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Archive for February, 2010

Regardless if you are planning on moving from one side of your city to the next or from one state to the next obtaining movers to assist you may be your best course of action. Moving can be extremely daunting on a family, regardless of how large or how small their current family unit is.

Moving companies specialize in large and small moves, and are available at extremely reasonable rates. A typical family that is interested in moving from one location to another can end up spending weeks at a time trying to arrange their move in a coordinated fashion.

Moving services are located all around the world, and they specialize specifically in the movement of your household goods. The services provide insurance on each of their employees, and your possessions will be kept safe while in their care. Calling on a service to help you will definitely help relieve the stress that moving can cause on a family.

There are already so many things that a family must do when they decide upon moving from their present location elsewhere. Inadvertently, having to be burdened with moving yourself into this location can take a lot out of you as an individual.

There are literally millions of people that move within a year’s a time all around the world. Most of these people end up having to take time off from work, and inadvertently end up losing out on applicable funds that they could have used for their families move and their well being.

There are plethora of websites online that offer moving quotes at no fee to the recipient. These moving quotes will give you a proper estimate regarding how much you can expect to have to render for movers services. Don’t try to do everything on your own, when there are professional people that can help make your move simple, and ease the burden of moving away from you.

Asset Protection for Real Estate Investors

The first 10 years of my real estate investing I ran my business as a sole proprietor because I really didn’t know any better. Luckily, I survived with only minimal damages, but there comes a point when it is time to assess the best legal structure to use for real estate investing.

If you ask 10 experts you are likely to get 10 different opinions. With that in mind, I’ll share my opinion and experience. Remember: free advice is always worth what you pay for it.

If you are a beginning investor, it’s probably best to not worry about asset protection until you actually have a few assets to protect. Why spend time and money setting up a business entity and creating tax reporting requirements unless you need to? It’s like buying full coverage auto insurance on a beat–up Gremlin…what’s the point?

Once you have assets and something to protect, then it’s time to set up your business structure. Question # 1: what is your net worth? Question # 2: do you have assets that are at risk? If the answer to either of those questions is, “Yes,” then you need to take the next step.

Assuming you want to set up an entity for wholesaling properties, the most popular are an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) or a C Corporation. There is much debate about which one is better, but I prefer the C Corporation because the first %50,000 is taxed at 15%PRCTG% and you can have a kick-butt employee welfare plan to write off many expenses. With an LLC, the income is passed through. If you start making money, you’ll wish you could pay only 15%PRCTG% on some of it! Trust me on this one.

Why is the tax issue such a big deal?

Here’s a simplified example. If you make %100K personally you are taxed on the full amount (35%PRCTG%) and have %65,000 left. Anything you buy for yourself comes from after-tax dollars. However, with a C Corporation if you could make the same %100K on paper, but have %50K in allowable expenses that you can write off. So you get taxed on that %50K at 15%PRCTG% and only have to pay %7,500 in taxes compared to %35,000 on your personal income.

What type of expenses can you write off in a C Corporation? It depends on how your Company is structured (see your accountant/attorney for details), but you can often write off basic expenses of things like a bed or even a swimming pool. You’re thinking, “No way!” Let me explain how it’s done. If you have an employee welfare plan that covers your medical expenses and your doctor gives you a prescription for aqua therapy, it’s possible to write off the cost of the swimming pool. Yes, it’s crazy, but I don’t make the laws. Another more common example is a prescription for a new bed if you have a bad back. I have a “Sleep Number” bed myself, just like Paul Harvey J.

A very wealthy man once told me “It’s very hard for a C Corporation to make any money!” What he was trying to illustrate was that C Corporations can expense pretty much everything and look like there is little or no profit. You still can buy the same stuff, but you are taxed less if you structure things correctly.

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San Francisco is a wonderful, vibrant city and is one of America’s favorite places to live. Like all big cities, though, it can be bewildering for newcomers, especially for those who are relocating there for a job and have little time to look for San Francisco apartments before they have to start work.

Finding an apartment can be a stressful experience at the best of times. You want to find an apartment that meets all your needs. When you have to make your decision quickly, you don’t have time to go look at them all in person. The best way to find your ideal apartment in San Francisco is to look onlune.

