Silver Crosshair

Refinancing your mortgage has certain advantages. The key reason homeowners refinance is to obtain a lower interest rate, which will lower their monthly payments. Even so, some homeowners are hesitant to refinance. The refinance process involves creating a new mortgage loan. Moreover, the process is long and homeowners are required to pay closing costs and other fees that accompany a mortgage loan. Refinancing your home does not assure a lower interest rate. Before approving a refinance, lenders review your credit and other factors to establish a rate. Nonetheless, there are ways for homeowners to improve their chances of receiving a low refinance rate.

Improve Credit History

Our credit rating has a huge role in determining credit worthiness. The information included in credit reports reveals our current standing with creditors. Missed or late payments greatly reduce credit scores. Moreover, keeping credit cards and lines of credit at the maximum limit decrease credit scores. Before applying for a mortgage refinance, review your credit report. Check for inaccuracies that may justify a higher interest rate. Next, contact the credit bureau and creditor to resolve the dispute. Once a credit report error is corrected, creditors are willing to submit a letter as verification that an issue has been resolved.

Consider Paying Points

Paying points for a lower interest rate is another alternative. Traditionally, the more points charged to a mortgage, the lower the interest rate. Each point is equivalent to one percent of the mortgage amount. For example, a $100,000 mortgage loan with two points will incur an additional $2,000 in charges, and so forth. Paying points is more worthwhile for individuals who plan to live in their homes for a long time. Points are either paid upfront, or financed with the loan balance.

Compare Rates and Services of Different Lenders

It makes sense to obtain a refinance loan from your current mortgage lender. You and the lender have an established relationship and payment history. While your current mortgage lender may be willing to negotiate reduced fees, they may not offer the best rate. Thus, it is imperative to compare rates and fees with at least three other lenders. Applying for a refinance loan online is the best option. By submitting an application to online mortgage brokers, you will receive multiple offers from various lenders eager to have your business. Compare rates and services, and then choose the company with the best offer.

To view our list of recommended sources for mortgage refinance loans, visit
this page: Recommended
Home Refinance Lenders.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan
Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

Comments Off

OK, so you’ve figured out where your best clients have come from and where your Ideal Clients can be found in large numbers, and inexpensively. It’s time to create a marketing plan that has you focusing on “fishing where the fish are.” The more focus you have, the better the results.

When coaching clients to do this in private sessions, I ask them to draw a large circle on a blank sheet of paper, and draw 4 lines to create a pie with 8 slices.

Then I ask them to fill out each slice of the pie with what they’re currently doing to attract clients (only the things that really work) and then fill in the rest of the marketing pie with marketing tools we’ve agreed will PULL their clients in. This comes from the list of where their Ideal Clients congregate, remember?

So, the list could look like this:

Network where they network

Join associations that allow you to rub elbows with them

Write articles for the publications they read

Create a Signature Talk for a workshop/seminar they attend

List your events in publications they read

Set up referral partnerships with people they do business with on a regular basis

Get booked as a speaker for organizations they belong to

Write articles for websites they visit often or rely upon

Write an e-zine they would be interested in reading

Give free (or paid) teleseminars they would dial into

Avoid marketing where your ideal clients are NOT spending time, as you will attract people who DON’T fit that profile.

Know that although you DO want a multi-pronged marketing approach (so that you don’t ever put all your eggs in one basket), you want to take it slow and not try to put into place ALL the pieces of the pie at the same time. You’d overwhelm yourself and exhaust yourself completely, and exhaustion is not very Client Attractive.

So the idea is to start putting a couple of “slices” of the pie in place, to make them run like a well-oiled machine and THEN move on to adding another slice, one at a time.

Your Assignment:

Spend some time thinking about all the different avenues for reaching you target audience with your compelling marketing message and plot it out on a marketing pie. Then start putting one piece of the pie in place, one after the other, until your Marketing Pie is in full swing and always working to help you attract clients. No more ad hoc marketing, with no results.

