Business in Science and General Truth

According to the Federal Reserve Statistical Release dated August 7, 2009, the outstanding consumer debt just went a little over $2.485 trillion dollars as of June, 2009. With that overwhelmingly amount to think about, it is no longer a big surprise why there are a lot of U.S. citizens who look for help when it comes to their own debt management and are constantly on the lookout for the best consolidation company that would basically combine all of their student loans, credit card debts, home equity and other debts into a singular loan.

The first question for those who are not in the know just yet is why do people prefer to turn to debt consolidation companies? Well for one thing, people with debts would no longer need to pay large amounts of money because of escalated interest rates on let’s say for example, a credit card debt. Also, borrowers need not to worry about juggling multiple accounts and make several payments to many different creditors. And the best part by far is that by consolidating all their debt into one account, creditors stop bugging them about payments. But of course all this would only work when a person is dealing with the best debt consolidation company that puts the borrower’s interests first before anything else.

Beware, however, of those consolidation companies who promise ‘quick fixes’ for consumer debt and assure you of really low monthly payments. It is perfectly understandable, for a borrower who is stressed out, over spent and plagued with debtor’s prison thoughts to jump into these promises by scam artists who for the most part would ask for a certain amount of fee before a loan is approved and later on raise the interest rates to such unmanageable amounts. Worse still, there are scammers who use the borrowers’ personal and financial information which they got from their so called ‘interviews’ and use it to commit identity theft. It is a good thing however that on March 30, 2005 the FTC or Federal Trade Commission sent a press release with the list of several debt consolidation companies that borrowers seeking help should avoid. Also, they sent out a list of what to look out for so as to avoid scammers:

* Don’t believe debt consolidation companies that give you a guarantee of removing negative information from your credit report that ‘fix’ your credit standing instantly.

* Beware of debt consolidation companies that require you to pay them a monthly fee. Monthly payments should go to your creditors not to the debt consolidation company.

* You are being charged a high monthly service fee.

* Borrowers are promised by the company of getting rid of unsecured debts.

But of course, there are companies that put the borrower’s best interest in mind. Listed below are some of the things a borrower should put in heavy consideration if the borrower wants to be sure that he or she will be dealing with the best debt consolidation company there is:

* The user ratings for credit counselling services are either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’.

* The company’s Better Business Bureau’s ratings are A or higher.

* There are professional advisers available for the borrowers as well as self help tools.

* The company offers budget planning as well as e-mail and telephone support services

* And most importantly, offer debt management service with fees below $50 each month.

You have probably heard it on TV before. Many ID theft cases involve people losing their private information to hackers and crackers that are out there looking for those who don’t protect their sensitive information. The Internet is a powerful communication tool, but at the time it can be a powerful tool for hackers and criminals as well. If you are doing online banking or just surfing information sensitive website, you want to make sure your data is protected. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee you are going to be safe. But what you can do is reduce the odds of having to deal with ID-theft exponentially by keep your eyes open.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself against identity theft online:

1. Always use a software security system and a firewall to keep yourself protected against hack attacks.
2. Don’t ever use a card that doesn’t come with a $0 fraud liability. Some debit cards also come with that. But make sure you know for sure.
3. Don’t click on e-mails that you do not know the sender.
4. Do not use email links to log on to your banking account online.
5. Check the news to be aware of the latest phishing and scam plots on the Internet.
6. Always protect your username and passwords by encrypting them.
7. Never ever keep your user/pass combo on the same computer.
8. Never give your information to anyone who you don’t know. And make sure they are using SSL.

I personally use two computers, one for surfing and one for online banking. I do not surf at all on online banking computer. That may not be a foolproof solution but it can reduce the risk of ID-theft dramatically. If you are looking to prevent others from gaining access your sensitive data, you should not trust any website or e-mail without proper due diligence. It’s too hard to build a history and too easy to lose it. Don’t be a victim.

Choosing a Real Estate Agent: The Most Important Decision When Buying or Selling Real Estate.

Once you have decided that you are ready to buy or sell real estate, the next step is to find the right real estate agent. Do not take this step lightly, it is very important. Carefully consider your situation and what your goal is, this can include a quick sale, maximum profit, finding the biggest discount or generating monthly cash flow. Remember that real estate agents vary just as greatly as your needs and there are a lot of things to think about.

The real estate agent is your “agent” that is, they are acting on your behalf. They are guided by their fiduciary duties. These are the duties of: utmost care, obedience and good faith, accounting, loyalty and confidentiality, and disclosure of material facts. Some of these may sound confusing but it is similar to the relationships you have with your doctor or lawyer, they are to act in your best interest as long as it is legal as it relates to the real estate transaction. It is important to note that you do not actually need a real estate agent to represent you in any real estate transaction. You may choose to do your own homework and footwork to save the commission. However, real estate agents do a lot of work for their clients. They find properties, find buyers, compare prices, give experienced recommendations regarding price and negotiations, network and they help to make sure that all necessary forms, money and documents are submitted properly.

A real estate agent can specialize. The most common type of real estate transaction is buying or selling a single-family residence. If you are looking into something else make sure to find a specialized agent. An agent may have experience in REO’s, investment properties, foreclosures or luxury homes. An agent’s area can also be their specialty. It is usually a good idea to work with an agent who is familiar with the local community, its economy and recent trends. Please note that a real estate agent should not be confused with a Realtor who is an agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors.

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? It’s understandable, take a deep breath. Start by asking your friends and family. Instead of asking them “Do you know any real estate agents?” Try asking more probing questions like,” Have you ever worked with a really great real estate agent?” Don’t forget that the real estate agent relationship is an interpersonal one; you will be spending a lot of time with them. When seeking the perfect agent for you, ask about their personality. Some people like an agent who is thorough and punctual; others prefer an agent with a personal touch who spends lots of time getting to know them. You may want to browse the internet to find an agent; this may give you a lot of ideas about what kind of agents there are out there, but not enough to know if they are the agent for you. Make sure to ask a lot of questions before signing an agent agreement with them.

From the moment you decide on an agent, the key to success is communication. Let them know exactly what you expect and find out their expectations as well. Especially if it is your first time buying. If you do not see eye to eye be prepared to walk away. Staying and regretting it can be an expensive mistake to make.

Whether you’re buying your dream home or purchasing a rental property, a great real estate agent can be a valuable asset to have on your side. When a real estate agent is able to find you what you are looking for, they are well-worth the commission they charge.