Foreclosure Shopping

With the biggest shopping day of the year coming up, we wanted to give you a different kind of shopping tip on a potential future house.

In Many Cases, The Lender Or Agency Simply Wants To Get Rid Of Foreclosure Bank Owned Properties Quickly – Even If It Means Selling At A Low Price
Upkeep of foreclosure bank owned properties costs more than selling them cheap. Whether you are a homebuyer or a foreclosure homes investor, foreclosure bank owned properties allow you to buy properties at a fraction of their market value. Lenders aren't chartered to own and manage property, so they face close scrutiny and pressure from state and federal regulators to dispose of foreclosed properties quickly - especially if they're on a regulator's "watch list".

The second reason why foreclosure bank owned properties are sold at below market value has to do with their condition. And because they're dealing directly with the bank they can eliminate the 6 percent sales commission if they act fast - before the bank lists the property with a real estate agent. Bank foreclosed homes are sought out by investors because of their profit potential.

In many cases, the lender or agency simply wants to get rid of foreclosure bank owned properties quickly – even if it means selling at a low price. Foreclosure bank owned properties are an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to save money on their next real estate purchase. It is not uncommon to find bank foreclosed homes sold at prices much lower than their market value.

Foreclosure bank owned properties are priced at up to 5% to 50% off their market value, simply because of the way you can buy and sell foreclosure bank owned properties. It is possible to gain a nice return on your investment when you invest in bank foreclosed homes. Foreclosure bank owned properties are homes that have been repossessed by a government agency or lender due to non-payment of the mortgage. When their REO departments are loaded with foreclosures, investors are able to finagle below-market interest rates with little or no cash down.

When A Homeowner Cannot Pay The Mortgage For A Few Months At A Time, The Bank Will Initiate Foreclosure Proceedings Against The Owner
In order to get the best deals on foreclosure bank owned properties, you need to be prepared and shop wisely. The owner will be anxious to sell to avoid having a foreclosure as a black mark on their credit report. Bank foreclosed homes are homes that are owned by banks or other lending institutions because of the lender having foreclosed on the property. Once you find some foreclosure bank owned properties you like, though, you still need to research.

Researching foreclosure bank owned properties can help you tell the deals from the duds. After the foreclosure is final, the bank foreclosed home will be offered for sale, either directly by the bank, or through real estate auctions. When a homeowner cannot pay the mortgage for a few months at a time, the bank will initiate foreclosure proceedings against the owner.

You cannot let emotions rule your purchase, and you cannot assume that all foreclosure bank owned properties are sold at below market value. If the property has accumulated enough equity, the investor will make a very nice profit. What Are Bank Foreclosed Homes?

Bank Foreclosed Homes Auctions
Bank Foreclosed Homes Auctions. For each home you consider, determine your closing costs, actual house costs, incidental costs, and financing costs. Sometimes the bank foreclosed homes will be sold at real estate auctions.

Once you calculate the cost of any repairs needed, add it to the total cost of the property. Remember to account for the time that it will take to repair the bank foreclosed home.

This approach means that you wouldn't reimburse them for any accumulated charges such as interest, late charges, foreclosure fees, legal fees, nor any advances they might have made toward senior loans, property taxes, insurance. Sometimes an inspection is not possible, so you should only make bids that leave a nice margin for any unknown repairs. Get a market value for the home and an estimate for the repairs that need to be done.

To figure the number of loan payments made, start when the deed of trust recorded and end with the delinquency date that's listed on the recorded Notice of Default. On the other hand, if you do it carelessly, you could end up paying a lot more for the bank foreclosed home than it is worth. Hiring a professional assessor and inspector to examine the property for you.

Find out how much homes in the same neighborhood sell for as well. At the most, you shouldn't pay the bank any more for their equity in the property than what they originally lent on it minus the payments that were actually made on the loan.

If You Are Looking For An Investment, Make Sure That You Will Get At Least 15% Or More In Profit Through Renting Or Selling, And Remember That Many Foreclosure Bank Owned Properties Allow You To Earn More On Your Investment
An important aspect of investing in bank foreclosed homes is having good listings so that you can get to the properties before they are gone. Good bank foreclosed homes do not stay in the market long.

