What's All The Fuss Over Bank Charges?

By: Nicholas Hunt

If you've been keeping an eye on the media over the last few months, especially the parts of it covering personal finance, you can't fail to have noticed the huge row over bank charges. Stories abound of customers reclaiming thousands in backdated fees from their banks, and with consumer groups, activists, and government regulators squaring up towards seemingly intransigent banks, the stage is set for a battle that could affect the financial future of everyone who makes use of financial services. But what is the hoo-haa all about?

The basic accusation laid against the banking industry is that the various charges levied on customers who go overdrawn, miss repayments, or commit other misdemeanours are excessive. Under the financial services industry regulations laid down by government, any such charges must only be of sufficient size to cover the administrative costs the banks incur by dealing with miscreant customers. Many outside the banking industry think that this isn't what's happening, and that banks are inflating their charges to punitive levels, and using them as profit makers - both of which are illegal under current laws.

Naturally, the banks dispute such accusations, although when the row first blew up in the arena of credit card late payment charges, and the regulators insisted that these charges be slashed, all banks promptly agreed to do so.

Further, in many cases, bank customers have been able to reclaim past charges for going overdrawn, simply by asking for them back. As these repayments have sometimes run into four figures or more, and the banks concerned agreed to the refunds without recourse to legal action, the implication could well be that even the banks are unsure what the true legality of the situation is.

Thankfully, the matter should soon be clarified with the instigation of a test case to decide whether the charges are fair, or punitive and illegal. There is now an embargo imposed by most banks on refunding disputed charges, pending the outcome of the case. If the banks lose, the floodgates could open, and the costs could run into millions.

Would this be a good thing for customers?

Well, should the banks be faced with multi-million pound refunds because the decision goes against them, the money will have to be found from somewhere. And that's without considering the further millions of pounds of income the banks will lose if charges are drastically reduced. Already, there are monthly or annual fees being introduced for current accounts, credit cards, and other financial services - irrespective of whether the customer goes overdrawn or otherwise breaks the terms of their agreement.

Make no mistake: the banking industry won't allow defeat to erode their profits, and the lost revenue will be reclaimed from somewhere else. It may well be that mainstream banking customers will have to pay a fee to subsidise lower charges for those who bank less responsibly.

About The Author:

Nicholas writes for a banking guide site, where you can read information on high interest savings accounts and switching your current account.

About Dormant Bank Accounts

By: Simone Butler

Banking experts estimate that up to £5bn may be sitting unclaimed in UK bank accounts that have gone 'dormant'. What does this mean, and could you be entitled to a share in this huge amount of idle money?

A bank account goes dormant when, in the words of the British Bankers' Association, a bank and a customer 'lose touch with each other'. What this usually means in practice is that a customer has either passed away or moved house, and the bank haven't been told and are unable to locate the account holder some time later.

If there are no transactions on an account over a period of around 12 months, the bank will write to the account holder at the last known address to ask them if they wish to keep the account open. If no reply is received, then the bank will change the status of the account to 'dormant'. This means that from now on, no statements, chequebooks or other correspondance will be sent out to the customer.

The money in the account will still earn interest at whatever the normal rate of that account is, and the bank will still keep track of the account balance and keep a record of the last known address of the holder.

There are two main reasons for an account being made dormant. The first and most obvious one is to save the banks the administration costs of sending out statements and the like when there is no activity on the account from month to month (other than that initiated by the bank itself, such as interest payments).

The more important reason however is to guard against identity fraud. If a bank continues to send statements to an address when the account holder is no longer there to receive them, it is all too easy for these documents to end up in the hands of fraudsters, who could use the sensitive information they contain to begin a campaign of ID theft.

Most dormant accounts will have very small balances, but some will inevitably contain a substantial sum, often those belonging to someone who has passed away. If you think you may be entitled to money held in a dormant account, you can make a claim by filling in a form available from the bank in question.

You will need to give your reasons for making a claim, such as that the account belonged to a close relative whose estate was passed to you. You will also need to prove your own identity, and your connection to the original account holder if applicable.

If the bank don't agree that you're entitled to take over the account, you have the right to pursue an appeal, where your claim is re-examined. If the appeal fails, you can take your claim to the Financial Ombudsman Service, whose decision is final and binding.

Things Related To Invest In Dubai Property

By: Greath Owen

‘Dubai calling you'. Recently the phrase has become a buzzword around the world. In fact, Dubai has become one of the most attractive lands on the surface of the world. People are increasingly showing their interest towards land development and prosperous living in Dubai. It is because Dubai has everything to please a foreigner. That's why everybody expects to get a villa in Dubai more specifically on the islands of Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali and such other places of beauty.

If you wish, you can also have a private ocean front view quiet home in Dubai, away from the disturbances of the busy cities that encircle our everyday life. If you are on the lookout for a perfect place to flee away from the din and bustle life, undoubtedly Dubai will be a great option.

The villas of various sizes and prices are available in Dubai. You can choose a villa on the basis of your family member as well as your financial condition.

If you wish you can own a small villa with two bedrooms at a price of 6,500,000 AED, where you will get childcare services, a health club, housekeeping services and so on. Of course your villa will have a private swimming pool and also private beach for all you sea lovers. Usually the land area for each villa is much larger than the area for the house which is called "built up area" and you can use the extra space as the playground for your children or for gardening.

If you really want something extraordinary in the inner city, you can get a studio type villa for a price of 912,000 AED in one of the complexes of Jumeirah. The Burj Dubai tower, one of the world's wonder, holds many restaurants, entertainment lounges, health clubs and many apartments for those who wish to live a sky life up in the clouds. The cost of these apartments starts from 2,500,000 AED and can go as high as upwards to 18,000,000 AED.

It is wise not to think about the price. If you really want something extraordinary, you have to pay a little bit more than the regular. The building and the city of Dubai will repay you the radiance and happiness of paradise. With the appearance of a new villa you see a blend of modern life and historical values along the streets and buildings.

It is wise to invest in Dubai because the economy of Dubai is growing fast and the new projects are promising more tourists, businesses and jobs. Hope that it will become the leading mega city within a few years.

So, buying a villa in Dubai can be the best wish-fulfillment as well as the best financial investment in your life.

About The Author:

About Author:

Greath Owen writes about Dubai Property ,Dubai Villas. Visit http://www.sandcastles-property.com to know more about investment in Dubai property and Dubai villas.

Buying Bank Foreclosure Tips

By: Frank Collins
Due to aggressive lending standards from banks and mortgage companies from the year 2000 up until 2006, discounted properties, up to 50 percent off, are increasingly becoming the product of choice for savvy investors. Where can you find these?

The majority of banks sell their REOs through local real estate agents trying to get the highest amount while at the same time representing any prospects to close it off the bank or lender's books. Check with your agent for the hot list of properties and let him or her know what you are searching for.

At foreclosure auctions and sheriff sales, the lenders and banks must take unsold properties back. This becomes a bank REO. You can contact these banks by phone, mail, email or fax and let them know you are interested in buying some REOs. You really need to be a serious buyer with proven credentials as the banks are not in the business of holding properties so putting in time in an area they are unfamiliar with does not serve them well. You need to present your case well or go through a real estate attorney. The positive results you should see are after your initial transactions with them, you should be able to call them directly without any hassles.

You have to convey what they want to hear. Tell them you're an all cash buyer, and you've witnessed homes transferring back at the foreclosure auction. I ask if they want to work something out with me. If they determine that are someone who can close quickly and pay, a bank REO department person will contact you.

Banks and lenders will price their REOs as high as they can. They do so to cover the expenses and fees for interest penalties, foreclosure fees, attorney fees, other legal and miscellaneous fees. The final tally in fees is usually around $20,000 to $30,000 on top of what the loan balance is. Although, if the existing loan balance exceeds the market value, the bank's fees will be eaten up. The longer it is listed on the market the better chance it will decrease in price for potential buyers and investors. Furthermore, the banks get audited sometime annually and there is nothing worse than having a glut of bank REOs on their books. As that time approaches, they will try to aggressively unload them.


Have a Strategy when buying a Bank REO
For example, if you find an REO and then do enough research you will find homes a block or less away asking $80K. Yet the REO you have your eyes on, the bank wants just $55K but it needs some cosmetic and interior work.
Have some workers with you. Figure out how much it will cost to bring it to your standards or acceptable to locals and you may just get a property at half price

As an investor, don't be too motivated to buy; stay calm and cool; keep your plan that fits your objective and budget; and do your homework, well, research. If you implement it correctly, you should find a few good deals or more.

