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16 April 2009

Benefits of Rent to Own

There are many benefits that rent to own offers. First, it is a great way for first time buyers to get what they want. If you have been turned down by furniture stores or appliance stores then this can be the location that is more than willing to work with you. Since there are many rent to own company’s out there now you can also compare what they have to offer and take the best deal.

The convenience of rent to own is one of the biggest features. For example if your refrigerator goes out and you have a ton of food in it that will spoil you need to replace it fast. In a couple of hours you can go to a rent to own center and get the one you want delivered to your home. You also don’t have to worry about how you are going to come up with money to buy such a costly item you need for your home. When you rent to own you get low payments that work well for any budget.

If you are just starting out on your own, it can be overwhelming when you think about all of the items you need for your apartment or your home. You can get them and make your space your own with rent to own options. You won’t have to feel like you are missing items that will offer you more comfort. You also won’t be doing without the necessities.

You may just need the benefits of rent to own to get your foot in the door. For example your computer has died out and there is no hope of resurrecting it. You don’t have the money right now but you know six months from now you will get a bonus from work. Yet you can’t get your work done at home or complete your college course work without a computer for that frame of time.

With that in mind you can get one from a rent to own company and then pay the balance that is due when you get your bonus from work. This way you get immediate benefits from it and you won’t end up paying so much in interest. You do want to carefully read the terms of the contract though because not all rent to own businesses allow you to pay off the account early without penalties and fees being assessed.

Another great benefit is that should there be a problem with the items you are renting to own they can be repaired or replaced for you. These types of businesses are more willing to do so than when you just buy them outright from a retailer. Of course the conditions and the time frame that they are willing to do such repairs or replacements will vary so make sure you know what they are when you buy your items from them.

Now that you know the benefits of rent to own, find out what it can do for you. Have a good idea of what you are looking for, how much you can reasonably pay, and what you can gain from the item. That way you are armed with information before you even walk into the business. Don’t allow salesmen to entice you to buy items you don’t want either. Be firm about what you are looking for and don’t be afraid to leave without committing to anything. Take the time to look around and remember that you can always go back for it later on.

Pros and Cons of Rent to Own

There are definitely some pros of rent to own offers but there are some cons to be aware of as well. Don’t make a decision about such a process until you have carefully evaluated both sides of this coin. Being well informed is the best way to ensure that you are able to get the most from it. If you don’t find that you are able to agree to the terms of it then look for an alternative to getting what you want.

One of the main pros of rent to own is that you don’t need to have any credit or good credit to do it. This can be a way to build up some credit in fact and show that you can be responsible when it comes to paying what you owe. This method of obtaining things you really need such as a laptop for school or something you want such as a big screen TV means you don’t have to wait until you have another way to pay for it.

On the con side though they make it seem very affordable. They often advertise the low monthly payments or even how much it breaks down to weekly. It is up to you though to determine what the overall cost will be. Based on the number of payments and the payment amounts you can determine what you will pay for an item when you fully own it. If that amount is much higher than what you would be able to buy the same item for outright then rent to own my not be the best way to go.

On the positive side, you definitely will find plenty of items offered with a rent to own process. This includes furniture for any room in your home, electronics, and more. The items that are available will vary from business to business but this is what you can commonly expect to find.

On the negative side you won’t have the same selection as you would elsewhere. You will be limited to certain brands and particular models that they carry. This is great if what you really want is offered by the rent to own center but it can mean settling for less than you really want otherwise.

Rent to own allows you to get new items when you would otherwise have to buy it second hand to meet your budget. We all like to have new things that look nice in our home so that is a bonus. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to sleep on a bed mattress that someone else I don’t know has. With rent to own you don’t have to because you can get a new one.

Should you not be able to keep up your payments though the rent to own business can come take back those items. You won’t get any return on the money you have invested in them. This can mean you have wasted money too because it can add up to quite a bit. You may have made all of your payments for a very long time too and then not been able to do so towards the end of the contract.

