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

1) Set up personal guidelines: Define and follow your personal guidelines. This is the most important rule I have. My guidelines define the investments I will go after as well as the amount of investment I’m willing to part with to get it. It outlines my investment strategy as well as how I want to conduct my investment business. Things to include, but not limit you to, are: Top dollar amount and lowest dollar amount. Type of investment you want to deal with. Period of term for investment.. Etc etc. (Between you and me I even have a guideline about the amount of time I will work per-day)

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

3) Always ask for what you want. No where does it say you can’t ask for something in an investment deal you like, I.E. if you’re looking at a piece of real estate with a pool,ask the seller if they would be willing to throw in new carpet to the sale. I once met a investor who was looking at a house that had been on the market for more than 6 months. When he went to talk to the seller he happen to see a 1954 Merc Coupe in the garage, so he asked if it was included in the deal. The deal eventually closed for the house AND the car. 4) Offer everyone the chance to make money as a bird dog for you. I always give several of my business cards to anyone I do business with and offer them a portion of any profit I make from any investments they help me locate. You would be amazed at how many people are willing to help you make money when they get a small part of it for doing very little work. (And if you follow rule #2 you will be amazed at how many of those bird dogs will sing your praises from the highest mountains)

Just some ideas of things to keep in mind when you’re working on your investment mindset. I have used these rules over the years,and in many cases they, have gotten me more return and repeat networking opportunities then I can count.

It is important to understand the difference between the kinds of mortgage insurance that people may discuss with you as you are in the process of purchasing your home.

There is frequently some confusion among homeowners about the types of insurance they are discussing when they are talking to their bank.

Lenders feel they have to protect themselves when a lender has a small down payment. The borrower is so little invested in the property, that once the mortgage payments become difficult, or the value of the property goes down, he may abandon it. With a small down payment, the dollars invested doesn’t give the borrower much incentive to protect it.

The lender then requires that the buyer take out an insurance policy on the mortgage, but the beneficiary of the policy is not the buyer, but the lender. Note that the bank is the beneficiary, not the borrower or his family.

If you are concerned, as a responsible homeowner and family man, that your family will not be able to continue to afford the mortgage and live in their home if anything occurs to stop your flow of income, you may think about taking out mortgage life or disability insurance.

With this type of insurance, your family will not have to worry about keeping up the mortgage payments in case anything happens to you, the primary breadwinner.

If the insured party dies, mortgage life insurance pays off the loan, and if he is disabled, mortgage disability insurance will make the insurance payments during the period he cannot. Decreasing term mortgage life insurance is the one most people buy, since mortgages go down and therefore it is not necessary to keep the initial loan amount as the policy principal. There is no need to continue paying the premium on a $200,000 mortgage as the mortgage gets lower and lower with each mortgage payment.

For those who are concerned about them and their family being able to stay in their house in case of a medical disability, mortgage disability insurance will pay the monthly mortgage for the disability period.

Take sure you are clear on the terminology that your bank uses when you are discussing mortgage insurance. Lenders may offer these types of life or disability policies, and even make some income from them, but it is important to understand which kind of policy they are offering to you; if you have a low down paymentloan, you may not be getting the kind of protection you think you are.

Property investment provides a steady income and a nest egg. The first step in successful property investment is to find the real estate that will bring you the greatest return for the money. We have four tips for finding bargain real estate that will get you a decent return on your investment.

There are plenty of possibilities for investment property, but not all properties are created equal. You may want to see a property coach to get expert advice when it comes to your property investing projects. These firms offer a myriad of services, including picking out positive cash flow property to how best you can administer your real estate. Buyers agents can also give investment property advice as regards the best kinds of real estate and locations.

You can definitely spot positively geared real estate just outside major capital cities. Try focusing your search to only a few suburbs, to make sure you get a better understanding of exactly what properties are worth in those suburbs. That’s the best way to find bargains as soon as they hit the market.

Property investment also means knowing the right locations for your real estate acquisitions. A newly developing location in Sidney may seem like a great risk, but it may be better to purchase in areas with the customary infrastructure already set up as these to lower property risks. This is because real estate rates in growing areas generally tend to be on the rise. Selecting areas with established track records are in general the best buys for property investors.

When it comes to how to invest in property, most newbie investors get confused on whether they should buy units or homes. Units may look like better options now (thanks to rental income opportunities), but for the longer term, houses may actually be better investments. When comparing these two properties, check the land involved. When you acquire a house, you also possess the land on which it stands. This is not the same story if you opt to buy units. Not having land may negatively affect the value of the property in the long run and may even confine the renovations you can do to improve its value.

Property investment seminars will also teach that investors need to consider necessary renovations when figuring the value of a property. In general, not scrimping on renovations means long-term tenants and better appreciation potential. However, renovations can be costly and the price of the work should be figured into the initial investment. By choosing properties wisely and renovating for quality, the value of real estate should bring a good return.