OK, but what if you haven’t worked out what your compelling marketing message is yet? Or, you don’t quite know where to find them in large numbers… You can get lots of help (with tons of assignments and worksheets, templates, etc.) on how to do today’s assignment. It’s all in the Client Attraction Home Study System and it includes lots of crucial stuff to help you fill your practice really quickly. You can read more about it at www.TheClientAttractionSystem.com.

© 2005 Fabienne Fredrickson

Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Expert, is founder of the Client Attraction System, the proven step-by-step program to help you attract more clients, in record time and consistently. To learn more about Fabienne’s Client Attraction Home Study System, sign up for her FREE client attraction tips and no-charge teleclasses on attracting more clients, visit http://www.ClientAttraction.com

Comments Off

Problems with transplanting:

Once a homeowner decides to add a new tree or shrub to their landscape there are several factors to consider when doing this. Three of the most important factors are selection of the plant, where they will plant, and the actual process of planting the new addition. Trees and shrubs not planted correctly will show signs of slow growth, poor colour, decline and or may grow too large for the location you have chosen.

Selection:

Many times a homeowner will be tempted to use a lower priced tree or shrub. Often these plants will have an underdeveloped root structure that is unable to support the plant. The root structure may be overgrown from being in a container too long. It may have broken branches or damaged bark. Ensure the plant is suited for the hardiness zone you live in. Check with a local nursery if you are unsure of which zone you live in. If you choose a tree or shrub that will outgrow the location you have chosen, move it to another location. Try to imagine what the plant will look like in 15-20 years, this will aid in your selection of location. By doing this you will cut down on the need for excessive pruning in later years. Generally trees and shrubs of poorer quality will be slow to establish themselves, they will exhibit signs of reduced vigor, die-back, and poor growth.

Choosing your site:

Characteristics of a location will also contribute to transplant problems. Almost all trees and shrubs need a well-drained soil that is moist. Many areas within an urban environment are poorly drained. The soil pH level may be unsuitable for the tree or shrub you have selected. Most trees and shrubs also require a specific sun and shade schedule. A poorly chosen site will affect a tree or shrub in many ways. Poor growth, and or poor colour will occur. Generally speaking trees and shrubs in poor locations will also not respond favourably to a good fertilizer program or good cultural practices.

How to plant:

By planting incorrectly you dramatically increase the chance of your new tree or shrub failing. Several things that can go wrong are as follows. Many times the homeowner will plant too deep or too shallow. By planting too deep you have a good chance of suffocating the roots. This is caused by oxygen deprivation. Planting too shallow can cause exposure of the root structure. This will cause drying out of the root system and kill the plant. Watering improperly is another problem encountered by the homeowner.

By watering too much you run the risk of root decay or you have the potential to drown the roots. By watering too little the plant becomes stressed and could eventually die. Leaving wire, string, rope, or burlap on the plant can encourage girdling which can eventually kill the plant in later years. Improper staking can cause the plant to be blown over in severe weather. If you leave the staking material on too long you once again run the risk of girdling.

Solving the problem:

When you are planting your new tree or shrub ensure you correct as many of these problems as possible. Do not purchase plants with poorly developed root structures. Ensure the plant is compatible with the zone in which you live. Solve any drainage and pH problems before you transplant your new addition. Remove all burlap, wire, string, or rope that has the potential to cause girdling in later years. Make sure you plant at the proper depth. Generally you do this so the top roots are just covered by soil. Water deeply and infrequently. This will encourage your new plant to develop deep roots that will aid in stability in the years to come. Water slowly as this will enable more moisture to be taken in by the plant. Watering quickly causes run-off and is just wasting your time and money. Stake your plant if it is in an exposed area to wind.

Remember to remove the stakes and wire in the second year to prevent girdling. Use a good fertilization program throughout the life of your new additions. Water and prune correctly. By alleviating these problems you will ensure the good health and appearance of your new trees or shrubs.

Paul is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the province of Alberta, Canada. He has over 15 years experience in the lawn care industry.

