I have always wanted to start my own home based business. I have thought of the ways to do it and I have read all there is to know about starting it but that has always been as far as I went into business planning. Well, what can I do? I just couldn’t simply afford it. So I went and looked for home based business ideas that I can start even if I have no capital. You might want to check them out for yourselves too.1. Private TutorialYou still probably have your old books from school, or perhaps books of your kids when they were young and you have been wondering how you can actually make use of all of them. Well, it’s high time to start piling them up and have a little review for yourself.You can run a private tutorial at home for your friends’ kids or even for neighbors. With this, you won’t have to actually take up courses in the university again. Just review a little and become update regarding the latest updates on the things that kids learn at school.2. Computer Specialist or Repair ServicesYes, with this home based business, you don’t have to have capital. You only need your skills and knowledge with computers. You can start by contacting friends and their friends if they would want computer repair services. You can offer home service if they prefer.3. Making WebsitesIf you have your own computer at home and you have a reliable internet connection already, well you might want to make use of it to earn money. There is plenty of software nowadays that will help you. This is best for those that already have the knowledge and creativity.4. Music LessonsLove music? Well I’m sure you’d love it more if you get to share it and earn in return. You can start your own music lesson business by using the musical instruments that you have at home. With all the demand for training young talents nowadays, I am certain that you could get quite a number of students in no time.5. Baby SittingTaking care of little kids for busy parents is also one easy home based business that you could start. Besides being able to play with a cute little kid all day, you also get to earn by the hour. This is ideal for those who are patient enough to look after small children.6. Bookkeeping ServicesTyping jobs and other secretarial services are ideal for those that know their way in using computers. You don’t need to invest a lot of money because you don’t need a lot of supplies. A good quality computer, which most of us already have, and a set of typing paper could already be your ticket to starting your own bookkeeping business.7. Elderly CareThis is like babysitting, only that you have to take care of an elderly person. Well this is actually quite easier because you don’t get to run around much unlike with babysitting kids. You also need your patience as your capital for this and you also get to earn by the hour.8. Yard Care ServicesIf you are the Industrious type and you know how to tend a garden, then you might want to release those creative skills into running a home based yard care service. You can charge some household owners for your services like trimming their lawns or even do some minor landscaping. You get to enjoy while you earn. Isn’t that the best?9. Online TutorialYou can use a lot of things with your computer and a reliable internet connection. There also a lot of websites and online companies that are looking for online tutors. Well, this is easier for those that are more confident in speaking or having a conversation online. You get to earn per lesson that you conduct.10. Art LessonsFinally, if you see yourself as the artsy one, you might also want to share your skills and knowledge to those that are willing to learn. You can charge per lesson. And you don’t need much capital since you only a need a little art set that you already have if you have always been into creative stuff.So far, I have only these ideas that I can probably try. Coupled with will and determination, these could be your tips too in running your own home based business.
Mortgage Investing – How and Why To Invest In 2nd Mortgages To Reap 12% – 14% Return
Don’t Let Your Home Equity “Rust” Away! Use Your Home Equity To Invest In Real Estate! Equity Wasted & Unused Is Leaving Money At The Table! One mistake many make is that because they don’t have cash to invest, in real estate or any other investment, they won’t be able to invest properly in their future.
By Sean Martin
Many Canadians who have owned a home for a number of years have seen the value of their home rise at the same time that they have been chipping away at their mortgage. The result of this is many Canadians who may be cash poor, but equity rich. One mistake many make is that because they don’t have cash to invest (in real estate, especially after recent changes in Canada upping the minimum down payment for a rental to 20%), they won’t be able to purchase a property. However, if you own a home and have equity in it you may be pleased to find out that you can access funds to invest.
You just need to utilize the power of leverage better. So how do you do that? You already have!
When you purchased your home, you more than likely had a deposit of 5%-10% and had a mortgage for the balance. You used “OPM”, Other People’s Money, and started to build value in that investment. Keep in mind, your investment did not appreciate based on just what was borrowed, but on the value of your home (i.e.: $ 5000.00 down on a $ 100 000.00 home you are going to realize roughly 5% appreciation on that $ 100 000.00, not just the down payment.) That’s leverage. And you get to live there.
Realize the gains which you are being kept from realizing in your present situation.
Access the Equity In Your Property…
This is the first step to use your home equity to invest in. If you own your own home and owe less than 80% of the value on your current mortgage, you have access to additional funds by refinancing. Although you can get a regular mortgage, many investors opt for a HELOC mortgage which allows them to re-borrow and principal they pay down on their mortgage. This is an important feature for investors, especially as they grow their portfolio, as eventually with 5 or 10 rentals, they are able to pay down their mortgage very aggressively using the positive cash flow from their properties. It’s a snowball effect: the more cash flow, the more you can pay down your mortgage, the more you can pull out of the equity, the more property you can buy, earning more cash flow… and so on.
Once you have a mortgage or HELOC, here are some of the ways you can use it to invest in:
Use it to Borrow / Leverage 100% of the Value of Any Rental Purchase
- Using your HELOC, you can borrow the 20 – 25% down payment for the rental, and get 75% – 80% financing (if qualified) for a standard mortgage on the rental property itself. There are some properties that when financed strategically (rate is no longer the most important variable) properly will give positive cash flow even when you borrow the entire value. Those properties you may want to leap on!
Stay liquid for the unforeseen:
- As you grow your portfolio, liquidity becomes more and more important. The more property you own, the more risk you are at for a number of issues to come up at once (i.e. vacancies for 2 properties, new roof needed for another, renovations needed on another). Having a HELOC with available equity will ensure that if you do have a “cash call”, you will be better equipped to handle it.
