Real estate prices have hit record levels in the United States during the last five years. In some parts of the country, prices have tripled. For those selling houses in the first half of the decade, business was very good, indeed. Rising interest rates and sticker shock have slowed the market down, however. In some parts of the country that used to be hot, sales have slowed to a crawl. In those markets, people who want to sell houses are now waiting months when homes used to sell in days or weeks. What can a homeowner who wishes to sell as quickly as possible do to accelerate the process?

A relatively new service called home staging may be the answer. Staging a home essentially means setting it up so that it makes its best possible presentation to the market. Professional home stagers will, for a fee, come to your house, examine your property, and make recommendations as to what you might do in order to make the house as sale-friendly as possible. In some cases, they will simply recommend a coat of paint, a bit of landscaping, or some new drapes. In other cases, more dramatic help may be needed.

It is often difficult to sell a home that has been vacant for a while. Buyers have a hard time imagining what their belongings might look like in an empty house. A good staging company will have in their inventory a selection of different types of furniture, lamps, decorative accessories and more so that a vacant home can look like a showcase. A fully and tastefully decorated home is much easier to sell than a vacant one.

The service isn’t necessarily inexpensive. Homeowners might expect to pay several hundred dollars for an initial consultation as well as a fee of several times that amount for the first month of a fully furnished, professionally decorated home. Rates for subsequent months tend to be lower than for the initial month, but many homes that have been professionally staged aren’t on the market much longer than a month. In fact, studies have shown that staged homes often sell in half of the time of other comparable properties.

Having your home professionally decorated in order to sell it isn’t something that everyone needs to do. But in markets with slowing real estate sales, staging a home may be the difference between selling the house this week and selling it three months from now. For many sellers, the investment is more than worthwhile.

©Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity loans, mortgages and lines of credit.

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In the beginning

“The Sun Also Rises” a famous quote, but for the majority of Americans who bear the pain of Bad Credit, it is nearly impossible to imagine that the “American Dream” of home ownership is actually possible for them. I know that pain well, I’ve “been there and done that…” a few times in my life. I would like to share a few thoughts on the subject based upon my Personal Experience with credit problems, and my many years of Professional Experience helping clients overcome their bad credit situations and achieve the “American Dream” of owning their own home. In fact, there is a special process that I have developed over the years, that guides people through not only buying a home despite having bad credit, but a step by step method of overcoming the entire trauma surrounding credit problems. This special process leads one through how to buy a home, overhaul (repair and restore) your credit, and return, to financial health!

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a First Step. Therefore, First, and Foremost, let me declare that Bad Credit is NOT a Terminal Illness! If I have learned anything in life, it is the fact that This Is America and You Can Start Over Not Matter What! The miracle of this country is that one can make a committed decision and by following a written plan, overcome virtually any setback or misfortune! This especially applies to those with bad credit, bruised credit, no credit, or miscellaneous credit problems in general. Bad Credit Mortgages are obtainable… so let’s take the first step.

“You Must Be Born Again!” What does this famous Bible quote have do with me? Well, a lot, actually Starting over again, rebuilding, renovating, overhauling anything is indeed the purest form of “rebirth.” Thus it is with Bad Credit. The Good News is that it is actually possible! Just think of a few famous and successful Americans have you ever thought of the behind the scenes details of their life? Has it occurred to you that their path to success wasn’t “all gain and no pain?” Take, for instance, Fred Smith, President and Founder of FedEx. Did you know that he was nearly bankrupt and was considering suicide, and that FedEx nearly never “Got Off The Ground?”

Can you imagine what his credit report looked like? How about Colonel Harlan Sanders, founder of KFC? Did you know that he was in his 70’s and chose to reinvent his financial status when he started KFC. Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds was middle aged milkshake machine salesman, and had a few financial problems of his own when he discovered a small hamburger stand in California, and had an idea and the determination to start over. Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel, founders of the Corporate Giant, Amway, had begun with several failed businesses. If you only knew how many people have suffered the same type of setbacks as you and managed to overcome, you would and should be greatly encouraged! Approximately 33% of Americans have a Credit Problem, so cheer up, you are not alone!

