SAFELY SAVE FOR YOUR CHILD’S UNIVERSITY STUDIES USING AN EDUCATION IRA! Friday, August 15, 2008

This investment retirement account (IRA) is useful to you as an investor to understand because it may be a good way for you to save for your kid’s education AND save on taxes. These plans are now called Coverdell Education Savings Accounts in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell. Individuals can make annual contributions of up to $2,000 per child into an account that's exclusively for helping to pay higher education costs. The money contributed to a Coverdell account doesn't count against the $3,000 ($3,500 if 50 and older) annual total individuals may contribute to their combined personal individual IRAs.

The earnings and withdrawals from a Coverdell account are tax-free, but you can't deduct the contributions from your income tax because the account is for the benefit of the child, not the contributor. This is great for parents who are good savers and investors who want to make an annual tax-saving contribution that they can invest in the stock market toward the education of a studious and responsible child. In addition, if your child received a Coverdell ESA distribution, you now can also claim Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning credits. Just make sure you don't use Coverdell money to pay for the same expenses you use to claim an education credit.

The beneficiary (your child) of the education IRA must withdraw the funds by age 30 if they don’t go to college and pay taxes and penalties on it. However, the account can be transferred to a sibling or the beneficiary's child if they don’t pursue a higher academic degree or use it all.

Once you have the account open you can use the stock market to help finance your child’s education selling the stock at a high price after you have bought it at a low price using techniques such as I teach.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Scott Brown, Ph.D., a.k.a. “The Wallet Doctor”, is a successful futures trader, real estate investor, and stock investor. Dr. Brown holds a Ph.D. in finance from the University of South Carolina and a Master in International Management from the prestigious American Graduate School of International Business a.k.a. Thunderbird. His 1998 articles in Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities were prophetic in predicting an impending stock market crash. He has helped many people become profitable investors teaching them to look out over many years to spot stocks that are low and primed for rise in the new bull market. His second article met with approval by Dr. Bob Shiller of Yale University. Dr. Shiller is the economist that Alan Greenspan most highly regards who coined the term “Irrational Exuberance.” In 1998 he was shouting out to the world to “get out” of the stock market but now he is shouting to everyone that it is time to “get in!” The Wallet Doctor is not only sought after for investment advice and coaching in stock investing but also in futures trading and real estate investing. He also teaches investing in Spanish and Portuguese. For more information visit Dr. Brown’s site at www.BonanzaBase.comor sign up for his investment tips at www.WalletDoctor.com

Financial Planning Services: Great Advice for Good Management

This is true that you need useful advices in all areas of financial services and these advices play a major role in some of the most important business decisions. Different financial planning services firms provide a dedicated service to both individual and corporate clients. You can seek advices regarding savings and investment issues and along with it regarding many other issues which are relevant to your company.

Generally saying, the functions of any financial planning services firm is multi-faceted. They can provide you help in the following way...

About the Author
Anton Kadin is an expert in the domain of asset management and investment solutions. Written from experience and with expertise, his write-ups provide guidance to individuals and businesses on asset management UK, investment solutions UK wealth management company and Financial Planning Services.
Protection - You can get genuine advices regarding life assurance and critical illness cover so that you can protect not only you and your family but also your business. You can get suitable cover in the most cost effective way.

Pensions - Financial planning services firms provide the services of individual and corporate pension planning. You can get advices regarding company pension schemes, SSAS, SIPP and annuity purchase and also total lifetime pension advice and pre and post retirement.

Investment/Savings - You can get investment advices regarding products ranging from ISAs to bespoke portfolio management.

Healthcare - Some financial planning services firms provide private medical insurance advice to ensure tailored medical insurance for both the individual and corporate clients.

Mortgages service – You also can opt for the advices regarding all aspects of residential and commercial lending.

Tax Planning – This is one of the major areas for which individuals and companies are opting for financial planning services firm. These firms help in monitoring the availability of tax mitigation schemes in the market place and analysing the associated risk and rewards. Products covered may include VCTs, enterprise investment scheme and other tax advantageous investments.

Therefore, if you need useful advices regarding any crucial financial issue then opt for the financial planning services firm to get it. After all management also needs advice sometimes.

Alcoholism as a Disease, Not a Weakness

Alcoholism is a disease in which drinkers have lost the ability to control their drinking, leading to physical and mental harm and loss of ability to behave in a socially acceptable manner. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, pathological condition that affects the nervous and digestive system, caused by the inability to stop drinking despite adverse consequences such as loss of job, family, and health. The disease is potentially fatal, however the most disturbing and debilitating part of alcoholism is the loss of self-respect, the possible job loss, and the toll it takes on the alcoholics family. There is also indication that there may be a genetic component with alcoholism.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence defines alcoholism as characterized by “impaired control over dinking…and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.” This means that for many alcoholics, they are unable to make a decision to stop drinking without the help of others.

Symptoms of the disease include but are not limited to sneaking drinks, lying about the amount consumed, irritability when alcohol is not available, mood swings, loss of appetite, a puffiness of the face, job loss and a high number of traffic tickets.

Family members need to develop an awareness of the disease and talk with the alcoholic. Most alcoholics are in denial and talking to the person about their disease can be very difficult. Choose a time when the person is sober. In addition, talking to the person after an alcoholic problem as occurred, such as a family argument, or a drunken driving ticket, for example, may be a good time to talk. Unfortunately waiting for a problem to occur from alcoholic behaviors can have serious consequences.

Family members coping with an alcoholic or addict can cause a great deal of stress in the family life. Therefore, there are support groups for Al-Alteen for children and teenagers. Al-Anon is for the spouse or loved one that has to cope with an alcoholic. These groups teach family members on how to cope with the alcoholic and process their emotions.

There are studies that want you to believe that alcoholism is not a disease. They are wrong. Alcoholism is a disease and while there is no cure, it is treatable. If it were not a disease, insurance companies would not pay for treatment.

Home Insurance – The Storm that saved my house

When, before I arrived shaken and financially distraught, clinging onto the so-called housing ladder, I was renting a house at a rent that was more than the potential mortgage payments for a mortgage that the bank wouldn’t give me. Well, technically, it was a house, if you can attribute that term to something that possesses walls, doors and a roof. It was an overpriced problem. But the experience gave me a valuable insight into how a simple home insurance policy is a handy tool in the worldwide war between landowner and tenant.

The utilities were to say the least, inconsistent. Whether it was a faulty tap or the failure of the entire electrical system, the owner of the house had a rather dysfunctional attitude to the legal obligations of the tenancy agreement she was so keen for me to sign.

