According to analysts, a deep value stock can be defined as something which is low priced in relation to the margin of safety the stock provides, to limit losses when a mistake is made. Lets get some insight into how to identify these stocks, what should be your ideal portfolio allocation and reasons behind their low valuations in the market.

SLEEPING GIANTS

They are like any other stock traded on the exchange, but there is no hypothetical understanding of them. A section of traders on the Bombay Stock Exchange even call these stocks as ‘sleeping giants’.

There are two ways in which you can identify a deep value stock.

First, what Benjamin Graham recommends for the defensive investors in his 1949 classic – that the stock price should not be more than 15 times its average earnings per share over the past three years and the overall PE of the portfolio should not be more than 13. Or

Second, the stock should be trading below its 10-year median PE. The other things to be kept in mind is to stick with companies that have a long history of consistent profit growth and steady dividend payouts and the fact that not every cheap stock would turn out to be a bargain. He believes that PSU banks like Oriental Bank of Commerce, which is trading at a PE of 5.6 with book value of Rs 240 for FY09, is a perfect example of a deep value stock. “In a growing economy like India, banks should do well as the GDP expands,” he reasons.

These stocks generally remain neglected by the stock markets. The best (or you may call it worst) part is that people know it’s a great story but still they don’t want to touch it. If one saw the real estate boom in India five years back and bought into Unitech, his portfolio returns would have multiplied phenomenally.

As far as portfolio allocations are concerned, analysts feel that an investor could invest 80% in growth stocks and 20% in value stocks (after keeping some cash balance or investments in fixed income instruments). In case of a pure deep value investor, that typically 80% the investment of investible funds should be in these stocks and 20% of the funds should be kept aside for fixed income instruments or cash balance. “However, a hybrid investor should follow a strategy in between the two. The basic principle followed is the Pareto’s principle – the 80/20 rule.

SOW TO REAP

Though opinions differ on an ideal investment horizon, most analysts agree that it should not be less than a year and which could extend up to three to five years to reap big dividends. The first thing an investor needs to do is to ask himself whether he is a speculator or an investor. “If he is a speculator, then there is no chance for him to stay in these stocks. If he is an investor, a time period of three to five years is what makes sense. However, if the stock does not give the required return even after holding for three years, there is something more than one ’s own understanding about the stock. In such a scenario, you could sell the stock and move to something else. However, if there are compelling reasons, you could continue holding the stock.

On why these stocks have ridiculously low valuations the market sometimes tends to overlook an industry. And usually these stocks are not popular with brokers. Apart from that, analysts explain that there could be reasons such as high transaction impact costs (small caps can have transaction impact costs as high as 30-50% ) and fear of uncertain events or adverse macro environment conditions such as rise in oil and interest rates, government policies, etc. You must also understand that fear always resides in the near term. And that’s why there is lower visibility of the future even though the broad picture remains intact in these cases.

UNPOLISHED GEMS

Here are some deep value stocks which experts feel have great potential

ONGC – The stock is in a sector which is very strategic in nature, has a history of good profitability and dividends and trading at ridiculous valuations.

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA AND MARUTI – The industry is in a growth phase in India as opposed to a saturation phase in the western world – trading at a PE of around 10 for FY09

LIC HOUSING FINANCE – A company growing at 25-30% available at a PE of 7x for FY09 and EPS of Rs 55. Book value of the company in FY09 would be Rs 260 and ROE would be 20% (Assuming no dilution)

BIRLA CORPORATION AND INDIA CEMENTS – Trading at single digit price multiples for FY09. Overall infrastructure spending is close to $500bn in the 12th five year plan and that we are nowhere close to capacities that exist in China

HDIL – It is trading at a considerable discount. The infrastructure sector has strong revenue visibility, and growth opportunity in the target markets with possible value unlocking opportunity.

