Sunday, February 25, 2007

Bankruptcy Credit Counseling Under The New Bankruptcy Law

Bankruptcy credit counseling is a demand of the new bankruptcy law effectual October 17, 2005. The Bankruptcy Maltreatment Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 necessitates tribunal approved bankruptcy credit counseling to be completed by debtors prior to filing for bankruptcy within the 180 years immediately preceding the filing of a bankruptcy petition.

The new demand for bankruptcy credit counseling prior to filing for bankruptcy may be completed by internet credit counseling, phone credit counseling, or grouping or individual credit counseling at specific, tribunal approved bankruptcy credit counseling agencies. Under the new bankruptcy law, the U. S. Trustee's Office is responsible for approving bankruptcy credit counselors. The U. S. Trustee's Office may O.K. a non-profit-making budget and credit counseling agency or an instructional course of study concerning personal financial management if the non-profit-making budget and credit counseling agency rans into certain stringent demands put forth in the law.

The new bankruptcy law have made filing bankruptcy more hard than ever before. The new bankruptcy law was fueled by credit card companies and their high powered lobbyist who wanted to do it harder for debtors to pass over out credit card debt. Bankruptcy credit counseling have been seen by many bankruptcy attorneys as an attempt to detain a debtor from seeking protection in the bankruptcy court. The hold may be just adequate clip for a creditor to obtain a judgement or accumulate garnishment funds.

Most bankruptcy lawyers are finding out that the telephonic method of counseling is the easiest for debtors to finish in a hurry. Most telephonic counseling can be completed in about 1 hour.

The upper limit amount any bankruptcy credit counseling agency can charge for counseling is put by law. No bankruptcy credit counseling agency can charge more than than $50.00 for the credit counseling. Once bankruptcy credit counseling Sessions have got been completed, debtors are given a certification of completion from the credit counseling agency to be filed with the bankruptcy tribunal upon filing of the debtor's bankruptcy petition.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Filing Bankruptcy - Credit After Bankruptcy

So I’ve filed for bankruptcy, now what?

I’ve heard from respective people who have got got filed for bankruptcy protection that once they have successfully filed the last thing they desire to make is deal with their finances. I urge that a individual topographic points their finances near the top of their precedence listing once a bankruptcy have been filed.

After all the clean fresh start that many attorneys promise isn’t always as easy for many recent bankruptcy filers.

I urge to any individual that even after they register for bankruptcy that they still seek budgeting counsel from a credit counseling organization. This is typically a free service that is developed to assist people budget their day-to-day finances; this tin be of great aid once a bankruptcy have been filed by providing valuable penetration on how to forestall these problems in the future. If a credit counseling agency charges for this service I urge that you look again until you happen aid elsewhere. There are respective well qualified agencies that offer no cost counseling.

Good credit will be hard to come up by, period. There is a difference between good credit, which offers lower interest rates, no care fees, etc. versus poor or risky credit that is offered to people who have got a rickety credit history.

Be careful in deciding who to look for when seeking lines of credit, auto purchases, etc. Read all of the mulct black and white and understand that if you borrow ten amount of dollars it will actually cost you ten amount in the long run.

Save from the start. Don’t trust on getting a loan, it can turn out to be risky and extremely costly as there are respective organisations that love the fact that they can warrant higher rates based on your poor credit. Talk to an agency about your budget and then begin to salvage for those rainy twenty-four hours emergencies, such as as a vehicle repair, veterinarian bills, etc. The more than you salvage the less you volition have got to trust on a poor loan that will cost you in the end.

Article written by Crick Munster

Free Credit Report and Bad Credit Score



In case that you have bad credit score and are not really sure how bad this one is, you must get a hold of your credit score report. It can be easy to obtain, as there are many websites dedicated to providing you with your credit score.

By making a search on internet, you will get thousands of companies offering free credit reports. Most of them offer you a 30-day free trial adding some incentives.

These companies understand that you will want to view your free credit report with no obligations. If you want your free credit report score, then you have to understand that it will be different from your annual credit report. If you are never sure about your credit score, a free annual credit report will keep you up to date with how good or bad your credit score is.

