Higher taxes on top of a high LTV can destroy your cash flow.
Over the past couple of years, I have been concerned that rising property tax rates will eventually threaten the livelihood of rental property owners.
As if to partially confirm this, I have recently been contacted by two different investors who are victims of property tax hikes that took them from a positive to a negative cash flow.
In both cases we are talking about a doubling of the property tax bill in one single year.
I personally experienced a near tripling of taxes on a rental property. My per month cost for taxes went from an initial estimate of $54.17 at the time of purchase to $125 per month the following year.
The fact is no single entity on the face of the earth can affect your real estate investments the way that government can. Governments can add a significant cost of doing business via rising tax rates.
It can change the rules in the middle of the game, force you to pay up or else, and only government, (especially local government), has the power to affect every single property owner in a given city, or county. Even bankruptcy won't rescue you from the clutches of the tax man.
The general rule of thumb for residential property investing is that you should never exceed 80% financing on your income property. You should plan for higher taxes and keep your LTV at a reasonable level. While there are 90% and even 95% loans out there for investors, it can be dangerous to take out such loans as the risk of negative cash flow is much higher.
Most investors and even home owners, should be very cautious about refinancing residential properties to pull additional cash out. A higher loan amount, combined with a large tax assessment could put you in the red overnight.
If your strategy is to buy and hold, be very cautious about exceeding an 80% Loan To Value. Over-financing can cost you a whole years profits to compensate for a two month vacancy.
If your rent rates have to be artificially high in order to cover loan payments and taxes, you may not be able to find a suitable tenant. Few investors can handle the financial strain of vacancies and negative cash flow for long periods of time.
The issues facing our cities and counties in the 21st century are complex and appear to be beyond the knowledge and expertise of most local politicians. We must find new ways to manage the costs of government services in order to insure a supply of affordable housing in the years to come. Increasing property taxes has traditionally been a local governments answer to every budgeting need. If this continues, it could put investors in many cities out of business, and ruin the small investor's ability to provide affordable housing.
For now, keeping lots of equity in your properties is the only real way you have to protect yourself from negative cash flow caused by rising property taxes. While it is exciting to think about taking tens of thousands of dollars out of your properties to use for tax free income, smart investors are very conservative here, and prefer to keep lots of equity for a rainy day.
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With so many styles and features, these arent your average scooters and theyre not just for kids anymore!
Both adults and children can gain from the pleasure and convenience of electric scooters. Whether your children want a fun way to zoom around the neighborhood, or youre college student without transportation to class, or your work commute is too hard on your feet, almost anyone can benefit from an electric scooter.
Most electric scooters are easily compactable, using no dangerous fuels, have short charging times, and quiet motors. Ride your scooter to work or school and store it under your desk. Save time and skip the walk, save money on gasoline, and even do a small favor for the environment. Not only are electric scooters practical, theyre fun!
With quiet riding electric scooters, there are no smelly fumes and no need to mess with gasoline fuel. Plus scooter batteries are recyclable. While many riders choose scooters for the entertainment value, these earth-friendly vehicles are a sensible alternative to automobiles.
There are dozens of scooters to choose from, such as ZAP, GoPed, or Razor just to name a few. Your first step toward purchasing your new scooter is to make a list of what youre looking for. Manufacturers tailor some scooters for children, with a weight limit and a lower maximum speed. But other scooters go faster and further, supporting more than 200 pounds.
Scooters can cost from under $200 to over $1,000. Whatever your needs, youre sure to find a scooter in your price range. You can even choose an electric scooter with a seat.
Electric scooters are battery powered and rechargeable. Most charging times are less than eight hours. Your scooter may even have a quick charger.
Do you want to travel in style or do you just want to play in the backyard? There are trendy seated scooters complete with a headlight and rearview mirrors, usually priced around $2,000. More basic stand-up types vary in speeds and range. There are even off-road and stunt scooters for the more adventurous.
Even if your scooter is designed for a multitude of uses, be sure to observe safety. Wear proper attire and obey traffic laws. Avoid quick moving or congested traffic, give pedestrians the right of way, and operate your scooter defensively.
Make sure the scooters age recommendation suits your childs abilities. For example, Razor makes an easy to control, three-wheeled scooter suitable for children as young as two.
Just like learning to drive, you should thoroughly read the users manual and practice enough to feel comfortable before heading out to the open road. And just like your car, dont drive your scooter while drinking alcohol. It might be a toy, but it can still be dangerous. Find out your local laws regarding scooters in public places. While gas-powered scooters are not allowed on public transportation, you may be able to tote your scooter on the bus.
Take care of your scooter and it will provide you with years of entertainment. Since there are relatively few moving parts, electric scooters are reliable and durable. Many scooter manufacturers sell replacement parts online. Most adults can assemble and repair parts. However, having some bicycle mechanic knowledge certainly helps. The drive belt that powers the scooter is similar to a bicycles chain system.
Once you find your perfect electric scooter, make sure you are ready for curious questions and amused onlookers. Scooters are growing in popularity. Manufacturers are developing more creative designs and innovative features each year. Get ready to enter a new world of enjoyment and convenience with your new electric scooter.
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We all want to become more confident and feel good about ourselves so we can live our very best life. Here are some ways to gain confidence and raise self-esteem:
1. Do something that requires a decision and a follow-through.
Have you been putting off writing that letter to aunt Martha? Is there a friend youve been meaning to call? Wash the car, tidy the garden or clean the house. Youll gain confidence by setting goals (even small ones) and following through on them.
2. Enjoy something you do well.
Do you have any hobbies or sports that you enjoy playing? Some things like going swimming, painting or writing can hold your attention and get you into a state of flow. While you are in the flow you forget about everything else.
Afterwards, youll feel competent and capable. Its a great way to boost your self-esteem. If you dont have any particular hobbies or pastimes that you enjoy make an effort to try something youve always wanted to try.
Picture yourself doing it, and then give it a try! It doesnt have to be something big - it can be as simple as joining a walking club.
Youll find that you are more centered and happier if you do something that puts you in that flow at least once a week.
3. Shift the focus.
Its been shown that low self-esteem develops hand-in-hand with individuals who put too much focus on themselves. You can gain confidence by doing something that focuses on someone else or even something else.
Youll find that when you are in a situation where you are meeting new people, you immediately become less nervous when you focus on the person you are meeting.
At the end of the day, youve interacted with others and will notice that you feel much lighter.
4. Relax, already!
Learning to become more relaxed is a great life enhancer. People who are more relaxed have fewer problems with their memories and are more likely to take the bumps in the road of life in stride.
The practice of meditation has gained popularity for this reason. You might want to look into Tai Chi, which involves physical relaxation techniques.
Whatever method you decide on, take relaxation seriously. The benefits are just too great to ignore. If youve never considered relaxation important, think of it this way: if you can attend to something that results in feeling good, how can you not gain confidence in your personal abilities?
5. Make a list of everything youve ever accomplished.
Think small. An accomplishment is an accomplishment! Some things you could put on your list: passed my drivers test and got my license, scored a goal when I played hockey, managed to save enough money to go on a trip and so on.
These are just a few ideas you can use to gain confidence and boost your self-esteem. Use these ideas as a base point and add these things permanently in your life.
Keep in mind, people are not born with good self-esteem, most of us have to work at it. It develops from your thinking and the things you do daily to make yourself feel good.
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