April 2010 Blogs

How to Obtain Funding from Angel Investors

Friday, April 30, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

If you are looking for funding of your business by wealthy individuals, you need to know what they look for in a potential investment. Here are some tips for you.... Read More

Posted at 10:21 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Planning

Capital Gains Taxes Are Not Just for Stocks

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

The common perception is capital gains taxes are only applicable to stocks and mutual funds held for more than one year and sold at a profit. However, this is not so. Let us review some of the other assets to which favorable capital gains tax rates might apply.... Read More

Posted at 12:02 PM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Law

New Proposed Capital Gains Tax Breaks for Angel Investors

Monday, April 26, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

The Obama administration has proposed capital gains tax breaks for angel investors who invest in fledgling start-up companies in 2010 and 2011. The House of Representatives has already passed the legislation. The Senate has yet to take it up. Let us further analyze the specifics of the legislation.... Read More

Posted at 20:41 PM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Planning

A Few Lessons from Commercial Real Estate Bust

Sunday, April 25, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

This is interesting to know commercial real estate is not all in turmoil. Indeed, commercial real estate investors who followed very simple rules and did not aspire to become affluent over night are weathering the storm much more comfortably. Let us review some of the lessons learned.... Read More

Posted at 13:49 PM | PERMALINK

Topic: Commercial Leasing

Probably, A Beacon of Hope for Jumbo Loan Borrowers

Thursday, April 22, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

If you wanted to purchase a very expensive house before the prices climb, you might be a little luckier today than yesterday. In fact, jumbo mortgage rates might move down a little bit thanks to a planned Citigroup, Inc. offering of bonds backed by jumbo mortgages. However, perils still loom large.... Read More

Posted at 11:20 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Real Estate

Venture Capital Investment Still Low in the First Quarter of 2010

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Venture capital investment rose in the first quarter of this year. However, the $4.71 billion increase was near all-time lows in the past 10 years. Let us analyze the data in major investment categories.... Read More

Posted at 11:10 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Banking Law

Who Is An Angel Investor?

Monday, April 19, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Business entrepreneurs seeking to sustain, expand or launch their start-up in this relatively frozen credit market might have heard of angels or angel investors. Let us educate ourselves about these investors to have a better understanding of exploiting this important source of capital.... Read More

Posted at 09:55 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Planning

Is That a Deductible Business Loss or Non-Deductible Hobby Loss?

Friday, April 16, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Many of us might have a sideline business where we are able to eke out some money. In some years we might lose money when our expenses exceed our earnings. Then, we might assume we could deduct such losses. Unfortunately, it is not as simple. In fact, if the IRS designates our sideline business as a hobby not a business, then we cannot deduct losses exceeding our revenues in that year.... Read More

Posted at 15:40 PM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Law

CARD Protections Extend to Businesses

Thursday, April 15, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) provided landmark protections only to consumers. However, some credit card issuers are slowly providing some of these protections to businesses as well. Let us see what some of these protections are and whether they go far enough.... Read More

Posted at 12:50 PM | PERMALINK

Topic: Banking Law

How Credit Card Companies Profile Us

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Credit card companies could use data mining to get to know anything about us from where we shop to what TV programs or movies we watch to what types of friends we have on Facebook.... Read More

Posted at 10:54 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Law

How to Optimize Obtaining Your Credit Card Rewards

Monday, April 12, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Since the enactment of Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and disclosure Act (CARD Act) on February 22, 2010, credit card companies have been forced to make up for their loss of business by cutting costs and rewards. As such, it behooves us to understand credit card rewards before we lose what we have accumulated or obtain cards that do not suit our business and personal needs.... Read More

Posted at 11:18 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Law

Should You Refinance Your Adjustable Rate Mortgage In a Stabilizing Market?

Saturday, April 10, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Millions of mortgage borrowers experienced intolerable hardship because of having adjustable rate mortgages. Now, again the specter of similar tragedy is somewhat looming. Given the Federal Reserve our of the mortgage market and a relatively stabilizing real estate market, the chances are rates eventually increase. The question is whether homeowners should refinance their adjustable rates to relatively higher fixed rates. The answer, unfortunately, is not so simple.... Read More

Posted at 10:08 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Residential Real Estate

Start Up Funding Is Still Very Hard To Obtain

Thursday, April 8, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Unfortunately, start up companies with less than 3 years record of profitability are still hard pressed to obtain funding to expand or even pay their recurring business charges such as rent, equipment lease, employee charges, etc. In fact, the credit freeze seems to persist for another year or two.... Read More

Posted at 11:09 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Planning

Should You Put Your Taxes on Your Credit Card?

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Despite the problems associated with credit cards, we might have thought of putting our taxes on our credit cards. In fact, the IRS and an increasing number of states allow us to do so. However, putting our taxes on credit cards might force us to pay more to Uncle Sam. Let us see how the IRS penalizes us and how to avoid this relatively costly expense.... Read More

Posted at 21:08 PM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Law

Is California Real Estate Market Improving, Albeit Slowly?

Monday, April 5, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

It seems - based on the latest data - the California real estate market is slowly improving. However, relatively high unemployment and slow job growth either seriously imperil such improvement in CA real estate market or appreciably prolong its tangible results.... Read More

Posted at 10:35 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Residential Real Estate

How to Deduct Your Business Meals From Your Taxes

Sunday, April 4, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

It is very common to go out with a colleague or friend and talk about business while eating. However, we often wonder if we could get reimbursed y the IRS if our employer has not paid the bill. Well, let us educate ourselves about it to rather comfortably deduct such business expenses from our taxes.... Read More

Posted at 14:12 PM | PERMALINK

Topic: Business Law

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Is Raising Mortage Insurance Premiums

Friday, April 2, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is raising mortgage insurance premiums to 2.25% from 1.75% as of Monday, April 5, 2010. Let us review some of the details of the new changes and other requirements.... Read More

Posted at 11:31 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Residential Real Estate

How to Lower Your Rent in a Stabilizing Market

Thursday, April 1, 2010 by Doron F. Eghbali

It has been a renter's market with ballooning vacancies and increasingly enthusiastic landlords to reduce rent to either keep existing tenants or attract new ones. Nonetheless, this situation might be coming to an end with a relatively stabilizing market. Hence, it behooves tenants to know the game to take the most advantage of possibilities to secure the most tenant-friendly realistic deal. Let us review some guidelines.... Read More

Posted at 10:33 AM | PERMALINK

Topic: Real Estate

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Announcements

Susan Rabin Joins Law Advocate Group, LLP

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