Category: Personal Finance

10 Tips To Sell That House Fast And Clear Those Debts!

Posted by AskSteVey in Personal Finance

     

Now its more important than ever to pay attention, and to do the following things in order to secure a quick sale.

1) get a notebook and a pen, and formulate your plan. Write it all down. Who you need to speak to, the things that you need to do, how much you want to sell it for and when. Remember, that a bad plan is always better than no plan,

2) you will have your list of things to do, but we recommend dividing your property into sections and writing a “Get It Done List” for each one. Appearance is everything. Start with the front garden and the front facing exterior of the property, then the back garden, and finally the interior on a room by room basis,

3) the emphasis should be on presenting a clean, bright property free from clutter. By the way, getting rid of any junk always makes you feel better so that’s a bonus. So get yourself a trailer and dump any of the excess junk that you have accumulated. When people move house this is what they need to do sooner or later anyway, so get ready to move,

4) once your property is in its most presentable condition, (this should take you a couple of days at most - do not delay unnecessarily) get in contact with a number of estate agents to discuss a realistic sale figure. It is important that you speak with more than one agent to get a true feel for what is both an achieveable and fair price for your property,

5) do some research of your own, (quite easily done on the internet or by having a drive around) to understand where your competition may be coming from in terms of properties similar to your own that are on the market right now, and this will also give you a better feel for which agent is most intune with the local property market,

6) your next step is to select an agent. The things to consider here are how do they intend to market your property, how do their sale fees compare, who do you think is most likely to achieve a sale, who has the greatest experience or results in terms of sales, what have they sold in your area in the last year,

7) it is extremely important that once you have taken the time to make your property look good from the outside that you have a big, visible and eye-catching sign placed on your property. Afterall, it is your intention to achieve a quick sale, and a sign on your property will definitely be one of the most effective types of advertising to people in your locality,

8) use the internet. There are a variety of websites that you can upload your property details to for free, or for a low cost and right now more and more people are going online to look for property. To increase the likelihood of getting people interested in your property take good quality photos, adn upload them and use a clear and simple description of your property,

9) If you really need to sell your property fast, consider contacting the various property buying companies that can either be found online or in your local newspaper. The typically pay less than the market value of your property, but normally complete sales reasonably quicker and aren’t in a chain,

10) Relax and remember that it will all work out just fine. It always does!

Good luck!

We specialise in buying property fast in the North East of England.

If you’re interested in speaking to us about a quick sale, then call us on 0870 850 9576, or go to http://www.homesaleni.co.uk

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Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Or Debt Consolidation: Which Is Better?

Posted by RickHendershot in Personal Finance

     

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a legal process that differs from traditional debt consolidation in many important ways. If you are trying to decide between these two processes, this article will help you make your decision.

While a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is actually a type of debt consolidation, it differs from traditional debt consolidation in certain important legal aspects. The most glaring and important difference is the power it wields. Backing up Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the Federal Bankruptcy Code, which can be a huge advantage when you are needing relief from debt.

Chapter 13 Protects You Immediately

An automatic stay will lock into place as soon as you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It’s in the form of a Bankruptcy Court injunction which effectively stops most recovery efforts that have been launched against you. Garnishments, repossessions, foreclosures, creditor harassment and license suspensions will cease. Your creditors will be forced to stop all such actions because this injunction has the legal chops to back it up. In reality it’s a court order that mere debt consolidation services cannot provide.

Chapter 13 Covers Most Debt

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, such specific debts as tax debt, child support arrears, car payments, and mortagage arrears can be rolled into one monthly payment. This is good news because the majority of traditional debt consolidation services allow only specific debts in the settlement plan. Wouldn’t you rather have protection from every one of your creditors?

