HowToDoThings.com Recent Finance & Real Estate Articles

How To Be a Fiscally Fit Young Woman

miniguru — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:53:58 -0500

How To Diversify Your Investment in Stocks and Bonds

Travis — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:57:05 -0500

How To Get a Life Insurance Company to Pay Your Claim

Life Insurance Canada — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:29:45 -0500

How To Buy Your Dream Home

Toronto realtor — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:04:54 -0500

The process of buying a home is not an easy one. Choosing your dream home is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. So you have to prepare yourself for this process well and in advance. When buying a home, be sure to avoid some of the critical mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars. As a Toronto realtor I know they are crucial.

How To Make and Manage a Household Budget

ramb37 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:27:31 -0500

Making a realistic budget is a cornerstone to building a good financial foundation for you and your family. It really doesn't have to be too detailed or restrictive, though you do have to make some tough decisions on how you spend your money.

How To Evaluate the Performance of a Mutual Fund

Travis — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:32:50 -0500

How To Save Money Easier

NiennaSeregon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:28:05 -0500

How To Inspect a Fixer Upper

ramb37 — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:17:44 -0500

How To Pick Investment Real Estate

Bobster — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:41:28 -0500

How To Shop at a Wholesale Store

lilly — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:32:17 -0500

How To Get a Home Appraisal

ramb37 — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:20:26 -0500

How To Make an Offer on a Home

ramb37 — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:23:52 -0500

How To Locate Sex Offenders in a Neighborhood

Van — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:51:38 -0500

How To Screen a New Prospective Rental Applicant

firsttroycorp — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:24:09 -0500

Landlords should try and find the best renters available who they think will pay the rent in a timely manner and not damage the rental property. This can be accomplished by performing credit checks and other pre-leasing tests. Here are the proper ways to screen a new applicant for a rental apartment or rental townhome:

How To Save Money at the Grocery Store

tpenatzer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:15:24 -0500

Never shop with children of any age. This is rule # 1 for a reason! You will end up spending twice as much as you intended. There are always things kids have to have that are not on your list. You will feel guilty saying no, and why even go through it?
Make a list and stick to it. The only exception is if you find a great unadvertised special. I sit down with the ads from the stores in my area and make a list trying to incorporate the sales into my meals for the week. I do not go to all the stores, usually just the one with the best deals. Sometimes I will get the majority of the groceries from Walmart and then pick up any really great specials at the grocery store. Some stores have great 'Buy 1, Get 1 Free' specials. Winn Dixie will run such specials on meats, and I imagine you can find a store in your area that does this as well.

How To Sell Your Home in This Tough Market

Billcherry — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:46:56 -0500

Often times, trying to sell a house today has become as difficult as trying to dump a gas guzzling Chevy Suburban in a four bucks a gallon gas market. And it doesn't have to be.

As I have for most mornings for the past forty-three years, I check our multiple listing service (MLS) to see which houses have sold and which ones have seen their Realtor listing expire without a sale. Some that sold were on the market for just a few days. Some that didn't sat there untouched for six months, a year, and sometimes even longer.

I look at the expired listings and often feel my head shaking in sorrow for the owner and disbelief for the agent. It doesn't seem to occur to either of them that no one has the magic power to get a prospect to buy what doesn't appeal to him. And when you've had, say, twenty people look at your house without a sale, or you have no people looking at all, more often than not it's a direct result of the marketing.

How To Understand Credit Reports

margnorton — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:54:13 -0500

Financial uncertainty, foreclosures, and tightened lending requirements define the life of many Americans today. Credit reports and credit scores have always been important but it's more crucial than ever for you to understand how credit works. Your credit history can be your friend, opening many doors for you. But if misused, it can make your life difficult, causing doors to slam in your face, as you helplessly watch. Having credit is a privilege. You should protect it just as you protect your good name. When talking to a creditor, you are at a disadvantage if you do not know how credit works. Read this and you are off to a good start.