When using the internet to obtain a free yearly credit report online, you should be aware of the many frauds that could be out there, if they are giving you a free credit report. Then, there is no need to fill out many different forms or surveys and make your identifying information available to potential frauds, just to obtain something that is supposed to be free.

Bad Credit Score

Bad entries affecting you can be fixed. The first thing to do is to identify the entries that are hurting your credit report, and try to fix them as soon as possible in order to have your financial record totally clean again.

Each credit bureau offers information on its web site on how to read credit reports and how to submit a dispute, and they will mail you that information if you request your report by mail. If you are not in a real rush, there is no need to get it online, the best thing to do is to order it via regular mail.

Nevertheless, traditional media and internet are filled with ads for companies and services that promise to erase accurate negative information in your credit report in exchange for a fee.

Organizations providing information to the CRA, such as banks or credit card companies, have responsibilities and must correct inaccurate or incomplete information. Then, once credit reports are received, they should be thoroughly evaluated for any mistakes being informed.

Finally yet importantly, Employers denying a position because of bad credit report must show a copy of this one; they must explain Fair Credit Reporting Act rights and inform affected people what creditors are giving those negative items.

Remember that you can remove bad credit report legally; it can be on your own or through legal credit repair companies.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Buying a Home -- Is a Home Inspection a Good Idea?

To avoid “buying A hog in a poke,” buyers have got long demanded the shutting on a home purchase be contingent upon a satisfactory review by a home review firm. In many parts of our country, we’re now experiencing a strong sellers’ existent estate market and Sellers often have more than than one purchase offer on the same twenty-four hours for their home. In this environment, buyers are rethinking the home review requirement. Are this a good idea?

To Inspect or Not To Inspect

Clearly, if a marketer got two offers and one necessitates a home review be done, most Sellers will take the non-inspection offer with all other things being equal. So, a home review demand can set you at a competitory disadvantage. Still, are you willing to put on the line buying a home that have some fundamental, expensive problems? What if you purchase the home and subsequently learn plumbing system under the floorings must replaced? What if the repair costs $10,0000?

One option may be to include a proviso in your purchase offer that supplies for a home review done for informational intents only. That way, settlement under your offer is not conditioned upon the inspection. It would not supply you with the option of amending the contract to have got the marketer do repairs, nor would it supply a manner for you to invalidate the contract should serious problems be uncovered. Should serious problems be discovered, however, the marketer is jump to cognize the deal will be in jeopardy. For that reason, even an “informational” home review won’t expression as good to her as a contract with no demand for a home inspection.

Another option you might see in stead of a home review is a bomber Rosa inspection. Instead of using Jesse James Chemical Bond for spying, you could inquire a friend workings in the building or engineering field to walk through the house with you. The goal, of course, is to look for any blazing “red flags” that are deal killers.

If your friend doesn’t see anything disturbing, you can then compose a clean contract offer without contingencies. Peter Sellers love no contingency sales. The opportunities are good that you’ll get the home you want, but still have got a some self-assurance there isn’t anything seriously incorrect with the property.

There is no 1 right reply when it come ups to deciding on home inspections. Each buyer have to inquire himself how much hazard he is willing to take. If you are the lone political party making an offer, demand an inspection. If you are one of many potentiality buyers, well, you are going to have got determine your comfortableness level. Others can supply information, but the determination is yours.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Investors How to Buy Your First House

For new existent estate investors the first 1 is the hardest. Too many negative possibilities and effects are running through your mind. The lone manner to get around that is to leap in and do some offers until one is accepted. Then a new set of fearfulnesses measure in that’s Oklahoma because you got over the first 1s you can deal with these.

Books, Tapes and Seminars – Most likely you’ve read a whole library of books listened to hours of tapes and CD’s over and over again, attended some seminars maybe attended a batch of seminars. The investing in instruction can be many thousands of dollars now is the clip to get some practical existent life experience. You have got all the strategies it’s clip to set them to use.

Make $50,000 on Every Deal – program to do a net income on your first transaction maybe you will do a batch of money so what. You don’t do anything until you set it together. Get up get out spell happen houses; they are easy to happen the large deals are not that’s wherefore they are large deals. Join your local REIA deals are there at every weekly and monthly meeting.

