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Refinance Rental Property - Don't Sell It

You own a rental property for years, and never see the "big pay-off." Is it time to cash in on your investment, now that you've paid down the mortgage, and values are up? Maybe not.

The Problem With Selling

Selling means you'll have to pay a large capital gains tax. This can be avoided if you reinvest through a 1031 exchange, but then the point is that you want your money, right? Also, a good rental gets more income as rents go up. Do you want to lose this inflation-indexed retirement plan? What's the alternative?

Refinancing Rental Property

Have you considered that if you refinance, you can get much of your gain out of the property, without paying a penny in taxes? Borrowing money is not a taxable event. You can take it and spend it however you want, and still keep your rentals.

Let's look at an example. Suppose you have owned a small apartment building for years. You bought it for $240,000, with a downpayment of $40,000, and mortgage payments of $1650 monthly on the balance. Now it is worth $400,000, you only owe $120,000, and your cash flow is around $800/month. How do you get at that equity?

A bank will probably loan you 70% of the value, or $280,000. After paying off the first mortgage, you are left with $160,000. With todays lower interest rates, your payment on the new mortgage will be about the same. At most you might lose $50/month in cash flow.

An even better scenario: Use $40,000 for high-return upgrades to the property, such as carports or laundry rooms, and then raise the rents. You could have $120,000 left over to spend any way you want, AND have higher cash flow. Does that sound better than selling your retirement plan? Don't sell. Refinance that rental property!

posted by aasdas38493 @ 11:35 PM 0 comments

Massachusetts Real Estate - History Personified

Massachusetts is a state overflowing with history and yet oddly modern. Massachusetts real estate prices are very pricey.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is an incredible mix of history and bustling modern influences. Historically, the state took in many of the initial European immigrants and was the location of crucial battles in the Revolutionary War. Throw in events such as the Boston Tea Party and you have a state with a heritage. While appreciating the past, Massachusetts also pays homage to changing times and is a hot bed for education, business and sports.

Boston

Tiny city. Perhaps youve heard of it? From colonial architecture to modern skyscrapers, Boston is an amazing city that deserves your attention. A favorite big city, Boston is unique for placing the old with the new. Statutes and old colonial influences sit below modern amenities such as the financial district. People watching is a prime hobby at places such as the Quincy Market and Boston Common. College influences can be found around Harvard University, Boston College and Boston University. Loafing, exploring and sailing are rife in Boston Harbor and the Charles River, not to mention crab caked galore.

If sports are your thing, Boston will be heaven. The Boston Marathon needs no introduction. For professional sports, you have the Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics and, just out of town, Patriots. Throw in a major college basketball, hockey and football influence and you have a town with a major sports passion. Winters are cold, but spring, summer and fall more than make up it. Boston is an absolutely great place to live.

Nantucket

Nantucket is the home of old colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and seaboard beauty. An island, the town of Nantucket is surprisingly bereft of cars, but does get packed with tourists during the summer. Youll find the town full of funky little shops, museums and art galleries galore. Nantucket is a great place to spend a weekend as prices are outrageous. Make sure to take in a sunset at Madaket Beach.

New Bedford

A fishing town through and through, New Bedford has a history as one of the pre-eminent whaling towns in the country. Whaling is off limits today, but the town still bustles with a major fishing industry. While the town has lost some of its charm because of development and a coastal highway, there is a definite feeling of stepping into the past if you move here.

Massachusetts Real Estate

Massachusetts real estate prices are very high. There is simply no way around this fact. A single-family home in Boston proper will set you back a million dollars, while prices vary throughout the state. Unless youre ready to commit to a $500,000 price, youre going to be disappointed with the options.

Massachusetts real estate has a solid, but unspectacular appreciation rate. For 2005, property appreciated at rate of a little below 12 percent, just under the 13 plus national average.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 11:29 PM 0 comments

League Two Betting Review - 29 January 2006

Wycombe Wanderers remained top of League Two despite a coupon busting performance by failing to beat Stockport County. After only managing a draw at Barnet last week, the bookies priced Wycombe at a best price of 2/5 to see off Stockport who had won away just twice all season.

However, midfielder Matthew Hamshaw gave Stockport a shock 38 minute lead at Adams Park. The Hatters almost hung on for an unlikely 6/1 victory until striker Ian Stonebridge struck an equaliser with one minute remaining. Stockport are now unbeaten in four matches.

Grimsby Town stay in third despite slipping to a home defeat against Peterborough United, their fourth game without victory. Michael Reddy gave the 5/6 home favourites the perfect start in the 29 minute although Peter Gain levelled terms for Peterborough almost instantly. Mark Wrights side found a winner through Danny Crow to seal a win at 3/1 and edged them into a play off place.

Second placed Carlisle United wasted an opportunity to go top of the league on Sunday, slumping to a 3-0 defeat at Macclesfield. Two goals in the opening 10 minutes helped seal a 9/5 victory for the Silkmen.

Northampton were one side that made up ground on the top three with a 2-0 win at Bury. An own goal from Andy Parrish and Andy Kirks ninth goal of the season wrapped the match up for the 6/5 Cobblers by half time.

Rushden & Diamonds gave their survival hopes a fighting chance with a 3-0 victory over Oxford United. Three goals in the opening 22 minutes levelled 6/4 Rushden on points with Stockport.