But I Don’t Want To Be A Landlord but I Still Want to Invest in Real Estate…
You can use your funds that you have borrowed inexpensively ( HELOC 3.25%-4% or a variable rate at 2.10%) and lend the funds to others through second mortgages. Yes, you can become the bank. Most people think of mortgage Brokers as someone to arrange a mortgage for a purchase. A mortgage Broker can also arrange for you to lend your funds to other individuals. Often this is facilitated through a second mortgage which you hold on a property. To do this alone can be intimidating and there is risk, but the reward is an interest rate of 12%-14%. Often a lawyer or accountant can also help find avenues to invest like this as well. To ensure the safety of your money, consider using an experienced Broker with access to an mortgage investment network specializing in 2nd mortgage loans. These Brokers will have their own underwriters and the proper tools in place to protect investors (you) should defaults occur. One channel I work with diversifies your funds into 3-4-5 different 2nd mortgages, syndicated with other investors like yourself. This offers protection from investing in 1 bad 2nd mortgage. Your exposure to risk is reduced in this manner. At the same time, should default occur they are in a position to pay the arrears on any 1st mortgage holder and purchase the property outright. This allows for sale to recoup what could have been potential losses. Should this type of action occur, your interest payments continue until the matter is resolved and your funds made available again for investing once again.
TFSA / SELF DIRECTED RSP…
If you are in a position where you have a self-directed RSP with your bank or financial institution can you use these funds to invest in mortgages?
Most institutions will still not allow you to use the funds in your “Self-Directed” RSP to invest as your wish. Again, an experienced mortgage Broker can offer advice and show you how to continue to shelter your profits within a RSP, but invest in these products. There are financial institutions that will allow these profitable investments and a mortgage Broker can show you the options.
A TFSA again has limiting rules with most banks and financial institutions. An experienced mortgage Broker will be able to guide you to help
Things to think about:
- When you borrow for investment purposes, you are able to write off the interest portion of the payments. Make sure you speak with an accountant to ensure this works for your situation.
- Investing the funds from a TFSA, RRSP or RESP protect you from paying taxes on the income.
- Even if you have a self-directed RRSP you financial institution will have policies prohibiting you from investing in second mortgage products. Ask me where to relocate your funds to maximize profits.
- Release the equity in your house to invest, but divert it through your RRSP or TFSA 1st, especially if you have unused allocations from previous years available. Again, this should be done with the assistance of your accountant to ensure that it is done correctly for you and to keep the CRA happy. Always keep the CRA happy.
- Most HELOC’s offered right now are Prime +.5%, or 3.5% today. Fixed rate refinance mortgages are available for as low as 2.54% and variable rate mortgages as low as 2.05%.
- HELOC’s usually have interest only payments available to better your cash flow, while standard fixed rate/variable rate mortgages do not.
- Make sure your HELOC is re-advance able! Not all are.
Information Product Creation: Never Compete on Price Because There Is Only One You
Information product creation requires extensive preparation, no matter which niche you work within and you want to make sure that your information product has a successful launch. That probably sounds scary and intimidating but here’s the thing: this is a one time effort and it will pay off in a foundation that is strong enough to get your ideal clients to invest in your high-end programs and services without the perils of a traditional funnel. This article will teach you a few of the things that you need to remember if you’d like to invest in yourself and start on the information product creation path using your unique talents and abilities. Remember that you never have to worry about anyone ripping off your ideas because if you understand how to properly position yourself around your story.
Understand Both Strengths and Weaknesses: It is good to have an impartial view of your own strengths and weaknesses when lay the foundation of selling yourself within the information product creation process. It helps you figure out where you are, what you lack and how to move forward so that you get as much growth as possible. It is more than important, it is urgent if you want to create fast success for yourself to have personal positive reinforcement and deep belief to provide yourself the support you need so that you can get over your own limitations to ensure that your information product is as valuable as it can be.
You also need to know exactly who your competition is so you can study them and use their methods to help you improve your own standings. Down recreate the wheel, but understand the wheel and position yourself going uphill from the competition. Check out which kinds of opportunities you’ve already got and try to figure out how best to use them while taking care to remember your strengths and weaknesses. This is a great way to figure out where you stand against your competition which helps you figure out how best to grow.
Launch on Time: No matter what, even if you haven’t officially announced your “launch date” you should launch the site when you’ve said you would. This will force you to stick to your goal and actually work on it. Thinking that “I’ll launch it when I think it’s ready to launch” will only hinder your efforts. You’ve got a responsibility that you need to live up to with your launch, and you can’t move back on that one. If you get close to your launch date and you are getting hung up on your self limiting beliefs in your information product creation, don’t worry this about getting it out there and not perfection. As long as it is usable you should launch it. Launching on time is the professional thing to do and it is more important than creating a “wow” effect in your site visitors. You can always update/upgrade your website when you have to, so there shouldn’t be any issue with that.
Analyze Your Own Concept: If you want to make your information product creation successful you need to understand how good your concept is: is it really going to work for your chosen audience or would something else be better? You already know about your competition; how does your concept measure up? If you haven’t come up with your own idea and are trying to work with someone else’s concept, do some more work on your own before your launch. People want original ideas because they’ve seen too many other me-too websites already.
Test Your Concept Before You Commit To The Information Product Creation Process: One of the biggest failures people have with information product creation is not testing an idea before putting a lot of effort into producing an information product. PPC to a small 5 page site with a landing page is a great way to test an offer before you even produce it. If people will sign up to get it, you can be sure that you can create an information product that will target eliminating the pain of your target market. The small amount of money will be invaluable in using crowd sourcing to direct the final outline of the information product creation process.
You’ll have lots of hurdles to clear after the launch of your information product and the only way to truly take care of them is to follow the advice in this article to work smarter. Plenty of people work hard, but it is the ones who work smarter who make real money online with the information product creation business model.