When the homeowner deals directly with the lender, there shouldn’t be any fees associated with the modifying your mortgage. When you negotiate with your lender, it is important to be prepared. Have a complete financial analysis – this includes all sources of income and all expenses. It is important to have all documents prepared to negotiate with your lender, a complete loan modification kit can help with this. Also keep in mind that lenders negotiate with the following guidelines:

o Maximizing returns on mortgages
o Minimizing losses on mortgages
o The best interest of the stockholders and the bottom line

If you don’t feel that you can successfully negotiate for yourself, there are other options. Using a home loan modification company is one such option. If you choose to use a professional like a home loan modification company, there will be fees paid for services rendered. A company that specifically deals with modifying home loans will have a diverse staff with the experience needed to successfully negotiate with your lender. The combined experiences and backgrounds of the company’s employees can be a powerful force in your favor when negotiating a home loan modification. When choosing a company, make sure they are able to deliver what they promise. Never work with a company that asks for an upfront fee and always check with references.

Another option is housing counseling agencies that have been approved by HUD. These agencies are funded by tax dollars and perform home loan modifications at no cost to the consumer. With the current economic down turn and the rise in the number of homeowners needing assistance, these agencies have become overwhelmed with cases and are forced to turn people away.

If you do not feel comfortable negotiating for yourself, you may feel that hiring an attorney is right for you. Make sure to find one that will fight for your best interest. A good attorney with ample experience negotiating modifications to mortgages can be a good way to get yourself a modification that will get you back on track and keep you there. Many home loan modification companies have attorneys on staff, which is something else to consider.

Remember, that while lenders are going to negotiate for terms that are in their best interest, an attorney or home loan modification company will fight for yours. If you are going to hire either a company or attorney, it is a good idea to conduct an interviews. If possible, conduct the interview in person and at their office in order to get the most accurate impression.

Questions to ask:
o What are all the costs associated with getting you a home loan modification?
o Are the fees flat or hourly?
o How many modifications have you successfully completed?
o Are there any customers you can speak with to get a recommendation?

If you find yourself falling behind on your mortgage, there are remedies available. Calling your lender and opening the lines of communication is the first step in solving your mortgage problem. When entering into negotiations with your lender, remember that they will have their best interests in mind, it is your job to fight for your best interests. If you feel that you will not be able to successfully negotiate for yourself, there are agencies, companies, and professionals available to assist you. Using one of these options may cost more than negotiating for yourself, but they be better able to get you a modification that will be a long term solution.

If you are part of a profession or area of an organisation that is or is at least perceived to be complex, it can be challenging when it comes to presenting information. For example, when I worked in accountancy, there was a perception that it was really complex and in some cases people had a phobia when it comes to numbers. So what are some of the golden rules when it comes to presenting technically complex information?

Golden Rule 1: Think first about the audience

Chances are you will have some people who are pretty comfortable and complex receiving presentations from people in your area. When thinking about the audience, consider what it is they definitely need to know as opposed to the stuff that would be nice to know. When dealing with complex stuff I generally have found that the more you focus on the key stuff the less likely you are to lose people.

Golden Rule 2: Think about something similar that people can relate to

I generally found that if you can relate the thing you are presenting to something that people can relate to then it becomes much easier. I can recall when working in the NHS I had to explain a new funding system called payment by results. Essentially you were paid for the work you did and coded. I used the example of scanning your shopping to illustrate the similarity with coding. If the item does not get scanned the seller does not collect the money.

Golden Rule 3: Keep it jargon free

We all tend to get caught up in the jargon that goes with our particular area. If you are going to use technical terms then make sure you explain them but ideally avoid them all together.

Golden Rule 4: Focus on the key messages

People can only handle so much at any one time so focus on getting your key messages across. If for regulatory or other reasons you need to make people aware of certain things give them a handout and make reference to it in your presentation.

Golden Rule 5: Check understanding and leave plenty of time for questions

With complex stuff less is better than more. At the end make sure that people have understood and build in more time for people to ask their questions.

Bottom Line – Presenting technically complex stuff presents its own challenges and practice really does make a difference.

NatLA (Natural Life Advantage) is an innovative direct sales company out of Dallas, Texas, with health and wellness products for the consumer. NatLA’s products include weight loss, balanced nutrition, energy, detoxification, immune and sexual performance supplements that contain all natural ingredients. They are sold through a network of independent advisers.

With so much focus on natural health products, this company offers solutions for which consumers are searching. You may be someone who takes supplements along with your food for optimum health. If you are, you probably have a lot of personal information that you would like to share with others. Of course, you receive training from NatLA about their particular products, but having an interest in natural health supplements makes this business not only lucrative but interesting as well.

One of the biggest challenges for distributors in direct marketing companies is finding enough people willing to host an event. Most people are not comfortable with having guests in their homes even though they’ll invite only family, co-workers and friends. They’ll come up with all kinds of excuses such as their home isn’t big enough or clean enough or decorated. Women are especially sensitive in this area.

If you approach groups of people in clubs and organizations, the burden of hosting a party isn’t placed on one person. You’ll be conducting a workshop as a guest speaker. You may even present your products as a fundraiser for the organization that will receive a percentage of the sales.

The following is a list of groups that you can approach for an opportunity to present your products and find leads who may be interested in starting a home based business.

-Church and religious groups
-Community clubs such as the Lions, Rotarians, fraternal lodges and women’s groups.
-Self-improvement groups such as Toastmasters
-Local business groups such as Chamber of Commerce
-Homeowner associations need good speakers and presentations
-Political groups such as Young Democrats and Young Republicans
-Health-related groups
-Sports clubs
-Travel clubs
-Singles
-Senior citizens
-Insurance agents
-Real estate agents associations
-School and daycare organizations

There are three advantages to arranging a club or organizational group presentation:

1) Your products and business opportunity are presented to a larger audience. The more people who hear what you have to say about your products and business, the more opportunities you have for sales and leads.

2) You may find people who are willing to have a presentation in their homes in exchange for free products. Just as there are people who are unwilling to have guests for one reason or another, there are others who love entertaining and will be glad to host an event.

3) You’ll have a greater opportunity to teach others about taking supplements for good health.