The Secrets to Asset Protection to Protect Your Human Resources Assets

Asset protection comes in many different forms. At its most complex asset protection will include such things as multiple legal entities and trusts. Whilst at the other end of the spectrum, asset protection also include such mundane items as insurance. One area that is not considered very often, however, are human resource assets when it comes to asset protection. And it is this area, that I will be considering in this article.

Okay, so what is asset protection as it relates to human resource assets? It is a fact that the number one asset of most businesses is its staff. And depending on how hard they work, their efficiency, and the way that they are perceived, will also tend to indicate how successful the business will be. What this means is that when considering asset protection strategies, a business should not only be looking in terms of protecting their cash assets. But also in terms of looking at measures that could control, protect and nurture their human resources assets.

There are several ways that asset protection can be applied to human resources. Firstly, there are contractual ways that it can be applied. So for example, a good first step in any business is to establish which of your staff are key staff and then lock them into binding, longer term contracts.. Now, it is common when entering a business and asking the owner of the business which of their staff are 'key', to receive the answer. "All my staff are key". And in some ways this is correct, because all of the staff and do add to the bottom line of the business. But in reality, the staff that you employ in your business all still follow the Pareto principle, which is that 80% of your results, come from 20% of your actions. What this means in terms of staff hiring, and in terms of asset protection when it comes to your staff, is that 20% of your staff, produce 80% of your results. So you really need to identify which are the 20% who are having a massive impact within your business.

Considering asset protection within this framework, it becomes increasingly clear that there are relatively small amount of human resources assets. That actually produce the bulk of your profits. And when you start to realize this is also the time when you start to realize that you need to put measures in place, in order to keep them. Because they are worth far more to you than you can possibly imagine.

For the very latest information about asset protection find legal firm and other asset protection resources. Visit http://www.News-Clinic.info where you can also learn about asset information management systems

Secrets to Getting the Right Protection for Your Nursery, Pre School or Kindergarten

For many people and businesses insurance is something they would rather not have to purchase.

Most people don?t want Insurance. Most people don?t like insurance.

What you probably do want is protection for your family, your loved ones, your business and the things that are most important to you. The mere mention of Insurance may very well make a vast number of people think of words like:

Rip-off, too expensive, waste of money, doesn?t pay claims, annoying, boring and some much worse!

The truth is though for most people and businesses Insurance is required as it provides them with protection and peace of mind.

With literally thousands of insurance companies, brokers and providers you are faced with a massive choice. So faced with decisions at every turn finding the right cover for you, your Nursery, Pre-School or Kindergarten is sometimes difficult.

This article will therefore give you some free advice that insurance providers rarely share with their customers. These few steps should help you in your quest to find the cover that is best for you at the right premium and with the best service.

Secret Number 1

The first secret to making sure you get the right cover at the right premium is perhaps the one that most people will find hardest to believe but it really works.

Are you sitting comfortably??? Here it is:

When you find yourself ringing around for quotes (and for anyone looking for Nursery Insurance I would recommend buying face to face or on the phone rather than online) the chances are you will be asked ?What?s your current premium?? or ?What?s the best price you?ve had??

The single biggest mistake people make when asked this question is to not tell the person asking the question. That?s right, when you are asked the best price you?ve had TELL THEM.

Most people assume that by telling an insurance provider your premium you are at a disadvantage. The truth is the opposite is true. Let me explain:

If you tell a good insurance provider your premium they should pretty much know straight away whether the premium is too high, too low or about right. Armed with this information they could give you an immediate indication if they can get a lower premium. If they know they can?t they can tell you and save you time.

Another reason you should tell the person if they ask your premium is because the vast majority of insurance companies won?t give you the best price unless they have something to beat. Let me say that again, if you don?t give your broker or company a price to beat, the chances are you won?t get the best premium. However, if you do tell them, they can use this information when dealing with the insurance company which ultimately can save you money.

One final tip on this matter is, don?t be tempted to make up a price. For example, Mrs Blogs is looking for Nursery Insurance and she has a best price of ?2500.00. She thinks it?s too much money so when asked the magic question of ?What?s the best price you?ve had so far?? she decides to go in low at ?1800.00. By doing this most companies will know the price seems low and many won?t even provide a quote. Whereas had Mrs Blogs been up front and said ?2500.00 there?s every chance she could have saved some money.

Therefore Secret Number 1 is be totally honest when looking for insurance as it?s the best way to make sure you get the best premium. Give it a go...it really works.

Secret Number 2

Secret number 2 is common sense but so many Nurseries fail to make sure it happens because they are focusing on the price. The second way to ensure you get the right cover is therefore to use an insurance provider who has an understanding of your requirements.

You can establish this by listening to what questions they ask, how they ask them and how they react to what you are saying. If they enter into a conversation about your Nursery it?s likely to be because the more information they have about your circumstances, the better cover, the better premium and the better service they can provide you.