About The Author:
Frank Collins is an avid investor in real estate and contributor to Income Property Bank REOs and a website to Find Low Mortgage Rates and trusted lenders in your area.

The Forex Trading Market - What You Need To Know

By: Jason Hamilton
If you are new to the Forex trading market it is important to remember that trading the Forex market is definitely not like traditional trading. Forex trading is made up of computers all over the world; conducted through international banks. There is no central office to walk into.

Trading in the stock market is intensely fierce at periods. Within minutes, you could triple your investment or lose it all. Forex trading is the best type of trading that has been constructed because you can trade on your own time whether it is in the middle of the night or early morning.

When you first decide to take the chance and trade in Forex, you need to take it leisurely. Start out small until you get the hang of trading. Do not leap in until you grasp what your are doing. It is possible to lose everything you have worked for.

When a trader becomes active in the Forex market, it is because of the ample benefits that it allots. The biggest being liquidity. A Forex trader account can be closed within 24 hours with no questions asked.

The volume of trading that takes place everyday in Forex is stunning. There can be no comparison to any other markets. Many investors choose Forex trading over the stock market because is these markets are open 24 hours a day. The Forex market operates 24 hours a day from 5pm EST on Sunday until 4pm EST Friday.

Unlike many of the other markets, the Forex market is more liquid. This feature allows your broker to stop automatically, and gives the trader the time that he or she needs to decide how much to invest, or if they want to pass.

The biggest advantage of Forex trading is that the trader is able to do it online. This advantage can reduce or eliminate any transaction fees. When you trade online and eliminate the broker, you cannot claim there was a misunderstanding if you do not like the outcome of a trade. You get an immediate confirmation.

It is important that you understand that the Forex trading market comes with a great deal of risks. You cannot expect to sit back and watch your money multiply. It is hands on trading and you need to be aware at all times. This can make it tough when you have to sleep. The alternative to this would be to use a Forex trading robot.



About The Author:
Jason Hamilton has been successfully trading the Forex market since 2002. He recently reviewed the popular Forex trading system Fap Turbo - The Forex Trading Robot.

What is the Stock Market?

By: Elmo Kandel
Generally speaking the Stock Market refers to equities where actually stocks and derivatives are traded. In the U.S.A. we think the Stock Market is New York City. In fact there are major Stock Markets in Hong Kong, Hamburg, London, Paris, Canada, Japan and others that influence one another and impact the world Stock Market.

The New York Stock Exchange may have stocks listed that are listed on other major Stock Markets. A company headquartered in Amsterdam may be listed on multiple stock exchanges. Many foreign organized companies are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. There is a tremendous value for foreign companies to be listed on an exchange in the U.S. The exposure and knowledge of a foreign company has a face on the New York Stock Market.

An example would be a China stock Baidu. These information and search technology company has grown in leaps and bounds since it was introduced on the New York Market. Sometimes all it takes is making a good impression to stock analysts and a good review by key people to give the foreign company a boost.

The reality of the Stock Market today is its world wide integration of investors, companies and alliances that create an unprecedented dynamic. Thus far this United Nations of the financial markets has produced an unspoken treaty of like minds. The main objective is to create a win-win scenario for all of the world players in the Stock Market.

Any investor wherever located may hold a substantial stake in any given equity no matter where the equity is traded. The Stock Market is a very large private club that anyone can join with the only admission ticket is the price of a single share of stock.

Most people are aware of American companies utilizing off shore manufacturing of their products. It may be not as well known that some traditional American brand companies are owned by foreign companies. Other American brand companies have a significant multi-national presence with significant stock ownership by foreign banks and investors.

The term equity should be broadly interpreted. There are equities that involve the manufacturing of products and goods, but a product can be intellectual or an entity like insurance. Banks are equities and financial brokers are all traded on the various exchanges. An investor may own gold stocks, mining companies and equities that package these equities into a corporate entity. The only limitation is that if the investor is interested in owning the commodity or trading in the futures market the Chicago Mercantile or other commodities exchanges is the investing tool.

In other words you may own a bank as an equity who may have bonds and other commercial paper that may trade on the commodities exchanges, but you can' t buy a commodity as a stock. If you want a commodity like wheat, currency, corn, gold, silver or the like you need to look to the commodities exchange.

In the United States the New York Stock Market is comprised of the NASDAQ, NYSE and the newly created combination of the NYSE Group with Euronext in April, 2007. The Euronext holding company is a phenomenal synergy between Paris and the NYSE whose history goes back to 1792.

The Euronext is a combination of derivatives, currency and equities to name a sample of products. There are other exchanges that include the AMEX. There are listing requirements for each of the exchanges. The Stock Market is basically a place where buyers and seller of a piece of a company come together and in the process the company hopefully raises some cash or other value.




About The Author:
Elmo Kandel is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

Hedge a type of position established in the market

By: lalitearns
When speaking of finance, Hedge can be determined as a position that is established in one market in a simple attempt to offset exposure to the price risk that is equal but opposite in obligation or position when compared in another market. Hedging is nothing but a simple strategy that is designed to minimize exposure to such business risks as a sharp contraction that may be in demand of one’s inventory and all this while still allowing the business to still profit from simply producing and maintaining that inventory.

The term is simply originated from a phrase hedging your bets that is usually used in gambling games like the roulette. Understanding it more closely, we can say that the hedges as on a roulette table, may be like the lines between the numbers or even a number group. Placing a hedged bet is one where the chips lie across one or more hedges. So, the bet would then cover all the numbers involved at an approximately reduced stake like half, one third or even one-forth. So, the term simply moved into common usage and today it covers a broad range of risk-reduction activities. But, when related to finance industry, the term hedge loan may be having a more specific meaning or a type of financial product that’s based on simple price fluctuation risk in a stock that serves as collateral for a nonrecourse debt structured stock loan.

So understanding closely, a stock trader would be one who would believe that the stock price of a certain company say A would rise over the next few months due to better methods introduced by the company to produce widgets. So now he wants to buy the shares of this company in order to make profit from increasing prices. But this company A is also a part of a highly volatile widget industry and if the trader would simply buy the shares then the trade would be a speculation. Now since the trader is more interested in the company rather than the industry itself, so he decides to hedge out the risk by simply short selling shares of the company to its competitor B.

So, even if he did manage to short sell some asset the trade might have been essentially riskless. But as we all know that some risk always remains in the trade, so it is said to be hedged. May be on the second day some favorable news of the widget industry is published and the shares of company A goes up and so does the shares of company B. since both have a different profits as company B profits less when compared to company A, so the trader might regret on day two. But on the third day, may be the stock crashes and the trader suffers a loss. Since company A is a better company so its losses are less when compared to company B. without hedge the trader would have lost more, but the hedge gives him a small profit during the dramatic market collapse.

A natural hedge is a type of investment that would simply reduce the market risk by simply matching the cash flow. One of the oldest means of hedging against risk would be simply purchase insurance to protect against loss or damage or even personal injury. Sometimes currency hedging may also be used by both financial or non financial investors. Financial investors may do it to phrase out the risk they may face while investing abroad whereas non-financial investors may use it in global economy. Such hedging may either be done in a standardized contracts or with customized contracts.

BetterTrades Financial Market

By: Better Trades500 Better Trades500
Stocks Analysis by BetterTrades

The invisible and faceless financial market operates on speed and volume. It is only natural that this highly volatile and profitable market be treaded cautiously and armed with the most current reports on investment opportunities and guidelines by reliable resources. One such reliable resource is Bettertrades. The Bettertrades online financial market information resource offers dedicated traders, new and seasoned, guidance on:
- shares
- stock prices
- stock market forecasts
- retail stocks
- growth potential
- reported earnings
- revenue and sales analysis

The Bettertrades online financial market information resource is a stock market initiative that is well supported by market guru Markay Latimer. The resource is built around trust and promotions on estimated sales and margin profits that have helped many individuals and organizations benefit from the expertise that comes from years of experience. Bettertrades Inc. is accessible online. With prices and estimates that guarantee return on a quarter, semi annual and annual basis, Bettertrades is easily your best friend in the financial market! Bettertrades enjoys the patronage of clientele from varied backgrounds who network under the expert guidance of Markay Latimer. The Bettertrades online financial market information resource is designed to address trades that have deeply appreciated or depreciated, buyer resistance to ever-increasing prices, substantial market inroads and stand-alone market products, reversed price trajectories, industrial applications and dedicated fiscal market components.

