Mt Washington Real Estate: A Look at the Numbers

For many years – decades, in fact – the LA district of Mount Washington was one of the hidden treasures of Los Angeles neighborhoods. All of that changed during the real estate boom of the mid-1990’s and since that time, the run on Mt. Washington homes for sale has been akin to the California Gold Rush. Homebuyers, investors, home flippers and creative types of have been snapping up Mt. Washington real estate as fast as they can. Let’s look at what the facts and the numbers tell us.

Mount Washington is located in Northeast Los Angeles just south of Eagle Rock, west of Highland Park and Northeast of Cypress Park. This mountainous community is located in the San Rafael Hills. Every house is situated on unique and hilly terrain. This eclectic community is home to many styles of houses, which allows people to build on lots of all shapes, sizes and slopes.

The various styles include: Cottages, Midcentury Moderns, Spanish, Hillside Midcenturies, Historic Craftsmen, Tree House Cabins, Bungalows and Craftsman Bungalows.

According to the LA Times, the population of Mount Washington was 13,531 people in 2008. With its 1.85 square mile radius there were 6,878 people per square mile. This is about average for Los Angeles County. The average income in 2008 was $57,725 and 2.9 people per household size. Both of these numbers are average for the county.

Even though the houses are on hills, Mount Washington is surprisingly accessible for walking, biking and public transportation. According to WalkScore Mount Washington is somewhat walkable with a score of 50. Some errands can be accomplished on foot. The transit score for Mount Washington is 59, meaning there are many convenient public transportation options – including the Gold Line Metro what deposits travelers at the Southwest Museum. Lastly, although this community is decorated with a slue of steep hills, there are some bike lanes on the main roads earning a bike score of 35.

Zillow states that the Home Value Index of Mount Washington is $720,100. This is an increase of 5.1% since last year. Zillow predicts the value to increase 2.8% up to $740,000 by the end of the year. The average price per square foot is $612, which is higher than the Los Angeles average of $451 per square foot. The average rental price is $2,942 per month.

Since Redfin named Mount Washington one of the hottest cities in the country, house flipping increased in like wildfire throughout the community. In effect Zillow has labeled the housing market as “Cold” because it has become ideal for the Buyer with so many fresh homes to choose from. Because of this increase in listings, approximately 11.5% of listings end up shaving their price down. Compared to other markets in the nation, Mount Washington has a market health of 2.2/10. This is part of the average real estate flux. People will continue to search for homes in Mount Washington, but eventually the majority of the homes will be house flipped and/or sold. Once the number of listings decrease the community will turn back to “Hot” – a Seller’s Market – with hoards of people trying to obtain property in this hidden oasis of Los Angeles.

What Is Tort Law Exactly?

Have you ever done something that was against the rules? Well, torts are something like that; but much more serious. Torts are civil wrong-doings; immoral behaviors and actions against civilians. The law identifies a tort as immoral, and approves it as grounds for a lawsuit. Most often, torts come with severe consequences, like serious injuries and death. These consequences establish a civilian’s right to file a personal injury claim against a wrongful party.

Torts that result in serious injury or death can be punishable by imprisonment; however, the objective of tort law is to acquire compensation for damages incurred by victims and families of victims. In addition, and equally important, intent is to prevent similar wrongdoings from occurring in the future. In fact, victims of tort can take legal action for an injunction in order to inhibit further torturous conduct of the opposing party.

Explaining Torts and Tort Law

Victims of tort can pursue fair compensation for damages incurred as a result of the offence. Exemplary damages include everything from pain and suffering to loss of companionship, and much more; such as lost wages, hospital bills, medical expenses, scarring or disfigurement, funeral expenses, prolonged rehabilitation, permanent disabilities, and much more. Injured victims can also pursue compensation for damages like diminished quality of life and loss of benefits from loved one’s death. Tort law is established to protect injured victims that were wrongfully hurt by a negligent party. Negligent parties can include people, companies, individuals, organizations, products, and much more.

