1. Increase your investment IQ. Take the time to understand your investment options and the pros and cons of each.
Read books, take a course, see a financial planner or even consult with friends to increase your investment IQ.
2. Define your risk comfort level. Typically, the more volatile an investment is, the more profit you can make — but also the more loss you may incur.
Safer investments generally promise a specific, but more limited, return and don’t always keep pace with inflation. Deciding how much risk you are comfortable with will help you set and adhere to a smart investment course of action.
3. Match your investments to your goals. Define your short- and long-term investment goals and identify how much money you’ll need to meet those goals. Then let those goals drive your strategy.
For example, money you’ll need within five years may be invested in money-market funds, bank CDs, Treasury bills or mutual funds that buy top-rated bonds maturing in one to three years. Money you won’t need for five years or more can be invested in the growth market.
4. Don’t be guided by investment gurus. Look for funds that can withstand the test of time.
Do your own homework. Review annual and quarterly shareholder reports, along with the most recent Form 10-K or Form 10-Q disclosure documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
5. Diversify. Regardless of your personal risk profile, include a variety of assets that react differently to market conditions.
Opt for a mix of stocks, bonds and cash investments, so that when one sector of the market declines, gains in your other holdings can cushion the blow.
6. Put your investing program on automatic pilot. Treat investing as part of your basic monthly expenses.
The surest way to do this is if you don’t see the money at all before it goes from your wallet to your account. Have your employer or a mutual-fund company transfer a fixed sum every month from your salary or checking account into an investment account.
7. Stick to your investment plan. Don’t let market swings or the desire to make a sudden big purchase cause you to make impulsive decisions and alter your plan. Switching in and out of investments drives up transaction and tax costs.
Also, you’re usually selling a falling investment and buying a rising one, so you’re selling low and buying high — a sure way to lose money.
8. Reinvest your dividends whenever possible. Rather than cashing dividend checks, reinvest the proceeds.
Many companies allow you to automatically invest your payouts in additional company stock. You’ll continue to build your portfolio and you’ll save brokers’ fees and investment fees at the same time.
9. Track your investments. Make it a practice to review your goals and investments once a year. In the event your circumstances change, you also might want to revise your strategy.
10. Check with your financial consultants. Periodically meet with your CPA and other advisers to review your portfolio and allocations in light of changing goals, tax laws, investment performance and various opportunities that might arise. They also can advise you on how to time withdrawals and plan reallocations so you can make the most of your investment dollars.

I hope you find it good.

As for Metrobank, I really don’t have any first hand experience yet because most of the properties we wanted to consider in the past from them had lots of issues. I suppose hindi pa ganun kabilis sila mag update ng status ng mga foreclosed properties nila. I know how it feels when you visit a property and learn the information you got was inaccurate. I just hope they improve soon and catchup with other banks.

As to your second question, yes, as long as hindi public auction, prices are negotiable. With regards dun sa sinabi na may offer to buy na at the selling price, it may really be just that, may nag offer at their selling price, baka gustong gusto na nila yung property and they are willing to pay at full price. Don’t be discouraged by this, just move on to the next property. Just be cordial and friendly with the bank officer, madali din naman sila kausap.

I want to buy my own house/condo via foreclosed properties. I have been renting for a while now and its getting wasteful because the rent im paying goes to nothing. I work in a bank and they offer a housing loan benefit – 9% p.a. interest fixed for up to 20 years.

1. I called up Metrobank to inquire about a condo unit and after getting the initial details as u advised, the Sales Officer said I can visit the unit anytime because they have possession already and the door key is with the condo admin. However when I went to the condo I found out from the condo admin that said unit is STILL OCCUPIED by former owner and they are still resolving some legal issues with Metrobank. I got really disappointed because I wasted time going there – only to find out the info Metrobank told me is inaccurate. Talaga po bang magulo kausap ang mga taga banko? I tried naman inquiring from the bank I was working for pero our sales officer appears efficient and accommodating naman.

2. I inquired about another unit and the Sales Officer immediately told me they already have an offer to buy for that property. I asked her how much the offer was – and she said its EQUAL to the selling price of the bank. Talaga bang may nag-ooffer ng ganito sa bank? Kasi ang pagkakaintindi ko, kahit noon pa at hindi ko pa nababasa yung blog nyo, when u offer to buy a bank-foreclosed asset, pwedeng pwede tawaran yan. How come meron na daw nagoffer AT selling price? Pakiramdam ko ayaw lang nya ako pansinin kasi small ticket lang naman yung gusto kong bilin hehe ?

Ano po kaya ang pwede kong gawin para “pansinin” ako ng Sales Officer ng bank nay un? Eh considered CASH naman po ang bayad ko dahil iloloan ko yun sa ibang bank, so they will be paid in full agad.

Thanks for your time po ?