Find a House, Brand an Offer – That’s how it’s done. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Find a House, Brand an Offer. Over and over and over again...

Real Estate Agent – Associate In Nursing investor Real Number Number estate agent can set you in presence of more than deals than anyone else. Their lone end is to have got you purchase and sell places at a net income so you come up back and usage their services again. They will electronic mail you new lists every hebdomad travel out check the houses work up the cost and disbursals do an offer. Bash it again and again and again.

Financing Your Deal – If you don’t have got a deal why concern about where the money is going to come up from. Join your local REIA there is more than money waiting to be invested than there are topographic points to set it. Your investor Real Number Estate agent can assist you turn up beginnings of ready to impart money.

Find a house, do an offer, offer accepted, publicize for sale, set the funding in place, publicize for sale, stopping point the deal, publicize for sale, complete the rehab, and publicize for sale. Sell rental or rent. Go on to the adjacent one, set to utilize what you’ve learned. Bash it again.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

5 Steps to Improve Your Real Estate Investment Success Ratio

Real estate investors for the most portion cognize their market place. They cognize what have sold and for how much and maybe to whom it sold. By following the deals you missed, deals you didn’t win, or the deals you passed on volition give you great penetration into your competition and what they are willing or not willing to take on.

1.Know Your Competition

Every market have 100’s of existent estate investors. You will make better when you cognize who you are competing with in your investing specialty. Be ready and be first to do an offer you can beat out out your competition by moving fast. Line up existent estate agents to feed you business. Become known as an investor who folds on deals not just one who throws out low ball offers without closing.

2.Join Your Local REIA

The most active existent estate investors are members of the REIA. This is where more than deals are offered. Meeting other investor can give you penetration into the business as others see it. You may pick up information that you can’t get anywhere else. It is a good topographic point to travel your ain places to people who cognize what they are doing.

3.Keep Files On Each Deal

Set-up data files with the Master of Library Science and Tax information on the deals you want. Sometimes the deal falls apart be ready with the information on the deals you desire they may come up back you must be ready to do quick knowledgeable decisions. Sometimes after shutting the investor can’t complete the work and must happen a new buyer to salvage them be ready. Everyone negotiation about purchasing expressions but most people don't make what they have got got learned or what they should.

4.Follow Every Deal You Work On

Know who gets the deal how much they have paid and any marketer concessions. Learn what your rivals are willing to pay for undertakings and what they are willing to take on. Most investors concentrate on one peculiar portion of the business and walk away from other undertakings without a second thought.

5.Strong Contractor and Support Base

Being ready to move quickly intends you have got the ready dorsum up support from your contractors, suppliers, and people (Engineer, Attorney, and Financing etc.). Your alkali make you better including your bird dogs, advertising, buyers list, tenants, and anyone you spouse with in your business.

Knowing your market, having a strong squad and being ready to do business now are what will maintain you ahead of your competition. This volition better your current business and make you the spell to company where Sellers desire to do business.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Timing Clauses Stop Sellers From Inciting Bidding Wars

It is no secret that the current existent estate market is hot, hot, hot. Peter Sellers can have multiple commands for their property on the same day. In the haste of the moment, your emotions can carry you into a command war. Using timing clauses can assist avoid such as a state of affairs and protect you from buyer’s remorse.

Timing Clauses – Drop Dead!

A timing clause is inserted in an offer to avoid open-ended bidding wars. You make not desire your offer to be “on the table” indefinitely. Such a state of affairs inevitably leads to a command warfare where Sellers “auction” up the terms of home to a Sellers benefit. To avoid this, you should take to set a “drop dead date” on your offer. You would include language that states something like, “This offer is unfastened until withdrawn or until 9:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June ____, 20__, whichever come ups first.”

Let’s expression at an illustration of how a hypothetical state of affairs might work out.