Categories of Tort

There are several individual capacities of tort law that all depend on the type of injury or accident that harms a person. Types of tort include motor vehicle accidents, product liability, assault and battery, sexual harassment, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death, slip and falls, head or brain injuries, dog bites, nursing home neglect, motorcycle accidents, and several other types of deliberate inflictions of emotional or physical trauma.

Every type of tort can be grouped into three separate categories of tort law; these categories are Intentional Torts, Negligent Torts, and Strict Liability Torts. Intentional torts are deliberate, premeditated, and purposeful. Assault and battery, sexual misconducts, and nursing home neglect are some examples of intentional tort. Negligent tort occurs as a result of carelessness and disregard. Disobeying traffic signals and causing an accident that harms another person is an example of negligent tort. Other examples include pedestrian accidents, hit-and-run accidents, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, and slip and fall accidents. Strict liability torts, on the other hand, occur when a particular action causes harm or damage to another person; such as liability for making and selling defective products that are hazardous.

If you are a victim of tort, or was recently injured in an accident caused by the negligence or misconduct of another party, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Contact a licensed personal injury law firm for professional guidance and counsel. It is important to take immediate action following a serious injury before the State’s statutes of limitation runs out. An experienced tort lawyer will substantially increase your chances and likelihood of winning your personal injury claim recovering compensation for your damages.

Choosing A Houseboat In Alleppey For The Most Rewarding Trip

Alleppey in Kerala, India is probably most popular because of the endless backwaters, lagoons and canals it has to its name. It is therefore not a wonder that the Nehru Trophy Alleppey Snake Boat Race is among the most attractive for travelers including myself. Considering that the race falls in August, I have always planned my travel to be around the same time to ensure that I get to enjoy all the fun. Don’t get me wrong, Alleppey does have lots of other attractions including religious places, stunning beaches, old temples and paddy fields but houseboat cruises make some of my favorites here.

To complete my trip, I always make sure that I get myself a boathouse; there is really nothing as fulfilling like it. The well inter connected canal, lakes and rivers here make houseboat living simply amazing. Kerala may have lots of other places where house boat cruises can be enjoyed, but Kerala beats them all. The best thing is that I get to decide just how long I wish to enjoy the houseboat; it is possible for me to rent one for a few days to make my trip here nothing but rewarding. But for this to happen, I am always keen on the houseboat that I settle for and the process as well to get me the best.

  • I start by inspecting the houseboat before I commit to anything. I do not believe in booking early unless it is during peak months. Booking early before getting to Alleppey increases chances of having to deal with agents which could increase the costs. I believe in seeing my boathouse beforehand so I can ensure it has everything that matters and that the decoration is just superb. The boats here are in good condition, but it does not hurt to be sure before paying anything for mine.
  • Before paying for my houseboat in Alleppey, I also take time to compare the available options. By looking at a few of the available boats, it is easier for me to select the one I love most. The quality is not the same and hence sampling a few make it possible for me to end up with the best. Some of the things that matter when making the selection include bed, mattress, bathroom, mosquito net, air conditioning and meals. It is important to ensure that there is ample supply of bottled water, snacks and meal that I prefer so my needs are covered throughout the cruise.
  • Just like looking at any other accommodation property, size does matter when I am going through the houseboat options. Of course it will depend on the number of people I am taking with me and the kind of cruise I wish to enjoy. I love houseboats with an upstairs deck and an eating area downstairs. This way, I get to enjoy lots of privacy upstairs and enjoy amazing views from here separated from the staff offering important services.

Interesting Facts About Lamborghini

1. Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. is an Italian automobile company that makes luxury, high end sports cars. Its has it headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, near the city of Bologna, Italy. Lamborghini was founded by an Italian engineer Feruccio in 1963.

2. Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. emerged as a result of competition between Feruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari (of Ferrari cars ) who at that time already had been known as a famous manufacturer of sports cars. Feruccio Lamborghini himself was an accomplished engineer; he was an owner and manager of a successful company, which produced agricultural machinery. Feruccio loved sports cars and owned a Ferrari 250 GT. A rumour has it, that two great constructors had a conflict after Lamborghini had turned personally to Enzo Ferrari because of the broken clutch on his Ferrari 250 GT. It is believed that quick-tempered Enzo recommended Feruccio to deal exclusively with tractors, and never even touch a sports car. Feruccio Lamborghini took it as a challenge resolving to use his assets, experience, and passion to found a company, capable of going toe-to-toe with Ferrari.

3. This may come up as a surprise to some of you, but Lamborghini never participated in any major motorsports competitions. According to the will of Feruccio Lamborghini, his company stayed away from racing, because the famous Italian engineer always believed the motorsports to be a big waste of time and resources.

4. One thing Lamborgini was always known for is its top-notch design. Some of the best professionals in the industry, including Franco Scaglione, Touring, Zagato, Mario Marazzi, Bertone, ItalDesign and Marcello Gandini, worked on its visual design.

5. People usually think of luxury and high-performance grand tourers, whenever someone mentions the name Lamborghini. Nevertheless, the Italian automaker has created few unusual models. Feruccio Lamborghini had an extensive experience in producing tractors, so it seemed natural for him to try his hand at designing an automobile with high off-road capabilities. Lamborghini LM002 was the first SUV, built by Italian vehicle manufacturer. Combining speed and luxuriousness with exceptional off-road capabilities, Lamborghini LM002 was in many respects far ahead of its time. When it comes to comfort and ability to cross the difficult terrain, only Land Rover could compete with LM002. Unfortunately, automobile market was not quite ready for the new luxury SUV. Therefore, despite the orders from armed forces of Saudi Arabia and Libya, Lamborghini sold only 301 vehicles.

6. The Italian automaker launched its first production model in 1963. With the top speed of 280 km / h, Lamborghini 350GTV was a leader among production cars of its time.

7. The Italian company uses very distinctive naming convention for its car models. Feruccio Lamborghini was quite a fan of Spanish bullfight. In 1963, he visited the cattle-bred farm Miura in Seville. It was owned by Don Eduardo Miura Fernandez, one of the most famous breeders of fighting bulls in Spain. This visit had a strong influence on the Italian industrialist. In fact, he was so impressed by the traditional art of bullfighting, that he made a decision to name all his new sports cars after famous fighting bulls. Traditionally in Spanish bullfight, bulls that manage to defeat a matador are given life, and their names are forever inscribed in the history of the sport. Ferruccio Lamborghini was convinced, that a name of a fighting bull will emphasize the untamed nature of sports cars created under Lamborghini marque. By the way, Ferruccio Lamborghini himself was also a bull in a sense, since his zodiac sign was Taurus. (He was born on April 28, 1916).

8. The first model to be introduced to the world under the “bullish” name was Lamborghini Miura. The sports car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966. The public warmly received it; however, spectators were somewhat confused, since they were not allowed to open the hood. This was not a coincidence: there was simply no engine under it! Since the engine was still being designed, the prototype was sent to the Geneva Motor Show with a ballast instead of an engine under the hood. Eventually, Miura proved to be a very good car.

9. Lamborghini Countach was produced by the Italian company for 16 years (from 1974 to 1990). Notably, this sports car is one of the a few Lamborghini models, with a name that has nothing to do with bulls and bullfighting. The word “countach” comes from the Piedmontese language, spoken in a region of Piedmont in North-West of Italy. It is an expression of excitement or astonishment and can be translated as “Heavens!” According to the legend, Nuccio Bertone himself made such an exclamation when he saw the first sketches of the future supercar.

10. The story of Lamborghini was not always a story of success. In 1987, the American automobile giant Chrysler, practically saved it from oblivion by acquiring it. The same year, the Italian vehicle manufacturer presented a peculiar concept car under the name of Portofino. It was a sedan with four doors of the guillotine type, powered by a 3.5-liter engine installed at the rear. Although it remained only a prototype, its image and design was subsequently embodied in many Chrysler cars.