Chapter 13 Severely Reduces The Total Debt

With the power of a Federal judge ordering your creditors to stick to the repayment plan, you may be allowed to pay as little a 10% of any unsecured debts. Of course there are certain qualifications you must meet. If you can meet these qualifications the other 90% will be eliminated. You’ll be able to pay off your debts much more quickly because of the severe reduction in principal owed. This is something that traditional debt consolidation plans cannot do. They can only ask the creditor to lower the interest rates and reduce the balances owing.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcies Don’t Drag On

You’ll only have to wait between 3 and 5 years for Chapter 13 bankruptcy to conclude, at which time all dischargeable debts are eliminated. Conversely, a more traditional consolidation could drag on indefinitely while you struggle with balances that remain high and continue to accumulate additional interest and finance charges.

Chapter 13 Takes No Late Fees or Interest

With Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the payments you make towards your unsecured debt will usually be put against the principal, thus drastically shortening the amount of time it will take you to repay that debt. In fact, debts that exist before filing bankruptcy will not accrue late fees, and in most cases will be repaid free of interest, unlike the usual debt consolidation process.

Chapter 13 Attorneys Work For You

Unlike a debt consolidator, your Chapter 13 attorney will vigorously represent only your best interests. He has a legal and ethical obligation to do so, and must comply with his obligations as regulated by state law. Many times debt consolidation companies are privately run, and may, in fact, be sponsored by the creditor themselves. With a Chapter 13 attorney on your side, you have the unique opportunity of having your rights backed up under strict legal requirements.

Chapter 13 Protects Your Property

You won’t be required to post any collateral in order to proceed with Chapter 13 bankruptcy if you cannot afford the proposed monthly payments. Many home equity loans and traditional debt consolidation companies force you to risk losing your home and your property.

Chapter 13 Takes Care of Your Important Debts First

Most of your secured loans will be paid off first at the conclusion of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan. This includes such things as mortgage and automobile payment defaults. Unsecured debt payments such as credit cards and medical bills are taken care of after secured and other important claims have been paid. You will probably incur penalty charges under a normal debt consolidation company in return for delaying payments to unsecured creditors. These companies also give preferential consideration to home finance companies and car payments, which leaves little for the remaining claims. The bigger the balance owing, the bigger the penalty charges.

Chapter 13 Requires the Creditor to File A Proof OF Claim

Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy all unfiled claims are eliminated if the creditor fails to file a proof of claim with the Bankruptcy Court. It happens fairly frequently that a creditor may be listed in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy file, but forget to do the proper paperwork, thus effectively eliminating themselves from the consolidation. If you complete the terms of your Chapter 13 repayment plan, such claims are ruled invalid, and you never have to pay them back.

Find out if you qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy by completing the online evaluation form at LegalHelpers. Article source - Helpful Articles

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Five Tips For Shopping On A Budget

Posted by Kigray in Personal Finance

     

Sticking to a budget is hard enough, but malls, outlets and grocery stores don’t make it any easier; with countless promotions, sales, and strategically-placed impulse-buy items, it’s easy to get sidetracked and overspend. Willpower and discipline are great tools to combat overspending, but many people find it hard to maintain them when faced with a great sale. Never fear, there are a few simple tricks and tips you can use to help keep you on track and overcome the temptation to overspend.

1.Always take a list.
While seemingly simple, and even obvious, this is a great way to help keep spending on track. If you have a specific list of items you need, you can shop with more purpose, and avoid unnecessary browsing (which all too often leads to unnecessary buying).

2.Consolidate shopping trips.
Whenever possible, it’s best to combine all your shopping into one day. This is a great way to make sure you don’t spend extra time in a given store, browsing unnecessarily, or getting sidetracked from your pre-set shopping agenda. Plus, consolidating your shopping into one big outing will save gas in the long run, which is always a good thing, both for your budget, and for the environment.

3.Clip coupons.
Check your weekly paper for circulars and coupons. Be sure to have your list ready when you do this, to avoid adding unnecessary items (remember, just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you need it). While you may not find coupons for everything you need, you’ll likely find savings somewhere. Over time, even a few dollars a week will add up big time. Look at it this way: if you save just $4 per week, you’ll end up with an extra $208 each year.