For more lawn care information, please visit http://www.fairyring.ca/

Comments Off

Because GardenDirect.co.uk was started during nineteen ninety six it has very quickly become one of the new winning mail order sellers of tools for your garden. From the company’s 12 years that Garden Direct have been open www.gardendirect.co.uk presently have two million shoppers who have been interested through reliable convenience, the greatest prices, superior value for money with always high quality garden sheds. Their stock are so different; Garden Direct can be found consistently prized in their unique plant breeds which are continually introduced to the current range, which of course includes garden shears with add-ons that help shoppers that buy the very very best for their precious garden. Garden Direct sell beyond 130 million very best select flowers each year, the enormous majority matured in Garden Direct’s own nurseries, all this enables people to be sure about a buy & consider that what folk have ordered are of the very best standard.

www.GardenDirect.co.uk additionally provide the choice of a catalogue aimed at people to search through or perhaps purchase from in one’s own time. The online store have a top variety from old favourites to additional fantastic varieties you might well not observe found in the majority of gardening stores; the catalogue might also include a variety of seasonal special offers too. GardenDirect.co.uk sell distinct options of flowers that you yourself might well purchase in their online store. You could either go for a plug, ready or super seeding. Each of which are totally divergent, plug plants, distributed at 4-6cm high in a plug of compost the aforementioned properties are the best great value for money, you then have the larger ready plants that are distributed at at 6-8cm tall and being also more mature might be set direct into the garden, don’t forget you have super flower plants these are idyllic for folk who have less time to spare, supplied 9-11cm tall they also will probably be directly planted into your garden. Click here for garden shears, garden loppers and other tools that will help you to make the most of your garden.

Along with flowers Garden Direct offer the normal gardening products that you can often buy; the above mentioned consist of garden tools, garden sheds & gardening shears along with numerous others.

Comments Off

Anyone planning to take out a mortgage for the first time will most likely find the job a little daunting, not least because the financial jargon can often be very difficult to make sense of. As with any major financial decision, it is essential to fully understand every aspect of a mortgage plan before making a commitment. It’s also vital to simply do the math, to calculate exactly how much each type of mortgage will cost for the overall life of the loan, how long it will take to repay, and what the monthly repayments will be. Buyers would be wise to make the financial calculations before choosing a home, to get a clear picture of exactly how much home they can really afford to buy. More information is available at http://www.money-smash.com

One of the most important decisions to make is choosing the term of the mortgage. Most fixed term mortgage plans work on either a 15 or a 30 year period. Generally speaking, a 15 year plan means the monthly repayments will be higher, but less interest is paid over the long term, so often the mortgage will work out cheaper over the life of the loan. A 30 year plan will normally mean more interest in the long term, but the monthly repayments will be lower, which may mean the borrower can afford to buy a more expensive home.

Another important choice to make is between a fixed and an adjustable rate mortgage. The terminology is as simple as it sounds, although making the choice between the two types of plan may be a lot more complex. Fixed rate mortgage means the interest rate is set at the time the loan is made, and remains the same throughout the life of the loan. With an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate is set for the first few years, then after that, it is determined by various external economic factors which are outside the control of the lender and the borrower. Usually there will be some kind of cap to protect borrowers from excessive interest rate rises. A fixed rate plan is the less risky option, but an adjustable rate plan generally offers lower rates initially, and should interest rates fall in future, borrowers can take advantage the lower rates immediately, without having to refinance.

David Cannell is a freelance writer and university educator. He is also the owner of http://www.money-smash.com

Comments Off

It’s very important, and in my opinion, mandatory to have a home inspection done before you close on a house. The inspection helps with giving you an objective evaluation of any problems with the home before you move in.

Make sure you have a home inspection contingency in your contract before you sign it. You want to be able to back out of a contract if the inspection turns up any serious problems that the seller is not obligated to fix or that will be too costly for you to pay for on your own.

A home inspection report is a complex document that an inspector fills out while going over the house. The inspector will not catch everything that’s wrong with a house, but they are very thorough and can catch any major problems.