Property investment is a lucrative venture when it is done right.

Now is the time to refinance your existing loan. With rates at a record low, you don’t want to pass up this opportunity. With some basic knowledge, you can find the finance company that is right for you in your search for the best deal.

Comparison shopping online is the easiest way to find the best mortgage rates. You can keep up with the current rates weekly and you can track the rates from all of the leading banks and lenders with a single click. If you have already decided to use a particular lender, you can always use the rates of the competition as a negotiating tool.

To make your comparison shopping more correct, you need to be in tune with the sort of costs that may be tacked onto a stellar mortgage rate. It does not do much to arrange a lower rate if the points and costs are going to skyrocket as a result. When chatting to lenders, you mostly wish to find out whether points are charged to get the rate you are asking for and how much the lender charges to process and close your loan. It’s important to account for these tidbits of info, since a 5% rate that charges four points won’t be a better deal than the 5.25% with no points after all. And points can be negotiated in some examples like the interest rate can – particularly if you know what is going on at the bank down the street.

The higher your credit score, the more likely the bank is to give you the best rate available. With a credit score of over 700, you can be more in control of the negotiations with the bank because you have the capability of getting a low rate with almost any financial institution.

Whether you are in the marketplace for a new home or looking for a lower standard payment on a current property, knowing a way to arrange a mortgage rate will make all the difference in the loan you get. Keep these tips tucked under your belt when chatting to lenders and you are bound to finish up with a mortgage loan you like and can afford.

When you are in the marketplace for a new home or looking to lower the payments on a current property, a new mortgage will be the logical course of action. However, there are a great many finance corporations which will be fighting for your business, offering you the best mortgage interest and the most affordable terms. Before you jump into the lending pool, it helps to have a few basics under your belt so that the entire process goes more smoothly.

Many forex traders start trading live too soon. They dont have any understanding and learning of good money management rules. As a forex trader, you need to develop a few good money management rules. Practice them on your demo account before starting live trading. By developing your own money management rules you are comfortable with means how much of your money you are willing to risk on one single trade. You also need to determine how many contracts per trade your risk tolerance allows?

The important question is how you can improve your investment results by making small changes to your trading strategies. Proper money management can be the difference between becoming a successful forex trader in the long run or an unsuccessful one who decimates his/her account in a few weeks.

Have you ever played poker? If you have, then rarely you will see good players put all their chips on a single bet. As a poker player, you know by risking only a small portion of your money on a single bet, you can win or lose but be still play the next hand. If you put everything on the table on a single bet, you have to be 100% sure of winning. An impossible thing, you can never be 100% right.

You must know that currency trading is far more complicated than playing poker. You will be dealing with hundreds and hundreds of unknown variables that affect the markets what to talk of only 52 cards. You must understand and implement good money management principles in order to succeed at forex trading.

There are many pitfalls that you will run across while trading. A trader is constantly under the pressure of two emotions; greed and fear. When you win a trade, you become greedy and want to risk more to win big. You want to strike it rich in a few trades. This drives you to take more and more risk.

In case you lose a trade, you will become fearful of risking your money on the next trade. Now, fear will take over and impair your decision making. Fear will make you lose confidence in your judgment and decision making. Lets see how fear and greed can impair your trading results.

Lets suppose you have a run of successful trades. You are feeling overconfident and you are not satisfied by risking only 2% of your account on a single trade. You want to risk more on the trade. The more you have in a trade, the more you will make if you are right. You increase your risk to 5%, you win. You increase it further to 10%, you once again win. You finally decide to put 25% of your equity at risk on a next trade, but misfortune strikes. Your successful run comes to an end. You lose.

Suppose you had a $100,000 trading account and you had foolishly risked 25% or $25,000 on one trade that you desperately wanted to win. Losing $25,000 means you have only $75,000 in your account now after your loss. How much you need to make to get back the original balance of $100,000; you need to make $25,000 again to go back to the original balance. It means you will have to make 25,000/75,000= 33%, so you risked 25% but now you will need to make 33% to get back your original amount.

Many investors once they lose a trade become desperate and try to risk more to recover their original loss. They end up losing more and more and very soon those investors destroy their accounts. Most of them are out of trading forever soon. There are other traders who try to reduce risk even more on making a losing trade; eventually they lose any opportunity for meaningful growth in their accounts.

Understand what you purchase before you buy is always important, but no more so when it comes to disability insurance. Find out about the different kinds of insurance so that you can choose the right one.

One important feature is what the definition of disability is according to the policy. This may be very critical to protect yourself. Be sure whether it covers whether it covers “own occupation” or any occupation”. Your own occupation is what your job is in, and if you can no longer earn a salary in that area, it is understood that your income will be greatly reduced. This feature means the policy will only cover you if you cannot perform any occupation, no matter what it is. Imagine an airline pilot who has been demoted to a clerk.

