1. Lack of Loan Process Transparency
Most lenders have a loan officer who hands your initial loan package to an analyst or underwriter over whom you have very little control. Typically, your package just disappears behind a hidden bureaucratic wall, leaving you to wait and wonder about the disposition of your loan package.
Solution: Built on the concept of Transparency, Capital Development has developed the optimal paradigm to manage the 65+ documents that make up a typical commercial loan package. Employing a proprietary and secure online document management system called eDocLending™, we scan each document and set up your loan package online, so you or your borrower can directly access a Tracking Page. This page instantly reveals any missing documents required to advance the loan toward closing. You follow the progress of your loan through every stage of processing, so you can rest assured it accurately depicts your loan's status on a real-time basis. Furthermore, Wholesale Brokers are issued a unique Tracking Number for every eDocLending™ Loan Package.
2. Deficient Pre-Screening & Fine Tuning
Most traditional lenders can only Pre-Screen based on their limited in-house loan programs, and many lack the flexibility to actively enter the loan structuring process. They also gloss through the application and don't take the time to work with the Broker to fine tune the package before passing it on to an analyst. This lack of flexibility and fine tuning from other lenders often results in delays throughout the approval process, potentially worse terms and conditions than what the borrower would be able to qualify for, and even prevent the loan from closing due to a lack of critical information.
Solution: Capital Development pre-screens your loan scenario--from the decision maker's standpoint. Our AEs will guide and help structure your loan, steering you away from potential pitfalls and providing answers our competitors generally struggle to determine. Our credit box also has significantly fewer limitations, since it's based on the aggregate collection of the entire Commercial Secondary Market.
3. Generic Loan Proposals
Regrettably, many lenders issue generic proposals or term sheets with an unrealistic rate quote due to deficient pre-screening requests. After investing your client's time and money in underwriting, the terms provided at funding are less attractive. This traps you and your borrower into a high cost, low value loan package. It's dangerous to engage a lender who issues anything less than a proposal based on an accurate analysis.
Solution: Pledging transparency and integrity, Capital Development provides detailed Pre-Approval Letters with terms and conditions that carry through to closing. Selecting a lender should be based on the final terms and conditions the borrower will have to live with, especially given the long-term nature of permanent financing. Capital Development is a high-value lender defined by wholesale loan programs and interest rates, coupled with the deep commitment to close your loan as advertised.
4. Vague Timelines or how "Time Kills Deals"
Closing by an agreed-upon deadline should be equally important to everyone involved. Unfortunately, committing to a deadline is almost impossible for most lenders. This is because their internal communication is limited, and they must rely on people within their organization over whom they have no control. While delays typically only minimally impact a lender, even slight delays can be catastrophic to a borrower. Here's the often too-familiar scenario: Borrower (buyer) has a property under contract at a favorable price, the process has drawn out and the seller is anxious to let the contract expire in to sell the property to a backup buyer willing to pay more for the property. In this situation, the buyer is often faced with losing earnest money deposited in the process. This unfortunate position also has long-term implications and makes it very difficult for borrowers to make smart decisions. In short: "Time Kills Deals."
Solution: The only way to meet any timeline is through open communication with the broker and the borrower. Capital Development tracks duration data for every loan document in every loan package it assembles. We have developed our timeline based on an extensive database of information. The timeline we send--after the borrower accepts the terms of our Pre-Approval Letter--is incorporated into the Tracking Page and into our system. This ensures that dates are monitored automatically, triggering daily email notifications that keep everyone focused on closing by the agreed upon deadline.
5. Unreliable Document Tracking and Communication
It may take as many as 100 documents to close a single commercial real estate loan. Without an organized database supplemented with open and consistent communication between all parties, many viable commercial loan requests don't make it to closing. Poor communication by the lender fails-at the very least-to provide a good return on investment for the time and money spent by either broker or borrower. The one-shot call with empty promises simply doesn't get the job done anymore. If your lender is not providing consistent communication about the status of your loan, and missing documentation, you might as well throw your time and money down the drain.
Solution: Our online Tracking Page is available 24/7 to all Wholesale Brokers. Just like FedEx or UPS - with Capital Development, you'll always know where your package is!
