http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Joel+McDonald Finances Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=459626&ca=Finances A capitalization rate is a measure commonly used in real estate investment especially in the acquisition of income properties. The rate measures return on investment and allows the investor to compare various forms of investment in order to decide where he is going to put his money. It is one of the... Real Estate Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=459640&ca=Real+Estate When a homeowner defaults on his mortgage payment, the lender has the right to take over the house and sell it to realize the debt. This process is known as foreclosure and in a depressed property market; foreclosed properties often present attractive opportunities to buy homes at affordable prices.... Real Estate Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=459644&ca=Real+Estate Everybody talks about how buying a home pre-foreclosure as multiple advantages of large discounts on the marketplace up to 50%, a lower down payment, more time to inspect the house and so on. It is true that buying a home pre-foreclosure can often be advantageous but, as with any form of investment,... Finances Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=459647&ca=Finances Many assets increase in value over a period of time and this process is called capital appreciation. When these assets are sold, the surplus that is realized over and above the cost of the asset is called a capital gain. If I buy a house for $50,000 and then sell it later for $100,000, the surplus o... Home Management Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=459650&ca=Home+Management There are a few things you can do to improve your home's appeal when you are getting ready to sell or refinance. Many people don't realize how much difference a few minor improvements can make. The first thing to do is to experience your home the way a potential buyer or the appraiser would, from th... Home Management Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=460168&ca=Home+Management When it comes to lawn sprinkler systems, they are great for taking care of your lawn during the hot summer months, but when it comes to the winter months, they can create a large expense, if they aren't drained properly. When it comes to winterizing your lawn sprinkler system, they need to be blown... Real Estate Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=460170&ca=Real+Estate When it comes to figuring our whether you have enough money to buy a home, the down payment is normally the biggest stumbling block. Some buyers mistakenly think they have to have 20% down and this is true, if you want to avoid the Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI fee on your monthly payment, since... Real Estate Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=460171&ca=Real+Estate There are several things to consider if you are an existing homeowner that is thinking about taking advantage of the current tax incentive for purchasing another home. The help with the down payment might mean that you would rent your existing home out to make the payment on it. If you are relocatin... Home Management Joel McDonald Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=460173&ca=Home+Management Whether you are listing your home for sale, or just have a young child in the household, there are a few things to consider in placement of certain furniture, electrical cords and precious breakables, including televisions and other electronic gadgetry. Many people don't think about the damage a you... Advice Joel McDonald Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=458590&ca=Advice With all the new electronics and nifty accessories, it can slip your mind to put new items on the home inventory list, just in case you have an insurance claim for fire or theft. Nobody likes to think about an occurrence to their home and property, but you should always be prepared, just in case. Th...