Investment

Three ‘Numbers’ That Every Investor Must Keep Track Of

Posted on Updated on

Almost any investor worth his salt will know that it is imperative to keep track of the investment climate to succeed. This is done by monitoring a variety of indicators (not just one or two) that can help you make smart decisions and as to whether you should take a buying or selling position.

Here are three indicators that should help you decide what investment choices to make:

#1: Investor Returns

Instead of looking at your mutual fund’s trailing one, three, five or 10 years returns (the published returns), another approach would be to monitor ‘investor returns’ that measures an average investor’s return for any fund. These calculations will also tell an investor how much they could lose or gain based on when they decide to buy or sell. In most cases, balanced funds are considered to be much more profitable than volatile funds.

#2: Sentiment Surveys

Another important number to look for is the weekly release of ‘sentiment surveys’ by the American Association of Individual Investors which tell you whether investors are bearish, bullish or neutral over the next six months. Often, the approach that investors take causes the market to head in the opposite direction.

#3: The VIX

Also known as the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), these numbers are considered to be a ‘fear gauge’ that describes complacent or fearful investors are at any given time. The index uses options prices to measure expected volatility for 30 days in the S&P500. Since these numbers are available on the Chicago Board Options Exchange website, one can easily get access to these numbers so that they know what’s happening in the market.

The Best Sources for Passive Income that Investors Use Today

Posted on Updated on

Summary: Passive income has become a popular market for those that want to earn money without putting forth much effort.

Passive income can be defined as money that flows in on a regular basis without requiring a substantial amount of effort to be put in. Now, the idea behind this is to make an initial investment and allow everything to fall into place. Afterwards, there’s minimal maintenance involved and one reaps the benefits. That being said, not all passive income opportunities are beneficial for you. For investors, you’ll want to build a solid portfolio, which means understanding which passive investing strategies are worth pursuing.

Real Estate Investments

The real estate market, despite its ups and downs, remains to be a preferred choice for investors that want long-term returns. Investing in rental property can provide a solid source of regular income that comes in on a monthly basis. On the other hand, the investor has to put a 20% down payment to purchase the property, but that may not be an option for those that aren’t saving regularly. Once the tenants are installed, there’s little to do but wait for the rent checks to start flowing in.

P2P Lending

The P2P industry is barely a decade old, and the market has grown substantially within that time frame. Investors that want to help other while adding passive income to their portfolio tend to look to P2P lending for a golden opportunity.

There are fewer barriers to enter this market as opposed to other types of investments. Some P2P platforms will allow investors to fund loans with as little as $25. The road to success with P2P however, lies with diversification. Remember, you’re funding individuals that you don’t know. You’ll have to rely on their credit score and other information that’s made available to you. If they end up defaulting on their loan, your initial investment will be lost. This is why investors will strategize and invest in multiple loans to minimize their losses.

Bio: An entrepreneur by trade, Omar Amanat is a successful investor that has seen his fair share in the technology and finance industry.

Tips on Managing Risk in Construction Projects

Posted on Updated on

The due diligence performed during construction claim analysis is the same kind that should be performed before the project starts. Performing these basic checks will help avoid risk altogether. Even though some risk is unavoidable, accidents do happen after all, you can safely manage most risky situations with the proper checks and balances in place.

Perform Risk Assessment

Hire neutral construction advisory services to review everything, from plans to scheduling, and look for consistency. Construction projects will involve multiple contracts between many companies, and specific mentions of both payment and timing will be important in the event of a dispute. Careful contract preparation is a crucial part of the pre-planning phase and ensures everyone knows the work they are required to do to get paid.

Document Everything

Another key concern, especially in smaller outfits, is documentation. Documentation saves one’s legal life so-to-speak. It may be a good idea to acquire insurance to cover parts of the project as well. It’s also helpful to have an independent party review any existing contracts for outdated language. It’s common for companies to use forms that are sometimes years old without having updated any of the legal language until a dispute occurs. Even if the law is on your side, make sure the work contract reflects that.

Allocate Risk Appropriately

Upon review of the project, just before ground can be broken, it’s helpful to designate certain parties and responsibilities to help allocate risk. The designer, for example, should only be responsible for design-related projects. This helps put power in the hands of those best positioned to use it for the benefit of the project.

Bio: Lyle Charles Consulting helps construction firms manage risk through claims analysis and mediation. For more information on construction project management, search for Lyle Charles.

Tips To Avoid Student Loan Debt

Posted on Updated on

student-loanFederal student loans has experienced considerable progress in the past years. Borrowers who were struggling with their debt have been offered several options in terms of loan repayment and even loan forgiveness programs have been put into place to help them out. However, borrowers having opted for private student loans often do not have so many facilities. The tips below might help you avoid private student loan debts.

Get To Know Your Loan Terms First

It is really important to keep track of the terms of your private student loan. Essential information such as the person dealing with your record, contact details, the repayment status and balance of your loan would need to be constantly checked. This might be hard to keep up with especially if you have contracted different private student loans through each school year. You might want to use your credit report to get all required information to contact your lenders and update them with your address to receive regular statements.

Negotiate With Your Bank and Focus On Earning Extra Income

If you find that you are in difficulty to repay your loans, you might consider contacting your bank to explain your situation and find a solution. Generally banks will propose a win-win solution. The solution might be in terms of lower repayment for a longer period. Another solution would be find alternative ways to generate extra income. It might be by working more shifts or engaging in a side activity that would make your earn some extra money.

Top Reasons to Invest in Grand Cayman Real Estate

Posted on Updated on

The Cayman Islands collectively are one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. They offer the draw of sandy beaches with all of the conveniences that come with modern living. There are a few subtle differences, like buses that will pick you up in the same fashion as a cab, but the islands offer a sanctuary for working professionals and families.

Schools and Quality of Life

Cayman homes have a “best keep secret” that doesn’t involve the night life or beachfront vistas. Schools in Grand Cayman are top notch, able to rival anything stateside. Native residents are the only ones allowed to use the public Cayman Island school system, so those who come to the islands for residence enroll children in private schools. The class sizes are smaller, resources are better, and parents are generally more involved. Quality of life is also equivalent to what you might find in South Beach, Florida.

Grand Cayman has a large financial sector that fuels much of the growth tourism doesn’t handle. These professionals work hard, and they play hard. There is always something happening on Grand Cayman, from the Pirate’s Week Festival to the upcoming charity run against domestic abuse. The communities here are tightly knit, making for happier people and a safer place to raise a family.

Final Thoughts

Carribbean homes for sale also have the opportunity to make up their value as vacation homes. For Cayman Islands residents, income earned on island is tax free and it’s a popular tourist destination for those itching to avoid crowded beaches. There are no annual property taxes or capital gains tax on the sale of property. The only tax associated with the purchase of Cayman Islands real estate is a one-time stamp duty of 7.5% paid at the time of purchase.

 

Related Story: Consider the Benefit of Cayman Islands Property

Related Story: Big Moves in Sales, but Not at the Higher End of the Market

 

James Bovell, and the Dream Finders team, represent the largest real estate firm in the Cayman Islands. James Bovell specializes in the showing and selling of luxury property on one of the most beautiful island chains in the world.