Capital Development has systematically broken down the loan process into five clear stages to ensure your loan package will close successfully. We're committed to only issuing Pre-Approval Letters that have a high probability of actually closing. We will quickly assess the viability of any loan scenario, but we will never attempt to "get control of a deal, and then see if it makes sense." One of our Account Executives and/or Closing Specialists will be in direct contact with you
during all stages of our process:
* Stage 1 Pre-Screen- Our no-obligation comprehensive pre-screening;
* Stage 2 Pre-Approval- Issue the Pre-Approval Letter designed to close;
* Stage 3 Underwriting- Coordinating and expediting matters for credit review;
* Stage 4 Commitment- Commitment letter issued;
* Stage 5 Closing- Clearing conditions and funding the loan request
This is an excerpt from Capital Development's "Insiders Guide to Commercial Real Estate Lending", for your full copy of our FREE 25 page Insiders Guide loaded with valuable information (ie: Commercial Real Estate Lending Industry's Biggest Secret, how your lender could be working against you, what your bank doesn't want you know, the many advantages enjoyed by Wholesale Brokers and much more) please visit http://www.capitaldev.com/insiders-guide.cfm and click on "Broker Registration".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julianna_Nieves
Friday, June 5, 2009
Saving Up Early to Have Fast Easy Cash When You Need it Badly
You may have heard of different options when it comes to acquiring fast easy cash. You can opt for payday loans, but make sure that you get one from a good lender. You don't want to enter into any agreement with someone or a company that will only threaten you and put you into uncompromising situations once you have failed to meet the due dates of your debt. You need to find a lender who will be willing to listen to you and give you certain terms that will be more appropriate and handy given your dilemma when it comes to money.
You can also take a cash advance from your credit card. From the time that you have withdrawn the amount, you will already be charged with an interest rate. The latter will depend on your credit card provider. It will be best to scout for the one that has the lowest interest rate before you proceed with this step. You need to make sure that you will be able to pay the whole amount including the interests as soon as possible. If not, you may find yourself in a bigger financial trouble that you have never even dreamed of.
For you to avoid getting into situations wherein you have to avail the above mentioned tactics in order to get fast easy cash, you should practice to save up while you still have time to do so. You can start by allocating your salary wisely. You must make sure that a part of it will go to your savings each time that you get it. You can start by keeping little amount and adding up to that as you proceed with the matter.
The idea here is that you are doing something so that you will have enough resources when you are placed in certain situations wherein you need fast easy cash.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Taylortown
You can also take a cash advance from your credit card. From the time that you have withdrawn the amount, you will already be charged with an interest rate. The latter will depend on your credit card provider. It will be best to scout for the one that has the lowest interest rate before you proceed with this step. You need to make sure that you will be able to pay the whole amount including the interests as soon as possible. If not, you may find yourself in a bigger financial trouble that you have never even dreamed of.
For you to avoid getting into situations wherein you have to avail the above mentioned tactics in order to get fast easy cash, you should practice to save up while you still have time to do so. You can start by allocating your salary wisely. You must make sure that a part of it will go to your savings each time that you get it. You can start by keeping little amount and adding up to that as you proceed with the matter.
The idea here is that you are doing something so that you will have enough resources when you are placed in certain situations wherein you need fast easy cash.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Taylortown
Can You Really Cut Down on Household Bills?
Have you ever sat down and added up what all your household bills actually come to? If you have, you will know just how frighteningly large that amount can be! Of course, some items such as council tax for example cannot be changed. You can get a reduction on your bill if you live alone, but other than that most of us simply have to pay the amount we are charged.
Fortunately we have much more control over some other bills. Take our phone bill, electricity bill and gas bill, for example. We can do a lot to make sure we spend less on these than we are doing now. It just takes a little bit of effort to get the right end results. But that effort is generally worth it. So where do you start?
The best thing to do is to take out some bills for the last few months, so you can get an idea of what you are actually paying each month. It is always better to pay bills monthly if you can; any less often than that and you can struggle to find the money each time. Keeping the bills small, regular and manageable is the first step to making them easier to pay.