If you are seeking a home, look for foreclosure bank owned properties in areas you would like to live that have the amenities you want. A better use of your time and money is to sign up with an online bank foreclosed homes listings service.

Whether you are looking for foreclosure bank owned properties that are investments or a home will determine which foreclosure bank owned properties are deals for you. These foreclosure bank owned properties you are considering should save you money on your home so that you can enjoy equity fast. If you are looking for an investment, make sure that you will get at least 15% or more in profit through renting or selling, and remember that many foreclosure bank owned properties allow you to earn more on your investment.

Bank Foreclosed Homes Listings. Buying up lenders' REO's (real estate owned) is a workable approach when it's a Buyer's market and lenders have lots of REO's they are anxious to get rid of. Finally, insist that the lender provide you with all the customary buyer safeguards such as escrow, title insurance, homeowner's warranty, termite clearance. You can get bank foreclosed homes listings from courthouses, lending institutions, government agencies.

And Lender Deals Typically Include Title Insurance, Which Removes Much Of The Risk That Accompanies Buying Homes Earlier In The Foreclosure Process
If the property fails to sell at auction, or if the lender ends up as the highest bidder, the home becomes REO, or "real estate owned" by the bank. Often these homes are sold to buyers who don't even know they are buying a foreclosure, and go through the entire process as they would with any other home. And lender deals typically include title insurance, which removes much of the risk that accompanies buying homes earlier in the foreclosure process.

Don't forget to set up your new house with a great long distance plan from National Access Long Distance.

Money Saving Tips for the Homeowner

As the holidays quickly approach, we will continue providing you with money tips from National Access Long Distance.

Losing weight. Finding a new job. Spending more time with the family. A new year means setting new goals. Why not make saving money one of them?

If you're a homeowner, there are many ways you can cut costs and still live comfortably. The following tips will help lead you to financial success.

* First, set a budget. Figure out exactly how much you spend on the upkeep of your home. Compare each month's expenses with the previous month's to get a better idea of how much to budget for each necessity. Then, see what costs you can cut. Once you set a budget, stick to it.

* Save energy. You might be losing a substantial amount of energy dollars during the winter and summer because of air leaks. By caulking, sealing and weather-stripping all cracks and openings, you can save 10 percent or more on your energy bill.

Also, look into replacing older appliances with newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. Your light bulbs can make a difference, too. Fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. 

* Refinance. Shop around to see if you can replace your existing home loan with one that has a lower interest rate. You can easily save hundreds of dollars each month by refinancing your home.

* Purchase a home warranty. Most homeowners don't account for possible repairs in their annual budget. There is a 68 percent likelihood of a home system or appliance failure in a given year. The average replacement cost of one of these systems or appliances is $1,085. A home warranty is your best defense against unexpected and costly repairs to your home's appliances and mechanical systems.

The American Home Shield Home Warranty, for example, ensures you get the best possible service through the company's network of pre-screened technicians. The minute something breaks down, you can contact American Home Shield and a local service technician will schedule an appointment that fits your schedule. The warranty covers a multitude of household systems and appliances, regardless of age.

The American Home Shield Home Warranty is a one-year contract that requires no home inspection to enroll. Several affordable plans are available to fit every budget.

Remember!  Save money also with the low rates on long distance from National Access Long Distance!

8 Tips for Home Insurance

No one likes paying for home insurance, but it's a necessary evil for most of us. This doesn't mean you have to pay through the nose for it though - try these 8 easy tips for cheaper home insurance from National Access Long Distance and see how much you could reduce your premiums by.

- Shop Around

By comparing prices from several insurance companies, you'll probably be able to reduce your premiums by a substantial amount. This may seem obvious, but research has shown that a surprisingly large proportion of people either just renew their current policy, or get only one or two quotes. Many insurance web sites will automatically compare dozens of policies for you, making this one of the easiest ways to reduce your insurance bill.

- Buy online

If you buy your policy online you can often get a discount of up to 20% on normal prices, because there are less administration costs involved and the savings can be passed on to you.

- Combine your buildings and contents policies

Many insurers will give you a discount if you take out both types of home insurance with them, and this usually works out cheaper than getting the two kinds of policies from different companies.