If you expect to make a comparable salary if you are disabled, but you opted for the “Any Occupation” definition, you may not be eligible for your disability insurance and be forced to take a low paying job. It is important to make sure you amply insured to substitute your old salary.

The next area of question is the benefit period. Normally this goes to 65, but some people might have income expected before this age, and therefore can be sure of not needing the benefit all the way until that age. Retirement funds that become available, or a spouse’s social security may mean that you may not need coverage until 65 after all.

The benefit amount is something that should be carefully examined when you are purchasing a mortgage disability policy. You should calculate collecting at least the amount of the mortgage payment. However, if you have lost your entire salary, will you be able to keep up with taxes, hazard insurance and maintenance? Of course, insuring these will raise the premiums, but it is a good idea to do the cost/benefit analysis.

It is important to understand the basics of an insurance policy. Some policies can also carry riders, which are optional benefits you can subscribe to.

The inflation protection rider is a popular one. Your monthly benefit will go up as the cost of living goes up. Inflation is a fact of life, and you may need to protect against it. There are two kinds, simple, where a percentage is added to the amount received, or compound, which compounds previously granted increases.

Some other riders that might be offered to you are non cancelable policy, guaranteed renewable policy, guaranteed future insurability or waiver of premium.

One of the most challenging aspects of purchasing a new home is finding the right financing choice for your mortgage. Mortgage loans have become more and more specialized to try to accomodate each individual’s needs. The adjustable rate mortgage has become increasingly popular in recent years. One reason for the rise in popularity of this loan package is that the rate starts out so low, home buyers can take advantage of this low rate at the beginning of their mortgage. Because the rate will eventually get higher, this product is not the best choice for everyone.

The low introductary rate is a great benefit but the rate can change intermittently based on the US Treasury Bill and other factors. If it appears that interest rates are falling, the adjustable rate mortgage might be the right product.

This is also a good selection if you may be needing extra cash during the first year of the loan for home enhancements or landscaping. However, loading up on debt in this time will cause a significant problem if your regular payments end up rising before your balance is paid in full. Some householders will also select an adjustable rate mortgage if they’re not staying in the house long, since the rates will not have time to max out during a shorter term. You can also start with a variable rate mortgage and then refinance as the rate begins to rise. However, bear in mind that refinancing will be done at the current market rate, that may be higher or lower than your original rate.

It is not the best product for everyone however. Some people may use the adjustable rate mortgage to buy a house that is out of their price range but with such a low introductary rate, they don’t recognize they’ve overpaid until a few years down the road when interest rates rise. It is crucial to understand the terms of the loan because there may be caps on how high the rates can rise and how much your monthly payment can increase. You have to be prepared for the possible increases so that you are not shocked when they happen.

The adjustable rate mortgage isn’t right for everyone, but it can be a savvy financial choice for some. If a variable rate mortgage sounds like the right loan product for you, talk to a loan officer about the ins and outs of the loans they offer and make sure you understand the terms perfectly before you sign on the dotted line.

Finding the best mortgage interest is straightforward when is easy once you have the fundamentals of how the lending process works. Shop around and don’t be scared to ask lenders to go lower to ask lenders to offer you the hottest deal possible. You just might be pleasantly surprised at the loan terms you get.

One of the most challenging aspects of purchasing a new home is finding the right financing choice for your mortgage. Mortgage loans have become more and more specialized to try to accomodate each individual’s needs. The adjustable rate mortgage has become increasingly popular in recent years. One reason for the rise in popularity of this loan package is that the rate starts out so low, home buyers can take advantage of this low rate at the beginning of their mortgage. Because the rate will eventually get higher, this product is not the best choice for everyone.

There are a number of benefits to the variable rate mortgage. As we have already discussed, the introductory interest is mostly is usually much lower than what’s offered for a conventional thirty year mortgage rate. However, that low rate can change intermittently, often based on the rise and fall of an one year US Treasury Bill or another similar baseline. If it appears that rates are in a dropping mode, an adjustable rate mortgage could be the way to go.

This is also a good selection if you may be needing additional money during the 1st year of the loan for home improvements or landscaping. However, loading up on debt during this time will cause a significant problem if your monthly payments finish up rising before your balance is paid in full. Some householders will also select an adjustable rate mortgage if they don’t seem to be not staying in the house long, since the rates will not have time to max out during a shorter term. You can also start with an adjustable rate mortgage and then refinance as the rate begins to rise. However, bear in mind that refinancing will be done at the current market rate, that may be higher or lower than your original rate.

