Latest Home Equity Feature
Five Ways to Preserve Your Home Equity
Home equity is an endangered species. According to Bloomberg, housing prices have dropped 26 percent since 2006. A report earlier this year claimed that 11.3 million homeowners -- almost a quarter of all U.S. mortgage holders -- were underwater on their loans. If you’re one of the lucky ones who still has equity in your home, do everything in your power to retain it. Here are five tips to preserve your home equity.
Home Equity Loans Basic Series
A home equity loan allows you as a homeowner to get a loan by using the equity in your home as collateral. The equity consists of whatever funds you have invested in your property in order to own it or improve it.
Since it is a debt against your own property, which you are in actual possession of, a home equity loan is a secured debt. The property can be required to be sold if the creditor wants the money back that you have borrowed.
Home equity loan vs. Home equity line of credit:
A home equity loan can be obtained in a lump sum or used as a revolving home equity line of credit.
A home equity loan can be either of the following:
A fixed rate mortgage
An adjustable rate mortgage
A homeowner who requires more money in large amounts usually applies for a home equity loan. Some expenses that make a home equity loan useful are:
Debt consolidation
Home repairs
Medical bills
College tuition for family members
Is home equity loan tax deductable?
In most cases, the answer is yes, but before trying this it's good practice to always consult a tax advisor whilst being aware of the fact, tax deduction is not an unlimited feature.
Tax benefits of home equity loans
A home equity loan is also beneficial because the home equity loan rate charged is usually tax deductible, as the loan is used for its primary functions. You can use our home equity loan calculator to check what various home equity loan rates will mean for your monthly payments. Always compare offers from several lenders and brokers to obtain the lowest home equity rate possible.
More information on home equity loans and rates
If you would like more information on home equity loan rates, and how to find the best home equity loan, please fill out the form above! Home equity loan specialists will get in touch with you to consider your options and see how a home equity loan can help you make the most of what you have.
There are several choices available for homeowners to free up the equity they possess in their homes.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What is VoIP?
Voice over IP (VoIP) is a type of phone system that uses an internet connection, rather than a traditional phone line, to transmit voice traffic. One of the most popular reasons for choosing VoIP is cost savings: VoIP service plans are typically less expensive than traditional phone system costs, systems require minimal maintenance, and costs are assessed as a monthly rate only- no long distance charges are applied when you use a VoIP system. VoIP service provides standard features like voicemail, caller ID, and call waiting, as well as advanced features like video conferencing, call tracking, and online system management.
To use a VoIP system, you’ll need three things: A high-speed internet connection, a VoIP service plan, and phone equipment. Most residences and businesses already have a broadband internet connection fast enough to accommodate a VoIP system- typically a bandwidth of 90 kbps is sufficient. Finding a VoIP service plan is easy if you know what to look for- VoIP vendors design service plans to suit small companies, large corporations with multiple offices, households, and every type of user in between. Most companies will require that you use VoIP-compatible phone equipment- you can purchase VoIP phones or VoIP adaptors, or use the microphone and speakers connected to your computer to make calls. Many providers also allow you to access your VoIP service account at any location on certain mobile devices and cell phones.
How Do I Switch to VoIP Service?
Our free VoIP service comparison allows you to find the VoIP plan that’s the best fit for your business. We screen and review all providers to ensure that they match your requirements- you can compare price quotes and VoIP service plans easily, and find a provider whose plan offerings meet your budget.
Benefits of Using VoIP
Cost savings is the number-one reason most people switch from a traditional phone service to VoIP. The most basic VoIP service plans can be as little as $20/month for a standard phone plan that includes call waiting, unlimited minutes, and one phone line with several extensions. Larger companies or businesses can save big, too- using a VoIP service, you can virtually eliminate the equipment and maintenance charges that go along with owning a traditional on-site phone system.
VoIP service provides significant cost savings because calls are routed using an internet connection, not traditional phone lines. Since outgoing calls cannot be geographically located, there is no way to assess long distance charges. A call placed using computer/telephony integration will cost the same whether the destination is across the street or across the country- most users can save thousands or more in long distance charges alone.
Cost savings aren’t the only reason to make the switch. VoIP provides unique features, allows you to access calls from anywhere an internet connection is available, and provides valuable call tracking and system management features that can be easily accessed from a computer.
