So you’ve picked up your first (or third, or tenth) income property, and it’s a real fixer-upper. You’ve got a great team of contractors, and you know what they need to do and how much time and money it’s going to cost to make it happen. The renovations are going to put you in the red and you’re going to need to get a tenant in there ASAP. So as soon as you have the plan worked out with the contractors you run an ad and start showing the place, right? Not if you don’t want to throw away money, you don’t!

Prospective tenants lack imagination, and this is never so evident as when you’re showing them a place that is missing walls, is covered in construction dust, badly needs a paint job, has a gutted bathroom . . . you get the idea? “Curb appeal” is a concept that refers to the attractiveness of the outside of a house. Equally important is what I call “Foyer Appeal,” which is how the inside looks when you’re standing in the front door. If your curb appeal is poor (which is likely while you’re renovating, since your money is best spent on the inside problems first), half of your appointments will be no-shows because they assume the outside is representative of the inside. On the flip side, poor foyer appeal will turn off the ones that actually walk in the door. No matter how clearly you explain what work you’ve got planned, the best you’re going to get is, “I’d like to see it again when it’s finished,” and you’ll be lucky if a third of them offer that level of commitment.

Let me put it another way: if you’re savvy enough to know the importance of online marketing, you also know that pictures are the most powerful part of your internet ad campaign. Are you going to take pictures of a construction zone, or a place that looks like a tornado hit it, and expect a high response rate? Or maybe you’ll just skip the pictures entirely, so that ninety percent of your potential tenants just scroll on by without a second glance? Having good pictures could cut your advertising time from two or three months to under a week.

If you’re putting money into a property, it stands to reason that you’re going to want to recoup that investment as quickly as possible. Showing an apartment that isn’t ready for a resident wastes your time and advertising dollars, could permanently turn off potential tenants, and might give you an unearned reputation for low-quality housing. Start your marketing when the punch list is cleared, and your prospective tenants will be far more likely to sign on the dotted line.

How do you fix a price point for an apartment? Take a guess? Figure it based on your carrying costs? Check comps and do a market analysis? Charge whatever the market will bear? If you’re looking to place quality tenants, less is sometimes more.

We all want to make money with income property; the more the better! When you’re looking for a new tenant, however, don’t assume that you’re going to make more money by charging more. If your property is priced high for what you’re offering, you won’t get a lot of calls, and the ones you do get will be either uneducated about your local rental market, desperate, unscrupulous, or a combination of any of these.

What to do? Perform your due diligence: check the advertisements for similar apartments, make appointments to look at them, talk to real estate agents and others in the business, and get a clear idea of how much others are getting – not just charging – for similar rentals. Then, advertise yours to undersell the competition.

Why undersell? It’s a basic rule of economics that price is a great way to compete. If you offer a good product for slightly lower, you’ll get a lot of calls, which means you’ll be able to screen more applicants and get the best possible tenant into the unit. Once you have a quality tenant that likes the place, you’re golden – you can make increases annually that put your unit in line with others. Tenants who don’t have slumlords for landlords won’t go to the trouble of searching for a cheaper place because of the costs associated with moving. Your first-year discount got the best tenant in the door, and providing quality housing will keep them there.

In conclusion, don’t let your greed cloud your judgment when you’re trying to find the right tenant.

What exactly is a contract?

By definition, a contract is an agreement between two or more parties to do, or to refrain from doing, a particular thing in exchange for something valuable. The parties can be individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies.

They key elements of a successful real estate contract:

1. Offer and acceptance

This implies original signatures with no alterations to the contract. Don't mistake offer and acceptance for counter-offer. When the original offer is marked up and initialed by the party receiving it, then signed, you got a counter-offer and not offer and acceptance. When you come to a final agreement, you should rewrite the contract according to the agreement and this contract must be signed by both parties.

2. Consideration

Usually, money is the form of consideration people use, but sometimes, a promise to perform/pay is also good. .

3. Written contract

All real estate contracts must be in writing. In order to write a good real estate contract, you must keep in mind these things:

You must write the full name of the parties on the contract and thus identify the parties.

You must have the legal description on the contract. Sometimes, the address will do, but it's preferable to have the full legal description. By having this on the contract, you will have the property identified.

You must have the amount of the sales price on the contract.

The contract must be signed by all the parties involved, or it won't be enforceable.

Keep in mind that minors, drugged persons, mentally unfit etc, cannot sign any contracts. Make sure that all the parties involved are competent.

Make sure all parties know the essential details, rights and obligations that are stated in the contract.

What exactly is a lease purchase contract?

Lease purchase contracts combine the basic lease contract with the option to purchase and, during or at the end of the lease period, it gives the tenant/buyer exclusive right to buy the home under the terms to which both parties agree in the contract. But first, the tenant/buyer have to pay the landlord/seller a non-refundable option deposit that is applied to the purchase price of the home. Then, the tenant/buyer pays a sum that is typical to the rental amount and usually, it is done on a monthly basis. A portion of that monthly payment is applied to the purchase price of the home.

Some people choose to lease a car rather than buying one outright. Here are some useful tips on what to consider before leasing a car:

The most important thing to remember is that you do not own the vehicle. You get to use it but must return it at the end of the lease unless you choose to buy it.

Up-front costs may include the first month's payment, a refundable security deposit, taxes, registration and other fees and other charges.

Monthly lease payments are usually lower than monthly loan payments because you are paying only for the vehicle's depreciation during the lease term, plus rent charges (like interest), taxes and fees.

You are responsible for any early termination charges if you end the lease early.

You may return the vehicle at lease-end, pay any end-of-lease costs and "walk away."

The lessor has the risk of the future market value of the vehicle.

Most leases limit the number of miles you may drive (often 12,000-15,000 per year). You can negotiate a higher mileage limit and pay a higher monthly payment. You will likely have to pay charges for exceeding those limits if you return the vehicle.

Most leases limit wear to the vehicle during the lease term. You will likely have to pay extra charges for exceeding those limits if you return the vehicle.

At the end of the lease (typically 2-4 years), you may have a new payment either to finance the purchase of the existing vehicle or to lease another vehicle.

At the beginning of the lease, you may have to pay your first monthly payment; a refundable security deposit or your last monthly payment; other fees for licenses, registration, and title; a capitalized cost reduction; an acquisition fee; freight or destination charges and any applicable local taxes.

During the lease, you will have to pay your monthly payment; any additional taxes not included in the payment such as sales, use, and personal property taxes; insurance premiums; ongoing maintenance costs; and any fees for late payment. If you end your lease early, you may have to pay substantial early termination charges.

At the end of the lease , if you don't buy the vehicle, you may have to pay a disposition fee and charges for excess miles and excessive wear.

For business owners who need working capital now there is a revolutionary, tax-deductible cash flow solution that frees up capital and gives them the money they need to grow. This diversified cash flow solutions is known as “asset leasing.”

With an asset lease, business owners can obtain quick cash for any company need by simply selling their equipment and leasing it back. Businesses not only receive immediate working capital or cash, most also realize significant tax savings from converting the assets into liabilities and by deducting the entire monthly lease payment as an operating expense.

This cash flow financing solution is available to all businesses and industries who own virtually any type of equipment including industrial, medical, automotive, food service, construction, office automation, audio/video, printing, packaging and much, much more.

Business owners love the ease and flexibility of this financing vehicle when compared to a traditional bank loan. Bank loans that involve used equipment as collateral are usually time consuming, often requiring substantial application fees, down payments etc. and collateral coverage well above the value of the financing. Most bank loans will also require the business to stipulate in detail exactly how the funds will be used.

With asset leasing, the equipment is the only collateral and the money can be used for any purpose that the business owner has, for example: paying off debt or making tax payments. There are no up-front application fees, and the entire process can be completed quickly and easily by e-mail, fax and phone.

"If it can be manufactured, it can be leased." For the past decade or so, this statement has become more and more true to fact. From computer software to commercial aircraft, equipment leases are utilized day in and day out in a constantly changing and highly aggressive business environment worldwide. To gain or to keep the edge over their competitors, companies of every type and size are constantly looking for creative ways to conserve working capital while expanding operations. Many have turned to leasing their equipment to help in the effort. For this reason, the leasing industry is being defined as a major player in equipment financing today.

So, why should you join these businesses in choosing to lease? Well, one key factor is that the commencement of a lease can be done with very little out of pocket expense. Two advanced payments or an equal security deposit is usually all that's required. Couple this with the fact that for many leases, particularly those under $75,000, a simple one page credit application is all that is needed to be considered for approval. Compare this against an equipment loan, with it's more extensive paperwork and the resulting 10 to 50 percent down payment required to begin the transaction.

Leasing will also allow your business to maintain credit lines with the banks. This preserves the company's borrowing power for future expansion, investing, or other types of growth where leases cannot satisfy the need.

Many business owners don't like the idea of paying a premium rate in order to both own and use equipment. If obsolescence is an issue, such as in the hi-tech sector, most companies find it more desirable to be able to walk away from outdated equipment having completed a short term lease. The average term runs anywhere from 2 to 5 years, after which the business can begin another lease and acquire more, up-to-date equipment. This progression can give your company a vital edge over it's competitors. Other leasing benefits could be expounded upon, such as the tax advantages, lower monthly payments, fixed expenses and the off-setting of inflation, but you can see the point.