11. In 1994, Lamborghini was acquired by an Indonesian investment group. It was a period of uncertainty for the Italian marque. The German automobile giant Volkswagen saved the famous vehicle manufacturer. Since 1998, Volkswagen has controlled Lamborghini through its subdivision Audi. Undoubtedly, this was a mutually beneficial union for both companies.

12. The design of modern Lamborghini is unusual even for supercars. The steel-cut body style, which became the signature of most Lamborghini models, makes it akin to fighter planes. The designer Filippo Perini admitted that he drew an inspiration from military aviation. He was particularly impressed by American B-2 and F-22 aircraft while working on Lamborghini Aventador.

13. It turned out that the powerful Lamborghini V12 engine is a perfect fit for speedboats as well as supercars. Such a technical symbiosis is not a common thing in automobile industry. The luxury boat Riva Aquarama became one of the leaders of the market thanks to high performance and versatility of the incredible Lamborghini V12 engine.

14. Interestingly, Lamborghini cars are used by the police of United Arab Emirates and Italy. It makes sense if you think about it; nothing can detract criminals and attract tourists like the world’s fastest police car!

15. As we have already mentioned, Feruccio Lamborghini neglected motorsports and tried to stay away from it. Nevertheless, the Italian vehicle manufacturer is revising this strict policy, since today it is a handicap for an automaker that specializes in supercars to ignore motorsports in its entirety. Currently, the company has some notable presence in the world of car racing. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo is an example of a successful collaboration between the two legendary brands. Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and the Swiss watchmaker Blancpain teamed up to launch this prestigious international motor racing series. In 2009, the Swiss company even presented a special watch, dedicated to this mono-brand championship.

16. This surprises no one that Lamborghini brand has some of the most impressive achievements in the automobile world. The last one was 384 km / h speed record set by the Lamborghini Huracan during half a mile race.

17. Lamborghini has a very long and fruitful relationship with Italian wheel manufacturer PIRELLI. From the day one, PIRELLI tyres were used on all Lamborghini vehicles. The Italian automaker even created the special version of Lamborghini AVENTADOR, dedicated to PIRELLI.

18. Lamborghini AVENTADOR has a designation of LP 700-4 700 where “700” stands for 700 h/p engine and “4” for a four-wheel-drive.

19. Lamborghini is partly responsible for the emerging of the well-known automobile marque Pagani. The founder of the Pagani Automobili S.p.A, Horacio Pagani, had worked as an engineer at Lamborghini until he quit due to inability to employ his own ideas. In 1988, the famous Argentinian constructor, eager to put in use his designer talent and make his own product, created a new company Pagani Automobili S.p.A.

20. Nowadays, Lamborghini supercars are powered by either V8 or V12 engines. The ratio between those two engine types is approximately 3:1.

Bengal Handloom Sarees Collection

India is country that has a splendid heritage of various cultures and heritages that have resulted in innumerable traditional crafts and art forms in every nook and corner of this massive country. Over the years however the artforms responsible for many of the most resplendent of Indian traditional dresses have faded away because of the lack of proper preservation and government aid. Many of the artisans and craftsmen have been forced to give up these art forms that have been passed on through the generations in the families, in order to earn a decent livelihood.

The Bengali handloom industry like many other handloom industries from around the country have been ignored for far too long. The traditional sarees of Bengal are known for their intricate and unique craftsmanship. The broad range and palette of colors that these exotic sarees employ are a testament to their spell-binding power and allure. The sheer appeal of these traditional size yard wonders is what makes them all so sought after in the Indian ethnic fashion scene today. Like most other traditional handloom saree styles, these sarees are outmatch the magnificence of any western trend. These sarees are perfect to flaunt on any festive, wedding or traditional celebratory occasion. One way to spruce up these other traditional styles is to perhaps try new and trendy methods of draping your saree or even amplify your style with voguish accessories. The best part about Bengali sarees is the fact that you can store them for long periods without letting them wither away by just having them dry-cleaned or even subjecting them to fabric treatments. All one has to do to make the sarees suitable for wearing them again after long periods of storage is to rise the fabric delicately in cold water.