If the conversation is very scripted and they either don?t understand what you?re looking for or don?t ask the type of questions you would expect there is every chance it?s because they don?t have a real understanding of your business. If this is the case you risk not getting the right cover and ultimately not being correctly insured.

Secret Number 3

Secret number 3 is ask questions. So many people ring around looking for Nursery insurance, Pre-School Insurance or Kindergarten Insurance and spend the entire conversation answering questions. Secret 3 is therefore ask questions to find out if they provide not only the right cover and premiums but also the right level of customer service. Types of question you might want to ask are:

In the event of a claim what will they do to help you and to ensure your claim is settled as quickly and as favourably as possible? Do they just give you a telephone number and leave you to it or do they offer help when you most need it? Are they experienced? How long have they been trading? If it?s a Broker, which Insurance companies do they use? Again, if they are Brokers are they independent? That is, do they have access to numerous policies and insurance companies or are they tied into just one?

By getting answers to these questions you can then a make a decision on whether you would like to deal with them (and whether you trust them to act on your behalf.)

Secret Number 4

The fourth and final secret to making sure you get the best from your insurance provider is another which may not seem right as Insurance is one of the most price sensitive purchases a Nursery, Pre-School or Kindergarten will make.

With this in mind many Nurseries, Pre-Schools and Kindergartens make the decision on where to place their insurance on price alone. I would advise anyone looking for Nursery insurance, Pre-School Insurance, Kindergarten Insurance or indeed any kind of Business Insurance is NOT TO ASSUME THAT CHEAPEST IS BEST.

Whilst getting a low premium is one of the most important things to look for, a really cheap premium without a combination of other factors is probably cheap for a reason. Things you may want as well as a low premium are:

Are they local? Are they friendly and approachable? (we all prefer doing business with people we like) Who are the insurance company? Have you heard of them? What is the excess? Make sure the excess is one you agree on and not one given just to give you a low premium Do they have a good reputation? Do they listen to you and explain things in a way that you understand?

If you follow these 4 simple secrets there is every chance your experience when dealing with Insurance for your Nursery, Pre-School or Kindergarten will improve. And whilst I cannot guarantee that Insurance will become your number 1 hobby (in fact I?d be a little concerned if it did!) there is every chance the cover you get will be what you want, the premiums you pay will be less than you?ve paid before and the service you receive will be one you would be happy in giving and one you would be happy to recommend.

The secrets to getting the right protection for your Nursery, Pre School or Kindergarten was compiled by Mark Burdett, Marketing Manager of Northern Counties Insurance Brokers.

The Secrets To Getting The Right Protection For Your Nursery, Pre School Or Kindergarten

For many people and businesses Insurance is something they would rather not have to purchase.

Most people don?t want Insurance. Most people don?t like Insurance.

What you probably do want is protection for your family, your loved ones, your business and the things that are most important to you. The mere mention of Insurance may very well make a vast number of people think of words like:

Rip-off, too expensive, waste of money, doesn?t pay claims, annoying, boring and some much worse!

The truth is though for most people and businesses Insurance is required as it provides them with protection and peace of mind.

With literally thousands of insurance companies, brokers and providers you are faced with a massive choice. So faced with decisions at every turn finding the right cover for you, your Nursery, Pre-School or Kindergarten is sometimes difficult.

This article will therefore give you some free advice that insurance providers rarely share with their customers. These few steps should help you in your quest to find the cover that is best for you at the right premium and with the best service.

Secret Number 1

The first secret to making sure you get the right cover at the right premium is perhaps the one that most people will find hardest to believe but it really works.

Are you sitting comfortably??? Here it is:

When you find yourself ringing around for quotes (and for anyone looking for Nursery Insurance I would recommend buying face to face or on the phone rather than online) the chances are you will be asked ?What?s your current premium?? or ?What?s the best price you?ve had??

The single biggest mistake people make when asked this question is to not tell the person asking the question. That?s right, when you are asked the best price you?ve had TELL THEM.

Most people assume that by telling an insurance provider your premium you are at a disadvantage. The truth is the opposite is true. Let me explain:

If you tell a good insurance provider your premium they should pretty much know straight away whether the premium is too high, too low or about right. Armed with this information they could give you an immediate indication if they can get a lower premium. If they know they can?t they can tell you and save you time.

Another reason you should tell the person if they ask your premium is because the vast majority of insurance companies won?t give you the best price unless they have something to beat. Let me say that again, if you don?t give your broker or company a price to beat, the chances are you won?t get the best premium. However, if you do tell them, they can use this information when dealing with the insurance company which ultimately can save you money.

One final tip on this matter is, don?t be tempted to make up a price. For example, Mrs Blogs is looking for Nursery Insurance and she has a best price of ?2500.00. She thinks it?s too much money so when asked the magic question of ?What?s the best price you?ve had so far?? she decides to go in low at ?1800.00. By doing this most companies will know the price seems low and many won?t even provide a quote. Whereas had Mrs Blogs been up front and said ?2500.00 there?s every chance she could have saved some money.