Now, simply realizing that leasing is beneficial for your business and then pursuing it as a course of action is only the start. Like bank loans, there are elements of a lease request that increase the chances of funding. That may seem like a no-brainer, but many business owners expect more leniency from lessors than any lending institution is able to provide. Leasing companies, like your business, are in the process to make money. Therefore, some consideration on your part is in order. You should try to give the lessor at least a 70 percent chance of funding your request. Below are the most crucial points of review:

Your Time in Business - Since about 90 percent of all businesses fail in the first three years, most lessors will require of the lessee a minimum of two years in business. In addition, there is generally a maximum transaction amount of $10,000 to $15,000 for businesses under three years old. However, some lessors, in order to compete in their market, have relaxed those requirements or developed special programs for startups and young companies. These types of programs will obviously demand higher lease rates, but the ability for a new business to obtain necessary equipment fairly quickly and with a minimum of paperwork still makes the process very worthwhile.

Credit History of Guarantor(s) - Lessors will make decisions based on a lessee's credit history after reviewing their consumer and/or business credit report. The leasing company looks for numerous late or delinquent credit commitments, lawsuits or judgments, bankruptcy, unverified residence, short credit history, and debt larger than what is stated on the application. Keep in mind, however, that some of the above problems can still be overcome during the approval process.

Bank Relationship - Your business should have a checking account that has been established for at least two years and has had an adequate average daily balance for that period of time. If there have been any NSF's, they must not be recent.

Trade Relationships - It's a strong indicator that your business has good cash flow if discounts are offered (i.e., 2% 10 days: net 30 days). The leasing company looks for trade accounts that are paid on time and within the terms of agreement.

Financial Statements - Generally, if the lease amount is more than $50,000 to $75,000, a full financial package is mandatory. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the last two year end financial statements, with a complete balance sheet and profit and loss statement. An interim statement for the current and last year's comparative period is often required as well if the year-end financials are over six months old.

Other considerations include: the type and cost comparisons of the equipment (collateral), the extent of the lessee's trade credit and bank borrowing lines, and leasing history of the business.

Though it isn't crucial to have every one of the afore mentioned points strong, an above average ranking in the majority of them greatly increases the probability of funding. It also increases your likelihood of receiving a better rate. If your business demonstrates strength in only one or two of these areas, it is still possible to secure the financing, though the choice of lessors becomes a bit more limited and the elevated risk is reflected by a higher lease rate.

It's always in a company's best interest for the decision-makers to consider leasing as a means of capital conservation. And as you can see, it's also important to prepare for the transaction should the decision be made to pursue it. The majority of businesses that utilize equipment leasing each year in the United States and Canada continue to do so with at least some of their equipment thereafter. Contacting a leasing company representative or a broker can help you determine if leasing can create an environment of improved cash flow and an opportunity for growth in your business.

In today’s rapidly changing business environment it makes sense to consider all the options before paying for your business equipment – whether it’s a photocopier, computer system, computer hardware or software, telephone system, security equipment, office furniture or anything else. Many business people will give great consideration to the actual purchase, getting quotes from different suppliers and considering different choices. When it comes to paying, however, they simply pay cash or use bank finance without fully exploring the available options.

Most businesses will think of leasing for cars, yet don’t consider this option for equipment. Either managements don’t realise that leasing companies will lease items with little or no second-hand value; or they don’t know which way to turn to get expert help or advice. Again they don’t realise that the leasing broker – a concept pioneered by Technology Leasing – came into being precisely to meet that need.

The leasing broker gives customers a single point of contact, providing access to many leasing companies (all with different lending criteria) and picking the lender best suited to the client’s individual needs. For example, some leasing companies dislike computer equipment. Others will not lease to businesses with less that five year’s trading to show. Some will lease on software on its own, though, while others will lease to brand-new start-ups. The broker must match the client to the leasing company, which means not only the one with the best rate, but also one which will finance the type of equipment and consider the client’s credit rating on the merits of the case.

Using leasing allows a business valuable leverage. You pay for the equipment as you use and profit from it. There’s and analogy with paying your staff; you wouldn’t hand over three or five years’ salary in one lump sum , so why pay for your equipment that way? Leasing enables businesses to get the equipment they need now. Those on limited budgets can acquire what they really want, rather than what the budget dictates. In the case of one firm of consulting engineers in Glasgow, leasing the equipment enabled them to upgrade their computer software and put them in a position to handle larger jobs at lower cost.

Leasing is also 100% tax-allowable. As the user you don’t own the equipment – the finance company does. This arrangement allows the lease payments to be written off the profit and loss account rather than the balance sheet (where a depreciating item is a liability). The tax saving of up to 40% of the cost of the lease payments goes to the lessor. A large firm of solicitors in London was able with our assistance to lease £40,000 of furniture, renovating the office and improving its professional image, while making the above 40% tax saving.

Another benefit is that you don’t need to contact your bank when leasing, so there is no need to impress or persuade the bank manager. You need not meet the broker, either. We arrange leases all over the UK for all kinds of different businesses and organisations, with equipment values from £1000 to £500,000 – in most cases without ever meeting anyone from the client. Everything can be done by e-mail, telephone and post, with the cheque going direct to the suppliers of the equipment.

Why increase your exposure to the bank when there is an alternative? The image of the friendly bank manager belongs to the past. Today the old gibe applies too often – that banks are happy to lend you the umbrella when the sun is shining, only to snatch it back at the first sign of rain. They will quote variable rates at so much over base (all the leasing we arrange is at fixed rates) and hide their profit by charging large ‘arrangement fees’. Most bank overdrafts are repayable on demand at a time to suit the bank – hence cases of loans being called in, without the borrower’s prior knowledge, after a large cheque has been paid in.

If you have a cash pile and want to pay for your equipment from that hoard, always consider one thing before parting with the money. Is there a better use for the cash than being tied up in rapidly depreciating equipment? Remember that, if you do use cash to pay for such equipment, you can’t later, in case of cash need, refinance and get the money back. It may well make more sense to invest the cash in marketing or staff training – or purchasing inventory at discounted rates. Simply holding the cash in case of unforeseen circumstances may also be a wise financial strategy.

When you lease equipment for up to five years, bear in mind that you are not tied to that equipment for the whole term. Clients have the option to upgrade and change some or all of the equipment at any time during the term – although this is more cost-effective if done half-way or later in that term. You simply select the new equipment. A new agreement will then replace the existing one, including cost of the equipment and the outstanding payments on the old contract, which will be discounted. This option allows many companies to keep up with new technology by replacing their equipment every two or three years, often with little or no increase in their monthly payments.

In all, leasing via a broker gives the client more choice. It saves the time and money that would otherwise be spent on shopping around to get the best or right deal. And it provides the best independent advice to suit individual circumstances.

So, you’ve decided that you want to lease that next vehicle. Can’t really blame you. With today’s incentives, rebates, and favourable lease rates why wouldn’t you. Not only do you get to drive a new car, but a new car that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford if you were to purchase and finance it. Buyer beware though. With leasing comes new and sometimes rather confusing vocabulary. Don’t get lost in a sea of leasing jargon. Protect yourself. Learn and understand the industry language. For those seriously thinking of leasing that next vehicle, here is a useful glossary of “new” terminology that you should familiarize yourself with BEFORE you negotiate a lease:

Acquisition Fee: An administrative charge levied by the leasing company for processing a lease. This fee is typically NOT negotiable and can have a significant bearing on the overall cost of the lease.

Base Interest Rate: This is the cost of leasing and using a vehicle and is measured by the interest paid over the lease term.

Buy at end-of-term interest rate: This is the net interest rate for the lease if the lessee, at the end of the lease term, purchases the vehicle at the end-of-lease purchase price.

Capitalized Cost: This is the total purchase price of the vehicle. The price includes the cost of all extras such as vehicle options, extended warranties, life insurance, and rustproofing. The capitalized cost equals the amount you would pay for the vehicle if the vehicle were being purchased.

Capitalized Cost Reduction: A capital cost reduction is a down payment, in the form of cash or trade-in, that is applied to the final purchase price of the vehicle reducing the monthly lease payment.

Closed End Lease: Leases in which the lessee’s financial obligation rests only with the negotiated monthly lease payment. Since the residual value of the vehicle is stated in the lease contract, the lessee is not financially responsible if the actual value of the vehicle is less than the stated residual value. The lessee need only return the vehicle at the end of the lease term with no further obligation.

Dealer Participation: A rebate or discount, contributed by the dealer, reducing the final purchase price of the vehicle.

Depreciation: The decrease in value of a vehicle over time. Depreciation in automobile leasing is the difference in value between the cost of a new vehicle and the value of the vehicle at the end of the lease term.

Disposition Fee: A fee charged by the lessor at the end of a lease to ready the car for sale. The lessor may apply this fee against the deposit made by the lessee at the beginning of the lease term.

