Category: Personal Finance

From Christmas To Easter: When Is The Best Time To Buy A House?

Buying houseIn the world of property and real estate, there are plenty of myths surrounding the purchase of a new home for your family. Some people believe that homes are consistently overvalued; others won’t touch auctions no matter how much their life depends on it. However, one of the biggest myths out there is that there is no optimal time to buy a new piece of property.

When it comes to getting the best price for your property, timing isn’t everything but it certainly is a crucial component – if you play your cards right, you could save thousands, or even tens of thousands, on your next property.

Want to know more? Here are the best and worst times during the year to buy property.

Christmas Cheer

Christmas is the season of giving, and this is just as applicable when it comes to real estate. If you’re trying to drive a bargain and the sellers seem to be as negotiable on price as Louis Vuitton, the best time to make your move is about a week before Christmas. Sellers are very aware that people often go away for Christmas and the New Year, and therefore their property won’t get as much attention as it has during previous weeks. Plus, people tend to let their softer side come out during the silly season – do the words “honey, let it go – it’s Christmas” ring any bells to you?

Jubilance in January

It seems that no matter which country you’re in, January is one of the best times in the year to buy property. Why, you ask?

After spending money on Christmas presents and vacations, many families spend January lying low with minimal spend – and this means people who are considering relocation to a new home will be waiting a few months until their bank accounts have bounced back from the holidays. Many sellers don’t want their homes left sitting on the market for an entire month, therefore many will be more negotiable on the asking price. This gives you the perfect opportunity to swoop in and nab your dream house.

Tuesdays are a winner

Yes, there is even a best day of the week to make an offer on a property. After an open home during the weekend, many buyers will make an offer on a property immediately if they are seriously interested. By the time Tuesday rolls around, if a property hasn’t had an offer, the seller will be more likely to consider your offer seriously – after all, if they decline, the property will be stuck on the market for another week at the least.

Avoid putting a spring in the seller’s step

When spring comes around and tax returns are flowing into buyers’ pockets, many are more willing to pay full price for a property they love. Spring is quite possibly one of the worst times to buy a property – there is plenty of competition on the market, but also plenty of competition for buyers who want a new home before the holiday season.

Hayley Frances is a writer who is currently looking for houses for sale in Epping. She’s in love with all things real estate and can’t wait to decorate her new home. 

Why It Is Important To Explore All Available Investment Options

Money InvestmentWhen it comes to finding an investor for your business, you may have the mindset that whoever is willing to give you money under reasonable terms is acceptable.  This line of reasoning is one of the main reasons why there are so many business owners that are forced to claim bankruptcy and permanently close down their business within the first few years of opening.  It is imperative that you take the time to explore all available investment options before making any final decisions.  Why else is this so important?

Beware of the Rabid Dogs of the Industry

If you walked up to a house that had a sign planted on the door that said “Beware of Rabid Dog”, would you eagerly try to get inside of the house without any sort of hesitation or reluctance?  Of course not!  Even if the door was wide open, you would still proceed with extreme caution in order not to become a victim of the dog that may be lurking in the shadows somewhere.     This is the same mentality that you should have when searching for investment opportunities for your business.  There are quite a few rabid dogs that are lurking in the shadows of the industry overall, ready and waiting for your first moment of weakness so that they can pounce and attack as soon as possible.  That is why it is so important that you proceed with caution while exploring any option that may seem to look too good to be true, even if it seems as if the door is wide open for you to come right through.

Rush to the First, Miss Out on the Second

One of the main problems about the decision-making process overall when it comes to businesses is that it is extremely easy to be in a rush.  You may have an extensive list of other needs that need to be fulfilled and responsibilities that need to be handled on that particular day, so finding the first investment option that meets your needs may be the only thing that you have on your mind.  Once you find the first team of private investors that are right up your alley, for example, then you will scratch that off of your to-do list immediately and move on to the next item listed.    However, if you are in such a rush to sign up the first one that seems to meet your needs, then you are automatically shutting yourself out from any other team of private investors that may be second, third or even fourth in line after that first one that would have been an even better fit for your business.  You have to be patient and realize that waiting is all part of the process.