Bettertrades online financial market information resource deals in principal projects and the temporarily down sized ones and makes analysis available for the best possible investment opportunities at a click of the mouse. All the investment guidelines offered by Bettertrades are surrounded by pursuant options and advanced-stage exploration project potentials. The Bettertrades approach functions like a catalyst within the fiscal industry. It has successfully tapped on the potential investments made in industries dealing with the future of fuel cell batteries, mobile electronics and expansion policies of the older players. It has consistently capitalized on record breaking events within various industries, and contributed largely to a number of rich portfolios that have grown out of the stock market. Bettertrades aids your endeavour to drilling holes into some of the best players in the arena. Your making a handsome profit is no further than reaching out for the mouse on the table! With Bettertrades you only access the best in shares from the open financial market. Bettertrades gives you a chance to make money, while the in house experts handle the nerve wrecking movements within the market and the complex calculations for you.

Bettertrades is your road to very profitable and propelled stocks that make every trading session an absolute pleasure. The stock options markets and a wealth of information on the fiscal instrument trading market are yours to tap into at Bettertrades. This gold mine is clearly the most resourceful access to the largest analysts' estimates zone for shares in today's trading market, with new contracts, per-share net income analysis, expected fixed assets and the biggest daily percentage gains all in the bag. The Bettertrades commitment to transparency and integrity is designed around every deal and profit percent that you close.



About The Author:

Better Trades is author of this article on Benefits of Markay Latimer Stock Performance Analysis. Find more information about Benefits of Markay Latimer Stock Performance Analysis here.

Buyer Beware: Learn About Foreclosures Before Purchasing

By: Lee Bell

If you are trying to save money when buying a home, now is a good time to explore foreclosures. The number of homeowners foreclosing on their homes has dramatically increased in the last few years, and while that is not usually a plus for the economy, it could be a great opportunity for you. Whether you want to buy your first home for a good deal, or are involved in the real estate market in some way already, learning a little more about foreclosures can always help.

Save Money with a Foreclosed Home

If your ambition is to buy a property without breaking the bank, it can be done with a foreclosed property. Most foreclosed homes are resold at about 25 percent below their typical value on the market. However, saving money immediately may come at a price in the long-term. Initially, you typically need to have the entire amount of the cost upfront at the home auction, usually in either cash or a cashier's check.

When you bid at the auction, you also do not usually have admittance to the home, so you cannot see what you are getting. You might know the floor plan and what the exterior looks like, but you do not know what the inside looks like, or what other problems the home has. For example, its previous owners could refuse to vacate the home, forcing you to pay to take legal action. There could also be issues with the title, or liens on the home. There could be expensive repairs to make that you can only see from the inside of the house. If you are the winning bidder, you might have to handle such problems, so there is a risk.

Suggestions for Getting the Most Out of a Foreclosure

If you are still interested in buying a foreclosed home, it is prudent to learn from the experiences of other people when it comes to such a big decision. One of the more careful ways to buy a foreclosed homes is to consider the history of the former owner.

For instance, if the previous owner of the home bought the house with no money down, or has owned it for less than two years, you will probably not save much money when you buy the house, even though it is a foreclosure. For the reason that there will not be much equity accrued yet. Try to only consider homes %previously% owned by people who put at least 10 percent down and have owned it for at least a few years.

On the whole, foreclosures are prudent for investors to explore, since they will not be troubled about small details that they may or may not like about the house, condition of schools in the area, or the attributes of the neighbors. Most professionals concur that if you plan to live in the house for a while, buying a foreclosure is risky. However, if you find a house that seems just right for you, you have the money up front, and it turns out to be a foreclosure, there is the added bonus of saving some money while obtaining your dream home.

How to Lose Money on the Stock Market

By: Georgie Tylor
For rookie investors, the stock market can be an exceptionally risky place. While the long term gains of investing can be very high, buying shares without doing your homework in the belief you'll make quick returns will leave you disappointed and sometimes out of pocket. There are plenty of magazines and websites out there that will point out 'dead cert' gains and suggest making money stock trading is anyone's business, but few that will point out the basic pitfalls of many rookies. If you're looking to invest, but not aware of the risks that the stock market will present to you, then take a read of this article to see the easiest ways to lose money on the stock market.

Trading for Short Term Gain

Becoming a day trader and making speculative trades on the value of shares is effectively gambling, and really only profitable for your broker. Every time you make a trade, you'll be paying a broker fee, which means you'll need to make a certain amount back before you break even. By not trading daily, you'll cut out this fee, lose an element of speculative risk and generally be in better stead to make even larger gains over the long term.

Following Bull Markets

When investing, you will hear of bear and bull markets. The former refers to a market where trading is low, because people are wary of prices, while the latter refers to a market where trading is high and the price is beginning to soar. The clearest example of a bull market in recent times is in commodities, with many FTSE 100 listed mining stocks charging up more than 50% in twelve months. It's easy to spot the top performing shares, but it's not always easy to put your money in at the right time. Too many rookie investors see a share that has risen, and then put their money into it on the premise that it will rise higher. Some people refer to this as 'bull market baloney', because if a stock has risen to very expensive levels, why should it continue to rise higher? There's always a ceiling to stock prices. By following bull markets, you'll probably buy stocks at highly inflated prices, and then suffer if the market runs out of steam. The commodities boom in Britain has done exactly that, losing the 50% of value that it chalked up last year. If you went in at its height, you'd now be much worse off.

Investing in Just One Company

Another one for gamblers only is to put all of your eggs in one basket and speculate on the price rising fast, leading to potentially massive gains. At the moment, a lot of people are doing this on ultra volatile bank shares. The problem is, that while it is possible for prices to rise, will you ever be able to time your trade right and pull all your money out? With this kind of speculation, you lose out if you sell and the price rises, or if you buy and the price falls, so it's incredibly risky. Instead of opting for this kind of volatility, which will probably end with you unable to sleep at night and making a catalogue of bad trading decisions, spread investments over the long term in something like a unit trust or diversified portfolio. For more on unit trusts, take a look at Legal and General.

Market Rent Analysis

By: Patrick OConnor
Market Rent Analysis

Market rent analyses evaluate the subject property, competing properties, and market conditions to document an equitable level of rent in an arm's length transaction. Estimates of market rent are developed regularly for market studies, appraisals, lease disputes, and to provide an owner or prospective investor with objective opinions.

Steps in market rent analysis include:

Review of subject property;
Visit subject property and interview on-site staff;
Select rental comparables;
Gather data on rental comparables;
Visit rent comparables and interview on-site staff;
Review market data regarding rental and occupancy rate trends;
Summarize rental rate features and amenities of subject property and amenities;
Make adjustments for differences between sale price and comparables (based upon data and insights obtained during visits to rent comparables);
Summarize and report conclusions (report can be oral to detailed narrative report).
When contemplating a market rent analysis it is prudent to consider including suggestions for financially feasible upgrades as part of the scope of work. The data gathering and analysis will take a modest about of additional time. Suggestions for upgrades can enable the owner to substantially enhance the value of the property.

O'Connor & Associates is the largest independent appraisal firm in the southwestern US and has over 40 full-time staff members engaged full-time in valuation and market study assignments. Their expertise includes market rent analysis, feasibility studies, valuing real estate, business personal property, business enterprise valuation, purchase price allocation for businesses, valuation for property tax assignments, partial interest valuation, estate tax valuation, expert witness testimony and valuation for condemnation. They have performed over 10,000 of market rent analyses.

To obtain a quote or further information on market rent analysis services, contact George Thomas or at 713-686-9955 or fill out our online form.

The Market Research and Consulting division of O'Connor & Associates provides information necessary to make decision to commercial real estate professionals. Occupancy and Rental Data, ownership and management information are routinely gathered for four major land uses - multifamily, office, retail and industrial. This information allows investors to compare competitive properties, facilitate business decisions and track market and submarket performance. In addition the data is useful to brokers who for example continually monitor Houston retail space leasing, Houston office space leasing, Houston industrial space leasing, Houston apartments, Dallas apartments, Ft. Worth apartments, Austin apartments, and San Antonio apartments.This capacity to research, analyze and interpret market trends and the impact of specific transactions is a major reason for why developers and acquisition experts rely on . O'Connor & Associates is also for income taxes, tax deduction, tax reduction, market research, property tax, insurance valuation, market rent analysis, private bond activity, market studies, estate taxes, property appraisals, Tips and Tricks for Appealing Your Property Taxes in Waller, Waller county appraisal and Federal tax reduction. O'Connor & Associates is an acknowledged source of trends in real estate investing and market activity.

