The Complete Guide to Investing During Retirement

By : stockguide, October 21, 2008

If fear is keeping you out of the stock market. The Complete Guide will help you overcome your fear so you can acheive the kind of investment results you deserve.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Investing In Your First Property

For those that are about to purchase their very first property, it is very exciting and quite risky. Some people purchase property purely as an investment, however, and with property prices on the rise, that might be a very good idea. Moreoever, you can rent out the property to tenants as it accures in value! This guide gives a quick overview on minimizing the risks while maximizing profits in property investing.

1. Before Investing

You will want to do plenty of research before you invest into a property. Far more research, in fact, than you would do if you were just looking for a property for your own personal use. Of course, you don't have to get a PhD in Real Estate, Finance, or Law, but you need to get a good chunk of information and think about your decisions.

2. Know The Market

It is imperative that you understand the market before you invest. What is the average property going for? It can vary considerably even within a single housing tract. Study a little bit about legal restrictions and requirements, about contracts, escrow, titles, insurance, closing procedure, and the roles different individuals play in the process. Also, never be afraid to shop around, it can't hurt, right?

3. Profitable Properties Aren't Necessarily Expensive Properties

Keep in mind that often the homes that offer the biggest return on investment are fixer uppers. A fresh coat of paint, new flooring, a fresh pest inspection report showing zero pests, and a professionally landscaped front and back yard can cost as little as $3,000 and increase the property value to prospective buyers by up to $20,000! Even better, if you can pick the property up cheaper, at auctions for abandoned properties, you can save a bundle and thus make even more money.

4. Look At The Neighborhood

Properties nearby should be inspected as closely as the house itself. Are they maintained poorly and in a way that would devalue your potential purchase? Even a fixer upper that gest turned into a castle will have trouble selling if the neighborhood is in dire straights. The idea is to find a diamond in the rough - or to cherry pick to to speak. Take the very best lowest priced property and flip it for a lot of profit.

5. Get Financing

Unless youve won the lottery, chances are investing in property is going to seem a bit expensive. This is where major lenders like banks and the stock market can come into play. Make sure to have your financing in place before you buy! Talk to mortgage lenders — banks, mortgage lending companies, and Internet home loan businesses.

6. Be Prepared

Don't be fooled by the ideal that you can never lose money in the real estate market. Make sure the house you purchase isn't so far into disrepair that no one will buy it no matter how much money you pour into the property. You will also want to spend extra time in negotiating the best price possible so you don't get stuck with a property you can't afford the monthly payments for.

By: Adam Masterson

Is Investing On The Forex For You?

Twenty-four hours a day, every day, the Forex market is in business. Foreign exchange, Forex or FX are a few of the terms representing the trading of the world’s various currencies: the largest market on earth.

Becoming a successful Forex trader is the goal for millions across the world, but many - even most - new traders fail within the first year or lose thousands of invested dollars because they haven't grasped a thorough understanding of the industry and the way the market works.

With money to be made in the Forex market and every hour of the day to trade, appropriate and effective Forex training and grasping the right Forex trading strategies are of utmost importance.

In essence, a currency trade is the buying of one currency while simultaneously selling another. And with trades totaling more than 1.5 billion U.S. dollars every day, the Forex market deals with 100 times more currency than the New York Stock Exchange. Unlike trading on a typical stock market, the Forex market is considered an “over the counter” market because it is not conducted by a central exchange. Instead, Forex trading strategy takes place on an “interbank” market.

Trading deals are done directly between the two participating accounts necessary to make a trade and occur either over the phone or on worldwide electronic networks. Sydney, Tokyo, London, New York and Frankfurt are the main centers, which means Forex trading happens across the world 24 hours a day.

Trading opportunities are endless in this market because currency values are weakening and strengthening in relation to other currencies on a constant basis. The market moves every minute of the day and implementing the right Forex trading strategy is key in getting ahead of the game.

The benefits of trading this market are endless; from the opportunity to trade all day, every day from Sunday evening to Friday evening, being able to trade instantly with the latest news affecting the markets, to always having buyers and sellers to trade with in this very liquid market.

The liquidity of certain currency pairs makes price stability possible – even probable – and ensures narrow spreads. Trading the most popular currencies is cheaper than trading others because of the high level of liquidity, as well.

Additionally, the fact that Forex trading is most often traded without commissions multiplies the benefits of this field of trading. For those traders interested in dealing with the market on a frequent basis, this aspect is highly beneficial.

Forex training is key to getting the most out of each dollar. Any inexperienced investor that decides to start trading the forex without the proper tools and education, may as well play their money on a roulette wheel at a casino. With the proper education and mentoring, however, investors become far more likely to reach their financial goals.

Many traders spend thousands of dollars on various Forex trading educational outreach programs that don't produce any results, while others take the risk of playing the market on their own. The right Forex trading strategy program is vital to success in the market.

By: Alan Winters

Private Money Investing-How To Get The Best Use Out Of This Form Of Investing

Private money investing involves dealing with real estate companies, entertainment, retail and several other businesses. It basically involves two parties: the borrower and the lender. The lender becomes the investor.

The borrower receives money based on the value of real estate owned by him. Private individuals, trusts and pension funds can try their luck on private money investing. Substantial knowledge and experience of trust deed investing is required and mostly individual investors are good at it.

Everyone wants their money to grow and this is why this form of investing is such a desirable form of investing now. First, their investment in real estate will always pay off. Secondly, it will give regular income derived from the monthly dividend distribution scheme and thirdly, higher results than those available from investing in stocks and bonds. There is something called investor eligibility that you need to meet for this form of investing, and that is determined once you meet the minimum net worth requirements.

Private money investing involves many technicalities i.e. the lending process, funding and underwriting that one must be aware of. Methods of investments: Fractional method, Mortgage fund investment, Equity ownership etc.

Things to consider before venturing out into private money investing:

The amount of investment that is being asked, the value of the property that is pledged, description of the property, negotiation of suitable terms from either party and the use of funds whether to construct the property or to renovate. This eventually is a risky business so it is important to associate your investment with known construction brands.

Before lending money, several things are taken into account and one of it is to calculate the worth of the real estate piece. The liquid value of the collateral minus debt and liabilities is what investors look at while using private money investing.

Again, it cannot be emphasized enough: focus on one area of investing, and stick with that. For instance, either focus your efforts on real estate, the stock market, mutual funds, etc. don’t try to learn everything about all of them. Follow these important tips, and if you have decided to use private money investing, you will make a fortune with your investing efforts.

By: Josh Neumann