Archive for July, 2010

The Craziness of Credit Score Report

I used to play a lot of Shadowrun when I was a kid. Shadowrun was a computer game set in a world where mega-corporations rule the cities and law are provided by them. Money was the essence of life in that story, and the Mega-corporations provide them.

Dreaming of Shadowrun is ok as a fantasy game, but living it for real is entirely a different matter. If that dark world where money was the sole object for living was to become real, the first fledgling signs may be the credit score report. No other such contrivance could be as cold, as heartless as a credit score report.

Millions of Americans have relentlessly toiled, sacrificing simple pleasures for the sake of higher credit rating. Because low credit score report means disaster. True enough, virtually every business sector had taken up the credit score report craze to substantiate a customer’s worthiness. That would include apartments, hotels, insurance, and utility services. Not to mention that employers now evaluate an applicant’s credit score report to check if someone’s fit for hiring.

Credit score reports could be a lesser burden if those scores were not that easy to go under. But they are really fickle, and a good number of reasons that can raise credit scores are clearly for the benefit of the bankers. One such example is the need to get a number of credit cards, not just one but several, just to raise your score. For most people, 1 or 2 cards would suffice 3 or more is being extravagant if not cost-effective. And what’s the business of getting a poor credit score report if you dislike using too much credit. I myself always prefer paying cash, so I seldom go for credit cards. And I do save, so that lessens my liability to use credit card. But that doesn’t spell wise spending to the banks. They see it as credit risk therefore I’m awarded a low credit score report.

So the piggy-bank method of saving our grandmothers often teach us is lost in this generation of credit cards. All savings must be spent in order to optimize the use of credit cards. Only then will you see a shining credit score report when you see your 4 credit accounts having transactions in them.

“I advise you not to close these accounts sir, for closing it will affect your credit score report.”

I couldn’t believe when I heard that. Closing old accounts is wise credit management and I’m not to be dissuaded by mere credit score reasons. Those of you that have multiple accounts should consolidate all your debts into one account. Don’t mind the credit score report, having a lesser interest rate is far more beneficial in the long run than having multiple credit balances with each one having its own interest rate. Low credit score report? Who cares? Me, I’ll just continue living my life without credit report score uncertainties. If the next credit shark rejects my loan proposal for having a low credit score report, no problem. I’ll set my sights on Home Equity then.

Low rate auto loan

It is possible for people to avail of low rate auto loan. Actually, you can avail of lower than the average auto loan interest rates. But you are required to do your part of the bargain. If you wonder how, you can try the following suggestions.

One way to have lower low rate auto loan is to have good credit standing. People with good credit history are considered low credit risk and are therefore given the opportunity to enjoy lower low rate auto loan. Lender will see you as a responsible creditor not a liability. Lenders will feel comfortable lending money to people with good credit standing. For people with good credit record, low rate auto loan could be anywhere between 2% to 15%. For those with bad credit, low rate auto loan could go as high as 30%. The high interest rate is imposed by lenders because people with bad credit score and is known to make payment lapses are often considered by lenders as great credit risks. They just want to protect their investments. If you think you have poor credit rating, try to increase your rating before you apply for a loan. You can do this by paying off any current debts, make monthly payments for debts you can fully pay off or putting money into your savings account. Your savings deposit will help your credit score since this serves as your pool of funds in case of emergency. Once your credit score improves, your low rate auto loan will follow. You should postpone purchasing a brand new car after your credit rating improves. By then, you can avail of low rate auto loan.

Another way to avail low rate auto loan is to give a bigger down payment. The more you pay for down payment, the less low rate auto loan you will incur. For lenders, those who pay huge down payment and have lesser borrowing are considered low credit risks.

Another method to avail low rate auto loan is to refinance. Refinancing auto loan is certainly a practical way to secure a car at a lesser cost. This is for people who already have an auto loan and want to avail of lower interest rate for the remaining balance of their auto loan. The refinancing companies will pay your current balance. In turn, you are expected to make monthly payments to the refinancing company for a much lesser rate. The reason why most people are put off by refinancing is the idea that they will be made to go through rigorous processing. But this is not actually the case. Refinancing is quite easy and simple. And much more it will enable you to enjoy low rate auto loan.

How car leasing works

Car leasing is a popular alternative to borrowing to purchase a business car, but car leasing can be a great alternative for individuals too. Whether you want to purchase a car or just rent one for a while, car leasing could be the answer.

Car leasing is basically renting a car, similar to leasing an office or house. When leasing a car, the finance company purchases the car of your choice. They then allow you to use the car for the term of the lease in return for a monthly payment.

If the vehicle is used solely for business purposes, the repayments made are completely tax deductible when car leasing. Car leasing involves paying the depreciation which becomes your tax deduction. The residual value is the depreciated asset price at the end of the term.

Benefits of car leasing

Some of the benefits of car leasing are:

Car leasing payments can be a tax deduction for business vehicles

Car leasing enables you to change your car every few years

Interest and monthly payments are fixed, so costs are known in advance

Car leasing payments are often lower than a car loan

The car is used as security against the lease, so interest rates are often lower than car loans

Car leasing offers flexible terms from 2 — 5 years

Car leasing can be used for either new or used vehicles.

Types of car leasing

There are three main types of car leasing

operating leases,

finance leases and

novated leases.

The main difference between operating and finance leases is at the end of the car leasing term. With an operating lease, the lender retains ownership of the car, whereas with finance leasing, you are responsible for the residual or balloon payment and you assume ownership. Options at the end of a finance lease are; pay out the balloon payment and keep the car, trade in the vehicle, or refinance the balloon payment with another lease or loan.

A fully maintained car lease is a finance lease that includes running costs of the car such as services, fuel, tyres etc. This type of car leasing is perfect if you need to have fixed costs each month.

Novated leasing works quite differently to operating and finance leasing. If you are an employee interested in leasing a car, you should consider novated leasing if you wish to salary package a car.

Who does car leasing suit?

Car leasing suits anyone who wants the latest car or whose business requires a car that is always new. Car leasing is possible for personal, business or mixed use cars, but car leasing is particularly useful for financing cars used solely for business purposes. Because car leasing payments are often lower than car loan repayments, car leasing is an attractive to anyone struggling to afford a car loan.

Applying for a car lease

360 Financial Services can help you choose the right car leasing option for you. For more information on car leasing, please contact 360 Financial Services or apply for a car lease online.

360 Financial Services provides a complete range of finance products from Australia’s major lenders and specialist financiers and at rates that beat the banks. 360 Financial Services can also source a car according to customer requirements using their free car-finder service. They also offer a free credit check service. For more information visit www.360financial.com.au or direct at car leasing

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