The next task is to look at which provider you are with for each service. It is very easy to stay with the same one for a prolonged period of time - long after they remain the cheapest service to be with.
You can check online by using a comparison service to find the cheapest provider in many cases. But there may be other alternatives available too. For example, when it comes to your phone bill you might be able to use your mobile more cheaply than your home phone. Two people who are on the same tariff and use the same provider are often able to call each other for free at certain times.
The same applies to calls that can be made over the internet. Would this be a good way for you to keep in touch with people while reducing the cost of your phone bills? Make sure you consider all the options and choose the best one for your own circumstances.
As you can see, it is very easy to reduce bills if you just put a little work in every now and again to achieve those ends. It pays to check how much you are paying from time to time, in order to ensure you are still with the best provider. So regardless of whether you want cheap calls, smaller gas bills or anything in between, remember that you can make changes; but it's up to you to do it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Collins
Fortunately we have much more control over some other bills. Take our phone bill, electricity bill and gas bill, for example. We can do a lot to make sure we spend less on these than we are doing now. It just takes a little bit of effort to get the right end results. But that effort is generally worth it. So where do you start?
The best thing to do is to take out some bills for the last few months, so you can get an idea of what you are actually paying each month. It is always better to pay bills monthly if you can; any less often than that and you can struggle to find the money each time. Keeping the bills small, regular and manageable is the first step to making them easier to pay.
The next task is to look at which provider you are with for each service. It is very easy to stay with the same one for a prolonged period of time - long after they remain the cheapest service to be with.
You can check online by using a comparison service to find the cheapest provider in many cases. But there may be other alternatives available too. For example, when it comes to your phone bill you might be able to use your mobile more cheaply than your home phone. Two people who are on the same tariff and use the same provider are often able to call each other for free at certain times.
The same applies to calls that can be made over the internet. Would this be a good way for you to keep in touch with people while reducing the cost of your phone bills? Make sure you consider all the options and choose the best one for your own circumstances.
As you can see, it is very easy to reduce bills if you just put a little work in every now and again to achieve those ends. It pays to check how much you are paying from time to time, in order to ensure you are still with the best provider. So regardless of whether you want cheap calls, smaller gas bills or anything in between, remember that you can make changes; but it's up to you to do it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Collins
9 Ways To Outsmart An Identity Thief
Identity theft statistics are shocking, to say the least. And it's not going to get better any time soon. But there is no need for you to become a statistic. Here is what you can do to avoid identity theft.
1. If your mail box doesn't have a lock yet, put one on.
If you had any official letters missing recently from your mail box, the chances are somebody has stolen them to find out things about you, and possibly assume your identity. If it didn't happen to you yet, count yourself lucky and put the lock on the mail box anyway.
2. Consider renting a PO Box at your local post office. Use it as a postal address for most or all mail. This will be particularly useful when you go away for a few days, or if there is no one home for most of the day.
3. Invest in a good paper shredder, preferably a cross-cut type.
You should never just tear up important documents. But what may not be so obvious is that the pre-filled offers you get from banks, credit card companies, insurance companies and the like, also contain sensitive details about you that would be of interest to identity thieves. Shred all of these before throwing them out.
4. Never give any financial details over the phone, unless you initiated the call.
The most common scenario: Someone calls you pretending to be from a local charity. You agree to donate a small amount to a "good cause". Not suspecting anything, you give them the credit card details over the phone and the rest, as they say, is history. Next time you get your credit card statement, it will be full of unauthorized transactions.
Do you give them credit card numbers over the phone? Never! Either ask them to send you some leaflets in the mail, or get their phone number so you can verify they are who they say they are, before donating any money.
Another scenario: Someone calls you "from a local bank". All they want to do is verify your financial details. Again, I don't care what they tell you, don't do it. Ask them to leave their name and contact number so you can call them back. Next, get your local bank's phone number from a phone book and give the bank a call (don't use the number they gave you, as the thieves maybe just waiting on the other end). Ask people at the bank if someone was trying to contact you. You may find out they know nothing about it! The fact is, your bank already has all the details they need about you, in the vast majority of cases.