4.Plan ahead; shop accordingly.
Food is arguably one of the largest costs in any family’s budget. It’s one that can’t be skipped or compromised, and with costs of everyday items like milk rising considerably, it can be a huge drain on any spending plan. While there’s no realistic way around this need, there are ways to help maximize your spending. Planning meals a week in advance can help you make the most of your purchases; simply plan consecutive meals that use the same primary ingredients. Buy those ingredients in bulk to save even more. And always, always save (and use) leftovers.

5.Reward yourself.
Regardless of the best intentions, it’s easy to get sucked in to unnecessary spending; it’s practically human nature. An unexpected sale at your favorite store, a discount on an item you don’t need, but have wanted for some time. You can curb overspending by operating on a rewards system. Set goals for yourself, like limiting spending to a certain amount, and make room in your budget for a special treat or reward when you reach your goal. If you don’t achieve the goal, leave the reward money in place and try again for next month. Having something special to look forward to will make it easier to exercise self-control and avoid splurging on items you don’t really need, or even particularly want.

Ki is a real estate broker in Austin Texas. He site offers a graphical search for Austin homes. He also provides general information on Austin real estate and updated graphics on mortgage interest rates.

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Five Bankruptcy Myths You Should Not Believe

Posted by RickHendershot in Personal Finance

     

If you are considering bankruptcy, but have serious misgivings that are preventing you from making a decision to procede, prepare to be enlightened. Here is a list of the top five big bankruptcy myths.

Myth #1 - Everyone will know I’ve filed for bankruptcy.

Don’t be offended, but almost nobody will know (or care) that you have filed for bankruptcy. Unless you’re a big shot in your town or someone the media likes to highlight from time to time, it is very unlikely that anyone other than your creditors and perhaps a few close friends and family members will know you have filed.

Yes it is true that bankruptcy is a public legal proceeding, but the fact is there is no single place that you can find an up-to-date list of people who have recently filed for bankruptcy. The number of people filing for bankruptcy is so high that very few publications have the manpower or motivation to assemble and update this information.

Myth #2 - When you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy all your debts are wiped out.

This is simply not true. Certain types of debts such as child support, alimony, government-issued or government-guaranteed student loans, and debts incurred as the result of fraud will not be forgiven. Also most judges will not discharge legal judgement amounts you’ve been assessed as the result of someone suing you.

Myth #3 - Everything I own will be taken away from me.

This is a major misconception that frightens many people from filing bankruptcy. They assume they will be thrown out on the street with no house, no car and no money in the bank. But this is not the case. If it was, almost nobody would file for bankruptcy.

Actual bankruptcy laws vary from state to state, but every state has exemptions that protect certain kinds of assets. These include your house, your car (up to a certain value), household goods and clothing and money in qualified retirement plans. In many cases a person will pass right through bankruptcy and essentially keep everything they have. That includes their mortgage and car loans as long as they keep on making the regular payments.

Myth #4 - I’ll never get credit again.

Believe it or not, it won’t be long before those eager beaver credit card companies will be sending you offers again. In fact there are companies that target high risk borrowers and people who’ve had credit problems. They charge exhorbitant interest rates but that is the price you pay for needing credit in such circumstances.

For this very reason most people are advised not to start running up bills again, and should most certainly stay away from acquiring a number of high interest rate credit cards. While it is true that most people who need a car loan will be able to find someone prepared to give them one, the rate will be very high. That is why it is best if you are thinking of buying a house or car to get these set up before you file and while your credit score still looks presentable.

After bankruptcy, those loans will be tough to get and the higher interest rate will have a significant effect on your payments. Also, if you have a credit card with a zero balance on the day you file for bankruptcy, you don’t have to list it as a creditor since you don’t owe any money on it. That means you might be able to keep that card even after the bankruptcy.