Do Not Hesitate to Ask for Assistance

Another valid point to keep in mind is that you do not have to make these decisions on your own.  It is recommended that you invest in the expertise of professionals that are qualified and trained to be able to help you with making these types of decisions.  They may be able to help you in finding a great deal on a great investment package that you would have overlooked without their quality guidance.

This article was written by Robert Rayford, an experienced content writer that also has a thorough background in financial consulting. He has worked directly with private investors along with other investment companies throughout his career, which is why he enjoys teaching consumers and business professionals about the ins and outs of this industry through his articles.

How To Budget For A Year-End Vacation

Save for vacationYou need to start planning now if you want to have some money set aside for next year’s vacation. But how can you go about doing this without succumbing irrelevant purchases and overspending on lavish dinners? For some families, saving up money for a year-end vacation is a breeze. For others, it can be quite a challenge. In the following sections, we’ll provide you with a few key tips for helping you save money for your own year-end vacation.

Set Your Sights on Your Destination

First and foremost, you have to stay committed to whatever saving process you decide to take. If you can’t then chances are good that you’re going to overspend in areas where you shouldn’t. One of the best ways to stay persistent is to remind yourself why you are saving. Post pictures of your travel destination on your computer desktop and talk about your plans with co-workers and friends. This will ultimately increase your motivation and help you stay focused when saving money.

Use Your Miles

If you are someone who travels a lot then you can use your miles to earn a free flight at the end of the year. Keep in mind that the amount of miles that you’ll need ranges from carrier to carrier and it also depends on where you are traveling to. In general, you can acquire free flights by accumulating anywhere between 10,000 and 30,000 miles. This can be a quick and simple step to take when you are trying to save money on a year-end vacation.

Start a “Travel Fund”

Not only is starting a “travel fund” a lot of fun but it can ultimately allow you to save up a lot of money in a relatively short amount of time. Take note that there are a few golden rules that you’ll want to follow when taking this route. The first is that you shouldn’t remove money from this fund unless it is an absolute emergency.

One tip that you could utilize is putting your money in a separate bank account where you won’t be able to see it on a daily basis. Secondly, try to put at least 10% of your monthly income into your travel fund. While it may not seem like a lot at first, this number can quickly add up and provide you with a hefty fund to utilize at the end of the year for your travels.

Noc likes to travel and start saving at the beginning of the year for a big trip and sometime uses Travel Advantage Network to create lifelong memories.

Debt Management Plans – First Step To Recovery

Recovery from Debt problemsFalling into debt is a stressful situation for anyone. Due to unforeseen circumstances it can sometimes be an inevitable consequence that we have to come up with an effective debt management plan to combat these perilous financial pitfalls before the situation worsens.

Seeking Help

While we can do our share to cut down on our expenditure, it is not always enough and you should not be afraid to seek outside help should the strain of debt become too much. Seeking expert financial advice from professionals can help to alleviate the strain in ways you had not previously considered.

Planning the Future

Preparing a debt management plan is an essential step on the path to financial recovery and can demonstrate a significant willingness to address your finances for the better, which can go a long way when dealing with your creditors. The peace of mind which comes with the knowledge that you on the way to financial recovery is priceless and can heavily relieve the stress that goes with the heavy burden of repayment obligations.

Every Debt is Different

Each person’s financial situation requires its own personal plan, there is no use seeking generic advice when it may not suit your individual needs. Working with a professional to devise a debt management plan will take into consideration all of your needs and nuances in a way which was previously inaccessible. Putting this plan into action is your responsibility however and can take significant work and effort to ensure that payments are being met. Debt is a serious, crippling threat to anyone’s lifestyle, and one which must be cut out and eliminated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Unfortunately, a debt management plan may mean an increase in your repayment periods, but it is a necessary action when making repayments manageable. There is no point having a shorter repayment period if you are unable to meet these deadlines, which could lead to serious complications down the line.

My Name is – and I have a Problem

Admitting that you might need professional advice to solve your monetary woes is an important first step, with many people choosing to be stubborn to their own detriment. Formulating an effective debt management plan may not have been something you had previously considered, but it is highly unlikely you wanted to be in such a perilous financial situation in the first place.