Say the request terms of the home is $995,000. Your offer is $995,000 with a driblet dead day of the month of September 1, 2005. On August 29, 2005, the marketer informs you of a rival command for $1,000,000. While your contiguous reaction is to panic and up your offer, you should instead calmly inquire to see the rival offer. If the marketer drags their feet or won’t green goods it, the bluff is called. Now the marketer have to do up their head before the 1st. They may make up one's mind not to accept your offer, but at least you will have got avoided command against yourself. Alternatively, if the marketer bring forths a competitory bid, you will cognize where you stand up and do an informed determination on whether to raise your bid.

Timing clauses are fairly standard pattern in most parts of the country. Brand certain you utilize one to coerce the marketer to do a decision. You don’t desire to be left distortion in the wind.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Do your own Pre-Home Inspection Prior to Making an Offer

One of the first questions I ask my clients when they hire me is if they had noticed anything about the home they have specific concerns about. I take extra time to look at the issue to either determine the severity or ease their minds about it.

Over the course of my home inspection career, I have determined that there are a few things buyers can easily look for on the final walkthrough before they make an offer on a home and hire a home inspector. This can help you by determining beforehand if the home is worth the time and money of making an initial offer.

Here are a few quick things to look for. Remember to bring a small flashlight.

1. Go down to the basement and look for signs of moisture or cracking in the foundation. These are easily spotted by doing a quick scan of the exterior walls and floor. If it hasn’t rained in awhile there might not be any moisture present, but you can look for efflorescence (a white powdery type substance indicative of water penetration points in the foundation walls), mold or mildew (black/stained areas), cracks in the walls, etc. Smaller cracks may not be a problem and a home inspector can give you a better indication on the severity.
2. Try to find where the plumbing drains come thru the floor. If leaking has occurred it will be readily visible with a flashlight. Look for staining on the sub flooring and/or floor joists around the penetration. Staining could indicate potential rotting in the flooring or floor structure.
3. Look for electrical wiring that is unsecured, or hanging loose. Also look for switch, outlet and junction boxes with no covers. This could indicate “handyman” wiring which could mean that there are more serious problems with the electrical issues which can cost money to repair correctly. Handymen do not know about codes or safety!
4. In the livable area of the home look under sinks for signs of leaks, rotting and/or evidence of mold/mildew.
5. Look at the ceilings and walls for signs of water stains and/or significant cracking. Water stains can indicate a leaking roof or condensation in the attic. Cracking can indicate structural concerns.
6. Look at the electrical outlets for signs of burning stains. This can indicate an electrical problem.
7. Take notice to the flooring in the rooms. Does the carpet smell? (pet urine or previous water issues) Is the floor sloped? (An indication of foundation settlement). Are the tiles broken/cracked or linoleum curling?

8. Outside take a quick scan at the roof. Are the shingles curling, cracking, or growing moss? These can indicate that the roof is nearing the end of its life and may need replacement soon which can be a major expense.
9. Take notice to the windows and trim. Are the windows cracked, broken or show signs of moisture between the panes? Are their any noticeable signs of rot?
10. If you noticed moisture evidence in the basement, take a quick look outside to possibly see why. Is the landscaping sloping toward the structure or away from it? Are there gutters on the home to direct water away from the home?

These are just a few of the things that a home inspector looks for. A home inspection is quite a bit more detailed, but you can look for these items yourself quickly and it will give you a better indication on the condition of the home.
If after doing your own pre-inspection you still decide to make an offer, be sure to get a qualified home inspector to more thoroughly inspect the home. Make the inspector aware of your findings and ask them to specifically look at the items you have concerns about.
To find a home inspector in your area you can use the following resources.

In Wisconsin:
http://wisconsin-home-inspectors.com
Across the nation:
http://findaninspector.us
http://homeinspections-usa.com

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

10 Thoughts on Tax Offer in Compromise

Beware of advertisements that claim to settle tax debts for "pennies on the dollar". Check the Offer In Compromise requirements to see if it is right for you.

1. If you are unable to pay a tax debt in full, if the taxpayer establishes to the satisfaction of the IRS that he either: has
no means of paying the tax, or does not actually owe the tax--and an installment agreement cannot be worked out--the IRS
strives to resolve the taxpayer's tax debt.

2. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of the offer in compromise (OIC), but there are
hurdles to overcome before the Internal Revenue Service accepts less than full payment. To date, taxpayers who have gone
through the Offer in Compromise program to settle their tax bill have saved millions of dollars.

