Private Annuity Trust vs. 1031 Exchange When a PAT Makes Sense (Part II)

In the last article, I pointed out when, as a real estate investor, doing a 1031 Exchange on the sale of a Real Estate Property may not be your best option.

So, let's assume you do want or need to sell a real estate investment, don't want to do an exchange, and don't want to pay a huge lump sum capital gains tax payment of 15-40% on your gains. Now is the time to see how a Private Annuity Trust can save you money.

It's important to know that you don't avoid paying your capital gains tax obligation, you just get to defer all payment for a while if you're under 70 years old, or you at least get to spread out the obligation over many years. The total of years can be your lifetime or a fixed number of years determined by you when you set up the trust.

So, how does that help you? Well, if someone were to offer you a 0% interest loan on let's say $300,000.00 for the next 30 years, and you only had to make minimum payments, would you jump at the chance? Most people sure would. Think of how you could invest that 300K so that you could enjoy the benefit of the interest it accrued. This is effectively what a Private Annuity Trust does for you. It allows you to keep most of your gains working to your advantage, while paying back the money owed to the IRS over a long period of time.

This also holds for the depreciation recapture if you owned your property for a long period of time and depreciated it according to a schedule to realize annual tax advantages of owning investment real estate.

If you do not put a tax strategy in place and sell outright, not only do you owe capital gains tax, but you also owe depreciation recapture, which can be another 25-35% of your total depreciation taken over the ownership cycle of your investment.

And, you will avoid the possibility of the dreaded Alternative Minimum Tax trap. This is something else that may catch you by surprise when you least expect it triggered by your outright sale of property. This could mean having other legitimate tax deductions disqualified and a higher tax payment owed by you.

As you can see, it's definitely worth it to consult with an expert in Capital Gains Tax saving strategies before you make the decision to sell your real property.

The PAT can also work with the sale of a second home, vacation home, or even your primary residence. With these assets, a 1031 exchange is not an option.

Paula Straub will help you understand the Capital Gains Tax Saving Strategies and save you money. Get your free report Seven Secrets to Help Real Estate Investors Hang onto Their Capital Gains at the Keep Your Capital Gains website.

How to Use Real Estate Lists

If you are planning to purchase a home, you should be on top of your game in order to make a wise investment. There are many crucial elements in this potentially stressful process. You should make sure that you find a home that suits your family's needs. You should also make a prudent investment, so that you can sell the house for profit in the future.

It would not be wise if you choose a house that depreciates in value. If you want to ensure your home's worth, you have to do some research before any purchase. This may have been difficult 15 years ago, but this has become an easy task because of the Internet. All you have to do is hop on the web, and acquire real estate lists, and check out houses for sale all across the country.

I started browsing through real estate lists when I was looking for a new home a few years ago. It didn't exactly have to be a new home, but I did want it to be nice. I decided to check out a few houses personally after browsing through a number of valuable real estate lists on the Internet. At that time, I was looking in Salem, Oregon because I found out that houses there were popular.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find a suitable home after viewing around eight houses in person. I had no choice but to go back to the real estate lists. This was when I found the perfect house. It was a nice three bedroom, two and a half bathroom house situated in an ideal location. I was amazed at how pleasant the neighborhood actually was. With a fully fenced in, half an acre lot, it was really amazing. My wife and I decided to purchase it immediately.

If you want to acquire real estate lists to help you find a home, simply hop online and pull up Google.com. Punch in the keywords real estate lists and you will be rewarded with a long list of houses for sale ranging from one coast to the other. Nowadays, real estate lists are so simple to come by, even for the average person. Remember to consider the neighborhood, and not solely the home. Also keep in mind that the location and environment are important factors.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Real Estate Lists. Visit our site for more helpful information about Real Estate Lists and other similar topics.

How to Choose the Right Paper Part 1

Choosing the right paper for your project is more complex than just picking the most expensive sheet and keeping your fingers crossed.