There are three major credit bureaus in the U.S. Basically, they are all the same, but there are some differences and the reports are a different format. The bureaus are: Experian, Equifax (formerly TRW) and Trans Union.

read more

How To Benefit from The Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA)

margnorton — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:43:06 -0500

Credit mistakes happen. Even with today's technology (and good intentions), sometimes information is recorded incorrectly. Individuals with junior or senior as part of their name, victims of fraud, people in divorce situations, etc. sometimes find the information on their credit report is incorrect. When this occurs, you usually have to contact all three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union - and work with them individually to correct your report. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have certain rights if you dispute the information on your credit report. The FCRA gives you the following rights:

How To Feed Your Family on a Budget

QueenMum — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:13:55 -0500

All over North America, grocery prices are going up. The increase in cost of simple staples like bread, cheese, and milk from five years ago can seem overwhelming. But before you let the anxiety of feeding your family lead to the loss of your hair, take a few moments to consider what you already have in your cupboards, and what your family likes to eat. You might find you have more meal options than you thought.

How To Bid on Hudson and Marshall Auction Properties

justsold — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:24:16 -0500

Hudson & Marshall has auctioned more than 8,000 foreclosures on a national basis during a two year time period. They are qualified to conduct auctions in every state in the nation and have done so in most. Their client list is quite impressive; it includes Bank of America, Bank of New York, Chase Bank, Freddie Mac, Wells Fargo Bank, CitiFinancial and so many more. Since they are the premiere auction house, below we have detailed the steps in bidding and buying at a Hudson & Marshall Auction.

I would strongly suggest that you hire an agent who is an expert in the auction process before you start. The banks pay the agent's commissions and it literally costs you nothing, but could save you thousands. As well as helping you research the properties, the agent can help you determine a maximum bid price for each property you are interested in and make sure you don't get caught up in the buyer's frenzy!

How To Avoid an IRS Audit

bronwyn — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:57:49 -0500

Although the percentage of people who will undergo an IRS audit has gone down, there are still hundreds of thousands Americans who will be audited this year. Even if you've done everything right, an audit is no fun! Use these tips to cut your chances of being audited!

How To Sell a Home Quickly

ronwexler — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:44:02 -0500

Of course you can give your home away... but is that what you want to do? Selling quickly while protecting your equity is the goal. Here are the steps to get your home sold quickly in a buyer's market.

How To Buy a House

abarker — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:43:10 -0500

Purchasing a house is a lot more difficult than buying a taco. The key complication comes from the fact that we have to borrow money to buy real estate. Houses are expensive--you and your lender both want to make sure that you are getting a good deal.

How To Stay Debt-Free

aphrodisiac101 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:24:49 -0500

For every person who is working full time and living paycheck to paycheck, it has always been the case that being in debt is the norm.

Guess what? It isn't the norm. It's an epidemic that is spreading throughout the country. Being in debt had caused a lot of families to break down, elevated the divorce rate and affected children. Almost everyone who is in debt is digging their own grave 6 feet below the ground. Is this the life you want to have -- a life full of fear, anxiety, stress and misery? Here are some tips on how to stay out of debt.

How To Determine a Real Estate Short Sale Purchase Offer

coryboatright — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:43:29 -0500

The word "short sale" has certainly been a buzz word in the distressed real estate market we are experiencing in 2008. However many realtors and investors are still unclear on how to determine a real estate short sale offer that is acceptable to the lender.

The following steps are to be used as a basic guideline on determining what to offer the lender for a short sale acceptance.

How To Choose an Accountant

bronwyn — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:33:46 -0500

Is tax time coming up and you don't even know how to start? Are you running a small business and having trouble keeping track of finances? If so, you are not alone, and there is help! An accountant is a professional who takes care of the accounting needs of an individual or a business, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial advice, and more. Choosing an accountant is a highly individual process, as everyone has different needs.

