Ever noticed how when you walk in to a book store and find your way to the business or financial books all the views that are expressed in the titles are almost the same??? Almost all of them,in one way or another, call out for a monetary version of bloodshed. I mean the titles are about how you can crush the other guy, or it’s not personal its business. Years ago when I got into the real estate investment game I spent hours looking thru the book titles. Trying to find the one book that would teach me how to become a “REAL ESTATE INVESTING GOD” That I knew I could become. After reading most of the popular books of the time I actually would feel beat up over the content. I mean did I have to be a “take no prisoners ” type of investor? Did I have to prey on some one else’s misfortune?? No, of course I dont. However I did need to learn to take somethings to heart and NEVER let go of them. I had to build my investment suit of armor so to say. So I set out to build a list of my investment rules. We each should have our own set of investment rules. It will help you keep the animal investor inside of you in check. In my case,being that I am a VERY competitive aggressive alpha male type personality I need rules that would keep me “Human”. My own set of personal laws that would keep me on the “non- predatory” path. Doc’s Rules for investing:

1) Set up some personal guidelines: Define and follow these guidelines. This is the most important rule I have. . Things to include, but not limit you to, are: Top dollar amount and lowest dollar amount. Type of investment you want to deal with. Period of term for investment.. Etc etc. (You can even have a guideline about the amount of time you will work per-day)

2) Remember some ones family is behind the deal you?re working on. Simply put,whoever you are dealing with has mouths to feed. Don’t forget this. Just because you can get a great deal on a house because the current owner is in a facing some sort of adversity that is causing them to sell below market value, doesn’t give you license to kick them when they are down. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. If the price they are offering still falls within the personal investing guidelines you have set for yourself don’t use your position to abuse the seller. If you are getting the house for .40 cents on the dollar,don’t be a jerk and push for .38 cents. Always remember…it could be you in the sellers postion. (This rule DOES NOT come in to play when dealing with a bank owned property)

3) Always ask for what you want. Where does it say you can’t ask for something in an investment deal you like? I.E. if you’re looking at a piece of real estate, ask the seller if they would be willing to throw in new carpet to the sale. I knew a investor who was looking at a house that had been on the market for more than 6 months, when he went to talk to the seller he happen to see a 1954 Merc Coupe in the garage,so he asked if it was included in the deal. The deal eventually closed for the house AND the car. 4) Offer everyone the chance to make money as a bird dog for you. I always give several of my business cards to anyone I do business with and offer them a portion of any profit I make from any investments they help me locate. You would be amazed at how many people are willing to help you make money when they get a small part of it for doing very little work. (And if you follow rule #2 you will be amazed at how many of those bird dogs will sing your praises from the highest mountains)

The above is just some ideas of things to keep in mind when you’re working on your investment mindset. These rules have worked well for me over the years,and in more cases then not, have gotten me more return and repeat networking opportunities then I can count.

Technorati Tags: investing, investor, Lakefront Property, money, real estate, real estate investing, real estate investments, retirement, retirment investments, wealth

Searching for bad credit home loans will prove to you that there is plenty of help out there. So many new programs are available that it makes it almost hard not to find one that fits you and your needs. People with bad credit have more options today than they used to, due to the fact that so many people have ended up with it. If they shut out everyone with bad credit, they’d lose a vast market indeed. So don’t be discouraged if you have bad credit, there’s a way for you to get the loan for the home you want.

Along with being the American dream, it’s also the largest purchase we’ll probable make in our life. So you can be assured that there are many people out there competing for loans in order to achieve their dream. For countless thousands of us, that will mean trying to get a bad credit loan. Some people end up with bad credit over something silly, while others end up with it for good reason. Still, help can be found.

If you fall into the category of bad credit, no doubt you believe that getting a home loan is out of your reach. I’m here to tell you, that’s just not true. Now if you can possibly fix your credit with just a few adjustments, then that’s the way to go. If you’re not sure, then you need to find out what your score is, and just how much you need to do to repair it. Sometimes just a little rebuilding can get you back on the good side.

Your credit score is what will reveal all that has happened in your credit history. It shows the level of risk that you represent to lenders. The three main reporting agencies for credit are Transunion, Experian, and Equifax. You can get a free report from these companies, and these reports should be checked over thoroughly, because many times mistakes have been made without your knowledge.

Still, even though you’ve just started repairing your credit, the fact is, you’re only one out of thousands. The credit card boom put many people in the whole financially due to misuse and lack of self-discipline. And many are there simply because they didn’t fully understand how credit cards really work. Regardless of how you get there, the point is, you’re not alone, and there are still lenders who will lend you the money for a home.

