Archive for September, 2008

Reverse Mortgage - Turning Your Home into a Pot of Gold

by Virginia Berry

In January of 2008, the first baby boomers reach the age of 62. This has sent investors from Wall Street to Washington scrambling to offer new, innovative products to those people looking at getting a reverse mortgage.

It wasn’t long ago that consumers had three reverse mortgage products to choose from: the FHA HECM, the FANNIE MAE HOME KEEPER, and the JUMBO CASH ACCOUNT. Now, seven new lenders have introduced competing programs, with more large investors positioning to move into this growing market.

Many consumers have long awaited the option of having a fixed rate, and at last it is here. An FHA/HECM FIXED rate option as well as new multiple-margin HECM products are now available.

From January through June of 2007, there was an amazing growth in the reverse mortgage industry unlike anything it has seen since it’s inception 17 years ago. Now, the reverse industry is catching up with the tradition “forward” mortgage in the sense that there are no more lenders. this kind of competition creates more products and offerings so that the needs of the senior customers can be satisfied.

One of the most exciting new products available today is the new “Purchase Reverse Loan”. This product is available to seniors who are in the market to either purchase a new home, to down size, or relocate close to family. The ability to use a reverse mortgage to purchase a new property while never having to make a mortgage payment is VERY appealing to all seniors.

Another product that is creating a lot of excitement is using a reverse mortgage to purchase a second home. Now seniors that would like a warmer climate in the winter or a cooler climate in the summer can afford to do so, without monthly payments. It is also possible to have 2 reverse mortgages at the same time. This means you could have 2 homes with no monthly payments.

If you are looking for a reverse mortgage, just make sure that you understand the programs that are available, as well as, the terminology so that you have confidence in the reverse mortgage process. This is especially important because not all lenders offer the same types of products and many of them have limited choices of investors to choose from.

Please make sure you look for a lender who is part of the National Association of Reverse Mortgage Lenders (NRMLA). This association is presently the only overseer of the ethical conduct of reverse mortgage lenders.

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The Costs and Risks of Getting a Payday Loan

by Stephanie Moore

Just what are Payday Loans?

Payday loans are modest, short term loans you are able to apply for when you find yourself in a financial situation where you are a little short of of money. Most often, the time frame for paying back a payday loan are generally around two weeks or so. If you’re approved for a easy payday loan, most loaners require that you leave a cheque with them as collateral for the full amount of money you are borrowing - plus their fee. They will then cash it in at the designated time that you have agreed to make the money available for them in your checking account. If you are not able to give back your payday advance in the time frame it has become due, most lenders will let it ‘roll over’, meaning that the re-payment of your your loan is extended. BUT, the fees - will keep accumulating.

Quick Payday Loan Costs

Generally the initial re-payment is approximately 20% or less. Meaning if you borrow 200, you end up paying back 240. That is actually not an exorbitant fee, particularly when you need money in a hurry. But if you don’t make the re-payments in the agreed upon time frame, the fine print takes effect and your payday loan can then become pretty costly

The Booby Traps of getting a Payday Cash Loan

The main problem in dealing with payday loan companies is that if you fall behind on your payments it can make your financial difficulties even worse. You will end up paying a very high rate of interest on your initial loan which means that you keep pouring your money down a hole. Now in the short term, an easy payday loan can prove very helpful. For example, you may need emergency funds to pay for car repairs so that you can keep going to work and earn an income. But you can find yourself in even more financial trouble if you bounce any checks that you write to the payday loan company. Most banks now charge enormous fees which can end up being compounded with even more fees. Then, your name can end up in the bad customer files and other banks may not let you open up an account in their banks.

A Rebuttal from Payday Lending Companies

Instant cash loan companies say that they remain the simplest and fastest way for people who cannot get loans from traditional lenders to get the money they need immediately. And, that their fees can end up costing much less than if you happen to end up bouncing cheques to your bank and other business merchants.