5. A fake "charity worker" knocking on your door? He or she may even have an authentic-looking id. What do you do? Well, if you give them some small change, then this is all you've lost. But if you donate the money using your credit card, you just became a victim of identity fraud.
Of course, many times a real charity worker will be knocking on your door. What do you do if you really want to help? Ask them to leave a leaflet with you, so you may read it when the time is a bit more convenient. Or ask them for a phone number and the charity name so you can call them. If it turns out to be genuine, you can always send them the money later.
6. Consider changing your phone number to a silent number. This will considerably minimise the number of calls you get from both tele marketers and identity thieves. There are other advantages to having a silent number as well. Generally a silent number tends to increase your privacy.
7. Never store you PIN numbers or passwords near you plastic cards or account details.
Yes, I know. You want to keep your PIN number close to your plastic card, just in case you forget it. You may even disguise it as another number. Guess what. If a thief gets hold of your wallet, they will try any numbers they can find in it, to steal the money from your plastic card account. It's true, after a few unsuccessful attempts the account is usually locked. But even that would inconvenience you, to say the least. And why risk losing your hard-earned money?
8. Don't use credit cards in restaurants or other places where your credit card can be taken away from your sight for even a minute. Before you know it, your card could be scanned and used by thieves to buy all sorts of goods, particularly via telephone shopping, mail order, and online shopping.
9. And finally, there is a huge and growing subject of Internet identity theft. You can read our article on Internet identity theft at www.credit-report-a-z.com/internet-identity-theft.html.
We obviously didn't cover everything here. But hopefully this article opened your eyes to some easy, common-sense, ways to prevent someone from stealing your identity and/or your money.
Will it guarantee that you never fall a victim? No, but it will go a long way towards making a life of a thief very difficult. Usually, if you make life difficult for them they will move on to an easier target.
There is one more thing you should seriously consider. Checking your credit report regularly. It's not uncommon for an identity thief to apply for a loan, or a credit card, under your name. Of course, they have no intention of ever paying it back. All other issues aside, this will affect your credit rating and borrowing capacity for years, unless you clean it up quickly.
There are inexpensive services available that will monitor your credit files all year round and notify you the minute anything in your credit file changes. Or you may prefer to check your credit report yourself every few months.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Obremski
1. If your mail box doesn't have a lock yet, put one on.
If you had any official letters missing recently from your mail box, the chances are somebody has stolen them to find out things about you, and possibly assume your identity. If it didn't happen to you yet, count yourself lucky and put the lock on the mail box anyway.
2. Consider renting a PO Box at your local post office. Use it as a postal address for most or all mail. This will be particularly useful when you go away for a few days, or if there is no one home for most of the day.
3. Invest in a good paper shredder, preferably a cross-cut type.
You should never just tear up important documents. But what may not be so obvious is that the pre-filled offers you get from banks, credit card companies, insurance companies and the like, also contain sensitive details about you that would be of interest to identity thieves. Shred all of these before throwing them out.
4. Never give any financial details over the phone, unless you initiated the call.
The most common scenario: Someone calls you pretending to be from a local charity. You agree to donate a small amount to a "good cause". Not suspecting anything, you give them the credit card details over the phone and the rest, as they say, is history. Next time you get your credit card statement, it will be full of unauthorized transactions.
Do you give them credit card numbers over the phone? Never! Either ask them to send you some leaflets in the mail, or get their phone number so you can verify they are who they say they are, before donating any money.
Another scenario: Someone calls you "from a local bank". All they want to do is verify your financial details. Again, I don't care what they tell you, don't do it. Ask them to leave their name and contact number so you can call them back. Next, get your local bank's phone number from a phone book and give the bank a call (don't use the number they gave you, as the thieves maybe just waiting on the other end). Ask people at the bank if someone was trying to contact you. You may find out they know nothing about it! The fact is, your bank already has all the details they need about you, in the vast majority of cases.
5. A fake "charity worker" knocking on your door? He or she may even have an authentic-looking id. What do you do? Well, if you give them some small change, then this is all you've lost. But if you donate the money using your credit card, you just became a victim of identity fraud.