Therefore Secret Number 1 is be totally honest when looking for insurance as it?s the best way to make sure you get the best premium. Give it a go...it really works.

Secret Number 2

Secret number 2 is common sense but so many Nurseries fail to make sure it happens because they are focusing on the price. The second way to ensure you get the right cover is therefore to use an insurance provider who has an understanding of your requirements.

You can establish this by listening to what questions they ask, how they ask them and how they react to what you are saying. If they enter into a conversation about your Nursery it?s likely to be because the more information they have about your circumstances, the better cover, the better premium and the better service they can provide you.

If the conversation is very scripted and they either don?t understand what you?re looking for or don?t ask the type of questions you would expect there is every chance it?s because they don?t have a real understanding of your business. If this is the case you risk not getting the right cover and ultimately not being correctly insured.

Secret Number 3

Secret number 3 is ask questions. So many people ring around looking for Nursery insurance, Pre-School Insurance or Kindergarten Insurance and spend the entire conversation answering questions. Secret 3 is therefore ask questions to find out if they provide not only the right cover and premiums but also the right level of customer service. Types of question you might want to ask are:

In the event of a claim what will they do to help you and to ensure your claim is settled as quickly and as favourably as possible?

Do they just give you a telephone number and leave you to it or do they offer help when you most need it?

Are they experienced? How long have they been trading? If it?s a Broker, which Insurance companies do they use?

Again, if they are Brokers are they independent? That is, do they have access to numerous policies and insurance companies or are they tied into just one?

By getting answers to these questions you can then a make a decision on whether you would like to deal with them (and whether you trust them to act on your behalf.)

Secret Number 4

The fourth and final secret to making sure you get the best from your insurance provider is another which may not seem right as Insurance is one of the most price sensitive purchases a Nursery, Pre-School or Kindergarten will make.

With this in mind many Nurseries, Pre-Schools and Kindergartens make the decision on where to place their insurance on price alone. I would advise anyone looking for Nursery insurance, Pre-School Insurance, Kindergarten Insurance or indeed any kind of Business Insurance is NOT TO ASSUME THAT CHEAPEST IS BEST.

Whilst getting a low premium is one of the most important things to look for, a really cheap premium without a combination of other factors is probably cheap for a reason. Things you may want as well as a low premium are:

Are they local?

Are they friendly and approachable? (we all prefer doing business with people we like) Who are the insurance company? Have you heard of them?

What is the excess? Make sure the excess is one you agree on and not one given just to give you a low premium

Do they have a good reputation?

Do they listen to you and explain things in a way that you understand?

If you follow these 4 simple secrets there is every chance your experience when dealing with Insurance for your Nursery, Pre-School or Kindergarten will improve. And whilst I cannot guarantee that Insurance will become your number 1 hobby (in fact I?d be a little concerned if it did!) there is every chance the cover you get will be what you want, the premiums you pay will be less than you?ve paid before and the service you receive will be one you would be happy in giving and one you would be happy to recommend.:

The secrets to getting the right protection for your Nursery, Pre School or Kindergarten was compiled by Mark Burdett, Marketing Manager of Northern Counties Insurance Brokers.

The Best-Kept Secrets In Child Protection

Photo ID - Good to start an initial search of a missing child if it is up to date. It is only good to start the search with! Please do not rely on it to find your missing child! Just think about how many people can you show it to; see my point. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get all the information you need to protect your children. Gte it now!!! http://www.protect-a-kid.com/newsletter.htm

Private Investigator that specializes in crime prevention and missing children recovery. Totally dedicated to child safety.

Family Meetings 101Deborah Shelton

Family meetings provide opportunities for feelings to be
aired and validated. They also allow younger children to
feel they are an important part of the decision-making
process when it comes to family vacations and other major
and minor family functions.

Before the first meeting commences, set a few ground rules
such as:

* Speak in a calm tone.
* Avoid name-calling, finger-pointing, and sarcasm.
* Turn off the TV, radio and telephones.
* Allow each person to voice his or her concerns and ideas.
* Listen to all opinions before making a decision.
* If a person voices a complaint, they must also bring to
the table at least one possible remedy to the situation.

Locations for future family meetings may also be
brainstormed at the first meeting. Here are a few examples:

* Circle Time
Very simply, sit on the floor together, in a circle.
Designate an object as a "talking token". This can be a
small stuffed animal, a necklace to be worn, a hat, or any
other item that will be passed around. Whoever holds the
talking token may speak. Once they are finished, they must
pass the token to the next person.

* Restaurant Rendezvous
Take turns choosing a favorite restaurant to host your
family meetings. For this option, choose an afternoon or
evening in the middle of the week, or at off-peak times, to
avoid heavy crowds. End the meeting before dessert arrives,
so everyone can indulge their sweet tooth happily.

