Eliminating Debt with USDebtAid.org
Acquiring too much debt can put a major strain on a household. To eliminate debt, many people consider bankruptcy. With the new bankruptcy laws, it has become difficult for some people to eliminate debt. However, many will continue to qualify for bankruptcy protection. The effects of bankruptcy are long term.
Before considering bankruptcy, it helps to explore solutions to debt elimination. Here are three tips that can help reduce debts.
Limit Credit Card Use and Pay More than Minimums
People file bankruptcy with varying credit amounts. Some have acquired over $10,000 of credit card debt, whereas others only have about $2,000. Individuals with small debts can usually payoff the balances without bankruptcy. However, these persons must be willing to make sacrifices.
If attempting to eliminate debt, stop using the credit card. Paying only the monthly minimum, and then going on a shopping spree defeats the purpose. Before you can successfully eliminate credit card debts, you must commit to using cash for all purchases. Additionally, the majority of minimum payments barely reduce the finance fees. To notice a significant reduction, endeavor to pay the minimum payment, plus an additional $50 - $100.
Negotiate a Lower Interest Rate
If you have maintained a good payment history with a credit card company, attempt to negotiate a lower interest rate. When contacting the credit card company, highlight your history with the company such as length of credit account, payment history, etc. If your credit is good, the company may consider a reduction. Before approving the request, you must consent to a credit check.
In addition to evaluating your history with the company, they will also assess whether you maintain a good payment record with other creditors. If your credit score is low, it may require the help of a debt consolidation agency to convince creditors to lower interest rates.
Once your credit card interest rate is lowered, you pay less finance fees. Thus, a larger portion of your monthly payments will help reduce the outstanding balance.
Consolidate Debts with a Home Equity Loan or Refinancing
Owning a home provides a huge advantage. Homes increase in values, thus they gain equity. As a homeowner you have the option of tapping into your home’s equity. Through a home equity loan or refinancing, you have the chance to get hold of a lump sum of money that can be used for different purposes. One such purpose includes debt consolidation.
For information on debt settlement, debt relief and credit card debt programs please visit http://www.USDebtAid.org
Debt Leads
Debt Leads are in high demand do to many financial related professionals getting into the industry along with the growth of companies currently in the debt settlement business.
Our debt leads are generated in house and are all backed by our debt lead guarantee. That guarantee assures you never pay for a bad debt lead. Debt leads are generated via our consumer websites by driving unique traffic via search and email marketing.
I know you want to hear about debt lead pricing. The number one thing that most of our clients jump right to, but there is a lot behind debt lead pricing. The problem with most transactions between debt lead buyers and sellers is that sellers are too quick to drop right down to the “better pricing” that you want. When in reality it only forces the debt lead seller to lie to you. What do we mean lie to you?
Like we said there is a lot behind pricing. A real debt lead aggregator can not generate a quality debt lead below a certain price point. Dropping prices to make deals happen forces the seller to take their advertised “sold 3 times” debt lead and sell it four or even five times. They have to make their money somehow, do you really think they are happy with a $5 dollar profit per debt lead. I don’t think so.
A good debt lead is getting harder and harder to generate. Of course we can flood the gates with leads of consumers over $10,000 in debt. The trick is getting qualified leads that are truly interested in debt relief. This is achieved by presenting the right marketing message to someone researching or searching for debt relief online. We have his part down pat, to find out more just call or email us.
Credit Score Overview
A credit score is not the amount of purchase that you incurred with your credit card and neither does the term refer to the points that you save for every purchase that you make with the credit card. This is not the meaning of a credit score.
Although it does involve credit per se, it does not only refer to credit cards but to credit in general, or in more common terms, a loan. A credit score is the numerical product of your credit history, from the loans that you incurred in college to the purchases that you make with your credit card. All are being recorded and filed under one credit history that can come back and hunt you if you are not careful.
A credit score is used by banks and lending companies to make decisions on your loan applications. With a not so good credit score, you may get rejected for a loan or if you are lucky will be given a fraction of the amount that you are asking, for a higher interest rate and a shorter payment period.
A credit score, you see, determines whether a person is reliable enough to be given the money to as a loan. For although, they will be earning from you through the interest rates that they put on the loan, banks and lending companies are still cautious because they do know that they cannot just lend their money to people they don’t know if able to handle money.
A credit score depends on a lot of factor. One of which is your reputation as a borrower. Are you always late in your payments for your credit card? Are you always knee deep in debt because you cannot seem to get around to paying each one until the interests were just too high?
Do you have maxed out credit cards? Have you had any other credit or loan that you have paid for or are still paying? How many are they? Have you had any problems paying for your loans? These will figure in the credit score that you will have.
Other considerations that make up your credit score is income that you are receiving currently. People who have high income are generally perceived as someone who can handle a loan. Another factor besides the ability to pay factor is the amount of debt that you have. If the bank feels that it is too much debt for one person, they can easily reject your application.