Myth #5 - When you’re married, both spouses have to file for bankruptcy.

Not necessarily. It depends whether one or both spouses are liable for the debt. Usually if both spouses are liable the creditor will try to get payment out of either or both. And if one spouse files, the other one is still vulnerable to being required to pay the whole amount.

On the other hand if a significant amount of debt is in the name of one spouse only, the other spouse is not liable for that debt and is probably not advised to file for bankruptcy. This would typically be the case when one spouse has suffered losses from a business which the other spouse has no involvement in.

Contact the bankruptcy lawyers at LegalHelpers.com. LegalHelpers has helped thousands of people and they can help you too. Article source: The Link Builder Network.

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Shall I File For Bankruptcy

Posted by Micintay in Personal Finance

     

Many people are not sure if they should file bankruptcy or allow a foreclosure. This is not a decision which can be made easily, and is really not a straightforward case. A mortgage lender will file a foreclosure action when it is not paid its monthly mortgage payments. The only way to stop this from occurring is to pay the mortgage lender.

Understandably, most people do not want to have their car repossessed, so they make their car payments on time every month. If a person does not make their mortgage payments, they face the loss of their home through foreclosure.

Bankruptcy is a legal action filed by someone who cannot pay his debts. This action stops all civil proceedings against the debtor while the debtor is in bankruptcy. As a result, the mortgage lender is incapable of immediately continuing their foreclosure, or any other legal action. On the other hand, a mortgage lender can get around this by filing for a relief from automatic stay and proceeding with their action once the stay has been granted. Essentially, bankruptcy will not stop foreclosure, and will not allow anyone to keep a home without paying the lender. Slowing down the legal process is all that bankruptcy can achieve.

Occasionally, however, foreclosure is prevented through bankruptcy, as the latter gives person additional time in which to pay the lender and usually makes the paying easier. Bankruptcy makes a mortgage lender pause in their foreclosure efforts, and a debtor has a little extra time to raise the money.

Through bankruptcy, many unsecured debts are eliminated completely, and a person who is in debt will frequently find that they have money to pay their mortgage payments with that they didn’t before bankruptcy. A chapter 13 bankruptcy allows the debtor to pay the mortgage over a period of time through a court ordered payment plan.

However, not everyone qualifies for filing of bankruptcy in the first place, and those that do must pay sufficient legal fees. Legal bills can be quite high, and high enough that they outweigh the costs of catching up with the mortgage. Anyone considering bankruptcy to prevent foreclosure should discuss it with a lawyer. No one should attempt a complicated legal process like bankruptcy without legal aide. This article is only intended to give general information, so for more detailed information, contact a lawyer in your state.

A bankruptcy lawyer is there to represent and protect his client during the bankruptcy process which can be an extremely stressful time for many people. As the changes in the law have meant that filing for bankruptcy is now more time consuming, it means that a number of people have found themselves struggling with the process. Although the amendments to the bankruptcy law are designed to eliminate the time wasters, no other real changes have been made.

Some States also have additions to the federal code but your bankruptcy lawyer will be able to inform you about these and how they will affect your bankruptcy period. The Insolvency law is designed to protect certain things like your house and car. Very soon after you have filed for bankruptcy, you will begin to get credit offers and you will want to exercise great caution in deciding which offers to accept, and when to accept.

You will notice within a short period of time after your bankruptcy has been filed that applications for credit are already forthcoming.. What this means is that within a relatively short space of time after you become bankrupt you will start receiving credit applications but at this stage you must be very careful. This is the reason why not long after you have been made bankrupt, a whole host of companies offering credit will start contacting you, but you must be very careful at this time.

To prove this point, your lawyer should warn you about certain financial companies that contact bankrupt people and offer credit. Extreme caution is required here.