In the end, its better not to make payday loans a long term financial scheme. Do not feel embarrassed if you find yourself extended for cash, but, if you do borrow money, understand what your getting yourself into and proceed with caution. In fact, if you actually need to borrow money it is probably better to get money from a payday advance company then from your friends because if you are ever extremely late with your re-payments you could lose a precious friendship. In any case, borrow responsibly. You never know when you may require another payday loan.

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What is Bad Credit Debt Consolidation

by Lee B

The Real Truth Concerning Bad Credit Debt Consolidation

You’ve in all probability seen the ads for bad credit debt consolidation. Even if you’re in debt up to your ears and haven’t produced a payment in months, these companies claim they can help you consolidate your debt in spite of your bad credit. Subsequently they have worked your magic, you’ll be given with, “Just one painless monthly payment!”

Some companies legitimately want to serve people with bad credit consolidate their debt. They ordinarily charge reasonable upfront fees, avoid establishing exuberant claims, and offer professional references on request. Then there is the another type of bad credit debt consolidation company. This type of company feeds on your fears and appeals to your desire that somewhere out there consists an easy solution. Unfortunately, the latter type of bad credit debt consolidation company is far more frequent than the former.

What Do Debt Consolidation Companies Really Accomplish?

Bad credit debt consolidation companies speak to your creditors and try to lower your interest rates and monthly payments. Once they have made an arrangement with your creditors, they will tell you the total sum you owe for the month. You will then send this money to the debt consolidation company, and the debt consolidation company will distribute the money to your creditors.

At The Least, that’s what they’re supposed to perform. The companies working scams often keep the much of the money you send to them for “administration fees” or “loan origination fees”–even though no loan has been initiated. This means that your creditors, who aren’t obtaining the money you send faithfully, will proceed to harass you and report your account as unpaid to the credit reporting agencies.

Does Legitimate Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Exist?

Yes, but commonly not through companies that send you emails or campaign on late night television. If your credit score is low, you likely won’t qualify for an unsecured loan through a bank. You may, all the same, be conditioned to refinance your house or your car to pay off unsecured debt. Speak to your bank or mortgage broker. You may likewise want to visit with a recognized financial planner to assess your budget and find means to stay out of debt in the future.

Another path to consolidate debt is to transfer all of your unsecured debt to one low interest credit card. This approach, nevertheless, has a few drawbacks. If your credit is sincerely in the toilet, the credit card company might boost up your interest rate without warning. Too, you need to do something with the balance of your credit cards (e.g., cut them up) to fend off the enticement to start new balances on them. Eventually, you must make at least the minimum payment–more if you can afford it–to the card left with the balance of your debts.

Even if you experience bad credit, debt consolidation is attainable, just make sure you’re working with a good company that in truth does want to assist you get out from under your debt.

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Multiple Lines of Credit - Not Necessarily a Bad Thing

by William Blake

A line of credit can be a very valuable part of your financial planning. Having a line of credit open and ready to use is beneficial in case of an emergency. One nice benefit is that you use it at your discretion and there is no obligation. You only use it if you need it.

Having two different types of lines of credit allows you to both look at your life situation and pick the line of credit which best works for you.

At least one credit card is basically an essential in today’s world. People rarely carry cash anymore because paying with credit cards has become the way to go. If you find yourself in an emergency or unexpected situation and don’t have enough cash, a credit card can be a life savor.

In this light, having a credit card to use for those small emergencies when you may not have the cash can be a good thing to do.

For more unexpected expenses that are larger a line of credit may be helpful. Drawing money out off a line of credit can be as simple as writing a check to your bank for cash, or writing a check to yourself. It can also be used to catch up and get back on track if you find it difficult to meet your debt obligations.

If you have problems with your line of credit, it can be a good plan to have a backup just in case. This is where having a credit card and a line of credit or a home equity line of credit can prove to be very helpful.

It is not about necessarily using your lines of credit on a regular basis but rather having your ducks in a row financially.