Down Payment: A sum of money paid at the beginning of a lease contract, usually at the time of signing, that is applied to the final purchase price. In leasing, the down payment is referred to as the capitalized cost reduction. Typically, the larger the down payment, the smaller the lease payment.

Early Termination Fee: A penalty paid by the lessee for terminating a lease contract early. A lessee pays for the depreciation of a vehicle in equal monthly payments. Since a vehicle’s depreciation is highest in the first months of a lease, terminating a lease early results in the lessee using more of the vehicle’s value than what they’ve paid for subjecting the lessee to penalty.

End-of-Lease Purchase Price: Also known as the residual value. This is the price at which the lessee may purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease term.

Excess Wear & Tear: Wear and tear beyond what is deemed acceptable by the leasing company. It is the responsibility of the lessee to take reasonable care of the car and to ensure it is returned at the end of the lease term in good condition. Bald tires, body dents, and engine trouble due to neglect could subject the lessee to repair and replacement charges.

Gap Insurance: The name given to a type of insurance coverage that covers the difference between the actual cash value of the leased vehicle and what is still owed on the lease contract. If a leased vehicle is destroyed in an accident or stolen, gap insurance coverage protects the lessee against additional losses due to “gaps “ between the insurance settlement and the lessee’s financial obligations set out in the lease contract.

Independent Lessor: These are non-traditional lessors, usually an individual business, that can structure and write a lease for most makes and models of vehicles. The terms and conditions of the lease agreement can be customized to accommodate different lease and mileage conditions.

Lease Extension: This is the continuation of a lease, beyond the original lease contract. Payments are continued on a month-by-month basis at the same sum negotiated at the beginning of the lease term.

Lease Term: This is the length of the lease contract. Most vehicles can be leased for 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 month lease terms. The monthly payment of a lease will vary depending on the length of the lease term.

Lessee: Name assigned to a person or party who signs a lease and agrees to assume responsibility for a vehicle and the lease payments.

Lessor: Name assigned to a person or party that owns the vehicle and agrees to lease it to the lessee.

Mileage Allowance: Lease agreements establish a maximum mileage allowance that the car may be driven over the life of the lease. The agreement will also specify the cost per mile or kilometer the car is driven over and above the allowance that is due and payable at the end of the lease term.

Money Factor: This is a number used to calculate the base interest rate of a lease. To arrive at a base interest rate, leasing companies will multiply a money factor by 2400. The money factor of a lease is known by the leasing and sales consultant at the dealership and is used to calculate the cost of money in the same fashion as an interest rate does. The lower the money factor, the lower the monthly lease payments.

Monthly Payment: A payment made on a specified date each and every month as specified in the lease contract. Monthly lease payments calculated on a lease contract typically include all applicable taxes.

Net Interest Rate: This is the total interest rate for a lease and represents the true cost of the lease. The lower the net interest rate, the lower the cost of the lease.

Open-End Lease: Leases in which the lessee’s financial obligation may exceed the negotiated monthly lease payment. In an open-end lease the residual value is set at the beginning of the lease term. The lessee is financially responsible if the actual value of the vehicle is less than the stated residual value.

Purchase Option: Option extended to the lessee, at the end of a lease contract, to purchase the vehicle at the pre-determined purchase price. The pre-determined purchase price is normally the stated residual value in the lease contract.

Residual Penalty: This is the penalty a lessee pays if the end-of-lease purchase price is greater than the expected value of the vehicle at the end of the lease term.

Residual Value: This is the expected or pre-determined value of a leased vehicle at the end of the lease contract. The stated residual value on a lease contract is normally the buyout price at the end of a lease term. The residual value also determines whether the lessee should purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease term. If the residual value is less than the actual market value it would be advantageous for the lessee to buy the vehicle and sell it to a third party.

Security Deposit: This is a sum of money, paid up front, as security for excess wear and tear on the leased vehicle. The amount is refunded if the vehicle is returned in good condition. In some cases, the deposit may be applied against the final monthly payment.

If you have an investment property, should you rent it or sell it? The answer to that question is that you should do both. If you have lots of time on your hands and are handy with tools, you can choose to rent out your property. However, if you have several properties for rent, maintaining them can consume lots of your time. You can choose to hire someone else to maintain your properties, but it cost you money. And higher expenses mean lower profits. In addition to investing your time, finding good tenants for your properties is not easy. Tenants that choose to rent usually do it for a reason. They are usually having credit problems. In addition, most tenants do not take good care of your properties like they would their own homes. And when things go sour, they can mess up your house before they move out. Your goal is to find good tenants to rent your property, transfer the maintenance responsibility to them, and create incentives for them to eventually buy your property. Including the option to purchase to the least contract can eliminate most of the headaches associated with maintenance and dealing with bad tenants. There are several other benefits to the lease and purchase option.

Because the rent is usually higher when you include an option to purchase, this can eliminate most tenants only wanting to rent. People looking for the lease and purchase option are those usually in the process of rebuilding their credit, or are saving money for their down payment. To be fair, the duration of the contract should be between 2 to 3 years, long enough for your tenants to rebuild their credit.

This contract also transfers the maintenance responsibility to your tenants. Not having to worry about maintaining the property frees up your time for you to continue to expand your business. Giving your tenants the option to purchase your property create an incentive for them to take better care of your property. You may also choose to apply some of their rents toward the down payment if they decide to buy your property. This is another incentive for them to pay the rent on time, and eventually buy your property at the locked in price.

During the contract, you cannot sell the house to anyone else other than your tenants. However, you charge your tenants a fee (usually 1 to 2 percent of the purchase price) for the option to lock in the price of your property. If your tenants do not purchase the property before the purchase option contract expires, you get to keep the option fee. However, if your tenants utilize the option to purchase anytime during the contract, you must return to option fee to your tenants. Either way, you are making money whether your tenants buy the home or not. If your tenants decide not to purchase your property and the contract expires, you can begin the entire process all over again.

The important points about the lease and purchase option are that you are looking for good tenants to rent your property, create a constant cash flow from the rent, transferring the maintenance responsibility to your tenants, which frees up lots of your time, and eventually sale the property. Your ultimate goal is to sell the property to good tenants at a price that is fair. The deal should be fair enough that both parties come out feeling like winners. This is important if you want to be in this business for a long time.

The real estate market is booming across the United States, especially in select areas of California as well as Las Vegas. Even the sleepy town of Boise, Idaho is experiencing record breaking primary residential development. Where ever you happen to live, you have probably noticed it’s not so easy to get into that coveted house you have always dreamed of, despite the favorable mortgage rates. So what should you do?

Lessons Learned from the Past

With such uncertainty around the real estate market, perhaps it is best to stay away from owning your own property. Many so called experts predict the housing market in the US has finally reach bubble status, and expect that bubble to burst in the near future. They may have submitted their predictions a bit early, but their advice should be considered. If we learned anything from the stock market bubble and subsequent crash of 2000, we realized frequently a conservative approach to investing serves us well when uncertainty surrounds the market.

Protect yourself and consider the advantages of renting or leasing versus buying your own home. A renter assumes far less risk by signing his/her name to a lease agreement than when closing on a house. Typically a rental agreement locks you into a contract for a short period of time, relatively speaking, during which the rental rate is locked as well. Such a contract can protect you from the downswings of the real estate market, especially the volatility frequently demonstrated by adjustable rate mortgages. Granted, as a renter you don’t stand to gain any equity in the house should the market turn up. However, you also don’t expose yourself to the violent downswings in housing values wrought by an oversaturated market. Should you buy a house now and a year later need to move to pursue a new job opportunity, what happens when your realize those inflated prices you paid for your house are not so inflated anymore, and suddenly you owe more on your house than it is worth? That is called negative equity, and instinctively you realize no good can come of such a situation. Hence renting offers flexibility, both financially and physically speaking.

Avoiding the Headaches of Ownership

By agreeing only to rent the dwelling, you manage to avoid many of the disadvantages associated with owning a house. Normally the landlord is responsible for general maintenance of the flat. Many home owners are quick to offer their stories of frustration, disappointment, and even anger when things go wrong in the house. Pipes burst, flooding occurs, air conditioning units break during the scorching summer days of July, and heating systems fail in the dead of winter. All these things can and will happen, setting homeowners back considerably. Thus, as a renter you can avoid many of the major financial investments owners must make to maintain the comfort and livability provided by a dwelling. Agreeing to a lease agreement helps mitigate the risks of living in a home or apartment.

Weighing your Options

A rental or lease agreement can offer many advantages to those of you looking for a place to live. Ultimately, each individual must decide what is right for them. Some are more than willing to bear the risk inherent to the housing market because they have a strong positive cash flow and are in a position to endure the twists and turns of the market.

Don’t be afraid to weigh your options and consider the risks of owning versus renting. For many, playing the game conservatively and waiting for housing prices to come back down to Earth will prove to be a successful strategy. There is no shame in signing that lease agreement, living in an apartment for a year or two before moving on to that house you have wanted so badly.