3. An OIC delinquent tax settlement is an agreement taxes owed for less than the full amount of taxes due. It's a complex
decision and a tax attorney is needed for his extensive expertise in planning, preparing, negotiating and even appealing
rejections.

4. IRS Code Sec. 7122 gives the IRS power authority to settle--compromise--federal tax liabilities. Exceptional circumstances
sometimes exist that allow the IRS to consider an OIC program for the taxpayer. For example, a taxpayer must demonstrate that
collection of the tax would create an economic hardship or would be unfair and inequitable.

5. Very few offers were accepted in the past, because the standards were almost impossible to meet before a tax debt was
legally compromised. Recent tax legislation has given new hope to taxpayers who were previously disqualified.

6. In the past the IRS really did not want to encourage OIC's. Prior to 1992 the IRS has been reluctant to settle tax
liabilities, but with mounting uncollected taxes, the IRS has decided to go easy on the growing number of cases it sees.

7. Today, the OIC program is one of the best tax resolution tools available to taxpayers. The IRS will accept an OIC when
it looks unlikely that the taxes will be collected; but before that happens a good tax person must know and carefully navigate
virtually every key regulation involved.

8. After all taxpayer avenues are explored and different available payment options are reviewed, the IRS makes a
"business" decision: they want to collect a partial payment rather than nothing at all. The IRS is thinking, "Is there is
doubt that the taxpayer will ever pay the full amount of tax owed?"

9. An OIC amount "offered" by the IRS is the amount that they feel that they can reasonably expect to collect after reviewing--
and exhausting--the taxpayer's ability to pay. The IRS weighs the doubt as to liability and doubt as to whether the tax
assessed is correct.

10. Beware of advertisements they claim to settle tax debts for "pennies on the dollar", allowing taxpayers to settle their
taxes for less, or often much less than you owe (or what the government claims you owe). The IRS resolves less than one
percent of all balance due accounts through an OIC agreement.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Top Tips from Real Estate Author Mark Nash for Negotiating a Home Purchase Contract

These tips are excerpted from my 4th existent estate book: "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home" by Mark Nash. ISBN: 0324232896 Thomson/South-Western 2004.

464 unless you are in A "hot" market area, do not experience pressured to compose a purchase understanding after a showing.
-If you need some time, usage the old "I'd wish to kip on it."
-You volition experience more than confident in the purchase understanding when you have got got not been hurried into it.
-It is usually a good thought to revisit the property prior to making an offer.

468 Learn how to protect yourself by using contigencies.
-A contingency is added to a contract and states that some action must either be taken, or not taken, or the contract will travel nothingness with no penalty.
-A typical contingency is on the purchaser being able to obtain funding at the terms described in the purchase contract.
-Contingencies May also be for a assortment of home inspections, sale of another property, remotion or inclusion of points on the property, or anything else that is of import to you.
-The marketer makes not have to accept your projected contingency and may reject the contract but at no punishment to you.

472 Make not allow your existent estate agent to arbitrarily relinquish any contingencies for funding or assessment in your purchase contract.
-In a hot market, it will be alluring to relinquish contingencies for funding or assessment in order to make your offer more attractive.
-If you relinquish the contigency for either obtainig funding or having an assessment and are not able to go through with the transaction, you could be subject to a lawsuit.

727 Necessitate all offers on your home to be in writing.

734 Remember terms is one of many terms of a successful offer. -Investigate what percentage of listing price, homes have got sold for in your market in the last six months.
-A full rpice offer from a buyer who can't supply a mortgage committment is a weak buyer.
-Be flexible in trading terms for terms, or terms for price. -Some buyers will pay more than for A shutting day of the month that rans into their needs.
-Always react to low-ball offers with a counteroffer, buyers might be testing you out on their first terms offer.

855 Establish what is customary in your market: will you be receiving an "offer to purchase" or a "real estate contract" on your property?
-Offer: a proposal to orginate a contract.
-Contract: political parties hold to make or not to make defined legal Acts and consideration is exchanged.