In fact, you shouldn?t think about choosing paper based on the highest quality available, or the highest quality you can afford. Rather, you should figure out the most appropriate quality paper for your needs because most appropriate equals best.

The point is -- no one sheet fits every project. Paper is complicated. It is three-dimensional and, in addition, no two print jobs are ever alike. The ink coverage, batch of paper, and moisture in the air -- all will affect the production of a printed piece.

We?ve compiled our top ten tips to help you find the right paper for your projects and here in Part 1, are 3 priorities to consider when making your selection.

Consider Paper Early On
As soon as the preliminary design is done, spec your paper and get quotes from printers. Tell your printer you are open to suggestions, not substitutes, but suggestions.

Depending on the sheet size your printer plans to use, small changes like 1/16th of an inch in the width of your piece can sometimes make a big difference to allow the job to fit better on the sheet. At this stage, you can still make small adjustments to the design, but not when the client has signed-off on the final proof.

Getting your quotes early will also make you aware of any turn-around times you should consider in your deadline. Make adjustments if the paper you have specked is readily available from your local merchant (1 day) or has to be shipped from the mill?s warehouse (2-5 days).

A lot of mills also offer custom sheet sizes to minimize your paper waste and help you save on your overall paper cost. But you need to know early, which paper you want to print on, as these orders can take anywhere from 5-14 days.

I know paper availability is a big concern for many of you, so we will have an extra Paper Tip about this in a week or two.

Personality
Consider the life span of your printed piece. Is it a direct marketing piece, that on a good day, 5% of the recipients will look at? Or does your piece have a longer life span like an annual report, a marketing brochure or catalogue?

The personality of your piece, its life span, texture, color and coating determine the price range and quality of your paper, in addition to your budget.

Ask yourself what impression the piece should make. A non-profit organization asking for financial support sends a mixed message when its mailer is printed on a premium stock. Premium paper suggests luxury and the recipient may think, ?why bother, they seem to have enough money anyway.?

If you are printing a job that reflects environmental issues, choose papers with recycled content, visible fibers or a mixed composition with a lower brightness and a texture that conveys the environmental feel.

For projects that suggest luxury, metallics, iridescents, suede, leather and other specialty papers create a stunning first impression.

Finish
When designing a piece, we designers have a very clear idea of what kind of finish will enhance our design. Some designs ask for gloss, some need a matte finish -- don?t mess with us, we know what we want.

If color and crisp image or photographic reproduction is your concern, a coated gloss, matte or silk sheet is always a great and safe choice. But, there is definitely a trend toward uncoated sheets.

Large corporations are aiming to portrait a softer, more understated image. With fluorescent inks and knowledgeable prepress technology, the natural surface of uncoated papers is an ideal background for four-color process printing.

The paper is not only there to give the ink a foundation, but to enhance the design of the image you want to portray. A great example is the Eddie Bauer piece that fits the company?s personality to a ?T.? The texture and feel of the uncoated Neenah stock gives the impression of a sketchbook or diary kept while on a relaxing trip through the great outdoors.

Create a special interest even with a one-color print job. Don?t shy away from trying something new, like unusually textured or specialty papers that already are a trend in Europe and are gaining more and more popularity here. The new generation of production techniques make it easier to convert, print and finish these sheets.

Check back for Part 2 and Part 3 of How to Choose the Right Paper.

Sabine Lenz is the founder of PaperSpecs, the first interactive paper guide specifically designed for the design/print industry. For more than 15 years, she has been a graphic designer in Germany, Australia, and the U.S.

Ms Lenz worked on design projects ranging from corporate identities to major road shows and product launches. From start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, her list of clients included Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Deutsche Bank, IBM and KPMG.

Seeing designers struggle worldwide to stay current with new papers and paper trends inspired Ms Lenz to create PaperSpecs, an independent, comprehensive web-based paper guide and to publish a weekly e-zine. She is also a speaker on paper issues and educational topics related to the paper industry.

http://www.paperspecs.com

Why Your Left Eye Wins

Bridal Jewelry to Wear Again and Again

You want your bridal jewelry to make an impression, while not interfering with the wow factor of the wedding gown. For some brides, their bridal jewelry exists to be worn at their wedding. Then it goes into the jewelry box or safe to never be worn again. That is just not right!