The inspector reviews the house from the roof to the foundation. They review the condition of the home’s heating and central air condition systems, interior plumbing, electrical systems, roof, foundation, basement, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, visible insulation and visible structure.

A home inspection usually costs between $200 to $400. This cost can be added to the closing cost or you can pay for it up front. It’s up to you how you want to pay for it. Your real estate agent might offer to find a home inspector for you, but you should make the final decision on who will do the inspection.

Good home inspectors are very thorough and very detailed. Also, good home inspectors are licensed. Some states don’t require licensing for home inspectors, but if you want to get the best out of an inspection, find a licensed inspector. Ask friends and family members who have had inspections done for recommendations.

Another great way to find a licensed inspector is at the American Society of Home Inspectors’ (ASHI) website at http://www.ashi.org. Members of this organization must abide by standards and guideline practices and a code of ethics set forth by the national organization.

Another place to find licensed inspectors is at the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI) website at http://www.nahi.org. They too have a standards of practice and code of ethics that inspectors must abide by. Both ASHI and NAHI allow you to search for home inspectors in your area.

Michelle Roebuck provides mortgage and home buying advice for people with bad credit at http://www.find-bad-credit-mortgage-loans.com
Sign up for her newsletter at http://www.find-bad-credit-mortgage-loans.com/newsletter.html

Comments Off

This is the age of creative real estate financing. Maybe you remember when financing meant you saved up enough to put 20% down on a house, and then got a mortgage loan for the other 80%? You can still do that, but there are many more options now. Here are ten of them.

1. Second mortgage loans from sellers. Many banks will allow you to have as little as 5% into a home purchase, but will then only loan you 80%. The seller can take payments on a second mortgage from you for the other 15%.

2. Manufacturer loans. Manufactured-home companies are arranging financing with 5% or less down for their buyers. This can be as little as $2,500 down if you already have a lot to put the home on.

3. State government housing programs. Most states have some sort of financing help in the form of a loan-guarantee program or outright loans for low-income buyers.

4. VA mortgage loans. If you have been in the armed services, have a decent job, and can save two or three paychecks, you can probably get a home with a VA loan.

5. Contract for sale. Called a “land contract” and other names depending on the part of the country you are in, this just means that you make payments to the seller instead of a bank. It’s up to you and them to negotiate downpayment amount, interest rate, and the term of the loan.

6. Builders gifting programs. In some parts of the country, builders fund foundations that give you a portion of the downpayment, so you can get into a home with as little as 3% downpayment from your own pocket. FHA and other lenders have so far approved of or allowed this.

7. FHA mortgage loans. The Farm Home Administration doesn’t actually loan the money, but guarantees your loan for the bank, so they can loan up to 97% of the purchase price, depending on the particular FHA program.

8. Friend and family loans. It may not be from charity that a brother or a friend lends you the money to buy a home. That 7% return might look awfully good if their money is sitting in the bank at 2%.

9. Bank no-doc loans. “No-doc” and “low-doc” loans, meaning no or low documentation requirements, are back, and you can find them through online banks. They are for those of you with bad credit but 20% to 30% to put down on a home. You don’t even need a job.

10. Your credit cards. A risky way, but if you have a low-interest credit card, you can use it to come up with the downpayment, especially if you can pay it off soon, perhaps with a coming tax refund. The banks generally won’t allow this, but you can combine this with seller financing.

So are there more ways to approach real estate financing? You bet there are. These are just some ways to buy your own home. When you start investing, you can use other techniques for really creative real estate financing.

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

Comments Off

Everyone I can think of hate buying ” unique Christmas gifts for him” and then they make a mad dash at the last to the nearest discount store to buy a ” unique Christmas gifts for him”. Of course the special gift they purchase then have definite pleasure assessment. But no worth to the beneficiary because you did not put any contemplation into the purchase of the special unique gift.

Gift cards can make your unique gift buying easier because you do not have to then run around for the searching for “unique Christmas gifts for him” flawlessness.