Having different types of credit lines gives you options so many do not enjoy. It allows you to choose the best way for you to finance your needs, keep your monthly expenditures low and save yourself from high interest payments.

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Steps to Quick Credit Repair

by Ricardo Mendiola

There are many things you can do to repair your credit. It may take a little time but it is the best thing that you can do. Good credit means a lot. You can repair your credit by consolidation or on your own.

There are many credit repair agencies out there that are designed to help you with your credit. They are non-profit organizations setup to give you credit counseling and advice to help you pay off your debts. Some of these businesses will work with you to consolidate your debts so you can make one easy payment on your credit. For many people this is the right solution for them. It provides a manageable way to get your credit scores at an acceptable level.

The first step you need to take in repairing your credit is obtaining all three credit reports from the major credit bureaus. The major credit bureaus are Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian. Everyone is entitled to a free credit report every year. This will give you the opportunity to see what your score is, who your creditors are, and more. The three reports will not be identical. It is common to see a debtor on one agency report but not on another. Your scores may also be different too. This is common.

Once you have all three reports you need to verify that everything on the report is current and up to date. If your name has changed due to a marriage you should update it. Address information and phone number updates can increase your score a full point on your credit. It would be a shame to be denied on a car loan because of one point that you could have had if your contact information was incorrect. In addition to updating proper information you will need to dispute any items on your reports that are not really your debts. You will do this by writing letters to the bureaus for each item.

Another thing you can consider when you want to repair your credit is that you can get a consolidation loan to pay it off. Many people consider consolidation loans when they are in debt in large amounts. This will pay off all of your debt at once, which looks great on your credit. Then you will have one easy monthly payment that you have to make to pay off the consolidation loan. This is a great idea but you must pay off this loan.

Credit repair is very important if you are hoping for a financial freedom with your lifestyle. Credit can be impossible to obtain if you have bad credit. There are two ways you can repair your credit. You can hire an agency to help you or you can repair it yourself. It does take time to repair credit. It can take up to 6 months for your scores to reach the level you want them to be at. However, credit repair is the best decision you can make.

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The Lowdown On Quick Cash Payday Advance Companies

by Stephanie Moore

If your current pay check is unable to see you through until the end of the month or you have an immediate financial emergency, you might wind up taking out a fast cash payday loan to help pay for those unforeseen expenses that seem to appear from out of nowhere.
Although you might feel uncertain about applying for a payday loan because no doubt you’ve probably read of accounts on how some of their customers ended up in an even deeper financial quagmire. As with anything involving money, it’s always advantageous to understand any agreements before you sign up for any repayment plans. Checking out the facts from the fictions of acquiring a payday loan advance will hep you to help yourself take charge of your financial affairs.

Fast cash payday loans were designed for people who have credit issues and find it difficult, if not impossible to get loans from traditional lenders.
In a study undertaken by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, they found that fast cash payday advance lenders are not exclusively predatory. They do, in fact help those people with poor or no credit, expand their credit options.

Another reason for trepidation is that their interest fees can seem quite high, and if the loan keeps getting ‘rolled over’, meaning extended, the cost of your original cash advance can become as much or more than the loan itself.
However, just take a look at a ‘regular’ bank credit card situation. Over a period of time your original $2000 credit amount owed can turn into 10 to15 thousand dollars and more.

The fact is, that payday advance loans were not meant to be extended for years. These are short-term loans, which one agrees repay within a week or two. Hence ‘payday loans’. The problem for people starts when, for whatever reason, they are unable to pay back the loan by the next payday.
The Community Financial Services Association (CFSA) conducted a survey which indicated that nearly 92 percent of Payday advance loan customers said that being able to get the loan often proved very helpful in seeing them through a tight financial situation.