She also had a habit of going away on holiday for a month which, given the weekly occurrences of domestic problems surmountable to determine the house uninhabitable, made me hate her. It was my £500 a month going out and I was getting nothing but exasperation and financial and mental expenditure in return.

To my polite, courteous, factual letters outlining ‘work to be done’ or ‘issues to be resolved’ her standard written response was literally: ‘Sorry to here you are having so many problems, perhaps you should move out.’

That would have been fine, had I had the time, energy, and somewhere to move out to. More so, there were advantages to the house. It was a quiet area. I’d previously lived in a street that seemed unpoliceable, lawless and in a constant state of anarchy. Screeching kids and drunken women fighting would greet me as I returned from work each evening, and usually as I left in the morning. I’d had enough of frying pans and fires; this time I was going to stand my ground.

One night there was a ferocious storm. From the detritus on the ground and in the trees I didn’t have to look at the house to know what was missing and what was still on. Both the composition and contents of what appeared to be most of the roof were now features of the front garden.

Making their way down the street were various uniformed figures of authority, each with their own agenda of health and safety, environmental protection and social welfare. One of them approached me and on inspection declared my overpriced hovel no longer fit for human habitation. As if it ever was.

The landlady’s home insurance company had to re-house me – in a plush, expensive hotel for 3 months while they re-did the house, not just repairing the storm damage, but after inspection by various authorative busybodies, a whole range of other faults.Her selfishness and greed had backfired. She was now compelled to fix everything out of her own pocket as the home insurance only covered the weather damage. Then I moved out into my own place. Ha ha.

About the Author
Sarah Maple is a writer and quite confused about his landlady's attitude towards proper home insurance

Car Insurance For Girls - Girls Enjoy Lower Rates, Here's How! Sunday, August 10, 2008

Cheap car insurance for girls is a great way for females to save money on their car insurance. No longer do you have to pay the same high price premiums that guys have to pay, simply because it has been proven that women are far less likely to have to file a high priced claim, than men are. That is not to say that all women are better drivers, there is always the exceptions. However, when it comes to getting into accidents and high claim accidents at that, women have less of a history than men do.

You have many ways that you can drive down the cost of your insurance premiums, besides the fact that you are a female. Cheap car insurance for girls can save you as much as 30 percent off the regular cost of premiums. However, you can save even more by taking the right steps and showing various items to your insurance agent.

For example, if you have a newer vehicle, one than is still in great condition, but a responsible and reliable at the same time, you can save even more on your insurance. Also, if you have let the DVLA know of any medical conditions that you may have, that need to be reported and can show that you are good physical condition for driving, you can save money on your car insurance.

You can also get cheap car insurance for girls if you do not intend to use your vehicle for carrying eight or more people and the vehicle has not been manufactured to do so. Some other ways to save even more money on your insurance include parking the car in a garage, having security devices fitted on the vehicle, and keeping your driving record clean and spotless.

So remember girls, you can save on your car insurance if you look hard enough.

The right Auto Insurance can save you money!

Auto insurance is a protective feature that everyone needs who owns a car. Auto insurance allows you to have financial coverage in case you are involved in an auto accident; regardless of who is at fault. When shopping for auto insurance keep in mind that rates will vary dramatically for the same driver, depending on which company you ask. The key to savings lies in comparing many auto insurance quotes, to find the insurer that will give you the best rates.

If the auto insurance company you’re investigating is sound then it’s possible to purchase cheap auto insurance coverage that will give you peace of mind. Most states require you to purchase a minimum amount of auto insurance. In order to even drive your car you need to have at least liability insurance, in other words you have insurance to cover the expenses of the other party if you cause an insurance. If you are at fault in an accident, your liability insurance will pay for the bodily injury and property damage expenses caused to others in the accident, including your legal bills.

There are some insurance companies that offer discounts to those drivers who put fewer than a predetermined number of miles on their cars each year. Considering the high price of gasoline, carpooling and taking public transportation such as buses around town can help you save more than just premium dollars.

We’ve searched the web for the best companies who offer great prices on auto insurance. You’ll find that there are many places to locate cheap auto insurance to not only save you money but to also give you adequate coverage and protection.

Take your time to look around and you’ll find that you can save on your auto insurance rates.

How to Save Money on Motorcycle Repair Thursday, August 7, 2008

Getting the most out of your bike’s repair job is good. But it would be better if you yourself are able to make the repair instead of having others service it. Doing your motorcycle’s maintenance is important for you to realize its fullest potentials.

Bike enthusiasts may not be familiar with the structure of their vehicles and could be missing out on the possibilities of maximizing the use of their motorcycles. Knowing your “horse” is very important if you want to understand it and give it the attention it needs.

The beauty of motorcycles is that is has a relatively open design meaning it is easy to be familiar with the inner workings of the bike. And this fact is going to save you money if you just know what to do and when to do it.

Personal maintenance of your bike is both a learning and rewarding experience. Of course you may opt to have others check-up your bike but nothing beats the satisfaction of having done a good job on your beloved motorcycle. It is fun and very much a worthwhile activity.

If you choose to be your bike’s personal physician, a good number of repair manuals are available that are filled with important information about motorcycles. It will provide you with the needed know-how regarding troubleshooting and maintenance. It also presents a detailed discussion of the engine, clutch, transmission, electrical system, wheels and final drive. The book will also give you tips on how to improve the bike's performance.

The basics of motorcycle repair are outlined in manuals like this making it easier for you to tinker with your bike. Making the necessary repair will be very easy with these manuals as they present you with a clear picture of what it takes to bring your bike back to life. There even also are pictures to further familiarize you with what part of your bike the manual is referring to. With this manual in hand, you need not just limit yourself to making minor repairs but you can also rebuild your engine if you wish so.

Even if you choose to keep your hands clean, it still would be good to understand how you bike works and what it needs to run smoothly. Troubleshooting is easier since you’d know beforehand what is wrong and can relay this information to the repairman. You can give him additional information that is sure to help in making the needed repair for your bike.

How dental insurance plans can benefit employees

Do you know like other insurances, 'dental insurance' is also available? In addition, there are some dental insurance available in the market that are just for employees. These dental insurances provide financial assistance to treat the damaged teeth and for normal dental care. Some years before, it was considered that only exuberant people indulge in dental insurances. Moreover, during that time dental care was utterly slept over. However, with the lapse of time, people have become more and more aware about their dental health and as a result, the trend of dental insurance is soaring high. Generally, many companies provide their employees with dental insurances. Generally, it is edified that one must get ones dental care insured.