You took a lot of time choosing the bridal jewelry. It should be a memento that you can wear over and over again. Every time you put it on, you will remember your special day that you became someone's wife. The cake gets eaten and forgotten. The flowers eventually wilt and die. Your wedding dress gets preserved in the hopes that you can pass it down to your own little girl some day. But your bridal jewelry, that is something you can take out time after time to enjoy. Liken it to the pictures in a photo album. You can relive those moments, then put them away to treasure for another time.

Pearls are often a part of the bridal jewelry. They are classy, elegant and have a timeless quality. No matter what setting it is in - gold, silver or platinum - bridal jewelry pearls can accentuate your features and your wedding dress. Not all pearls are created equal. There are a number of color variations, so you may have to bring your wedding dress with you when selecting your bridal jewelry. A warm, creamy color is one variation of pearls. Another variety has a pinkish hue.

When considering other bridal jewelry options, think about the design of your wedding dress. The neckline is important in your decision of bridal jewelry. If the neckline is high, you can choose a necklace with a special pendant or charm. Perhaps there is no neckline and the wedding gown is strapless. Your choice of bridal jewelry would then be a choker and possibly earrings to match. If the neckline is low or open, you could wear a necklace with complementary earrings. You could forget about the necklace part entirely if the wedding gown is very ornate in the front. If that is the case, then earrings are your best bet in bridal jewelry.

Another thing to think about in selecting bridal jewelry is whether or not the dress is really ornate and elaborate. If it is, perhaps a basic, understated bridal jewelry set is your choice. A simple dress with casual, elegant lines calls for more sophisticated bridal jewelry.

Feeling a bit funky? Punch up your bridal jewelry with a little color. Highlight the wedding colors in your necklace, bracelet and/or earrings. Colorizing your bridal jewelry gives you more options to wear them after the wedding is over too.

Shop around. If you are near a jewelry store while running errands, pop in and browse. Sometimes finding the right bridal jewelry for you will happen when you least expect it. Or, you can sketch out your vision of what you want your bridal jewelry to look like. A business that custom crafts jewelry could probably make what you want. Of course, there is always a higher cost involved for original work.
Just remember, you are the star of the wedding. The bride and wedding dress usually are. Your bridal jewelry reflects the inner you, so wear something that speaks to your heart. Pick something that you can wear again and again. Your memories, thanks to the bridal jewelry, are priceless.
About the Author

Dave Poon is the owner of Go Wedding Gifts. We take the headache out of selecting gifts for your wedding party, whether they are Bridesmaids or Groomsmen. Come and see our selection of bridal jewelry at http://www.GoWeddingGifts.com.

Connecticutt Foreclosure Procedure

Connecticut foreclosures are performed by the courts in a Judicial proceeding with two (2) alternative methods of foreclosure: (1) Strict Foreclosure and (2) Foreclosure By Sale. The reason that there are two alternative methods of foreclosure is simply a matter of equity in the property. If there is no equity in the property, the property will be given to the bank under the strict foreclosure procedure. The rationale for this type of outcome instead of a foreclosure by sale is that there will be no money to distribute after a sale. This determination is made by the judge in the particular case.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO FORECLOSE (breach letter)

If the lender wants to chase the homeowner for any loss suffered as a result of the auctioning of the property at less than the amount owed on the mortgage, it must send the breach letter described in the previous chapter. The lender must also comply with the Promissory Note provisions and mortgage provisions as well as, the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act 15 USC 1692.

FILING A COMPLAINT TO FORECLOSE

Prior to filing a complaint to Foreclose the attorney representing the bank will cause a title search to be completed to ascertain the names of all lien holders on the property. All lien holders will be made party defendants in the foreclosure complaint. The complaint will be filed in the County Superior Court and will recite the facts of the mortgage, referring to the Volume and page # of the Land record and the fact that the mortgage has been breached and is still due and owing. The bank will then request alternative judgments requesting possession, a deficiency judgment, and strict foreclosure.