State regulators who regulate the quick cash payday advance industry have reported that they receive an extremely small amount of complaints about these services when one takes into account the amount of times they are used. They also observed that the vast majority of the very people who are supposed to be taken advantage of by payday loans are overwhelmingly satisfied with their experiences

If you need money and think that a payday loan may be an answer, you’ll find that they are fast, convenient, and easy to obtain especially if you have no other options.
Do make sure that you completely understand the information provided by payday advance companies, and only use one when it is truly needed.
And please borrow responsibly.

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Prepaid Debit Cards - How They Work

by Dan Moskel

A Prepaid credit card is a great alternative to a bank account. They were designed for individuals with damaged or no credit history.

This is how prepaid credit cards work; first you deposit funds into your account/card. You use your card to pay bills or make purchases. Then the funds are taken from your account to pay for the purchases.

You can deposit funds using direct deposit, money gram, western union and a variety of other methods. Most cards offer free direct deposit and this will save you a lot of money by not having to pay for check cashing fees.

There is also a feature most cards offer called bill pay. This feature allows you to use your account to write physical checks. You can pay bills such as rent, cable, and electric or write a check to an individual. This can save you money by not having to pay for expensive money orders.

If you need cash prepaid cards can be used at ATM’s. With a prepaid credit card you will never have to pay interest rates or overdraft fees again.

Some cards also offer a feature called credit builder. This service keeps track of the payments you make using bill pay. It then reports those payments to a credit reporting agency. This can help you build positive credit and prove credit worthiness to future lenders. This feature is free with most cards.

Prepaid credit cards are also issued with a mastercard or visa logo. So you can use your card to make purchases everywhere a visa or mastercard is accepted, including online and over the phone. Your card will not say it is a prepaid credit card and will look just like any visa or mastercard.

The best part about a prepaid credit card is it doesn’t matter if you have bad credit, little credit or no credit. They guarantee approval for everyone. There is no credit check or chexsystems verification.

In sum, prepaid credit cards are safer than carrying cash. They can be used like any credit card. If you don’t have a bank account they are a great alternative and everyone is approved.

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Is Chase Credit Cards What You Are Looking For?

by Don Pedro

First and foremost, the less you know about credit cards, the lots more likely you’re to fall into credit card debts; it’s easy to protect yourself against this by being knowledgeable as regards credit cards.

You can dudge credit card rates by making sure you keep to the set date given to you by your credit card company to offset your credit card bills.

Credit cards also include travel credit cards, which are cards that can be made use of strictly for travel purposes and come with offers of loads of discounts and rewards.

Credit card processing machines are those machines that are equipped with verification as well as validification software that makes them to confirm the secret info on a credit card once it is passed through themthey’re beginning to be a regular feature everywhere at present, particularly in commercial centers. Thanks to the Internet and the proliferation of World Wide Web business together with your credit card; it’s easy to now have whatever you want brought to you in the peace cool your home when you utilize your credit card to order on the World Wide Web.

Chase credit card, a main credit card corporation can be found online with a variety of credit cards such as flexible rewards visa signature card, free cash rewards platinum visa card, chase perfect platinum master card and others; it’s easy to access the vital info on the web site - www.Chase.com. Credit card rates and even charges can be effortlessly compared and even contrasted online before a definite choice is made.

You should pay close attention to details when filling out an application for a credit card simply because any slight error may perhaps mar your credibility and even render you ineligible to get a credit card.

You can apply for a credit card in lots of ways; in person, on the phone, via a sales agent or online; whichever way, it is vital to relay nothing but factual info for use by the credit card corporation.

Finally, if you have no idea where to get a very good credit card that meets any need you have, I suggest you try Chase credit card, a credit card company that’s famous in the country and which has a variety of credit cards for you to choose from.

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The Facts You Should Know About Online Credit Card Application

by Don Pedro

On a preliminary note, you have to be aware that despite the fact that credit cards come with particular exciting perks such as cash prices or gift certificates, it does not give you the right to invest lots more than you’re entitled to or you may possibly end up in debt.