Due the massive amounts of bad credit people in this country, the lending institutions have wised up and realized what a humungous market they’re missing. So they’ve put some programs into place that cater to those with bad credit. They’ve relaxed the rules and regulations so that those of us who weren’t able to get a home loan can now get one. So if your score just needs a little tuning up, then get going and fix it, it’s more than worth it if you can get your own home.

One of the best ways to go if you get turned down by the banks is to look at getting an FHA loan. Loans can be had through the Federal Housing Authority and with very lax requirements and conditions. They can help you get a loan that will fit your budget and with a low down payment. The government has started some new programs to help people get home loans. And there are programs that encourage first time home owners that will give you up to $8, 000 credits toward the downpayment.

Obtaining bad credit home loans isn’t just a dream, but a reality that you can make happen if you just take action. The programs are there and in place, just waiting for you to take advantage of them. And life is waiting for you to get in the game. So get it done and take your place among the homeowners of America, and live the life that was meant for you.

Technorati Tags: advice, bad credit, banks, blog, debt consolidation, employment, house, jobs, Lakefront Property, loans, money, mortgage, real estate, refinance

Unless you’re moving a very short distance and can do many hops in your own transport – or if you’re moving with a group of people (such as in the Military), or your family has access to a suitable van, its important to book your van as far in advance as possible, to allow you to ensure that you get your van.

You may also need some basic information on the amount of items you want to move, the sizes of your bulky items, and whether you’ll be moving into a house that’s up stairs or an elevator – and what access you have, as some companies charge premiums for this if you’re using their team to move.

Access includes whether its a long way to your front door, or if parking is readily available, or conversely, difficult.

Allowing a company to pack your belongings isn’t without risk, so before you hire a removal firm be sure to check their credentials and references thoroughly.

You’ll have items you don’t want them to pack – make sure you pack them yourself, or tell them, clearly what you expect them to pack and not pack. Its always good to take an inventory before allowing anyone to come in and pack your belongings – and if you can, take photos.

Most companies provide insurance and are consummate professionals, but some can cause more damage than the cost of hiring them, and its important to have redress when moving belongings.

Their insurance should be carefully examined to make sure it covers everything – this will also give you an idea of what they will and won’t pack – and what extras (such as mattress covering) they’ll provide.

Companies can come in and pack your house in as little as two days – so its important to know what to expect and when to expect them. You will want to stay and watch them packing (and possibly pack some of your own things) so make sure to allow for that when planning your move.

Technorati Tags: finance, house, household, information, Lakefront Property, money, mortgage, moving, real estate, transport

Step right up, because here are 5 reasons your life will get a whole lot better if you go ahead and employ the services of a genuine, professional junk remover in the GTA.

#5: Get those renovations done.

Just work through a giant renovation project, and now several rooms in your house (and maybe your garage, too) are full of a bunch of junk needing to be cleared? We’ve seen this before — you work like hell on the main project itself, but then have to drag a huge dumpster into your driveway or spend hundreds on a truck rental just to clear out the trash.

Don’t sweat it — if you call up a quality junk removal Toronto based company, they’ll cart away all that crap that’s preventing your enjoyment of that masterful new renovation you just did, and you’ll be able to admire it in peace.

#4: Go ahead, change up your whole house.

We probably all had loads of room in our new houses back when we initially showed up, but as the years accumulate, a lot of that space just magically gets taken up by a motley assortment of junk. Imagine we sort through a lot of it and decide exactly what of it is junk — how can we send it away?

If you’ve just gone through a “great purge of 2009″ of your own and would like to ferry that stuff right out the door, get in contact with a quality junk removal service and be done with it forever.

#3: Change addresses without all that stress.

Let’s face it — moving is extremely hard, and tons of little stressful events just sort of pop up when you don’t expect. Let’s say you’ve packed up all your quality stuff — one of the most depressing points comes when you comprehend just how much junk you’re about to take with you to your new address.

So don’t. Show up at the new digs with nothing but a clean slate — dump all your junk beforehand, and let a top quality junk removal Toronto based service help you with it, and save your peace of mind.

#2: Do your part for the environment.

Other times when we make a serious effort to dump all of our junk, it can result in a great feeling of freedom and lightness. The problem comes when we need a responsible way to get rid of that junk — we often don’t think about it until we’re desperate to get it out of our sight. A junk removal service removes this obligation for you, because they do their absolute best to donate and recycle everything possible.

#1: Don’t let junk actually affect your life — and move on.