With both Rushden and Stockport picking up points, Torquays win at Shrewsbury kept their heads just above water. Striker Paul Robinsons first goal since November ensured 10/3 outsiders Torquay remain one point clear of the drop zone.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 8:22 PM 0 comments

The Thrill of the Catch

If you want to learn to fish, here are 5 easy ways:

* Ask a family member or friend who is an experienced angler to take you along the next time they go fishing -- they will be thrilled to have a new fishing buddy. At the Fish Creek House, you can fish right here in Fish Creek

* Research online -- there are hundreds of websites with instructions on fishing gear, bait, and fishing tips

* Go to your local library and check out how-to fishing books and magazines

* Any time of year... foul weather gear is essential.. Weather systems move through the front range of the Rockies in a hurry. It can snow in June and I have seen it snow in early September. Generally, shorts and wading sandals are the norm in late June, July and August - but remember there are no guarantees in life. This definitely applies with Montana's weather. A good system of layers is recommended, a lightweight fleece/windstopper is priceless, and a raincoat of some sort should be mandatory.

* If you go on vacation in fishing country (which is darn near anywhere), check with local fishing stores -- they often know local professionals who will teach you how to fish. We work with local guides and outfitters and can arrange a day on the water

When To Go Fishing

Anytime is a good time to fish; you never know what you might catch.

Some species are more active near dawn and dusk when they are feeding, while others will bite any time of the day.

Certain times of the year are best for certain species. Fishing is a pastime you can enjoy all year round.

Getting Your License

Fishing licenses are required in most places, which you can buy at fishing tackle stores or Conservation and Wildlife Centers. Check out the Montana Dept of Fish, Wildlife and Game for licensing requirements The cost varies by location. Licenses for children are usually not required.

If you want to fish on private property, be sure to get permission from the owner. Otherwise it is trespassing.

Pack Up And Head Out

If you've read this far, it may be a sign you're getting interested in fishing. Just follow the above instructions and soon you will be enjoying your favorite new hobby. Let us get you into the fish of a lifetime to make a Montana memory...

posted by aasdas38493 @ 8:16 PM 0 comments

Why Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton begins with living soil. This means the soil has not had any chemicals used in it for at least three years and it has been enriched with compost and other organic matter. Enriching the soil in this way ensures vigorous plants which in turn means they will be better able to be bug, weed and disease resistant. Cotton plants need huge amounts of nitrogen; so organic cotton farmers use chicken manure or plant cover crops of Vetch or Fava Beans all of which supplies the cotton plants with the desired nitrogen. These replace synthetic fertilizers that are harmful. Organic farmers also make sure they have good bugs in their fields. These dont harm the cotton; they prey on the bad bugs that would harm the cotton plants. These bad bugs are the reason that regular cotton farmers feel the need to use chemical sprays. How much better it is to use natural ways of controlling them! Weeds are managed by mechanical or hand-hoeing methods. When it is harvest time the cotton is handpicked!

The processing of organic cotton is done with potato starch instead of chemicals. No chlorine is used. When spinning the organic cotton fiber, natural easily biodegradable oil is used. No finishes are added! It comes to you pure! Being chemical free can be a life and death matter!

Cotton is a very versatile fiber and almost any type of fabric can be made from it. It conducts heat well and soaks up to 27 times its weight in water. It is also very comfortable and durable. Think how important all these qualities are when it comes to your bedding and clothing!

posted by aasdas38493 @ 5:07 PM 0 comments

Taking Great Birthday Party Pictures

Say "Happy Birthday"

Capture the precious moments of your kid birthday party for all time by taking great pictures with your still camera, digital camera and your video camera.

Your child gets ready to blow out the candles on their birthday cake (the cake you spent so much time making), you pick up your camera to capture this very important moment in your child's life and...

You're out of film, you've run out of Smart Media cards for your digital camera or you're out of tape for your video camera, or you're out of batteries! Sound familiar?

While everyone waits, the candles on your wonderful kid birthday cake are now melting away, and your child and all their guests are getting impatient.

Film cameras, digital cameras and video cameras are now fairly common in more and more homes.

But most of the time, our cameras sit forgotten on a shelf in a dusty closet... Then, at the last minute we say "now where did I put the camera?"

So do yourself, your family and your child a big favor...

Several days before your kid birthday party, find your camera or cameras and get them ready to capture all the very special moments of your child's birthday party.

Pick up plenty of batteries (make sure they're the right ones)

Charge up your video camera batteries

Pick up plenty of film

Pick up Smart Media cards for your digital camera

Pick up plenty of blank videotape

Make sure your cameras are working

You absolutely don't want to leave these preparations until the last minute...

If you do, it's very likely you'll run out of time and won't be able to stop for batteries or film or videotape.

How To Take Great Pictures Of Your Child Birthday Party

*A Tip From Grandpa Mike

I spent a lot of years as a professional videographer,(I even won a regional Emmy) so when it comes to taking pictures and shooting video, I know what I'm talking about.

First of all, if you don't have time to take pictures yourself, make sure you ask (someone you can trust) to be your "official" photographer and or videographer...

Don't pose all your pictures... Literally "capture" some of the action of the kid activities you've planned... Take pictures of your guests as they arrive (especially if it's a costume party).

Take pictures of your child and their guests playing birthday party games, doing crafts, playing with balloons and anything else they do...

After a while, your guests will forget about the cameras and you'll be able to capture some excellent candid shots.

Don't pose your subjects in front of any windows. The outside sunlight will cause your subjects faces to be much too dark, even if you use a flash.

And remember, you can give some of your guests disposable cameras so you'll be sure to get some "kid's point of view" shots.

Polaroid cameras are also great because everyone can see polaroid pictures soon after you've taken them and you can even let your guests take their picture home as a party favor.

So remember

Get all your cameras ready well in advance so that when your birthday child gets ready to blow out the candles on that very special cake, you'll be more than ready to capture the moment on film or video.

Who knows, that shot could turn out to be a wonderful family heirloom!

For more great informations and tips to help you put together a fun kid birthday party, visit us at Fun-Kid-Birthday-Parties.com

posted by aasdas38493 @ 5:01 PM 0 comments