Misc News

With all the changes going on in the financial markets it is getting harder to get financing for a home purchase and now your credit score directly corresponds to the interest rate you qualify for. Having good credit can save you thousands of dollars a year on a home mortgage.

Here are some simple tips to maximize your credit scores!!

1- Pay your bills on time! Setting up automatic payments with your account holders or with your banks can take the work out of paying bills. But make sure the payments are received no later than 30 days past the due date!

Spring and summer is also buying season for real estate and can bring with it slightly higher mortgage rates. Typically the spring and summer pop is small and has to do with more demand for mortgages, which means banks can get a higher yield and as a result you as the consumer pay a slightly higher rate. We’re definitely seeing rates pop early this year, but I think we’re seeing this trend for a different reason.

This year we are seeing rates rise off their all-time lows of around 3.25% and approaching 3.75% (30 year fixed) for a couple of reasons, each of which have the potential to send rates higher before the end of the year. Here are the risks to low interest rates as I see them:

If your payment is 30 days late or more, you are technically in default on your mortgage, and you will likely receive a notice from your lender. However, most lenders will not initiate foreclosure proceedings until you are 90 days behind on your payments.

When in default, homeowners have options. A repayment agreement can be reached with the lender. This often leaves the home in a foreclosure state but halts any further action.

If no satisfactory agreement has been made to repay the defaulted amount, the home will continue in the foreclosure process. Depending on the state in which you live, your lender may or may not have to file a lawsuit. If you live in a non-judicial foreclosure state, the lender can ask the trustee holding your mortgage to schedule an auction.

When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.

How to Calculate Gain

In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:
1.Take the purchase price of the home: This is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing.
2.Add Adjustments:
---Cost of the purchase—including transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections, but not points you paid on your mortgage

Did you know that facing down your fears can change your life in radical ways? I’ve seen it happen with my clients time and again — and it’s powerful stuff. Fear is a natural human emotion, one that we’ll always have to deal with. It can be a negative motivator, but it can also be a positive one — if you can turn your fear around and use it to help you take on life’s challenges. Don’t let those fears of getting fit, losing weight, becoming healthier, and improving your life hold you back any longer. Start CONQUERING them

1. Fear of Change

Whether your goal is to lose weight, find a different job or become a better parent, you can achieve that objective by setting specific and measurable goals. Goals that are both specific and measurable have a higher chance of succeeding than those that are general or not well-defined because you will know whether and when you have achieved them. The SMART system identifies five aspects of a goal that makes it effective: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timed
Generate several goals, using either a computer or a piece of paper. At this point, do not worry whether it is specific, measurable or actionable. State each goal in positive terms, for example "Become a better musician." Avoid stating your goal in negative terms, such as "Stop being a bad musician.

An effective home office filing system allows you find something when it is needed. As long as you can access what you want immediately, it doesn't matter how you organize, but there should be a separate area inside of your home just for your office. Your home office should also include a filing system, which helps you to separate your business and personal transactions.

Review your existing papers; sort and discard accordingly. If you are unsure of whether you should throw an item away, ask yourself what will happen if you do. If the perceived outcome is negative, keep the item.

When you open your eyes in the morning, you set the tone for the day. When you wake up, you'll start your attitude off right by thinking, "what a great day!" Or drag yourself to the window, open the drapes and say,"Good Lord, it's morning again." You choose to be positive your day is " filled with opportunities? With your attitude, one has already made a choice about what kind of day it will be."A great attitude is not the result of success; Success is the result of a great attitude." Earl Nightingale

"Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one has better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on one's ideas, to take a calculated risk--and to act." Andre Malraux."Success doesn't come to you; you must go to it. The trail is well-travled and well-marked. If you want to walk it, you can." Nido Qubein
To choose success you must be a strategic thinkier who: Has a clear vision of what you want to accomplish
Develops a solid strategly that answers three question:

Running an efficient business is all about continuously improving and 'tweaking' your office management systems so that they grow with your business and not hinder your business.

But why do you need efficient office systems in place? Here are some answers!

To quickly and easily find important contact information.
To be able to respond to client's requests straightaway.
So that you can immediately submit a proposal.
To keep track of your business.
To be able to follow-up with clients and contacts.
So that you can stay on track with your projects.
To monitor your latest marketing campaign.