Desoto County Homes

7 Rules for Starting a Home Based Business

2006-11-16T12:12:00.000-06:00

First check out The Death of Internet Marketing Then read on….

So you’ve decided to become financially independent! You’ve chosen to work at home. Congratulations! I’m sure this is a decision that can turn your life around and lead you to financial freedom.

But that is going to happen only if you’re careful enough to let it happen! There are a few things you should really look out for when deciding to work at home.

When you set out to give the work at home business thing a try, you’ll find out that this was just the easy part! The hard part is to discover which one is right for you.

With all these so called “opportunities” that flood the internet, you should be very careful in choosing a work at home business. To help you, I have put together a few simple rules :

Rule #1 : Try to avoid “get rich quick deals”

Now that’s a golden rule! Usually, when something sounds too good to be true then it probably is!

Oh, I know these sound appealing and of course you would like to get paid for doing nothing (so would the rest of us!). But don’t you think that if these people had the magic solution to making big money they would use it instead of trying to sell it to you for whatever price?

It’s sad to know that so many people end up feeling frustrated when they realize that they have wasted their time and hard earned money. There are no magic tricks! Commitment and hard work instead, can make you rich.

Rule #2 : Find a program that you really like and can work with !

Another rule that’s essential! Say that you come across a program that requires you to sell life insurance. You hate insurance people, you think they’re full of hype.

So what, the compensation plan looks great! What would you do? Would you join the program? Could you picture yourself selling life insurance even if you hate the very idea? The answer is that you’re never going to make any money doing something you don’t like!

The point I am trying to make here is, that you should go on and find out everything there is to know about the program you are interested in. Just spend some time doing an essential reading through the available material (company website, related articles etc). Try to get an overview of how the system works and if you need more information or if you get confused , go ahead and ask the person who referred you to the program for help. Doing your homework always pays off.

Rule #3 : Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

There are just too many companies out there that present you with sales letters as long as a book but not even a hint as to what you are actually getting in return!

If the product they’re selling is that good and is going to make you so much money, why hide it? Why only mention it in the last few paragraphs?

Ok, I know, it’s the way sales are closed. Still, you would like to know exactly what you’re buying. It could save you a lot of grief!

[b[Rule #4 : Perform a background check on the company.[/b]

The longer it has been around, the better. This way you know that you’re dealing with an established company that will not go bankrupt 4 months after you join!

It has been known for people to lose their online businesses and commissions owed to them for this very reason. Choosing a quality company is essential but can prove critical to the survival of your work at home business.

[b]Rule #5 : Make sure you’re going to get all the help that you need ! [b]

It’s just typical for someone to join a program, pay his membership fee or buy a product and then be left in the dark, not sure what on earth to do next!

Again, I’m repeating myself here but this is important, try to get an overview of how the system works, who your upline people are and how they can help you.

If you need more information or if you get confused, go ahead and ask the person who referred you to the program for help. In this way not only will you get an idea of how the program is structured but you would also be testing your referrer to see if he/she will respond promptly to your need for help.

But first, you have to have an idea of how the program works.

Rule #6 : Check out the compensation plan .

Ok, so you’ve joined a program which ,hopefully, is going to make you rich. Do you know how this is going to happen?

It’s not necessary that you know every detail about the compensation plan from the first day that you join. But still, wouldn’t you like to know if you’re getting 5% or 60% commission on an average sale?

After all, it takes the same amount of effort to generate a sale. Wouldn’t you like to be paid more?

Rule #7 : Do not spend much at the beginning.

A legitimate work at home business should be able to operate at a minimum/low cost. You should not have to invest a lot of money in any home business. At least not in the beginning.

When you do decide to invest some money into your own home business, this should be your own decision, not someone else’s and must arise from your understanding that a business is what you make it.

There are more rules that I can add to these and make a really long list but this is not my goal. My goal is to provide a clear path, a few steps that should be easy to follow through the minefield of schemes and “get-rich-quick” deals to a company you can really trust.

Using your own common sense is as important as having these rules in mind when looking for an opportunity or a work at home business.

Your decision to join a program should be the result of considering facts and should not in any case come from mere curiosity. Keep in mind that there are very few true work at home opportunities out there and you have to find the one that’s perfect for you!

Now if you havent already done so check out The Death of Internet Marketing

Mississippi Real Estate

2006-09-26T13:37:00.000-05:00

Mississippi Real Estate - The Magnolia State

Author: Raynor James

Article:
Mississippi is a state known for having a classic southern
style. Mississippi real estate is some of the cheapest in the
land.

Mississippi

Named after the Mississippi River, Mississippi is a state
holding on to its history. Much of the state is farmland and
even the towns and cities seem to have eschewed modern
development for a more familiar past. In an odd bit of trivia,
the state is the biggest producer of upholstered furniture in
the country.