Of course, many times a real charity worker will be knocking on your door. What do you do if you really want to help? Ask them to leave a leaflet with you, so you may read it when the time is a bit more convenient. Or ask them for a phone number and the charity name so you can call them. If it turns out to be genuine, you can always send them the money later.
6. Consider changing your phone number to a silent number. This will considerably minimise the number of calls you get from both tele marketers and identity thieves. There are other advantages to having a silent number as well. Generally a silent number tends to increase your privacy.
7. Never store you PIN numbers or passwords near you plastic cards or account details.
Yes, I know. You want to keep your PIN number close to your plastic card, just in case you forget it. You may even disguise it as another number. Guess what. If a thief gets hold of your wallet, they will try any numbers they can find in it, to steal the money from your plastic card account. It's true, after a few unsuccessful attempts the account is usually locked. But even that would inconvenience you, to say the least. And why risk losing your hard-earned money?
8. Don't use credit cards in restaurants or other places where your credit card can be taken away from your sight for even a minute. Before you know it, your card could be scanned and used by thieves to buy all sorts of goods, particularly via telephone shopping, mail order, and online shopping.
9. And finally, there is a huge and growing subject of Internet identity theft. You can read our article on Internet identity theft at www.credit-report-a-z.com/internet-identity-theft.html.
We obviously didn't cover everything here. But hopefully this article opened your eyes to some easy, common-sense, ways to prevent someone from stealing your identity and/or your money.
Will it guarantee that you never fall a victim? No, but it will go a long way towards making a life of a thief very difficult. Usually, if you make life difficult for them they will move on to an easier target.
There is one more thing you should seriously consider. Checking your credit report regularly. It's not uncommon for an identity thief to apply for a loan, or a credit card, under your name. Of course, they have no intention of ever paying it back. All other issues aside, this will affect your credit rating and borrowing capacity for years, unless you clean it up quickly.
There are inexpensive services available that will monitor your credit files all year round and notify you the minute anything in your credit file changes. Or you may prefer to check your credit report yourself every few months.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Obremski
Process of Globalization in Serbia and Montenegro
During the 2003,socio-economic trends in Republic of Serbia and Montenegro were characterized by active role of Goverment to implement reforms,neccessary to step up transition process. According to the report of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),Serbia and Montenegro recorded greater progress in implementation of reforms than the other 27 East European countries.In its report on transition,EBRD graded Serbia and Montenegro 3+ (scale 1-4)for its foreign trade policy,for the process of privatization of small enterprises and for price liberalization.
The current state of global economy,especialy EU is that a stronger growth rate in global economy could not be expected till the end 2004. According to the Republic development Bureau,economic trends in Serbia in the first four months of 2003,are characterized by a slowdown in economic activity,however together with stabilization of price real increase in salaries and growth in foreign trade.Exports of goods in period January-April 2003 increased by 28,6% in relation to the same period of 2002.The coverage of imports with exports in April 2003 is 41,9%.
Prices in May 2003 increased by 0,5% in relation on to April and costs of living by 0,4%. The total number of employed persons at the end of March 2003 amounted to 1,782.841 (source:Republican Labour Market Bureau).Using the same source we can notice that in Serbia were 947,426 unemployed persons.Mentioned number was increased by 17,7% in 2003 in relation to 2002.
In 2003,336 enterprises were privatized at tenders and auctions,which pulled in EUR 159,5 milion( source:republic Development Bureau).According the same source,the process of restructuring was started in 73 large economic systems.Also,the Serbian goverment adopted the Strategy for development of Entrepreneurship in Serbia from 2003-2008.
The analysis of economic development in Serbia shows that the most developed city in serbia is Apatin with the level of development 85% above average in Serbia and on the other side,the most undeveloped city is Tutin with the development 76% below the average of Serbia.
