Halloween costumes are a scary thing for many this time of year. It is also frightening to know your business or commercial property has potential for being victimized. Here are 10 prevention measures to keep property safe from those things that go 'bump' in the night and ensure business owners from having a terrifying theft experience. Locks and Padlocks - Locks on all outside entrances and inside security doors should be double cylinder...more
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit or association than its most important outside audiences and stakeholders? Nothing. Those stakeholder behaviors directly impact virtually every management and operating activity of the organization. From retail patronage, recruiting, civic activity, contributions, and strategic alliances to membership, program participation, plain old sales, and just about everything else. Which means,...more
As you continue to read about real estate investing, you will no doubt come across the term 'power team'. What is this 'power team'? A power team is a group of people without whom successful real estate investing becomes very difficult, if not impossible. Included in a power team are at least one real estate agent, a mortgage broker, and a real estate lawyer, all of whom will have experience in creative real estate investing.So, how do you go about building this team? Well, you could just get a copy of the Yellow Pages and start calling, but that will most likely take a very long time, time that could be better spent working on real estate deals! Wouldn't it be better to have these people call you? I thought so, so here's what I did. Keep in mind that this technique not only netted me a power team, but also a list of potential partners/buyers for future deals.The local paper offers a deal on weekend real estate listings, so I placed an advertisement in the paper that read:"Fixer-upper for sale. Cheap. Need cash and quick closing. 555-5555"What sort of people would respond to an ad like this? Some will be tire-kickers and the curious, but a good number of callers will be investors...more
Financial Success-The Secrets Of Financial SuccessAfter speaking with a gentleman this morning, hearing his excuses or so called reasons for his lack of financial success, I realized that the majority of our population is broke only because they lack the one key ingredient or secret. Financial success is as easy as one-two-three. Let me...more
The Better Business Bureau recently issued a national alert to warn consumers and businesses about two questionable operations that are falsely using the BBB name to scam victims. One business is perpetrating an advance fee loan scam that targets consumers and businesses with poor credit records. It has provided as a reference fictitious BBB phone...more
If you are in the home buying or selling market, it's important to understand the difference between tax assessment and appraisal value. Concentrate on the appraisal value because this determines your asking price. Understanding Tax AssessmentThe tax assessment is a tool local governments use to exact a property tax rate on residents. The local government determines your home's worth by reassessing the homes in the area you live in periodically. Some areas reassess every 2-3 years. But with today's booming real estate market, the National Association of Realtors estimates 60-70% of U.S. tax assessments do not reflect the escalating market value on home sales. This is why the tax assessment is not always an accurate gauge of true home worth.Tax assessment offers a general idea of home value. If you are curious about whether your tax assessment office is keeping up with the local market, telephone your local real estate board and local tax assessment office. Ask them about the local appreciation value on homes to determine if they are up-to-date. Focus on the Appraisal ValueHome sellers should concentrate on the appraisal value, because a mortgage lender will write a loan on the home...more
Sometimes life lands you in a situation that causes your credit to suffer. A job loss or illness can send your credit rating south leaving you with nothing to do about it. Some creditors may let you slide a month or two, but your records will still...more
Households across the country are finding themselves in a similar situation. They lack the financial funds to make the necessary changes to their home and need to find a way to fund upgrades and eliminate debt. A popular way of financing these...more
If you are up to your neck in debt, there may seem like there is no relief in sight. In fact this is not necessarily the truth. There are ways to take all of your stifling bills and roll them up into one neat package by using debt consolidation in...more
"You've been approved!" The words you have always wanted to hear when you filled out the home loan application. It swirls through your mind the opportunities and memories you will cherish in your new home. Before you even start shopping for a home it...more
Some time in your life you will need a new car. You may not want to have the burden of a new car debt, but you may find there are very few alternatives. There are some simple things you can look for that will help reduce the amount of money every...more
Chances are your bank is a virtual place. Since the invention of the Internet you can see your balances anywhere, at any time. Most banks think globally and have acted this way by creating secure portals to manage their account holder's information...more