Archive for February, 2009

Commercial Mortgage Tips

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

A commercial mortgage is a loan that is offered against commercial property that acts as collateral. A commercial mortgage is a type of a business loan that can be obtained by securing a commercial property against it.

Commercial mortgages
are generally used to purchase business premises like offices, shops, restaurants, or pubs. But they can also be used to finance the purchase of other business assets like plant or machinery.

A commercial mortgage is a loan against property that can be used for any business purpose. It is one of the best ways to fund the purchase of buildings and land for business as it is an adaptable and economical means of accessing capital. Commercial mortgages are one of the specialized mortgages because the lender has a first claim on the property till the loan remains unpaid.

Besides being a great source of finance to meet various business purchases, commercial mortgages is also a great method of financing the expansion of current business. It is a great method of accessing the capital that would not have been available to you otherwise. There are small up-front payments and the choice of designing a repayment plan according to your needs.

The characteristic of a commercial mortgage necessitates you to guarantee the purchased property to the lender. If you fail to pay the mortgage, the lender can take over the rights to the property and sell it off to recover the outstanding money.

A commercial mortgage is helpful in purchasing many types of commercial buildings like shops and offices, for your new and current business. A commercial mortgage can also finance investment in land or property that can be later on used for business activities.

The interest rates on commercial mortgages are generally lesser than the interest rates on unsecured business loans and the repayment duration is also more. This has made them a popular financing option for meeting all your business requirements. A commercial mortgage is an economical method of funding various business activities. They help in expanding a current business by financing the purchase of additional office or factory space.

A commercial mortgage is also a viable method of generating extra business loan finance, if the finance is a meant for business purpose. The principal needed and the rate of interest charged is decided by your credit worthiness and the estimation of your repayment capacity by the lender. If your business record is outstanding and own other major business assets that can act as security, then you can easily get commercial mortgage at attractive interest rates. The duration of a commercial mortgage ranges from 12 months to 25 years.

There are two types of interest rates that you can go for while applying for a commercial mortgage: fixed rate and variable interest rate.

You have to submit your previous 3 years of audited financial statements like Profit and Loss statement, balance sheet and a cash flow forecast to apply for the loan.

Get a Home Inspection done

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

It is compulsory and vital to get your home inspected before you finalize the purchase. The inspection lets you have an objective review of the problems with the home before you shift your residence.

Enforce the home inspection in your contract before you sign on the dotted line. You should be allowed to terminate a contract if the inspection throws up any major problems, which the seller is not obliged to repair, or if it can be very expensive for you to fix by yourself.

A home inspection report is a multifaceted document that has to be filled by the inspector as they go about inspecting the house. The inspector may not be able to report all the problems with a house, but generally they are very accurate and can detect most of the major faults.

The inspector examines the house right from the roof to the base. They scrutinize the state of the heating and central air condition systems, interior plumbing, electrical systems, roof, foundation, basement, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, visible insulation and structure of the home.

The costs of home inspection generally lie in the range of $200 - $400. This cost can be factored into the closing cost or you can pay it separately. Your real estate agent can help you get a home inspector, but ultimately it is your decision as to who will carry out the inspection.

Expert home inspectors are very exact and detailed. They are certified, though certain states do not need certification for home inspectors. But for the best input, always go for a certified inspector. Get recommendations from friends and family who have already had inspections done.

Visit the American Society of Home Inspectors’ (ASHI) website at http://www.ashi.org and the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI) website at http://www.nahi.org to get the list of licensed inspectors in your area, registered at these sites. The members have to adhere to the rigid standards and guideline practices and a code of ethics laid down by these institutes.