Often times our best-laid plans come to naught, as we get caught up in the ebb and flow of regular life. Our big projects for cleaning out the garage or basement disappear, and we’re left with a whole lot of junk weighing on our consciousness. Time to move on — call a junk removal Toronto based service, let them do their thing, and take a deep breath. You deserve it.

Technorati Tags: garbage, garbage pick up, junk, junk removal, Lakefront Property, Trash, trash removal, waste

Home foreclosure is becoming a far more common problem now then it was just a few years ago. Often it originates from one missed payment which soon spirals out of control. Before you know it you have missed three or four payments and the mortgage lender or bank wants you to pay everything you owe all at once, right then and there. Often this is a major burden to the homeowner and in the end they must decide on some sort of plan of action…this is normally where one can fall for a scam.

Foreclosure scams are very common as much as the problem itself. Since homeowners believe that they have no choice they fall for these traps, which of course make their situation much worse than it was. Not only is the stress of the foreclosure an issue, but then the fallout from the scam starts…and brings additional stress.

The people who work these scams advertise online, publish advertisements in the local newspaper, distribute flyers, and call houses which are included on the foreclosure list. Sometimes they call themselves “mortgage consultants/real estate investment planners” who offer foreclosure services or advertise with “We buy houses” signs.

Then most common scams:

Bankruptcy/ Foreclosure Scam

The promise here is that the house will be saved. In return they will either ask for the homeowner to pay their mortgage directly to them, hand over their deed and pay rent, or obtain refinancing. of course they don’t do ANYTHING to fulfill the other end of the bargain, they don’t contact your lender or obtain refinancing for you. They keep all the money and file bankruptcy without your knowledge. Only to use a diffirent name and do the scam agian on some other poor soul looking for help.

Since the homeowner is not aware that bankruptcy has been filed, they fail to participate in the case. The case is dismissed and the house continues onto foreclosure. Apart from loosing money and your home, you will also have a bankruptcy on your record.

“Skimming” or also called Equity skimming

The scammer poses as a buyer. They then promise the homeowner to pay the mortgage or given them a sum of money once the property has been sold. The operator then convinces the homeowner to sign over the deed and move out. The homeowner can stay but they have to pay rent. If they opt to move out the operator lets a third party rent the property. The scam operator of course does not pay the mortgage and lets the mortgage lender foreclose all the while stemming off questions from the original home owner about where they are in the “process.”

If the house has equity, the operator sells the property and pays off the debt. Then the operator keeps the equity that the homeowner could have had if they sold it

Should you find yourself facing ANY of the above mentioned situations….contact a local mortgage office and ask them if they have ever heard of a “program” like the one you would be offered…if they say no….call the local police and ask for the consumer fraud division.

Technorati Tags: foreclosure, Lakefront Property, real estate, retirement, scam, scams

One of the most gorgeous and peaceful areas to live in the United States is Ocala, Florida. The natives are very cheerful and friendly and love to welcome new folks to town. A large amount that reside there have been there for decades – and, there is a reason why they have not moved. It is the perfect area to live because it has a noticeable flavor of old countryside U.S.A. with a flair of modernity. One idea is for sure – when you come to Ocala, you will fall in love!

Ocala is situated in a perfect location since it is on average an hour’s drive to Orlando, the Gulf Coast, and the Eastern Atlantic shore of Florida. To be correct, the charming little city is located in the county of Marion and is home to the enormously-sized national park, The Ocala National Forest. So, citizens who live here have the chance to reside silently and serenely while even being able to conduct brief day trips to several unique places. Yet if you opt not to journey out of Ocala, there is much to do. One of the most well-known attractions is the gorgeous 350-acre nature theme park, Silver Springs. This place has loads of things to do like: fishing, swimming, glass-bottom boat rides, canoeing, or wild life watching. Silver Springs is an special place with some rare animal species that will entertain the whole family.

In addition to all the activities that are simply an arm’s reach away, the city of Ocala has numerous preserved historic homes in a distinctive and charming historic district located on East Fort King Street. The rows of manicured Victorian homes add even more charm to this already darling of a southern city. And, though it is considered a city, it is country living all the way. People living there regard their tranquility and quiet and understand they can find sanctity in this extraordinary city.

There is another important plus about Ocala, and that is the economy. The economical status of this remarkable city is ideal because to its location. For one, Ocala is right smack dab in the center of two major universities, next to a couple international airports, and near major attractions (i.e. Orlando). This key locality makes it a significant location for manufacturing. Also, the regional workforce is diverse and has a broad range of skills. The local commercial businesses do well because of the moderate wheather and diversity in the labor force pool. All in all, Ocala has a exceptionally bright and stable economy compared to other areas of the nation.

