Monthly Archives: December 2009

California Financial Advisors – Whens The Last Time They Called You?

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Terren Ewens| Leave a comment

It is no secret that the economy is one of the most turbulent one in recent years. The future of the economy is also uncertain. However, this is not the end of the proverbial world as far as expanding one’s financial opportunities is concerned. For those that live in California, the need for sound advice is truly important since this will yield the much needed help that some are in dire need of. But, how would someone know the advice on investing they receive will be sound.

It is necessary to seek out an independent California financial advisor that is established in the business and truly understands what he/she is talking about when it comes to money and investment decisions. You need someone that has the ability to set you up properly for the future.

A reliable California financial advisor is one who is chosen based on a solid grounding in areas of finance the client is sincerely interested. Such areas of interest should always be in spheres along the lines of preparing for retirement or setting up a trust. Ask yourself questions regarding what it are that you wish to achieve. Some may be seeking the establishment of a retirement account which would be perfect for when your working days are over. Others will look towards weighing options regarding planning an estate or trust. Tax planning is another area of importance since it will involve your ability to hold on to as much of your hard earned income as humanly possible.

A California financial advisor, can do all of these things; in some cases, a financial advisor may not personally be versed in everything you want to do, but he or she should have colleagues you can be referred to who will specialize in whatever you need.

Why select an independent financial advisor?

Independent financial advisors possess a solid advantage over their colleagues that are not considered independent. Namely, fee-based services deal with the notion that when you pay for services, your independent financial advisor’s income is not based upon the products the advisor can sell and from this an advisor can receive a commission. Because of this, the advice that you receive will be totally unbiased and based upon helpful market performance and other common metrics. From this, we realize that the advice will be sound and shall properly work for you and not the client or company that produces the items the financial advisor is pushing.

Many people who go to financial advisors for advice on managing their financial affairs don’t have a clear understanding of just how these things work; hence, they need the expertise of a financial advisor, true. However, there’s an inherent conflict of interest built into a situation whereby a financial advisor is supposed to push certain products so as to get paid through commission, rather than because you pay them. By removing that commission, you help ensure that your independent California financial advisor is going to give you the most unbiased, truly relevant and helpful information possible, so that your money is carefully managed and you can trust the advice you get.

Lastly, the independent California financial advisor that you seek to hire must be one that gives trusted advice. While there is no governing body that provides an empirical analysis of what would be considered a baseline qualification, you can always look towards the organizations in which the individual is affiliated. Those organizations with high standards of quality would essentially be a character reference for the independent financial advisor. And you do want some level of reference since you need a top advisor in today’s unpredictable economic climate.

Author Terren Ewens refers only the premier California Financial Advisors through the best and worst times of our economy. Whens the last time your San Fransisco Financial Advisor Called you? Try www.Lhmwealth.com today!

Posted in Wealth management

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Here’s What I Think About Christian Debt Consolidation Services

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Imus Jackson| Leave a comment

Christian debt consolidation services is a moniker that stands out from all of the rest of the debt restructuring services, because they claim to be based on Christian principles and will not lead you down the garden path. That remains to be seen. There is so much corruption in the world today that when anything comes along that claims to be religious based, most people are wary to say the least, and wonder if they are on the up and up. And sometimes, the debt load that many of these folks have is so crushing, that any service that touts honesty as their primary policy is the light in the dark that the debt laden are looking for, and they head for it like lemmings.

What is the reason that a debt consolidation service would want to advertise to the world that it follows the tenets of Christianity and you would be better off dealing with them than with any of those others down the road that have no religious affiliation. There most likely are two basic reasons: one, that the service is really run on an above board, very honest and forthright basis, with people who believe in what the Bible says on how you should live your life, and perform their work as a debt service in the very same way: or, two; it is a front for duping people into thinking their finances and crushing debt load will be handled in an honest way; when in actuality it is run by just the opposite kind of people, who are simply out to make a buck, and take your money any way they can.

We are surrounded with corruption in our every day lives, from the White House on down through all the levels of government, to the average business man on the street. So what’s to say that a business is on the up and up, just because it claims to be a Christian debt consolidation service. Does that make them more honest? Or is it just a hook to get the average Joe Blow with debt problems to come in the door because he thinks he’ll get a fairer deal than with any of the thousands of other debt services that there are out there.