(www.waller-countyappraisaldistrict.com)



About The Author:
Patrick C. O'Connor www.poconnor.com www.waller-countyappraisaldistrict.com

Drivers and opportunities in the oncology market

By: Bharatbook
Oncology Market Leaders - Analyses and Outlook, Market Report 2008-2023(http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/Oncology-Market-Leaders-Analyses-and-Outlook-Market-Report-2008-2023.html) provides the information for revenues, growth, therapy areas, sales forecast, Drivers and restraints in oncology market

The UK government have told kidney cancer patients that new drugs cannot be offered on the National Health Service. Roche's Avastin, Bayer's Nexavar, Pfizer's Sutent and Wyeth's Torisel were not cost-effective. The drugs -- known generically as bevacizumab, sorafenib, sunitinib and temsirolimus -- should therefore not be a treatment option for advanced and/or metastatic kidney cancer, NICE said.
Cancer Research UK said it raised questions about whether NICE's system of appraisal was appropriate for all types of drugs, especially when there were few alternative treatments. NICE argues it has to make tough choices when deciding which drugs should be paid for and which not.

Modern targeted drugs are revolutionising cancer care, yet they often increase survival by only a few months. Drug companies argue they need to charge a high price for them to make a return on risky research investment. The high price of treatment with the kidney drugs means it would cost GBP71,500 to GBP171,300 ($139,800-335,000) for every year of healthy life gained, NICE calculated.

Today there are an estimated 24.6 million people in the world living with cancer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted that the worldwide incidence will rise by 50% between 2000 and 2020. Cancer is becoming increasingly common in developing and developed countries, with significant potential for market expansion in both regions. Worldwide, there remain significant unmet needs in cancer treatment, with great opportunities for companies who can develop safer and better-targeted treatments. Our new report Oncology Market Leaders - Analyses and Outlook, 2008-2023, will help you to understand those developments and their significance.

According to IMS, sales data for 2007, the oncology area ranked as the fifth-largest therapeutic class worldwide. In 2007, the anti-cancer drug market generated sales of $66.8bn, up by 17% in comparison with $57bn in 2006. MabThera/Rituxan, Herceptin and Avastin - leading products of biotechnology and pharmacogenomics – are currently amongst the most prominent drugs in cancer therapy. Furthermore, the cancer pipeline remains strong. Current and future R&D is likely to produce significant therapeutic advances, especially when combined with pharmacogenomic medicine, particularly theranostics.

Oncology Market Leaders - Analyses and Outlook, 2008-2023, examines the product portfolios of the leading companies in oncology critically, with in-depth analysis, especially market forecasting and qualitative analyses of market drivers and restraints. This report also contains primary research from our survey of experts in the field. The result is a comprehensive market-based report with detailed analyses and informed opinion.

The key topics of the report discuss the following:

In particular, this report concentrates on the following essential aspects of that market :

• Detailed analysis of the current oncology market – achievements and present challenges
• Sales forecasts for the oncology market from 2008-2023
• Sales forecasts for the leading 10 drugs in that market from 2008-2023
• Detailed analyses of the leading companies in this market segment
• Discussions of issues affecting the oncology market
• Restraints and threats facing the oncology market
• Competitor analysis and outlook for the market from 2008-2023
• Pipeline developments and their implications for the future.

The oncology market will continue to generate high revenues and significant profitability in the years ahead, concludes. Sales of the leading cancer drugs are increasing worldwide, with greater reliance on those agents as time goes by. Certainly, the future prospects for the major players in the oncology market are highly promising, especially with the dawn of more-personalised molecular medicine promising greater efficacy and safety, particularly in cancer treatment. By purchasing this report, you will be better prepared to appreciate those major developments in the global pharmaceutical market.

For vast range of market reports you can visit: http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research/Healthcare.html
Or
Contact us at:

Bharat Book Bureau
Phone : +91 22 2757 8668
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About The Author:
Bharat Book Bureau facilitates companies to take the lead of their industry with best practice business strategies and intelligence, through a unique combination of published reports, databases, country reports, company profiles and customized research services. Bharat Book Bureau provides strategic information tools to the executives, business analysts, and knowledge managers that will help them to probe into and support critical, timely business decisions and strategies.

How to Find the Best Mortgage Lender

By: Craig Elliott
Just as there are several different types of mortgages, there are several different types of mortgage lenders. Each offers some advantages that will make a particular type of lender better in some situations than others.

Mortgage Bankers and Brokers-which should you choose?

There are two main categories of mortgage lenders-bankers and brokers. A mortgage banker is a direct lender, and the lender you work with represents the bank who lends you money. If you decide to work with a direct lender, it is your responsibility to shop around and find the best mortgage rates and terms. The broker is a middleperson who is not tied to any particular mortgage institution-instead, they have access to mortgages from a range of different institutions, and they will usually do the legwork for you in shopping around for the mortgage that best meets your needs.

The main advantage of choosing a mortgage banker is that you know what you are getting-a reliable service, with little chance of coming into contact with a predatory lender. In addition, if you choose to get a mortgage from the bank you already do business with you may be entitled to a more favorable interest rate. The disadvantage is that you get very little choice, as most mortgage bankers offer very similar rates, terms and conditions.

A mortgage broker, on the other hand, provides you with plenty of choices. As the middleperson, a broker has access to wholesale lenders that offer a wide variety of mortgages of different types. If you need a sub-prime mortgage or another non-conventional type of mortgage, a broker is your best bet for obtaining one. For first-time buyers, a broker can also help make the process of getting a mortgage much easier, as they are able to offer advice on mortgage analysis, and the best ways of presenting loan applications.

Mortgage brokers do charge fees, of course. However, that is not always a significant problem. Brokers usually offer loans from wholesale mortgage lenders, and these loans have reduced rates in comparison to those offered by mortgage bankers. Once the broker has added their fee, the total cost of the mortgage is usually not much more than the cost of going to a mortgage banker.

The biggest potential problem in working with a broker is that this is not a licensed profession in many states, meaning that it can be difficult to be sure the broker you are dealing with is reputable.

Choose a Lender who will Work for You

Finding a good mortgage lender does not have to be difficult, even if you choose to go with a broker and must separate the good lenders from the bad before making your final choice. Often, it is not so much a case of finding a good lender as it is learning how to spot a bad one. Avoid mortgage lenders who say or do the following:


Tries to convince you to borrow more than you want to or can afford by suggesting you opt for a higher risk loan.

Asks you to sign blank documents.

Encourages you to do anything dishonest, such as lie on your application.

Does not give you a Good Faith Estimate within three days of your application.

Promises you a mortgage that seems too good to be true-no closing costs and no points sounds great, but you should read the small print on the contract for penalties and hidden costs.


Any of the above can be good indications that your lender is more concerned with the commission they will make from your mortgage than in trying to help you find the best one for you. A good lender should provide you with several options without trying to steer you in any particular direction. They will offer you advice in helping you compare different mortgages, but should allow you to make the final decision.

Comparing Mortgages from Different Lenders

Picking out and comparing the most important points of each mortgage can be one of the most difficult aspects of getting a home loan. A mortgage is more than just an interest rate-there are also points, fees, and closing costs to consider.

Points are used to "buy down" your interest rate, with each point you buy representing one percent of the total loan amount. If you choose to buy points, the money is payable in cash at closing time. Lenders will usually give you several different rate and point options for the same loan.

The lock-in period for each mortgage should also be considered. The lock-in period is the amount of time for which the rate and points quoted are guaranteed. This is usually 30, 45, or 60 days, with higher loan fees applicable for longer lock-in periods.

Other features to compare include the maximum loan to value ratio each lender offers, whether or not you must pay mortgage insurance, the qualifying income to debt ratio of each lender, and whether any prepayment penalties exist for each mortgage.