Dental insurance is cheaper than other kinds of insurance. In fact, dental insurance costs less than 10% of the cost of the medical coverage. As many other insurance plans wrap many kind of plans within their entity in the same way dental insurance plans for employees also brings before you many kinds of plans. There are three major kinds of dental insurance plans, which are particularly for employees. Out of these three dental insurance plans, first one is Managed care plans. Managed care plans are counted among the most inexpensive dental insurance plan for the employees. This kind of plan covers some cost control measures and is suitable for small business. Under the rules of this plan patient has to pay a certain amount as co-payment and the amount of co-payment may be different depending on the procedure. Managed care plans are further divided into two types.

Under first one, known as Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO), employees are given the freedom to choose the dentist from the group of mentioned dentists. However, under Dental Health Maintenance (DHMO) dentists provide you certain services free of cost and do not give discount on the fees. Second, type of managed care plan is known as Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) consists of a network of dentists. If an employee joins this program than he or she may avail various dental facilities at comparatively lower cost. Second kind of plan that has specially been molded for employees is known as indemnity plan. Under the provisions of this plan, an employee gives a particular amount of money as premium and in turn, company pays the amount to the dentists for his services. Under the provisions of this plan company uses UCR (usual, customary, and reasonable) to pay the dentists. In case if the UCR rate used to pay dentists falls short of dentist's rate, the patient has to make up the shortfall. Among the three fundamental dental insurance plans that are provided by the small companies to its employees, third one is known as Direct Reimbursement Plan. Under the provisions of this plan, an employee is refunded the money that he or she spends on his or her dental care.

Finding The Best Automobile Insurance Online Friday, August 1, 2008

Automobile insurance is one of those necessary evils in life; many people don't want car insurance because of the cost, but most people aren't sure where they would be without it. In many countries having enough auto insurance to compensate others following an accident where you are at fault is compulsory and failure to carry the insurance can result in imprisonment. Insurance is designed to protect against any loss that comes out as a result of an accident, giving some relief to those found liable for accidents facing expensive lawsuits and giving the victim with suitable compensation through the system. Because of this, most people end up being fairly relieved that they have automobile insurance at some point in their driving career.

Getting cheap car insurance online, even the most basic of packages, can wind up saving you an awful lot of strife on the road when you get into an accident. In fact, more people are choosing cheap car insurance online as their sole automobile insurance provider than ever before because of the ease in which it is accessible. Car insurance online comes up with a valid quote for your insurance needs by calculating your vehicle type, your driving record, the roads you are most apt to drive on and the amount of time you will spend driving per month. From these variables, a car insurance provider can come up with a quote for their customers and can start to orchestrate a plan for delivering the best insurance possible. Tesco, Britain's leading automobile insurance provider, is one website that contains an awful lot of information that can help you come up with an online quote.

Getting your car insurance through Tesco can be a brilliant way to go about insuring your car in the UK because of the alternatives to some of the basic plans, including ample special features and a ton of unique vehicle-specific variables that can be plugged into your overall plan. Tesco car insurance has various no-frills style insurance packages that enable customers to mix-and-match some of their policy points in order to come up with a good policy that suits their needs. Along with looking online for automobile insurance, there are other things you can do to get low car insurance rates to come your way. The top tip that most experts offer is to shop around. Look online, offline and everywhere in between for the best low car insurance rates. Another idea is to make sure that all of the vehicles you will be insuring are located on the same policy. This is a good idea because it enables you to save up to or around ten percent per car through "multi-vehicle" discounts. An idea along these lines that some companies also offer is the "multi-line" insurance, meaning that if you insure your home and your car with the same company, you will end up with a discount on both pieces.

There are many opportunities to save money on your automobile insurance if you look in the right places. You can choose a higher deductible, for example, and save a good amount of money on your car insurance through that route. You can also drop collision altogether if you have an older car, enabling you to cut some fiscal corners and bring down your overall rate. The best option for saving money on your automobile insurance is, however, to not end up using it by driving safely.

by: edmondjg2

Your Car's Car Insurance Group Explained

The car insurance group for your vehicle is important when you are filing for your car insurance because it will determine the risk and safety factors which in turn determine your insurance premium from the insurance provider. Different countries have different car group ratings systems that are based on the type of vehicle, the horsepower of the vehicle and general safety standards of the car. With these distinctions in mind, insurance providers determine a group number or letter that categorizes your car insurance group and then determines your insurance policy utilizing this information. The ratings mostly apply to new cars, as older cars tend to fall under different ratings standards regarding car care and other specifics. Car care is taken into account when determining the car insurance group because the vehicle's condition becomes a primary factor when determining the premiums. The most commonly utilized grouping system exists in the UK and is comprised of a numbered system that labels new cars from groups 1 to 20.

The United States and Canada tend to use a stricter manufacturer based system to define the vehicle's grouping and narrow it down based on vehicle type, for example sports or luxury. The numbered system in the UK essentially runs on the premise that 1 is the lowest number and 20 is the highest. The higher the car insurance group, the more expensive it will be to insure the vehicle. These motor car insurance groups are merely suggested, however, but most providers utilize the ratings as a form of broad scale to determine the ultimate risk factor for the vehicles. There is no legal implications for not following the ratings system as employed by the Association of British Insurers, but most insurers do use the system as a good guide to determining the premium costs.

Motor car insurance in the UK also has its own standards by which to establish notions towards security features in vehicles and how effectively these features augment the insurance costs for that particular vehicle. With security alarms being built into most new factory models of vehicles, the premiums in terms of theft car insurance tend to be significantly lower. Car insurance companies are paying a good deal of attention to these security features when they determine car insurance group ratings because of the improvement in the safety features and its direct impact on the insurance industry. Car insurances companies are also paying attention to the specifications of the manufacturers as they put out new cars, adapting their policy terms to match up with the types of vehicles that are rolling off the factory line. This makes for an interesting and specific prospect when it comes to buying insurance because of all of the variables involved in purchasing insurance.

With the UK's numerical system, the business of buying insurance is becoming far more complex. Insurance providers, when determining the group ratings, take a look at the year, make and model of a particular car. New cars are the easiest to apply this rating scheme to because factory specifications make categorizing all of the cars a bit easier. With certain import models or modified vehicles, however, using a blanket numerical system could prove to be more difficult. Finding your car insurance group information, therefore, can give you a good idea as to how your car will rate in terms of insurance pricing and if and how easily you can afford the premiums.

