Thursday, March 15, 2012

Tips to Consolidate Debts

Borrowers who are looking into debt consolidation usually have high-interest debts and pay a lot of money in interest charges. Consolidating multiple debts helps borrowers avoid interest rate hikes and late payments, making payments more reasonable.

The first step to consolidating multiple debts is to list all loans on paper. Include cashback credit cards, rewards credit cards, standard credit cards, car loans, mortgages, and other personal debts. Then write down the monthly payment amount, interest rate, and outstanding balance for each debt. This will help you decide which debts to consolidate.

There are two ways to go about consolidation – one is to refinance your mortgage, and the other is to take out a second mortgage. If you choose the first option, make sure you find a reputable company that offers debt consolidation loans with reasonable interest rates. Refinancing your mortgage is a second option, but you have to consider how much home equity will be left.

If you have multiple high-interest department store and other credit cards, you can transfer the balances to a low-interest card. You may apply for a credit card with a low introductory interest rate and make a balance transfer.

Before you try to consolidate, however, it is important to check your credit score. If your credit score is poor, you may not qualify for a debt consolidation loan with a reasonable interest rate. Be honest and think of whether you will be able to repay the new loan. The majority of borrowers who opt for a home equity loan or another type of debt instrument end up with a higher or the same debt load within 2 years.

What types of debt to include in a debt consolidation loan? This depends on interest rates, but you can include credit cards, unsecured auto loans, and other types of unsecured debt. In most cases, you will be offered a secured loan meaning that the loan will be secured against some valuable asset.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Bad Credit Personal Loans Facts

Even persons with poor credit history have a chance to qualify for a personal loan today. Financial establishments recognize that such borrowers exist and are willing to extend financing to persons with average credit. Poor credit does not mean that the borrower will not be able to pay off the loan. The most important thing to consider when applying for a bad credit personal loan is the actual purpose of the money. Will the money go toward something that can wait? Is it that urgent? If your aim is to pay another loan back with this one, you will only be digging yourself in deeper, and the institution of your choice will either realize this and turn you down, or, in the case of sub-prime lenders, hit you with the interest. In any case, you are not in the best of positions. So, you need a reasonable, legitimate, and clear reason why you apply for the loan, which will determine the outcome of the application process.

When applying for a bad credit personal loan in Canada, you will be required to provide a credit application, credit report, proof of earnings, and a list of your assets and liabilities bearing a notary seal.

As a first step, you have to find a lender who is likely to approve your application. You need to sift through a long list of lenders, who are willing to provide personal loans to people with a poor credit rating. The first place to try your luck is your local bank or a financial institution where you hold one or more accounts. If your bank of choice turns you down, it is time to look at Internet offers. It pays to be careful, however. Some non-traditional financial institutions offering their services online feature good deals, and others don't. It is not always easy to tell the difference between scams and good offers at first.

Now we return to the reason you need a loan. Most people who apply for bad credit personal loans need the money to cover short-term expenses, such as home improvements and vacations. These are not legitimate reasons to apply for a bad credit personal loan unless you need to pay emergency medical expenses or urgent home repairs. If you need money to buy a car or a house, it is a good idea to first rebuild your credit and then apply for a loan with better terms. Again, covering debt with a new loan is not a wise decision.

Be very cautious when you begin to compare the terms and conditions of various bad credit personal loans examine twice. Do not only consider interest rates and repayment terms. You should also watch for excessive loan closing costs, hidden fees, and other elements. You will end up paying more than you borrowed in any event; so, be sure to consider the pros and cons.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Tax Debt Relief Guide

At present, tax debt falls under the regulations of the CRA, and the agency has more authority compared to other creditors. The agency can take a number a measures, for example, it can seize money in your savings accounts and investment accounts, place a lien on your home, and more. A lot of factors can contribute to income tax debt, including cashing a RRSP, improper deductions when a large account is being closed, pensions of newly retired persons, working multiple jobs, and more.

Persons who look for information on applying for debt consolidation in Toronto often wonder if this is really possible – can you make a deal for any taxes owed? This is a possibility in certain occasions. If you owe taxes, and you cannot pay the amount if full, you may want to negotiate the terms of your payment. As a first step, you should visit an office of the CRA and explain your financial situation. When offering a payment plan, you may propose to break down a larger amount, say $1,500 into 15 monthly payments of $100. The CRA will either accept your payment plan or it will reject it and attempt to collect the taxes you owe.

Note that even if your proposal gets accepted, you are still charged penalties and interest until you repay your debt. Then, if the Canada Revenue Agency rejects your offer, they have the right to withhold GST credits and child tax credits until you repay your debt now. They can take money from your bank account and garnish your wages. As you see, tax debt is a serious matter.

The CRA does not accept payment plans that propose to pay less than the amount owed. This makes sense. If you are allowed to pay less, then everyone else will want the same deal. One option is a repayment plan where you work with the Canada Revenue Agency and a second option is to consider government programs such as the former CRA Fairness, now Taxpayer relief provisions. Under this program, the CRA can accept late-filed, revoked, and amended tax elections, waive penalties and interest, and offer income tax refunds. The latter is possible beyond the three-year period that is allowed, but only for testamentary trusts and individuals.

The Canada Revenue Agency makes this possible because there are cases in which the taxpayers face unforeseen events that prevent them from meeting their tax obligations. These circumstances include natural disasters such as floods and fire, personal misfortunes, such as death in the family and sickness, incorrect information and error by the CRA, and service disruptions like strikes.

When would the CRA cancel penalties and interest? This is possible when human-made and natural disasters occur, as in the case of fire and flood. A second category includes sickness and serious accidents, including emotional and mental distress. Finally, disruptions in services and civil disturbances are a third category. The CRA also cancels penalties and interest when they result from the agency’s own actions, such as processing errors as a result of which people are not aware of certain obligations. Selecting a good payday loan in Toronto solution can be hard, to make informed decision online fast loans application.

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.