Before you start your internet search, it’s a good idea to write out a checklist of all your requirements and have it by your side when you start your search. Write down your price range, number of bedrooms you require, what inclusions you need and anything else you want. Write them down in order of priority. Don’t forget to add things like a swimming pool and a fitness center.

Once you have your list, find a site that has a wide variety of listings from a number of real estate agents. The good sites will allow you to pinpoint San Francisco apartments by all of the criteria you require. The best sites also include a safety rating for each district based on crime rate statistics. By using one of these online services, you can take the time and stress out of finding your ideal apartment in beautiful San Francisco.

Assembling your Real Estate Investing Team

There are several important things you need to be successful in real estate investing, one of which is a great team. I’m going to talk briefly about who should be on the winning team:

1. Your Mentor – every successful entrepreneur needs a good mentor. A guide. By training under the watchful eye of one smarter then us, we can only get smarter. Start at your local investment club

2. Mortgage Broker – you want someone who has the experience of working with other investors. They need to be creative and smart!

3. Real Estate Attorney – it is really important to have someone on the team who can go through contracts, and who knows the legalities of all your moves.

4. Escrow Officer or Title Rep – having a good one on the team helps to close deals that much quicker. You always want people looking out for YOUR interests.

5. Accountant – Preferably a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Your numbers guy should also be well aware of the ins and outs of real estate. Come tax time, this is the man to help you through the write-offs!

6. Insurance Agent – It is always better having an insurance rep that is looking out for you when things hit the fan.

7. Contractor – The good contractor seems like the hardest one to find, but can often make or break your profit margin. You want someone who gets things done on time and under budget!

8. Supportive Family & Friends – Having the support and backing of loved ones is important in any endeavor.

Other Optional Team Members:

9. Realtor – someone keeping an eye out for you

10. Property Manager – someone to watch over your investments

11. Great Handyman – Someone to take care of the little things that come up on a daily basis.

Assembling the team will not happen overnight, but once together, they will give you the backing and help you’ll need to make your real estate investing dreams come true.

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Advantage Home Rates is a website that you cannot afford not to visit if you’re looking for a home loan. It is arguably the most informative site on the internet when it comes to solid, objective home loan information. While other sites are predominantly interested in getting customers, this is one site that seems like its major goal is to inform consumers about their home loan options.

Before you do anything else, go to the Advantage Tutorial section and read some of their free online tutorials. You will probably learn things about home loans that you never knew before. The information they have for first time buyers is itself an eye opener. You will learn everything you need to know about purchasing your first home, including information about government incentives and how little money is required to make your first home purchase.

They don’t gloss over the facts and make false promises, but they do show you every possible way to get a home loan, even if you have bad credit or believe you need to make a large initial deposit. They explain in detail the meanings and implications of fixed and adjustable home loan rates. While you may think you already know everything about these two options, it is still worth reading what they have to say, because they not only define what they are but go into the advantages and disadvantages of each type of loan.

Look no further than Advantage for the most comprehensive home loan information on the internet. They say that “knowledge is power.” Armed with the knowledge they can give you, you will be in a position to plan for your successful future as a home owner.

Arizona Real Estate – A Good Buying Opportunity?

If you’re looking to move to a new state, Arizona real estate is definitely worth a look. Following is a primer of the state and the FSBO Arizona real estate market.

Phoenix

Phoenix is by far the largest city in Arizona and it is growing fast. The sixth largest city in the United States, Phoenix is the official and economic capital of Arizona. The city is growing at such a high rate that it has engulfed the accompanying towns of Scottsdale and Tempe. Phoenix has a perpetual new feeling to it, which leads to criticisms that it has no inherent culture or roots.

If you want to attend sporting events, Phoenix has a nice selection. The city has professional baseball, basketball and football teams. Phoenix even has a professional ice hockey team, the Phoenix Coyotes. Only in America could a city in the middle of the desert have an NHL team!

If you’re looking for warm weather, Phoenix is the place. During the summer, average temperatures are usually above the 100 degree mark without much humidity to speak of. Evenings can get cool during the winter, but day time temperatures remain in the 70’s.