It goes without saying that Mississippi is a state with a
turbulent history, particularly during the civil rights
movement. The state was the quintessential southern state and
plantations and antebellum mansions can still be found
throughout the state. Racial relations have come a long way,
which has left the state with the glorious culture of the old
south without as many of the racial issues.

Jackson

Jackson is the state capital of Mississippi and a hidden gem in
the south. The city has somehow managed to mesh old southern
hospitality with a rapidly growing high tech industry. While
that sounds like an odd mix, it works. In fact, Jackson has been
voted one of the most livable cities in America by numerous
publications.

Jackson is a town with a lot to offer from both a cultural and
practical perspective. There are 11 colleges in town, a
symphony, opera and multiple museums covering the history of the
south and the civil rights movement.

Tupelo

Tupelo is known best for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley.
With a celebrity like that, Tupelo has made a major effort to
capitalize on the fame. Tourists flock to the city to see the
first home, school and so on of the infamous one.
Notwithstanding Elvis, Tupelo is a pleasant city with golf
courses and such. There isn't much to recommend it nor is there
much to criticize.

Mississippi Real Estate

Mississippi real estate is universally very inexpensive. A home
in Tupelo will set you back roughly $160,000 while you'll pay
$220,000 in Jackson. In 2005, Mississippi real estate
appreciated at a disappointing 5.5 percent, one of the lowest
rates in the nation.

About the author:
Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - FSBO homes for
sale by owner. Visit our home buying page at
http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by
owner.

Mortgage Loan Finders

2006-09-03T21:52:00.000-05:00

What Is A Jumbo Mortgage Loan

Author: Dennis Estrada

A Jumbo Mortgage Loan is a mortgage which surpasses the
conventional loan limits. The congress sets the conventional
loan limit for purchase every year. Last 2005, the conventional
loan limit was set to $357,650. As of 2006, the conventional
loan limit was set to $417,000.

The Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which are two federal chartered
organizations purchases mortgage from mortgage originators.
Then, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac transform the mortgage to
securities, and sell the securities to investors. The funds from
sold securities are invested for new mortgages. And, the cycle
goes over and over. This cycle provides a continuous flow of
affordable funds.

Since the Jumbo Mortgage Loan is higher risk for mortgage
lenders, the mortgage lenders give a slightly higher interest
rate on Jumbo Mortgage Loan. Usually, the real estate agents
find the luxury real estate property harder to sell.

Lately, the house prices shoots up to the roof. So, the demand
for Jumbo Mortgage Loan shoots up as well. That is why the
conventional loan limit shoots up two years in a row.

Mortgage Lenders requires higher down payment with Jumbo
Mortgage Loan. There are no down payments permitted of any sort.
Furthermore, the down payment for jumbo mortgage loan requires
five percent more than conventional mortgage loan.

Fortunately, the mortgage lenders now offers longer mortgage.
Many borrowers opt for 40 year mortgage or 50 year mortgage to
bring down the mortgage payment. The Longer mortgage lowers the
mortgage monthly payment.

Another, the borrowers use interest only mortgage to bring down
the mortgage payment. In interest only mortgage, the borrower
pays enough to pay off the interest. Thereby, the amount owe
stays the same until the end of interest only mortgage.
Interest Only Mortgage does not last forever. Sooner or
later, the borrower pays off the mortgage.

The stated income and balloon rate jumbo mortgage loan are also
popular. The stated income cost less to the borrower. And, any
borrower with excellent credit can apply for the mortgage loan.
Thus, there is no need to verify income.

As for balloon rate jumbo mortgage loan, the borrower pays
equal amounts on each period. At the end, the borrower pays lump
sum payment to pay off the mortgage.

In finding for
jumbo mortgage loan, the borrower must
compare interest rate from a variety of mortgage lenders. Then,
the borrower evaluates his financial situation and loan needs.
After, the borrower looks for trusted mortgage broker thru
friends, family, classified ads, business directory, and more.
Next, the borrower checks if he needs to pre-qualify for the
loan. Finally, the borrower applies and completes the
application.

About the author:
Dennis Estrada is a webmaster of mortgage calculators
and mortgage dictionary website that gives access to
many resources, and calculators for mortgage.

Mortgage Loan Finders

Harpole Home Services

2006-08-10T22:13:00.000-05:00

Harpole Home Services

Interior house painting includes...

Masking all floors, windows, doors etc. as needed.

Removing nails & repair holes

Clean dirt & debris from walls & baseboards

Sanding & caulking as necessary

Applying high quality paints

Plus much more on request.

We also pressure wash Decks, Siding & Driveways!

Exterior rates & quotes available...

www.harpolehomeservices.com

House cleaning services includes...