About The Author:
About Author:
Craig Elliott is a writer for Absolute Mortgage Company. Absolute Mortgage Company is a leading Mortgage Lender

If You Don't Ask, The Answer is Always No

By: Willard
It is always interesting to me that a buyer or agent will call me up and ask me, as the listing broker, if the seller is flexible on the price. The more aggressive ones will even be so bold is to ask me “How low will the buyer go down in price?" or “What is the sellers bottom price?" In September 2004, I listed a house in Moorpark California at $539,000. The 3 prior sales for the same model were all at exactly $615,000 and closed escrow in April to June 2004. This was just before the real estate slowed down in summer 2004. I had received 3 offers between $510,000 and full price within the first month. The seller didn't accept any of the offers because she wanted more than my asking price. I had promised her multiple offers and hopefully a bidding war. Then I got a phone call from an agent in Thousand Oaks. “My client does not want to pay over $500,000 for a house. Will your clients take that offer? I want to know before I show them the house, because I do not want to waste their time." My response; “I never know what my clients will do. Make an offer and find out." They never looked at the house or made an offer.

I find this very interesting, because one for one, regardless of my answer, I have never received a written offer, after one of these phone calls. Buyers, who do this or send their agents to ask, are not really buyers, in my opinion. They are tire kickers, someone just curious how low a seller will go. With the information they go to the next seller and tell them “The Jones's will take $---so you are too high. If you want to sell it you have to come down." There was no offer in that comment that if the seller came down that the prospect would buy. This person is looking for the cheapest deal he can find, and experience has shown that when they find it they are still not satisfied because they may find a cheaper deal.

I remember when I was taking a class in negotiations in 1980 and learned never to get caught in this game. It was 1983 and the market was dead. I remember that the agent for a house in Beverly Hills offered a Free Rolls Royce with the house he was selling. I had been trying to sell my house in Arcadia for $250,000. A buyer came to buy and asked if I would take $200,000. Being well trained I said. “Will you buy the house for that price if I will? The prospect, not really being ready to buy, said, “I'll have to think about it." What the buyer prospect didn't know was that if I gave him the house for his offer price he would have made $20,000 the day he closed escrow. The truth is he didn't know what the house was worth and he wasn't ready to buy it for any price. He was house looking and it was fun to see what you could negotiate.

Why I never answer this question about “What will the seller settle for?"

First of all, legally, to answer this question would be a violation of my fiduciary relationship with the client. If the client is asking $400,000 for a business or real estate he has stated his asking price in the listing. For an agent to say anything else means that the asking price is not real. We might as well just put a number out there like $350,000 or Best Offer. Most car dealers do not take my offers even if it is the best offer. They have an undisclosed bottom price. Why bother putting asking prices on anything if you are then going to say the price is flexible. Let them make an offer and find out if the price is flexible.

Besides the legal aspects I have learned, from experience, that I do not really know the answer to the question. Sellers will tell me that their bottom line is $400,000 but then accepts an offer for $350,000 after 3 weeks of negotiations. Time changes peoples mind as to what price they will settle for. If the seller has a bad week, his accepting price will change. Time and circumstances changes everything.

This shows up when sellers are talking to buyers directly. If the seller is going to say anything directly to a buyer about the being flexible on the price, he is cutting his own throat. Why bother put an asking price on a property or business if everyone isn't going to tell the same story. We might as well just publish bottom price that the seller will not go below under any circumstance. The seller will never get more than the price he tells anyone he will settle for. But more importantly, I would be only guessing. I do not really know what is going on in the mind of my clients.

In summary - when putting a business on the market, a seller must state an asking price. Sellers have a difficult decision when determining an asking price. Either 1) The asking price is the seller's real bottom line price and more traffic will be created but, buyers might still offer less. OR 2) They ask higher than they are willing to settle for and so have room to negotiate but if the asking price is too high the buyers may not look at the business at all. This is a real dilemma for Sellers.

Buyers, many times, are afraid that if they make an offer substantially less than the asking price that the seller will be insulted. This is very true. This seller, based on one of these two methods, has decided on the asking price. It is both illegal and immoral for the broker to discuss the seller's position on price without an offer in hand. If you have an interest in this business but do not agree with the asking price please make an offer that you, as a buyer, would be comfortable with. If the seller is insulted by the offer, it is the broker's job to take the heat and still get you a counter offer. My father told me when I was 17 years old and he wanted me to collect confidential information, “If you never ask, the answer is always NO." So, please make any and all offers you wish.



About The Author:
Willard Michlin is a Business Broker, California Real Estate Broker, Accountant, Well knew Public speaker and Administrative/Business Consultant. He can be contacted at his Ventura, California office by calling 805-529-9854 or by e-mail at kismetrei@earthlink.net. See other articles by Willard Michlin at http://www.kismetbusinessbrokers.com

Forex Brokers - Why Many of the Services Offered As Advantages Help You Lose!

By: kelly Price
Forex brokers today, provide a number of services traders think will give them success but in fact they will simply ensure you lose. Too many traders there not obvious so here they are...

1. Low Deposits

The chances of making money on 50 or 100 dollars are really low unless you're lucky and most traders are not the minimum balance anyone should start trading currencies with is $1,000.00 and really $3,000.00.

On a small amount you have little chance and really if you are taking currency trading seriously, commit an amount you have a chance of making money on.

2. Leverage

Most traders simply don't understand that while 200 or 400:1 leverage seems generous, most brokers know that the client will blow themselves up by over leveraging, don't forget most brokers are market makers and make money on you losing! 10 - 20: 1 is enough for most traders.

The fact is over leveraging, causes more traders to lose than any other reason.

3. Test Your Skills in a Demo Account

It's a good service in terms of learning the mechanics but it's a scenario without money and without money it's not an authentic trading experience. Most traders make money in a demo account but when the pressure is on of real money they crumble under it and lose.

Don't assume because you make money in a demo account you will make money in a real account.

4. Broker Research

Broker research is the same old stories re hashed from news wires which reflects the consensus view.

Follow it and you will lose.

Don't expect anyone to lead you to forex trading success you have to do that on your own and stay away from the majority view or join the 95% who lose.

Choosing Your Forex Broker

When choosing your forex broker, there are only 3 criteria you need to take into account

- The safety of your money i.e. the financial standing of the broker

- The pip spreads they offer and you should go for the lower the better

- The ease of use and reliability of the forex trading platform.

That's it!

Most brokers will offer you enough leverage and it's a big boys game so the fact you can deposit a 100 bucks is not an advantage, as your odds on to lose. Finally, forget a broker assisting or helping you, they may have good intentions but their research wont help you enjoy forex trading success.

Today you can get great pip spreads and superb trading platforms and they are your tools to link you to the most exciting market in the world - global forex trading and you have a great opportunity to seek big profits.

Try our Flat Rate Car Broking Services and Car Brokers

By: Search Rank Pros
Find the best car at the best possible price - Use a Car Broker today.

Superior Search Car Brokers, based in Brisbane, is an Australian-owned car brokerage providing a specialised and personalised car buying and selling service to the general public and corporate sectors alike. With offices in both Brisbane and Townsville, Superior Search Car Brokers has a clear focus on providing you with the best service possible and excellent value for money. This focus has delivered Superior Search Car Brokers healthy growth levels and has established us as market leaders in our industry.

As licensed motor dealers (new and used cars), Superior Search Car Brokers can help you find the new or used vehicle that you are looking for and make this an exciting and enjoyable experience

Why use car brokers to buy your next car?

We offer you the perfect way of saving time and money when buying your next car. All you have to do is tell us what sort of car you are looking for, and we will find the best car available at the best price and within your budget. We can find individual cars or work with fleet buyers to get you the best deals. Our flat rate charge will save you thousands of dollars on your next car. Whether you need a car broker to find you a 'new' used car or a brand new vehicle, Superior Search http://www.sscarbrokers.com.au Brisbane Car Brokers can take all the stress out of your next purchase.

If you don't know exactly what type of car you are looking for, we can provide you with the right advice to help you select the car you want.

Let us take the frustration out of spending hours running all over town and trying to negotiate with salesmen. We can ensure you avoid the anger and distress of finding out you paid too much for your new car.

Call us now on 1300 362 047 to get your own car broker finding you the ideal car with the minimum of fuss!

What is so good about using a car broker?

- You save time
- You save money
- You get spared the frustration of dealing with salesmen
- You get the best quality cars available in the market at unbeatable prices
- You the best price for your trade-in

How do we do this?

We have developed a huge purchasing network which enables our car brokers to source cars at wholesale prices. These savings are passed onto you, our customers who, whilst receiving the best car for the best possible price, never receive anything other than exceptional service.