Apparel is one thing that as a gift you can never go wrong. Best friends require wide-ranging groups of clothes. This constant need to have clothes makes sure that a gift as mundane as clothes are always the right way to go welcome.

The unique gift of clothes can be changed into extra ordinary gifts by a little creativity. Tailored special unique gifts look very good and have been known to show to the recipient that you have taken extra efforts in choosing the gift. The next safe bet is a gift of jewelry is great when you have the time to shop, if not purchasing all your needs at an online gift catalog like Shodega.com, especially if you need a “unique birthday gifts for men”, is always a never miss. Click here to visit our website.

Comments Off

In honor of Labor Day, here are random thoughts, suggestions and observations on the importance of work. It’s been said that if you deprive a man of meaningful work, he will go stark raving mad.

Each one of us has to define meaningful work for ourselves and find meaning in our work. You are really fortunate if you love what you do and your entire job is meaningful.

Others may have to dig a little deeper to find meaning in the work they do. Even if the only reason is to provide for your family - that makes it a meaningful thing.

A recent article in the declared “U.S. jobs getting harder to bear, survey reveals.” The article said that more and more people are reporting dissatisfaction in the work they do. Since we spend a majority of our waking hours at work, that adds up to a lot of time feeling dissatisfied.

Barbara Glanz, an author, speaker and expert on employee
motivation and performance, has a book that you may want to
check out, “Handle with CARE: Motivating and Retaining
Employees.” It’s full of creative, low-cost ways to raise morale, increase commitment and reduce turnover. The CARE approach stands for

C = creative communication
A = atmosphere and appreciation for all
R = respect and reason for being
E = empathy and enthusiasm.

Glanz has found that motivation and retention are not about money as much as it is about how employees are treated as people.

Her research consistently shows that good wages are less important than interesting work, feeling appreciated, being “in on things” and job security. This is a must-read for any boss or manager.

If you think about it from a certain angle, workaholics really
put so much more pressure on themselves than any one realizes.
There is so much more pressure to succeed. If you are going to be a workaholic, you had better be very successful, because what could be more embarrassing than an unsuccessful workaholic?

If you are the spouse or close to a person who has lost a job, the best thing you can do is be present. You may not know what
to say, and you don’t have to know what to say. Just being there and being supportive is the very best thing you can do.

All people can find themselves out of a job. That’s why it’s
important for everyone to do a couple of things to protect themselves, just in case: Build your network of contacts before you need them. As author and speaker Harvey McKay says,

“You have to build your well before you are thirsty.”

While what you know is important, who you know and who knows you is equally important.

Also, it’s important to always have a what-if plan. Steve Christian of Magic 107.1 recently shared with me this analogy: “A good pilot is always looking for a safe place to land. A good pilot will continuously look out ahead during a flight, looking for a safe place to land, just in case.”
We should always be doing the same. Ask yourself, “If the bottom falls out of what I am doing tomorrow, what would I do next?”

When you do find yourself out of a job, the worst thing you can do is keep it to yourself. Let everyone know. Remember, what’s important is who you know, who knows you and who knows you are looking. Some folks sort of play at getting the next job. To be successful, you have to make a job out of getting another job. Spend as much time looking for a job as you would working at a job.

If you are not able to make a living doing what it is that you
love, you still have a winning option. Make sure you still do
what you love in some form. It can be a part-time job or simply a hobby. Do it because it fulfills you. You may end up as one of the many people who have made a career out of a hobby they love.

Another thought from Barbara Glanz. She strongly recommends that whatever you do, you make it your own. She calls it giving your job your own personal signature. Ask yourself, “What can I do to make this my own, different from how anyone else would do it?”

Finally: “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.” Phillips Brooks.

Visit http://www.TheArticleGuy.com for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Writing & Marketing Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.