Move in/out 1 time service, Weekly & Bi-Weekly Appointments

Basic includes Vacuum, Mop, Dust, Windows, Dishes, General Clean Up

Remove dirt, dust & grime from top to bottom

Laundry & Carpet Cleaning services also available...

www.harpolehomeservices.com

What is a Piggyback Loan?

2006-02-24T12:04:00.000-06:00

To understand what a "piggyback" loan is, you must first know what a second mortgage is. A second mortgage is a loan with rights that are subordinate to a first mortgage. So, for instance, if a person has two mortgages on a home that he wants to sell, the first mortgage gets paid off before the second mortgage.

A "piggyback" loan is the term used by mortgage lenders when referring to a second mortgage that closes simultaneously with the first mortgage.

Avoiding PMI
One of the most common reasons to get a piggyback is to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), which protects the lender from default. It's cheaper for the homeowner to get two mortgages and the interest is usually tax-deductible*. When you have 20 percent equity or more in the home, you are allowed by law to tell your lender to drop PMI. Otherwise, the lender is required to drop PMI when you've reached 22 percent equity.

Lower Down Payments
It can also be a way to finance more than 80 percent of the home's purchase price (also referred to as 80 percent loan-to-value or LTV). For instance, if a home buyer only has enough for a five percent down payment, he can get what's known as an 80/15/5. The "80" refers to the first mortgage which finances the first 80 percent of the home's purchase price. The "15" refers to the second mortgage which finances another 15 percent of the purchase price. The "5" is the borrower's five percent down payment. There are two basic permutations to this: 80/15/5 or 80/10/10, however, some lenders do allow an 80/20 in which the second mortgage covers the rest of the purchase price with no down payment.

The Cons
On the flip side, there are first mortgages that allow as high as 95 percent LTV, but with those loans, the borrower must pay PMI. A borrower would typically get this type of loan if their credit score was not high enough to qualify for a second.

The second mortgage is usually financed at a higher rate than the first mortgage since it's tied to short-term interest rates.

Seconds have a shorter loan term than firsts and are usually confined to primary residences. They are also limited to amounts no higher than $100,000; however, there are lenders that allow more. Quicken Loans, the nation's largest online mortgage lender, allows as much as $500,000.

The Pros
Getting a piggyback loan can be a nice convenience to home buyers since it closes at the same time as the first. So you don't have to go to two closings and sign two separate sets of paperwork.

Sometimes, the second loan can be structured in a way that gives the homeowner practical use. For instance, if the second loan is a home equity line of credit, the homeowner may draw from the loan to use for say, home improvements.

They may also be structured to allow interest-only payments. This means that for a specified period of time, you only have to pay the interest, though you can add as much principal on top of that as you wish. It gives homeowners the added flexibility in what they can do with their money. They may divert it toward their 401k or other financial investments, paying off high-interest credit card debt, saving for a rainy day or what have you.

Piggybacks have several benefits, but whether or not getting one is right for you is ultimately your decision. If you're buying a home and are not sure if you need a piggyback, it's best to talk to your mortgage banker. They will be able to give you the best advice based on your individual situation.

*Please consult your tax adviser.

Article credited to Quicken Loans

Go here for more on Mortgage Terms and Definitions

Hernando Mississippi Real Estate

2006-02-20T18:11:00.000-06:00

As of Feb 6th 2006

The number of houses for the same period last year was exactlly the same. New homes sales accounted for over 40% of the home sales for both last year and this year showing the growth of the area. The board of aldermen recently approved several "upscale" subdivisions.

Average prices continued an upward trend from last year.

ZIP Code: 38632

Location Characteristics: Hernando is located 12 miles south of Memphis, TN. It is the county seat of one of the top 40 Fastest Growing Counties in the United States. It has experienced a 32% increase in growth in the last 4 years. It has small town charm but the convenience of a much larger city.

Hernando joined the "Big Box" phenomenom this year when Walmart Supercenter opened in late summer. There was much discussion and many schools of thought but in the end, everyone loves Walmart. I know I do.

*Article originally posted on Reality Times by Elaine Kaden

as always, visit Hernando MS Homes for Sale for more great tips and info for buying and selling a home in North Mississippi

Appraisals & Market Value

2006-02-14T23:26:00.000-06:00

Q:	What is the difference between market value and appraised value?
A:	Appraised value is a certified appraiser's opinion of the worth of a home at a given point in time. Lenders require appraisals as part of the loan application process; fees range from $200 to $300. Market value is what price the house will bring at a given point in time. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties, performed by a real estate agent or broker.

Q:	How do you find out the value of a troubled property?
A:	Buyers considering a foreclosure property should obtain as much information as possible from the lender about the range of bids being sought. It also is important to examine the property. If you are unable to get into a foreclosure property, check with surrounding neighbors about the property's condition. It also is possible to do your own cost comparison through researching comparable properties recorded at local county recorder's and assessor's offices, or through Internet sites specializing in property records.