What You Need To Know About A Car Insurance Adjuster?

If you're in need of a car insurance adjuster then there are a few facts you should know before you meet with him/her. The first rule of thumb is that if your car insurance adjuster is over friendly remember, he is there to save money for the company he works with, not especially for you. Don't ever sign anything without reading every detail and never underestimate the good will of the car insurance adjuster. If the adjuster wants to discuss anything on the phone, request that you would rather meet with him/her in person until after your insurance claim is settled.

You can be pleasant with the insurance adjuster but stay firm. No matter what happened at the scene of the accident, it is not the car insurance adjuster's fault if the person that hit you was an idiot. Don't underestimate the importance of an adjuster's impressions because they all go into your file. The way you act toward him/her could have an influence on your insurance claim later. Even if, for example, your car hit a deer, insurance adjusters will even be called for this too, to estimate the amount of damage to the car.

Again let the adjuster do his/her job and be friendly. When you hit a deer it can cause the same amount of damage in some cases as hitting a car, or even worse. Let the car insurance adjuster look at the damage and make up his/her own mind regarding the extent of damage. Again don't sign any thing until your car insurance claim is settled. An independent car insurance adjuster is also expected to settle insurance claims quickly. This person may not owe a particular allegiance to a specific insurance company, but they want to collect the fee from the company. An insurance adjuster's authority to settle a claim is restricted, but the adjuster will do everything possible to make sure you get treated fairly The bottom line is don't let a car insurance adjuster suck you into thinking he's your best friend in the world, only to be let down later. This is the nature of job and no matter how friendly the adjuster is, he/she is there to do a job.

You have little to do with that except provide them with information needed to assess the damages to your car. Just be a little careful when dealing with a car insurance adjuster.

Save Money By Getting A Term Life Insurance Quote Online Monday, July 28, 2008

When deciding or choosing what life insurance is best for you, you can avoid feeling pressured into a policy by searching for a term life insurance quote online. The service is terrific and it can be a fast turnaround because you control how fast or slow the process can be.

Getting a term life insurance quote online is as simple as the click of the mouse. With so many life insurance companies now operating on the Internet, all you have to do is log onto the various sites and check out the rates for term life insurance. When you check for a term life insurance quote online, you do not have to pay for the quote. This service is free and you should request quotes from at least three different companies. This way you can do a comparison of online life insurance quotes. Each of the companies has a form that you fill in and they will respond to you with the quote- usually in less than 24 hours. Some of the required questions you will have to answer to get a term life insurance quote online are your age, occupation, medical history and whether or not you smoke. All of these factors affect the price the online quote you receive.

A younger person will certainly get a much lower premium than an older person because the likelihood that he/she will die within the term of the policy is much less. Your occupation is also a deciding factor in getting the best possible online life insurance quotes. This is because the life insurance company looks at the dangers involved. If you do work at a dangerous occupation, then it is possible the company will have to pay out a settlement on the insurance before the term runs out. One thing you do have to remember with getting term life insurance quotes online is that these quotes are for a specified term, such as 10 or 15 years.

If you are still alive at the end of the term you do not collect any money from the policy. Whether or not the life insurance company needs you to have a medical depends on your medical history. If you have a record of heart disease for example, it will affect the term life insurance quote online that the company will give you. You many get a policy with a clause inserted saying that should you die of this illness, there not be any settlement paid out. You so have to be honest in answering the questions for the online life insurance quotes because it could result in cancellation of your policy down the road. Then you are left with no policy and you will have paid out money in premiums for nothing. However before getting a term life insurance quote online make sure you have found out exactly what type of life insurance you need.

10 Ways to Lower your Car Insurance Payments Thursday, July 24, 2008

Many people buy their own cars because it makes life easier. However, many also struggle with the costs that come with maintaining a car especially when it comes to making car insurance payments. Many car owners are continuously in search for better ways to lower their car insurance premiums. What most do is simply search for companies that provide cheap car insurance. However, what many do not know is that they can save so much more just by following a few simple tips.

For those who aim to save on car insurance payments, the first thing to do is make sure to shop around every so often. In fact, the reason why six-month car insurance polices are most preferred is that it allows car owners to switch and buy car insurance from other providers at the soonest possible time. This means that it is important to continuously survey the insurance market to search for the cheapest car insurance around. Some people find that it is most effective to check out rates for car insurance online while others learn about the cheapest services from their friends and family. No matter what your preferred method for getting car insurance quotes may be, the bottom line is to find the best car insurance to not only suit your lifestyle but your budget as well. Many people who make this a practice report savings of over $300 on policies valid for six months. This would translate to so much more in a span of one year.

Another thing to consider when trying lowering your car insurance payments is to take the option for higher deductibles. Many car owners feel afraid to do this because choosing higher deductibles means shelling out so much more money in case they get into a huge accident. However, the logic behind choosing higher deductibles is pretty sound. Obviously, higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Therefore, lower car insurance payments. Car owners should not worry too much about higher payments when a major accident happens because minor accidents happen more often than major ones and when it comes to minor damages, car owners will still pay the same amount.

Many motorists prefer paying for their premiums in monthly installments because it allows them to shell out a relatively smaller amount at a given time and budget their car insurance payments along with the rest of their monthly expenses. However, what they do not realize is that even the cheapest car insurance providers add on administrative fees for each payment. Even if the additional amount is only $7 or so, for people paying their premiums at monthly installments, this could easily add up to $84 which they could have saved over the period of that one year.

Another useful tip to help you lower your car insurance payments is to also look around for companies providing multi-line insurance. This means that you purchase all your insurance from the same company. Most insurers offer huge discounts for this. However, many people still try to look for cheap providers for each type of insurance they need. What they do not realize is that getting their car insurance and home insurance from just one provider can easily translate to about 15% savings.

Furthermore, if you think of yourself as a good driver and no evidence to prove otherwise can be gathered, here’s a good tip for you: look for car insurance providers that can reward you with big discounts simply because of your driving. In fact, some states such as California have made it illegal for car insurance providers to disregard good driving discounts. So, if you have not gotten yourself into any car accidents or received tickets for at least the past three years, do some research or ask around. You may qualify for lower premiums.

Nowadays, a lot of insurance companies will base the prices of their car insurance policies on your credit history. If you have been diligent in building a solid credit standing, then you stand a good chance on getting lower car insurance quotes when you buy car insurance. Aside from making sure unpaid bills don’t pile up, keep your credit balance as low as possible and don’t acquire more credit than you need. Keep your records updated and make sure to correct any errors so your credit history remains accurate.