To use a VoIP system, you’ll need three things: A high-speed internet connection, a VoIP service plan, and phone equipment. Most residences and businesses already have a broadband internet connection fast enough to accommodate a VoIP system- typically a bandwidth of 90 kbps is sufficient. Finding a VoIP service plan is easy if you know what to look for- VoIP vendors design service plans to suit small companies, large corporations with multiple offices, households, and every type of user in between. Most companies will require that you use VoIP-compatible phone equipment- you can purchase VoIP phones or VoIP adaptors, or use the microphone and speakers connected to your computer to make calls. Many providers also allow you to access your VoIP service account at any location on certain mobile devices and cell phones.
How Do I Switch to VoIP Service?
Our free VoIP service comparison allows you to find the VoIP plan that’s the best fit for your business. We screen and review all providers to ensure that they match your requirements- you can compare price quotes and VoIP service plans easily, and find a provider whose plan offerings meet your budget.
Benefits of Using VoIP
Cost savings is the number-one reason most people switch from a traditional phone service to VoIP. The most basic VoIP service plans can be as little as $20/month for a standard phone plan that includes call waiting, unlimited minutes, and one phone line with several extensions. Larger companies or businesses can save big, too- using a VoIP service, you can virtually eliminate the equipment and maintenance charges that go along with owning a traditional on-site phone system.
VoIP service provides significant cost savings because calls are routed using an internet connection, not traditional phone lines. Since outgoing calls cannot be geographically located, there is no way to assess long distance charges. A call placed using computer/telephony integration will cost the same whether the destination is across the street or across the country- most users can save thousands or more in long distance charges alone.
Cost savings aren’t the only reason to make the switch. VoIP provides unique features, allows you to access calls from anywhere an internet connection is available, and provides valuable call tracking and system management features that can be easily accessed from a computer.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Universal Life Insurance Quotes
For those individuals thinking about getting a life insurance policy, it is always good advice to study up on the different options, such as universal life insurance, prior to acquiring a policy.
When you to turn to LifeInsuranceQuotes.com for a universal life insurance quote, you give yourself the opportunity to learn as much as possible regarding this form of coverage and get yourself a good rate.
Before getting your universal life insurance quotes, note that this coverage is a form of permanent life insurance centered on cash value.
In this case, the policy is established with the insurance company where premium payments higher than the cost of insurance will be credited to the cash value. The cash value is credited monthly with interest, and the policy is debited monthly by a cost of insurance charge, along with any other policy charges and fees which are drawn from the cash value if no premium payment is made that month. The interest credited towards the account is decided by the insurer; at times it is tied to a financial index like a bond or other interest rate index.
Obtaining a universal life insurance quote is easy and attractive considering the fact it offers a savings element that grows over a tax-deferred basis.
When you get your universal life insurance quotes, remember that like with any product, there are pros and cons when it comes to this line of life coverage.
One thing to keep in mind prior to getting your universal life insurance quotes is that a large number of universal life insurance policies offer a no-lapse guarantee.
That simply means that as long as you meet the minimum designated premiums, the policy will remain in force up to age 100 (or even to age 120....should you somehow reach that point). On the flip side, paying the minimum guaranteed premium is oftentimes not sufficient to put together significant cash values.
So what are some of the pros and cons after receiving a universal life insurance quote to possibly purchasing one of these policies?
Universal life offers you the flexibility to adjust the death benefit as your requirements change over time.
You can have the flexibility to make smaller or larger premiums, which of course will depend on your financial needs. This can be an important item for families who could be dealing with fluctuations in their ability to meet the payments.
When it comes to the universal life insurance payout figure, it will be determined by selecting one of a pair of options for setting up the policy.
First there is the death benefit where the cash value of your policy is used by the insurer to mitigate the risks they are taking on, permitting the company to lower the mortality costs of your policy and decrease your premium payments.
Secondly, the cash value will be included with the death benefit of your policy. Depending on mortality tables, the cash value you choose to invest in the policy and the amount of death benefit your insurer will grant you, a universal life insurance policy can bring forth a very large payout amount.
As far as potential problems with a universal life insurance policy, in the event your premium payments are too minimal for too long, the policy could lapse, thereby leaving you without insurance protection.
When getting your universal life insurance quotes, remember too that if the insurer does not do well with its investments, the interest return for the cash portion of the policy will decline.
That decline however will never go below the minimum interest rate set aside in the contract. If this is the case, cash values are likely to fall, thereby leading you to pay more in premiums down the road.
