How to write a thank you letter to use after an interview, a phone interview, or even to someone who passed your name on to a hiring manager is an art that is not taught as often as it should be by placement services and others who help job seekers with finding jobs. They always cover the basics of resume writing, interview preparation, cover letter writing, how to create a reference sheet, and even how to prepare a salary history, which isn't...more
Many reputable debt management companies can help you deal with your debt problems. You can work with a credit counselor to create your own plan to pay off bills. Companies can also help you reduce your debt through debt management plans, consolidation loans, or debt negotiations. While each program has its own benefits, they can all help you get out of debt soonerCredit CounselingCredit counselors work with you privately over the phone, email,...more
First a little story about buying investment property. My wife and I stayed at a motel in Tucson for a week one winter. Our bill was for twice what it should have been, but since I already paid the correct amount in cash, I thought nothing of it. During our stay, we noticed that the lobby and swimming pool were unheated, and passed it off as frugality. A year later, however, when I read a news story about a new owner struggling to make the motel work, I realized what was really going on.To prepare the motel for sale, the owner had been using the two most basic ways to inflate the appraised value: decrease expenses and increase reported income. Stopping repairs, turning down the heat, and quietly adding $100 in income to the books every day, might have increased the net income for the year by $45,000 more. With a .08 capitalization rate, that means the appraisal would come in $562,000 higher than it should have. Imagine the the poor guy who overpaid!To avoid a mistake like this when buying investment property, you need to watch for tricks like these. You also need to understand the basics of appraising income property.Valuation of income properties start with the capitalization...more
A cash-out mortgage allows you to refinance your mortgage and pull out part of your equity. Before deciding how much to cash to use, be aware of the impact of PMI and equity amounts. However, you may find the benefits of refinancing outweigh the costs.Cash-Out Mortgage BasicsWith a cash-out mortgage, you can refinance for lower rates or to just get...more
Debt negotiation and debt management/consolidation both help consumers pay off their debts through two different approaches. Each affects your credit score, payoff period, and taxes differently. Before choosing either options, be sure you understand the long term consequences of each debt management option.Influence On Credit ScoreDebt...more
Here's a phone interview tip worth considering: smile. A smile is a magic thing, and in addition to being seen in person it can be felt from a distance. When doing a phone interview, don't think that because the person on the other end of the phone can't see you that smiling and other positive body gestures are not important. The best interview tip that anyone was ever given was to smile and make positive gestures. In fact, many people talk with their hands. If you do, consider a telephone head set to free your hands up. Another tip that will be worth its weight in gold is to have a good quality telephone. It may seem silly to even mention it, but the better quality phone you use, the better your voice will sound. Years ago everyone rented his or her telephones from the local utility phone company. These days people own their own phones, and while many people use good quality phones, many use the ten and fifteen-dollar phones they've found in the local dollar store or discount mart. Those phones are fine for talking to your spouse perhaps, but for business use make a good business impression, and use a good phone. Add this tip to the mix as well: use a landline with a...more
The best debt management gives you the most financial options. By making regular payments and having a low debt to income ratio, you can access credit when you choose. If you aren't in that situation, then ask for help from the variety of debt...more
Debt negotiation companies that claim they can wipe your credit clean or guarantee they can reduce your debt are bad because they can't deliver. But reputable companies can negotiate with your creditors, often reducing your debt 10% to 50%. They can...more
Many people believe that once they file for bankruptcy they will have a difficult time getting a mortgage loan. However, there is still hope for being approved even with a recent bankruptcy. If you have bad credit and apply for a mortgage loan, more...more
As a business, non-profit, government agency or association manager, are you overly preoccupied with communications tactics like special events, broadcast plugs, press releases and brochures? Yes? Well then, you're probably not getting the best...more
Is there any good reason to do your own home inspection? How about to get a better deal. Every flaw you can find is a negotiating point. You don't have to learn building codes, and you probably should use a professional inspector in any case. The...more
Credit card debt can be reduced through lower rates or negotiating for reduced balances. With reduced interest, you can pay off the principal quicker with the same monthly payment. The other approach is debt settlement, which eliminates part of your...more