* Hobby Haven
I know of several families who hold their meetings at
places that cater to their favorite hobbies. For instance,
one family conducts their meeting at a bowling alley. Once
the meeting is over, they enjoy bowling together. Another
family combines their gathering with their love of books,
by meeting at a caf in their favorite bookstore. And yet
another family I know holds their weekly meeting after a
joyful round of put-put golf. This option combines family
communication and fun.

However, and wherever, your family decides to host the
meetings, remember this all-important point: Always end
each meeting with a hug!

Deborah Shelton is a mother, freelance writer, and author
of the brand new book, "The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast
Activities for You and Your Little Ones." Visit Deborah's
website for more family-friendly ideas:
http://www.fiveminuteparent.com

Escrow Analysis

Eventually the funds are sent over by the title company and once received are either deposited into the Escrow Account to balance the account, or refunded to a Corporate Advance if the company already paid to begin their escrow. If they are deposited into the Escrow Account, this causes a delay in them receiving, which again is an economical factor that is at no fault of their own. Once a duplicate deposit is received, more than likely an overage will be in the Escrow Account. Although this works in favor of the borrower, they will not receive the overage until an Analysis is done, which takes place annually, therefore; they wait to receive their money.

Taxes and Insurance also tie into the Escrow Analysis. A problem occurs for the borrower if the previous servicer did not pay taxes as they were required to do before the loan transfers. Late payments for taxes incur penalties, and unfortunately the penalties are paid with the disbursement out of the borrower?s Escrow Account. Although the penalties are not an astronomical amount, it still is unjust to charge these to the borrower. The biggest problem in this issue is if the taxes are not paid in time from the new servicer. If the taxes are delinquent, and the new servicer is not aware of this, the tax collector may place the property under a tax sale at the extreme end of this issue. A tax sale frightens the borrower as it should, since they are relying on someone else to take care of this. Once the property goes to tax sale additional fees are incurred. In addition to penalties, it is up to the new servicer to help them re establish their tax payments and save their home from being sold. As these issues are typically resolved, this is not often an issue, however; it is a possibility and borrowers should beware.

When a transfer of servicing takes place a Transfer of Servicing Disclosure is required to be provided to the borrower by their current servicer. This provides information that the loan may be sold. This is required to be provided to the borrower at the time of their application or within three business days. This is particularly important for the borrower to receive since they may not be aware that their loan may be sold. When the loan is actually sold, a Goodbye Letter is sent to the borrower at least fifteen days before the loan actually is sold. Once the funding takes place to the new servicer, the new servicer is required to provide a Welcome Letter. The Welcome Letter advises of the new servicer, as well as the address to make the payment. It is especially crucial for both the Goodbye Letter and the Welcome letter to be sent to the borrower as required. If there are errors by the mortgage companies in sending these letters the borrower?s will be misinformed as to where to make their mortgage payment. This process is the cause of payments being sent to the incorrect company.

The article was produced by the writer of masterpapers.com. Sharon White is a senior writer and writers consultant at Term Papers writing. Get some useful tips for psychology dissertations writing and dissertation help .

What is Software Escrow?

An escrow legal service is an authorized procedure in which any commodity or a property is given to the third party upon the fulfillment of some predefined conditions or contracts. The property can be any asset, money, website domain or even a software code as explained above. Once the deed is fulfilled, the escrow agent delivers the asset held to the third party. In case the condition has not been fulfilled, the escrow amount is maintained.

At times, it is not necessary to hold the legal duties of a trustee on the escrow company, this often leads to negligence on the part of the two parties involved.

People often hire services to get their software codes written by an expert professional, it sounds interesting and a wonderful solution to a problem. However there are things that can go wrong. Software escrow is one way of protecting you in certain types of projects when certain things go wrong.

When you lease out the work of writing a software code for you, one important thing to think over is that whether the source code that has been developed belongs exclusively to the developer, or whether you get a copy. If you do, you have the safety of being able to have someone else make changes or fix bugs in the future, but the developer is giving up some of his or her potential control of that software. If the developer retains the source code and you don't have access to it, then you are dependant on the developer for all future updates. Typically developers will charge more if you get the source code.

Just imagine, if the developer goes away or if all your code disappears? That's where software or Escrow services software comes into play.

As an agreement, you and the developer aggress to hand over the completed source code to a third party escrow company or an escrow agent. The agreement states the conditions where that agent would be allowed to release the source code to you. For example one of the conditions might be the developer's bankruptcy or going out of business for other reasons. By using software escrow, the developer is protected as long as it makes sense for them to retain control, and you are protected should the developer disappear. (Naturally other conditions might trigger the release, but the developer's going out of business is a clear example.)

Escrow software simply means to deposit the source code of a software into the account which is held by a third party. Software Escrow is requested by a party to ensure the maintenance of the software. The code of the software is released to the holder, if in case he faces bankruptcy and has files for it. In case, he is not able to maintain an upgrade the software regularly, the source code is released.