As licensed new and used motor dealers we offer you the same benefits as a car yard including statutory warranty, clear title of motor vehicle and all used cars come with a safety certificate.

Why not try a http://www.sscarbrokers.com.au car broker today if you haven't before... you will only save money!

The Steps To Take A Good Mortgage

By: yanni raz
California home loan mortgages and refinances have become now adays the goal for many people.
For most of us the option to refinance is not even exist.

you need to put a lot of money as a down payment even if you have great credit, and then you need to really think about it because your real estate value will probably drop by the time you will make the first payment.
I wanted to share with some of you that are thinking about refinancing but are not so knowledgeable about the mortgage industry.

here I would like to give you some tips before you search for a Loan.
most important it's to watch your credit, today it's really hard to get any loan (loans from credit cards, auto loans and mortgage loans) without good credit.
Make sure that you don't have any late payments on your credit cards, auto loans and specially your home mortgage.

Everywhere in america today the first thing any creditor would do is to look at your credit so you need to watch your credit.
Another important issue to get a Mortgage is your income, before thinking about applying for a loan you need to think about how much you can afford to pay your debt.

Big mistake, actually huge mistake that most of the homeowners did in the past 4 years is to take too much debt onto them selves.
Today they can't pay this debt anymore so they're in a position of loosing their homes, loosing their cars and loosing their opportunities to be able to get mortgage again.
Very important thing to know is the right broker and the right lender you will work with.
You're spending most if not all of your savings to buy your dream home and to build your family there,no?
You most definitely need to trust your broker or lender.
Ask lots of question, gain some knowledge, If you have a broker great but if you don't so ask friends and people that are close to you.
People that know you will try to help you not to harm you.
Last thing after you've did qualify to a great loan, read the loan documents before signing anything.
I know it's a lot of papers to read but you must at least read the hand written parts.

So again:
1. Good credit- you need at least 680 fico score to qualify for a good mortgage Loan, of course it will be much better if you had 700 and above fico score.
2. Enough income- you need enough to cover the payments of your mortgage, credit cards, auto and all the rest of the debt and still have some money in your pocket.
3. Knowledge highly important- knowledge is very important.
So no Bank or Broker out there will take advantage of your money.
4. Hire The right broker or lender- you need someone that can guide you to build a dream and not destroy it.
5. Read the loan documents before signing- loan documents are the final documents you need to sign.
The terms and the interest rates shown on the loan documents will stay with you as long as you keep this Loan.

Choosing The Right Commodity Broker

By: Jim Olivero
One of the best decisions that you can make when expanding your investment portfolio is to put thought into commodity trading. There are plenty of people who will manage a commodity investment for you, but you need to choose carefully as most lose!

The commodity broker is an intermediary who talks to lots of different principals (traders, producers, consumers of commodities) in the hope he will get an "order" to buy or sell goods. He takes a commission from the transaction which is deducted from the seller's account.

Part of the value of a good commodity broker is that he will provide not only information about prices and deals, but snippets of gossip about who is doing what - and why. Traders are always focused on supply and demand aspects of physical commodities in which they trade and as well as the larger macro-economic picture, so it is important to assess what other competitors, are doing in the market. Some brokers are providing a lot of value-added service in providing not just price information - but offering lots of ideas - on the economic backdrop, current and future price trends, etc. Whether brokers are futures brokers or deal in physical transactions, the tendency has been for many of them to become principals. Traders can be skeptical about the information given by brokers, particularly if they feel it has been influenced by the broker's own relationship with another position taker - either inside his own group, or elsewhere. However, since brokers are largely looking to commission as a way of earning money for the company - and their own commissions, this may be a somewhat churlish position to take. Nonetheless, brokers play a key role in augmenting price transparency alongside the international and domestic commodity exchanges.

Let's bow take a look at the kind of commodity brokers to avoid:

- Brokers with hypothetical track records

These commodity brokers simply launch a performance graph that looks great in hindsight and then very often collapses in real time trading.

- Managers claiming real time track record but no audit

Not only do you want the track record verified, you want a statement that the account you are investing in is representative of all funds under management.

- Drawdown

Watch out for highly volatile performance the bigger the drawdown the bigger the risk of ruin. Generally, look for broker who has smooth equity curve. Look for drawdown of around 30% max.

- Conflict of interest

Check your broker does not earn a proportion of the dealing fees, as this sets up a conflict of interest. They may deal for commission, rather than profits. Try and get brokers who have confidence to be paid on performance only

Why Use a Mortgage Broker

By: Avi Solutionz
The main reason people go to mortgage brokers is to get access to a greater range of mortgage options, for better service and for the mortgage broker's ability to negotiate with lenders. A mortgage broker offers loans from a panel of financial institutions, including banks and non-banks. Using a mortgage broker is now an essential part of scouring the market for the right home loan. In simple terms, brokers evaluate your situation against secure banks and lenders on their panel for the best deal. On top of this a mortgage broker will collect and collate your loan application and liaise direct with the lender on your behalf – no more holding for your bank just to be told by a machine to select from options 1, 2, 3, etc.

In Australia, along with the well known banks and lenders there are now a whole range of specialist lenders offering a range of competitive products which may be more suitable to your needs. One of the great advantages of using a good mortgage broker is that they have access to many of these lenders and their products.

mortgage brokers usually run their own businesses. Lenders work with mortgage brokers because they effectively give the lender a bigger "shop front" without carrying a traditional employee or "bricks and mortar" overhead. The lender pays the broker fees or commissions for your business. Just as if you were dealing with a bank manager or lender, these fees do not change the interest rate you pay on a home loan. To be sure you are being recommended to the right lender, just ask your mortgage broker to show you all the lenders on their panel, and what your loan options would be, to compare against each lender's criteria. Some mortgage brokers will be able to provide a graph comparison based on your loan amount and the different lenders rate fees and charges over the life of the loan. This will give you an overall ‘cost ‘ of each loan available including interest charged over the term of the loan.

Establishing that a mortgage broker is right for you and has experience and qualifications, as well as being committed to the industry code of practice, is vital to ensure you're getting the best loan for your needs. Here is a step-by-step checklist that will help you know if your broker is on the level.

· For residential loans, all of the mortgage broker's services should be free i.e. is the whole service of giving you information in relation to home loans, negotiating the loan for you and handling the paperwork through to approval

· The right mortgage broker will take the time to really understand your entire finance situation, both now and into the future

· Your mortgage broker should have a range of home loans from a wide variety of lenders, e.g. banks and non-banks, conforming and non-conforming

· Ensure your mortgage broker is not just an agent for one lender

· Check the qualifications and experience of your mortgage broker, are they a member of the professional mortgage association (MFAA - Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia / FBAA - Finance Brokers Association Australia)?

· Make sure your mortgage broker discloses all commission and payments received so you can judge whether a particular loan recommendation is being influenced by how much the broker will be paid

· Ask your mortgage broker to show you on their computer how the loans they offer compare for your situation. Good brokers should have the appropriate software and be able to clearly outline their criteria and logic

· Your mortgage broker should have appropriate insurances

· A good mortgage broker should be able to explain the most complex loans in plain English

· It is up to you, but it really helps if you actually like your mortgage broker as well!

What is Personal Development and Why Should You Invest?

By: Denise Pederson
If you are like me, you want the maximum interest rate on a CD, the greatest appreciation on your real estate, and Bull Market returns on stock investments, right? I took the time to learn about and investigate different CD investment strategies on some money that I needed to have in a liquid investment. I read the real estate section of the paper every Saturday to see comps for my property to see if the value is going up or down. And I started a stock investment group with nine other brainy women to learn the ins and outs of the stock market.

But - - Money is really only a tiny part of my asset portfolio. My greatest asset is - - ME! My intelligence, personal skills, social skills, technical skills, mind set. Ask any millionaire, and they will tell you that if they went broke tomorrow, they would recreate their wealth with the traits that they currently carry within themselves.

If you take the time and serious mindset that you apply to investing your fiscal assets, doesn't it just follow that you would also be keenly invested in maximizing your own personal assets as backup insurance? What if you were so confident about who you were that you too could say that you too would recreate your current life style if anything untoward should happen?

To make the concept of personal development more concrete, here is a dictionary definition. Personal: relating to a specific person rather than anyone else, and Development: the process of changing and becoming larger, stronger, or more impressive, successful, or advanced, or of causing somebody or something to change in this way.