Anyone searching for harmony and tranquility will undeniably discover it in Ocala. And, because it is located outside of major cities, the real estate is still equitable. Life in Ocala can be fun and exciting (because of all the things to do), but also calm, cool, and relaxing. For that reason, the city of Ocala is one of the greatest places to bring up a family and settle down to a life of peace, harmony, and contentment!

Technorati Tags: homes for sale, Lakefront Property, moving to Ocala, Ocala Florida real estate

In a down real estate market, finding foreclosed homes is easy, but to make your search easier, here is the list of the places where you can find foreclosures.

Auctions

Auction companies hold a inventory of properties, sometimes selling as much as 100 homes or more in just a single day. The bidding is relatively quick and houses can be sold in a matter of seconds, prices of real estate can go over the board but you can find really good properties in their inventory.

Some Large Bank Websites

Most major banks maintain a list of foreclosed properties that they now own. Visit bank web sites and check out the foreclosed properties listing. More often then not this is a great method to find good solid investment property…just be warned…banks take FOREVER to move on a sale if your offering below what they feels is “Fair market value”.

Online foreclosure companies

A few companies online that specialize in selling foreclosed homes.The good thing about signing up on web-based foreclosure companies is that once you are in, you can get a wide selection of foreclosure properties available nationwide.

Real estate agents

These agents are either maintaining personal web sites or deal directly with real estate companies that sell foreclosed properties. You can search them online. Major cities have real estate offices where you can inquire into possibility of acquiring foreclosures. Be sure to ask if the agent is a “buyers agent.”

Real Estate Signs

You don’t need to look anywhere else because you can find foreclosure signs around your neighborhood. Homes with signs like foreclosure, bank repo, and bank-owned are for you to consider. These signs contain address and contact information of the agents you can visit or call. The best thing about considering homes with real estate signs is that you can actually check the condition of the house on-site. And with one phone call, you can arrange with the agent the date when you want to see the interior of the house.

Government Agencies

VA forclosed homes, Fannie Mae foreclosure homes, Housing Urban Development, Small Business Association, Department of the Treasury and other government agencies have a list of real estate properties for sale. Usually, when buying a house from these agencies, you are required to acquire the services of a real estate broker or personally submit an offer. Go to any of the government agencies web sites for more information.

Technorati Tags: forclosures, foreclosed real estate, foreclosure, foreclosures investing, investing, investments, Lakefront Property, real estat, real estate, real estate investing, real estate investments, real estate investor, real estate investors, REO

The barrier island of St Pete Beach is known for its sandy white beaches that stretch for miles under the glow of the Florida sun, bathed in the warmth of the Gulf of Mexico. St Pete Beach is one of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast of Florida and is one of the best beaches for weddings and wedding receptions on the Gulf Coast of Florida. St Pete Beach is the beach next to this Beautiful Fort De Soto State Park, there are no homes or business on Fort De Soto Park, St Pete Beach is the nearest beach community.

Florida is blessed with warm weather almost year round which makes it a great place to stroll in the sand, splash in the water, enjoy a sunset or take advantage of the beachside restaurants that provide lively entertainment and night life. When many people think of Florida the first thoughts they have are sunshine and beaches. That’s because Florida has gorgeous sunshine year round and breathtaking white sandy beaches that attract residents and visitors year round. Some beaches are more well-known such as The Florida Keys, Miami’s South Beach. The east coast has Daytona and Cocoa Beach and on the west coast there is St. Pete and Clearwater Beach. Panama City has also become a popular spring break and summer getaway for younger beach goers who are looking for a great place to unwind and enjoy the sun. No matter which location you choose, you can’t go wrong. Most locations have taken great care in preserving their shorelines, placing boardwalks or piers to sight see from, and offer low priced and upscale hotels and condominiums to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a seasonal getaway or want to call one of these seaside locations home, you will not be disappointed.

You can take sight seeing cruises where you can see dolphins, sea turtles or go to many small or remote islands off these coasts. The Florida Keys is an ocean lovers paradise and popular for lobster catching, snorkeling or scuba diving. It has great live coral and the scenery is breathtaking. Florida is surrounded by great waterways to enjoy. You can charter a boat or Jet Ski to play on the water. A good captain will be able to help you catch snook, grouper or the many other types of fish in these waters!