Renting an apartment that suits your needs and requirements can be time consuming and challenging. There are many things to consider when selecting an apartment that renters should consider. To help you get started, here are some essential tips which will assist you in your search for the perfect apartment complex.

1: Ask for when you can move in: If you are looking for immediate occupancy, first of all ask landlord when you can occupy the apartment, also enquire whether currently is it occupied by someone else. After confirming move-in, you may negotiate with the landlord for not paying for unoccupied period.

2: Ask for the rent amount: How much is the amount is and when? Ask for advance security deposit and whether it is completely refundable?

3: Fine for late payment: Enquire is there any fine for late payments of the rent? if it happens.

4: Renewal Terms: Check out what are the conditions for renewing the lease. What are the terms if you move-out before the lease ends?

5: Are any utilities covered: Ask your landlord about the utilities are whether they are covered in your rental contract or not?

6: Are you permitted to share your apartment: If you want to share your place with your colleagues or room partners, check out for any written permission to doing so.

7: Are your pets allowed or not: Ask for permission if you have any pet. If it is not permitted, would it be possible by paying for pet deposit in advance?

8: Can you do minor renovations: It is but-natural that you would love to live in your kind of environment, and to do so you may need minor renovations such as painting wall and some decorations. Just inquire this point before you check in.

9: Inquire about your neighbors and surroundings: Every person would like decent neighborhood, if it is not there, you may have to face frequent disturbance. To avoid this you should know about neighborhood very well.

10: Inquire for service points: Ask landlord, How far is the market and other required service points like post office, bank, restaurant and public transport stations etc. It will make you aware about your surrounding area.

Non Status Car Leasing for People with Bad Credit

Shopping for a new car should be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can be all gloom and doom if you have non status credit. What could be worse than finding the exact car of your dreams, in just the right colour, with all of the right options, and then getting turned down by the dealer, bank, or finance company because of your credit history or some other circumstance that makes you non status?

Well, if you were the only person that this has ever happened to, then it would be fair to say that you are well and truly hosed. But, the fact is, there are millions of people in the U.K. who have less than perfect credit, or find themselves classified as non status because of a recent divorce, being self employed, or just simply not having any credit history to rely on. And yes, these people still can get into a new car. Want to know how they do it? Here's the secret.

Non Status Car Leasing Options

There are U.K. car financing companies who specialize in helping people who are classified as non status. These automobile loan companies realize that credit problems happen to good people, and the chances are that you will make your payments on time if someone would just give you a chance to prove it.

Here's how it works for Non Status Car Leasing

Typically you go about your business shopping for a car just like you normally would. Once you determine the make and model you want, and what options you want to order, you contact your non status car leasing loan provider and give them all of the details.

You'll have to fill out a credit application, but don't panic! They already know that you have non status credit or you wouldn't be coming to them. The application process is a legal requirement for any legitimate car loan provider. Once the application is completed, and the lender approves you for the amount you need, their expert car financing staff goes to work for you.

The way that it works is the non status car loan company will usually buy the car themselves and then lease it to you for a pre-determined period of time. You simply make the monthly payments just as if you leased it through a more traditional lender. As you make each payment you are building your good credit which will go a long way towards helping you when you are ready to get your next car. All you need to do is keep up with your payments. Should you ever find yourself in a position where you just can't make a payment when it is due, contact your non status lender right away. Being honest and up front will keep the relationship running smoothly, and the chances are they will be able to help you over the occasional rough spot. One last word: Be absolutely sure that you deal with a legitimate, licensed lender who specializes in providing non status car leasing alternatives. The last thing that you want to do is end up signing a car leasing deal with a company that's running a scam!

Like any other product that is out there, you should consider the benefits of owning versus equipment leasing. The difference is that in leasing you do not out right own the equipment but use it and pay for it on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. The fact that you do not own the equipment means that you do not have to fork over a large sum of money to make the purchase. Yet, is this is the right choice for you and your business? It is important to weigh the pros and cons of equipment leasing in your individual situation to determine this.

To help you, here are some things that you should consider.

• What is the overall cost of the equipment if you purchased it? If you lease it, how long will it take you to pay this sum? If equipment will cost you a good deal more in the long run, you may not want to work with this. Yet, there are many instances where it can save you money as well.

• Determine your equipment need. What is the value of the investment and is this something that your company can even afford at this point?

• Who will maintain the equipment in the long run? If this is the owner’s responsibility, it may be wise to lease from them because they will cover those costs.

• Is there an option to lease the equipment for a certain period of time and then to purchase it at a lower price later? Because the equipment will be worth far less in just a few years, you may be able to get a better, more affordable price at that point.

Equipment leasing has many advantages especially for those who only need it for a short period of time. Yet, making the right decision of your company should be done carefully.

What if more people getting into their own small business understood their lease agreements better? What if a small business owner going into a space near a larger retail outlet anchor tenant realized that if that business closes that their traffic and store volumes will drop to a trickle?

What if small business owners realized that they were on the hook for the full-term of that lease whether their business went out of business or not? What if the small business owners read the lease and understood all the clauses in it? What if small business owners just starting out got proper legal advice?

What if lawyers did not charge and arm and a leg and do limited services for their high fees? What if the leasor’s lawyers were not smarter than the leasee’s lawyers? What if a hand shake deal between the leasor and the lessee was sufficient?

What it franchising companies did not make the franchisee small business owner sign a master lease agreement effectively putting them between the leaser and the lessee and making them essentially the leasor for the franchisee leasee?

What if such leases and real estate law were simplified and their were less lawyers in the way? What if the average lease agreement for a small businessperson had not grown to ten pages? What if there were not so many lawsuits involved in lease agreements and what if everyone just did what they promised and did not promise what they could not do? Think on this.

For many businesses today the question of whether to buy or lease equipment is not an easy question to answer. Businesses with older management teams tend to follow a traditional line and steer clear of what they see as 'getting into debt', preferring to wait until they have sufficient funds in the bank to allow for the purchase of equipment. Businesses with younger management teams, who have grown up in a world where credit is part of everyday life and waiting for anything is simply unheard of, will readily embrace equipment leasing in preference to purchase. So who is right?

As with most things in life, there is of course no 'black or white' answer to this question, but here are a few things which businesses should consider when looking at acquiring new equipment.

Do you need the equipment?

In the modern consumer world, where we are surrounded by billion dollar advertising, we have become conditioned to thinking that we must have all the latest toys and gadgets, if for no other reason than to keep up with the neighbours. But, do you really need this latest piece of equipment, or can you manage perfectly well with what you have?

How much are the costs of purchase and equipment leasing?

Having ascertained how much it would cost to purchase the equipment outright, calculated just how long it would take to pay this same sum in leasing fees. If the timescale is relatively short then leasing may prove an expensive option.

What is the position as far as maintenance is concerned?

Would you be responsible for the maintenance of any equipment leased, or would this responsibility fall to the leasing company? If you would bear the responsibility then do you have the necessary staff to carry out any maintenance work and what would be the likely additional cost of doing so?

Would you have the option to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease?

As many items of equipment depreciate rapidly in the early years of use, it may be possible to buy the equipment at a considerably lower cost at the end of the lease. This would give you the opportunity to put the equipment to the test and ascertain its true value to your business before committing yourself to its purchase.

Where does your business stand in terms of technology?

For many businesses, equipment purchased today will still be doing an excellent job in ten years time. For other businesses, however, advances in technology will require a rapid turnover in equipment. Take computers and software as an example. How many growing businesses today are moving forward with the same computer equipment they purchased two or three years ago?

How strong is your competition?

If your business operates in a highly competitive sector then financing activities, such as product development and advertising, will almost certainly be very high on your agenda. Equipment leasing may well permit you to fund these important areas of your operation, while purchase could eat deeply into your 'war chest'.

These are just a few points to consider when deciding whether to buy or lease equipment for your business. This is not always an easy decision and sometimes the answer will take you out of your comfort zone.

The bottom line for most businesses is, and should be, the effect that this decision will have on the growth and development of the business and how it will impact upon your competitive advantage.

Car leasing is nothing different to paying for the usage of a truck, a van, or any vehicle in that matter, within a specific duration of time. Most people may think that it is similar to car rentals, but it has one major difference. You can rent a car for a week, a day or even a few hours, but for a car lease, it typically requires at least a year of usage period.

When thinking of getting a car lease, just like anything else nowadays, the first thing that you have to consider is the price. You have to negotiate for a good deal and you should have an idea of what exactly the pros and cons of such the agreement you are entering into.

Your car lease advantage is only as good as the dealer you’re talking to. As soon as you had a common say on the price of the car lease, the dealer sells your chosen car to the leasing company at your agreed price. Then the leasing company lets you have the car based on the price you’ve given. You will then shell out the total amount of the leases in staggered payments every month.

The dealer is simply an agent for the car leasing entity. This way you would save yourself from the hassle of scouting for a leasing company on your own. The dealer speaks in your behalf. For this particular kind of work, a dealer is given a reasonable commission in each of the purchaser he endorses. Just keep in mind that as soon as you inked a contract agreement, then the accord is between you and the leasing company. The dealer’s work ends there. Any concerns regarding the car you lease should go directly to the leasing company’s attention.