The field of personal development has become so popular because it's about making the most of who we are. The personal development field was formed around the concept of cultivating the extraordinary potential of the human personality lying largely untapped in most people. This field, made up of professional trainers, authors, coaches, mentors, the gambit of psychology professionals and consultants and hypnosis practioners believe that through the development of an individual's potential, we can experience an exceptional quality of life filled with happiness, creativity, fulfillment, giving back to society and just plain fun!

Besides, the human phenomenon is just so endlessly fascinating. We want to know why we do what we do, why we bond with some people and not others, how two people of seemly same backgrounds end up in such different outcomes. We watch reality TV, take fun personality tests and profiles, talk over our issues with friends, journal, read advice columns, and take quizzes on line and in magazines all in attempt to understand personality and social psychology.

So why not get as serious about the development of your personal assets as you are about your fiscal assets? What personality trait or personality characteristics do you have that is like money in the bank? If you haven't yet joined the ranks, what is stopping you? Some people may think this is arrogant or selfish. But I love the parable of the talents in the Bible. When the master returns, he expects his servants to have generated more than what he had originally given them. I don't think this parable was meant just for monetary assets only, but especially for the greatest assets we've been given, our very being - our minds and personality, and spiritual essence.

The fact is that you deserve every good thing that you are capable of acquiring as the result of the application of your talents. And I'll go one step further - - the people around you that you know and love and work with deserve every good thing that you are capable of too! Think of yourself as modeling personal development leadership.

Psychologist William James of Harvard University said that beliefs create the actual fact. A phrase you may have heard lately is “Thoughts are Things". The reason for this is because we always act in a manner consistent with our subconscious beliefs and convictions about our characteristics hidden in our subconscious mind.

If you believe yourself capable of accomplishing good things in your life and career, you will walk and talk and act like it. Your behaviors will actually make your beliefs a reality. Your social and personality development help make up the “soft skills" that make business women and men more effective in their careers. Find out where your strengths are and get a coach to help you maximize them. It takes all kinds of personality traits and personality types to run a business. The same thing applies in your personal life. Find your strengths and maximize them. Everyone benefits.

You can start the process of personal development now. Take a professional personality profile like Myers Briggs. Or a fun personality test online. I recently took the Strength finder personality assessment and it was right on. There are many personal development courses that you can take, either locally, or on line. There are career tests to help whatever next action you should take.

If you really want to take the shortcut to success and personal development a life coach is the way to go. You will want to get your personal development coaching with a good life coach who is specifically trained in personality and social psychology and will help you set your personal development goals. They can help you see how your personality type works for you or against you across the spectrum in life and at work.

It's so much easier to jump start your journey to personal development with coaching. Coaches help you to see thins you don't see. On our own, we simply can't see what we can't see. Besides, most people simply don't have the time or money to learn everything a professional coach knows.

I have to use professionals to learn the secrets of maximizing my finances. It's just being smart to tap people that know the shortcuts to get where I want to be financially. Now, with the services of a life coach, you can shortcut your way to personal development. You will be glad you did!

Light the Fire!
Denise Pederson



About The Author:
Denise Pederson, Coach Companion, presents an exciting new model of personal development. We empower busy professionals to experience their life and work to the fullest potential through coaching and training with an emphasis on self perception and goal setting to achieve rapid results. Start your personal development with a shortcut to success at www.denisepedersoncoaches.com.

Take Small Business Loans To Invest In New Projects

By: Simon Crerar
There is always a strong competition among companies. Different companies take different types of loans in order to start their new projects. Those small companies which need small amount of money can apply for various kinds of Minot trading loans. On the other hand, the big companies have to take the massive loans.

Apart from smaller and larger companies, in the recent times there is a considerable rise in the number of people who are taking small business loan. There are many individuals who want to start their own businesses. However, they are not able to arrange the adequate amount of money to initiate their new businesses. These individuals should apply for loans which are offered by many financial companies.
The interest rates which are levied on various small or moderate business loans are quite affordable. Different banks charge different interest rates on such loans. If you own a small company and looking for a small business loan, then first of all do a market study so as to know which bank is currently offering such a loan at cheapest interest rates. Apply for the financial loan which match with your planning.

Before taking such a loan, it is necessary to decide how much installment one can pay on a monthly basis. Besides, plan out the tenure of loan with respect to your new business project. Finally, apply for the small business loan. These days, one can apply for such a loan through online. Most of the banks in India have their own websites. You can visit these websites and you will get all the details for moderate business loans.

Small or minor business purpose loans in India are also offered by famous banks, like ICCI, Barclays, HDFC, and SBI banks. You can take these loans in both secured and unsecured ways. For the secured loans, you need to provide collateral support. If you take this business loan in unsecured mode, then you are not required to provide collateral. But one should remember that if he takes these loans in the secured mode, then he would have to pay less interest rates in comparison to the unsecured business purpose loans.

There are multiple advantages of these minor business loans. One of the advantages of these loans is that, these loans are tax free. It is known to all of us that the inclusion of the taxation fees in most of the loans enforce the borrowers to pay huge monthly installments. Moderate loans are free of tax and you can easily pay their monthly installments on time.

These days, we can also make use of the various websites which provide a comparative study of various financial loans offered by the banks in India. These sites would also provide you a thorough detail regarding the small business loans.

Selling Your Own House For More Money Than A Realtor

By: Jack Ingles
The current property market is tough, and selling your own house in a hurry requires a bit more energy than in past years. However, it is still very possible to sell fast and for a good price with a modern sales strategy specifically designed for tough economic times. This article focuses on a few unique techniques.

Set The Right Price
You don't have to undercut the value of your property in order to sell fast. All you need to do is work out the minimum you'll need to pay your mortgage off, etc.. Next you need to decide on how much profit you need to make. In the current market it's unwise to go for anything about 20%. Remember, setting the right price can mean the difference between selling in a month and selling in 12 months..

Targeting A Buying Crowd

Despite what you may have heard, there are still a lot of buyers out there looking for property to buy. The problem is that they generally have less money to spend, and are much more careful with what they buy. For best results you should target those who are eager to spend their money. First home owners, newlyweds, and small-time investors are safe options.

Show Your Property Off

Whether you opt for an open house event or multiple private showings, having your house presented in an upmarket fashion can add thousands to the perceived value. A fresh coat of paint and some outdoor decorations can have just as big of an impact on your price as hiring fashionable furniture for the living room. Try to give your place a unique look and feel.

Making the Best of a Buyers' Market

By: Gloria Singer
A successful real estate investment is dependent on many things, but one key factor is timing. It's all fine and dandy for real estate gurus to chant "buy low, sell high", but in the real world things don't always work that way.

In today's real estate market, buyers have a definite advantage. Attractive interest rates, plenty of inventory to choose from, and best of all, sellers eager to do business make this your time to shine. Here are some tips to help you take advantage of this rare opportunity known as a "buyers' market".

This is one clearance sale where you can take your time browsing through the merchandise. View plenty of homes, taking notes on each one, and paying special attention to those that have remained on the market longer than others.

Take time to check out the foreclosure market. A good agent will help you negotiate the ins and outs of these purchases. They can take a little longer than your average sale, may involve more paperwork, and houses may need some loving care, but don't be too quick to discount them because of this; a golden egg may be lying beneath their neglected exterior.

What happens when a store has too much inventory? They have a sale and usually offer incentives to encourage you to buy. The same goes for the new home market. Builders have been left with a glut of unsold houses and many are willing to chop prices, and throw in added perks to boot. In some cases, this can amount to thousands of dollars worth of sales incentives such as free landscaping, appliances, television sets, hardwood floors, club memberships, trips to Hawaii, and even swimming pools. Seek out new developments with lots of empty homes for the best deals.

When negotiating with builders try to negotiate free upgrades. With existing homes, see if the seller will fix that leaky roof or stained carpet as well as pay for the home inspection.

When making your offer, begin with 15 percent below the asking price. It's not low enough to be insulting, and will give you a good place to begin negotiations. Always request a time frame, such as 24 hours for the seller to respond to your offer. On the other side of the coin, ensure you allow plenty of time to have the contract approved at your end and book any inspections.

Request a written warranty for one year of coverage on appliances or major repairs. If you have it in writing, at least you have something to go back to.

One way to discover the seller's true bottom line is to reject the counteroffer. You wouldn't do this in all cases, and you certainly don't want the seller to get his back up because of it.