- Pay upfront

Although most insurers let you pay your premium in monthly instalments, many will charge interest for this. If you can afford to pay a full year's premium in advance, then this will work out cheaper in the long run.

- Don't claim for small amounts

Making many small claims can increase your insurance costs, as your insurer may see you as a greater risk and increase your premiums. You will also lose any no claims discount your policy has. Of course, you're entitled to claim for anything your policy covers, but ask yourself if making a small claim is really worth the hassle and possible future costs.

- Voluntary excess

This is related to the last point. Insurance policies feature something known as 'excess', which basically means that the policy won't pay out on claims below a certain value. On some policies, if you choose to raise your excess to a higher level, then your premiums will be lower.

- Increase your home security

Beefing up your home security with better door locks, window locks, outdoor lighting, and alarm systems can all result in lower premiums. Ask your insurer what you could do to get extra discounts.

- Reduce your cover

Many policies feature benefits that you might not need, such as cover for personal possessions while travelling, or 'free' legal advice. Look through your policy and see what parts of it you really need - by cutting your cover down to size you may be able to reduce your premium.

Contact National Access Long Distance to save money on your long distance bill today!

Things to Remember when Renewing your Home Contents and Home Buildings Insurance

At National Access Long Distance we go above and beyond to make sure you are getting a great rate on your long distance.  Make sure you are also being smart with your money on your home contents and buildings insurance with these facts.

Each year when our renewal notices come through the post for our home contents insurance and/or home buildings insurance, most of us automatically sign the form and send it back to the insurance company – after all, we already know how much the premiums are going to be.  Big financial mistake, and here are 4 reasons why:

Did You Buy Anything New In The Last Year?

If you bought anything new in the last year, say a new television or video recorder, then the value of this new purchase will not be included in the renewal notice you just sent off to the insurance company.  Likewise, if you sold anything of value over the last year, and have not informed the insurance company, then you are paying home contents insurance for something you no longer own.  Either way, your not paying the right amount of insurance premiums.

Did The Costs Stay Static?

If you have home contents insurance then you are insuring your personal property for the replacement cost of buying the same thing new.  On the other hand, part of your home buildings insurance should cover the cost of labor and materials.  Now ask yourself, would the cost of replacing the picture hanging in your living room be the same today as it was last year?  If the answer is that it would cost you more, tough luck, you’ll only get paid out what you said the cost of replacing it would be!  The same can be said of your friendly builder, would he charge you the same for an hour of his time and for his materials today as he would have done last year?  If the answer here is no, then you should be expecting to pay him the difference.

Did The Value Of Your Home Stay The Same?

Similar to the above, with your home buildings insurance you need to be asking yourself whether or not the value of your home stayed the same this year as it was last year?  You need to be asking yourself this question even if you didn’t do any work to the house – such as building an extension – that would naturally automatically add value to your home.

Is Your House Any Safer Today?

Here the question is, have you done anything to your house over the last year that would mean your home would be considered safer today than last year?  For example, did you add any deadlocks to your doors or windows?  If so, then there’s a very good chance your home contents insurance premium would be reduced, as the security in your house is a major consideration in assessing your premium (along with the crime rate in your neighborhood, so you may also want to check and see if this has gone up or down also).

Keep in mind that time stands still for no man.  As such, you need to read your home contents insurance and/or home buildings insurance renewal notices very carefully to make sure that they reflect, as accurately as possible, your life today and not your life of yester-year.

To save money on your long distance bill contact us today!  Visit us at www.na-ld.com.

Family Safety Tips

National Access Long Distance presents Family Safety Tips!

Have a Plan

• Make sure your family has a plan for every type of emergency.
• Create mapped out scenarios and routes for each room of the house.
• Pick a meeting area for once the house is evacuated.
• Provide each family member with their own plan.

Build a Kit

• Create different kits for all different emergencies.  
• Research which emergencies are most common in your region and what would be needed for these.
• For hints and tips, visit www.redcross.org.

Suggestions to Include:

• Water
• Food
• Flashlight
• Candle
• Batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Tool Kit
• Hygiene Items
• Cell Phone and Chargers
• Radio
• Contact Information for Family Members
• Blankets, Pillows
• Map
• Cash

Stay Informed

• Make sure you are aware of weather during different seasons.
• Create a community or neighborhood weather watch so everyone is aware of emergencies.
• Download an app that alerts you of an emergency in your area.