Finally,we can conclude that Serbia and Montenegro will try to be integrated into the global economy as soon as possible.In spite of our good wishes,it seems that our expectations are very unrealistic to be achieved fastly. Namely,after a long period of stagnation,wars,low economic rate of growth,high rate of inflation (in 1993.it was the highest rate in the World),high rate of unemployment and low national income per capita,path of integration will be long and difficult process.Knowing that,our goverment will try to make this process shorther with structural changes in national economy and making big steps in transition toward the structure and performance of advanced economies.As fast as our standard of living rise it becomes possible to make progress.The first results have been yet evident.
prof.dr Mirjana Radovic
Dr Mirjana Radovic, is a Adjunct Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Lacrosse University,Mo,USA,adjunct professor and member F.Dickinson University,NJ.and many others. She has a very rich scientific experience in mentioned fields of researching. She has written numerous articles, reviews and essays in many publications, as well as eight books and articles on Entrepreneurship in Encarta (published in 1996."Savremena,"Belgrade).
A native of Belgrade, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Belgrade University, Faculty of Economics. In 1982, she earned her Master's Degree in Theoretical Economy and eventually a PhD in Economics from Belgrade University.
Her studies have opened a new world for her when she was 20 * her first opportunity to present her own scientific work at an international conference in Montenegro speaking to an audience of world famous scientists and professors like Prof. Dr.Joan Robinson, Cambridge, England; Prof. Dr. A.W.Coats, Notingham,Prof. Dr. Herbert Meissner, Berlin, and many other well-known economists.
She is very creative person and besides scientific work and teaching students and working in many projects, she has written several novels and short stories.Some of them she will like to publish abroad.Also,her preocupation is to help women to start up their own businesses with advices and right ideas.So,she has just written book ,"Women in Small Business".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Mirjana_Radovic
The current state of global economy,especialy EU is that a stronger growth rate in global economy could not be expected till the end 2004. According to the Republic development Bureau,economic trends in Serbia in the first four months of 2003,are characterized by a slowdown in economic activity,however together with stabilization of price real increase in salaries and growth in foreign trade.Exports of goods in period January-April 2003 increased by 28,6% in relation to the same period of 2002.The coverage of imports with exports in April 2003 is 41,9%.
Prices in May 2003 increased by 0,5% in relation on to April and costs of living by 0,4%. The total number of employed persons at the end of March 2003 amounted to 1,782.841 (source:Republican Labour Market Bureau).Using the same source we can notice that in Serbia were 947,426 unemployed persons.Mentioned number was increased by 17,7% in 2003 in relation to 2002.
In 2003,336 enterprises were privatized at tenders and auctions,which pulled in EUR 159,5 milion( source:republic Development Bureau).According the same source,the process of restructuring was started in 73 large economic systems.Also,the Serbian goverment adopted the Strategy for development of Entrepreneurship in Serbia from 2003-2008.
The analysis of economic development in Serbia shows that the most developed city in serbia is Apatin with the level of development 85% above average in Serbia and on the other side,the most undeveloped city is Tutin with the development 76% below the average of Serbia.
Finally,we can conclude that Serbia and Montenegro will try to be integrated into the global economy as soon as possible.In spite of our good wishes,it seems that our expectations are very unrealistic to be achieved fastly. Namely,after a long period of stagnation,wars,low economic rate of growth,high rate of inflation (in 1993.it was the highest rate in the World),high rate of unemployment and low national income per capita,path of integration will be long and difficult process.Knowing that,our goverment will try to make this process shorther with structural changes in national economy and making big steps in transition toward the structure and performance of advanced economies.As fast as our standard of living rise it becomes possible to make progress.The first results have been yet evident.
prof.dr Mirjana Radovic
Dr Mirjana Radovic, is a Adjunct Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Lacrosse University,Mo,USA,adjunct professor and member F.Dickinson University,NJ.and many others. She has a very rich scientific experience in mentioned fields of researching. She has written numerous articles, reviews and essays in many publications, as well as eight books and articles on Entrepreneurship in Encarta (published in 1996."Savremena,"Belgrade).
A native of Belgrade, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Belgrade University, Faculty of Economics. In 1982, she earned her Master's Degree in Theoretical Economy and eventually a PhD in Economics from Belgrade University.
