Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Using Secured Credit Cards To Build Credit Pros And Cons

If you have poor or no credit, having a secured credit card will help you establish or improve your credit score. You can get secured credit cards in Toronto from most Canadian banks or other credit card providers. If you are a union member, you may want to check with your institution as well. Secured credit cards are not offered by all institutions and in fact, most credit card issuers prefer the unsecured variety. The latter are offered with higher fees and interest rates. You should not give up though, and an unsecured credit card is not always an option. Young persons who are just starting out or those who are rebuilding their credit score after some major event (serious illness, job loss, or divorce), may find this card a good option.

When it comes to Toronto secured credit card application, which one is a better deal? You can choose from various types, including secured MasterCard and secured Visa. You can check the offer of Toronto Dominion, for example - the secured TD Canada Trust Credit Card is a type of card secured by money you deposit into the card account. The amount deposited becomes your credit limit. The funds deposited into the account may be held by the bank up to three years, depending on the card of choice. Apart from establishing credit history, this card allows holders to take care of emergency purchases, car rentals, and hotel reservations.

The Capital One Guaranteed Secured MasterCard is another secured credit card you can check. It is offered with zero fraud liability, 19.8 percent interest rate, and annual fee of $59. This card is a good option for persons who seek to establish credit and are able to cover at least the minimum balance. The card is featured with a number of perks, including MasterRoad Assist Service, MasterCard Global Service, and 24/7 assistance. With the MasterCard Global Service, clients are entitled to emergency card replacement, emergency cash advances, 24/7 telephone access, and more.

The Bank of Montreal also offers to its Vancouver clients secured cards. You can check the Prepaid Travel MasterCard, going with a $9.95 purchase fee, zero dollar liability, purchase protection, worldwide acceptance, and extended warranty. The IDefense service offers identity theft assistance while safe internet shopping is possible thanks to the MasterCard SecureCode. A major benefit is that cardholders do not pay interest.They can load the credit card as a bill payment, using a bank account in a number of financial institutions. It is easy to load and reload this credit card. It is up to you how much to load provided that the card is prepaid and re-loadable. The Prepaid Travel MasterCard is a convenient and secure alternative to other products such as traveler's cheques.

If you apply for this card, you should present your personal information, employer's name, employment status, occupation, and other information.

Get that Vancouver secured credit card now, find what you are looking for here.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Getting A Business Loans For Startup Businesses

In Canada, you can get a business loan no matter whether you have an existing, established and successful business or you are just starting out. Obtaining a line of credit is recommended by some experts. This should not be your sole source of funding, but a line of credit is a good option for startups. Underestimated and unexpected expenses often occur, and you have to watch out for such. You should pave the way to this sort of funding by establishing a good relationship with the local bank and a sound credit rating.

An additional or second option for startups is a business loan from a credit union or a bank. It is not difficult to obtain a start-up business loan in Canada right now because the economic situation is improving and many people are establishing successful small businesses. As a result, traditional lenders have more interest in small businesses than they did in the past.

A variety of programs are offered by the Business Development Bank of Canada, which can help you obtain financing. Co.Vision is one program that offers up to $100,000 to reliable, new businesses. In general the bank provides business loans, financing, venture capital, and consulting to businesses. Financing is intended to protect companies' cash flows through repayment schedules, fitted to their business cycles. Financing is offered with longer terms, and it is possible to defer capital payments. Business owners can use the funds to purchase commercial real estate, including buildings and land. They can improve or expand rented or existing premises or construct new premises. Business owners can benefit from the funds by buying new or used equipment, and loans are also extended in the form of startup financing. The money can go toward franchise purchases as well as marketing costs and other startup expenses.

If you need a business loan in Toronto, credit unions are just one option. An example of a prime lender is the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. This non-government organization offers loans to startup businesses up to $15,000, available to persons aged 18 to 34.

Female business owners who need financing can turn to the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). Economic development organizations are another option in Canada, for example the Community Business Development Corporations and the Community Futures Development Corporations.

The Canada Small Business Financing Program also offers loans up to $500,000. This establishment provides term loans for fixed asset needs.

Other sources include government-sponsored business start up programs, investors, and government grant programs.

Many traditional lenders in Ontario also cater to established businesses, providing commercial and retail lending, lines of credit, SBA loans, credit cards, and more. Some also offer fast business loans. Business incubators are another option for companies in their first year. Some community banks in Canada provide financing to established business owners and facilitate small business checking and refinancing. Apart from financing, you could also receive business counseling, mentoring, and consulting.