Invest in a Landline

• Corded landlines work without power.
• When cell phone towers are jammed during emergencies, landlines are still able to make and take phone calls.
• Landlines give exact locations to the 911 dispatcher to increase accuracy and response time.

Family Communication Needs

An important feature offered by landlines is the security of communication available to your family 24/7.  The power can be out or the cell phone misplaced, and you can still rely on the permanent landline. 

Every family can benefit from the availability, convenience and functions a landline phone offers the household.  It’s a fact that elderly residents mostly prefer owning a landline phone over a cell phone for the convenience.  Have you ever considered that they might be on to something? 

With the added threats in society, the landline provides an added safety factor to your household.  With a landline you can keep track of your children’s phone usage, who they are calling and how long they are talking.  You can make sure you also have a phone in case your cell phone is lost or stolen throughout the day.  A weight is lifted off your shoulders when you call your house phone and hear your child’s voice on the other line confirming that they are at home. 

Our family’s communications needs are important and their security is even more crucial to your peace of mind.  Maintaining a landline phone for your home will give you a great communication experience.  Don’t worry about a dropped call, poor signal strength or concern yourself with the battery life.  The landline phone is a time-tested piece of equipment that has proven itself over and over again.  Make sure your family recognizes its need for a safer house with the landline. 

Contact National Access Long Distance to save money on your long distance services.  

A Traditional Landline vs. Alternative Services

With technology advancing as fast as it has, 20 years from now cell phone and cable providers could provide the same reliability as a traditional landline does, but right now they don’t. Consider the following before deciding to rely solely on your mobile phone.

Bundling phone service with a cable provider or just having a cell phone may save a few dollars.  However, people must remember the old cliché “you get what you pay for”. With a cable provider when the cable goes out you lose all services through them including phone and internet. Additionally once your initial contract through the cable provider expires, your rates will jump dramatically for the bundle.

Cell phones provide a convenience of being at your fingertips, in the case of a large scale emergency such as September 11th or a natural disaster. However, the convenience goes out the window when you are unable to use your cell, because the towers are jammed with traffic. Not to mention the convenience is also gone when you lose track of your cell phone or it is stolen. Then you have to take money out of your savings to replace it when not eligible for an upgrade.  If you just need a phone for local calling purposes a cell phone is the cheaper avenue, while the landline is more suitable for long distance.

Another avenue for phone service is voice over i.p. it has many of the same flaws. If the internet goes out you will be without a phone.    

If you are a business owner canceling your landlines and selecting an alternative service can be extremely costly. All the alternatives hinge on one of two things; either you are required to have power or internet.  If the power is out your customers will not be able to contact you, simply taking their money to one of your competitors. So are you going to risk throwing money down the drain with something that is not reliable?

Contact National Access Long Distance to save money on your long distance services.

The Family Phone

Does my family still need a landline? Are we paying for something we do not need? Many families are considering these very questions when it comes to their home phone service. More and more families are canceling their home phone service and just using cell phones to make all calls. Before you completely give up your family's landline service, there are some things you should consider.       

    

The most important thing when you have a family is keeping them safe and always being able to get ahold of them when you need to. When it comes to reliability and dependability you can't beat a landline. Your landline does not lose signal or reception and you can always count on being able to make or receive calls when you need to do so. Your landline is stationary; it’s always at your house; it can't get lost or stolen.

What if something happens at home and your cell phone is with you? How will your family get the help they need? When raising a family you never know what or when something could happen. When your family is in danger or in need of medical attention and seconds count, it's important to be able to get the help you need when you need it. Keeping your home phone you have peace of mind knowing your family will always be able to get ahold of you or anyone they may need in a true emergency.

In today's economy making every dollar count is also important especially when you have a family depending on you to meet all their needs. You may think that by cutting your home landline off you will be able to save some extra money each month. Yes, this is true; however, what many families do not realize is there are ways to keep the reliability of a landline and also save money each month.

The family phone is affordable and reliable with National Access Long Distance as your long distance carrier.