Age Old Property Investment Approach Still As Relevant Today As Yesterday

By Billy Chen

The global financial crisis, which originated in the U.S. sub-prime loans has brought the investigation to the economy. As a result, companies are folded and consumers are homeless. Today, one year after the subprime storm, it's nice to see that companies returned almost to levels before subprime crisis.

In contrast to previous crises, this time the international community responded quickly and decisively. This unilateral and coordinated action to restore to a certain softening of the market and allows time and space to recover. Although we are still a holdover from our treatment of the subprime storm, at least we're relieved that the economy has followed the rise and rise of a strong will and sustained more than what happened in the past.

Despite the volatility of today's market, good opportunities are still abound. History has indicated that markets always recover so it is up to you, the investor, to find those emerging opportunities. Here the author will present to you four age-old tricks in the investment games that work across the board, including real estate investment. These tips have survived time and numerous market crashes and they will help you to derive to sound investment decisions in any market situation.

Don't Get Sucked In by Gossips Almost daily, there are good dose of gossips and rumors that make the rounds in the real estate sector. Keep in mind that negative and sensation news can trigger your emotions and sometimes induce fears into you. So be aware of them to keep a tab on the developments but do not react impulsively to them. Instead use your long-term investment plan as a guideline to make decisions.

It is OK to make change but incorporate these changes in your investment plan.You should always align your financial goals with your investment plan. Update Your Portfolio As the property markets goes though it's up and down cycles, or the external business climate changes, the financial goals you established earlier might need change.

Learn how you diversify your portfolio to spread risk by maintaining a well-diversified portfolio. So, if the sector is in need, all your funds at risk. If it is possible to move some money to provide additional resources to mitigate these risks.

Do extensive research Research plays a central role in the investment, it will help you better understand your investment. Support that a professional service. Financial advisors are always on hand if you need more information.

Property investment can be interesting and rewarding undertaking. Once you pick up the trick and formulate an effective investment plan, it can bring you good and recurring dividend over time. - 23196

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Declaring Dividends

By Samatha Ferguson

Dividends are payments from shares, unit and investment trusts, which, investors hope, are not only regular (usually twice a year) but also rise over time to reflect the companys (or trusts) growing fortunes. Dividends are taxable as income.

The good news is tax on UK share dividends is deducted before you get it. If you are a basic rate taxpayer, you dont have to do anything else. Nontaxpayers and ten per cent taxpayers dont need to do anything either. But theres bad news here: You cant reclaim the deducted tax under any circumstances. Even though its called a tax credit by HMRC, we refer to it as a deduction to save confusion.

Top-rate taxpayers have to declare dividends on their self-assessment form and have the cash ready to pay the gap between the 40 per cent rate and the tax deducted.

Whether you get income from unit trusts, investment trusts, or individual shares, look at the date the dividend was declared and ignore the period for which the dividend applied. A 10p a share dividend for the year ending 31 December 2006 declared on 1 May 2007 and paid on 1 June 2007 counts as part of your 2007 " 08 return, not the 2006"07 calculation.

If you invest for long-term growth in shares that pay low or no dividends, youll pay less income tax. But dont forget these shares tend to be riskier. And you can get hit for capital gains tax on your profits.

Dont forget if you are near the top of the basic rate ladder " earning around $36,000 a year " your dividends can push you into the top tax bracket. For instance, if you earn $36,500 and have $3,500 of dividends youll be over the $39,825 (in 2007"08) basic rate tax limit for a person aged under 65.

Dividends from stocks traded in foreign markets can be tough to deal with. You may have to convert dividend payments into sterling as well as account for them separately.

You need to fill out the foreign income pages of the self assessment form. The UK has double taxation agreements with most foreign countries. The effect of these agreements is to cap the tax due on foreign-sourced income so you are no worse off as a result of possibly being taxed twice.

Many stock market companies have schemes by which shareholders can opt to receive new shares to the value of their dividends rather a dividend cheque. Even if you choose this option, you still have to declare the value of the new shares and any balance carried forward in cash because it is not large enough to buy a share. Youre liable for tax on re-invested dividends in just the same way as a cash dividend. - 23196

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Learn How to Invest Today from the basics to advance. Find financial freedom from debit and other money issues by learn how to invest and learning to control your money.

Purchasing Land At or Near the Beach: A Great Way to Start Investing in Beach Real Estate.

By Jeremy Szechenyi

To purchase land near the beach you will need to find an area that has not already been developed with a house on it. Beachfront land that borders the ocean or waterway is very expensive, and is hard to find. Land that is just off the beachfront is typically easier to find, less expensive, and a better choice for investment. Regardless of which you choose to search for, the land must have value. Consider the three points below.

1. Determine why the land is for sale.

2. Are utilities available for a house?

3. Evaluate potential development projects that might take place.

First off, determine why the land is for sale. Frequently zoning restrictions prevent landowners from building or doing what they want, and they will try to sell it. If you are not aware of these restrictions and rules, you might be in for a big, and bad, surprise. The ground and surrounding area might not be supportive to buildings. For example, sinkholes might seem sturdy for many years, but can begin to falter over time, causing unstable ground. Know what you are buying before you buy.