These sarees have quite a strong fan following among Bollywood celebrities. They are also a favorite of youngsters. A lot of celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, Vidya Balan and Konkana Sen Sharma are major fans of Bengali handloom sarees and can be seen sporting them regularly at red carpet events, award shows and even promotional events for their movies. Another way to really spice up these traditional styles is to pair them with suitable crop tops that will amplify the look to incredible extents. Pairing them with full sleeved polo neck t-shirts as well as statement necklaces for a more Indowestern style is also a good option. Sporting a pair of leggings instead of the traditional petticoat and wearing some fancy headgear or a scarf are all ways to go about sprucing up your look. You could also try giving your traditional Bengali sarees style a bohemian touch by accessorising with chokers and large danglers or hoops. If you are someone who doesn’t quite like completely traditional styles and would like to spruce things up then there are endless options for you to go about doing so.

Buy Bengal Handloom Sarees

After reading this article on the sheer grandeur of Bengal Handloom Jamdani sarees, if you have made up your mind on getting yourself some sensational Tantuja saree Bengal or Bengali heavy dresses online, then the best place to so from is a well-reputed ethnic fashion website which is known for its collections of all the latest Bengal handloom sarees as well as all other varieties of traditional silk saree, linen sarees and handloom cotton saree styles from all over the country, all available at unbelievably affordable prices that you can get with everyday discounts, sales, offers and more.

5 Benefits of Raising Pets With Children

Pets Are Constant Companion

Your child is bound to get bored and lonely. This happens most when you are raising a single child. However, having a pet around helps your child to have a constant companion in the house.

Pets also can match the energy and excitement level of a child. A human adult can never match the energy and enthusiasm a pet, in the form of a dog, has. The pet can keep your child busy and engaged. It can be your child’s constant playmate without getting bored.

Increase Your Child’s Activity Level

In the era of smart-phones and tabloids there are chances that your child might become less active. However, a recent study has shown that the kids, who own a dog, exercise eleven minutes more on average, than non-dog owning kids.

Eleven minutes might sound quite less but also when you add up the figure in terms of weeks and month you realize the benefits. A pet in the form of a dog really helps your child to walk the extra mile and keep him/her active.

Grows Responsibility

Children with pets become more responsible than the others. It keeps them alert whether the dog or the cat got their share of food or water. They also tend to share more than the other kids.

The kids learn to be accountable of someone else. In that way they grow up to be more responsible adults. They learn fast that how the pets are dependent on the human beings and from that understanding, the attachment develops.

Makes them Empathetic

Pets also teach your children to become empathetic and kind towards others. Kids without any kind of pets tend to become cruel or repulsive towards other animals. However, kids having pets like dogs or cats tend to care more for others.

The responsibilities of owning a pet makes them accountable and their self-esteem also increases. They grow-up to be dependable adults than kids who don’t own a pet. By keeping in mind their pet’s feeding and grooming routines, they also learn to keep track of their own routines.

Makes them Healthier

Studies have shown that there are also certain health benefits of having pets. Babies who are being raised near pets tend to fall less sick than the babies who are not. Pets, especially dogs, carry certain microbes from outside into your home. These microbes tend to help your baby by improving their immunity.

Interaction with pets also helps in releasing the dopamine hormone in your child. This makes them more cheerful than the others.

Food Specialities Of Different States Of India That Everyone Must Have

The variety of food India has to offer is simply unbelievable. Every state of it has an array of food and different cooking style. From the spiciest to the most ordinary preparations, they have something different to offer. To know more, we bring to you some authentic, must have, local dishes native to the various Indian states.

DAAB CHINGRI- West Bengal
Filled with green coconut, it is a traditional Bengali dish of soupy mustard prawn curry. The aroma of the coconut water and kernel gets mixed up with the prawn, giving it a most fabulous taste. This special delicacy is best served with a plate of boiled rice.