The adjustable rate mortgage isn’t the right choice for everybody. It should not be used to get into a dearer house than you can afford, since a rise in rates may make the home too expensive much quicker than you’d like. It is also important to grasp the particulars of the loan entirely, for example how often the IR can vary and what the caps on those fluctuations could be. Many people are unpleasantly stunned by how much their monthly payments can go up with the rate fluctuations, so take care you are prepared for any extra mortgage cost that might arise.

The adjustable rate mortgage isn’t right for everyone, but it could be a savvy financial choice for some. If a variable rate mortgage sounds like the right loan product for you, talk to a loan officer about the details of the loans they offer and make sure you understand the terms completely prior to signing on the dotted line.

Finding the best mortgage interest rate is easy once is easy once you have the fundamentals of the way in which the lending process works. Shop around and don’t be afraid to ask lenders to go lower on their rates or costs to offer you the hottest deal possible. You could be pleasantly surprised at the loan terms you get.

Napa County is positioned in California, just north of the San Francisco Bay. Some of the most gorgeous real estate on earth is located there. At one time Napa County Real Estate consisted of farmlands that produced a wide selection of crops. But today, Napa County Real Estate has some of the greatest vineyards on earth.

Since the 1960′s when the wind industry in Napa County surfaced as one of the first rank wine regions in the world the price of Napa County Real Estate has always offered a 100% return on its investment. That is good to know in the economic woes many are experiencing in today’s market. There are 788 square miles of property in Napa County. About 754 square miles of that is land.

The wine industry in Napa County has blown up over the previous two centuries. At the conclusion of the 1800′s there were no fewer than a hundred and forty wine manufacturing vineyards in the county. Four of the original wineries have been able to continue to exist and thrive in this heralded Napa County Real Estate area. They would be Shramsburg, Beringer, Charles Krug Winery and Chateau Montelena.

Napa County Real Estate took a beating as prohibition was imposed in 1920. With nobody to acquire their wine numerous wineries collapsed. It was not until after World War II that the wineries once again started to do well and manufacture at a new level. As the vineyards wealth raised, so did the cost of the counties real estate. The power of the grape made Napa County the place to be.

The times have changed considerably since the pre-prohibition era. The Napa Valley Real Estate region now boasts some three hundred wineries. The wineries there produce a great variety of grapes. For example there is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay.

Millions of guests commencing about the planet visit Napa County wine country every year to savor the wine and investigate the wineries. While several other close counties have altered course over the years and have permitted more and more land to be put up for sale for business purposes; the Napa County Real Estate has still managed to clasp onto its cultivation roots.

The Williamson Act in California offers property owners in the state tax relief if they utilize their Napa County Real Estate for agricultural purposes. The landowners in Napa County took advantage of this in order to preserve land for wineries for generations to come.

It is true that the agricultural reserve has certainly interrupted residential growth in Napa County Real Estate but new homes are still being built around the preserves. There are opportunities in Napa County Real Estate even in tough times. The $8,000 tax credit allowed by the new stimulus package has opened the gates for many buyers who were once renting. The outlook in Napa County could not be better. Many new homeowners will drink to that.

Disability insurance covers some or all of one’s salary in case one is able to work. This type of insurance may be provided by state governments, or by one’s employer. Unemployment insurance is meant to give you some income in case your job is downsized or lost, and workers comp insurance gives you some salary and also covers your medical bills in case you are injured on the job.

Some policies cover illnesses related to the job, but many cover any illness or injury that prevents you from working. Disability insurance is frequently a benefit given by employers at a low rate since it is part of a group package, and employees always have the right to subscribe to more if they prefer.

These kinds of programs are not intended to replace your full salary, but usually only cover a maximum of about 2/3rd of it, and usually less than half. If you have a home loan to pay, this may seem woefully inadequate, since a home loan payment can take up to half of one’s income in many cases. To protect what is probably your biggest asset, you may want to make sure you can keep up with your mortgage payments when you are sick for a while.

This is where mortgage disability insurance takes over. If you have mortgage disability insurance, your mortgage will be paid through the policy, regardless of another disability policy you may have.

If you have mortgage life insurance, it will take care of your family’s obligation to pay off the home loan in the case of your death. But a disability can wreak a great deal of havoc, and life insurance will of course not kick in. If you were not working for an extended period of time, would you or your family be able to carry the mortgage? This is the problem mortgage disability insurance addresses.

In addition, as is the case with so many of today’s households, both earners can be covered if they both contribute to the payments. If you or your partner is injured, and they are covered under the policy, you would still be able to make the mortgage commitment for a few years. You will still receive other disability payments to cover other living expenses.

There are different aspects to each mortgage disability policy, so be sure to understand each. It is important to be clear on all of the features of the policy before you commit to an insurance policy, for example what illnesses and accidents will it cover and if there a time lapse before the insurance will “kick in”. Once you have made all the comparisons of the offers, you can decide which premiums offer the best coverage for your circumstances.