5 Easy Steps to Rebuild Your Credit after Bankruptcy

Posted by | Posted in Credit, Financial, How To | Posted on 27-01-2009

Bankruptcy often is the last ultimate solution for many debtors who have unbearable debts. With filing a bankruptcy, you will get rid of your debts instantly and relief you from the harassing call of your creditors.

Although bankruptcy has many undesirable consequences such as your bad credit record will remain on your credit report for 7-10 years, but with a little work, you can improve your credit even before these negative records expire. Here are five easy steps you can take to rebuild your credit.

Step 1: Get to know your current credit status

The first step to rebuilding your credit is to look at exactly where you stand. Order all your three credit reports from those three national credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You can order these reports online, it easy and secure.

Print each report and review it closely. Try to understand the information listed in your credit reports and highlight any negative records or inaccuracies that are damaging your credit score.

Step 2: Check the expiration dates

Read the rest of this entry »

Hard Money for Real Estate Investing

Posted by | Posted in Financial, How To, Investing | Posted on 11-12-2008

Real estate investing is one of the most common uses of hard money funds. Real estate investing is a cash intensive financial activity. In order to take advantage of ongoing projects, investors often require more operating capital than conventional banks are prepared to provide on short notice.

When conventional financing takes too long or is not available due to low FICO scores or some other reason, hard money can be a deal saver. If you invest in a lot of property, your FICO score can plummet simply due to the number of mortgages you owe! Alternatively, the properties that can be had for an advantageous price may not meet conventional banking criteria. In either case, hard money lenders are not restricted in the same way that conventional banks are and

Hard money lenders can turn on a dime. Mortgages for real estate investing can take anywhere from two to six months to be completed by conventional banks and lenders. Hard money lenders can generally fund in two weeks from the time you have all the paperwork in place.

Lenders can also fund projects that conventional banks cannot. If your real estate investing takes you to the realm of dry cleaners (or a strip mall that has one), gas stations, or even assisted living facilities (one of the hottest growing real estate markets in the US), conventional banks are not likely to be able to fund your project. Hard money loans can, once again, be a deal saver.

Plan to use hard money as a bridge loan. Terms generally range from one to three years. This should provide ample time to prepare the property or your personal financial status to arrange for long term conventional financing or to arrange for the sale of the property in question.

Recommended Lenders:
Read the rest of this entry »

How to Successfully Navigate Your Business through an Economic Downturn

Posted by | Posted in Financial | Posted on 06-12-2008

An economic downturn is a phase of the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline.This phase basically marks the end of the period of growth in the business cycle. Economic downturns are characterized by decreased levels of consumer purchases (especially of durable goods) and, subsequently, reduced levels of production by businesses.

While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and are formidable obstacles to small businesses that are trying to survive and grow, an economic downturn can open up opportunities. A well-managed company can realize the opportunity to gain market share by taking customers away from their competitors. Resourceful entrepreneurs capture the available opportunities, from an economic downturn, by developing alternate methods of doing business that were never implemented during a prior growth period.

Read the rest of this entry »

3 Tips that can help pay your bills

Posted by | Posted in Financial, Tips | Posted on 13-11-2008

It’s a situation that no one wants to find themselves in, but unfortunately some of us do. Your bills keep coming but you don’t have the money to pay them. When this happens, there are two ways to deal with it. All too often, people choose to bury their head in the sand and pretend like it’s not happening. This only makes the problem get increasingly worse over time. The other way to deal with it is to face it head on, but this is easier said than done.

Here are some suggestions for dealing with it correctly.

1) Make a list- The first thing you need to do is make a list of all of the bills you must pay. For example, your list may include a mortgage, car payment, college loans, insurance and credit cards. For each of these payments, find someone to contact. The fact that you took initiative will usually result in a positive reaction from lenders. Be sure to get their name so that you can contact the same person each time. Also, if an agreement is reached, make sure you get it in writing. If you are unable to reach the same person later, you will need proof that you had an arrangement with them.

2) Be wary of quick solutions- The fact is that debt is a big problem, and it is not going to be solved quickly. If someone advertises a solution that seems too good to be true, it probably is. One example of this is debt consolidation loans. The keyword here is loan. It will get rid of your problem for awhile, but in the long run it is just going to be yet another
loan
you need to pay off. Use this solution with caution. Another thing to watch out for is debt doctors. These are companies or individuals who claim to have the ability to erase your credit record for a fee. This isn’t actually possible, however, and they are just scamming you for your

money
.

3) Keep the rest of your life in check- If your finances are falling apart, don’t let the rest of your life fall apart with it. Depression will cause inaction and inaction will cause more debt. Try to keep your life as under control as possible. Simple ways to do this are to make sure you get enough sleep at night, and eat a healthy amount of nutritious food each day.

Credit to Sherry L Harris

Bad Behavior has blocked 85 access attempts in the last 7 days.