There are many ways to get a credit score. The industry standard is the FICO score, named after its creator Fair Isaac Corporation. FICO score is being used by credit reference agencies, that will gather the materials about your credit history and then determine from their the credit score. Some use their own scoring systems that are comparable with the FICO score.
The FICO credit score can now be determined by purchasing it over the internet through the website of credit reference agency, Equifax. The fee is $12.95. The other two credit agencies, TransUnion and Exparian are also selling their own score for roughly the same amount although TransUnion packaged it with their credit history report that people can purchase online.
So now you know what the meaning of a credit score is? Let’s hope you will work on your own credit score.
For more information on credit scores visit Stuart Drossner and his blog at Stuart-Drossner.com.
Fieldstone Family Homes Home Buyer Cost
Here are the top 10 cost the home buyers may miss with calculating the cost of buying a new home. This list is provided by Fieldstone Family Homes
1.) Property Taxes and Assessments
Home buyers often need to set up an escrow account with the new mortgage lender. This means that they must pay a portion of taxes upfront. In some states, the seller has already paid the local taxes and this amount must be paid back to the seller at closing. Also, some counties have transfer taxes whenever a property changes hands.
2.) Insurance
Fire insurance or a homeowner’s insurance policy usually needs to be paid for up front. Although you may be able to get an insurance binder from your company on a payment plan, most mortgage companies require the first year paid during escrow or closing.
3.) Appraisal Fees
Mortgage lenders require appraisals to make sure your property covers your loan amount plus their investment risk. The buyer normally pays between $150-$450 to the appraiser.
4.) Survey Fees
Some lenders require a property survey. You may also want a survey if the property lines are in question. Survey fees vary from $600-$2,500, or more for large parcels.
5.) Septic System Certification
If your new property does not connect to public sewers, you may need a septic clearance for your lender. Often the home seller pays this cost, but you want to make sure you get no hidden charges or surprises.
6.) Water Quality Certification
The same holds true for properties with a well and not public water service. For your own piece of mind, you will want to check the water quality and have this clause as a condition in your purchase contract. Not only do you want to make sure the water quality passes, you want to make sure the well has plenty of flow so you don’t run out of water.
7.) Miscellaneous Origination and Loan Fees
Your mortgage lender adds fees for processing your loan, document preparation, underwriting, closing, funding, and sometimes “garbage fees.” Check your estimated costs statements and look for hidden fees. Before committing to a lender, shop for your best loan and compare lender’s costs.
8.) Association and Maintenance Fees
Most buyers understand that a condo comes with association fees. However, some housing developments also charge maintenance fees. Don’t assume that the fees will be nominal. Many condos in California have association fees over $400 per month. Some of these fees need to be paid annually, which means a home buyer needs to pay upfront.
9.) Utility Service Fees
Check your hook up and installation fees for water, gas, electricity, cable or satellite TV, phone, trash, sewer and other services. Sometimes the water department covers the sewer and trash service. These fees quickly add up and you don’t want any surprises like a $340 water deposit required by some companies.
10.) Moving Costs
Plan your move before committing to a purchase. Know whether you can move yourself or need to hire professional movers. You may be shocked to find out the costs involved. Ask for referrals of clients and check out moving companies. Prices for truck rental and moving companies vary.
Stuart Drossner’s Home Buyer Checklist
Stuart Drossner provides some tips for Home Buyers below. Buying a home is a very important step in your life and can be complicated. For questions you can visit Stuart Drossner at his website http://www.Stuart-Drossner.com
1. Get your financing arranged before you look for a home. See your bank or loan officer before you see a real estate agent. You must know how much you qualify for in a mortgage and how much money you need to close. When you meet these basic requirements, you’ll know the price range to shop.
2. Purchase an Owners Title Policy to cover your interest. Although you need a title policy for your mortgage lender, this only covers the loan amount. An Owners Title Policy costs little and protects your equity.
3. Know your property boundaries. In many locations, this involves getting a survey so you understand exactly what you’re buying.
4. Use an attorney when you need legal advice. Most agents can advise you on local customs, not legal issues.
5. Read the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of the subdivision (CC&Rs). If you’re purchasing a condominium, know what the association fees are and your legal rights. You need to know if you must always occupy the property or if you can rent it, if children are allowed, and what the association does. Do they paint the exterior, landscape, and send you an extra bill?
6. Do a final walk-thru before handing over your down payment and signing closing documents.
7. Make sure the seller’s move out on time. Once they get their money and the house changes ownership, you have no leverage if they damage something or don’t leave.
New protections from foreclosure in NC
AG Cooper backed new law to save homes and communities, stop harassment from debt buyers
Raleigh: North Carolinians who face the loss of their homes through foreclosure or harassment from unfair debt collectors now have new protections under the law, Attorney General Roy Cooper said Thursday.