It is not because the individual is a failure looking for an easy way out of his debts as the credit companies would like you to believe. Bankruptcy is generally seen as a last resort, but as legislation continues to add changes, it will become harder for individuals to apply for bankruptcy. While there are obviously some people that want to take advantage of the bankruptcy protection system, your bankruptcy lawyer will assure you that you are just a victim of bad luck who is being given a second chance.

Find out more about bankruptcy alternative, bankruptcy lawyer and more at bankruptcy-foreclosure site or visit http://www.bankruptcy.foreclosure-review.info/

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Student Loan Debt Forgiveness: One Place For Up To $50K Of Forgiveness

Posted by Kwihrig in Personal Finance

     

If you have student loans, you have probably heard of student loan debt forgiveness. Your employer or some other entity pays off loans for you, often to fairly high limits. You need to qualify, and here I have written up some help in that process.

NHSC? Who is that?
You probably have heard of the Peace Corps or Americorps. The NHSC has some similarities, but you don’t work for the NHSC, you work at an NHSC approved site, in an approved position. NHSC stands for National Health Service Corps, a department in the US Department of Health and Human Services, under the Health Resources and Services Administration.

What does the NHSC do?
The NHSC helps attract health care workers for locations that don’t get enough applicants but that still need professionals. For instance, a facility that has trouble due a remote or inner city location, or perhaps due to the type of facility, like a mental health facility or correctional institution where fewer people want to work.

The NHSC then offers some help - you had to see this coming - through student loan debt forgiveness. And they are serious about it. In some cases, you can qualify for up to $50k. Helpful, right?

How to Get the Cash
You have to be as serious about work as the agency is about awarding this money to get it. You have to be licensed in your field. Here is a short list for reference, from the NHSC Loan Repayment Program site (From http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/applications/lrp/default.htm)

Eligible Clinicians
- Allopathic (MDs) or Osteopathic (DOs) physicians
- Primary Care Certified Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (NMs)
- Primary Care Physician Assistants (PAs)
- General Practice or Pediatric Dentists (DDSs or DMDs)
- Registered Clinical Dental Hygienists (DHs)
- Health Service Psychologists (HSPs)
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
- Psychiatric Nurse Specialists (PNSs)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)

That’s quite a list. To take advantage of the program, hop over to their site and read up on it. You have to apply during an open season, and be selected. The awards go to those with the most need, so keep that in mind.

Facilities List
On the NHSC site, you can also find a list of facilities that employ people who can qualify. The site lists a couple of requirements, such as that you be licensed and fully trained, and working at the site. Not all positions qualify for the loan repayment, so be sure to check in advance.

The list of places to work has hundreds of entries. It has clinics, hospitals, correctional institutions, prisons, mental health clinics, dental offices, tons of places to work. You may already work at an approved facility.

Where to Find More Info
To contact the NHSC and find their rules for this program, check out the link above. I found this site through the American Counseling Association, or ACA website. If you work in a professional field, you can find an association that relates to your career. Your association may have more information on loan student loan debt forgiveness. Start looking around, and you may be surprised what you find.

The American Medical Association (AMA), for example, has some loan forgiveness info on their site as well. The New York State Nurses Association,or NYSNA, also offers guidance. Look for a state or national association that relates to your field and see if you can start applying for some kind of student loan debt reduction program.

End Result
How did we live before the internet? Finding these resources takes time, and some work. When you are up to your ears in debt, you might not think of programs like these, and not everyone can get into one of these programs. Still, I believe that with consistent effort, you will make a dent. You chose a great career helping people, and many groups and associations understand that, and offer help.

More Careers
If the above careers don’t apply to you, remember many more student loan debt forgiveness programs apply to other fields. I’ve found some programs for engineers, even. Many states have programs for teachers and public safety workers like police officers and firefighters. Lawyers in public service also have many programs they can apply to for relief.

Keep trying, apply to the programs you can, and thank you for the work you do wherever you are.

Want more loan forgiveness or loan repayment programs?
Visit the Beat-Tuition Cheap Textbook Hub for more information on loan forgiveness and break out of your debt.

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