SBI - The stock is trading at single digit multiple for FY10E. Apart from holding largest land bank holdings, it has an x-factor too – human resource valuation

For further related articles refer to http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com

Hard money loans are very similar to bridge loans. Bridge loans typically have similar criteria for lending. They also have similar costs to the borrower. The primary difference between a hard money commercial loan and a bridge loan is that a bridge loan frequently refers to a commercial property or investment property that is in transition. The property may not fully qualify for traditional financing yet. Hard money commercial loans refer not only to asset-based loans with a high interest rate but also loans for a financial situation that is possible distressed. Examples of this include cases where someone is arrears on an existing mortgage or where bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings are already in process.

Hard money mortgages, both commercial and residential, are made by private investors. They typically make loans only in their local areas. The credit score of the borrower is not important because the loan is secured by the value of the collateral property. The maximum loan to value ratio is 65-70%. This means that if a piece of property is worth $100,000, the lender would give the borrower $65,000 to $70,000. This low LTV (loan-to-value) ratio gives the lender added security in the event that the borrower cannot pay and the lender has to foreclose on the property.

Commercial hard money lender programs are similar to traditional hard money loans in terms of the LTV requirements and interest rates. A commercial hard money lender is typically a strong financial institution with the deposits and abilities to make discretionary decisions on loans that are non-conforming. These borrowers do not conform to the standards of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or other residential conforming credit guidelines. Since it’s a commercial property in question, the loan does not generally conform to a standard commercial loan guideline either.

Traditional commercial hard money loans are very high risk and have a higher than average default rate. Just like in a normal commercial loan, when a property owner defaults on a commercial hard money loan, he or she can potentially lose the property to foreclosure.

For more information on hard money lending, please visit http://www.pitbullmortgageschool.com.

Joseph Devine

Personal bankruptcy cases that were filed in the first quarter of 2008 were nearly double what they were last year, and the situation is not going to improve in the foreseeable future.

Subprime loans are the most likely cause of the mortgage crisis. Subprime loans were marketed aggressively during the real estate boom between 2000 and late 2006. Subprime adjustable rate mortgages started with low teaser rates that almost anybody could qualify for and have adjusted upward to unmanageable levels for borrowers. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a family cannot make a mortgage payment that exceeds their net income. Selling the home isn’t an option, either, because the inflated value that they paid for the home has now adjusted downward.

There’s plenty of blame to go around. Aggressive predatory lenders were part of the cause of the mortgage crisis, but there are other factors as well. Real estate speculators saw a way to make a quick and easy buck. They bought properties at values that they knew were inflated and then sold them at prices that were even more inflated to people who under other circumstances would never have been approved for a mortgage and who should have known better than to walk into the trap.

Meanwhile, both political parties and both houses of Congress debate the issue – and debate the issue, and debate it some more. There is no real resolution for the problem in sight. The solution – whatever it is, and whenever it comes – needs to help consumers without rewarding predatory lenders or real estate speculators. It’s a tall order. Don’t hold your breath.

Milos Pesic is a Debt Management consultant who runs a highly popular and comprehensive Debt Consolidation web site. For more articles and resources on debt management, debt consolidation programs, free debt counseling and much more visit his site at:

=> http://debtpaid.info/

As an entrepreneur myself, I have always struggled with the development of a millionaire mindset. I had been told by many that Robert Kiyosaki’s books could be a starting point in my search for an attitude that would take me where I want to be financially. What I was looking for in his book was a step-by-step guide on developing the type of mindset necessary to take control of my financial future. What I got instead was a realization that for my entire life, I had been shaped and groomed to grow up and conform to society’s standard of success: go to school, get good grades, and get a good job with benefits. I had done just that. I received a Master’s Degree with a 3.92/4.00 average and found a stable job with good benefits. Unfortunately, although I fit into society’s standards of success, I knew that working for someone else and living from paycheck to paycheck was not the life that I wanted for myself or my children.

Which brings me to the story of Robert Kiyosaki, a man who was essentially raised by two different fathers each with a very different philosophy regarding finances. His biological father raised him as I was raised…education, job, retirement with pension at 65. The father of his close friend Mike, whom Kiyosaki refers to as his rich dad, taught him that the only way to be rich was to think outside the box and to use his mind to generate income. Through a variety of jobs, rich dad was able to teach Robert Kiyosaki invaluable financial lessons that would help him to make millions.