Join The Club Since we all have heard that “membership has its privileges,” well, I guess you’ll need the secret passwords then. They are; Income, Equity, and History. These are the four most important “passwords” needed to join the home ownership club. We will explore these in more detail, even revealing the most important password of all, in my next article in the “Life After Debt” series, Buying a Home With Bad Credit — The Secret Passwords. Stay Tuned for more

About the Author:
Ronald Farrell Black is President of Independence Mortgage Capital, and an Expert in working with Home-Buyers and Home Owners with Bad Credit and other special issues. His mission is to help folks through the trauma brought on by Financial Setbacks, Bad Credit, Bankruptcy, etc., and to provide resources for Home Mortgage Financing, Debt Management and Debt Relief. Helping others to overcome financial problems and to restore and rebuild their credit. For more information on Bad Credit Mortgage Loans, and “Life after Debt” visit his website: http://www.debtconsolidationstore.net

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Debt Consolidation for People with Bad Credit
Overwhelmed by credit card debt? If so, a debt consolidation loan may be answer. A debt consolidation loan does “not” hurt your credit score. In fact, it can actually help your overall credit score.
Debt Consolidation for People with Bad Credit

A debt consolidation loan affords you the opportunity to restructure your debt. Thus, saving thousands of dollars while you are gaining control of your debt. A nice feature is you only have to make “one” payment a month.

What is Debt Consolidation?
Debt consolidation is the process by which your current debt is negotiated with all of your creditors to obtain the lowest monthly financial obligation needed to satisfy all of your current accounts.

With a debt consolidation loan, you simply make one “lump sum” monthly payment. This payment is then forwarded to all of your creditors (often at a greatly reduced rate, sometimes as high as 50%).

One of the most important benefits of a debt consolidation loan is that it can afford a fresh start to a more healthy financial future. You can eliminate stress while taking back control of your life.

Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Settlement
Debt settlement programs negotiate a payment amount with your creditors that will satisfy your creditors at the best rate possible for you. Debt settlement services can quickly eliminate your debt and financial stress.

These programs can eliminate your debt in as little as 12, 24, or 36 months. Harassing phone calls from creditors will disappear, as well as the high interest rates you previously paid. Not only are late charges and over limit fees eliminated, your monthly payment will drastically drop.

However, keep in mind with a debt settlement program all information, including settlements and accounts paid in full, are reported to the credit bureaus by your creditors upon settlement.

Get Out of Debt
Over 70% of the American population is in serious financial debt. There are debt consolidation companies who can help consolidate your payments and work with your credit card companies to get your interest rates down.

Like with any decision that can have a major impact on your financial future, do your homework. Many people have lost money and ended up having to file bankruptcy because a debt consolidation company was not legitimate. Make sure you know what you are getting into and understand your contract completely.

How to Choose a Debt Consolidation Company
You should research different companies in order to find the most reputable one.

The first thing you should do is check with the Better Business Bureau that the company doesn’t have any complaints on record. Ask family, friends and colleagues to see if they have used similar companies or if they know of a good one.

Be aware of the following:

If you are having them pay your payments for you it will show up on your credit report.

These programs usually lower your credit score.

Being in debt does not necessarily mean all is lost or that you will have to file bankruptcy. The options listed above are just a few that can help eliminate your financial stress. The main thing is to not give up. Thousands of people have been in debt and gotten out of it.

Carlos Ugalde is the founder of http://www.informedcreditsolutions.com and dedicated to giving access to all people with less than perfect and troubled credit through a variety of reputable, honest lenders that in conjunction with ICS will allow clients to understand and improve their credit situation through a variety of services free, no obligation services and online educational material.

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