Flagstaff

Unlike Phoenix, Flagstaff is a town that reeks of the more historic Wild West. Sitting on the famous Route 66, Flagstaff is a college town because of Arizona State University. The University, better known as “ASU”, has over 30,000 students who more or less dominate Flagstaff. If you like the feel of a college town, skip Phoenix and consider Flagstaff for your real estate needs.

Arizona Real Estate

Arizona real estate is very reasonably priced compared to other states. The average home price in Phoenix is in the low %300,000s. Arizona has, however, become a hot real estate market with home values appreciating over 25%PRCTG% in the last 12 months.

Arizona is a take it or leave it state because of the heat index. If you prefer hot, sunny days, Arizona real estate may be a very good investment.

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Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Alabama Real Estate – A Southern Air

Alabama is undeniably a stereotypical southern state, but the state and real estate market hold undeniable surprises.

Alabama

Alabama is distinctly southern and darn proud of it. If you have a taste for college football, country music and NASCAR, Alabama is a paradise defined. To the surprise of many, Alabama also has a more modern flavor with Huntsville being the home of a major chunk of the U.S. Space Program. For golfers, the collection of golf courses winding through the state, known as the Robert Trent Jones golf trail, make Alabama one of the top golfing destinations in the continental United States. Personally, I prefer the annual iron bowl college football war between the Auburn and Alabama universities, but to each their own?

Huntsville

Home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville is undoubtedly the pyrotechnic capital of the south. With a distinct southern charm, the city is laid out well with parks, botanical gardens, lake areas and a close proximately to numerous outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and hunting. While many cities make a haberdash of mixing in the new with the old, Huntsville gets it just right.

Mobile

Pronounced ?Moe beel?, Mobile is a busy port city with a little known history. If you?ve ever thought of going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you?re better off going to Mobile. Yep, the city was the first to celebrate Mardi Gras in the United States and maintains the tradition to this day. In fact, Mobile looks striking like New Orleans, having been established by the French. It is a beautiful southern city, with spring being the best time as a bevy of flowing plants awaken from their winter slumber. The colors and fragrances are simply amazing.

Alabama Real Estate

Alabama real estate prices are very reasonable when compared to the rest of the country. Throughout the state, an average home will run you %200,000 or less. The appreciation rate is a little low, but still a respectable 7.5 percent for 2005.

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3 Tips to Staging the Outside of Your Home Like a Pro

Are you considering putting your house up for sale, but not sure where to start? Afraid it will take too long to sell, or that you won?t get the price you want? Think about ?staging? your home, or in other words, setting the scene for immediate buyer interest in your property.

To be really effective, you need to look at both the outside and the inside of your home. Here are 3 tips to get you started with the outside of your home:

1. Go stand on the street to see what clients see when driving up to the house. Be aware that any negative impressions they get outside the house (landscaping not maintained or non-existent, peeling paint, etc.) is just going to make them think that the house itself has not been well taken care of. So even if you have spent the time and money to fix up the interior, it would all be wasted if the clients get a bad first impression as they drive up to the house.

2. Next, step outside your front door and close the door; then stand on the stoop and look around for 5 minutes. While the realtor fumbles for keys and tries to figure out how to open the door, the clients are standing behind and looking around. So what are they seeing? Dead plants, old Halloween decorations in the middle of January, cobwebs? Again, not a good first impression!

It?s definitely worth it to take some time and clean it up. Want to go a step further? Try a new coat of paint or some new furniture or accessories.

3. Don?t forget the backyard. While that might not be part of the potential buyers? first impression experience, you still should make sure it?s in the best condition possible. Pull up weeds, water plants, do some sweeping (if that?s applicable in your case) and maybe even purchase new furniture or accessories (plant pots, bird houses, etc.)

And the biggest tip of all? Imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at your property for the very first time. What impressions are you getting? Would YOU buy your house? What would you like to see changed before you put an offer on your house?

And don?t worry about spending several thousand dollars to get your house ready to sell ? you?ll get it all back when your house sells. Proper staging helps you sell your house in a shorter time and at the price you want.

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