your taxes. Businesses require investment. That investment is a business expense along with R&D, travel, and other business-related expenses. You can legitimately combine vacation and work and write it off as a business expense. If you travel and sell items, go on sales calls in the vacation area. If you are a real estate investor, then travel where you can invest.

4. 4. Rule #24 – Generate massive passive income through your tax savings. This is the strongest wealth builder in the book because it increases compound interest, velocity of money, and leverage. By using these three vehicles along with investment stacking, you will be rich. The goal is to build your business and make money there and turn it into passive income and then park the extra money in cash flow investments like real estate. You want your money to work harder than you do. You don’t want to trade hours for dollars. Let me give you an example.

In our software company there are two ways to generate wealth and that is through intellectual property and maintenance agreements. These two things together will create a business that can be sold for 2-4 times the revenue. Now, to encourage that leveraged investment, I use the “Infinite Banking Concept” to lend money to the business through “my own bank.” Now the money the company returns to me as investment income, which means lower taxes. New revenue from additional maintenance contracts encourages new contracts. The next step is to use the “good debt” to take advantage of our coverage and acquire more income from maintenance contracts with our software platform.

In short, you make money in your business and keep it in passive income generating assets using good leverage, velocity of money, and compound interest.

Tax-Free Wealth is a great resource that I encourage you to read. If you immerse yourself in these concepts, financial security and true wealth can be yours.

I hope you found this short summary useful. The key to any new idea is to work it into your daily routine until it becomes a habit. Habits are formed in as little as 21 days. One thing you can take away from this book is to improve your financial education. If you take control of your education and schedule 30 minutes a day dedicated to it, you will get results. You cannot put your financial future in someone else’s hands. Take responsibility and good things will happen.

Real Estate

Buying a house – can anyone do it?

Anyone can buy a house. There are several ways: you may need to fix your credit to get financing, or find a real estate investor to buy a home. The most important question is whether you have the income necessary to maintain the house once you have bought it.

Before you buy a house, you need to determine if you can afford it. If you go house hunting and find one you like, then when it comes time to look at your finances, you find there’s no way you can afford it. It could be a crushing blow. This could lead to bad feelings when you search for a house next time or it could end your house search altogether.

One of the first things I always suggest is to make a budget. Now, no one likes to budget, but you really should. This will determine the money coming in and what you are paying for your living expenses and bills. You need to know how much money you have to make the payments on a house. Remember that this number may include what you already pay for rent. This will determine what you can afford when you buy a home.

The easy part of evaluating your budget is keeping track of your monthly bills and income. In general, these are similar every month. The hard part of budgeting is keeping track of what you spend in retail stores and online. If you use software to keep track of your debit card transactions, it will be easier to know where you are spending your money. If you use credit cards to make purchases, you’ll need to keep track of how much you spend each month. Is it more or less than your payment? The hardest part of your budget to assess is cash transactions. Unless you save all your receipts, you won’t know where you’re going. For one month, save all your cash and sales receipts for an enlightening experience. Decide what can be eliminated or reduced to allow for savings.

Budgeting is a valuable tool that no one else will help you do. They may mention it but not give enough information to help you figure it out. They just want to know if you have enough for a down payment and if you can afford the first 2-3 payments. After that you will be alone.

Real Estate

18 easy steps to buy a house at a bargain price

What is a “distressed” property? What is “bargain” real estate?

A distressed property is one with a distressed seller. Job loss or transfer, divorce, death, pending foreclosure, and lack of money cause sellers to sell quickly for less. Discovering the seller’s problem and finding a solution is the key to buying a bargain property. A distressed property can also be a “doghouse,” a landfill, or a repairman. “Dog kennel” owners aren’t always angsty sellers.

18 easy steps to buy a house at a bargain price

1. Get good advice from successful investors. Ask your friends and real estate agents to recommend investors.

2. Create your personal “Investment Journal,” such as the Doghouse to Dollars Workbook: Turn Yucks Into Bucks Investor’s Guide.

3. Define investment objectives: Do you want to buy a house to live in, repair it and sell it or save it for your future?

4. Get credit reports and scores. Create a file for each credit reporting agency. Take care of any credit issues.

5. Read books and articles on real estate investing. Attend workshops and seminars. Avoid outdated infomercials on TV.

6. Get good advice from lenders. Choose a lender with great service, a good closing record, and fair costs. Arrange financing.

7. Define your target locations: Is the property you want close to your home or work, vacation or second home?

8. Know your target market. Study the sections of real estate newspapers. Collect houses for sale flyers. Look at the sales and write down the prices, amenities and conditions. Follow HUD sales in your area.

9. Interview real estate agents and learn from them. Do not sign any agreements with agents that limit your search for sale properties. (These contracts make you pay a commission to the agent even if you buy by owner.)

10. Use agents who know the customs of the local market and ensure that you get many offers.

11. Find a good escrow officer to buy “for sale by owners.”

12. Study home remodeling, design magazines, and books. Know the costs of materials, supplies and trades. Visit home improvement stores. Take into account the costs of construction materials.

13. Be prepared to know a sale when you see it.

14. Make lots of offers. Make an offer on the rest of HUD.

15. Buy only bargain properties. Get great terms or concessions from the seller.

16. Plan your home transformation during escrow. This speeds up your working time, saving you money on maintenance costs.

17. Oversee the closing of the real estate escrow. Don’t jeopardize your finances by charging credit cards or making unnecessary purchases.

18. Celebrate the purchase of your “doghouse” with an open house!

(c) Copyright 2014, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Real Estate

How to find a name and address with a mobile phone number

Today there are many ways to find out the name and address with the mobile phone number of any person. One of these methods is to use a person’s mobile number and perform a reverse lookup. There are many websites that do reverse lookups to find the name and address with the mobile phone number of the person. Some of the types of listings or directories that perform reverse search are the following:

  • instant investigation – the name and address of the person will be found instantly once the mobile number of the person is entered in the search. Incorrect records can be obtained using this method.
  • Instant Reverse Lookup – This will not only easily find name and address with mobile phone number, but also reveal public information about the person such as marriage, divorce, birth and property records. Other sensitive information, such as criminal records, may also be accessed.
  • Forward and Reverse Search – this is simple to find the mobile phone number of the person using your name or vice versa to find the name and address of the person using the mobile phone number.
  • Reverse log private directories – Most of these websites are available only for private viewing by law enforcement officers and licensed investigators, but some have also become publicly accessible.
  • Slow and outdated reverse directories – these are sites on which mobile numbers are out of date for more than a year. It can take up to 3 days to find the name and address of the person you are looking for and the information is sent via your email.
  • Unwanted websites – Many of these sites exist and will only entice you to click the ads on their sites and spam you with the information you want.
  • There are some good and reliable websites that provide accurate and reverse search to find a person’s name and address with mobile phone number that is easily accessible to the public. The best reverse phone lookups not only allow you to look up billing name and address with any phone number, but also access public records like criminal records, police records, and other court records.