If you are interested in getting a business loans, visit this site for more information.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Factors To Consider Before You Get A Construction Loan

Some builders, buyers, and property owners seek funds for construction. They may want to complete a project and shop around for financing, trying to figure out how it works. A second category is formed by persons who have done some research and have specific questions in need of an answer. A third category is made up of persons who have secured financing already. In either case, there are different factors to take into consideration. These are timing and management of cash flow which should be factored in before applying for financing. Every construction project has impact on the cash flow of service providers, suppliers, builders, borrowers, and even lending institutions. It is a good idea to outline accurate budgets, completion stages, payment timelines, and disbursement requirements.

Similar to other types of financing, construction loans in Toronto have to be secured by some asset. A second mortgage is an option if the equity in the property is not enough to pay the first draw. Over the next stages of construction, the property’s value will increase, and more funding may be available at specified stages of completion.

The milestones or points of completion are set at the beginning of the construction project, reflecting the timeframe within which the building’s fair value will increase. Speaking of residential properties, the completion of the basement and foundation are considered the first points of completion. The enclosure of the roof and walls and the framing of the building will be the next milestone

With some lenders, Toronto construction loans have the following features. Funds are extended when required, and the principal is to be repaid once the project is complete. This takes about eighteen months from the start of the construction project. Upon project completion, there is an option to convert the loan into another fixed rate product. Interest that was accrued during the different construction phases may be capitalized into the loan amount.

One important factor is the benefits of taking out a construction loan. With funding available when required, borrowers save on interest. Moreover, cash flow management is easier over the loan’s term. This makes it easier to meet unexpected expenses. Given the competitive interest rates and the option to switch to another product, the borrower gets an attractive financial package.

Naturally, there are different types of loans in Ontario. They are either part of a so called combination loan or are in the form of a stand alone bridge loan, offered for the period of construction only. The combination loan starts out as a construction loan, then rolling in into a long term mortgage loan, which is pre-approved.

Finally, it should be noted that as the complexity and size of the project increase, so do the lending requirements of financial institutions. Want to know more about payday loans in Toronto.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Should You Choose Stocks Or Bonds in Investing

As a Canadian, should you invest mostly in bonds or in stocks? Should you invest everything in just stocks or just bonds? This is a difficult question when it comes to investing. Experts advise that you should invest a minimum amount in bonds, with stocks being a main part of your portfolio. It is always best to have a bit of both than to put all your eggs into one basket. Portfolio diversification is a major consideration when investing.

From this perspective, the amount you invest and the type of investment instruments you include in your portfolio depend on the risk you are willing to take as well as on your individual circumstances. If you are risk-averse, you should not make risky investments. In addition, if you do not have enough cash, it is best not to invest. Persons prone to anxiety and panic attacks should not take excessive risks as well. Regardless of what you decide to invest in, protecting the bare minimum is important - this is the money you will need post retirement. You can invest the money that is above and beyond this.

If you choose to invest your money in bonds, opt for ones with a term of no more than five years. Toronto municipal bonds featured with longer terms entail more risk, and they may lose value more easily.

Among the factors underlying the decision how much to invest and what in are your minimum required monthly income, taxes, expected pension benefits, and the equity you will have in your home when you retire. You should not expect growth in value - use the current market information.

How do you calculate expected returns on Canadian bonds? You should take inflation and the interest rate into account. If inflation is 3 percent while the interest rate is set at 6 percent, your return will be 3 percent (simply subtract the second from the first.

As for stocks, you need to ask yourself how much money you can really afford to lose. Then multiply this amount by two. You should never invest more than that in stocks. The risk is higher with stocks, but so are the purported gains. With bonds, returns are between 3 and 4 percent, while with stocks, these can be five times higher. Yet, you may lose as well win. Finally, in times of market instability, it is not important what you choose to invest in, right?

Investing in residential real estate is an alternative to investing in stocks and bonds. Investing in real estate is in fact a major investment instrument. Home owners mostly buy property as their primary residence. It should be noted, however, that owners do not always have the full purchase price of the property they buy, and financial companies extend loans for the purchase. In comparison to other types of real estate, residential real estate carries the lowest risk. This useful guide to Canadian bonds has detailed information on penny stocks.