Questions & Answers

You have to start thinking S-M-A-R-T. What kind of cutbacks can you make? For example: I drink bottled water. Now at $1 a bottle on something that covers over 65% of our planet is not smart. So I bought one of those water filters that screw into your faucet. I have bottles that I refil over and over again. This doesn't take much time and you will reduce your carbon footprint as a bonus. Do you have a lot of small appliances around that house that are always on? Televisions, subwoofers, sterio equipment and microwaves use the most energy when they are left plugged into the outlet, even when they are turned off. Plug all your plugs from entertainment system into those 6 prong outlet plugs with the switch on them. When you are not using these items shut the switch off. I noticed a huge difference on my electric bill just by doing this. I also bought some of those florescent bulbs that look a lot like a regular bulb. These things use 80% less electricity than regular bulbs. Ave 60Watt incalescent bulb (old school) runs you 2 cents per hour. Ave 60Watt energy bulb averages 0.5 cents per hour. Wanna be creative? Find yourself leaving lights on? Buy a motion sensor switch, the lights will turn on when you enter the room and will turn off (by a set amount of time) when you leave the room. I have one, they cost $15 at HomeDepot. You would be surprised, but these small things add up. If you really need the money right away start cutting back on your food costs. Romain noodles cost a dime and they taste just as good as campbells chicken noodle that costs over $1 a can. Ok no chicken in romain noodles, but you are probably just missing about 4 tiny pieces of chicken. Adjust your toilet to use lesser water. If you don't know how to do this then put a brick inside your toilet 'chamber'. You will use a less water each time you flush, this adds up over time people. Before you know it you will be ahead. Need new windshield wipers for your car? Who says you have to buy 2? You only need the new one on the drivers side, leave the old wiper on the passenger side. Are you an impulsive buyer?? Listen here's what you do......always save the receipt. Find a place to save all the boxes, packaging, etc. Try to get obsessed with folding all the packing materials, making them neat and tape the receipt onto the box/package. Make a game out of it. And get yourself into a new habit called "impulse returning" I once bought a shampoo rug cleaner to scrub my carpets. After I was done I didnt need it anymore so I returned it to the store. I like to think of it as free rental. So remember you have to start thinking S-M-A-R-T! Yours truly seahorsehawrey. my source: http://www.myspace.com/legalizemarijuanaenergy

The best way is to sell it directly, do not involve people, businesses or websites that charge a commission.

You're own financial situation should weigh more on your decision than talk about the economy. You've saved the money so you won' be going into debt. You've saved the money so the money isn't coming out of your house payment or bill money. You sound responsible with money so I suspect you are not draining your savings account to go. If all that is true then go. Why not? Enjoy yourself. Put a little money into the economy. If you have a real concern about losing your jobs in the not so distant future then you may want to reconsider. Otherwise don't let the sky is falling crowd stop you.

I have bought and sold many foreclosures. I started in the 1980's when many fewer people were doing it. The process varies from state to state. In both FL and NC the auctions are held on the courthouse steps, in the county seat. In FL, lets say the home is sold for $100K. If you don't research the title, you may be purchasing a second mtg. You would then be responsible for the first mtg and the second. It is very important to do your homework. Then, you will need 5% down in the form of cash or a chashiers check made payable to the clerk of the court. The balance will be due after 10 days also in the form of cash or cashiers check. Not very often, the owner will be able to hold off the foreclosure process in that 10 day period by filing for chapter 7, 9, 11, or 13. When that happens, the courts will refund you your money but it takes about 4-6 weeks. In NC, you also need 5% down on the day of the auction but now the 10 day period after the sale is open to anyone that wants to still put in an "upset bid". This process continues until a 10 day period goes by without anyone bidding again. Then the balance is due in the form of cash or cashiers check. All other mtg's are wiped clean in NC. The process is different from state to state. I would suggest you go to the courthouse and lookup the upcoming sales (they are posted somewhere just ask) and watch the process. Then, contact and pay an attorney for advice on how it works in the state you are in. I should say I have all but left the foeclosure business because of the volitility of the market. Be very careful, do your homework, and make sure you know what you are buying.