How To Plan For Retirement

aesta — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:02:05 -0500

We will have to find another word for retirement soon. The image of the long final snooze ramping up to the long sleep just doesn't apply...or, at least, shouldn't apply. Wrapping up full-time scheduled work has a whole new meaning now, with the progress made in wellness, healthcare, travel, and work alternatives. It really is a chance to reinvent life...to have some low risk adventures in both mental and physical exploration. But, all this good stuff will not happen without a bit of planning. Remember, leaving something that you had been a part of for many years is a major change. Change is often a break-away horse: you're either on its back or under its hooves. The long, slow, slide...or the great adventure....the choice is yours. But the chance to make the choice is well before gold watch time!

How To Organize a Move

margnorton — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:48:27 -0500

Moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do. It doesn't matter if you are staying in town or going to another state -- basically you have the same preparations. Moving does not have to be a dreaded chore, but instead can be an opportunity to take inventory of your possessions and your life.

It is easier for someone who is organized, as there are many little details to handle. But even an unorganized person can have a successful experience if they follow these easy steps. Doing these things when you first learn of the move can save you time in the weeks and months ahead.

How To Save Money Every Day

angeleyez320 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:03:49 -0500

I am a stay at home mother of 4. My husband is a truck driver who is gone a lot, but makes decent money. So all the finances and budgeting fall on me. Now even though we live in a one-income household, we are actually very successful. We own our own house free and clear. We own our own vehicles free and clear. That's right, we are mortgage and car payment free.

Now I am sure most of you have heard of the man who takes 2-ply toilet paper and separates the rolls into single ply rolls. Trust me, I don't go that far. Honestly I don't have time in the day to do that. A few of my tips are not conducive to everyone's lifestyles -- especially if you live in a city setting. But there are still a lot of things that you can do that will save you money every single day.

How To Fix Bad Credit

chane — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:19:18 -0500

The best way to fix bad credit is to be pro-active in removing negative account reports and adding positive account reports to your credit report. Both of these processes can take some time. The time to start fixing your bad credit is now, not on the day you are ready to apply for a loan. Depending on how bad your credit is, it can take as little as 1 or 2 months to fix and as much as 12 months to fix. Here are the steps to fixing your credit:

How To Choose the Right Part Time Job

aphrodisiac101 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:10:07 -0500

Are you someone working full time who wants to earn an extra income? If so, then this article is for you. As they say, nobody becomes rich by being an employee for all of his or her life. Most likely, if you are an employee, you are living paycheck to paycheck and may even be in deep debt. One way you can improve your life or at least lessen your debt is to find a part time job. Earning an extra income does not happen overnight. You need to assess what jobs you can do for a couple of hours per day that will suit your schedule and skills.

Here are few tips to help you locate a part time job that is right for you:

How To Save Money in Your Everyday Life

bronwyn — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:27:38 -0500

Most people are constantly thinking of how to save money, but not very effectively. There are some very simple ways to save money in your everyday life; although they may seem like small steps, they definitely add up!

How To Save Money on Grocery Shopping

bronwyn — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:41:42 -0600

As gas and oil prices go up, so does the price of food. Since groceries are not exactly a luxury, it is important to find ways to save money while grocery shopping. Luckily, there are some easy and effective ways to spend less money when you go to the supermarket!

