Month: October 2016

Buy Real Estate Leads – Improve Your Real Estate Business

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Do you spend most of your time searching for great real estate leads? As a real estate agent or broker you require leads that help you generate business and keep the cash flowing in.

With time, the real estate industry has changed and become more dynamic in nature. If you use the Internet to buy real estate leads then there are some interesting options available to you for this purpose. The aim of this article is to help you source new and authentic ways to buy real estate leads that work for you and are not a waste of effort and money.

Here are some of the sources available over the Internet that can be explored to buy real estate leads or just use some of these channels to find real estate leads on your own without spending much money:

Real Estate Networks: definitely a recommended option. Real estate networks deliver serious and authentic leads to your inbox. The potential homebuyers and real estate sellers visit many real estate websites in order to find reputable and qualified brokers in their neighborhoods. When you join a real estate network you receive email notifications when a potential lead is interested in buying or selling property in your area.

Real Estate Lead Generation Service: an advantageous service. Convenient and beneficial because when you buy real estate leads from them, you get data and authentic leads which are matched according to your specification. Say for example someone sources you out from Yellow Pages and leaves a message on your voicemail. Naturally, you will call back, but without having any idea about the requirements of that personal, or where they live or want to live, their budget etc. This can be a time consuming activity and can be a complete waste of time.

When you sign up for a membership with a real estate lead generation service you only get information that is relevant to you and you can choose to call whomever you would like to. So if you deal with only high-end clients, then you can avoid calling a potential lead that is just looking for a handy-man!

North Carolina Real Estate Listings

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People prefer to buy a house in North Carolina, as a wide choice is available for buyers. Prospective homebuyers can choose from a range of luxurious as well as affordable houses in different parts of North Carolina. Real estate agents too find it profitable to conduct business, as there are several prospective buyers. Real estate listings in North Carolina enable people to get lists of properties for sale on the market. These listings also put forward names of prospective buyers with their preferences. It provides valuable input to estate agents about trends and preferences.

Real estate listings make it easy for all parties involved to select properties best suited to their needs and funds. Homebuyers can put in advertisements mentioning their budget and the kind of house they would like to buy. Sellers post description of houses for sale along with their unique features to attract prospective buyers at competitive prices. Real estate agents, too, participate in the listings by mentioning types of properties they have such as beach houses or town houses. Real estate agents are usually not affiliated to any one particular seller, which means that they are generally not partial towards any seller and present a fair picture of various options to buyers.

Real estate listings can be found in newspapers and on websites of real estate agents as well. Real estate listings are often classified into sections such as commercial properties or residential properties. Classification is also at times done with respect to the geographical area, as North Carolina has a diverse terrain. For instance, Highlands and Ashville offer vacation homes or permanent residences for settlers in hilly terrain. A home in Raleigh would offer a great place to study art and culture of North Carolina.

Real estate listings are an important part of real estate business as it introduces buyer to sellers and vice-versa. Such listings provide an overview of various properties available where customers and agents may negotiate a favorable deal.

Plans for Your Business Venture

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Whatever the health and condition of your business venture, it will benefit from planning. Business planning of all types provides a road-map that guides the leadership team to successfully achieve business goals.

I’ve taught business plan writing for more than 10 years and I’ve also developed a one-day business plan writing workshop. As I see it, the process of business planning gives company leaders opportunities to see the big picture and remove “magical thinking” from the process. Business planning first reveals if the proposed goals are potentially viable and second, requires that we devise strategies that will make them a reality.

What your team wants to achieve will shape the plan that is written. For example, if the mission is to launch a start-up that will require significant outside investment, then the plan will include detailed financial projections. Additionally, marketing strategies that delve into customer acquisition, the competitive landscape, the logistics of the product or service launch, messaging and sales distribution, along with operational aspects such as manufacturing, staffing and quality control, must be thoroughly detailed.

Solopreneur consultants will focus heavily on marketing, in particular defining the target clients and client acquisition; providing services for which there is adequate demand; and appropriate pricing. Financial planning will focus on allocating the budget to support promotional strategies and marketing campaigns.

