Lowering Child Support Payments With the Parenting Time Schedule
Child support laws have been enacted to ensure that children are provided for after their parents divorce or separate. Because the children are entitled to the same level of care as before the separation, the state requires that the parent who does more of the physical care taking of the child get financial support from the other parent. This is so both parents have some responsibility in providing for the children.A divorced mother or father should be willing to provide financial support for their children through support payments. And, many parents are willing to do this. Unfortunately, there are many cases where the parent who pays support is taken advantage of by the other parent. The other parent may not spend the money on the child, may want more money from the parent because of revenge, may connect the money for support with visitation, etc. The parent who pays child support may pay too much money, not be able to afford the payments, and not get enough time with the child. This shouldn’t happen. In these cases, parents need to know how to lower their child support payments through the parenting time schedule.Now, every state uses different factors when calculating child support. Some states require information about insurance, taxes, other payments, etc and other states don’t ask for that information. However, every state uses one critical factor that affects child support: the amount of parenting time. The states use either the parenting time percentage or the overnight percentage along with the income to determine the amount of support. The more time a parent has with the child, the less support they pay. And, the more time the other parent has with the child, the more support they receive.This means that a parent who wants to lower child support payments should make a parenting time schedule that gives them more time with the child. This can be done by adding an extra night of visitation during the week, adjusting the holiday schedule, adding overnights to the visitation, etc. Because the parent is providing more physical care to the child, they are less responsible for the financial care.Hopefully parents can work out a fair parenting time schedule so that the child support payments are fair. The parents should always focus on what is best for the children and find a way to provide for the child’s needs. One parent shouldn’t have to take sole responsibility for the children, and both parents should actively strive to be involved with the child.
Selling Your Home or Investment Property – Get The Highest Price for Your Property!
The biggest mistakes that often occur when you are looking to sell your property is that you may go with the easiest or what seems like the most sensible options – by giving your property listing to a friend or family member, by choosing the agent who offers the lowest commission, by selecting a sales agent who has a little number of listings and will therefore dedicate their time to servicing you, or the agent who tells you “I won’t spend your money on advertising, it’s not necessary”. There is a well known acronym in the sales industry that good sales agents use and that you need to follow – the 4 P’s…Profile, Presentation, Presence & Price!If you get all 4 of these right, you should be on your way to a great sales result…
Profile – choose an agent who is a known market leader. They are in that position because they sell lots of property and they sell it well – for the best price. They may charge a slighty higher commission than “Joe Blogs” down the road but I’m sure if you look at their sales history, their results warrant a higher commission. Look at it this way…Agent A charges 2.5% on a $500,000 sale = $12,500 commissionAgent B charges 2% on a $500,000 sale = $10,000 commissionYou may look at that scenario and say, “I’ll choose agent B” but I’m sure that if Agent A is a high profile agent with a good database of buyers and great sales skills to sell your property, they are likely to achieve at least 5-10% more than Agent B – which will actually result in $25,000 to $50,000 extra in your pocket. $2500 is one extra bid at Auction, and a great sales agent will get you that and more!
Presentation – a property is never going to achieve its maximum sale price if it is badly presented. The buyer who is likely to pay higher for your property is the home buyer as they will become emotionally attached to the property, so present your home for sale well to attract home buyers. Remove clutter from rooms – this includes personal books (I have seen a copy of Kama Sutra in a book case before and it made me wonder what the current owners did there!), family photos, and personal items. You want the buyer to visualise where their own items will go, and the less cluttered a property is, the larger it will feel. Mow the lawns, take out the garbage and if you have time, apply a fresh coat of paint to the walls (this will immediately life the look of a property but make sure the property doesn’t smell of paint when buyers inspect).