The form of the complaint is given to the attorney by the Superior Court. The complaint will require a notice to all people unemployed or underemployed who owned a property continuously for two years that they may be entitled to relief pursuant to Connecticut G.S. 49.31W.

Return Date

Connecticut requires that the with the summons and Complaint be served upon each defendant twelve (12) days before the return date. The return date is set by the banks lawyer and requires the parties to file an appearance with the Court. Connecticut, unlike many other states requires the complaint to be served prior to the complaint actually being filed with the court.

Default JUDGMENT

In order to foreclose upon a property the plaintiff needs to receive a default judgment or if contested a summary judgment hearing or a trial will be held establishing the debt. There are three (3) ways to obtain a default judgment against the defendant: 1) Failure to appear; 2) failure to disclose a defense; 3) failure to plead.

Failure To Appear The defendants must file an appearance within two (2) days of the return date ( ten days from receipt of the summons. Failure to do so, will allow the bank to get a judgment by default.

Failure To Disclose A Defense

This default is only available when the debtor ( homeowner) has a lawyer representing him. If the homeowner has a lawyer and fifteen (15) days have passed since the return date, the banks lawyer will file a demand for the disclosure of a defense. If the attorney for the homeowner fails to disclose the defense within five days, then a motion for default can be filed and will be granted if no defense is disclosed prior to the hearing.

Failure To Plead

If the homeowner is representing himself and has not filed a response within the fifteen days then a motion for default will be filed and the homeowner will be defaulted if a pleading is not generated before the hearing.Once the defaults have been entered the bank can move for a judgment.

Motion for Judgment After receiving the default, the lender or its attorney will file a motion for Judgment. The judgment must have the following documents attached to it.

1) Original Promissory Note

2) original mortgage

3) all original assignments

4) A real estate appraisal with an oath;

5) military affidavit;

6) affidavit of debt

7) affidavit that the lender does not participate in the Connecticut Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program. Once filed it normally takes seven (7) to fourteen (14) days to get the motion on the foreclosure calander.

JUDGMENT HEARING STRICT FORECLOSURE OR FORECLOSURE BY SALE

A judge at the judgment hearing will decide if the property needs to be set down for a sale date of for a law day based upon the documents presented.

How To Naturally Get Bigger And Firmer Breasts

More than ever, women are opting for natural ways to enhance their breasts. Women who find themselves wanting bigger and firmer breasts without resorting to surgery often find effective solutions in the modern and effective natural breast enhancement treatments that are now available.

Most women who try methods like push up bras and implant surgery often end up disappointed. Breast implants are unnatural and can leak and cause other problems, and push-ups and padded bras are only a temporary solution.

For women who want permanent results, beyond the simple solution of a pushup bra, the herbal supplements on the market combine special ingredients to enhance the breast to become larger and firmer, more shapely and sensitive.

However knowing that women who desire a little more cleavage and fullness are looking for a natural solution, a lot of companies have popped up promising their products will wonder wonders. One way to make a good decision is to not trust companies whose websites look fake or cheap as if they were put together in 5 minutes.

Try to compare different natural breast enhancement websites with only original and several testimonial pictures and texts. Make sure you can also find a list of the ingredients on their website. A company who does not list its ingredients is not confident that their product really works.

As natural breast enhancement supplements will work differently for each woman, you should only purchase from a company with a solid money back guarantee.

And a sure way to find out if a natural breast enhancement product is worth your time, do a search on the product and see if it is highly and positively reviewed on product review websites.

Start enjoying a higher confidence and all-natural results from an inexpensive and guaranteed natural breast enhancement solution today.

Sandra Richardson is a nutritionist who writes about women's health issues. If you found the above helpful, click the link to read more about natural breast enhancement at her website, http://www.herbalmedstore.com