BAL MITHAI- Uttarakhand
This exquisite dish comes from the state of Uttarakhand which is made by roasting the evaporated milk cream with cane sugar and later coated with white sugar balls. It is one of a true delight for all the dessert lover.

KAMBU KOOZH- Tamil Nadu
It is cool refreshing and healthy dish from the state of Tamil Nadu. The dish is prepared from millet and is stored in the earthen pots to create a perfect taste.

MALAAI GHEWAR- Rajasthan
This round shaped food delicacy is a traditional dish of Rajasthan. It is made from flour, milk and pure ghee. There is a possibility that you might find it in the other parts of India also, but the one you get in Rajasthan is simply incomparable.

CHHENA PODA- Odisha
This is an Oriya desert prepared from the baked ricotta cheese. This sweet delight could also be taken as an Indian version of Cheesecake. Do explore when you plan your visit to the state.

THALIPEETH- Maharashtra
It could be taken as the multigrain pancake, prepared from roasted chana daal, wheat, sorghum, millet, rice and mildly spiced with coriander seeds, onion fresh coriander and cumin seeds. The delicacy is very nutritious and is best served with buffalo milk cream.

BHUTTE KA KEES- Madhya Pradesh
It is a dish made with spicy grated sweet corn. The tangy taste of this authentic delicacy is must to try when you plan to visit the state.

IRACHI ISHTU- Kerala
This is a traditional food item from Kerala which is made with Chicken, beef or lamb. This tasty stew is best served with appam or plain bread.

RUGDA- Jharkhand
When you planning to visit Jharkhand, do not forget to try Rugda. It is a variety of mushroom indigenous to the forests of Jharkhand. The dish is very healthy and is best eaten with rice or poori.

KALAADI CHEESE- Jammu and Kashmir
Prepared from cow’s milk, Kalaadi is a traditional local hill cheese which comes from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. You simply cannot forget to miss out on its divine taste when you are there.

MADRA- Himachal Pradesh
Coming from the state of Himachal Pradesh, Madra is a traditional pahadi gravy. The dish is prepared with yoghurt, coconut, almonds, peas and raisins. This special food item offers a very aromatic flavour and delicious taste.

BAJRA KHICHDI- Haryana
This amazing khichdi is made with coarsely crushed pearl millet and is served with pure ghee or sesame oil. The dish becomes all the more tasty with lassi, pickles, papad, gur or curd.

KHANDVI- Gujarat
This delectable snack is made from gram flour and yoghurt, tempered with sesame, mustard seeds and decorated with green chillies, coconut and coriander leaves for its amazing look.

BEBINCA- Goa
Famous for its seafood cuisine, Goa is also known for its authentic and exquisite pudding dessert. The traditional Bebinca in Goa is made up of 16 layers and is rightly served warm with cold ice cream.

DEHRORI- Chhattisgarh
It is a delicious dessert from the state of Chhattisgarh which consists of fried rice dumplings dipped in sugar syrup and garnished with nuts. The dish is usually prepared on Diwali eve to make the celebrations more joyful.

LITTI CHOKHA- Bihar
This crunchy dish from Bihar is prepared with wheat balls stuffed with Pitthi – roasted and spiced gram flour) and Chokha (mashed potatoes). The dish becomes all the more delicious with pure desi ghee on its side.

India – Jewellery Destination and Jewellery Shops in India

India and Jewellery, Jewellery and Indian women are interlinked with each other from decades. In almost every occasion starting from marriage to any event the fashion of a woman is incomplete without teaming up with proper jewellery. Some traditional and some modern styles of jewellery caters to the need of jewellery selection. Not only the affluent class can afford jewellery but there are also low cost jewellery items that cater the wide demand of jewellery in India. While picking up or choosing jewellery in India has lot to do with fashion trends heritage and culture. Different regions and culture follow their unique designs that go at par with their tradition. Kundan jewellery is a renowned art that we can see in Indian jewellery which usually comes from the state of Rajasthan. Almost every small and renowned jewellery shops in India showcases unique styles of Kundan art. Apart from Kundan jewellery Meenakari, the art of coloring the surface of metal to give a gorgeous look to the jewellery is quiet famous in India. Traditional temple style of Jewellery depicting the style of south India is quiet famous.