There can be other pros and cons associated with rent to own businesses as well. What you will need to do is to take their policies into consideration to help you to evaluate them. While you do have the freedom to take them up on their offers or not, be prepared when you walk in the door for some smooth talking and pressure. Many employees at rent to own businesses work on a commission basis. This means they only generate income for themselves if they are making money for the business.

Foreclosure Defense Tactics

TRUTH IN LENDING ACT (TILA)

As part of every loan transaction, the bank must provide the homeowner correct disclosures at or before the time of closing, like the amount of the finance charge and APR. If these disclosures are inaccurate, the loan may be statutorily rescindable under TILA. The lender must also provide a "Notice of the Right to Rescind." This is a specific notice that must be provided to refinance customers at closing. If this form is inaccurate or incorrect, the loan is rescindable up to three years after the date of closing. Rescission means the loan is canceled and all money paid to the lender is refunded. Moreover, if you purchased the property or used the proceeds to refinance and proper disclosures were not given, then you may also be entitled to money damages to offset the foreclosure.

REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES ACT (RESPA)

This federal law governs many types of disclosures that lenders must provide at the time of closing, in addition to prohibiting things like kickbacks and unearned fees. It enables damages, and sometimes rescission if the error triggers TILA.

HOME OWNERSHIP AND EQUITY PROTECTION ACT (HOEPA)

This is a very powerful federal law governing high cost refinance loans. Violations here enable rescission and substantial money damages that can be in excess of the loan's dollar amount.

RACKETEERING AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ACT (RICO)

A borrower may successfully plead a RICO claim in a yield spread premium case. The elements of a RICO claim are satisfied where the payment of the premium was not disclosed and the cost of the premium is passed on to the borrower in the form of a higher interest rate; and the broker represented that it would provide the lowest available rate.

EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT (ECOA)

Bait-and-switch tactics can state a claim under the ECOA. ECOA provides private remedies for actual and punitive damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees.

UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

Over reaching mortgage transactions can often be challenged under state unfair and deceptive acts and practices (UDAP) law. Broker misconduct and yield spread premium, at least without disclosure, may violate a UDAP statute. There may be licensing violations. Transactions with lenders and/or brokers who are not licensed, but should be, may be void. It may be a UDAP violation for a lender to do business with an unlicensed broker. Most UDAP statutes provide for some combination of actual damages, statutory damages, multiple damages, attorney fees and costs, and some states, punitive damages.

FHA PRE-FORECLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

FHA requires every lender to mail a booklet called "How to Avoid Foreclosure" and set up a face-to-face meeting with the borrower before foreclosing (in most cases). If the lender does not take these steps, then it cannot foreclose.

APPRAISAL FRAUD

Many appraisers inflate the value of a property to help a lender justify a predatory loan. Sometimes the appraiser does this to please particular lenders to obtain repeat business from those lenders; other times appraisers may be colluding with lenders and receiving kickbacks for fraudulent appraisals. Remedies for appraisal fraud can include actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

BREACH OF CONTRACT

Just as you have an obligation to pay the mortgage, the lender has a responsibility not to interfere with your ability to do so - like force placing insurance making the payments substantially more expensive than they should have been. In addition, lenders who quietly reward brokers for brining borrowers to them-and subsequently passing on the cost of that reward to the borrower-may share liability for the broker's breach of fiduciary duty.

REAL PARTY IN INTEREST

This is a procedural defense to foreclosure that can be extremely effective at stopping the lender's ability to foreclose. It essentially questions the ownership of the mortgage and questions whether the foreclosing party is, in fact, the holder of the mortgage and note.

UNCONSCIONABILITY

This defense is focused on the events surrounding the creation and closing of the mortgage loan. A violation here gives the court great leeway in deciding whether the mortgage should be voided or changed.

FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM

This general defense attacks the lender's ability to foreclose and is can be used in conjunction with one of the other foreclosure defenses.

FAILURE TO ESTABLISH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Want to get a foreclosure action thrown out of court right away? Use this defense that attacks the lender's pre-foreclosure processes.

Best Time to Refinance

Who wouldn't enjoy a break on their monthly mortgage payment? On the other hand, how can you be sure that the timing is right to refinance? Are the rates and the current mortgage market the best indicators? What about other factors having to do with your mortgage, such as mortgage insurance, rising payment amounts, and the long-term goals you have for paying off your loan? Do you have needs such as debt consolidation that a refinance could address? All of these are important points to keep in mind when considering the right time to refinance. What you must do is evaluate the critical factors and how to balance them in your decision-making in order to most wisely choose the time and manner of your refinance.

Of course, continuing to pay attention to rates, even after you close, can save you a great deal of money. How much you pay on your mortgage each month is directly related to your interest rate. If your first mortgage has a fixed rate, you can easily compare it to current mortgage rates and know with relative certainty whether refinancing now makes sense. In the absence of any other pressures, as long as the rate you have on a fixed rate loan is lower than current rates, you should probably stick with it.

On the other hand, if you have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) and rates are rising, your payment will also be increasing. In this case, consider how much rates will climb and how much more you'll be paying per month. You may consult with a financial planner or loan officer to get their opinions on market trends. With their advice, you can decide if refinancing to a fixed rate now is more beneficial in the long run.

You're probably beginning to see that the right time to refinance has more to do with you than with the mortgage market. Sure, low interest rates are a factor, but your individual situation is the greatest indicator. For example, are you paying on a loan that requires you to carry mortgage insurance? Have you built up enough equity to drop that insurance through a refinance? If so, refinancing could save you hundreds each month, even if rates have remained unchanged or have increased slightly.

Did you sign a three- or five-year adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) in the last few years? If so, be sure you know when your introductory term expires. You'll want to get a head start on refinancing your loan unless you're prepared to begin making a much higher payment. This type of loan allows you to make reduced (usually interest-only) payments for the first several years. After that time expires, the loan reverts to a regular amortized loan with principal and interest payments. Unless your income has increased significantly, these payments could be an ugly shock. Don't wait for this unpleasant surprise! If the introductory period on your three-year, five-year, or other loan is set to expire, beat increased payments to the punch before the first one hits your mailbox.

Sometimes, lowering your mortgage payment is not the primary focus. Are you thinking of paying down some of your high-interest debt? Do you have a child going off to college soon? Dreaming about a newly remodeled kitchen or bathroom? Getting cash out of your home may be the ticket. You can get cash out through a refinance which will allow you to draw against the equity in your home without taking out a second mortgage.

All of these and many others make up the list of reasons homeowners may choose to refinance their homes. Current interest rates are only part of the equation. Establish your goals, learn about your options, and make the decision that's best for you and your timetable.

Credit Card Interest Rates

We all know credit card companies levy interest rates on every purchase we make through our credit card. But have we ever wondered why do they charge a certain percentage of interest rate? The answer is simple – for every credit we take, the bank whose credit card we own, pays the billed amount on our behalf irrespective of amount of credit taken( of course, within the credit limit printed on the card sheet). When the bank pays on our behalf, it loses something out of its budget or CRR.

To maintain the loss, it charges interest rate on each and every purchase of ours. In case we are not able to pay back the amount taken as credit within the stipulated time, the bank again monetary loss which it refurbishes with the interest rate levied as late fee. E.g., if you go for Fortune Gold Card offered by Kotak Mahindra Bank than the interest rate levied by it is 3.10% as service charges on outstanding balance. The same applies to all the other three credit cards (Trump, League and Royale) also.