Her studies have opened a new world for her when she was 20 * her first opportunity to present her own scientific work at an international conference in Montenegro speaking to an audience of world famous scientists and professors like Prof. Dr.Joan Robinson, Cambridge, England; Prof. Dr. A.W.Coats, Notingham,Prof. Dr. Herbert Meissner, Berlin, and many other well-known economists.
She is very creative person and besides scientific work and teaching students and working in many projects, she has written several novels and short stories.Some of them she will like to publish abroad.Also,her preocupation is to help women to start up their own businesses with advices and right ideas.So,she has just written book ,"Women in Small Business".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Mirjana_Radovic
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Donor Advised Funds
Consider this scenario: You have a stock in your taxable account that has doubled its value. You think it's time to sell, but you don't want to take the tax-hit.
Looking over your tax situation, you notice that you really need a deduction this year. You have the money to give, but you'd like to spread the amount of your charitable giving over a longer period of time.
In this scenario there is a tool that can help: the Donor Advised Fund. What is it? It represents a donation that you make to a charity where you advise the charity what to do with it. For instance, here in Wichita Falls, Texas, we have an entity called the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation (WFACF). You could set up a Donor Advised Fund with them and then contribute money, stocks, or other securities to it. Since they are a charitable organization, your contribution is immediately tax-deductible. But, as part of a Donor Advised Fund, you are allowed to advise them how to distribute the money.
Let's say you have some Exxon-Mobil in your portfolio. When you bought it several years ago, it cost you $10,000. Now it's worth $20,000. Good for you, but if you sold it you'd owe Uncle Sam $1500 in taxes. That makes you sad because you wanted to use all $20,000 to help the local Literacy Council teach people to read. But there's another catch: you didn't want to give them all $20,000 at once; rather, you wanted to donate $5000 per year for the next four years. What to do, what to do?
Simple, you gift the stock to your Donor Advised Fund. Since you've owned the stock over a year, you get to claim all $20,000 as a charitable contribution this year. They will sell the stock, but being a charity, won't owe any taxes on the sale. You can then direct them to give $5000 each year to the Literacy Council. They earn a small fee for handling this which they then use for their own charitable purpose. You're happy, the Literacy Council is happy, and the Community Foundation is happy. Problems solved!
Okay, yes there's a catch. The Foundation doesn't have to follow your advice. If they had to, then you would be considered to still have control over your money and wouldn't get the full deduction this year. However, this danger is pretty slim. As long as you want to donate the money to a legal charity (rather than, say, to me) the Foundation would be insane not to follow your advice. Why? Because if they didn't do what you wanted you'd never gift anything through them again. You would also tell everyone you knew about how you were messed with, so they too wouldn't ever donate to that foundation.
Personally, I use a Donor Advised Fund at the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation for the majority of my charitable giving. This is mostly for convenience sake. I can write them one check and they then write all the smaller checks to the various charities I like to support. It even simplifies the number of receipts I have to keep up with come tax time. Investigate for yourself and see if a Donor Advised Fund might work for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Silverman
Looking over your tax situation, you notice that you really need a deduction this year. You have the money to give, but you'd like to spread the amount of your charitable giving over a longer period of time.
In this scenario there is a tool that can help: the Donor Advised Fund. What is it? It represents a donation that you make to a charity where you advise the charity what to do with it. For instance, here in Wichita Falls, Texas, we have an entity called the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation (WFACF). You could set up a Donor Advised Fund with them and then contribute money, stocks, or other securities to it. Since they are a charitable organization, your contribution is immediately tax-deductible. But, as part of a Donor Advised Fund, you are allowed to advise them how to distribute the money.
Let's say you have some Exxon-Mobil in your portfolio. When you bought it several years ago, it cost you $10,000. Now it's worth $20,000. Good for you, but if you sold it you'd owe Uncle Sam $1500 in taxes. That makes you sad because you wanted to use all $20,000 to help the local Literacy Council teach people to read. But there's another catch: you didn't want to give them all $20,000 at once; rather, you wanted to donate $5000 per year for the next four years. What to do, what to do?