Big giants in the car industry, like Ford and General Motors usually have a number of car leasing businesses acting as subsidiaries. These kinds of companies usually employ the most dealers. Banks and other leasing and loaning institutions commonly hire dealers as well.

When you lease a car, on top of your monthly obligations, you still need to have pay for corresponding insurance fees, applicable taxes plus licensing fees. A leasing contract contains these information along with the stipulation that you will use the car for a specified number of year or months. There is also a pledge that you will maintain and keep the car in good running condition.

On the end of your leasing period, you are obligated to return the car to the leasing company. The usual wear and tear is forgivable, but more than that, you must pay for the damage and any additional fees when you used your car longer than the time specified in the contract. You are also given the option to buy the car you leased or use it as a trade in for a brand new car.

Just like purchasing a car, you need to shop for the vehicle you want to lease. You wouldn’t want just any other car. Getting a car lease is also an investment on your part. It is but appropriate to give it a long thought. Talk to several dealers; compare prices and the benefits of each company. Always have extensive discussion with your dealers. Asking questions is a good thing. Let the dealer explain to you the liabilities in instances of accident or loss of the car. After all your doubts are cleared then you can go ahead and lease the car you want. Choose a car that suits your lifestyle and drive it as if it is your own.

As a decision-maker in the construction industry, weighing all equipment acquisition options is a critical aspect of the job - especially given today's fluid marketplace.

With construction equipment leasing you don't have to worry about the overhead of the purchase while keeping your cash accessible. No matter how big or small your project you can always find leasing options from the financial institutions who specialise in this type of product. Plus, payments you make under an operating lease are tax deductible.

65% of the top businesses lease equipment, according to an ELA survey. The top reasons these businesses cite for leasing include consistent expenses in budget management, increased cash flow, and the ability to have the latest equipment.

As businesses prepare to compete and grow in a new millennium, many are searching for proven new ways to address their equipment financing needs. And the choice for an increasing number in construction is clear: equipment leasing.

If structured properly, as a "true" lease, construction equipment leasing has some very important tax benefits. The payments can be considered a rental resulting in a 100% expense write-off. At the end of the year you would simply total your payments and deduct them entirely as an expense. This is a much more rapid write-off than interest expense and depreciation.

Most leases do not have to be shown on your financial statement as a liability, since theoretically it is a contingent liability, and only has to be shown as a footnote. This keeps your financial statement from becoming overloaded with debt and is important if your bank lines require maintaining certain ratios.

The biggest benefit, however, is that you can get the most money with the least information.... Up to approx. $100,000 with a single page application!

For many in construction equipment leasing makes perfect sense. Especially when you consider the upside: Leasing allows you to keep your machine stock flexible. When your work changes, your machines can too.

It provides a planned schedule for equipment replacement, helping you run newer, up-to-date equipment so you'll have less downtime. It generally requires smaller amounts of money up front and monthly payments on your construction equipment leasing are generally lower than installment payments, thus freeing up cash and increasing the liquidity of your assets. And it doesn't lock you into a long-term commitment to purchase.

It would therefore be wise for any business executive to investigate the advantages to equipment leasing in order to make the best use of current financial resources.

A lease, by legal definition, is considered to be a contract that allows the use or occupation of property for a specific period of time, with a specified amount of rent. There are different lease types, all with variable conditions and subject to the laws governing each state.

Different types of lease:

Finance lease

Also called a financial sale, it allows for the benefits of flexibility as payments are spread out to a period of several years, often the equivalent of the actual cost of the equipment or property.

A common misconception is that payments made for a finance lease equals to ownership, but this is not always true. Nevertheless, the lessee does have the option to purchase the property after the lease expires, for a significantly much lower percentage of the actual cost.

This kind of lease, however, is not suitable for individuals who wish to acquire rapid tax benefits.

True lease

Also referred to as a tax lease, this is the better choice when one wants to have rapid tax benefits.

It is also advantageous to professional institutions, as the lessor still remains the owner of the equipment, thereby trimming down costly investments when it comes to computers and other office-related gadgets that are prone to becoming technologically obsolete.

You will get the advantage of lower monthly payments as compared to that of a financial lease, and in some instances, these could actually be tax-deductible. When the contract expires, the lessee is given the option of purchasing the property for a very minimal amount.

Operating lease

This is considered, in general, as a short-term lease, usually three years or less. It is often associated with high-tech equipment, or property that is prone to becoming technologically obsolete.

In this type of lease, the lessor takes more of a risk in ownership, therefore allowing for much lower monthly payments for the lessee. The lessee also has the advantage of the lease being considered as neither an asset nor a liability when it comes to taxes.

The lessee also has the option of buying the property at fair market value after the contract expires, similar to a tax lease.

Skip lease

Yet another flexible lease type, wherein lessee and lessor agree to a payment schedule where some months, a set period of time, have no payment and penalty.

This kind of lease is typical for business institutions and organizations whose operations rely on a seasonal schedule. This is most common in school systems, and the agricultural and recreational industries.

Sixty or ninety-day deferred lease

This type of lease allows businesses that rely on income-producing equipments that take several months to generate revenue. A sixty or ninety-day deferred lease can be similarly structured to a finance and true lease. Lessees are required to make an advance payment, to be followed by the next ones after a sixty or ninety-day period.

Pre-paid purchase lease

This is an option often taken by new businesses which have no credit history. Lessees are required to make a one-time advanced payment of ten to twenty percent of the property's total amount, thus reducing the monthly payments significantly.

Single-payment car leases can save you some money, but probably not as much as you might think. Furthermore, there are some disadvantages that are worth noting.

Car leases are normally paid off in monthly payments over a specified period of time, the "term" of the lease. Each payment includes a portion of the amount by which the vehicle will depreciate in value over the lease term, a finance charge (interest), and possibly sales tax (in most states).

By making a single payment up-front, you avoid monthly payments and save some money that would normally be paid as finance charges. However, you don't avoid all finance charges, only some of them. Since you never pay off part of the value of the vehicle (the lease-end residual value), you will pay interest on that value. By pre-paying your lease, you only avoid interest on the depreciation value portion of your lease.

There are also some other reasons that pre-paying a lease may not be a good idea. First, it negates one of the primary reasons for leasing, which is the fact that, with leasing, you don't tie up your cash in a depreciating asset -- an automobile. Your cash could likely be put to better use elsewhere. Second, if your vehicle is stolen or destroyed in an accident, your insurance only pays the market value of the vehicle and you stand to lose much of the money you paid into the lease. Without the pre-paid lease, the gap waiver in the lease would pay for any difference between insurance payoff and lease balance. You lose nothing. Furthermoe, you may have difficulty getting a sales tax refund from your state/county.

In summary, if you are thinking of pre-paying your next car lease, you should carefully consider the benefits versus the possible disadvantages.

The simple answer to this question is that they are offering finance to their customers as a sales, marketing & deal closing tool. It cements their relationships with their customers because leasing finance can usually be offered the same day. The customer is then more likely to return in the future because of the financing is arranged with minimum hassles and no time consuming trips to the bank manager. This type of financing arrangement is known as a “Vendor Program”

Can I Offer Finance to my Customers?

Again, the answer to this question is yes. You can benefit from establishing a relationship / partnership with an appropriate lender and start taking advantage of the sales & marketing opportunities and shortened sales cycle. Your Company, Sales Team and Customers all benefit from a Vendor Program arrangement that can be set up with minimal training and effort on your part.

So now, let us take a look at the benefits in a few more details

Sales Benefits
Finance adds value to your product, by including finance as part of your whole package you make it easier for your customer to buy therefore your sales team will find it easier to close more deals. Deal closing opportunities present themselves via price flexibility, you could discount products & claw back via finance or sell at full price but offer low cost finance. If you have customers who arrange their own finance then you already have the demand for the service, which means that some customers who require finance are probably going elsewhere! Fast finance decisions means that customers are less prone to changes of mind or finding a better deal elsewhere. If you allow others to offer finance facilities you will not be in control of the interest rate & sales could be lost / delayed. Finally, additional Leads can be gained by innovative pricing schemes.

Customer Benefits
You offer, a single point of contact for customers requiring finance for equipment. Quick finance decisions means quick delivery of equipment. Leasing allows customers to upgrade and replace equipment easily with just a simple adjustment in rentals. A near guaranteed acceptance of all finance proposals, start up companies are the more difficult proposals but can be done. Finally there are the tax benefits of leasing, payments are 100% tax deductible, cash and existing credit lines are preserved.

Company Benefits
If you offer finance it presents a barrier to competitors, if it's easy for your customer to keep trading in and trading up with you, your competitors do not get a look-in and as used equipment comes back to the vendor, the second-hand market can be controlled. Vendor maintenance can be made a condition of the leasing, increasing the vendor's profits from maintenance activity. Your company can earn commission on finance deals all for filling in a simple finance proposal form. You can choose whether to earn a commission on any deal because you set the interest rate and best of all any commission earned is 100% profit. Just think what could you do with the commission on finance sales, it could allow you to employ extra salesmen with the profits and generate even higher profits!