An advantage of online credit card registration is that it saves you both time and even finances. It equally ensures you a quicker relay of your credit card.

Consolidate credit card debt refers to a condition where debts from one or many more credit cards are merged under the umbrella of one or two very new credit cards and is a popular means of seeking to offset bills in a lots more organized fashion.

Credit card debt is absolutely familiar as a result of the tendency to exceed the credit card limit or the failure to meet stipulated payments of bills to the credit card corporation; do your very best not to be a victim of credit card debt.

Thanks to the Web and the proliferation of World Wide Web business and also your credit card; you can now have whatever you want brought to you in the serenity cool your home when you use your credit card to order on the Internet.

Countless persons who possess credit cards have a ’shop till you drop’ mentality that tends to make them brush aside the reality that their credit card has a limit; more often than not, they end up in grave credit card debt; don’t be like such people.

The attraction of a business credit card is that it facilitates business expenses accounting; more over, the business owner can have an account of his expenses drawn up for study or for the record.

When dealing with merchants on the World Wide Web, you’ve to tread with ease before releasing info as a result of the presence of World Wide Web fraudsters who can turn your shopping experience on the World Wide Web into an ordeal.

The seven most well known credit card corporations that have tentacles spread out in many countries are: America express, citi, diners club, JCB, MasterCard, visa and Discover.

To conclude, if you are still scholing with your first credit card, you have got to be smart enough to regard it as a stepping stone to other levels of credit cards later on in your life and make use of it as sensibly as possible; how well you use it now will surely impact positively on your future fiscal life.

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Effects Of Credit Crunch Wider Than Just Financial

by Mark Dawson

Almost everybody will probably tell you that financial worries such as trying to find or pay back a loan or the rising cost of fuel and food gives them a headache.

But it may be worse than that. According to new research from financial service provider Friends Provident along with UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, Britons’ health is getting worse as the credit crunch bites.

Nearly 29 million people, or roughly 66 per cent, feel more stressed, less fit and less healthy than they did three years ago, according to the findings. The Britain Under Pressure report found that the economic downturn means 37 per cent of people are feeling more stressed, 19 per cent are losing sleep and 15 per cent are working longer hours.

In addition, seven per cent are drinking more and six per cent are smoking more as they attempt to come to terms with the financial pressures facing them. In addition, nine per cent expect to start drinking more in the next six months. And a majority of 1 in 4 people do not think they are doing enough to care for their health.

It gets worse. More than half of people (56 per cent) are buying more home brands to try to reduce outgoings and 15 per cent have sacrificed spending on fruit and vegetables in an effort to cope financially. Almost a quarter (21 per cent) are using the gym less, with many specifically citing money as the reason.

Many are also relying more on less healthy ready-meals and takeaways, with 77 per cent regularly cooking them.

All in all, lifestyle changes and worry could cause a blood pressure “ticking time bomb”, according to the Blood Pressure Association. Chairman Professor Graham MacGregor warned that uncontrolled and undetected high blood pressure could lead to strokes, heart failure and heart attacks. All of which cause most deaths in britain.

He stated that people should have a free blood pressure test.

According to Mark Jones, head of protection at Friends Provident, the credit crunch is having “serious ramifications”. He added that lifestyle changes for the worse, such as deteriorating diet and lack of exercise could affect blood pressure and health in the long term.

Even apart from problems linked directly to financial worries, 42 per cent of people scarcely monitor their salt intake while a third never or rarely eat the recommended five fruit and vegetable portions a day.

As such, people are being encouraged to take better care of their health. And one activity with a reputation for being relaxing is gardening. Which is just as well, as gardening expert Joe Swift, presenter of BBC’s Gardening World, says that maintaining a garden can add value to your home.

His comments may well be of interest to people looking for ways to finance a loan or improve the price of their house as they attempt to secure a loan for a property. Plants and summer houses are popular at the moment, while decking and paving can help to push up the value of their property.

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