How To Make Money on Your Home in a Down Market: Interiors

margnorton — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:44:04 -0600

What do you feel as you walk into a model home? Everything looks new and clean. Furniture is well arranged with adequate space to walk. Each room is tastefully decorated with a minimum amount of accessories. You don't smell fish left over from last night, but the aroma of home-baked cookies is in the air. It is well lit and the temperature is comfortable. In winter, there is a roaring fire, and in spring, the windows are open with a light breeze. The bathrooms have accessories that call out to you. The bedrooms invite you to nap. Come in and stay awhile. You are at home. This is part 3 of a 3-part series; parts 1 and 2 explore landscaping and exterior preparations to sell. Here are my recommendtions on how to make your home look like a model:

How To Make Money on Your Home Even in a Down Market: Exteriors

margnorton — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:42:38 -0600

"First impressions are everything" -- it's a phrase we hear frequently. This can apply to many situations but it is absolutely true when it comes to selling your home. A buyer today has unlimited choices of inventory when shopping for a home. A serious seller must do all they can to make their home stand out from the competition. One good way to do this is by making sure their home is visibly appealing from the street. This will take a little time and perhaps some money, but the efforts should pay off. This is part 2 of a 3-part series; part one explores landscaping, while part 3 explains the importance of preparing the interior of the house. My recommendations on how to make sure your home has the proper curb appeal are:

How To Make Money on Your Home in a Down Market: Landscaping

margnorton — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:41:22 -0600

Prior to becoming a life coach, I was in the mortgage business for 15 years. We've never seen a market like the one today. Some of us in the business were not surprised with the downturn. For years I thought we were selling products that were too risky, collateralized by property, in some areas, that was overpriced. With declining values, a seller in today's market wants to make as much profit as possible.

Before you list your house for sale, there are certain things you need to do to make it more presentable to prospective buyers. The three areas you need to look at are landscaping, the exterior and the interior. This article highlights landscaping issues, though there is some overlap in the three. The next two articles will focus on the exterior and interior.

How To Find Foreclosure Listings

Van — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:10:19 -0600

So you want to know how to discover information on foreclosures. Hey! It’s on TV and there is easy money to be made, according to the info-commercial. Well for the price of FREE, here is how you can find the information. First a few basic facts:

A home enters the foreclosure market when the previous owner no longer pays on their debt established in the promissory "note" and the new owner obtains possession (usually the lending or guaranteeing organization) and markets the home for sale.
A mortgage, the promise of the previous owner to "pay" or "not stay" secures the debt for the lender.
Both the note and mortgage are publicly recorded documents providing constructive notice.

Here's how to find foreclosure listings.

How To Get Financing for New Homes in Iowa

kcarrillo — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:57:59 -0600

Getting financing in any state can be troublesome and Iowa is no exception.

How To Make Extra Money Online

kushta — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:44:26 -0600

In a world that, in many ways, has grown quite accustomed to talk of the "web" or the Internet, it is still surprising that some people do not know the moneymaking potential locked up in this virtual world. Any of them can take the opportunity to make a little extra money on the side or even build their own online businesses, with little to no start-up costs involved.

It may be that these people simply don't know that much about the various ways or methods that are currently being employed by web users every day to make that extra cash they need. Often the best place to start is with a little information. People want to know the sort of options that are out there. A typical question asked by those interested is: "How can I make extra money online?"

How To Get a Free Credit Report

thedave — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:44:05 -0600

Under Federal law you are entitled to a free credit report once a year. This report, by law, will show any and all information contained in the files of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). To receive your free credit report you must first complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form, which can be completed in any of the following three ways:

How To Protect Your Credit Rating and Your Identity

DeniseRichardson — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:25:07 -0600

What if your reputation or financial status is threatened by an inaccurate credit score caused by erroneously reported information? Or your personal information is stolen by an identity thief who hacked into someone else's computer without your knowledge? The truth is - odds are if it hasn't happened yet -it will. It is difficult to imagine the amount of time and the physical and mental energy it takes to deal with having your identity stolen...until it happens to you!

Identity theft (or inaccurate credit reporting) is often exacerbated by the fact that consumers typically don't review their credit reports or take any steps to prevent ID theft due to the false belief that they aren't vulnerable to fraud.

The reality is - data breaches continue to happen and thieves continue to find new methods to hijack, then sell our personal information.