Basically, the key focus of the entire book can be summed up in three words- assets versus liabilities. The only way that you will ever acquire wealth is to acquire assets. We live in a society that relies on credit and we have a loan for every major purchase: cars, houses, vacations, even everyday expenses. Robert Kiyosaki’s advice is to simply stop spending money that you do not have, pay yourself first, and rethink purchasing that new purse or lawn mower. Instead, use that money to acquire assets that will generate income for you and then use that income to purchase your luxury items.

Rich people are acquiring assets while the poor and middle class are acquiring liabilities. A person has joined the “Rat Race”, as it is termed in in this book, when their expenses increase as their income increases. So, instead of making their money work for them by purchasing assets that will in turn put money in their pockets, the poor and middle class spend their money on items that decrease in value over time. In order for a person to leave the Rat Race and enter the Fast Track, they must first have enough income generating assets to cover their monthly expenses.

It seems simple, and to some it is. Unfortunately, the majority of us, myself included, were trained in school to be employees, not self-made millionaires. So, my only unanswered question regarding this book would be “Is it possible to develop a millionaire mentality when you are in your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, etc or is it something with which you must be raised as in the case of Robert Kiyosaki?” Personally, I read this book just previous to starting my own business and found my attitudes changing with each page I read. So while I will never have the benefit of being raised by a man like Robert Kiyosaki’s rich dad, I do believe that with enough drive, motivation, and guts, anyone can become a self-made millionaire. I would recommend this book to any current or future entrepreneurs.

Heather A. Carroll is a home-based business owner ( http://www.alternativeincome4u.com?t=art7 ) and has written multiple articles on various financial topics. She is a single mother of three and resides in Illinois.

While you are well and there are no health issues before you is a good time to begin to become organized. One area that is an absolute in this process is to have your estate planning up to date. At a minimum, you will need a will and financial power of attorney which will appoint the proper people to handle your matters for you either during life or upon your death. A copy of these documents should be kept in a binder with your attorney’s card on the inside. Make a list of all of your professionals who assist you such as your CPA, certified financial planner, life insurance agent, banker, physician and include the addresses and phone numbers for each such person. You should let the people appointed know the location of that binder so that it is available in the event that you need it.

In the event that you do not want to be kept alive by artificial means if your physician deems that you are in a terminal state, you should also have a living will and a power of attorney for health care, which should be kept in the same binder. A copy of the financial power of attorney, which contains the HIPAA language that allows your agent to access your medical information, the living will and the power of attorney for health care should be given to your principal physician just in case it is needed. If you travel, you should consider taking a copy of these documents with you, in case they are needed.

Another very helpful binder would be one that contained a list of every asset you own, including real estate, bank accounts, CD’s, mutual funds, brokerage accounts, employee benefit plans, life insurance, safe deposit boxes, as well as a list of collectibles and other personal property. This will give the person who you appoint to take care of your interest while you are alive or the person that you appoint to wind up your estate a list of all of your assets, so that they will not have to search your entire residence and office to find them. This will also help to ensure that no asset is missed. Once a year, it would be a good idea to make a copy of the statements as of December 31st for each and every account, so that your agent will know the account numbers and the amounts that you have that can be used for your benefit.

Other documents that would be useful and should be kept in a binder would be your birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree, military discharge papers, passport or green card, social security card, health insurance card, naturalization papers and copies of the car/truck/boat titles. These documents will allow your agent to apply for the proper benefits that you may be allowed.

Many people like to prepay their funeral expense. If you have, include these documents and a copy of the cemetery plot deed in your binder. Some people are particular as to the instructions that they have for their funerals. If you are one of them and want to dictate the church, clothing, if donations will be accepted, the get together for the family and friends afterwards, include your directions in your binder.

It sounds like a major project, but if you tackle it a little at a time, it will not be. Instead of leaving a mess for your family, you have made it easy on them at a difficult time for them and you can have your wishes fulfilled.

How organized are you?

Denice Gierach is a lawyer and owner of The Gierach Law Firm in Naperville. She is a certified public accountant and has a master’s degree in management. She may be reached at deniceg@gierachlawfirm.com

For more information on Denice and The Gierach Law Firm visit Gierach Law Firm.