Q:	What are the standard ways of finding out what a house is valued at?
A:	A comparative market analysis and an appraisal are the standard ways consumers, lenders and realty agents deterimined what a home is worth. Your real estate agent will be happy to provide a comparative market analysis, an informal estimate of value based on comparable sales in the neighborhood. You also can research "the comps" yourself by checking on recent sales in public records. Be sure that you are researching properties that are similar in size, construction and location. This information is not only available at your local recorder's or assessor's office but also through private companies and on the Internet. An appraisal, which generally cost $200 to $300 to perform, is a certified appraiser's opinion of the value of a home at any given time. Appraisers review numerous factors including recent comparable sales, location, square footage and construction quality.

For more Apprasial and Market Value Q & A check out
North Mississippi Homes for Sale

FREE MARKET ANALYSIS REQUEST

2006-02-12T00:20:00.000-06:00

FREE MARKET ANALYSIS REQUEST

HOW MUCH IS YOUR HOME WORTH?

Wondering what the current market value of your home is? By filling out the information below, you will be furnished with a FREE Comparative Market Analysis Report that will give you a good idea of your home's current value.

The more complete the form is, the more accurate your report regarding the value of your home will be.

Click Here for the Form

As always, visit Desoto County Homes for more great tips on buying or selling your home.
Desoto County Homes

Welcome to Southaven

2006-02-07T13:47:00.000-06:00

Southaven is in Desoto COunty in North Mississippi just south of Memphis, TN. It's easy access to major transportation arteries like the Memphis Intl airport, Mississippi River and interstate highway system have made it a convenient choice for distribution centers and warehouse. Southaven recently welcomed it's own World Trade Center and Foreign Trade Zone.

It has a growing economic base particularly since it is just across the statelines of both Tennessee to the North and Arkansas to the West. You only have to drive a short distance to be in the Delta, at a casino, on a lake or floating down the mighty Mississippi River.

Southaven's affordable cost of living, low taxes, crime rate, quality health care and an array of recreational, cultural and educational choices qualified it to become a "certified retirement community". Seniors know they can feel safe and with the expansion of the Baptist Hospital Desoto, find the lastest technology in healthcase right down the street.

Southaven also offers the nation's largest youth baseball complex at Snowden Grove Park. In 2001, more than 200,000 players took advantage of the facilities and generated millions of dollars in revenue for our city coffers.

For more info about Hernando and Desoto County check out www.desoto-county-homes.com

Amanda Irby

2006-02-04T14:01:00.000-06:00

"I thoroughly enjoyed having Cara as my Buyer's Agent. She always had my best interests at heart, was always accessible, and within a very short time she seemed to know exactly what I wanted in a house. She made the whole process of buying a house as stress free as possible. Not only did I come away from the experience with a brand new home in Desoto County, I felt like I had also gained a friend!"

-Amanda Irby

See more Client pics and comments at www.desoto-county-homes.com

3 Bedroom 2 Full Bath

2006-02-03T18:16:00.000-06:00

This cute and cozy 3 bedroom 2 full bath home is nestled into a quiet little cove in Southaven Mississippi in Desoto County It has an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. This house has been very well maintained and has a large fully fenced back yard perfect for Kids and pets. Split bedroom floor plan with gas log fireplace and a pantry in the eat-in kitchen make this home perfect for a family ready to grow.

Don't miss out on this one, its gonna be gone quick.

Find this home and hundreds more like it in North Mississippi and Desoto County @ Desoto-County-Homes

Tips to sell your home

2006-02-01T12:43:00.000-06:00

- INSIDE -

1- Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items.

2- Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. If it hasn’t been used for three months... put it away! Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into your kitchen.)

3- In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, shower stalls and toilet tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics, brushes, perfumes etc., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels to one or two colors only.

- OUTSIDE -

1- Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.

2- Check gutters for roof moss and dry rot. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.

3- Look at all plants... prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. “YOU CAN’T SELL A HOUSE IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT.” Plants are like children — they grow so fast!!

Want more tips on getting your house ready to sell??
Visit www.desoto-county-homes.com sellers tips section.

Search the Complete North Mississippi MLS

2006-01-31T21:19:00.000-06:00

If your searching for a home for sale in Desoto County or anywhere in the North Mississippi area make your search quick and easy with our automated search of the complete North Mississippi MLS. Fill in the form and click search. All vital information on the houses that fit your search criteria will be emailed directly to you. You can also still do a manual search of the Complete North Mississippi MLS.

Desoto County Homes for Sale

2006-01-31T17:47:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Desoto County Homes

My name is Cara O'Bryant, I am a realtor in Desoto County and the rest of North Mississippi. I grew up here and have called this area home for most of my life. I feel that being a native of North Mississippi give me an advantage thats other don't have. When a client tells me what they are looking for my knowledge of the area helps me to pinpoint a location that will make them happy.