The Consumer Economic Protection Act of 2009 (CEPA), which Cooper worked with state legislators to enact, will ensure that homeowners and their mortgage lenders have the chance to voluntarily resolve foreclosures. The new law, which starts today, will also protect consumers from an aggressive new breed of debt collectors called debt buyers.
“Losing a home should be a last resort because foreclosures hurt thw whole economy,” Cooper said. “With this new law, homeowners and lenders get more time to rework mortgages so that more families can afford to stay in their homes.”
Court records show that nearly 40,000 North Carolina homes have gone into foreclosure so far in 2009. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, more than 2.2 million North Carolina homeowners will see their property values decline over the next three years because of foreclosures in their neighborhood. Foreclosures hurt lenders as well, costing them an estimated 40 percent of the loan value.
Not all foreclosures can be prevented, but some homeowners are able to work out repayment plans and loan modifications with their mortgage lender or servicer. CEPA requires lenders to explain in detail their efforts to resolve delinquent home loans without resorting to foreclosure. Clerks of Court presiding over a foreclosure hearing now have the authority to ask what steps have been taken to prevent foreclosure and to continue the hearing for up to 60 days to allow homeowners and lenders more time to negotiate a solution.
To give homeowners a fair opportunity to appeal foreclosure orders, CEPA also standardizes the amount of bond required at one percent of the balance due on the loan. Previously, some homeowners were asked to put up a bond worth the entire value of the loan balance in order to be able to appeal their foreclosure.
For free counseling on options to avoid foreclosure, North Carolina homeowners can call a toll-free hotline set up by the NC Commissioner of Banks’ Office. The hotline, 1-866-234-4857, is available from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays.
The new law also protects North Carolina consumers from unfair debt collection practices by debt buyers, a new type of debt collector that pursues old debts even when the debts have already been settled or paid.
For example, a debt buyer sued a 65-year-old North Carolina woman, producing billing statements supposedly sent to her at an address in Greensboro. But the consumer, who has lived in the same house for more than 30 years, had never lived in Greensboro.
In another case, a 73-year-old North Carolinian received daily calls from a debt buyer, telling her that she would never be able to buy anything if she didn’t pay them. The account the debt buyer was trying to collect was opened in Ohio, and the woman had never set foot in Ohio. A criminal had stolen her identity years before and been prosecuted and convicted for it, but the debt buyer still filed suit against her over the debt that wasn’t hers.
Under the new law, debt buyers must now prove that they have the right to enforce the debt and be able to verify the amount owed. Debt buyers are also prohibited from filing or threatening to file suit when barred by the statute of limitations.
“Whether you’re a senior on a fixed income or a working family trying to make ends meet, the last thing you need is someone hounding you to pay a debt that you don’t really owe,” Cooper said.
A provision in the original legislation that would have clarified the Attorney General’s Office’s enforcement over investment scams involving securities will be pursued in the next legislative session.
Miami Real Estate by Stuart Drossner
MIAMI HOME PRICES TO INCREASE 20-30% IN FIVE YEARS
In this recent commentary titled “Miami Confidential” National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun, who has been named among the top 5 economic forecasters by USA Today due to his accuracy, indicates those who buy real estate in Miami now are likely to see strong appreciation and high returns on purchase prices in just a few years despite the current oversupply of condos.
“In five years, do not be surprised if home prices in Miami are 20 to 30 percent higher than the current levels, “said Yun.
This means that in five years homes currently priced at $200,000 could sell for $250,000; a current million dollar home for $1.2 to $1.3 million. Since the current buyers’ market is conducive to price reductions as a result of negotiations, the return on investment could very well be even higher.
In Miami, the median sales price increased over 340 percent in just 10 years. During the current market adjustment, prices have dropped some, but the drop has been negligible.
“The median home price in Miami was $80,500 in 1985 and $105,800 in 1995 and $363,900 in 2005 at the peak of the market. Prices fell by 5.7 percent for single-family homes and 6.0 percent for condos over a one-year period to the 4th quarter of 2007 according to NAR date”, said Yun.
“Prices grew 0.3 percent for single-family homes over the same period according to the government agency OFHEO”, he added.
Yun believes the main reason sales activity has decreased so much in Miami is due to fear of a market crash resulting from homes prices having grown much faster than income.
About Stuart Drossner
Stuart Drossner has been in the Real Estate business for almost a decade, he quickly jumped into the South Florida Luxury market at the early age of 18 Years old. Stuart specializes in working with Banks throughout the country selling foreclosed properties. Stuart Drossner can be reached anytime on his cell phone for personal assistance at 305-502-1717.
Good Sales Leads
A good sales lead is only as good as your delivery process. What does that mean? It means that a good lead can seem to have less value than a truly bad lead if it is not delivered correctly. A good lead needs to be delivered in real time, in a usable format, posted into a lead management system and to the clients specifications.