Concerned citizens listed a number of reasons for their displeasure for the bill, among them:

• The bill is seen as a reward for firms that engaged in deceptive lending practices, or that encouraged speculation in the Real Estate market

• The bill would allow executives in companies that made bad decisions to collect excessive salaries and bonuses for their poor performance

• The legislation would come at the taxpayer’s expense, and would force ordinary citizens to subsidize practices that they neither condoned nor benefitted from

• Passing this legislation offers no guarantees that the underlying economy will recover

A number of these points are valid, but generally, they point to a desire to assign blame or fault for the current economic situation facing the country, and do not address the issue of how to restore confidence in our banking system. For this reason, I believe that Congress should focus on two separate bills to address the crisis.

The first bill should seek to correct the issues facing the liquidity crisis. This legislation needs to be passed quickly, to prevent a crisis of confidence which we witnessed on Monday, September 29, 2008. It should provide relief for mortgages that had turned bad, and should also provide relief for individual homeowners. A lending fund should be established that would allow homeowners to re-finance balloon loans with affordable fixed-rate loans, homeowners whose houses are facing foreclosure to obtain loans at more reasonable rates, and finally provide an effective auction-style processing of homes already in foreclosure, and returning the proceeds to a governmental agency. This agency should be empowered to re-sell these mortgages, when viable, at rates that produce a long-term profit for the agency.

These funds should then be returned to taxpayers as the mortgages are sold off at a profit. New mortgage funding practices should be drafted into the legislation which would require licensing of mortgage lenders, in much the same way as licensing is required for real estate agents, CPAs, Certified Financial Planners, etc. Effective licensing of mortgage lenders, along with stricter lending rules, would prevent the types of abuses that allowed anyone to become a “mortgage lender.”
The second piece of legislation that Congress should consider could be done in a more reflective manner. This piece of legislation should consider how to limit excessive executive compensation for firms that were involved in the “bailout.” Similarly, legislation should address abuses that can be shown to have occurred and appropriate fines and penalties enacted for the firms that contributed to abusive practices. Thirdly, where executives at abusive firms contributed or profited from abusive behavior, they should face the prospect of fines, penalties and jail-time for the abuses. Finally, a separate agency, similar to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) should be established that would be charged with developing best practices, guidelines, and oversight for the mortgage industry.

By separating out the legislation into two separate pieces, Congress can provide quick relief to the credit markets, provide assistance to taxpayers, and enact legislation at a later date that will address taxpayer concerns about accountability, regulation, and governance.

Author Biography

Peter Ponzio, the author of Children of the Night, is a CPA with over 30 years experience in Corporate Finance, holding positions as divergent as Treasurer, VP of Sales Administration, Vice President of IT, and General Manager of an internet start-up company in the late 1990s, and CFO at a subsidiary of a Fortune 100 company.

Mr. Ponzio graduated with a degree in English literature from Loyola University of Chicago, and an MA in Literature from Northwestern University.

Peter’s website can be reached at http://www.peterjponzio.com

A casualty loss may occur as a result of a flood, hurricane, tornado, mudslide, or other natural disaster. The intuitive thought pattern is: “My apartment complex worth $5,000,000 suffered major damage totaling $1,500,000 for repairs and rent loss. Fortunately, I was completely covered for both physical damage and rent loss, other than a small deductible. There is clearly no casualty loss which will generate tax reduction, right?”

Most real estate owners and investors believe the above statement to be true. Few investors claim the casualty loss tax reduction the federal income tax code allows them. Let’s next review the criteria for a casualty loss tax deduction and the thought process regarding acquisition of a property that has suffered a casualty.

Real estate owners suffer a casualty loss when the market value immediately after the casualty plus insurance proceeds is less than the market value immediately before the casualty. The complex issue is how to value the property immediately after the casualty. Let’s consider a 1-story suburban office park in Mississippi which suffered 3-feet of flooding due to Hurricane Katrina. Let’s further assume: 1) 8 feet of sheet rock must be replaced in the entire property to rebuild, 2) although the property was 90% occupied before the flood, occupancy is expected to only be 5% while rebuilding occurs, 3) stabilized occupancy after renovation is not clear since some businesses may not return, 4) construction will take 12-18 months due to the labor constraints and 5) the owner has casualty insurance to rebuild but did not have rent loss/business interruption insurance.

