Investment Content Index - Page 1

An investment is any action you can take with your money, in hopes that it will bring you a greater return on your money. The investment could be in stocks, bonds, real estate, retirement plans, or even collectibles. Learn here about different types of investments and how to deal with taxes, brokers, and more when it comes to your investments.

When you want to start buying investment property you want to assemble an expert team. Look at your first home as investment property. And always have an exit strategy when buying investment property. Look here for more advice for handling investment property and information about laws and regulations for investment property.

**Qualifying For a Mortgage Loan Stricter For Home Equity Lines Of Credit** Today, bank requirements for a loan are stricter for new home equity lines of credit than they were just a few years ago. Banks and lenders are tightening the requirements for home equity lines of credit and other personal lines of credit to make sure their funds are safe. Now, banks might require higher credit scores, more equity in your home, and other strict requirements before they will give you a line of credit. However, if you shop around, you may be able to find a bank willing to give you a home equity line of credit.

**HUD Revised Streamline Refinance Transactions** Streamline mortgage refinance applications will be undergoing some changes. Under the HUD revised streamline refinance, there are changes to the mortgage seasoning, payment history requirements, and verification of assets, employment and income. For a streamline refinance without an appraisal there will be a new maximum mortgage amount, and under the HUD revisions, there is is maximum combined loan-to-value amount for the streamline refinance. Read the full letter below for more details on the changes to HUD streamline refinance applications.

Are government bonds safe? With the economy in recession, it's natural to worry about where you are putting your money. Government bonds are almost always a safe bet, but you shouldn't expect to see a great interest rate.

Getting answers about your income account. What are you supposed to do when a broker seems unable or unwilling to provide you with details about one of your accounts? You do have options: get in touch with a manager, use a different representative or find public data using another company's information. You should always feel as though you are benefiting from the very best customer service.

Ilyce Glink Show Notes - November 15, 2009. Today on the show, we discussed the new Fannie Mae Deed For Lease Program in Detail; the new CreditKarma Survey on credit card debt; The October 2009 Realty Trac Foreclosure survey; Divorce and Mortgages; Mike Rose, a senior loan officer with Bank of America, came on to talk about some of the new mortgage rules with regard to divorce and FHA; Peggy Abkemeier, President of Rent.com discussed a new survey of investment property owners. NEW EBOOKS ON INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE; EBOOK SPECIAL.

**Investment Property Short Sale Generates Phantom Income** When an investment property is sold as a short sale, it generates what is known as "phantom income." The IRS looks at the difference between what the property is worth and what your sold it for in the short sale as income. You should receive a 1099 for the phantom income generated by the short sale of the investment property.

**Loan Modification Help: Get Some Answers From The Bank CEO** Are you in loan modification hell? Like thousands of other people, this reader has filed for a loan modification, but can't get any answers about the future of his loan modification from his lender. The banks are swamped with loan modifications and foreclosures right now, but you deserve answers about the future of your loan, too. If you're not getting anywhere by calling customer services lines and other options, try using the format below to document your loan modification situation and get some answers from the bank CEO.

**Short Sale vs Foreclosure: Which One Can You Get To Close Faster** When you are out shopping for a home are you better off looking for a seller doing a short sale or buying a home that has been foreclosed on by the bank. In a short sale you will deal with the owner of the home but will be at the mercy of the bank but in a foreclosure, you will be dealing directly with the bank trying to sell the home in the open market.

Majority of property owners experiencing higher vacancy rates. Seventy percent of property owners are experiencing higher vacancy rates this year. The vacancy rate has been above 10 percent since June 2009. A recent Rent.com survey looks at how property owners are coping with these trends and encouraging tenants to stay or move to their units.

Property owners are finding creative ways to fill vacancies during the recession. Over 70 percent of property owners have experienced higher vacancy rates over the past year. Recent vacancies are primarily a result of job loss and tenants trying to save money on rent by moving to a cheaper unit or doubling-up with roommates. Property owners are modifying credit policies to fill units during the recession. Owners are also lowering rent, relaxing pet policies and offering unit upgrades. Read the full press release below from Rent.com.