Presence – if you want to sell your home for the highest price possible, you need to tell the world that it is for sale. A good sales agent will recommend an advertising campaign be included as a large component of your marketing and from my experience, this is often a necessary evil but there are instances where it may not be;
a) Your property is an investment property and the likely buyer may be from overseas or interstate OR b) Your buyer is most likely to be a Gen X or Gen Y – as they are less likely to pick up the paper than they are to surf the internet for their ideal home or property investment
Price – There is two main methods of selling your property in Australia – Auction or Private Treaty. When it comes to choosing a method of sale, you need to know your market. In Sydney & Melbourne, the market is used to Auctions and this can often be the best way to maximise your sale price, however, in areas like Brisbane and Perth, the Auction process can be detrimental to a sales campaign, as buyers prefer the transparent process of a listed for sale price. In some circumstances, buyers have paid above the asking price as they have recognised value in the asking price and have been forced to compete with other buyers to secure the property. The chosen method of sale is also reliant on the current state of the property market. If you are in a Buyers Market (ie. more property for sale than buyers), I wouldn’t recommend an Auction unless you are seriously committed to selling and will take whatever bidscome your way on Auction Day. However, if you are in a Sellers Market (lots of buyers and not much property for sale), Auction can the best way to increase your sale price, as the fear of missing out kicks in and buyers often pay well above their intended limits.Above all, if you are committed to selling, do your research – attend open homes in your area, talk to your neighbours, read agent testimonials and ask to speak to previous clients. If you know your market, you will know the best agents and the likely sale price for your property, allowing you to trust your chosen sales agent and in the end you will feel like you have made an informed decision when it comes to crunch time and you do sell!
Buying Florida Investment Properties and Where It’s Hot
Relaxing in Style: Florida Investment PropertiesIn Florida, relaxing in the sun and sand is a way of life. There’s no better way to experience a slice of Florida living than buying your own space. Florida Investment Property provide just that–a place that you can return to year after year for the perfect vacation. One of the pleasures of living and vacationing in this peninsula state is that no matter where you go, the warm, inviting beach is nearby. Florida’s attractions can also be in your neighborhood when you decide on a Florida Investment Property.Inland, you’ll find Florida Investment Properties in every city and vacation destination. From tiny beachfront flats to grand sky-scraping apartment homes, you’ll find a range of choices and prices to consider. Florida Investment Properties can be just about any property with a Florida style that becomes your home away from home.A condominium gives you and your family easy access to Florida’s unparalleled beaches and attractions. A comfortable space where you can come and go as you please, Florida Investment Properties offer a way for visitors to get a taste of Florida living. Many of the most affordable condos lie near attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Florida Investment Properties allow families to split their time between the excitement of theme parks and the relaxing calm of the waves.Finding Florida Investment PropertyThere are plenty of perfect locations for Florida Investment Properties. From the historic sands of St. Augustine to the urban shores of Miami Beach, the beautiful Gulf of Mexico to the roaring surf of the Atlantic in Daytona. At any of these spots you can find a wealth of properties for sale in central Florida. Below are the hot spots for Florida investment property. In these locations, Florida Investment Properties describe a certain way of living and can be right beside the waves or a few miles inland. In Orlando Florida, a condo near the attractions is still a short car ride away from the beach. As the saying goes, what matters is location, location, location.Properties for sale in Central FloridaOrlando’s central location makes it a perfect fit for vacationers who want it all. In the midst of attractions, beaches and the arts, Orlando is more of an area than just a city. You’ll find luxury Caribbean inspired condos central to Disney and the renewed Cypress Gardens. These villas offer families a place to settle near exciting theme parks with a relaxing residence to call home.Families can find a diverse spread of activities to suit teens and toddlers. Apart from the theme parks, Orlando is home to upscale malls and outlets, museums and clubs. Because Orlando is smack in the middle of Florida, it is an easy place to launch a day or weekend trip. Kennedy Space Center is only an hour away, as well as Tampa Florida and Daytona Beach.