There are also the late payment charges which vary from Rs 350 to Rs 500. For bounced payment the charges are between Rs 300/- and Rs500/-. The point is that when you take something on credit cards and the other person (in this case, the bank), pays off your credit, there is no harm in giving a small percentage as on credit card interest rate. Generally this interest rate amounts to very less money in terms of the credit you take. Credit Card companies which circulate their cards in the market are regulated by RBI and so the interest rates levied by them are under considerable limits which do not pinch your pocket at any point of time.

So, when it comes to interest rates levied by a credit card company, you should not raise eyebrows. However, one should be cautious about the interest rates being levied. In fact, before taking a credit card, one must enquire about the interest rates and any other interest rates, if any. Once checked, one should compare these with the interest rate charged by other credit card companies and take the one which charges the least percentage of interest rate….

Rewards Checking Account You Can Trust

With a Rewards Checking account you get paid if you meet certain requirements; otherwise your checking account is treated as a typical 1% interest checking account. What’s not to like about that? It’s a win-win, you can’t get penalized. But, the key is to find a bank or credit union that you can trust. One that is not just offering teaser rates to get your business. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right bank for you.

1. Study the history of the accounts APY rates. If the rate seems to be consistently decreasing or suddenly dropped by 2-3 percent I would recommend staying away from that account. Look for an account above 5% interest that has been at a steady rate for at least a year.

2. Look up the bank star rating at Bauer Financial. A four or five star ranking is a trustworthy bank, with a good reputation.

3. Finally, call the bank and talk to a representative. Almost all Rewards Checking accounts are online, but if you want to get a feel for the customer service the bank offers, call and discuss the account first with a representative before you apply online.

Basically, you want to find a bank or credit union that you can trust with your money and treats you well. Take a little time, use the mentioned tips, and don’t rush into opening an account. Another step you can take to make your search easier is read up on the latest account information at MoneyRates.com. They report on all the best available banking rates. I also suggest looking at the Rewards Checking offered from Coulee Bank, out of Wisconsin. They offer 5.01 APY, available nationwide, as well as a 5-star Bauer Financial rating. Use these tips as a start, and soon you’ll be getting paid to use your checking account.

To Gain Low Priced Vehicle Insurance

All the places in the United States want that qualified drivers obtain auto insurance, and its same with other places as such. Auto insurance set of laws is adjacent on rules in different states. The least stage of auto insurance in US is known as "liability insurance." How frequently do you go up on your auto each week? Twenty or Thirty, or maybe you are driving to your office and to run on a daily basis tasks, and you are transferring your kids from their every day activities. With gas working price mounting, you're more or less absolutely paying more concentration to your driving act. In contrast how long it has been from the time when you were visualizing with indication to your auto insurance?

All the drivers are obligatory to possess evidence of enough insurance coverage continuously. This necessity increases defense for you, your citizens, and furthermore drivers. If the wretched event of a disaster is ought to take place, this necessity helps to vow that all social gatherings concerned have the required particulars to capably make up your mind for the conditions. All the persons are well known that possessing auto insurance is necessary in all the countries. And irrespective of the truth that it might come out that even least amount of coverage is restricted, a few promises can provide least coverage at amazingly low prices. Many places request that you bring the confirmation of auto insurance. Fading to have this can be the basis for main problems.

Be deficient in evidence of appropriate auto insurance, you cannot manuscript a new-fangled vehicle or yet renew the present one. Additionally, if the Subdivision of Motor Vehicles or a police delegate traps you without the necessary confirmation, mutually, then your rolling can be suspended until you are capable of providing the evidence. Being unable to come across the right to drive unless you choose can certainly be a risk.

Liability auto insurance quotation marks in US have to gather the following legal restrictions to the minimum. The majority of the large insurance companies will permit you to obtain a quote online, but a few of the smaller corporations still carry out business either in person or over the phone. As soon as you are planning to fill up the forms online draw together all the essential details first. You will have to the build, model, and year of the vehicle.

15 April 2009

Banks in the US

The US Banks

Some of the largest and most innovative banks in the whole world are found in the US. Banks in the US are watching one another, the rest of the banks in the world always seeking what to do next.

