As the mortgage industry continues to slide and the real estate market on a roller coaster ride, sellers are suffering.

I have heard stories of sellers lowering prices on their homes for sale as much as $100K just to get out of their home. People who are having trouble refinancing in order to keep their payments stable. Others who are just ready to walk away from their homes as they see no other choice.

Attention sellers: try a few of these ideas before you walk.

1. Consider taking a second mortgage as a part of your negotiating strategy with your buyer. The buyer gets a first mortgage with a lender and you take back a second (for your equity) which will allow you to sell your property. And if you are stuck and still need cash, you can always sell the note.

2. Consider renting the property so you have the mortgage, taxes and insurance covered so you can move on.

3. Consider a lease with option (check your state law to see if lease options are a marketable strategy) so at some point the property would sell. Make sure your option agreement and lease are two separate agreements. Email me if you want to know why.

There are other, more complicated strategies such as selling on a contract or agreement for deed, equity share arrangements and more. Start with these three strategies above and hopefully your selling days on the market will shorten. Good luck with your sale!

With the roller coaster ride that is today’s real estate and mortgage markets, government loans are on the rise. There is a revived interest in the Federal Housing Administration’s loans among low income and first time home buyers. After a three-year slump, FHA loans have increased over 8% year-to-date.

There are downsides that have held back FHA loans:

1. Low mortgage limits. The current FHA maximum for a single family home is $362,790. This means it is easy to get an FHA loan in Ohio but almost impossible in California where the median price state wide is over $500,000.

2. Down payment. FHA requires 3% down. People are used to no down loans.

3. Paperwork. It takes a lot longer to go through the FHA process than it did with conventional lenders. So long to closing in a matter of days or a week.

If you are a first time home buyer or need a loan under $362,790 or have a minimum of 3% down plus closing costs, then FHA maybe for you!

Wise women prepare. The Transamerica Center for Retirement studies revealed that many women are not as prepared as they should be. Women lag in retirement savings, averaging $51,000 less then men. The study also showed that women underestimate their financial needs in retirement, with estimates of nearly $300,000 less than those estimates given by men.

What can we do today to be prepared for retirement tomorrow?

1. Start Saving Now. You should be putting a minimum of 10% a year away in savings.

2. Have a retirement plan. If you do not have a 401(K) at work open an IRA.

3. Consider taking a portion of your retirement plan and truly self-direct it into investments you know, understand and can control. Visit The Entrust Group website to learn more how to self-direct your retirement plan www.theentrustgroup.com

4. Check your progress. Set aside time on a regular basis to review your account; rebalance your investments, and assess if you are on the right track to achieving your financial goals.

5. Catch-up. For individuals age 50 or older, we are eligible to put more away in an IRA or 401(K) plan. Know these limits and take advantage of the opportunity the government gives you to put more money away tax-deferred or, in the case of a ROTH IRA, tax free!

With the uncertainty in today’s economy, no matter where we turn, we must prepare for our future… No one will take better care of us then us.

Did you know that…..?

1. A security clearance for your job could boost your salary by 25%

2. A household income of $40K puts a family at the bottom of the middle class.

3. The Feds can’t find 32,000 pensioners that are owed money. And the average check that is waiting for them is $5,000?

4. Americans use 2 million barrels of oil everyday to make plastic.

5. Lefties earn 15% more than righties.

6. A new blog debuts every 1.4 seconds!

HGTV.com recently did a survey to see what buyers really want when they are purchasing a home.

Here is the top 10 countdown!

10. A well-manicured, landscaped yard. Clean, open spaces make your property more attractive to potential buyers.

9. Anything “built-in” such as bookshelves, entertainment units and kitchen nooks are often seen as “free furniture.” Built-ins can add value to the property.

8. Lighting. This important aspect of interior design impacts the mood of the room. Make yours enticing to the buyer.

7. Closet organizers. Closet organizers make buyers believe there is more space, and thus, more organized. Don’t stop with closets – make sure the kitchen cabinets are orderly, too.

6. Stainless steel. Stainless appliances look sleek and are very durable. They give the kitchen a professional look and feel.