Simple, you gift the stock to your Donor Advised Fund. Since you've owned the stock over a year, you get to claim all $20,000 as a charitable contribution this year. They will sell the stock, but being a charity, won't owe any taxes on the sale. You can then direct them to give $5000 each year to the Literacy Council. They earn a small fee for handling this which they then use for their own charitable purpose. You're happy, the Literacy Council is happy, and the Community Foundation is happy. Problems solved!
Okay, yes there's a catch. The Foundation doesn't have to follow your advice. If they had to, then you would be considered to still have control over your money and wouldn't get the full deduction this year. However, this danger is pretty slim. As long as you want to donate the money to a legal charity (rather than, say, to me) the Foundation would be insane not to follow your advice. Why? Because if they didn't do what you wanted you'd never gift anything through them again. You would also tell everyone you knew about how you were messed with, so they too wouldn't ever donate to that foundation.
Personally, I use a Donor Advised Fund at the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation for the majority of my charitable giving. This is mostly for convenience sake. I can write them one check and they then write all the smaller checks to the various charities I like to support. It even simplifies the number of receipts I have to keep up with come tax time. Investigate for yourself and see if a Donor Advised Fund might work for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Silverman
What Types of Cases Are Eligible For Pre-Settlement Funding?
Pre-settlement funding is an option for many different situations. Whether you have been injured in an auto accident or because of the negligence of large corporations, there are many instances in which you may obtain a lawsuit loan. The amount that may be available to you vary from $500 to $250,000 and more, depending upon the severity of your injuries and facts of the case.
Wrongful death, nursing home abuse and neglect, dog bites, medical malpractice, workers compensation, and product liability are a few instances in which you may qualify for assistance. These are not actually loans, but more of a cash advance that will be repaid upon winning your settlement. In the event that you do not win, the money is not to be paid back to the litigation financing company. There are no out-of-pocket expenses to you, and no payments to be made to the litigation financing company until your case is settled.
In the case of a slip and fall or construction accident, you may also be eligible for pre-settlement funding. Frequently, large companies or corporations do construction or repair work on their premises. If the area is potentially dangerous and no warnings are posted, an injury can easily occur. This would be an example of injuries caused by negligence or carelessness on the part of the corporation. Situations like these may also qualify for a lawsuit loan.
The most frequent cause of personal injury is automobile accidents. Whether the person was driving under the influence, texting on a cell phone, or ran a stop sign does not matter. If they caused the accident because of negligence, you may suffer serious injury. Claims of this type are very common, and many plaintiffs apply for pre-settlement funding so that they won't suffer financially while waiting for the case to settle.
Apply online or call toll free to learn more about lawsuit loans. Once the information about your case is submitted, it will usually be reviewed the same day. If the details of your situation entitle you to pre-settlement funding, you will normally receive your payment the next day! It can be a big relief when you want to avoid financial strain.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joel_L_McLaughlin
Wrongful death, nursing home abuse and neglect, dog bites, medical malpractice, workers compensation, and product liability are a few instances in which you may qualify for assistance. These are not actually loans, but more of a cash advance that will be repaid upon winning your settlement. In the event that you do not win, the money is not to be paid back to the litigation financing company. There are no out-of-pocket expenses to you, and no payments to be made to the litigation financing company until your case is settled.
In the case of a slip and fall or construction accident, you may also be eligible for pre-settlement funding. Frequently, large companies or corporations do construction or repair work on their premises. If the area is potentially dangerous and no warnings are posted, an injury can easily occur. This would be an example of injuries caused by negligence or carelessness on the part of the corporation. Situations like these may also qualify for a lawsuit loan.
The most frequent cause of personal injury is automobile accidents. Whether the person was driving under the influence, texting on a cell phone, or ran a stop sign does not matter. If they caused the accident because of negligence, you may suffer serious injury. Claims of this type are very common, and many plaintiffs apply for pre-settlement funding so that they won't suffer financially while waiting for the case to settle.
Apply online or call toll free to learn more about lawsuit loans. Once the information about your case is submitted, it will usually be reviewed the same day. If the details of your situation entitle you to pre-settlement funding, you will normally receive your payment the next day! It can be a big relief when you want to avoid financial strain.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joel_L_McLaughlin
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