US banks provide financial support to the most developed economy worldwide, and so their importance has grown within the global financial market. They range of products and services they offer, is wide and varied, be it personal business or corporate, institutional banking or any other type. With the use of the most advanced internet services on the market, banks in the US can easily be accessed anywhere and at anytime.

Among other, here is a list of services US banks provide:

• Personal Banking Services of Banks in USA

Personal banking services have been created to cater to daily requirements of consumers, such as checking products, plus internet banking free of charge, ATM/debit card facilities, online bill payment, monthly statement, opening deposits, etc. Loan products available in the US banks come in the form of home equity loans, car loans, or personal loans. Among the most common forms of saving money are the certificates of deposit or passbook savings.

• Mortgage Services of US Banks

US banks also offer a range of mortgage services, carefully designed to take care of the various mortgage needs of customers. Together with standard mortgage services, banks also provide mortgage calculators for clients to easily calculate the payment schedules they will have as well as monthly payments, mortgage amounts, and many more. Besides online mortgage services are also available, making the process of mortgage even easier and hassle-free.

• Business Banking Services of Banks in the USA

US banks also offer business banking support for corporate clients. Checking business accounts or seeing to all other financial needs businesses, such as commercial loans or construction loans, offered for business operation, equipment, or commercial real estate purchases are just a few operations US banks deal with.

• Other Products and Services of Banks in USA

Other banking products the US banks offer include agricultural loans or checking accounts. There loans help investors purchase machinery, livestock, and even real estate. Besides being cheap, checking accounts are also easy to operate. Among the facilities offered by online banking there is checking balance, funds transfer, or bill payment anytime and anywhere.

The largest banks in the US by deposits, are Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Wachovia Bank, Citibank, Washington Mutual Bank, SunTrust Bank, US Bank , Regions Bank, and so on.

Credit Repair is Important

If you have poor credit, you are not looked at in a favorable light. When you have screwed over your credit and finances, it is time for you to make a change. Your finances become limited because you are robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is not good because you are constantly juggling funds from here to there and getting frustrated in the process. Credit repair would come in handy and you could use the services of a credit repair services professional.

In addition to juggling your funds, you would try to use your credit card to advance yourself some money. Then you can't use your credit card because it's up to the limit. In this case, credit repair for you is inevitable. A credit repair services professional will be able to assist you.

There are several reasons why credit repair is important. For one, with your poor credit, it is extremely unlikely that you will be able to get another credit card or a loan. Besides, that would not help you because your credit situation is already moot. Just having that would add more trouble to your credit and financial situation. Credit repair for you would be extremely important in order for you to turn your credit around. Using a professional that is skilled in credit repair services would help you to make the difference.

Credit repair is also important because you need to implement discipline in your situation. It is obvious that your credit has taken a nosedive. In addition to not being able to get more credit, you could be looked at as an outcast. Everywhere you try to get credit from will turn you down. Creditors will quickly write you off because you were not responsible enough to pay your bills and debts in a timely manner. However, using a credit repair professional can help to change that situation.

A credit repair services professional will sit down with you and look at your credit report. They will show you where you went wrong and what you can do to correct the problem. Credit repair is the first step to getting back on track with your finances and your credit. If you want to be able to get credit cards and loans again, then this is the way you should do it.

When you start your credit repair program, part of the reason that you have a bad credit report may be because there are errors that need to be removed. If the credit bureaus refuse, the credit repair services professional can help to solve the problem. They will work with the credit bureaus to see about getting the errors removed. There are some times when credit bureaus are in error. Of course, they don't always want to own up to it.

Once the credit repair services professional implements a repayment plan for you, It's up to you to fulfill your part of the deal. The plan will not work for you if you don't implement discipline and focus into turning your bad credit into good credit. This is why credit repair is so important for you to start as soon as possible.