5. Granite. When it comes to countertops, it’s all about slabs/granite. Tiles and grout lines are out.

4. Baths. Make it gorgeous on the cheap. Marble counters and whirlpool baths add value.

3. Hard floors. Buyers love wood floors!

2. Fabulous fixtures. Spend a little extra and purchase upgraded fixtures that have a coordinated look throughout the house. Designers and realtors believe coordinated fixtures that are a cut above standard developer grade will help sell your property.

And …..#1

1. A nice entryway. First impressions really do count. If you do not have an entrance way at all, create one by cleverly placing furniture to create more an entrance space.

Great tips….and for the most part, not too expensive.

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal that suggested some ways to build diversity with a 401(k).

The article suggested you have an IRA to hold assets that you cannot manage in your company 401(k). By holding these alternative assets in a traditional or Roth IRA, you reduce the risk of the dollars of the 401(k) being invested in funds that they select, leaving the employee 401(k) exposed to down markets of stocks and bond funds.

I agreed with most of the article, at least until it got to the point of funds. Why not totally control your IRA portfolio instead of yet another investment manager who is “voting on your hard earned money”?

With a truly self-directed IRA, you select the investment directly and get the rewards for doing so. There are over 40 different types of alternative investments one can utilize for continued growth in an IRA. Visit The Entrust Group web site for more information.

Maybe there are people out there who want to turn their last dime over to another party who will never be as concerned about your retirement as you. If you are like me and want to take some control of your financial future, look into the self-directed IRA. After all, it is your money.

Believe it or not, the U.S. real estate and mortgage picture affects everyone. In Sydney Australia, an Australian Hedge Fund group is restricting investor withdrawals. Two of their investment funds were heavily invested in U.S. backed mortgage securities. Can you imagine being in an investment, and the investment manager or financial professional tells you that you can’t withdrawal your money?

The magic age of 65 spells retirement for many. But could this be too soon? Many say yes, including the government.

Life is short, but understanding how to live it takes a long time. Actually, life isn’t that short anymore, but it seem we’re no closer to understanding what we should do with our “twilight years” says Ian Wylie, a freelance writer who was quoted in a recent article for a European magazine. He feels we should “retire” retirement for good!

Not so, says Rosie Carr. “Ask anyone who is in their 50’s or 60’s if they would be happy working until they are 75 and their answer is likely to be a firm NO.”

Many politicians are suggesting that the best way to solve the problem of aging populations is to force everyone to keep working as this would cut down on writing checks to those who are of age to receive Social Security and Medicare. By working, you still are earning, and this could allow the maximum ages to start collecting these benefits to rise.

With the concern that Social Security will run out during the baby boomer lifetime, this is a serious issue with consequences. The best way to protect yourself is to take control of your financial future starting today! Plan on having the money you need no matter what age you decide to retire. This way, you won’t have to be dictated as to when you must retire; you can do this your way, on your own timeline.

The first way to get started is with a self-directed IRA. Contact your local Entrust office for more details. www.thenentrustgroup.com

If your business is looking to attract women professionals, check out the Center for Women Business Research. They have a lot of solid information on their web site and could be a valuable resource in your marketing efforts. Log onto www.womensbusinessresearch.org.

Happy Hunting!

Can a great idea mixed with passion make you money?

Recently, I attended a women’s leadership meeting where this question was the subject of discussion. I listened to several professional women business owners discuss the keys to growing a successful enterprise. Here are the top 5 answers straight from the top!

1. I don’t believe entrepreneurs are born. With the right application anyone can develop the qualities necessary to succeed in business, especially if they adopt the right mindset.

2. A great idea mixed with passion will always make you money. Especially if that idea is something unique and different. Think eBay!

3. The best way to build a successful business is to identify a market with a high disposable income and think about what you can offer them. Offering a cleaning service to busy executives was my ticket to success!

4. Walk your talk. In order to be a successful business owner, think and act like one.

5. Have a plan, stick to it for a period of time, and don’t be afraid to change course if you need to. Nothing is ever etched in stone

For those who think they can’t make it, save it! One owner said with many businesses failing, the easiest way to make money is to stop spending! Interesting thought!

For what it’s worth, my take: Take advantage of opportunities that come to you. Network, become an expert in your line of work, and don’t be afraid to fail.