A married woman in India has to flaunt variety of Jewellery pieces as a part of culture that actually gives the lady a gorgeous look. A pair of toe rings is a symbol of a married lady these toe rings can be of silver or any other material. Apart from toe rings nose ring is also a part in Indian marriages. These nose rings are generally called nath that depicts prosperity of husband. Necklaces are an untouchable part of traditional bridal attire. Necklace can be of different designs. It can be of traditional temple design or it can be of curved design. This piece of jewellery actually is an essential part of bridal or non bridal attire. In any occasion women can flaunt a necklace simple or heavy as per their occasions. Bangles usually worn in the hands to decorate the hands of a woman are also a part of bridal attire.

In India there are a variety of jewellery shops catering to the wide demand of jewelleries. These shops provides almost every type and form of jewellery. Some of the important and renowned jewellery shops in India are P.C Chandra Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamond Jewellers, Kalyan Jewellers, etc. Apart from visiting a jewellery showroom nowadays online shopping from portals like Caratlane has become quiet famous among women who hardly gets time after their office hours. To brief out India and its craze for jewellery is inseparable.

Searching for a Personal Loan Just Got Simplified

Figuring where to get a loan with the best rates isn’t easy, but it’s still possible even after the credit crunch the United States has experienced in recent years. With a bit of research and persistence, it’s still possible to get a great personal loan. Many loans are still ridiculously high in spite of the Federal Reserve’s influence on rates which they’d hoped would trickle down to each and every loan type product.

It’s smart to know what determines interest rates in order to strike a better deal when wondering where to get a personal loan. A bit of research will help a person learn how to get the best rates on the following:

1. Mortgages

2. Lines of credit

3. Home equity loans

4. Auto loans

5. Credit cards

6. Student and personal loans

About Mortgages

There’s a lot that affects mortgage rates, and of course there are several different types of rates from fixed-rate to adjustable. Fixed-rate are always in relation to the current state of the economy. They are also subject to the expectations of the investor. They usually have long-term interest rates via treasury note as opposed to short-term personal loans that are regulated by The Fed.

ARMs or adjustable rate mortgages are affected by short-term rates. For those looking to find where to get personal loans at the best rates, they should prepare a portfolio that shows stable income, and a great credit score. A score of 740 or more is best. If they have a down payment that will also help, and cash reserves on top of that makes them a prime borrower.

Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t great rates for those who aren’t considered “perfect” borrowers. Making a larger down payment or borrowing less money will help get a personal loan, be it for a mortgage or other purpose, that’s a much lower rate.

Another way to reduce rates when searching for where to get personal loans is to pay an origination free up front, or even what are called discount points. This is simply a percentage of the loan amount that helps decrease the interest rate. Of course, this means one will pay more at closing if mortgage related.

How much these points lower the mortgage or rate of the loan depends on the market at the time of the loan. It’s smart to pay points because it reduces not only the interest for the total life of the loan but also lowers the monthly payment. Take into account how long the home will be owned to figure out if it’s a smart move. Most homeowners sell or refinance within 5 years of ownership, to give an idea.

Home Equity Line of Credit

Many prefer to take advantage of a home equity loan in lieu of trying to get a loan elsewhere. In this case, borrowers get money right away and in a lump sum. The loan is set at a fixed interest rate, which allows them to make the same payment every month for the entire loan term.

These type of personal loans are lines of credit that let the borrower take out money periodically when necessary. The interest rate can be different, depending on what is called the prime rate. The borrower may have the choice of making interest-only payments over a set period of time.

In any case, to get the best rate when looking for where to find personal loans, it’s best to be aware of one’s credit profile and secure a loan whenever interest rates are at their lowest.