857 make not suggest terms if you can't dwell with them; be aware of what you state and when you state it.

862 See your options if you have multiple offers at one clip for your home.
-Compare the strengths and failings of all offers on a worksheet provided by you existent estate agent.
-You tin negociate each offer seperately or respond to all with a petition for their "highest and best offer."

864 Rich Person an attorney reappraisal all contracts on the sale or purchase of a home, before you subscribe them.

865 Take particular short letter of the earnest money being offered with the contract.
-A strong terms and weak earnest money, down payment, or credit could bespeak a lower chance of buyer's ability to fold the transaction.
-Earnest money shows the buyer's willingness to execute a contract and travel to closing.
-It is common in some markets for the earnest money to be delivered in two steps. First an amount is delivered with accepted contract or offer and a second amount is delivered after review and attorney time periods have got got expired or issues resolved to both political parties satisfaction.

867 Make your buyers have a home to sell? Are it already on market? Buyers needing equity from their current home to purchase yours is typical. Look for their property to be listed, priced correctly, and typical in style, condition, and characteristics for market.

869 Wage particular attention to any requested contingencies in the contract. -The longer a contingency period, the higher the chance of the buyer exercising its use.
-Request business years for contingencies. Business years are Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
-Attorney and review contingencies should run at the same clip and for no more than than seven business days.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Buyer BEWARE

You may not be familiar with the title of this article, or indeed my writing style - but often they go ‘hand-in-hand’.

I use phrases or sayings to support my articles - as this often acts as a good starting point to drive home various key facts I am trying to emphasize to my readers.

The phrase or saying ‘Buyer beware’ has some legal background, but is more often linked to everyday life when trying to warn people against the perils of purchasing - that’s purchasing, often without good deliberation, consideration of facts - or sometimes just good old ‘commonsense’ (me included!)

Today’s fast pace World is all about ‘here and now ‘ getting things done today - action, not delays.

We are all part of it. We all want things immediately, we hate waiting, postponing, complications…..

Without this hyper-energetic lifestyle, there would be no need for fast-food, microwave ovens, email, cell phones, instant coffee, 500 TV / Cable channels, express elevators…….

But … that’s the World we live in, and the life we lead.

Who, more than anyone, has grasped this concept of high-energy, turbo-boosted lifestyles than…. the sales, business and marketing industry?

They are dominating virtually every aspect of our lives, often subliminal, subconsciously - but always effectively.

This drives the passion inside us, acting as the catalyst which results in our eagerness, need, often greed - to make impulse decisions, instantaneous purchases…. many of which are regrettable.

Hands up those of us who have never bought something on the spur of the moment, then later wished they hadn’t??

It’s not all our fault.

Whilst we must hold ourselves partly accountable, society too, but we mustn't forget the experts all around us who are preying on our weaknesses - to make ‘that’ sale.

It’s all about…..

‘BUY NOW - Limited Stocks’.
‘ Sale Ends SOON’.
‘ Offer Won’t Last Long’.
‘ This Deal Closes Tomorrow’.
‘Price Goes Up At Midnight’.
‘Get It While You Still Can’.
‘One Day Sale’.

It’s all very clever marketing and sales techniques - nothing illegal (not usually), some might say not even immoral.

Here’s a little ‘hint’ about the morality of ‘sales’……….

Where I live, I am constantly bombarded with Sales and Special Offers, just like many other countries.

I will see an advertisement offering me a 75% discount off the normal price of a set of dining room furniture.

Sounds good so far - that’s one hell of a saving - 75% off. This means I pay only one quarter the normal price.

However, and here’s the catch…….. the retailer, part of a large chain, has at some time in the past few months, at one of their outlets / stores (usually one of their smallest, and least popular) - placed a ‘higher than normal’ price on the items for a short period.

So - usual price in usual stores would be $2,000

But they applied a ‘special’ price at a small, unpopular store of $3,500 - for the same items.

Advertise 75% OFF (but hidden in the small print they refer to the price at this ‘one’ store, where the item was on sale there for a few days.

SO - here’s the bottom line.