Many car insurance companies also offer discounts to people whose cars have safety features. Airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock braking systems and other factory-installed safety features on your car may help you find the cheapest car insurance you can get. Make sure you tell your insurer that you have such features installed on your vehicle when you get car insurance quotes.

Sometimes it pays to be diligent to the point of being anal. If you want the cheapest car insurance you can get, you should review your car insurance coverage to check for unnecessary expenses in it. If you’re not thorough you may be spending on additional coverage that you don’t need or already have. A perfect example would be towing services. Most, if not all, auto clubs provide such services yet this is part of most car insurance policies as well. So before you buy car insurance review the car insurance quotes you’ve gotten and eliminate all the unneeded expenses.

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, look for insurers that give discounts to students and senior citizens. Some car insurance companies will offer discounts for students with good academic records and for drivers over the age of 50. Ask around or research on car insurance online, as well, if you have a college student in your family. Some insurers give discounts to parents with college-age children who go to school a certain distance away from home and don’t bring a car to their campus.

One last great tip to lower you car insurance payments is to use your car less. There are a lot of car insurance companies that will give you discounts if you keep the annual mileage on your vehicle low. So, evaluate how you use your car. If you make frequent short trips around town you might consider planning ahead and organizing all your errands so you can check all of it off your list in as few trips as possible.

One thing to remember though is that car insurance companies may differ in what they consider to be low annual mileage, so do your research. If you think you might be able to lower your mileage then get updated car insurance quotes.

Following just a few of these recommendations will surely help you lower your car insurance payments. Remember, it is not always about finding the cheapest car insurance provider. Most of the time, it is simply about knowing your options and weighing them to find the perfect car insurance strategy for you.

Life Insurance Rate Quote – How Yours Will Be Determined

In order to get a life insurance rate quote, you must first determine what kind of life insurance policy you want to purchase. There are two basic kinds of life insurance policies – term life insurance policies, and whole life insurance policies.

Term life insurance policies offer life insurance coverage for a “term.” This means, your life insurance coverage will last for a certain period of time. Most term life insurance policies offer coverage anywhere from five to thirty years. How long your term life insurance policy lasts is up to you. Term life insurance policies appeal to people because of the lower life insurance rate quote. Term life insurance policies are usually less expensive than whole life insurance policies, because term life insurance policies don’t offer, or require, the components that whole life insurance policies do. When you purchase a term life insurance policy, you’re purchasing pure life insurance.

In contrast to term life insurance policies, whole life insurance policies offer life insurance coverage for the rest of your life. They also provide a required savings component along with the whole life insurance policy. Some people are attracted to this savings component because it allows the whole life insurance policy to accumulate a cash value. The policyholders can use that cash value in certain times, such as times of financial stress, or times when they want to put the accumulated cash toward their policy premiums.

When you begin your search for a life insurance rate quote, take note that your life insurance rate quote will most likely reflect the type of life insurance policy you decide to purchase. You’ll usually pay less for a term life insurance policy, and get simply the life insurance coverage you want. You’ll usually pay more for a whole life insurance policy, but get extras you might need. Consider the life insurance rate quote based on the coverage, and extras, you want with your policy.

Tips for Getting the Best Insurance Quotes

1. Have your current insurance policy with you when requesting your insurance quotes.
2. Consider a higher insurance deductible.
3. Place all of your insurance policies with the same company to qualify for a multiple policy discount.

For car insurance quotes
1. Be sure all vehicle discounts are applied (Anti-lock brakes, Alarm system, daytime running lights, vin-etching, etc.).
2. Take a defensive driving course.
3. Be very accurate about your mileage to and from work.
4. Ask about affinity discounts.

For a homeowners insurance quotes
1. Be sure that your home is insured to its value
2. Be sure all home discounts are applied (Alarm, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, dead bolt locks, etc.).
3. If your older home has been renovated, tell your agent.

For a life insurance quotes
1. Consider level premium term insurance.
2. If you are a smoker, quit for at least 13 months and request that your insurance company consider you for a nonsmoker insurance rate.

For a health insurance quotes
1. Consider a higher co-payment or deductible.
2. Join a group health insurance plan.

For a long-term insurance quotes
1. Consider a longer elimination (waiting) period.
2. Purchase coverage when you are young (premiums are lower).
3. Pick a daily benefit based on where you live.

How To Choose The Right Color For Your Sports Car Tuesday, July 15, 2008

If you are buying a new sports car, you may have the opportunity to select its cover from the ever-growing palette provided by auto manufacturers. When selecting a color for your sports car, there are a few factors one should consider. Individuality may be more of a concern for some than it is for others. If one is seeking an original, or individual look for their sports car, they may be interested in the results of the annual DuPont car color survey. Every year, the survey examines each class of passenger automobiles and finds out which colors are most commonly chosen by consumers.

Based on the results of the DuPont survey, you should avoid a silver paint job if you are trying to stand out in a crowd. Silver has been the most popular color for sports cars each of the last two years and one out of every five sports cars purchased is silver. Those seeking a unique look may also want to think twice about going with red, blue or black color schemes. These three hues were the next most commonly used colors. In comparison, the number of yellow sports cars and green sports cars combined would still only equal approximately half of those sold with a red paint job. There are few things that are researched as much as consumer habits. Not only are popular colors evaluated by research teams, they have also examined resale values for cars of different colors. Paint schemes that are particularly unique, it appears, are harder to sell used.

Of course, this is not surprising. Thus, if you are preoccupied with eventual resale concerns, you might want to pick one of the more popular colors so the sports car will appeal to more prospective buyers. If you plan on driving the sports car as a primary vehicle or with great regularity, you should consider your environment and usage habits when picking a color. For instance, one who must access a dirt road regularly should probably reconsider a desire for white or similar light hues. Alternatively, a light color might be perfect for someone living in a sunny climate and is more concerned about heat retention and paint fading than with showing a little dust. When determining which color best suits you and your sports car, there is one factor you should not take into consideration. There is a venerable urban legend that claims car insurance is pegged at higher rates for those driving red cars. Proponents of this myth claim the insurance companies determined those who drove red cars were more prone to accidents and they accordingly increased rates. Today, there is absolutely no evidence to support the "red paint insurance" story. So, don't let the fear of a higher insurance premium dissuade you from buying a candy apple red sports car if that is your desire. One should, however, consider the available interior packages when picking out their paint color.