Randell Rogfend is a father of three children who has had a long and fulfilling writing career. His passion is writing and he has contributed to countless newspapers, magazines and books. www.escrowsoftware.ixzc.com The following site is his collection of articles about his latest interest: www.escrowsoftware.ixzc.com/software%20escrow%20agent.

How To Use A Escrow When Dealing In Real Estate

In real estate transactions, there needs to be a way for the buyer to guarantee that the seller will indeed pay the funds agreed upon.

Similarly, the buyer needs a way to guarantee that, once his or her deposit is paid, the seller will hand over the deed or title to the property.

This is where escrow comes into play and can help make both parties life easier.

What is Escrow?

As a for sale by owner home seller, you are responsible for setting up, or opening, the escrow account. The escrow agent will be a third-party who is responsible for holding the title or deed to the property as well as earnest deposits made on behalf of the buyer. The purpose of an escrow is to hold legal documents and money until certain conditions, agreed by you and the buyer. The escrow agent will hold money and property ownership until these conditions have been met.

In many for sale by owner transactions, both the seller and the buyer open escrow accounts. There is no standard way of one or the other. Rather, it depends on what you and the buyer agree.

To process your escrow instructions accordingly, the escrow agent might ask you for several pieces of information. You might not have all the information available immediately, but you should get it to the escrow agent as soon as possible. This information includes, but is not limited, to the following:

?Your (the seller) name and address
?Buyer?s name and address
?Purchase agreement
?Amount of deposit
?Buyer?s insurance agent
?Lender?s or other financing party?s information
?Termite report information
?Closing date

If there is an earnest money deposit, the escrow agent will place it into a separate escrow account. The agent will then order a title search. In addition to you and the buyer, the lender will receive a report of this information. Any loan and interest fees charged by the lender will be included in the escrow instructions.

Choosing an Escrow Agent
When you are choosing an escrow agent, there are several factors that you should take into consideration. If you are working with a real estate attorney, he or she might be able to act as the escrow agent as well. In any case, here are some tips on choosing an escrow agent.

?Choose a reputable escrow agent or company. Friends or family who have recently sold property are good places to get recommendations for an escrow agent. Ask the references about their experience with the agent. Did he return phone calls in a timely manner? Was he courteous and professional? Was he knowledgeable?

?Choose an escrow that has experience in for sale by owner housing transactions. It is best to choose an escrow that has previously worked in a transaction in which the seller did not work with a real estate agent.

?Choose an escrow with reasonable rates. Since rates vary from one company to the next, it is a good practice top shop around to get an idea of the rates that are available.

After talking with several escrow agents and getting a feel for their professionalism, experience, and rates, you are prepared to make an educated decision.Download 101 Free House Selling Secrets Here: 101 House Selling Secrets

How Escrows and Title Insurance Protect Your Assets in a Commercial Real Estate Deal

Risk- the one word that is directly related to the commercial real estate industry. With the element of ?buyer beware,? the fact that the purchaser is completely responsible for the facts of a property before agreeing to a contract. There are so many opportunities for something to go wrong; you must rely on commercial real estate professionals and companies to look out for your best interest and the interest of your investments.

When entering into a contract, and closing a deal, your assets and future profits are at stake, especially if any of the information you and your team has gathered is erroneous. With the use of escrow companies, lawyers and title insurance, your dealings can go smoothly and the property can follow through with the original strategy that you attend for the property.

Escrows are simply an arrangement where a third party holds the necessary documents, funds, or other properties to be transferred between two parties. The third party does not transfer anything until they are instructed to do so by each party and they have the necessary documentation stating that each party is in agreement with terms and everything is set for escrow to be closed- or the properties transferred from one party to the other.

In a commercial real estate transaction, the third party can hold documents from the buyer, the seller, and funds from the commercial lender. When the parties are in agreement, the escrow agents simply make sure that all items are distributed properly and into the correct hands. This saves the buyer, seller or lender from having to worry that one of the parties will not transfer the funds or other documents. Every party is protected because the proper forms are in the hands of the escrow agents with no personal investment in the deal. Every party can count on receiving the properties that were previously agreed upon in the contract.

If there is no escrow, there is room for a dishonest buyer or seller to either not transfer the proper documents or funds and get away or have some excuse as to why he or she is not delivering what was promised on the previous contract. Or perhaps they could show an overlooked conditional clause that allows them to alter from the stated claim and agreement.

Escrows can be companies within themselves, lawyers or title companies. Some investor have companies or people that they work with all the time, and they insist on using those people or companies because they know they have no personal interest in the deals. There can be fraud that occurs where an escrow company or agent secretly has interest in the deal and can play the deal in the person?s favor- with the buyer or the seller, whomever they are working with.

Always be sure to check the references of the escrow company or agent before agreeing upon a third party. For those people who will only use their company, make sure the company is reputable before conducting business.