A non-lending solution from a professional debt management advice agency can be the turning point on your road to getting bank statements back into the black and out of the grisly red. Taking the solo route of attempting to circumvent the road to recovery without professional help can be extremely risky and ultimately damaging to your credit rating.

As the debt management agency will contact your creditors, it can take a major load off your back, as their negotiations will be conducted on your behalf. Of course, the decision is ultimately yours and all avenues should be explored to find the best way for you to resolve your monetary issues – there is no need to feel pressured into agreeing a deal you are not comfortable with. Comfort with a debt management plan is paramount to its success, so be sure to find an agency and a plan that is perfect for you. It is your money and ultimately, your future livelihood you are trusting them with, so be sure to consider all options before committing to anything.

Get them Working for You

Debt can be devastating, so correctly managing your repayments is extremely vital. Having a debt management agency on your side can be advantageous when dealing with creditors, with many choosing a debt management plan in order to receive the additional support and security a specialised debt management company can offer.

Getting your life back on track without the daily worry (and hassle) which debt brings about is an obvious plus point, the sooner your finances are under manageable control the sooner the anxiety will pass. Nobody wants to be in debt, but with the correct management, it is possible to make the transition into a positive bank balance a smooth and painless one. Signing up for the correct debt management plan for your circumstances is but the first foray into a debt-free lifestyle, but once you are out of it, you will never want to look back.

Clint Hazard is a writer whom believes strongly in planning when it comes to your finances. Before committing to a debt management plan, remember to consider all possible options and whether the deal is right for you.

6 Unusual Loan Options For Borrowers With Bad Credit

loansIn spite of the tight credit market that we all hear about via the news, there are still many loan options available for borrowers with bad credit. The challenge is to find the loan that makes sense for your needs. Repayment options, interest rates, collateral required, and loan amount needed all impact a borrower’s decision about which loan to choose.

  • Peer-to-Peer Lending – Peer-to-peer lending services act as a broker of sorts, connecting lenders with borrowers. While the borrower’s credit score is considered, bad credit is not usually a deal-breaker, since the loans are generally smaller. Lenders spread the risk among a large number of borrowers as a way of protecting themselves. Some of the loans are for as little as $50.

Borrowers apply online. It is free to apply. Questions about the amount requested, reason for the loan, credit score, and existing debt are answered online. If approved, the lender deposits funds using an Automated Clearing House(ACH), check, wire or with PayPal.
One of the best things about this type of loan is that the rates tend to be lower than other loans for borrowers with bad credit. What keeps the rates low is that lenders bid on the loans they want to fund. This process drives the interest rate down.

  • Cash Advance Loans – This type of loan works for borrowers with bad credit since there is no credit check. The loan amounts tend to be for small amounts. As is often the case with high-risk loans, high interest rates are charged to cover the high risk incurred by the lender.
  • Title Loans – Title loans offer another option for borrowers with bad credit. People who own cars outright can pledge their car as collateral for some quick cash. Due to the very high rates charged for this type of loan, this should be a last resort loan when all other possible resources have been exhausted. Usury laws do not apply to this type of loan, so it is not uncommon for the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) to be as high as 250 percent.
  • Permanent Life Insurance Loans – Many life insurance policies have cash value. These types of policies can be borrowed against. This may be the easiest and best loan to obtain for borrowers that own this type of insurance policy. A check is often cut on the spot if you drop by the office. Credit scores are not a factor. Policyholders should read the Policy Loan Provision in their insurance paperwork to find out the details. The interest rate and repayment information is stated in that Provision.
  • The 401(k) Loan – For borrowers lucky enough to have a 401(k), this can be one of the best sources for cash. Since you are essentially borrowing your own money, they do not check your credit.

This loan is often even cheaper than a bank loan. Strict regulations dictate that this loan be repaid in five years or less.

  • Pawn Loans – Pawn loans are quick and convenient. A borrower can pledge personal property for a fast cash loan. As long as the debt is paid according to the terms of the agreement, then the collateral is returned to the borrower.

Jack Sperrow is a widely recognized financial blogger that writes regularly at http://www.loanshark.co.  The website advocates against illegal lenders by allowing borrowers to report lenders and financial scams.  Read more about Jack on his Google+