It is clear the market value after the casualty is less than the market value before the casualty less construction costs. Other factors to consider are: rent loss, market risk that not enough tenants will be available after construction is completed, cost of construction management, a illiquid market with few buyers just after the casualty, construction risk, interest rate risk (rates could rise during the construction period negatively affecting value), risk that operating expenses could increase during the construction period (perhaps insurance) and compensation for entrepreneurial effort to induce a buyer to coordinate labor capital, management and endure the previously mentioned risks.

A careful analysis by an appraiser might show the improvements have no value after the flood. In appraisal assignments performed by the writer, a casualty loss of 10-30% of the market value before the casualty has occurred (in a straight-forward, defensible analysis) is typical. This can generate a meaningful casualty loss tax deduction which results in tax reduction.

For example, a property with a market value of $5,000,000 suffers a 30% casualty loss. While the casualty is a serious hardship for the owners, the $1,500,000 ($5,000,000 X 30%) tax deduction will mitigate the financial loss. Based upon a 35% tax rate, the tax reduction is $525,000.

Congress provided a casualty loss tax deduction to encourage investment in real estate. If you have the misfortune to suffer a casualty loss, take the helping hand offered by congress and take the tax deduction.

Cost segregation produces tax deductions and reduces federal income taxes across the country and in every size market. Below are just a few examples of cities where cost segregation generates meaningful tax deductions.

City:

• Memphis, TN
• San Francisco, CA
• New Orleans, LA
• New York, NY
• Hartford, CT
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles, CA
• Atlanta, GA
• Orlando, FL
• Miami, FL
• Louisville, KY
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Boise, ID
• Lakeland, FL
• Wichita, KS
• McAllen, TX
• Columbus, OH
• Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• San Antonio, TX
• Durham, NC
• Allentown, PA
• Youngstown, OH
• Little Rock, AR
• Greensboro, NC
• Greenville, SC
• Kansas City, MO
• Raleigh, NC
• San Jose, CA
• Palm Bay, FL
• Honolulu, HI

Cost segregation produces tax deductions for virtually all property types, including the following:

Property Type:

• Regional mall
• Service station
• Drugstore
• Night club
• Supermarket
• Racket club
• Auto service garage
• Airplane hangar
• Nursing home
• Subsidized housing

Almost every industry, including the following, can generate cost-efficient tax deductions by using cost segregation.

Industry:

• Nondurable good wholesalers
• Durable good wholesalers
• Day care facilities
• Computer and electronic manufacturing
• Health care facilities
• Chemical manufacturing
• Printing activities
• Warehousing and storage
• Electronic and appliance stores
• Apparel manufacturing

O’Connor & Associates is a national provider of commercial real estate consulting services including cost segregation studies, due diligence, insurance valuations, tax deduction tax reductions, cost segregation, market study, feasibility studies, property tax, market research, condemnation appraisal, gift tax, lease abstraction, casualty loss, Fort Bend Central Appraisal District, Tips and Tricks for Appealing Your Property Taxes in Harris, Harris county appraisal, and Federal tax reduction. Our appraisers have experience with all types of property including department stores, research and developments, lumber storages, fast food restaurants, convenience stores, retail centers, airplane hangars, lodgings, daycare centers, hotels, truck stops, manufacturing/processing facilities, greenhouses and auto dealers.

Patrick C. O’Connor
http://www.poconnor.com/

Assign few of your time and effort in locating the right real estate agent. Ask for reference to the persons you trust such as your family, friends and investors. Contact few agents, maybe at least three real estate agents and schedule each for interview. Evaluate their expertise and experiences, and then choose.

Most buyers’ mistake is that they typically start by finding for their dreams home. They seek and visit some homes, they even spend some money just to get their dream home right away. They do these things without even making sure that they will be getting an approved mortgage. So they end up getting bad news at the moment that they already locate their dream homes and already spend some of their money. It is too annoying and nerve-racking on their part right!

