With the fall of real estate prices, the subprime crisis, and even local discount retailers such as Target who have experienced slow growth due to cautionary spending, 2008 is projected to be another tough year. The subprime mess alone has cost more than $45 billion in write-offs at the world’s largest banks. Economists are expecting the volatility to continue into 2009. Even Freddie Mac (the government) has huge losses. What does this mean to the little investor? With foreclosures rising, there will be more buying opportunities. If you are going to continue to buy real estate as an investment, make sure you having your financing in place before you start looking. Don’t forget to utilize the seller if there is any equity in the property by asking if they would be willing to assist in some or all (depending on how much equity there really is) and look at long term options from the investor standpoint if you are betting the market will continue to go down. Now is the time to educate yourself and, if you can afford it, be in the game!

Guess we’ve come a long way baby!….Lisa

1943 Guide to Hiring Women

Looking for information for and about women entrepreneurs? Here are a few places I have visited to learn from the best!

National Association of Women Business Owners
Women’s Leadership Exchange
National Association of Female Executives
eWomenNetwork
American Express (has publications for women entrepreneurs)
www.womenentrepreneur.com

Recently the government of India ruled that tourists visiting the country’s monuments must pay in Rupees (local currency). They are no longer accepting the U.S. dollar. This is because the dollar continues to fall which costs a country more in revenue as their dollar continues to rise. What does this have to do with an IRA? Many investors are diversifying their portfolio outside of U.S. dollars as a hedge against the fall of the dollar. Your IRA can be denominated in foreign currency. Log onto The Entrust Group at www.theentrustgroup.com to find an office near you. A self-directed IRA really does give you a “world of choices.”