Generally, a dealer will recommend a complimentary color scheme, but many of us have seen cars with interior/exterior color combinations that were anything but flattering. Don't neglect to consider the look of the interior and the exterior together. Will the red paint really compliment the gray interior or neutral brown interior better? Make sure you put together a combination you will enjoy. One of the great things about buying a new sports car today is the flexibility it affords you. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter cars with few options and limited paint schemes. Today, you can assemble your car to your custom specifications, including the paint job. When picking your color, be thorough in your thinking and you are likely to end up with the perfect sports car.

Six Sigma In The Insurance Industry

6 Sigma concepts and philosophies were originally developed for improving the overall quality of business processes in the manufacturing sector. Companies like Motorola and GE were among the first few that successfully introduced Six Sigma concepts in their business processes. However, with the development of newer tools and techniques, 6 Sigma is now deemed appropriate for the services sector as well. The usability of Six Sigma in the services sector is easily evident from the increasing number of finance and insurance companies that are opting for 6 Sigma.

Consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the quality of services being offered to them, making it essential for the services industry to implement quality improvement techniques like Six Sigma for conforming to customer expectations. This is especially true for the insurance industry where the relationship between the insurer and the insured is still largely governed by sustained personal contact. By implementing 6 Sigma programs, insurance companies have been able to offer quality services at affordable rates to their customers. Identifies Key Business Processes Unlike other quality management practices such as Total Quality Management (TQM) whose effectiveness is difficult to measure, Six Sigma based improvement programs make use of statistical tools, which can measure the effect of changes being made in a very short time. 6 Sigma focuses on process orientation, enabling organizations to identify key business processes that are necessary for improving customer satisfaction. This helps managers in understanding the exact requirements of their customers and in altering business processes to suit customer needs and expectation. Follows A Disciplined Approach Six Sigma has helped insurance companies in improving quality as well as reducing costs of services offered. It has enabled insurance companies to follow a disciplined approach, which has helped in preventing errors, minimizing hand-offs, and eliminating rework and workarounds. It has also helped in increasing the speed of business processes used in the insurance industry. Helps In Making Informed Decisions 6 Sigma has enabled managers in taking informed decisions based on statistical data. With the use of Six Sigma tools and techniques, managers no longer have to rely on their perceptions or gut feelings for rendering the level of services promised to policyholders, clients, and prospects. Helps In Building Customer Loyalty 6 Sigma emphasizes on understanding the needs of the customers before making any changes to business processes. This helps insurance companies in building customer loyalty among their policyholders, which is necessary for the long-term success of any business organization. Insurance companies can also hope to increase their market share, as satisfied customers are most likely to recommend a company that offers quality services while advising a friend, relative or business associate. Helps In Reducing Costs Six Sigma tools and techniques aim at streamlining business processes in such a way that helps in reducing costs. This helps insurance companies to improve their savings and avoid drastic cost-saving measures such as downsizing, which can have a negative effect on employee morale. It can also create doubts in the mind of policyholders and prospects as downsizing usually attracts a lot of negative publicity. 6 Sigma has helped the insurance industry in bridging the gap between planned strategies and actual operations by providing analytical and in-process performance measurement tools. These tools are used for comparing planned goals and objectives with actual outcomes and for finding the reasons as to why a particular business process is not giving the desired results. Once the exact problem has been pinpointed, managers can make the necessary changes that will help in improving overall quality of services rendered to policyholders and prospects.

Exposing the Car Insurance Quote Mystery Friday, July 4, 2008

Congratulations, you have just purchased the car of your dreams; you worked a great deal, now it is time to insure it. Car insurance is mandatory in all states, and must be maintained throughout ownership. Insurance quotes can vary from company to company, and there are a few factors that you can control, and other factors you cannot. A full understanding of how insurance quotes are arrived at, will give you the best rate, and maximum coverage. Factors that cannot be controlled include the age of the driver. Common sense tells us that a new driver would be more of a risk to an insurance company, than an established driver. Therefore a driver in their early 20's would pay a higher premium than a driver in their 40's. Further, elderly drivers have poor reaction time, and similarly would pay more of a premium. The ideal driving age would be between 35 to 55 years; anyone younger, or older would pay more. Gender is another uncontrolled factor that insurance quotes are based on. Statistically, insurance companies see females as safer drivers than males. As a result, female drivers pay less than their male counterparts. There are factors, which we can control, namely the amount of traffic tickets and accidents. A ticket is a violation of law that could potentially result in an accident. Insurance companies frown on this, and will penalize the driver with higher rates. Similarly, accidents could indicate a pattern of behavior; as such the driver is penalized with higher rates. Where you live is another controlling factor that effects insurance quotes. Living in a rural area, puts the driver at much less risk of accident or theft as compared to living in a city. As a result, city drivers will pay a larger premium than rural drivers with very few exceptions. Want to drive a Porsche 911 Carrera? It will cost you. The more your car is worth, the higher your insurance quote will be. The logic should be obvious. Car insurance companies are now looking at your credit worthiness. Do you have excessive, outstanding credit, or no credit at all? If so, you are a risk in the eyes of the insurance companies, and will get socked with higher insurance quotes. Keeping your credit in check will show the insurance companies you are responsible, both financially, and on the road. As a result, you will pay lower premiums. Your occupation can put you at a higher risk. Jobs that require many hours of driving, or driving in hazardous conditions, or places will put your quote at a higher rate. Less driving, and exposure to high-risk opportunities, will result in lower premiums. Additionally you want to keep your annual mileage down to a minimum. The more miles you drive, the greater the risk of accident. Vehicle theft is a risk factor that can easily be minimized. Most companies will give you a discount for having better security for your vehicle. An alarm, or another approved anti-theft device will usually result in some discount. Some companies may insist on having such devices installed on more expensive and desirable cars before they even consider offering you a price. Some companies look favorably on drivers who have taken a defensive driver's course. They see this as a commitment to safer driving, thereby lowering the risk of accident, resulting in lower premiums. Keep in mind these are just general guidelines, and the difference in price between various companies can be significant. What one company may consider a high-risk factor another company may not view as so important. The bottom line, keep your credit in check, be careful on the road and choose a car that fits your budgets.

Insuring Your Small Business Friday, May 2, 2008

The number of small businesses starting up in the UK increases every year. The people starting a new business do it for a variety of reasons, to follow a dream; the need to stay at home combined with the need to work, redundancy, the list is endless. The growth of broadband Internet has fuelled this growth in many sectors. Some of these businesses will need financial backing from a venture capitalist and some will not; but all will need a business plan.You might never need to present this business plan to anybody, even if you don’t it is still wise to have one.