Whether the plan will be used to launch a big venture and attract outside investment money or open a boutique-style consulting service, include the following elements:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Present the business mission statement here. Include as well the date the business was formed; the leadership team and other key management personnel; the credentials or experience that make you and the leadership team uniquely qualified to launch and successfully run the venture; the business legal structure (LLC, Sole Proprietor, or Corporation); the products and services; one or two key competitive advantages; a concise overview of sales projections; and the amount of capital needed if recruiting investors or obtaining bank financing is a goal.

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

It’s traditional to present a brief description of your industry and its outlook, nationally and regionally. Give the details of your products and services and briefly discuss how they’ll be used by target customers. Identify whether the venture is B2B, B2C, or B2G. If the organization holds a patent, review the competitive advantages that it will convey. Have there been any technological advances that will help or hinder the enterprise? Divulge the details here.

MARKETING

This element is a big tent that encompasses sales, product or service distribution, competitors, advertising, social media, PR, networking, branding, customer acquisition and pricing. Plans written for a small organization will spotlight the role of marketing because for Solopreneurs, success hinges on identifying and reaching paying clients, as well as pricing the services advantageously.

FINANCE

Whether you’re wealthy enough to self-finance or the venture is small and not especially demanding of capital investment, the leadership team nevertheless needs to know with a reasonable degree of certainty how much money will be required to achieve important goals.

The plan might be written to support financing for the acquisition of new office space, additional staffing, or manufacturing equipment. Bank loans typically require a business plan to demonstrate how the investment money would be used and how the organization will generate funds for loan repayment.

If the goal is to attract investors, they’ll need to be convinced by the projected sales revenue figures (as will the bank), so they’ll know when their investment will be repaid and when to expect profits if they are made co-owners of the business. A break-even analysis, projected income statement, projected cash-flow statement and projected balance sheet are required by those who will need significant money.

OPERATIONS

How will day-to-day business processes function? Tell it here, along with providing the organizational chart, the business location, the method of producing that which you sell (if you are, for example, a freelance book editor or graphic designer, you produce the service yourself), your usual sub-contractors (if you are a special events organizer, who are your preferred caterer, florist and limo service?) and quality control methods. This element is about logistics.

An Appreciation For Ernest Schweninger, Pathologist Transformed to Nature Cure

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One of the most treasured circumstances for an alternative health care doctor is to find a story of transformation from a medical trained doctor to natural health systems. Ernest Schweninger (1850-1924) is an example.

Schweninger began medical studies at 16 years old and became a physician. He gained extensive experience in surgery at military hospitals during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. He began his practice in pathology and saw the failures of surgeries and drug medicine. He became convinced that any cure was dependent on the healing power of nature. His interest in medical history led him to Hippocrates, Paracelsus, and Hufeland. He arrived at his system of nature cure through his evaluation of the process of disease and cure.

The system that Schweninger developed included:
o Elimination of medical drugs
o No disease diagnosis
o No internal investigations to search for disease
o Increased fluid intake
o Vigorous exercise
o Sweat producing baths
o Sun Baths
o Small frequent meals
o Separation of solid and liquid food
o Increasing arterial blood pressure through a stay at a high altitude spa

Schweninger’s most famous cure was German Chancellor Otto Von Bismark. He was seriously sick. The overworked and overfed 250 lb Bismark was exhausted and paralyzed from a painful liver disease. The famous medical doctor Professor Frerichs diagnosed Bismark with stomach and liver cancer and announced that he might live one year.

Schweninger was called in and immediately restricted Bismarck’s food portions and limited his intake of liquids, especially wines and champagnes, and did away with pain-killers and narcotics. He substituted hot compresses, gentle massage, rest and exercises. The result was that Bismark lived 16 more years with Schweninger as his only medical advisor.

The success Schweninger had with Bismark was taken as an insult to the medical field that did their best to keep Schweninger from the University staff after his appointment by Bismark. He went on to build a hospital that delivered natural health with access to open air, gardens, air baths and a gymnasium. The hospital created an atmosphere where people could heal themselves with natural cure methods.