Short on cash, but need equipment? Consider leasing what you need. Leasing equipment may be a better alternative to buying, depending on your situation and needs.

Today, leasing is common practice in business. Over the past two years, equipment leasing has risen approximately 20 percent, according to recent research by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). And 8 out of 10 U.S. businesses lease all or part of their equipment, reports the Equipment Leasing Association.

Leasing is appropriate for just about any business at any stage of development. For start-up businesses with no revenues, smaller leases—those of $100,000 or less—may be better managed on the personal credit of the owners—if they are willing to make the monthly payments.

Comparing Leasing to Buying
When you buy a piece of equipment or vehicle, you usually have to pay for it in full either by using cash or by financing the balance. After you finish paying for it, you own it.

Equipment leasing, on the other hand, is essentially a loan. The lender buys and owns the equipment and then "rents" it to a business at a flat monthly rate for a set number of months. At the end of the lease, the business has several options. It can purchase the equipment for its fair market value (or a fixed or predetermined amount), continue leasing, return it or lease new equipment.

With a lease, you actually only pay for using the equipment. But at the end of the lease period, you could end up owning nothing. So why lease? The answer is simple: By leasing equipment, you leave money in the bank that can be used for other purchases. Since lease payments are usually smaller than regular loan payments, you don't have to pay out as much each month.

However, keep in mind that a lease is not cancelable like a bank loan or other debt. If you need to get out a standard loan you can sell the equipment and pay off the loan, or even refinance it. With a lease, you generally have to pay off the lease in full. So you have to be sure you make the payments when you enter into a lease.

So what kinds of equipment make the most sense for a small business to lease? According to research by the SBA, the most common items leased are office equipment, computers, and trucks and vehicles.

Benefits of Leasing
Leasing equipment offers a wide range of benefits, from consistency with expenses to increased cash flow. But perhaps the most significant advantage of leasing is the ability to maintain up-to-date equipment. Leasing allows you to easily and affordably add equipment or upgrade to a complete new piece of machinery to meet future needs. This lets you transfer the risk of being caught with obsolete equipment to the leasing company.

Here are some other benefits of leasing:

• Alternative to financing - Leasing is essentially an alternative to traditional financing and can be great for companies not able to obtain business loans.

• 100-percent “financing” – In many cases, leasing requires no down payment. This allows you to “finance” an entire purchase, including software, hardware, consulting, maintenance, freight, installation, and training costs.

• Ease and convenience - Applying for a lease is easy, and lease arrangements can be structured to meet your individual requirements. Equipment leases can range from $ 2,000 to $ 2 million. For smaller amounts, you can complete a brief application and receive a final decision within days—often with no financial reports or tax returns needed. Leases for more than $100,000 generally require detailed financial information from the business, and the leasing company conducts a more thorough credit analysis than it would for a smaller

• Flexibility - Lease terms range from 12 to 60 months, depending on the equipment type. Most leases can be structured so that payments are made with operating rather than capital funds. This can eliminate or reduce capital budget delays. Leased equipment can be purchased later if capital becomes available. Plus, a percentage of the lease payments can be credited toward the purchase of the equipment.

• Fixed, predictable payments - Having fixed lease payments enables you to accurately predict the impact of equipment expenses on your cash flow.

• Conserves working capital - Leasing conserves your working capital by requiring only a minimum initial outlay of cash.

• Tax Advantages - Operating leases are generally treated as a 100-percent, tax-deductible business expense paid from pre-tax earnings instead of after-tax profits.

• Protection against inflation - Lease payments are based on the dollar's current value. And unlike bank lines of credit with fluctuating rates, your payments are fixed regardless of what happens to the market tomorrow, making it easier to budget, forecast and grow.

Working with a Leasing Companies
When leasing equipment, keep in mind that the company selling the equipment simply makes a direct referral to a leasing company with which it does business. And, usually, the company selling the equipment works with more than one leasing company. So be sure to get quotes from a number of leasing firms. It’s also a good idea to ask for referrals from friends and business associates.

Additionally, make sure you understand with whom you’re dealing. Are you talking to a broker—the person who simply structures deals, then gets them financed through any of the leasing companies he or she works with. Or are you dealing with a leasing company that is actually putting its own funds on the line?

Brokers can be beneficial because they have valuable insight about the leasing market and can help you find the best leasing solution for your needs. But as when dealing with any type of salesperson, you are responsible for handling the due diligence. Do your own homework to ensure you negotiate the most favorable lease agreement for your company.

I-ve always chuckled at the reactions I receive when people ask about bankruptcy auto loans, and I
suggest they be open to leasing. The looks I get are a cross between ¡°are you kidding?¡± and ¡°what did you just call me?¡±

Leasing has undergone a change in popularity since its inception. In the beginning, everyone purchased cars outright¡­they could do this because a) buying a car on time was not an option, b) because cars cost much less then than they do now.

As options were added to cars, such as color, 2-doors or 4-doors, 5-speed or automatic, am radio or 8-track (oh, am I dating myself here?), vehicle prices begin increasing. Auto loans terms came out at 12 months ­moving up quickly to 24 months¡­36 months¡­and soon it became apparent that cars were costing more than people could afford.

In stepped the leasing option. It was a neat program at first. You would go in, negotiate a payment with the auto dealer calculating the suggested residual value at the end of the lease. You were soon the proud renter of that vehicle.

The popularity of this method spread like wildfire¡­.until it became snuffed out when the first lessees drove back in years later to drop off their cars. That residual value, the value that their vehicle was supposed to be worth was much higher than what it actually turned out to be¡­..and people were told they needed to come up with thousands in order to drop off their vehicles.

As you can imagine, ¡°open-ended leases¡± such as those (where the vehicle-s value would be ascertained when you came to drop off your car at the end of the lease, rather than set in stone as they are now in ¡°closed-end leases¡±) became about as popular as a electric shock therapy in the rain.

So, purchasing vehicles was back in vogue. And, just like in high school economics, the prices of the cars increased faster than the incomes of those who wanted them¡­.and soon terms increased to 48 months.

Today, a 60 month loan is commonplace, with people signing up for 72 and 84 month loans without batting an eye. So, not surprisingly, leasing was given a second look, has been restructured, and is now an option for people to get the best of both worlds.

People can get a brand new (or slightly used¡­yes, they even lease used cars now too!) vehicle for a reasonable payment.

So, how does this relate to me, you ask? I thought you had to have stellar credit in order to lease.

Enter the world of the bankruptcy auto loan!

This was the case until about 8 years ago. Banks were finding that there were many people with sub-prime credit that needed car loans or a bankruptcy auto loan.

For years, if you had bad credit, or required a bankruptcy auto loan, you were charged a hefty interest rate if you wanted their loan, take it or leave it.

Well, funny thing about interest rates. The higher the rate, the more interest you pay out in the first years of your bankruptcy auto loan term¡­.the less you pay to principle. This simple fact means, if after 1 year of paying on this bankruptcy auto loan the person finds themselves unable to continue making payments the amount of money they still owe on their vehicle is still very high because such a small percentage of their payments have been going towards principle.

Those lucky banks that had been counting their money with their greasy fat fingers, suddenly found themselves a year later stuck with repossessed cars that still had huge balances owed on them.

How does this affect you? Banks and manufacturers have devised a way that everyone benefits from leasing. Someone who does not qualify for a prime rate, and in fact requires a bankruptcy auto loan can, depending on the lender-s guidelines, lease a new or newer vehicle.

The lender is happy because you are given a shorter term (generally 36 months) to pay on the vehicle. The end value is fixed (¡°closed-end leases¡± I spoke of earlier) and backed out of the loan amount, so you are only paying on your 3 years of use.

The interest paid is based on 3 year usage, not on the whole value of the car, so you pay down your principle faster. And, if the worst case happens and the car gets repossessed, the lender is in a better position with regard to the vehicles loan balance and current value.

What does this mean to you?

You can obtain a new or nearly-new vehicle and bankruptcy auto loan for a reasonable payment, a shorter loan term, and all the benefits of things like bumper to bumper warranty¡­things that are not always available when you purchase a vehicle through a dealership, and definitely not available when you purchase from a private party.

Obtaining a bankruptcy auto loan, and even a lease can get you on the right track immediately.

I-ve gone through a lot of information here. I encourage you to learn more about obtaining a bankruptcy auto loan; ask more, and educate yourself in the insider methods and strategies I and my colleagues teach by signing up for membership at www.creditiskey.org. You will benefit from my and others- years of educating people in various aspects of rebuilding your credit after a bankruptcy as well as how to obtain a bankruptcy auto loan.

In today's highly competitive markets, where managing finances is a major concern for most businesses, equipment leasing comes as a valuable financing alternative. In the past, businesses often chose to purchase equipment as and when required for their growth. However, this had the effect of tying up capital and limiting expansion. However due to the tremendous benefits associated with heavy equipment leasing, it is fast becoming the preferred option.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

First of all, by opting for equipment leasing instead of buying it outright, you can free up enormous sums of money which would have otherwise gone into buying the equipment. Thus, heavy equipment leasing helps to increase the cash flow in your business.