Second, research the area to see if it has all the necessary utilities to support a house. If there are electrical lines, but no sewer access and rules against a septic tank, then the land won't be worth as much. Keep in mind that if the land doesn't have all the utilities it needs available, it might have them available in the future. Land development close by might mean that a sewer line is put in. Purchasing the land before those events happen would allow you to get it for less money, and ultimately have a larger profit.

Are development projects forecasted or expected in the area? This is the last thing you want to consider. Development projects can add and take away from a investment property. Commercial developments, as long as they are not too close, can bring convenience to local areas. If too close, though, they can cause crowding and take away from the feeling of the beach area. Residential developments close by tend to cause a crowding feeling, and the increase in house supply can lower prices. Being aware of potential, planned and expected development projects is important in buying land at the beach. - 23196

About the Author:

Buying land at the beach is a great way starting point for an investment property. For more information, check out Jeremy Szechenyi's awesome Blog on beach property investments.

JP Morgan is Hiring 1200 Mortgage Officers Across the Country!

By Gavin J. King

Recent news posted stating that JP Morgan was hiring 1200 loan officers at locations all across the nation. In case you did not know who they are, they are the wall street bankers who acquired WAMU to get out from under several billion dollars worth of tax money they owe to the government. Sound familiar? I thought it might.

Offsetting further tax liability, they also purchased Bear Stearns when their outlook began to sour and bankruptcy looked eminent for them. Bear Stearns was denied a bailout by former Goldman Sachs head Ben Bernanke, otherwise they may have received TARP money as well.

The logic behind the hiring of these loan officers is the mystifying part of the deal. JP Morgan is claiming to be hiring the loan officers in anticipation of when the real estate market turns around so they can most efficiently serve home loan applicants. Strategically positioning these loan officers all across the nation, JP Morgan apparently thinks that the real estate market is about to rebound.

Where are they getting their signals from? The media has only projected more doom and gloom so they must be privy to information that is much more optimistic than what most of us are reading or hearing. With bailout money in their pockets they must be priming the pump for their next big business leap.

With everything revealed, I think it will be profoundly obvious that JP Morgan, and the only other remaining Wall Street bank, Goldman Sachs, have been working diligently to establish themselves as the exclusive source of credit, before turning back on the spigots of credit.

With the timing and apparent boldness of a bank robber, they are staging a real estate recovery that will help many homeowners. But, is it really helping someone when you stop causing the problem they suffered from in the first place? - 23196

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The author enjoy writing articles on Boise real estate & Boise homes. Click on the links above to learn more!

Why You Should Buy Gold During Inflation

By Garrett Strong

When you are trying to figure out how to buy gold or why you should buy gold, it is important to note several things. First, inflation is rearing its ugly head and governments won't stop until the dollar is completely devalued. Second, we are in the midst of major bailouts, layoffs, Ponzi schemes, and sky high unemployment.

Let us look at why you should be invested in gold. In 2001, the gold price was sitting at around $250/oz. Today the gold price is sitting at over $1,100/oz. So, for a one ounce gold coin it would cost you over four times the amount it did just 8 years ago. What other investments do you know have gained 400%, and not lost any value due to inflation like dollar related investments have?

Even if your paper investments made significant returns, the dollar has fallen in value dramatically and the paper bubble has begun to burst. If you want proof then simply look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average. When the Dow is priced in gold it tells a completely different story. As the dollar falls, gold rises in value.

You might be asking how the Dow could possibly be doing bad, but price it in gold and you will see. Even if the Dow got as high as 20,000 or higher, the value of your dollars would be crashing at a greater rate.

As the USDX falls below 76, there is suddenly the realization that the dollar will certainly be in trouble through the coming years. For those invested in dollar related assets it is time to get out. The USDX will most certainly fall to 65 next year like many economists are saying. Many experts believe that it will go as low as 40 in the next couple of years.

There is only one safe haven in a real world scenario like this. Gold and silver are the only safe hedge against inflation. As we see some people naively sit by and expect the government to throw them a bailout, others are preparing, and they know that the dollar's days as the world's reserve currency are limited.

This bull market is the greatest bull market that has ever been witnessed in history. Paper currencies are being over inflated, and we are in the middle of some very bad economic times. The unemployment rate just passed 10%, and those are the conservative numbers.

A $7,000 gold price is not out of the question over the next few years. Some economists believe it has to go this high to compensate for inflation. The dollar is only being propped up by our faith in it, and that is why our government doesn't want you buying gold.

Gold bullion and silver bullion are smart investments. It may be difficult to afford silver bars or gold bars. If that is the case, you can buy American Gold Eagle Coins or American Silver Eagle Coins.

God bless. - 23196

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For more information on how to buy gold check out my site.