All Forum Posts by: Olivia C.

I'm looking into 12 -24 month commercial bridge loan investing.  I found a few companies on the web who say they are looking for investors but not returning my emails or calls.

Anyone know a good company to link me to low-risk builders/investors/owners needing short term loans?

Helping those providing senior housing is a plus but not required.  Helping owners/etc using LEED building practices would be a plus if possible.

Thanks for your help!

Developer client of mine says $200 per square foot in WA and OR.  $180 psf in Atlanta, GA.

Hi, Scott

Thanks for posting the link to Semble.  I just spoke to them via phone and they sound good.  They like the investment to be $10K and up.  The rate of interest earned depends on which non-profit project you pick as the non-profit names the rate they would like to pay.  Generally, 3% - 4% but could be less.  Semble fees are paid by the borrowers, not investors.  They work with non-profits nationwide.

Here is a link to an organizational chart involving both for-profit and non-profit entities.

http://www.dinarrecaps.com/uploads/7/6/0/7/7607576/trsst_pdf_from_dthg.pdf

I've been working in the legal industry for 30 years and still found this chart impressive.

Note: it was designed by a religious person.  Instead of "God Foundation" I would suggest "Non-profit foundation" as religious involvement is not required.

The website hosting this chart will come down soon (from what I've heard) so I suggest printing it or saving as pdf for later perusal.

I'd love to read some comments by some of the power posters in this thread.  TIA!

Kyle is right:

"you do have to be a customer of the financial institution in order for them to issue the Medallion Guarantee"

A notary looks at your pic on your ID, looks at you, checks the ID for signs of fraud, then (assured you are you) notarizes your signature.  Or she might ID you and copy your passport and state that the original and the copy match and add a notary seal.

A signature medallion guarantee is different and the guarantor has more liability.  The bank person states that they have known you over a period of time, doing business in multiple situations.  It is a much stronger statement that you are you than a notarization.

Ask the requester to help you out.  Perhaps they would accept a notarized copy of your passport and DL?  Perhaps they could additionally verify your identity via skype?  

For future planning, it is always wise to establish a working relationship with a tier one bank in your area.  BofA, Citibank, Chase, Wells Fargo.  I prefer credit unions, but keep a small amount in two big banks for ease with international wires, etc.

I know this is an old thread.  I hoped that my post might help others in a similar situation.

Good luck!

I had a problem with Verizon & they did almost nothing to untangle it.

I took them to small claims court.  I only wanted them to reverse the charges and fix my credit reports.

I went to hearing dressed like I was taking my strict granny to church.  Verizon Rep didn't even wear a jacket.  (Huge lack of respect for court.)

At the beginning of the day's hearings, the judge asked if anyone was willing to go to mediation.  I raised my hand.  Rep didn't.

I apologized to judge for wasting the court's time with such a petty matter but my credit report was on the line.  I furnished a terrific paper trail in a binder to him and V Rep.

Judge was REALLY angry at Verizon for jerking me around.  He gave rep a severe scolding, told him to take the message back to HQ, and then did some strange things with his calculator to determine my out-of-pocket costs (filing fee, postage, etc) - I got everything I wanted plus over $100. 

Check came soon.  Credit and account cleaned up.  Sweet.

Good luck!

6% savings account with Mango. $5K max. Mango.com

Open 1.1% savings acct with www.SalemFiveDirect.com (rate applies to max $500K)
Must open in combo with 0.25% checking acct.
Guaranteed rate thru 2016.

1.05% savings acct G E Capital
https://www.gecapitalbank.com/savings-products/online-savings.html?prod=SAV
Max $1million to get 1.05% apr

1.0% savings account with Barclays
https://www.banking.barclaysus.com/online-savings.html

www.CSBdirect.com
1.06% on balances min $10K - $249K max
Details http://csbdirect.com/personal/personal-interest-savings/#features

My Savings Direct 1.05% No fees.
https://www.mysavingsdirect.com/MySavingsDirectWeb/index.jsp
Companion credit card special offer is junk. Skip it.

Ridgewood Savings Bank 1.05% No fees.
http://www.ridgewoodbank.com/home/misc/online_savings

Synchrony Bank 1.05$ No fees if keep over $30 in acct
https://www.myoptimizerplus.com/banking/products/high-yield-saving/index.htm

SFGI Direct 1.01% No minimum. Fees not mentioned.
http://www.sfgidirect.com/

I like commercial bridge loans.  6% and up, depending on project.  1 - 2 years each.  I spend time finding projects myself and vet them extensively.  I get most from recommendations.   Working with two multinationals now and looking for more.

I still get royalties on books I wrote in 2011 and before.  I will retire this year and donate the manuscript for the most lucrative one to a non-profit who will email the book to people for free.

I have an MLM idea that will cost me 30 hours & $300 to set up then $205 a month to run.  All passive after initial set up.  Through international charities I have done volunteer work for since late 70s, I can easily market this product for my gain and theirs.

The product sold is low supply and high demand in certain demographics.  (No I won't share.  Not health supplements btw.)  I can get $$$$ in monthly upline commissions within a year which will only cost me $200 a month after set up.  (I must purchase $200 a month for "personal distribution" to get income.  I'll do that and give product to charity.)  Lesson:  look at highly ethical MLMs and look at your volunteer work to see if you can make a match.

Lyoness is an MLM I see has high potential with the right demographics.  Stay with level one: shopping and referrals.  Forget the rest - lots of pressure to "invest" etc.  If Lyoness can get more grocery stores, this could be really lucrative.  

I've considered car washes.  The big challenge is to have a bookkeeper you can trust.  I happen to know one so I might try this in the right demographic area.  She's retired so when she passes, I will probably sell the business.

Hi, Ron

I agree with most of what's been said including becoming the client of a professional bookkeeper/office manager, not hiring a personal assistant.  

A Pro will know just what you need and put systems in place.  Contract with them so you don't have to deal with payroll.

Use one Pro for most bookkeeping and your accountant's bookkeeper for balancing your bank accounts.  That way there is no worries about someone skimming.

Pay well so you get top notch.  I would ask real estate & business attorneys for referrals.  Also post on Craigslist and specify real estate and/or business law office experience a plus.  I found my best one at a business networking group.  $50 an hour and saved me more money in good strategies and taxes than she cost me.

The 2 things I hated about renting was landlords who:

Didn't make repairs timely

Coming into my apartment without my permission

Some stories:  

>No working oven for 7 months despite several emails and calls.

>No working stove top for 5 months.  I finally delivered a "notice to quit apartment in 3 days if repair not done" to property management company.  Repairman showed up next day.

>Landlord put on new roof in late Sept when rainy season started.  It was a rainforest in my apt.  Ruined all my upholstered furniture and one rug.

>One landlady borrowed my carpet shampooer machine, broke it, never paid for it, never apologized.

>Landlady who harassed me after I gave 30 day notice.  I had to call Sheriff.

>Landlord who took 3 months to repair outside hole where rats were getting in.

>Landlady who knocked on door fairly late one night.  When I didn't answer because I was home with my fiance, she used her key and walked in on us!  She wanted something from her storage room which was accessed thru my apt.

The best places I rented had full-time on-site management and repair people.  But they were the loudest places, too.  Lovely apartments at those placed - loved that.

One thing almost every landlord I ever had (not including large complexes) treated me like I was a nuisance.  They didn't understand I was a client with a business contract with them.  The tenants pays for around half a building.  I wish US landlords would get that.  All we want is a place that is safe, healthy, and where repairs happen quickly.

Post your stories from your renter horror days!  I hope to read some funny ones!