Whether you invest with your self-directed IRA or personal funds, tax lien certificates can make sense for slow and steady growth in your portfolio. Tax liens are booming in states where homeowners are missing mortgage payments.

What is a tax lien certificate?
Counties have a responsibility to provide police, fire, schools and other services to their citizens. These services are paid by property taxes from homeowners. When a homeowner does not pay their property tax, they become delinquent and a lien is put on their property. The delinquent lien is sold at auction in order to raise the funds needed to pay police, fire, etc. Some counties auction off delinquent taxes at face value through a lottery system while others do a bid for lien system.

My story:
In the 90s, I bought tax lien certificates in Wyoming where the interest rate the first year was 18% which was paid upon redemption of the tax certificate that the homeowner or lender paid off. With little competition and a lottery system of ping pong ball selection, buying these were easy. The most important thing I had to know was what I was buying! I did not want any hazardous waste or condemned property. Once, I paid a local resident in bagels from NY to provide me the research to determine if I wanted the property or not.

Then word got out and competition for these babies got fierce, especially with interest rates falling and house prices rising…the banks became competitors and bought their own liens for obvious reasons.

Now, with the real estate mess we are in, tax liens are on the rise. Chances are if a person did not make their mortgage payments they will probably not be paying their property taxes either.

Rules of the road if you are interest in buying tax liens:
1. Know the rules where you are buying. Whether the auction is live or online, how are these advertised, are they in a tax lien state or a tax deed state?

2. What is the redemption period (how long do you have hold the certificate) before you sue for the deed and get the property?

3. Understand that tax liens take precedence over mortgages. This is why lenders may come in and buy tax liens. The only thing senior to a tax lien is an IRS lien.

These make ideal investments in a self-directed IRA as you can invest few dollars for a nice return. For more on how to buy tax liens in your IRA visit www.theentrustgroup.com.

Whether you are in a relationship or looking for one, if you are a woman, chances are you will out earn your man. Times have changed, women are more educated, we are rising in the professional arena and have a higher degree of success as business owners.

The shift in economic power has caused many problems for men who were raised with the mindset that they need to be the bread winner. They may also feel threatened taking on household duties and child care in order to help out and share responsibilities.

The time has come where we don’t have do be super women. It is a commonly accepted fact that we can bring home the bacon and the men can fry it up in the pan!

In a couple, the person who makes more money tends to feel more powerful. It is important if you are a woman who is either in or looking for a good relationship that you treat your partner as an equal regardless of who earns more money. This means he can still continue to treat…but so can you! Celebrate your success!

Does someone owe you money? Go to www.missingmoney.com and find out in 30 seconds if you’ve got unclaimed money or property. The IRS has more than $110 million in uncashed tax-refund checks alone! Typically, money is unclaimed when someone moves, dies or changes names.

Ask any successful business owner, “What is the secret to your success?” and you will find the answer in a hurry. Here’s a clue: it’s not just about money….it’s about people!

1. Find the right employee (people), for your team.

2. Get continual feedback from the customers (people), so you can improve your customer service, business relationships, etc.

3. Ask for referrals (people!)

Listening to and acting upon people is crucial for growing a successful business. If you can keep people in the forefront of your business goal setting, campaigns and offerings, you will find success and make money! Remember, successful women business owners always use the Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated.

Remember the Beverly Hillbillies? The TV show where Jed Clampett struck oil? With oil prices continuing to rise, many investors are looking to invest their IRA in oil and gas related investments. There are several companies offering this as an opportunity for the self-directed IRA investor. Before you invest, make sure you do your due diligence like you would on any other investment.

Research the company.
– How long have they been in business?
– Who owns the operation?
– What are the costs to the company to drill for oil?
– What is the average return on the investment and for how long?

If you have never invested in a private placement or a limited partnership, seek professional advice before you do so. And finally, if you decide oil and gas makes sense to your portfolio, start with the shortest term possible with the bare minimum that the companies requires for investment. You too can strike oil…in your IRA that is! The Entrust Group (www.theentrustgroup.com) can provide more information on investing in a private placement with a self-directed IRA.

Whether you are a real estate investor or a homeowner, whether you own one property or one hundred, PLEASE read on and save yourself some money. According to the Tax Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau, property taxes are rising at more than twice the rate of inflation in this decade. That was bad enough when home values were on the rise. Now, if you don’t take action on proposed higher property taxes, your cash flow may suffer even more.

This is the time of the year when properties are reassessed. Property Tax authorities or assessors offices will send property owners an update on the “assessed” value of their property which, in 9 out of 10 cases, will be higher than the past value. What should you do to protect yourself and fight?

Appeal the Proposed Increase!

1. Call the assessor’s office and find out how they arrived at this value. In some counties the tax value is based on a percentage of the property’s estimated value. Find out how this value was established—this is vital in markets where property values have dramatically declined.

2. Research property values in the neighborhood and verify the properties’ assessed values within one mile of your residence. Several years ago I appealed the proposed property tax for a rental property I owned. I won the appeal because I was able to prove 2 of the houses in the neighborhood with identical floor plans had lower assessed values. Since I was able to prove this, the county had to lower my assessed value. In my case, it made a $200 difference on my tax bill! So it was worth the effort.

3. Build your case and do it quickly. There will be a deadline on your proposed assessment to file an appeal. Do it immediately. There is no cost to do this and the worst that can happen is you lose and the property stays at the proposed value.