Your negotiations should not be restricted to the seller. Your real estate agent may agree on a reduced commission. When shopping for a mortgage lender, engage at least three banks and see who offers the best terms, such as lower interest rates or reduced closing costs.

Is It Good Time To Invest Money?

By: AlokVats
Many people will ask you this question – is it good time to invest money? Due to the economic fall out, everybody is conscious about his hard earned money and not at all trusting any one who is suggesting them to invest the money. It is normal human tendency, but the real scenario is completely different.

One of my friend is the owner of a Real Estate company and he continuously insist me that it is true, market has reached to the minimum level, but it is providing one sort of great value to the customer to invest on the Real Estate sector or on the Property deals. The reason behind this claim is prices of the land and properties have almost reached to the ground level and it is highly assumable that it will not go below this level.
It is only a matter of a few months and the real estate and share market will again start rising and thus the prices are sure to increase. At that moment if any one decided to sell his or her property or real estate plot then it is sure that he or she will get profit only. This is what even the economists are also saying and lots of people are also assuming the same.

Now as the global scenario is changing, I can truly believe that India is becoming the best place in the world to invest. It is a fact that prices of lands, flats and commercial plots are decreasing and has almost reached to the minimum level in India, so people from other countries like US, Canada, UK are looking towards India to invest on the real estate sector.

Some of the companies in India are also providing different types of attractive offers to its clients, like providing some free and assured gift with every purchase of land or plot, or some sort of assured return on every purchase. Even some time companies are coming up with the installment plan too. So as far as my views are concerned I can deliberately say that investing on real estate sectors is going to give you huge returns in near future. So it is a good time to invest money.


Author Alok Vats is associated with Delhi Infraheights Pvt. Ltd. Company, which is providing the cheapest plots in Rudrapur, along with the assured return and installment options to the investors.

Now is the Time to Invest in that Vacation Home

By: Joe Samson
The timing could not be better for a south-of-the-border investment in a vacation rental or second home. With the current U.S. housing slump, house prices in many areas have fallen lower than they've been for years. Not only have prices gone down, but there is a huge amount of inventory for potential buyers to choose from. Whether you're looking for a mansion, a condo or a beach house, the choices are there.

In the Florida communities between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale a two-bedroom oceanfront condo can be had in the $300,000 range. Single-family homes and condos with access to the Gulf are available in the mid to high $200,000's. Imagine a one-bedroom condo with a boat slip for under $100,000!

The number of foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, and new builder homes has resulted in a glut in the market with a huge availability of homes. In order to unload their investments, builders are offering thousands of dollars in incentives, and in some cases homes are being sold for 2006 prices.

What with the lucrative market combined with the high value of the Canadian dollar, this is an ideal time to purchase a vacation home. The success of this investment depends on the strength of the area you purchase in, however. Select an area that you know is strong and will eventually bounce back such as Texas, Colorado, or Boston.

Before making your purchase do your homework and get a thorough understanding of the tax laws for the state and country you plan to invest in.

In the case of a couple, it may be more advantageous to put the property in one name rather than both. Certain expenses may be written off especially if the property is being rented.

If investing in the U.S. you'll have to file a tax return in both countries. If you don't, your tenants are required to hold back 30 percent of the rent for taxes. Also, you will have to pay taxes on any profit when it comes time to sell the property. There are also certain risks involved in financing in a foreign currency if you plan on assuming a mortgage for your property.

The most important consideration of all, ensure that in the event of a decrease in the Canadian dollar, you can still afford the U.S. prices because if the dollar were to go down to 80 cents, your mortgage just increased by 20 percent.



About The Author:
Joe Samson, a Calgary REALTOR who has been helping clients achieve their goals in the Calgary real estate market since the year 2000. If you'd like to know about open houses in Calgary, or to see video open houses, you can view them directly on JoeSamson.com.

Electrician Training As An Investment In Your Future

By: James Copper-5768
If you're looking for a career that allows you to work with your hands and provides you with good pay, abundant work, and a level of job security that is unfortunately becoming more and more scarce these days, look no further than an exciting new career as an electrician.

The electricians of the world cover a lot of ground when it comes to what they do. Every establishment, residence, and company relies on electricity, and as such, they require the services of electricians to set up and maintain their power systems. Furthermore, every power line and wire system exists and continues to work properly because of an electrician. The world would quite simply not be what it is without its electricians, and as a result, it's one of the most stable, challenging, and secure career choices you can make.
If you're considering starting a new career in this field, formal electrician training is the first step to getting where you want to be. Electrician training will teach you all you need to know as to how electronics and electricity function. You'll learn the basics of circuitry, transistors, and even modern digital applications in the field. You'll learn the ins and outs of all the latest equipment and wiring systems so that at the end of your training, you'll be well-versed in all the latest developments in the technology you'll be working with. Electrician training will provide you with all the expertise you need in order to find work with nationwide companies that service electrical structures of all kinds, or alternatively with local businesses that are looking for new talent.

Electrician training can benefit seasoned, lifelong electricians as well. Technology has undergone many changes over even the past few years. A fresh round of electrician training to bring you up to speed on all the latest developments and advancements can open up new doors when it comes to job advancement, salary, and clout when it comes to your existing career. Making an investment in a refresher electrician training course shows both existing and potential employers that you're serious about the work you do, and it assures them that you're knowledgeable when it come to absolutely anything your job may throw at you.

Electrician training can be approached in a number of different ways in these modern times. There are quite a few vocational schools and educational facilities that offer electrician training in a traditional, sit-down setting. Night school or part-time schedules are usually options, as many of these facilities fully understand the time constraints the average person's life places on them. Distance learning is also a popular choice among the very busy when it comes to many types of adult education, including electrician training. This option allows you to learn at your own pace when you have room in schedule to devote to your studies, making education a simple, flexible, and enjoyable experience.

Whichever option you decide is best for you, electrician training will be the start of a fulfilling and challenging lifelong career that allows you the opportunity to understand and work with modern technology in ways many of us never get a chance to. Invest in electrician training, and invest in a new future today.
James Copper is a writer for www.newcareerskills.co.uk

Forex Trading Market, Should You Invest

By: suegold
Forex trading is all about putting your money into other currencies, so you can gain the interest for the night, for time period or the difference in trading money all around. Forex trading does involve other assets along with money, but because you are investing in other countries and in other businesses that are dealing in other currencies the basis for the money you make or lose will be based on the trading of money.

Constant trading is done in the forex markets as time zones will vary and the markets will open in one country while another is near closing. What happens in one market will have an effect on the other countries forex markets, but it is not always bad or good, sometimes the margins of trading are near each other.

A forex market will be present when two countries are involved in trading, and when money is traded for goods, services or a combination of these things. Currency is the money that trades hands, from one to another. Often times, a bank is going to be the source of forex trading, as millions of dollars are traded daily. There is nearly two trillion dollars traded daily on the forex market. Should you get involved in forex trading? If you are already involved in the stock market, you have some idea of what forex trading really is all about.

The stock market involves buying shares of a company, and you watch how that company does, waiting for a bigger return. In the forex markets, you are purchasing items or products, or goods, and you are paying money for them. As you do this, you are gaining or losing as the currency exchange differs daily from country to country. To better prepare you for the forex markets you can learn about trading and purchasing online using free 'game' like software.

You will log on and create an account. Entering information about what you are interested in and what you want to do. The 'game' will allow you to make purchases and trades, involving different currencies, so you can then see first hand what a gain or loss will be like. As you continue on with this fake account you will see first hand how to make decisions based on what you know, which means you will have to read about the market changes or you will have to take a brokers information at value and play from there.

If you, as an individual want to be involved in forex trading, you must get involved through broker, or a financial institution. Individuals are also known as spectators, even if you are investing money because the amount of money you are investing is minimal compared to the millions of dollars that are invested by governments and by banks at any given time. This does not mean you can't get involved. Your broker or investment advisor will be able to tell you more about how you can be involved in forex trading. In the US, there are many regulations and laws in regards to who can handle forex trading for US citizens so if you are searching the internet for a broker, be sure you read the print, and the information about where the company is located and if it is legal for you to do business with that company.



About The Author:
Author Tony Williams manages a website that reviews forex brotherhood trading system which is a unique forex coaching program that offers not just outstanding forex trading systems coaching but in combination with an equally unique automated forex trading software. Visit now to learn more.