When a new lead buyer starts with your company and does not get leads delivered per their request then most of the time lead quality does not matter. A lead buyer that does not get leads on time, in wrong format or has a slow start is going to label your lead company as a bad source. You could have the best sales leads on the market but the perception is that you have bad leads. To assure this does not happen to you is pretty easy and not related to your lead quality at all. It is all about customer service and communication, something some lead generation companies lack.
To start it is best to not be overly aggressive with your start time. An eager lead buyer is good to have but many lead sellers get caught up in agreeing with conditions in order to get the sale. Remember getting the sale in the lead industry is really not hard or the issue. Keeping them as a client is the hard part. So when your new lead buyer says, “Can we start today or tomorrow, I really need to get the leads fast”, you need to take the time to see if you can start the campaign at the requested time. If not just give a starting time you can live up to.
Even though every lead generation company will recommend a lead management system not all lead buyers have them. Why I do not know, but we will save that for a later post. If the client is receiving leads via a lead management system or by email it is best to test the post and assure delivery is set up properly. This can and will delay a scheduled start if your post is not correct.
The biggest factor in the lead delivery process is your delivery rate or speed. A lead buyer that gets 20 leads dumped on them at one time is going to think you do not have real time leads. However; if you are using some high traffic media outlets it is not uncommon to generate leads in burst that can produce 5 or 10 leads over 2-5 minutes. If you do not get these leads to them in an organic real time flow then it is going to be a red flag. You may not even be doing anything wrong but again it is all about perception. To combat this it is highly recommended that lead sellers also use a lead management or lead delivery system. This will assure your clients are getting leads in real time and you can put in delivery filters to assure an organic flow to all your lead buyers.
I know this post is more geared towards the lead seller but it is important for both sides of the equation to have some insight into each others operations. Remember keep the communication up and it is usually easy to work through any issues that may come up during a lead campaign.
Debt Help for Women
It is easy for anyone to fall into the never ending cycle of debt. There are many reasons why people find themselves accumulating debt, and women face specific challenges that cause them to be susceptible to the debt trap. Women are particularly vulnerable to the unstable economy, as women are historically paid less than men even in good economic times, and are often the first to be laid off, and spend the most time away from the workplace to raise children.
While a big reason for debt accumulation is employment problems, some women do spend too much and end up paying for a lifestyle they can’t afford. However, there is debt help for women that can help them pay off their bills and maintain an affordable lifestyle.
For women who are having a hard time affording their bills because of employment problems, and have accumulate debt trying to pay for daily living expenses, there is help. Employment assistance programs for women exist to help them find employment. There are also educational programs specifically for women to train them in a field of their choice so they can learn the skills they need to get steady employment or re-enter the workforce after being away raising children.
For women who have a problem budgeting and controlling spending, debt consolidation can help them reduce their payments and pay off their debt more quickly. Combined with credit counseling and proper budget planning, anyone can learn to stay out of debt for good. Sound financial planning is the key to staying out of debt and there is plenty of good information and advice for women to help them plan a budget
The key to getting out of debt is having enough income to cover basic living expenses as well as enough extra to make debt payments. Setting and sticking to a budget is crucial, as well as having a dependable job that pays well enough to cover living expenses and debt payments. Many women find themselves in debt, but fortunately there are many programs available to help women find employment and learn sound financial planning. Debt help for women is available at www.WomenDebtFree.com
Tips on Finding an Attorney
Most people will need the assistance of an attorney at some point during their lives, to help them with a legal issue. Buying a home, seeking compensation after an accident or injury, defending yourself after an arrest, setting up a will, or adopting a child are some of the many reasons people need to find an attorney. Finding an attorney seems like an easy thing to do, after all you just have to open the yellow pages to see a comprehensive list pf all the attorneys in your area. However, picking an attorney at random is not always the best way to find one.
Perhaps the best way of finding an attorney is to ask for suggestions from friends and family. Asking people you know which attorney they would recommend is a good way to get an honest and reliable recommendation, or advice to steer clear of a particular attorney. Because most people have to use an attorney at some point, many of the people you know will have experience working with at least one attorney in your area. See what your friends and family think about the attorneys in your area before choosing one, that way you can be assured that you will have a good experience with the attorney you choose.
If you don’t have many personal references to go off of when finding an attorney, you can use the internet to get plenty of references and suggestions. There are many resources online that you can use to search for local attorneys that specialize in the area which you need assistance. Once you have found local attorney listings, you can look at reviews of the practice as well as ratings, giving you an idea of the experience past clients have had with them.
If you need an attorney it is always a good idea to get references form trusted sources and look up the possible attorneys online to see what other people are saying about them. That way you can get unbiased opinions about their service and ensure that you will find an attorney that will do a good job for you.