When you decide to make Orlando your spot for a Florida Investment Property purchase, there are plenty of choices for your home away from home. Properties located close to the theme parks are a great choice because of their centralized location. One property close to Walt Disney World in Davenport Florida, called the Bimini Bay Resort, gives owners a cool, Caribbean style bungalow complete with all the comforts of home.Florida Investment Properties like the Bimini Bay Resort are unique in the quiet retreat they offer. Unlike hotels near the theme parks that are often crowded with other visitors, your own Florida Investment Property lets your family relax in a comfortable place that’s all your own. Davenport is also minutes from Cypress Gardens, a newly constructed adventure park.Kissimmee, another Central Florida town close to the theme parks is home to family resorts at discount rates. Kids and parents can both find fun in the Kissimmee area. In the middle of outlet malls, amusement parks and exciting dining experiences like Medieval Times, this is one of Central Florida’s best vacation deals.If you decide on a beachside condominium, New Smyrna, Daytona and Cocoa Beach are Orlando’s hotspots. These Florida Investment Properties will still keep you close to Orlando’s attractions. A home beside the Atlantic Ocean gives families a true taste of the Florida lifestyle.4. South Florida Investment Property PurchasesApart from Orlando, there are plenty of beachside towns to house your perfect Florida Investment Property. Below you’ll find a snapshot of beautiful beachside cities spread throughout the state. Consider what your family needs in a Florida Investment Property — ;a place to get away in a quiet corner of the state or a thriving town with plenty of activities for everyone.One beach destination in Florida is Sarasota. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota is an artsy town home to a lot of condominiums owned by retired men and women. These Florida Investment Properies tend to be in high price ranges though they are beautiful. Sarasota is home to quaint shopping areas by the beach as well as cozy marinas and restaurants.
Along the Gulf of Mexico is a saint of a beach perfect for a condominium purchase. St. Petersburg, just below Tampa is another quiet place to own a Florida Investment Property. St. Pete is a relaxed beach town dotted with bed and breakfasts, family owned restaurants and ritzy hotels.If a spicier place is where you want your Florida Investment Property, then cruise on down to Miami. This non-stop town is the place for a jet set young couple ready to party. Just on the tip of the sunshine state, Miami is a Latin hub filled with nightlife and hot beaches.5. North Florida Investment Property PurchasesOn the opposite tip of the state than Miami is Destin beach. Located in what Floridians call the panhandle, Destin is known for snow-white beaches and quiet vacation destinations near the capital of Tallahassee. Here, Florida Investment Properties are close to the border states of Alabama and Georgia; perfect for border hopping if you so choose. Destin also offers places where you can camp right on the Gulf (that is, if you want to leave your comfy condominium for a night).St. Augustine is also an exciting place to vacation in a Florida Investment Property. For history buffs, this is the place to find the oldest settlements in Florida. From the Spanish fort made of shells to the oldest schoolhouse, St. Augustine surrounds visitors with nostalgia. There are also plenty of opportunities for golf and tennis at the nearby resort town of Ponte Vedra Beach.Where to Start Shopping for Florida Investment PropertyAccording to Florida’s official website for visitors, http://www.flausa.com, Florida welcomed 74.5 million visitors from around the world in 2003. Once you decide on Florida as the place for your vacation, the daunting task of finding the right condominium purchase lies before you. Flausa.com is a good starting ground for learning more about everything Florida has to offer. The official website for visiting the state, you can contact the Florida tourism bureau directly with questions. From the site you can also access booking calendars and even keep a list of your family’s reservations. Here, industry leaders also keep up with the latest vacation specials. There are many sites which provide a detailed list of Florida Investment Properties with lists of virtually every city available. There are other sites to check out for lists of Florida Investment Properties or you can contact your realtor.Florida Investment Properties are a unique and relaxing way to spend your vacations. Florida Investment Properties are unlike any other homes in their embrace of carefree Florida living. Whether you breathe in the ocean from your balcony or take in the sun on an inland patio, a condominium gives you a chance to make Florida your home for as long as you and your family can. Florida investment properties are one way to participate in the growing tourism and real estate prices.All Rights Reserved 2005