Comments Off

For thousands of years, civilizations all over the world have relied on their faith in spiritual or mystical powers to accomplish truly amazing feats. Long before modern medicine came on the scene, most health concerns were traditionally handled by applying a dose of spirituality, voodoo, witchcraft, astrology, or psychic power from any number of paranormal sources. One simply couldn’t get through the day without help from the “unseen” world. Of course, that was in the “dark ages” before we were enlightened by the miracles of modern science. But is it wise for people today to scoff at all that seemed to work for so many people, for so long?

In a world where mainstream religion is often mocked, it’s easy to laugh at those believe in the powers of the paranormal, occult, magic, psychic or new age remedies. We often label them as misguided kooks or blind followers of today’s trendy Hollywood scene and counter-culture. But as humans, it is built into our composition to search for truth, and solutions to the many problems we face. And let’s face it, today’s world is filled with day-to-day problems that we strive to overcome… issues dealing with love, money, health, just to name a few. Life is a difficult struggle for millions of people worldwide who seek relief, and solutions to their problems by turning to magic spells. Just go to Ebay and do search on love spells or magic spells. You’ll find an endless potpourri of psychics and spell casters who can make your problems disappear, or bring you amazing results for just a few dollars. Think that’s funny? It gets better. When asked, most people who buy these spells will tell you that they really work… and they do.

So how can a love spell performed by a psychic actually attract a soulmate to a lonely person seeking a love partner? Did that money spell really make that struggling secretary get a job promotion and a salary raise? And what about that healing spell that cured my neighbor’s back pain? The unbelievers will likely point to coincidence, some sort of logical explanation, or attribute the results to simply “mind over matter.” But those who believe in psychic powers and the paranormal world think otherwise - there must be a spiritual or metaphysical helping hand involved.

As a self-professed psychic and paranormal expert, who has studied spirituality, psychic phenomena and the art of spell casting, I personally believe that there is much more to this than meets the eye. Most mainstream religions accept the power of prayer as a way to receive blessings, protection and goodness from spiritual sources. Even medical professionals are now recognizing that an individual’s faith and beliefs can play a major role in improving quality of life and health. However, while many doctors will admit that there is some benefit to holistic and alternative medicines, you’ll be pressed to find any who will publicly encourage seeking answers from a psychic or magic spell.

There has always been, and will always be something about the stigma of going to a fortune teller, psychic or spell caster that keeps people from easily accepting their virtues. As an industry, the psychic business has brought on much of this skepticism itself. Shoddy late night television infomercials for psychic readings, con artists or carnival fortune tellers are the images that come to mind for many, when they think of psychics. Just look at how astrology and other psychic-related ads have that tiny disclaimer at the bottom that says “for entertainment purposes only.” It’s about as phony as pro wrestling, right? Well, don’t be too quick to agree.

There are more people than you think who use money or love spells on a regular basis, in an attempt to restore a bad relationship, or gain financial freedom. And these are folks from all walks or life, professions, income levels, religious affiliations and nationalities. Sure, some may rely too much on seeking guidance and help from the psychic world, but most of them are die-hard believers of the occult and would not have it any other way. They will tell you that these spells work for them, their lives have been enriched, and you are the foolish one who doesn’t know what you’re missing.

People always ask me, “Are these spells real? I mean, can they actually make things happen that I can’t do on my own?” If spells can do what they claim they can do (improve love life, attract more money, better luck at gambling) then the answer has to be “Yes.” A spell that does what it is supposed to do has got to be real. Of course, it helps if you have a positive outlook, and believe that the spell can truly help you. But if the spell delivers results, then it has to be real. Believers will tell you that those who refuse to open their minds to the possibilities of magic spells and spiritual solutions will never know what they are missing. Perhaps it is the unbelievers who are experiencing “mind over matter,” only their mindset is narrowly fixed on the opposite end of the belief scale.

Why limit your world to just the few things you can see and touch? After all, what you see isn’t always what you get.

© 2005 KPS Services.

Katerina Guarente is a writer, paranormal specialist, founder of KPS Services, and Ebay’s top psychic. She offers custom spell casting and psychic services at KatSpells.com to clients worldwide. Visit KatSpells.com for more information about psychic spells.

Comments Off