So how do you make the decision to go with one service and not the other, simply by their advertising. Well, you can’t. Just because the billboard advertises a Christian debt consolidation service, doesn’t mean that service is on the up and up—-it could be a front just to get you in the door because you are thinking the service will be religious based, therefore honest and upright and you can trust them. Be forewarned: that type of duping does go on where the religious aspect is used as a hook to get business, but you have to be super careful in checking things out.

And in doing your due diligence about these so called Christian debt consolidation services; make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau and see if any negative comments or complaints about the business have been posted with them. But, don’t use the BBB as an all or nothing source; make sure you talk with friends or other folks you know of that have used the services themselves and what they thought of the way they were treated and what kind of results did they have. I myself have checked out many a business before using them with the BBB, and although most were okay; there was a couple of instances where I was still burned by the business even thought the BBB had no indication there was anything wrong—-so be aware.

Your financial soul is the most vulnerable part of you, and baring it to just any old Tom, Dick, or Harry just because they say they are a Christian debt consolidation service may be the biggest mistake you ever make in your life. Beware of any business touting that they are based on religious principles until you have thoroughly checked them out, because many of them are not based on the principles you think they are, and they are playing a game with your psyche just to get your business.

The days of when a handshake sealed a deal and put the word of the folks involved on trial, are long gone; and in their place are thousands of shysters and double talkers and amoral people who would take you to the cleaners as soon as look at you—–so the advice here is to beware. The world is not a hospitable place anymore, and there are so many people looking for ways to dupe others and make a quick buck, that before you do business with any service, make sure you check them out thoroughly. Remember, just because they say they are a Christian debt consolidation service doesn’t necessarily mean they practice what they preach; and it is up to you to make sure you are dealing with a service that means what they say.

Imus Jackson creates and discusses articles on such issues as get out of debt free. For more information on get out of debt tips visit our site.

Posted in Wealth management

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What Are Tax Liens and How Do they Affect Me?

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Amber Deanwater| Leave a comment

So, what is a tax lien. Well, a tax lien is when real or personal property is attached and used to secure the payment of unpaid taxes. Tax liens may be used for taxes owing on the asset itself or they can be used as a way of “encouraging” taxpayers to pay their delinquent income taxes.

Real estate tax liens are the most usual form of tax lien. A significant difference between real estate and personal property tax liens is that a tax lien placed against a piece of real estate will remain with the property. This means that if you purchase a house which has been attached, you will be held responsible for the tax lien if it is not detected prior to closing.

If taxes are owed on a piece of property, the mortgage lender and the home owner will be served with a notice. You should order a title search if you are considering a real property purchase. Any liens against the real property will be evident on a title search.

Normally, tax liens will be paid out of the proceeds of a real property sale as a closing cost. If this same tax lien is not found prior to the close of the real estate sale, the new owner will be reqjuired to pay the past due taxes.

When the mortgage holder and home owner are served with a notice of delinquent taxes due, the mortgage holder will frequently pay the taxes in order to make sure they are paid. Once this is done, the home owner will be billed for the total amount paid by the mortgage holder. You might wonder why this is done. A governmental tax lien is classed higher than a mortgage payment so the mortgage holder often feels it should pay the amount due in order to protect its interest in the real property.

In the event this doesn’t happen, there are several different ways to make overdue tax payments in order to remove the lien from the property. The home owner can decide to pay the tax directly. Alternately, the home owner can decide to use an escrow account.

What happens if the taxes are not paid? If a tax lien is not paid within a specified timeframe, the property, real or personal, can be seized and sold to pay the back taxes.

Most real property tax liens are federal liens stemming from taxes such as income taxes and gift taxes. Federal law will determine the process related to these tax liens. Likewise, any state tax liens will follow that state’s procedures. When all is said and done, it is wise to pay any and all taxes when they come due. It is also smart to request a title search if and when you decide to purchase a piece of real estate.

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categories: tax liens,liens,tax lien,delinquent taxes,back taxes,overdue taxes,tax,taxes,mortgage holder,mortgage lender,debt,credit,personal finance

Posted in Back Taxes

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