Recently, many beaches have started to expand to not just offer daytime activities but to really spice up their night life. Visitors were coming to this area and spending their days at the shore and their nights in larger cities nearby. These cities decided they wanted their visitors to stay nearby and have taken an interest in offering beachside entertainment such as bands, magicians, and street vendors. Local restaurants and hotels have begun serving appetizers and drinks out on the patio areas and people have started to enjoy sitting by the ocean at night listing to the crashing waves. Now these beachside locations are some of the most popular in town!

If you are looking for a great place to vacation or live, don’t miss the Florida Beaches. These white sand beaches overlook some of the best water and sea life. View dolphins splashing in the water or go for a day of fishing and you will see why so many people come to Florida year round! Florida Real Estate has always been very popular on the water. Hotels are remodeling to attract more guests. Condominiums and town homes are undergoing renovations to update their facilities and offer more amenities to their owners. Waterfront property has never been more popular.

Technorati Tags: beaches, Condominiums, condos, destinations, florida, Lakefront Property, Lodging, real estate, rentals, St Pete Beach, tips, travel, vacations

Locating apartments for rent can become a laborious task. If you are not bombarded with ‘apartments to let’ signs it can be very difficult to know where to look for a place to rent. Ok, so you have found the apartments for rent, then you may have a problem with the list of extras possible.

Look through your local paper’s accommodation section for the best help in locating places to live. There you will find an overview of the number of bedrooms the apartments have and of the rental costs per month but don’t expect to see any images of interior rooms etc. The cost of advertising in local classifieds is cheaper than it is for advertising in national listing services, and because of that, there will usually be more listings within the local. Consequently, if you are searching for more options related to building sizes, etc.

If you are moving to another state for example, the best options for locating apartments for rent are sites like apartments. The websites compile large numbers of apartment communities with related information, such as the number of bedrooms, starting rental prices and show many photos of apartment interiors and exteriors. This information is especially useful in selecting the community that fulfills your criteria, without having to visit a distant city before you are prepared to relocate. Several websites even offer the option of arranging viewings of apartments without additional delays cased by agents. It might be wise however, to make a call, just to see if an apartment that fits your criteria remains available. A drawback of the sites is that you will not be afforded the option of seeing many smaller apartment buildings and privately owned homes that are currently on the rental market.

During your search at the apartments for rent, don’t forget to check into what other amenities are offered with each one. Pools, secured parking and gyms are often offered by some larger communities and complexes. Definitely check into who will be paying for the utility bills plus whether or not you will be able to safely park your car without and additional charge. These extra costs could raise a previously thought of affordable apartment into a higher price range, where it might be hard for you to make the monthly payment.

All things considered, looking for a new apartment to live is not that difficult if you are prepared; that way you are unlikely to fall foul of any sudden surprises that might show up. Don’t rush this process and thoroughly check out all options before deciding where you want to live.

Technorati Tags: apartments, apartments for rent, home rentals, homes, housing, Lakefront Property, rental apartment, rental apartments, rental homes

Looking at Atlanta for your next destination. Looking for a new place to live? Getting Transferred to Atlanta? Want to take advantage of the down turn in the Atlanta Real Estate market?

Atlanta is the Southeast capital. People are always moving in and out of Atlanta and because of that the Atlanta Real Estate market will remain strong. Timing is everything. Look at moving up to your next home now and get the home that you did not think you could afford.

Over the last year we have built up a large inventory of homes just waiting for someone to come along and buy them a great price. Look at the better area for the best deals. Why not take advantage of the low prices and buy the best house in the best areas of Atlanta.

Get educated and find a professional Realtor Group to help you. The Home Source Group of Atlanta and REMAX Greater Atlanta are professional, competent and knowledgeble in Atlanta Real Estate. This will be you largest investment of you life. Get professional help! Use the new website FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com No registration and no agent phone calls. No Spam emails to your inbox.

Look at all the homes in the metro Atlanta area for FREE. When it comes time the buy a home, call Becky Veal and Wade Morris at 678 -248-3500. You will get the best service and the most competent Real Estate agents in the Atlanta market.

Not buying Atlanta Real Estate? Maybe you are selling your Atlanta home! Use the website to see what is on the market to see what your competition is. Need to get thing done to home before you put it on the market? Go the Vendor page to find out who you can hire to do the work.

Set your appointment today and we will glad to meet with you!

Home Source Group – REMAX Greater Atlanta Becky Veal / Wade Morris 678 248-3500

FreeAtlantaHomeSearch.com

Technorati Tags: Atlanta Home Search, Atlanta Real Estate, Lakefront Property