But in planning to purchase a home in Florida real estate market, there are stuffs that you must settle and consider in order to make your home buying successful.

Your finance is one of the factors that you need to consider and resolve at first. You can work with a mortgage broker in finding the right mortgage in buying a home in Florida real estate market. Mortgage broker do not work with a particular mortgage company but the broker have plenty of contacts with different lenders. So working with a mortgage broker is a beneficial.

When it comes to purchasing a home in Florida real estate market, you have to ensure that you have systematically inspected the house before purchasing it. You can hire a professional to do the inspection in order to guarantee that even the private wells, mold issues, gas levels, septic systems, and so on where inspected. With this, you can save yourself from any trouble later on.

Certainly, Florida has a lot to offer, so finding a home in Florida real estate market has a lot of advantages. You will have the change to explore the beauty of Florida. And positively have the privilege to use the striking amenities the place has to offer.

Article Author Eliza Maledevic from http://www.Jump2top.com, a SEO Company.

List With Real Estate Brokers

Having decided that 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange is what you want, you must then list with a real estate broker all of your existing properties and also ensure that such list includes an agreement that clearly states that you are using your property to complete 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange.

To be sure, if you go in for 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange, you will then be in a good position to roll-over all of the monies you receive when you sell your investment property which monies in turn must be used to purchase one or even several similar (like-kind) investment properties. However, during closing the proceeds must be transferred to a Qualified Intermediary who will keep the proceeds from the sale till such time as these proceeds are to be used to buy new like-kind property.

As mentioned, 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange permits you to also defer your capital gains tax as long as the entire amount of money from the sale of a property is used in purchasing similar (like-kind) investment properties. Thus, this deferment is tantamount to getting an interest-free loan for the entire amount that you would have spent on the cash sale which means that you get to retain more equity which in turn makes it possible for you to obtain properties with still higher values while of course, using 1031 exchange.

However, 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange is only applicable as long as you sell real estate that is investment oriented and it won’t hold true if you are selling personal residential property. Also, the properties in question must be similar or more precisely like-kind which means that if you are exchanging real property then the two properties in question must both be real properties. In fact, there is also nothing stopping you from exchanging a single property for many properties or even buying a single property from the proceeds of many properties.

Gary K. Landry is the CEO of TIC Advisors, Inc. If you are looking for the most complete information on a 1031 exchange or TIC property ownership, then you should visit one of the TIC Advisors, Inc. websites: http://www.tic.com and http://www.ticadvisors.com

Warren Buffet was on the radio this morning. He stated “when the markets greedy, be fearful. When the markets fearful, you be greedy.” I think we can all apply that perspective on our positions in the commercial loan business. In a few years, the credit crisis will have settled. The commercial loan business will be different, but it will still be viable.

There will be more government regulation for sure and probably more intense review of the credit rating agencies out there, like moody’s etc. Perhaps there will be a new type of loan structure replacing the current CMBS platform, but the players that pulled out will be kicking themselves as they see their competition making serous money and they will still be learning the “ropes” of their new chosen field. The survivors will make big headway in market share.

We believe that the problems can and will be fix. This is just another recession in a long list of them. We go through this every 10 to 15 years. Now is the time to adapt and refine your skills – not the time to pull out. We tend to think a lot about what is still funding. What lenders and banks are still looking at deals? Never mind what the borrower wants or thinks he should get. It’s more an attitude of take it or leave it.

The commercial loan business is still moving forward, with a limp for sure, but it’s still moving forward. For example we are still closing loans. Both owner occ and investment. This is the time people build substantial wealth as they pick up bargain opportunities or take chunks of market share that just wouldn’t be possible during normal times.

Jeff Rauth is President of Commercial Finance Advisors, Inc out of Birmingham, Michigan a national commercial mortgage brokerage firm. 248 885-8797. He also has a STORE for commercial loan brokers. Contracts, spreadsheets, books, etc. Products starting at $5. Check it out commercial real estate loans or commercial loan business