If it REALLY was 75% off - the ‘usual’ price of $2,000 - you would pay just $500

However, as they are using this special price from just one of their outlets, you pay 75% off this ‘adjusted’ price of $3,500 - which is $875…. So you are in fact, paying much more than what the real discount should be.

This is not illegal. This is exploitation of a loophole. And people just like you and me fall for this every day.

Many of us will buy because of the discount, the special offer, the sale price - and have less regard for the product itself.

NOTE - businesses very, VERY rarely sell items for LESS than they cost. So Sale Prices still mean they make a profit - albeit a reduced profit.

Often our impulse purchases of special offers and discounts, are made without a second thought regarding the terms, conditions, exemptions, exclusions, and guarantees (if any) that apply.

Here is another, very quick example, of how we can be exploited.
Mail Order companies, just like any other business have sales and special offers.

But not all of them allow free returns of goods if you change your mind.

This means that if you have decided not to keep the product, then YOU have to pay from your pocket, the cost of returning the item.

This itself is a factor which is off-putting to many, and deters people from returning goods. This results in lower returns, lower refunds for some Mail Order companies (and more profit).

The internet for example, is jam-packed with special offers, limited time sales etc. It’s is one of the most popular forms of internet marketing strategies which ‘force’ (persuasive encouragement) people BUY NOW.

And it works!

You simply don’t want to be left out……. To be the one who missed an opportunity…… so out comes that credit card and BANG! You’ve done it!

Often, following this very short period of adrenalin-driven hyperactivity, follows a prolonged period of remorse and regret.

“Why the hell did I buy that?”

Sometimes we quickly try to claim a refund - but often we don’t. We may have some small nagging doubts inside, but we put them to one side and cross our fingers.

It’s only later, when we realise that the sale was ‘hyper-hyped’ - and the product may have been over-sold and in the cold light of day, under-delivered - we really start to have our misgivings.

Often, it’s too late by this stage. The offer has closed, the refund period *(if any) has expired. The product didn't live up to our expectations, the car doesn’t have an engine, the video we bought was Betamax, the software was too hard to use, the book was written in a reading style for those studying Quantum Mechanics, there is no support, I didn’t read the small print……..

The last part is vital.

If you really MUST have it - then check, read, understand and know the terms. Don’t spend $200 on software only to find it doesn’t come with installation instructions, a manual or support.

Check it out FIRST.

If you are SO pushed for time, that the special offer / sale ends in two minutes - and you haven’t got the time to read the terms,…… do you really need it THAT MUCH?

If you have doubts - or questions, then ASK FIRST! If the seller wants to make the sale, they will be happy to help you. If they’re obstructive - walk away.

Is ANY purchase really THAT important that you MUST buy it NOW?

Unless you are buying food for your family…. I doubt it.

Can you afford to burn money? Or do you just buy things for the hell of it?

Make sure you KNOW what you are getting, what the limitations are, and if you get any support.

So….. Buyer Beware !!

© 2005 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

The Offer to Purchase Real Estate Form

Buying a home is no doubt a major decision for everyone involved. Once you’ve found the perfect property, whether it is your dream home or an investment opportunity, the crucial "offer to purchase" is considered the next step, serving as the basis of the sales or purchase contract.

If you don’t know this already, putting an offer down on paper is not just about price. It is the beginning of negotiations between the buyer and the seller, and the information you provide here will affect the conditions and the outcome of the transaction. Making sure that your goals are met, and that you are protected legally are all important issues to factor in, and it is also a good idea to consider the reaction of the seller towards your offer so that you can position your negotiations well.

Although this process of making an offer to purchase a home can seem daunting especially for the first-time buyer, an "Offer to Purchase Real Estate Form" can provide the essential tools to ensure success with this important event. And while this form does not serve to replace the services of a lawyer or experienced realtor, it can accelerate the process as well as save you money.

An "Offer to Purchase Real Estate Form" will give you the necessary knowledge to purchase your home with confidence by giving you a good idea on what to expect, and the know-how in deciding what is best for your needs. This form will include the necessary details such as how you will finance the purchase, inspections, repairs and fixtures to be included, terms, costs and so on. Once this form is filled out to your satisfaction, you are well on the way to a worry-free experience in the momentous occasion of purchasing your new home.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Real Estate Negotiation Secrets

When you bought your home, you offered less than you were willing to pay, right? That's the most common dialogue technique. For experienced investors, however, that's just one small secret among the many more than powerful ones. What else can you do?