If someone tells you as you're getting a universal life insurance quote that the coverage is too expensive, be sure to inquire as to why they feel that way.
It is not a secret that some financial advisors will tell you to think twice about this kind of plan for that they are more expensive than comparable term life insurance. In the event you've got several millions of dollars in assets sitting around, you can in fact benefit from a universal life insurance policy.
At the time you pass away, your estate will most likely be inherited by a member of your family, perhaps your child.
The value of your estate will determine how much in estate taxes your beneficiaries will be responsible for. If the estate has a value of $2.5 million, the beneficiaries would have to foot the bill for $250,000 in estate taxes.
It is important to note that a universal life insurance policy can permit you to accrue enough cash to meet the estate taxes and leave behind income for your loved ones. If that is the case, it will remove the need to liquidate assets to pay for expensive estate taxes.
Given that the laws of estate taxes can be quite complex, make sure to confer with an estate planning professional.
When you to turn to LifeInsuranceQuotes.com for a universal life insurance quote, you give yourself the opportunity to learn as much as possible regarding this form of coverage and get yourself a good rate.
Before getting your universal life insurance quotes, note that this coverage is a form of permanent life insurance centered on cash value.
In this case, the policy is established with the insurance company where premium payments higher than the cost of insurance will be credited to the cash value. The cash value is credited monthly with interest, and the policy is debited monthly by a cost of insurance charge, along with any other policy charges and fees which are drawn from the cash value if no premium payment is made that month. The interest credited towards the account is decided by the insurer; at times it is tied to a financial index like a bond or other interest rate index.
Obtaining a universal life insurance quote is easy and attractive considering the fact it offers a savings element that grows over a tax-deferred basis.
When you get your universal life insurance quotes, remember that like with any product, there are pros and cons when it comes to this line of life coverage.
One thing to keep in mind prior to getting your universal life insurance quotes is that a large number of universal life insurance policies offer a no-lapse guarantee.
That simply means that as long as you meet the minimum designated premiums, the policy will remain in force up to age 100 (or even to age 120....should you somehow reach that point). On the flip side, paying the minimum guaranteed premium is oftentimes not sufficient to put together significant cash values.
So what are some of the pros and cons after receiving a universal life insurance quote to possibly purchasing one of these policies?
Universal life offers you the flexibility to adjust the death benefit as your requirements change over time.
You can have the flexibility to make smaller or larger premiums, which of course will depend on your financial needs. This can be an important item for families who could be dealing with fluctuations in their ability to meet the payments.
When it comes to the universal life insurance payout figure, it will be determined by selecting one of a pair of options for setting up the policy.
First there is the death benefit where the cash value of your policy is used by the insurer to mitigate the risks they are taking on, permitting the company to lower the mortality costs of your policy and decrease your premium payments.
Secondly, the cash value will be included with the death benefit of your policy. Depending on mortality tables, the cash value you choose to invest in the policy and the amount of death benefit your insurer will grant you, a universal life insurance policy can bring forth a very large payout amount.
As far as potential problems with a universal life insurance policy, in the event your premium payments are too minimal for too long, the policy could lapse, thereby leaving you without insurance protection.
When getting your universal life insurance quotes, remember too that if the insurer does not do well with its investments, the interest return for the cash portion of the policy will decline.
That decline however will never go below the minimum interest rate set aside in the contract. If this is the case, cash values are likely to fall, thereby leading you to pay more in premiums down the road.
If someone tells you as you're getting a universal life insurance quote that the coverage is too expensive, be sure to inquire as to why they feel that way.
It is not a secret that some financial advisors will tell you to think twice about this kind of plan for that they are more expensive than comparable term life insurance. In the event you've got several millions of dollars in assets sitting around, you can in fact benefit from a universal life insurance policy.
At the time you pass away, your estate will most likely be inherited by a member of your family, perhaps your child.
The value of your estate will determine how much in estate taxes your beneficiaries will be responsible for. If the estate has a value of $2.5 million, the beneficiaries would have to foot the bill for $250,000 in estate taxes.
It is important to note that a universal life insurance policy can permit you to accrue enough cash to meet the estate taxes and leave behind income for your loved ones. If that is the case, it will remove the need to liquidate assets to pay for expensive estate taxes.
Given that the laws of estate taxes can be quite complex, make sure to confer with an estate planning professional.