This will act as an aide memoir when you feel everything is collapsing about you; or when everything is moving so fast it can get your feet back on the ground.However enthusiastic or skilled you are in the business you plan to start you are probably not skilled in business practices so your business plan, when presented to a business expert, will highlight the missing knowledge. Without it they do not know what you do not know about business. Anybody you ask to help you finance or support your business, whether it is a bank, stock suppliers or a venture capitalist, will want to see a business plan before even considering investing in your idea.

But what do you put in a business plan and how is it structured. Well you have to show that you have researched the market thoroughly and understand the competition you may face. It has to be well presented and show a severe attention to detail. The plan should reflect a sense of professionalism, with no spelling mistakes, realistic assumptions, and credible projections of cash flow. If you find all this daunting there are web sites, companies and associations out there to help you.One thing you must remember, the better you plan your venture the better you are capable of solving problems that may occur.

The failure rate of small businesses increases year by year, but this is because inadequate time was put in beforehand finalising a business and financial plan for the venture.You may or may not need financial backing for your new venture. When sitting down and planning out your dream you should work out the finance you need for stock, business supplies, advertising, equipment and wages for the first few months while you build up custom.Do not forget insurance. Business insurance is for the big boys you might think, not for you sitting at home behind a computer running an Internet marketing concern, cleaning windows or making wedding dresses. The law sees you in the same light as the IBM’s and Fords of this world.

Your personal and home insurance will be invalid in most cases.Some companies offer a special small business insurance package or will tailor make a business insurance package to suit your requirements. Whatever it is you need it will not cost a fortune, it will enhance your business standing and confidence and could save you a fortune. These days it only takes one litigation claim against you to force you out of business and end your dream.

The mainstays behind any small business insurance package are public liability insurance and product liability insurance. It is often a requirement that before you can work on or visit third party premises that you have public liability insurance. This provides cover against death or bodily injury to the public and loss or damage to property not owned by you or in your custody or control. Product liability will cover you against the supply of goods to someone else which through your negligence causes injury or damage. It includes solicitors’ fees, all costs and litigation expenses, damages and claimants costs for which you would be legally liable.One thing to be reassured of when starting up a new business, nobody wants you to fail.

There are companies and associations out there who want to help you. Some are free such as the local chamber of commerce who can provide you with a wealth of information including employment laws, local companies who might need your services and useful addresses. There is the Federation of Small Businesses which has local groups who meet regularly to discuss topics that are affecting them or to see presentations from service industries. On top of these there are local business support agencies, banks, venture capitalists and many more. They are all in business to help their customers as much as you are in business to help yours.

Exposing the Car Insurance Quote Mystery Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Congratulations, you have just purchased the car of your dreams; you worked a great deal, now it is time to insure it. Car insurance is mandatory in all states, and must be maintained throughout ownership. Insurance quotes can vary from company to company, and there are a few factors that you can control, and other factors you cannot. A full understanding of how insurance quotes are arrived at, will give you the best rate, and maximum coverage. Factors that cannot be controlled include the age of the driver. Common sense tells us that a new driver would be more of a risk to an insurance company, than an established driver. Therefore a driver in their early 20's would pay a higher premium than a driver in their 40's. Further, elderly drivers have poor reaction time, and similarly would pay more of a premium.

The ideal driving age would be between 35 to 55 years; anyone younger, or older would pay more. Gender is another uncontrolled factor that insurance quotes are based on. Statistically, insurance companies see females as safer drivers than males. As a result, female drivers pay less than their male counterparts. There are factors, which we can control, namely the amount of traffic tickets and accidents. A ticket is a violation of law that could potentially result in an accident. Insurance companies frown on this, and will penalize the driver with higher rates. Similarly, accidents could indicate a pattern of behavior; as such the driver is penalized with higher rates. Where you live is another controlling factor that effects insurance quotes. Living in a rural area, puts the driver at much less risk of accident or theft as compared to living in a city. As a result, city drivers will pay a larger premium than rural drivers with very few exceptions. Want to drive a Porsche 911 Carrera? It will cost you.

The more your car is worth, the higher your insurance quote will be. The logic should be obvious. Car insurance companies are now looking at your credit worthiness. Do you have excessive, outstanding credit, or no credit at all? If so, you are a risk in the eyes of the insurance companies, and will get socked with higher insurance quotes. Keeping your credit in check will show the insurance companies you are responsible, both financially, and on the road. As a result, you will pay lower premiums. Your occupation can put you at a higher risk. Jobs that require many hours of driving, or driving in hazardous conditions, or places will put your quote at a higher rate. Less driving, and exposure to high-risk opportunities, will result in lower premiums. Additionally you want to keep your annual mileage down to a minimum.

The more miles you drive, the greater the risk of accident. Vehicle theft is a risk factor that can easily be minimized. Most companies will give you a discount for having better security for your vehicle. An alarm, or another approved anti-theft device will usually result in some discount. Some companies may insist on having such devices installed on more expensive and desirable cars before they even consider offering you a price. Some companies look favorably on drivers who have taken a defensive driver's course. They see this as a commitment to safer driving, thereby lowering the risk of accident, resulting in lower premiums. Keep in mind these are just general guidelines, and the difference in price between various companies can be significant. What one company may consider a high-risk factor another company may not view as so important. The bottom line, keep your credit in check, be careful on the road and choose a car that fits your budgets.

What Should I Look For In My Ideal Used Japanese Cars?

The very first and most obvious thing you should look for when attempting to choose used Japanese cars to buy is its ability to still function. If the car runs, then the first hurdle is overcome. But then you have to check whether it still runs well, or whether it will run for awhile then die on you halfway down the block. To check about the functionality of your Japanese used cars, you either have to have an engineering or automotive background, or find a friend or acquaintance that does. Barring those possibilities, you may have to hire someone who is really knowledgeable about the inner workings of any Japanese used car for sale that you are eyeing to buy.

The second factor that will influence your decision to buy your ideal used Japanese cars is its appearance. Obviously, a rusty and dented external housing on your choice of Japanese used cars means they will command a lower price than Japanese used cars of the same model and manufacturer which are in pristine condition. Even if you are buying used Japanese cars to cannibalize, you would still prefer used Japanese cars which are in relatively good condition than those which have a lot of damage to them – relatively being used loosely here because equally obviously all used Japanese cars are second-hand goods which been discarded by their previous owners for one reason or another.