Schweninger’s last work The Physician was a powerful indictment of the physician as a soulless specialist who has lost sight of his true mission. He believed “a good physician could do more good with a damp cloth than a poor one can with an entire pharmacy.”

Home Repair and Improvement Market Offers a Broad Range of Tools and Services

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When one invests in a house, it’s not the last investment one makes on it. Every year, it’ll demand some kind of repair or remodeling — ranging from a small fix to a complete renovation of the house. As a house owner, one also carries the responsibility of home repair and improvement, and one cannot turn a blind eye to it. The fixes and enhancements may include areas like roof, plumbing fixtures, both interior and exterior painting, doors, windows, furnace, backyard, and more.

The home repair and improvement market offers a broad range of tools and services, including do it yourself (DIY) home improvement kits and professional services. One must make a sound assessment of the need to enhance, for example a stair or a backyard, before going for fixes or remodeling projects. Since it requires substantial investment, one must plan the entire repair and improvement project — from the inception to the final. The people using DIY tools to fix something must buy the right kind of quality tools that have been designed to perform specific functions. A number of companies offer a varied range of DIY tools, and before ordering, one must compare the prices of the tools offered by these companies, and also their features.

It’s important to determine the nature of the project and what all it requires before undertaking one. For some projects, one cannot go solo and need a team to accomplish a task. It’s better to assemble a team in advance rather than making frantic calls when in the middle of the project. Also, some home repair and improvement projects need professional help. It’s always a good idea to hire a professional that a friend or a relative has recommended. Repair industry is known for its scams, and one should be careful and take precautions when going for professional help.

General Health and Well Being

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Its true many illnesses are unavoidable, yet it is clear that each person has the power to improve his or her own health and well being. Eating well, exercising, resting, sleeping and relaxing, each can have a positive effect on ones health. Another key factor in a persons health and well being is the choice to not abuse alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.

Doctors believe that it is the people who have a positive attitude towards life, who believe that their lives have purpose, are manageable and have meaning, have the best chance of living a healthy and long-lived life.

Before the 20the century there was very little public support for health care. The government rarely got involved and when they did it was only to deal with epidemics or to clean up slums. Much has changed since then.

The problem is staying healthy is both becoming easier and harder these days. We have a constantly advancing health care system along with the advances in technology. On the other hand we are constantly introducing hazers into out lives such as pollution and toxic waste. New and more deadly virus’s and diseases are always developing, yet our life expectancy in north America has almost doubled in the last century. Spite all the health hazards the choice to remain healthy is still in your own hands. Avoiding unhealthy situations, foods, and life-styles along with staying positive are the best ways to have a healthy mind and body.

Will The End Of DACA Burst Our Academic Bubble?

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Maybe it is okay that the academic bubble is about to burst. After all, our colleges and Universities seem to have lost their way, teaching gender studies, minority (majority) studies, leftist viewpoints and the never ending politically correct mission creep of sustainability, equality, and socialism. Is the removal of DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals going to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back in academia? It very well might be. Let’s talk.

There was an interesting piece on NPR worth listening to titled: “California State University Chancellor Raises Concerns About End Of DACA,” part of the ‘All Things Considered’ venue (4 minutes, 14 seconds long). The piece was on the air on September 6, 2017. During the interview the California State University system Chancellor Timothy White, he stated:

“Well, it would make it so several thousand of our students and several hundred of our employees would lose the status that DACA has provided. And for some, that would mean they would drop out of school out of fear. For others, it would mean that they would not be able to get a job or have the sort of ability to function in society once they earn their college degree. So we’re actually deeply disappointed in the president’s action and are working strongly with, now, our congressional members to create legislation to reverse this.”

Personally, I bet it is much higher than that, I bet it’s at least 5,000 students at 500 University employees. First, why is the University hiring Illegal Aliens ahead of US Citizens? Second, are these 5,000 students borrowing monies (student loans) for their over-priced tuition? You know, college is FREE in Mexico, but I guess if they don’t pay back the student loans its FREE here too, for them only as all the citizen college students can’t get out of their student loans ever, or those on Student VISAs have to pay in exorbitant college tuition fees in advance often 3-times the normal rates. Next is this issue with Cal Grant program – who do you think pays for that?