Competitive rates and flexible terms are a click away, and you’ll have money from trusted lenders deposited directly into an account of your choosing. Applications are free, then fees and loans are up to the individual and the provider.

Three Ways to Increase Property Values

Real estate investors live and die by their ability to add value. With no added value, there are no profits. This is true with any business, but what makes real estate such a great business and a great investment, is the number of ways you can add value and cash in on big profits. Here are three ways you can add value to your properties.

Upgrades and Repairs: OK, this is the obvious one and is the reason fix and flippers can make money. Some repairs add a lot more value than it costs to do. The more creative you are with the improvements, the more value you can add. For example, I have a client that adds square footage to every house he buys. He really likes the inner city properties because they are the hardest to add square footage. You either need to finish an unfinished basement, or add a second story. There is not typically enough land on the lot to add an addition by increasing the foot print of the property. This client does a lot of basement finishes and “pop tops,” but where he has made the most money is the basement that is only 5 or 6 feet deep. He will go in and dig out the basement to a full 8 or 9 foot height and then finish it. Something most investors would not think of, so he is able to get the deal most other investors pass on. I have also seen some investors find houses that don’t really fit into a neighborhood and they make them fit. This could be limited bedrooms or bathrooms or funky floor plans. All of that can be changed. Obviously many cosmetic fixes like kitchens and bathrooms add a lot of value too. There is a lot more to it than this, but the idea is to buy a property at its true ‘as is’ value, (don’t over pay), and then add value with the repairs and upgrades.

Owner Finance: I love this one because it is so easy to add value with very little to no work. You will need to wait to cash in on your profits, but it is a way to increase a sell price significantly. You can also use this strategy to defer tax gains over a few years, instead of taking a big hit all in one year. When you have a property for sale there are a limited number of buyers for the house, although right now that pool of buyers seems pretty big. If you can increase the pool of buyers, the demand for that one house increases, which forces the price to go up. Someone that cannot qualify for an ordinary loan, limiting the supply of houses to choose from for that buyer, will likely buy your property. That also increases the price. You are adding value by giving them the chance to own a home that they normally would not be able to own. For this value, you should be compensated with a higher price and a decent interest rate on the profits, while you wait for the buyer to refinance and pay you off in full.

Shared Units: This is one area of real estate that I have not dabbled in, but it is extremely inviting. The idea here is to sell your property to multiple buyers. You are seeing this a lot in resort towns. It is always a vacation or second home. Have you ever been to a time share presentation? They are pretty enticing aren’t they? About 13 years ago my ex wife and I were in Florida and got sucked into a time share sales pitch. We decided to go because they offered us free tickets to Disney. We sat there for about an hour and a half and then the hard sale came. They were very good at selling the “idea” of the time share and had my ex wife sold. She asked me to move forward with the deal, but I could not bring myself to do it. I told her that I was not comfortable with an emotional purchase and that we needed time to think it through. “Can I please have our Disney tickets?” was my response. As we rode back to the hotel that afternoon, I started thinking about the math. Each unit can be sold to 52 different people because your purchase only gets you 1 week a year. Add that to the annual maintenance fees and the numbers are staggering. I know people who have flipped time shares successfully, because you can get them for free or near free on Craigslist, but it is not an investment I was interested in. With that said, I have considered doing a half or quarter share on a house in a ski town in Colorado. In this scenario, you are sharing a house with 1 to 3 other people so there is a ton more flexibility. You can use or rent out your weeks and you can be guaranteed valuable high demand weeks every year. It is a way to get a second home without the full expense. From the seller’s point of view, it is a way to get more for the house. ½ a share of a house is going to cost the buyer more than ½ of the fair market value. I have seen business plans from investors that would buy a house and quarter share it out. The idea was that after they improved the property and sold ¾ of the house to 3 different buyers, they would own the last ¼ free and clear. Obviously this strategy will work best in areas where people want second homes. The downside is if there are any improvements or major issues. I can see there being disagreements, so this is something you would want, as a buyer, to work out with all the other owners in writing before you buy.