How To Make An Offer

1. Offer an odd amount, like $161,793. This gives the feeling that you cognize something the marketer doesn't. They may believe you have got a good ground for that peculiar price.

2. Play dumb. Ask questions, talking slow, inquire for help, and never demo off your existent estate expertise. Peter Sellers are afraid to budge if they believe a smarter individual may be taking advantage of them.

3. Use the "limited authority" ploy. State "I'll have got to check with my married woman (or partner)." It's easier for Sellers to accept that you can't make something, rather than the thought that you won't.

4. Mention to precedent. "My male parent bought his house this way." If the offer is at all unusual, Sellers will experience more than comfy if they cognize it have been done that manner before.

5. Ask for things you don't want. This allows the marketer win grants when negotiating. If you can say, "I think I don't need the refrigerator, if I can get my price," you're more likely to get your price.

6. Be reluctant. "well, I don't know..." Reluctance gets the marketer looking for ways to actuate you, and allows him experience like he's won something when you settle down the point.

7. Brand the offer their idea. "Are you saying you'd wish a future closing, and more than earnest money? Well let's make it your way, then. I just need..."

8. Get a yes before the offer. "What if I paid your price, but got my terms? Would that work for you?" Even with a few changes, it will be hard for the marketer to state no to an offer he more than or less already agreed to.

9. Flatter the seller. Flattery have been proven to be deserving an average of $1962 in existent estate negotiations. That's a joke, by the way, but you cognize if he wishes you, you'll probably get a better deal.

10. Base On Balls over problems, and tax return to them later. Agree on every congenial point first. It will experience like the house is sold then, and it will be hard for a marketer to lose the deal over an issue or two that you need to travel in your favor.

You can pass a batch of clip looking for cheap houses. Why not pass a small clip learning how to purchase every home for less, with some smart negotiation?

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Buying a Home -- Is a Home Inspection a Good Idea?

To avoid “buying A hog in a poke,” buyers have got long demanded the shutting on a home purchase be contingent upon a satisfactory review by a home review firm. In many parts of our country, we’re now experiencing a strong sellers’ existent estate market and Sellers often have more than than one purchase offer on the same twenty-four hours for their home. In this environment, buyers are rethinking the home review requirement. Are this a good idea?

To Inspect or Not To Inspect

Clearly, if a marketer got two offers and one necessitates a home review be done, most Sellers will take the non-inspection offer with all other things being equal. So, a home review demand can set you at a competitory disadvantage. Still, are you willing to put on the line buying a home that have some fundamental, expensive problems? What if you purchase the home and subsequently learn plumbing system under the floorings must replaced? What if the repair costs $10,0000?

One option may be to include a proviso in your purchase offer that supplies for a home review done for informational intents only. That way, settlement under your offer is not conditioned upon the inspection. It would not supply you with the option of amending the contract to have got the marketer do repairs, nor would it supply a manner for you to invalidate the contract should serious problems be uncovered. Should serious problems be discovered, however, the marketer is jump to cognize the deal will be in jeopardy. For that reason, even an “informational” home review won’t expression as good to her as a contract with no demand for a home inspection.

Another option you might see in stead of a home review is a bomber Rosa inspection. Instead of using Jesse James Chemical Bond for spying, you could inquire a friend workings in the building or engineering field to walk through the house with you. The goal, of course, is to look for any blazing “red flags” that are deal killers.

If your friend doesn’t see anything disturbing, you can then compose a clean contract offer without contingencies. Peter Sellers love no contingency sales. The opportunities are good that you’ll get the home you want, but still have got a some self-assurance there isn’t anything seriously incorrect with the property.

There is no 1 right reply when it come ups to deciding on home inspections. Each buyer have to inquire himself how much hazard he is willing to take. If you are the lone political party making an offer, demand an inspection. If you are one of many potentiality buyers, well, you are going to have got determine your comfortableness level. Others can supply information, but the determination is yours.