That leads us to a third factor behind buying used Japanese cars – safety. You should think about why you are buying used Japanese cars in the first place: are you buying them to collect for your family, hoping someone will appreciate their potential value and will spend on their upgrade and renovation? Are you buying the used Japanese cars as potential sources of parts for Japanese cars that are already in your collection at home? Will you be using your used Japanese cars as viable transportation to and from work or will they be housed somewhere (maybe in your personal warehouse) to meet some future need? Are you hoping that if you upgrade and renovate your used Japanese cars that you can eventually find financial profit from selling them to other car aficionados? Safety is a big concern if you want to use your used Japanese cars to drive in yourself. In the world of machines and manufacturers, there is such a concept as planned obsolescence which is regularly practiced. This simply means manufacturers do not create their machines (in this case cars) to last forever. They are meant to be used for an estimated amount of time then to be discarded in favor of future models from the same manufacturer. This not only helps resolve safety issues but guarantees future business for the car company and its employees. It is a good policy if it means that the used cars will not be used anymore by anyone – but in the case of used Japanese cars, we know that there are people who do intend to keep using them. And that is where risks come in.

So if you have a pretty good life insurance policy, it may seem wise to use your used Japanese cars for regular transportation. Otherwise, it may be better to simply keep them in a garage or warehouse – to fiddle around with or just simply admire.

Motorcycles More Dangerous Than Cars

These figures are courtesy of yesinsurance.co.uk, who said that over the past 25 years the fatality rates of all other types of transport have dropped considerably, the risk of riding a motorcycle has maintained its dangerous fatality rate.

In 2006 6,484 motorcycle users were killed or seriously injured according to the Department for Transport, this is in comparison to 14,254 car users. Motorcyclists are 51 times more likely to be killed than car drivers, this figure is considered per mile travelled, they are also twice as likely as pedal cyclists, the next most vulnerable group.

Paul Purdy of yesinsurance.co.uk said: "The rising cost of fuel and the exemption of motorcycles from the London congestion charge have been two of the factors encouraging car drivers to switch to motorcycles.

"This has implications for other cities such as Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, where the introduction of a congestion charging system could lead to a rise in road casualties. Deaths and serious injuries of motorcyclists in their forties have almost doubled over the past ten years, whilst figures for those in their twenties and early thirties have declined."

He added: "Whilst we support the move to encourage car drivers to use other forms of transport in city areas, as an insurer we are acutely aware that the risk factor for motorcycles is over 50 times higher than it is for cars, as far as deaths and serious injuries are concerned."

There is a prevalent trend for relatively inexperienced middle aged men to switch from cars to powerful motorbikes, this is something that is contributing to the rising number of accidents. The sheer number of accidents are pushing up bike insurance prices for all motorcyclists.

Motorcycle traffic has increased by 37% over the 10 years leading to 2006, this is according to Department of Transport figures. Paul Purdy recommended: "Wherever possible, we encourage drivers to turn to public transport rather than motorcycles when avoiding the congestion charge."

Motorbikes are often seen as a dangerous form of transport, and it seems from these figures that the assumptions are correct.

Although it could be the sheer vulnerability of the motorcyclist if an accident should occur, the injury and fatality levels are higher, but unlike a car passenger there is no metal shell protecting you on a motorbike. With a car you have a metal frame work that will take the brunt of the impact in an accident, you are also surrounded by safety features such as seatbelts and airbags which minimise injuries. On a motorcycle the only protection you have is a helmet and leathers.

Motorcycles are also harder than cars to see on the road, a car can clearly see another car approaching but it can often be hard to see motorcycles approaching, especially if they are driving to one side of a car.

It is said that two thirds of motorcycle accidents are attributed to speeding, braking or manoeuvres on the UK’s roads. The two main reasons behind motorcycle accidents are collisions with fixed objects and negotiating around corners and sharp bends. Corners and sharp bends can be fatal to motorcycle users if not taken safely, bad weather conditions can also contribute to accidents, as can deteriorating road surfaces.

Florida Luxury Housing Market: A Slow Market Offers Opportunities For Bargain Hunters

While the luxury residential markets in Florida continue to sell briskly because of the influx of overseas buyers, mainly Europeans and Canadians, who are buoyed by their strong currencies, housing analysts say that the market here may finally be showing signs of cracking.

News reports have made headlines of billionaire Donald Trump dropping the price on his Palm Beach property by 20 percent, which has led to market watchers saying that the U.S. housing crunch has finally made its way to the wealthy.While the oceanfront mansions and upscale condos here are surprisingly holding fort, one of the most toxic states in the nation's housing meltdown may finally be showing some signs of wear and tear.

Waning Enthusiasm Or Activity Is Noted On The Luxury Market

In a recent luxury property auction in the city of Fort Lauderdale, the auctioneer took home after home off the block within moments after opening the bidding, since no one made an offer. In one high-rise condo development in the Miami enclave of Williams Island, a 3,100 square foot penthouse which before was listed at $5.6 million, the bidder opened bidding at $5 million, then lowered the price to $3.5 million, then $3 million and $2.5 million until he closed the the auction.

Some housing market observers noted that there's just not that much enthusiasm or activity in the luxury market,and after the local real estate market peaked two years ago, local brokers noted that high-end real estate was the only aspect propping up the condo market in areas like Miami, which many consider to be one of the most overbuilt and overpriced in the country.

The Slow Market Is Providing An Opportunity For Bargain Hunters

Based on recent statistics, the median price of condos in areas like Miami gained 6 percent last year, while price drops of around 25 percent or more were seen elsewhere in the state amid the U.S. mortgage crisis, rising property taxes and hurricane insurance problems. The shoreline in Miami offers thousands of waterfront developments that have held their value better than cheaper houses and condos inland, where the foreclosure crisis has battered homeowners. In December, the condo markets in Miami had a bad month, when the median price fell 10 percent.

Auctioneers were also reported to have sold "north of 20" of the 50-plus properties on sale at the Fort Lauderdale auction, where the event offered an estimated $300 million worth of that ranged from a $2.45 million, one-bedroom unit located in Fisher Island, to mansions that soared past $15 million. Housing analysts note that the high end residential market is resilient, and certainly the residential market has corrected since the peak of 2005.

However, a lot of properties were quickly pulled from the auction when no one made an offer, and bargain hunters had an open field. One bargain hunter quickly snapped up two bayfront houses located in Miami Beach's upscale Venetian Islands, getting one for $500,000 and the other for $1 million. These homes previously had prices of $2.75 million and $2 million respectively in mid-2005, based on county records.