How To Get a Public Liability Insurance Quote

ashburnham — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:21:15 -0600

You want to be prepared when you are looking for a public liability insurance quote. The first thing to keep in mind is that public liability insurance is also known as liability insurance or indemnity insurance. They all mean the same thing so don't be put off. Time to get some information ready, so here are the top 5 things you will need:

How To Get Foreclosure Assistance

laphillips — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:38:11 -0600

Any of us can suffer from a financial setback for any number of reasons...unemployment, illness or injury, divorce. Now with payment increases due to payment resets at the end of a fixed-rate payment period, tens of thousands more have been forced into default. The national foreclosure rate has become staggering with a projection of 1.2 million to be added in 2008.

Due to what have become widely spread myths such as:

How To Choose a Loan

laphillips — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:33:15 -0600

Are you buying your first home? Maybe you're planning to retire soon, buying a second home or planning on an owner occupied investment property. Real estate loans are not one-size-fits-all. How do you find the right loan?

As with all major expenditures you should first assess your life situation both for the present and for possible future life changes. Are the kids just starting school, leaving for college, do you foresee a job transfer? How much of a down payment can you make, do you want the security of a fixed rate payment, what about cash flow?

How To Get a Landlord Insurance Quote

ashburnham — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:26:26 -0600

Here is a list of the 5 main things that you will need to get a landlord insurance quote, also known as buy to let insurance or let property insurance:

How To Shop for a Loan

laphillips — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:24:48 -0600

You're ready to become a homeowner, but you'll need to finance your dream. This could be the most important transaction of your life. Where do you start, what questions should you ask?

Start by finding the financing. This may seem like putting the cart before the horse, but there are definite advantages for having your financing in place. By being preapproved, you:

Save yourself time by looking only at houses you can afford.
You'll avoid last-minute anxiety wondering if you'll be able to qualify for the home you want.
The closing time will be shorter.

You could contact any one of many sources. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, credit unions and mortgage companies all offer home loans. A mortgage broker allows you many choices and loan programs to consider, even government programs. With any of these sources, there are questions that will need to be answered. The first question and answer is for you.

How To Prepare Your House for Sale

afriedl — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:56:09 -0600

The thought of moving into a new house can be exciting. New rooms, new colors, new options all waiting for your creative and "homey" touch. But your current home is more than "lived in," isn't it? What can you do to make your current home ready for sale while still remaining livable for you and your family?

How To Make Moving with Children Easier

afriedl — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:01:54 -0600

The house is chosen, the paperwork is started and the bank visit is scheduled. In theory, your move from one house to another is going smoothly. However, the packing is taking longer than expected and now the children are upset about a new house. Where do you start? How can this possibly go smoothly? And will it be better once we're in the new place? Some simple things to consider can make moving much easier for children to handle. Older children can be easier to reason with and coerce into involvement. But what about younger kids?

How To Make a Will

CVRAJAN — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:19:35 -0600

In case you own properties and assets, the best time-tested and legally sound practice is to make a will so as to ensure that in the event of your death, your properties get distributed to your near and dear ones according to your likes and preferences. A legally valid will can ensure that your heirs and dependents need not unnecessarily fight for their share of your properties in court after your death.

By making a will, you can allocate your assets to your dear ones in proportion to their needs. For example, if you have a physically handicapped son, you will be able to earmark a much higher share of your properties to him compared to another son, who is hale and healthy, well educated and well settled in life. This would not be possible in the absence of a will, as all the sons, as per law, will have the right to claim equal shares to your property after your death.

How To Deal with Home Business Taxes

CVRAJAN — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:16:07 -0600

Whatever business your are in, the moment you say 'tax', Government is in the picture and anything you have to do with Government, irrespective of which country you belong to, is fraught with rules, regulations, laws, by-laws, registrations, forms, exemptions and notifications.

In a home business, at least to start with, you have to mantle all roles related to production, marketing, public relations and accounting. However, it may not be worth it for you to waste your time and effort on the slippery area of taxes.