Secondly, leasing is categorized as an operating expense for your business and may not fall into the same debt classification as do certain other types of loans. As a result, your balance sheet liability may be reduced and thus the asset-to-liability ratio of your business improves.

This in turn translates into stronger financial statements, which increases the borrowing capacity of your business. (Please don't take this as accounting advice. I am not an accountant, so be sure to consult a qualified accountant before making any financial or accounting decision.)

Finally, with equipment leasing, you have the option of getting a seasonal lease. Thus, if you have a seasonal business, where profits are greater at certain times of the year as opposed to others, you can opt to make higher lease payments at such times.

This reduces the financial burden on your business and ensures that repayment does not suffer.

With all of the benefits that leasing provides, it is no small wonder that its popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. Check into lease alternatives before you make your next equipment purchase. You may well be glad you did!

When individuals are considering buying an automobile they are often faced with the dilemma as to whether they should buy or lease the car. There are pros and cons associated with each and the following paragraphs will highlight some of the points regarding both leasing and buying so that individuals can use the information to better help them make an informed decision.

Length of Time with the Automobile

One consideration is how long you might want to keep the same vehicle. Leases usually run 2 to 3 years, depending on the lease type and company, however when one purchases a car, they most likely tend to stick with that automobile for a longer period of time. Therefore, if one is interested in changing automobiles every 2 to 3 years, then a lease transaction may be the better option. That is if you don’t mind making monthly payments and never actually buying the vehicle. If that is a problem then buying is a better option because your payments actual result in the purchase of a car.

Monthly Payments

When considering whether to lease or buy an automobile, one should consider how much they want to spend each month on automobile payments. For those who wish to spend less money each month a lease is probably better; however, if an individual can spend a little bit more on the car each month, then purchasing might be the best bet.

Building up Sale or Trade Value in the Automobile

For those individuals who wish to build up sale or trade value with an automobile, purchasing the car will help that person do so. On the contrary with a lease the individual does not build equity in the car as they do not own the car but rather lease it for a period of time. Therefore, if one is looking to build up sale or trade value with an automobile, a purchase of the car is the better route.

Drive More Than Average

When deciding between a purchase and a lease, an individual needs to determine how much they expect to drive the car on an annual basis. If the individual is going to be driving more than the average person would, a car purchase may be better as many companies that lease vehicles will charge extra money for extra mileage put on the car. On the other hand, if the individual will be driving the car an average amount of time, then a lease may work for that particular person.

The previously mentioned topics are just a few factors which an individual should consider prior to determining whether a lease or purchase is the best bet for them. When all is said and done, deciding whether to purchase or lease a car is a personal decision which needs to be left up to the individual who will be driving the automobile.

Residual values are often determined in-house by the largest manufacturers Others will turn to outside parties, such as Automotive Lease Guide (on the Internet) for help.

Where does the money come from? The money to pay the manufacturer is often a bank, credit union, pension plan or automobile manufacturer’s leasing or lending subsidiary. It agrees to provide funds to pay the dealer the selling price of the auto. It is often called the money source

The Money source must then find someone to determine a residual value for every auto it proposes to buy from a manufacturer. If the market is depressed at the end of a lease and theresidual value is higher than the used car value, then huge losses result to the Money source. This is not a business for the squeamish.

Who are typical Money sources? (not necessarily current)

* American Honda Finance Corporation
* Banc One Credit Company
* BMW Financial Services, NA, Inc.
* Chase Automotive Financial Service
* Chrysler Credit Corporation
* Ford Motor Credit
* Fifth Third Bank
* General Motors Acceptance Corp.
* Huntington National Bank
* Mazda American Credit
* Mercedes-Benz Credit
* M&I Automobile Leasing
* Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America, Inc.
* Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.
* Provident Auto Lease
* SouthTrust Bank N.A.
* Toyota Motor Credit Corp.
* Usbank
* Volkswagen Credit, Inc.
* Wells Fargo Bank

The customer (lessee) actually contracts with a Money source that may, in fact, be a savings institution in which the customer has deposited funds. Some Money-sources are employee pension funds in which the lessee is essentially borrowing his own money.

Who does the lessee really pay? The customer leasing the auto begins by agreeing to pay the Money source a monthly payment for the term of the lease. At the end of the lease the Money source that actually owns the car, gets the car back and hopes it can be sold for at least as much as the residual value quoted to the customer in the lease, plus some incidental costs associated with the selling price. If not, the money Source loses money. For example, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Chrysler lost of $400,000,000 in 2001 on end-of-lease cars that sold for less then the contracted residual values.

Who decides the interest rate on the lease? The Money source privately decides on an interest rate it needs to return a profit to its investors or lenders. A third-party firm, such as LeaseLink (on the internet), is hired to prepare the computer displays of monthly lease payment vs. interest rate. That it displays on the participating Dealer’s computers. It displays varying financing terms and monthly lease payments and the residual value and interest rates or money factors for the brands sold by the Dealer. Included in this information is the identity of several Money sources, whose rates actually compete with the Dealer’s own manufacturer.

The Dealer’s role The new car Dealer is simply a facilitator between the lessee and the . It has no loyalty to its manufacturer in this regard and is really the customer’s best friend by showing the customer several monthlyleasepayments and interest rates from several Money sources.

Residual values based on Money source vehicle preferences Some Money sources choose to finance only certain types vehicles, such as Jeeps, based on historical residual resale value data and successfully having recouped the residual value in the eventual sale of the used Jeeps at the end of the lease.

At the end of the lease When the lease is finalized, the Money source pays the sale price; a portion is used to pay the dealer’s cost and the balance is the dealer’s profit. And the happy customer drives away with a smile and a lighter wallet.

Over the past few years, the popularity of car leasing has soared. When you compare leasing with buying a car and suffering the humongous monthly installment fees, leasing provides a better and more viable financial option.

For auto leasing, you need to know the tricks of the trade so that you will not end up paying more than when you directly buy the car. There are car dealers and manufacturers who can give you your money's worth if you want to go for this option.

You will get a better deal out of the car dealers if you appear knowledgeable about the auto leasing industry, so read up.

'Auto Leasing Defined'

You would "lease" a car by paying for the costs by which the vehicle depreciates in value. You can calculate depreciation costs by subtracting the car's value by the time that the lease ends, from its original value. There are cars which depreciate more than other brands. The rule of thumb is, the smaller the amount that your car depreciates, the lesser the costs to lease.

Once you decide to go for leasing over buying a vehicle, you may choose the one with the least depreciation value.

If you decide to go for this option, you need to learn about "lease term". This is the number of months that the vehicle is leased. Typically, leases last for 24, 36 or 48 months, depending on your contract.

'Leasing or buying: Which option is kinder to your pocket?'

-Automobile leasing requires you to have a good credit, so if your credit score is low, it is better to go for buying.

You may even be disapproved for a lease if your credit history is not good. Or, at the very least, you will be required to pay higher monthly dues.

-Leasing companies would need to profit from you.

They will invest capital on buying the car, then lease that car out. Just like with any loan, their money shoudl earn interest so you better consider this as well when considering the advantages of buying.

-Make sure that you get the best deal out of car leasing by comparing the monthly costs with the interest rates of your local car dealer.

By making a note and comparing both prices, you would more or less have an idea of which option to go for.

'Car Leasing Tips'

- When deciding on the model or make of the car that you will lease, choose the Japanese and European cars. These are basically the brands which have lower depreciation rates, as compared to the American vehicles.

You will find out that most luxury cars have the lowest depreciation values. Research, visit a local car dealer in your area or ask friends who are currently leasing cars. They should have some great tips to share with you on how to get the best deal out of leasing cars.

-Leasing a car may put a big dent in yur budget when it comes to car maintenance. You need to make sure that you are a "car-friendly" user when you opt to go for auto leasing.

-Definitely go for leasing if you are the type who wants to own the latest cars in the market. In the long run, leasing will be a better option for you as compared to buying the latest car model then trading in or selling the old one that you have.

-As much as possible, choose a shorter lease period. This is so that you can optimize the warranty of the vehicle.

-Finally, avoid the long-term leases, because the car's value will decrease by the time the lease ends, and this is mostly when engine problems begin.

With most lenders, having bad credit or a past bankruptcy is not a problem. Thus, you can obtain an automobile loan with a low credit score. There are certain advantages to having good credit. These individuals generally pay a few percentage points less, which equals a lesser monthly payment. However, qualifying for a car with bad credit is easy. Here are a few tips to help you get approved.

Requirements for Getting an Auto Loan with Bad Credit

To get approved for a bad credit auto loan, applicants must meet certain requirements. For starters, car loans are not offered to minors. Therefore, applicants under the age of 18 must have a parent or other adult co-sign for the loan. Moreover, applicants must be employed and have a driver’s license.

Auto loans are the easiest types of loans to obtain because they are secured. With this said, auto loans are perfect for those hoping to build a solid credit history, and individuals hoping to raise their credit score.

