Oregon Landscape Contractor Bond

Newly passed Senate Bill 580 creates a new bond tier for Oregon Landscape Contractors.  The maximum bond amount was previously set at $15,000 and was required of any applicant who charged $25,000 or more for a job.  The new legislation keeps the $15,000 amount in effect, however, it is insufficient to cover jobs in which the contractor charges $50,000 or more.  They must now provide the LCB with a $20,000 Surety Bond.

The term “landscape contractor” seems to imply tasks such as mowing and edging, but the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board actually has a specific list of work a person or business may engage in that would require them to obtain a license as a landscape contractor.

• Plan or install new plantings or create new planting areas
• Install or repair irrigation systems or maintain irrigation systems with the use of compressed air
• Plan, install, maintain, or repair arbors, decks, patios, driveways, fences, retaining walls, walkways, concrete landscape edging or ornamental water features
• Install, maintain or repair drainage systems and ornamental water features

Before being able to legally engage in any of the work listed above, individuals must first obtain their license, bond and insurance.

Start saving time and money immediately! 

Call us today at (800) 452-2663 to speak with one of our helpful customer service representatives (hablamos español).

You can also visit us online at:

 http://ashtonagency.com

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https://twitter.com/AshtonAgency

New Mexico Contractor Bond

Deciding to go into business for yourself is exciting, but also can be very stressful. Contractors will quickly find themselves swamped with paperwork they must complete to legally operate, such as a surety bond.

Surety bonds are required in New Mexico for contractors in the amount of $10,000.

A licensed and bonded business shows credibility and strong business ethics. Consumers are much more likely to work with a business they can trust than those who do not provide that same feeling.

Surety bonds are different than insurance. Bonds serve more as consumer protection that you will abide by the laws of the government agency that requires the bond.

Ashton Agency offers the New Mexico contractor bond at a flat rate price, with no credit check. 

Ashton Agency has been helping contractors all across the US get bonded quickly and easily for over 40 years.

Call (800) 452-2663 speak with one of our bond specialist.

Or visit online:

Website:  https://ashtonagency.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashtonagency

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshtonAgency

Motor Vehicle Dealer Overview

In this post you’ll find a general overview of dealer bonds, also known as MVD bonds & license bonds.  For specific information on what type of bond and documentation you'll need to submit to satisfy the surety bond requirement of your dealership licensing process, please contact the appropriate motor vehicle agency in your state.

Auto dealers, used, new, and wholesalers in most states must file a surety bond with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles before they can receive their dealer license.  Surety bonds are designed to protect the customers of the auto dealer.  A surety bond will help ensure that your dealership will follow the rules and regulations in the state where the dealership is located.

Typically, dealers obtain their motor vehicle dealer bond by applying with a surety bond company.  As part of the application process the dealer will fill out an application and agree to a credit check and may have to submit financial documentation, so that the bond company can be sure they are credit worthy and financially stable. 

Credit challenged clients may have a harder time acquiring a bond.  Some bond companies will not even help the dealer.  At Ashton Agency we are able to help almost all credit situations.  We have many programs available to help the clients with less than perfect credit.  Ashton Agency has been helping dealers all across the US get bonded quickly and easily for over 40 years.

Call (800) 452-2663 / (800) 451-4854 to speak with one of our bond specialist, or visit our website at http://ashtonagency.com.

Alabama Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Amount To Be Increased

The Alabama legislature has passed a bill that will increase the used car dealer bond requirement from $10,000 to $25,000, effective August 1st, 2014.  The bill also requires new car dealers, dismantlers, and designated agents to provide the same $25,000 bond.  The bill is currently awaiting the signature of the governor.

New car dealers in Alabama have always been required to provide a $25,000 bond.

Additionally, any Alabama car dealer that was previously “grandfathered” or exempt from providing a dealer bond will now be required to provide the $25,000 bond.

Related: Miscellaneous Auto Related Bonds

Once the bill is fully enacted by the governor’s signature, the Department of Revenue will provide the new bond form required.

Since most Alabama used car dealers licenses renew in September, this will affect a majority of the auto dealers, designated agents, and dismantlers when they renew their bond this Fall.

The good news is that Ashton Agency will be ready to serve the dealers in Alabama with the new bond, just as we have for over 45 years.

As soon as the new bond form is released, we will be in touch with dealers so they can renew their bond with the new requirements!

Please call toll free (800) 451-4854, or click www.ashtonagency.com for further information.
[You can find the latest copy of the bill here: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/searchableinstruments/2014rs/PrintFiles/HB400-enr.pdf ]

Ashton Offers New Bond Programs

Ashton Agency now offers several new bond programs in new states:

• Process Server
• Seller of Travel
• Veterinary Prescription Drug Wholesale Distributor
• Telemarketer Bond
• Bullion Coin Dealer Bond
• Dance Studio Bond
• Health Studio Bond

We also offer the Yacht Broker Bond program in the state of California. To learn more on how to obtain the $15,000 California Yacht Broker Bond.