Title companies are companies that specialize in researching public records to determine the status of a title to a specific property. The purchaser must find out if there are any liens or encumbrances on the property before purchase so the matter can be resolved before purchase by the seller.

Entire reports can be made regarding title of real property transactions which is used to issue title insurance. A title report is pulled at the beginning of escrow so the buyer can see the full status of the title of the property. This first or preliminary report then becomes a final report when title insurance has been issued. Title insurance protects the buyer from wrong information. The title company does not guarantee or otherwise have a law that surrounds the fact that their information on the title report was not accurate.

Title insurance is not necessary. The parties may choose to forego the insurance (which it is customary for the seller to pay) and incur the risk of the transfer of the property. This is not recommended for those who do not know each other well or have full trust in all parties involved.

If you seek longevity in the commercial real estate industry, protect your interests and your assets by the use of professionals. It is imperative that you rely on these professionals to makes sure all your intentions and dealings come through exactly as planned.

You can make this as secure as possible with every deal so your profits are maximized and there are no surprises down the road.

$600 million worth of property is being managed by Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga, Yolanda Bishop and their partners as of May 2006. They specialize in commercial real estate, and are always looking for new projects across the U.S. http://www.maverickrei.com.

How Escrows and Title Insurance Protect Your Assets in a Commercial Real Estate Deal

Risk- the one word that is directly related to the commercial real estate industry. With the element of ?buyer beware,? the fact that the purchaser is completely responsible for the facts of a property before agreeing to a contract. There are so many opportunities for something to go wrong; you must rely on commercial real estate professionals and companies to look out for your best interest and the interest of your investments.

When entering into a contract, and closing a deal, your assets and future profits are at stake, especially if any of the information you and your team has gathered is erroneous. With the use of escrow companies, lawyers and title insurance, your dealings can go smoothly and the property can follow through with the original strategy that you attend for the property.

Escrows are simply an arrangement where a third party holds the necessary documents, funds, or other properties to be transferred between two parties. The third party does not transfer anything until they are instructed to do so by each party and they have the necessary documentation stating that each party is in agreement with terms and everything is set for escrow to be closed- or the properties transferred from one party to the other.

In a commercial real estate transaction, the third party can hold documents from the buyer, the seller, and funds from the commercial lender. When the parties are in agreement, the escrow agents simply make sure that all items are distributed properly and into the correct hands. This saves the buyer, seller or lender from having to worry that one of the parties will not transfer the funds or other documents. Every party is protected because the proper forms are in the hands of the escrow agents with no personal investment in the deal. Every party can count on receiving the properties that were previously agreed upon in the contract.

If there is no escrow, there is room for a dishonest buyer or seller to either not transfer the proper documents or funds and get away or have some excuse as to why he or she is not delivering what was promised on the previous contract. Or perhaps they could show an overlooked conditional clause that allows them to alter from the stated claim and agreement.

Escrows can be companies within themselves, lawyers or title companies. Some investor have companies or people that they work with all the time, and they insist on using those people or companies because they know they have no personal interest in the deals. There can be fraud that occurs where an escrow company or agent secretly has interest in the deal and can play the deal in the person?s favor- with the buyer or the seller, whomever they are working with.

Always be sure to check the references of the escrow company or agent before agreeing upon a third party. For those people who will only use their company, make sure the company is reputable before conducting business.

Title companies are companies that specialize in researching public records to determine the status of a title to a specific property. The purchaser must find out if there are any liens or encumbrances on the property before purchase so the matter can be resolved before purchase by the seller.

Entire reports can be made regarding title of real property transactions which is used to issue title insurance. A title report is pulled at the beginning of escrow so the buyer can see the full status of the title of the property. This first or preliminary report then becomes a final report when title insurance has been issued. Title insurance protects the buyer from wrong information. The title company does not guarantee or otherwise have a law that surrounds the fact that their information on the title report was not accurate.

Title insurance is not necessary. The parties may choose to forego the insurance (which it is customary for the seller to pay) and incur the risk of the transfer of the property. This is not recommended for those who do not know each other well or have full trust in all parties involved.

If you seek longevity in the commercial real estate industry, protect your interests and your assets by the use of professionals. It is imperative that you rely on these professionals to makes sure all your intentions and dealings come through exactly as planned.

You can make this as secure as possible with every deal so your profits are maximized and there are no surprises down the road.

$600 million worth of property is being managed by Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga, Yolanda Bishop and their partners as of May 2006. They specialize in commercial real estate, and are always looking for new projects across the U.S. http://www.maverickrei.com.

Escrow Account: How It Works

 

An Escrow Account is a saving account where you deposit money for paying off your home insurance and taxes. The account is opened by the lender who loans you money for the mortgage. Once you have paid a percentage of the mortgage amount, and have not defaulted in the payment, then the lender might decide to excuse you from any further payments through the Escrow Account.