Skip Dealership Financing

Securing financing through the car dealership seems simple and convenient. Nonetheless, keep in mind that dealerships will make a small profit off of your financing package. To do so, they must increase the interest rate a few points.

If the lender approved you for a 10 percent interest rate, the dealership may charge 11 or 12 percent. To avoid paying the extra fees, look for private financing. Private financing could come from a bank, credit union, etc. If possible, get pre-approved before visiting dealerships.

Check Credit Report for Errors

Having bad credit does not always mean getting hit with the highest interest rate. Prior to applying for an auto loan, attempt to make some credit improvements and correct errors. For a few months leading up to financing a new or used car, pay all bills on time. This could make the difference in getting a loan with 12 percent interest and 9 percent interest.

Explore Different Types of Lenders

Common lenders used for an auto loan include banks and credit unions. However, there are lenders that offer bad credit auto loans at reasonable rates. Sub prime lenders are becoming increasingly popular. They offer online applications and quick pre-approvals. Moreover, various lenders will provide a no-obligation auto loan quote. This way, you can review their offer before making a decision.

One of the many important financial decisions of a business owner is whether to lease or purchase motor vehicles for the business. RK Auto Group recommends leasing for several reasons: Leasing strengthens your financial statement and upgrades your company’s image by providing sharper-looking vehicles at a cheaper price.

Most accountants agree: your financial statement looks rosier with vehicle leasing. Financial benefits of leasing include:

* A better tax write off - you can deduct actual payments instead of using a depreciation schedule
* Clearer bookkeeping - while a lease is simply an expense on the financial statement, a purchase is an asset and a liability
* More borrowing power – with a lease, you can keep lines of credit open for other expenditures; a purchase of a vehicle ties up those loan options
* Preventing negative equity - this happens when you purchase a car: sometimes the market conditions make the vehicle worth less than the debt owed on it
* When you don’t have negative equity you have less to negotiate in leases

Leasing improve your company’s image as well as its bottom line. When you lease a vehicle, you don’t pay for all of it. You only pay for the part of the vehicle you use. This means:

* A lower monthly payment
* You can afford a more expensive vehicle to better represent your business (and it’s more fun to drive!)
* You drive a new vehicle more often: a 48-month lease costs the same monthly amount as a 60-month purchase of the same vehicle!

Make sure to lease from a reputable dealer for consistent, high-quality service. When you lease a vehicle, you form a strong relationship with the leasing representative, because you work with the same person on every lease. Leasing provides a satisfying experience as well as great financial benefits to your company.

Renting residential or business property can be an extremely profitable business. There is a lot of money to be made buy renting apartments, homes, or business property out to renters. However, this enterprise can quickly sour if your tenants are unable to pay the rent each month or worse damage your property. If you are either currently a landlord or considering purchasing a property, it is important that you read up on how to be a landlord, and understand your rights.

If you own a piece of property that you are considering renting out, it is increasingly important that you know your legal rights as a landlord. Today, many landlords can get stuck with thousands of dollars of unpaid rent or legal fees because they do not know how to write an ironclad contract or don't know their rights as a landlord. Here are some pointers on getting the information that you need to protect yourself.

There are numerous landlord guides which can be found in websites online or in e-book form. A well informed landlord knows his or her rights and obligations regarding subjects such as security deposits, rental applications, discrimination, repair responsibilities, rent increases, lease termination, and eviction notices. It is also vital to understand how to avoid potentially bad tenants using legal tools such as credit checks, background checks, and criminal checks.

These tools are just one way to protect yourself against renters that could possibly ruin your investment. You also need to learn how to write a strong contract, understand your tenants legal rights and obligations and how to watch out for major pitfalls. So if you are a landlord, a landlord guide is an invaluable tool to protect your investment.

In the legal realm of the franchise world there are a multitude of agreements, stipulations and methods of doing business, which must be considered to protect the assets of the franchising company, as well as the brand-name. One common issue in franchise law, which covers multiple legal areas; including real estate, brand image and ongoing business activities includes requirements on leases and tenant improvements.

In our franchising agreements it was determined that we needed additional clauses in our franchise agreement, as well as additional stipulations in our confidential operations manual to address this very issue. Below please find a copy of the clause in our franchise agreements to address this issue;

3.1 Lease

Master Franchisee must execute a lease or otherwise secure sales office and warehouse premises for the operation of the Location within ninety (90) calendar days after execution of this Agreement by Franchisor. If Franchisee does not secure premises within such 90-day period, Franchisor may terminate this Franchise Agreement.

3.2 Tenant Improvements

Upon execution of the lease for the Location, Franchisee must commence construction and installation of all tenant improvements, trade fixtures, displays and interior décor necessary or appropriate to commence business. The leased or owned premises must be maintained in a safe and orderly manner, present a neat and businesslike appearance and be adequately staffed. A generalized space plan and layout must meet Franchisor approval. Franchisor will make itself reasonably available to assist Franchisee in the design or layout of such premises and in the types of improvements appropriate.

One of the most efficient ways to invest in residential real estate is to do a lease/purchase. The reason a lease/purchase is so effective, is because it provides a win-win situation for both the seller/landlord and the buyer/tenant. For the owner, it provides a potential buyer and a tenant that will be willing to take care of the home. For the buyer, it provides the right to purchase the home for a fixed price, and time to save money and improve their credit. Here is how it works.

The owner and the buyer enter into a contract whereby the potential buyer agrees to lease the home for a set amount of time. At the end of the lease, the buyer then has the option of buying the home for the price agreed upon in the contract. In order to secure that price, the buyer pays an option fee up front. If the buyer chooses to buy the home at the end of the lease, he can apply the option fee and any other money saved toward the down payment. If they choose not to purchase the home, the owner keeps the option fee.

For the owner, the lease/purchase offers several different ways to make money from the home:

- The goal is to buy the home for 10-20% below market value.

- The monthly rent you collect will exceed your mortgage payment.

- You can right off mortgage interest and other expenses on your taxes.

- You pay down the principle on your mortgage and build equity in the house.

- The price of the home will appreciate.

- If the potential buyer decides not to buy, you keep the option fee.

This is just a basic outline of how a lease/purchase works and the opportunities it presents. It is still a real estate investment strategy that is unknown by many and discussed by too few. For more detailed information, a recommended read is "Buy Low, Rent Smart, Sell High" by Scott Frank and Andy Heller.

If the equipment leasing company that your firm uses could make money for you or save you a bundle, wouldn’t that company be worth its weight in gold? Sure it would. That firm would probably earn the loyalty of your firm.

Some leasing companies go the extra mile, delivering exceptional value to their customers. Here are a few ways stand-out lessors deliver great value:

Cost-effective Leases

Certainly, providing a competitive lease transaction that helps your firm to stay within budget and spread the leasing cost over the equipment’s useful life is a winning combination. The lease should also be flexible and user friendly. It should allow your firm to upgrade equipment easily and to terminate the lease in a cost-effective manner, should the need arise.

Convert Existing Equipment To Cash

If your firm has recent-model equipment that was not financed, why not convert the equipment into cash that can be used in your business? A skilled lessor can help your firm achieve that goal by structuring a sale-leaseback transaction. Under an equipment sale-leaseback, your firm sells equipment to the leasing company at the equipment’s fair market value. The leasing company then leases the equipment back to your firm under competitive terms. This type of transaction can be a win-win for both parties.

Achieve Higher Values On Unneeded Equipment

Your firm may have equipment that still has value, yet that equipment no longer meets your company’s needs. Certainly, you can place ads in industry publications or otherwise attempt to re-market the equipment. Lessors that stand out can often help you re-market used equipment while achieving higher equipment values. Some lessors are active in the after-market of many types of equipment. They are often able to orchestrate the removal, refurbishment and sale of used equipment, while maximizing the re-market value.

Promote Your Business

A stand-out leasing company can help your firm excel by promoting your business. Some promotional activities offered by savvy lessors include: issuing joint press releases about the lease transaction, highlighting your firm’s offerings; including a testimonial from your firm on their website with a description of your company’s activities; highlighting your business in their company newsletter sent to customers; introducing your firm to other leasing customers who might need your products or services; and hosting customer mixers to allow you to network with other customers.

Introductions To Key Financing Sources And Financial Service Providers

Leasing companies typically interface with many financing sources and financial service providers. They sometime call on other financing sources to check prospect credit references or to discuss collateral positions or lien releases. They also call on funding sources to originate new business, especially from sources that specialize in complementary financial services. Stand-out lessors stay on the lookout for high-quality lenders, private equity sources, CPA firms, attorneys, mortgage providers, insurers and others capable of providing excellent services to their customers. In many cases, like birds of a feather, high-quality financial service providers find one another and exchange business referrals.

How do you find a stand-out lessor? Make sure you ask the right questions when you meet lessors and when you check their references. Ask about the other ways they serve their customers. Also, when you make reference calls to check out new lessors, ask their references whether the lessors have offered any other helpful services that make them stand-out. While most lessors are skilled at selling their services, you will recognize the stand-outs by hearing from their customers.