For more information regarding the bond programs above, please visit our bond page to see each description and requirements of licensed dealers and business owners.

Contact Ashton Agency today to register or renew your surety bond and/or garage insurance needs! Please visit our website at http://ashtonagency.com or call us at (800) 451-4854 (East Coast) or (800) 452-2663 (West Coast).

Miscellaneous Auto Related Bonds

There are quite a few auto related bonds separate from auto dealership bonds.  These are required bonds by businesses for repairing autos, sales of auto parts, auto dismantlers, auto parts recyclers, designated agents, vehicle inspection businesses, etc.  All of these bonds are regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles in individual states.

Some of these are akin to what we would call “auto junk yards”, whose businesses provide a valuable service as a secondary market for used auto parts and to do-it-yourself workers who repair autos and can bypass the retail auto parts store and find parts less expensively at a recycler.

Designated Agents, after being certified by their states "licensed and bonded", can handle auto title paperwork for their various states.

Others, such as VIN inspection stations, verify vehicle inspection numbers for possible tampering or theft.

A sample of some actual bonds required are:

• Dismantler and Parts Recycler bond in Alabama
• Auto Repairers/Rebuilders bond in Connecticut, Oklahoma and Utah
• Designated Agent bond in Alabama
• Motor Vehicle Inspection Station bond in Louisiana
• Auto Salvage bond in Florida
• VIN (Vehicle Inspection Number) bond in California and New Mexico.

Check with your individual states’ MVD agency for more state specific information.

If your business has need for any of these miscellaneous bonds, we here at the Ashton Agency can help! We have been selling bonds for over 45 years throughout the country.

Call (800) 451-4854 (East Coast) or (800) 452-2663 (West Coast) for assistance with one of our friendly customer service representatives or visit our website at www.ashtonagency.com for your bond at the best rates!

How To Be a Mortgage Broker

Thousands of homes are sold every day. Even with a troubled economy, buyers still need mortgages for their newly purchased houses.

A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary who assists in searching and negotiating the financing of mortgage loans on behalf of individuals or businesses. Mortgage brokers do not close and fund a mortgage with its own funds (often confused with mortgage bankers), they negotiate and facilitate transactions between clients and bankers.

Have you always been interested in the real estate business and mortgage industry? Are you looking for a new career path? Being a mortgage broker can have great income potential and time flexibility.


Assess Your Strengths and Qualities

• Trustworthy
• Detail-oriented 
• Salesmanship
• Strong oral and written communication
• Assessing the market

First, it's important to find out if this is the right career path for you. Learn your strengths and weaknesses that may be applicable to being a mortgage broker. A big part of being a mortgage broker is having a natural skill of talking with people, making right decisions, and finding the best solutions. Strong salesmanship can determine whether a mortgage broker is successful or not. You also must establish trust between your clients. They will be entrusting you with all their confidential information and finances.


Find Out Licensing Requirements For Your Service Area

Like with most professions, you need to be properly licensed in order to become a mortgage broker. There are certain licensing requirements for different states and provinces, even if you work for a firm or for yourself. Below are a few places you can find this information in regards to licenses.

• National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB)
• Your local state association of mortgage brokers
• Your local business regulatory agency
• Your firm

Education and License Testing

Along with getting licensed, you also need to go through an education course to learn the fundamentals, laws and regulations of mortgage brokering. You will need to pass the licensing examination which will test you on your knowledge of the mortgage banking and loan industry, as well as government regulations and state laws.


Get Credentials

Separate yourself from the pack. Having professional certifications will assist you getting a job with a broker group, establish stronger credentials with clients, pad your resume/portfolio, and best of all, may increase your income. Here are some credentials we recommend.

• General Mortgage Associate (GMA) (beginners)
• Certified Residential Mortgage Specialist (CRMS) (2+ years of experience)
• Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC) (5+ years of experience)
• National Association of Mortgage Brokers offers continuing education courses for mortgage brokers

Start Your Business

If you decide to be an independent mortgage broker, there are a few options:

• Lease an office space and hire employees
• Work from your home office
• Work under another broker
• and/or a combination of all the above!

Have you thought about becoming a mortgage broker? Some states, such as Arizona and California, require you to obtain a surety bond. This bond is called a Mortgage Broker Bond.

Call us at (800) 452-2663 to speak with one of our helpful customer service representatives to assist you on your bond today and get started with your new career!