Another type of Escrow Account is maintained by an Escrow Agent as part of an agreement between the agent, buyer and seller. The account is to be maintained until the conditions put by the seller are fulfilled. The buyer regularly transfers funds to the Escrow Account and the agent hands over the accumulated amount to the seller in due time. The escrow agent may either be a person who specially deals in escrow accounts, or an attorney.

Why Have an Escrow Account? An Escrow Account is meant to protect the lender, more than anything else. An earthquake or accident may destroy your property, leaving the lender without the collateral on which you borrowed from him or her. If your property is insured, then the lender can breathe easy knowing that he will not lose out in case of an accident. Similarly, if the state confiscates your property because you were unable to pay tax, the lender loses the collateral. Therefore, he wants to make sure that you pay your taxes on time. When an Escrow Account is opened for you, you have to regularly deposit money into it to pay your taxes and insurance premiums.

Escrow Agents: Most buyers and sellers of property, valuable real estate or art prefer to deal through an intermediary called the escrow agent. The escrow agent oversees the implementation of the deal between the buyer and the seller. He sees to it that the buyer puts the agreed amount of money in the Escrow Account, and then hands it over to the seller when the time for payment comes. Escrow Agents can be attorneys, real estate agents or even software source code escrow agents.

Online Escrow Services: To make escrow transactions easier in the digital age, online escrow services have sprung up. These agents allow remote buyers and sellers to conduct transactions online. Since there are high chances of fraud on the part of the buyer and seller when they are geographically distant, online escrow agents work as reliable intermediaries.

Guidelines Regarding Escrow Account: Escrow Accounts are based on certain guidelines put down by the authorities concerned. In the US, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act restricts the amount that can be put into the Escrow Account. For example, there must be at least one day in the year when the amount in the Escrow Account is no more than one sixth of the total you owe in insurance premiums and projected tax amount.

If your mortgage or any transaction involves an Escrow Account, it becomes necessary for you to start planning how to save for that account. If you find it difficult to understand the nuances of the Escrow Account, or are unsure of the implications of the account on your income and business, then you can approach an Escrow Account consultant for help. He or she will guide you to the best options you have, and ensure that the Escrow Account does not become a liability for you.

Alexander Gordon is a writer for http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com - The Small Business Consulting Community. Sign-up for the free success steps newsletter and get our booklet valued at $24.95 for free as a special bonus. The newsletter provides daily strategies on starting and significantly growing a business.

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The Escrow Myth

There are times when an escrow account is not beneficial to the borrower. When you set up an escrow account, you are asking the escrow company to play the middle-man between you and the lender, property insurance company, county taxes and private mortgage insurance company regarding your payment to them.

You pay the escrow company, who in turn divides it accordingly, then passes it on to all the collectors involved. When discussing a monthly mortgage payment, have you ever heard the terms PI/TI, PI/TI/MI or just PI? These letters, when written after a payment amount, are referring to what is included in that payment. They are defined as the following:

PI: principal and interest payments
TI: property taxes and insurance payments
MI: private mortgage insurance payments

Escrow Accounts combine a number of monthly payments into one bill, easing the burden of the borrower's monthly bill-paying chores. It also helps the borrower to budget. If the borrower has his property taxes and home insurance fees escrowed, he no longer has to rely on his own self-discipline to save up each month so that he will have enough funds when it comes time to pay the annual fees. The funds for these bills are saved through the required escrow payments.

The advantages to escrow accounts:

Requiring a borrower to escrow his property tax payment provides security for the lender from liens that can be placed on the property if the borrower fails to pay these taxes. These tax liens are given priority over any other liens, regardless of the order in which they were placed on the property. This means if the lender had to foreclose on the property, he would then be responsible for payment of the tax liens. Likewise, escrowing home insurance payments protects the lender from liability costs not covered under a policy because it has lapsed from lack of payment. We strongly recommend that any seller considering seller finance request that his buyer escrow the property taxes and insurance.

The disadvantages to escrow accounts:

There are times when an escrow account is not beneficial to the borrower. If the borrower has a large property in which the annual property tax and insurance payment is significant and he also has a large degree of self-discipline, he can opt to make the payments himself annually and earn interest on the funds up until the time they're due. This is also a great way for a property manager with a large clientele to earn an extra income.
The Escrow Myth

There are times when an escrow account is not beneficial to the borrower. When you set up an escrow account, you are asking the escrow company to play the middle-man between you and the lender, property insurance company, county taxes and private mortgage insurance company regarding your payment to them.

You pay the escrow company, who in turn divides it accordingly, then passes it on to all the collectors involved. When discussing a monthly mortgage payment, have you ever heard the terms PI/TI, PI/TI/MI or just PI? These letters, when written after a payment amount, are referring to what is included in that payment. They are defined as the following:

PI: principal and interest payments
TI: property taxes and insurance payments
MI: private mortgage insurance payments

Escrow Accounts combine a number of monthly payments into one bill, easing the burden of the borrower's monthly bill-paying chores. It also helps the borrower to budget. If the borrower has his property taxes and home insurance fees escrowed, he no longer has to rely on his own self-discipline to save up each month so that he will have enough funds when it comes time to pay the annual fees. The funds for these bills are saved through the required escrow payments.

The advantages to escrow accounts:

Requiring a borrower to escrow his property tax payment provides security for the lender from liens that can be placed on the property if the borrower fails to pay these taxes. These tax liens are given priority over any other liens, regardless of the order in which they were placed on the property. This means if the lender had to foreclose on the property, he would then be responsible for payment of the tax liens. Likewise, escrowing home insurance payments protects the lender from liability costs not covered under a policy because it has lapsed from lack of payment. We strongly recommend that any seller considering seller finance request that his buyer escrow the property taxes and insurance.

The disadvantages to escrow accounts:

There are times when an escrow account is not beneficial to the borrower. If the borrower has a large property in which the annual property tax and insurance payment is significant and he also has a large degree of self-discipline, he can opt to make the payments himself annually and earn interest on the funds up until the time they're due. This is also a great way for a property manager with a large clientele to earn an extra income.
The Escrow Myth

There are times when an escrow account is not beneficial to the borrower. When you set up an escrow account, you are asking the escrow company to play the middle-man between you and the lender, property insurance company, county taxes and private mortgage insurance company regarding your payment to them.

You pay the escrow company, who in turn divides it accordingly, then passes it on to all the collectors involved. When discussing a monthly mortgage payment, have you ever heard the terms PI/TI, PI/TI/MI or just PI? These letters, when written after a payment amount, are referring to what is included in that payment. They are defined as the following:

PI: principal and interest payments
TI: property taxes and insurance payments
MI: private mortgage insurance payments

Escrow Accounts combine a number of monthly payments into one bill, easing the burden of the borrower's monthly bill-paying chores. It also helps the borrower to budget. If the borrower has his property taxes and home insurance fees escrowed, he no longer has to rely on his own self-discipline to save up each month so that he will have enough funds when it comes time to pay the annual fees. The funds for these bills are saved through the required escrow payments.

The advantages to escrow accounts:

Requiring a borrower to escrow his property tax payment provides security for the lender from liens that can be placed on the property if the borrower fails to pay these taxes. These tax liens are given priority over any other liens, regardless of the order in which they were placed on the property. This means if the lender had to foreclose on the property, he would then be responsible for payment of the tax liens. Likewise, escrowing home insurance payments protects the lender from liability costs not covered under a policy because it has lapsed from lack of payment. We strongly recommend that any seller considering seller finance request that his buyer escrow the property taxes and insurance.

The disadvantages to escrow accounts:

There are times when an escrow account is not beneficial to the borrower. If the borrower has a large property in which the annual property tax and insurance payment is significant and he also has a large degree of self-discipline, he can opt to make the payments himself annually and earn interest on the funds up until the time they're due. This is also a great way for a property manager with a large clientele to earn an extra income.

Paul constructs personalized investment plans that maximize profits and realize dreams. Claim your success and learn what only the ultra-prosperous know, begin by going to MYreiTEAM.com, and capitalize on the real estate revolution.

Make Your Way Through Escrow

 

Escrow can seem like a slightly nerve-racking time in the real estate process. When you are in escrow, you are really only half way to the finish line. You are still holding your breath, hoping that everything really works out.

The main key to making your way through escrow and into your new home is to make sure that every piece of paperwork is correct. You want to read everything thoroughly. Don't sign anythign you don't understand. If you are confused, have your lawyer sit in and represent you and your best interests throughout the transaction process.

Do not sign escrow papers until you understand what responsibilites they bring and what the transaction will cost.

In real estate, the escrow is an important part of the transaction. Because buying a home is a big deal, escrow can seem a little scary. You have to be prepared for it. It provides for a fair transfer of the property from one owner to another.

However, real estate transactions can often become quite complicated. Escrow is not always a step-by-step process. It can actually be quite confusing. It is often considered the most complicated part of the transaction.

In order to make things easier on all involved, I suggest that you work with a certified escrow professional who works for an escrow, title company, legal firm or other agency that is licensed by the state to conduct escrow proceedings. Talk with your friends and family for recommendations to companies that have provided excellent escrow services.

Buying a home is the time to be honest. Be upfront about everything. If you have uncertain credit, let the lender know that ahead of time. They will assist you in getting everything in order. If you are a seller, you need to tell the escrow officers about any known judgements or liens on the proeprty.

While in the escrow process you need to be accessible. Make sure that the transaction parties are able to reach you when they need to. Be timely in answering messages and fulfilling the requests of the escrow agents.

Make sure that you have homeowners' insurance coverage secured when you open the escrow process. It should take affect the day you close on the home.

Getting through escrow is a wonderful feeling. Many of us often forget what it is like to buy a new home. That is until we get to the waiting part of escrow.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!