Meanwhile, most of the University professor pension funds around the country are in trouble (underfunded) and their pay keeps increasing, and the Universities continue to hire more administrators to their already bureaucratic and top-heavy brain-washing institutions.

Now you might ask, why on Earth does this author (me) care? Well, I am a taxpayer. And, I understand the issues of social safety nets, but our taxes are paid by US citizens for our benefits, not to redistribute to folks who are in our country illegally. Yes, I understand the debate; “it’s not their fault, their parents brought them here at a young age, and this is the only country they know.” Understood, but that is not my fault, nor should it be my problem just because I am a white male.

It seems now we are in a Catch-22. You see, if we send all the DACA students back, they will not pay their student loans, and will finish their education in Mexico, where it is free, which might be enough to trigger a bubble burst in the student loan market causing severely decreased enrollment as no one will be able to get a student loan in the future; citizen or not. Fewer students means tuition revenues will decrease, layoffs of staff and professors will cause poor education, larger classrooms, and bankruptcy to many University systems nationwide. And, mind you, the academic bubble will eventually burst as it is “unsustainable” anyway, but this may accelerate the time to drive off that cliff.

It’s too bad academia got hijacked by leftist political forces, now it’s time that the pendulum swings back to some sense of normalcy. Maybe it’s going to take a big hit to the system to force a little common sense back into the University system, maybe this DACA reversal might be that event that pivots to a more reality based place of higher learning?

Apartment Rent Back Advice

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When financial problems arise, many people become frustrated and sad. Working professionals, who earn a fixed salary, might lose heart when they do not get a raise. You might have planned to buy an apartment (when you get a raise). But when you fail to get a raise, you might not be able to purchase that apartment.

Interest rates have been volatile lately, causing many borrowers to have issues making their payments. Banks are nervous and might tighten the rules as to when payments can be made. This can be avoided by using the apartments rent back option. Investigate it to make sure it is the right option for you. Loosing some value up front might be better than losing your home altogether.

Using the “sell and rent back” scheme, you can prevent the bank from seizing your apartment. The “sell and rent back” scheme is making waves all over UK and USA. Hundreds of people have benefited from this method. Using the “apartments rent back” scheme, the owner can transfer the ownership of his apartment for a fixed time period during which he is required to pay a fixed rent.

If you are not sure whether you will be able to pay the installments of your home-loan, then you must consider the “rent back” option. There are many private companies which offer you this scheme and that too at reasonable rates. The “apartments rent back” scheme allows you to stay as tenants in your apartment by paying a fixed rent every month.

When looking for the best apartment rent back guide the internet is a good place to start. There is much information available online regarding these programs and companies that offer these services. Try an internet search with the terms “homes for rent by owner” and you should get some good information.

If you are seriously looking thinking about apartments rent back ideas it is wise to check with people you know in the real estate industry or other reputable real estate companies to get their thoughts and advice. It is good to keep in mind that if you find yourself in trouble paying your mortgage that the apartments rent back program is always available to help.

North Carolina Real Estate Education

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Real estate is a term used for land and all physical properties built on it. Houses along with basement, trees, fences, structures constructed away from the main house and drainage system are considered as a part of real estate.

North Carolina is a popular southern destination for vacations and therefore, many people prefer to buy vacation houses or residential property here. State of North Carolina has certain regulations and specifications that home buyers and sellers need to follow. Most people generally approach real state agents to buy or sell real estate as they have information about local market.

To conduct a real estate business in the state, it is necessary to have a North Carolina real estate broker license. This requirement applies to any individual or body that may want to get involved in the business of real estate directly or indirectly while physically residing in the state of North Carolina. Individuals need to go through North Carolina real estate education program to get a license to become a real estate agent. Real estate education programs are also available for renewal of license as a part of continuing education programs. A real estate licensee is usually known as a real estate agent, though there is no such term actually mentioned in the text of License Law.

After a person has passed the requisite exam, a license in provisional status is issued. Main difference between a provisional license and a license without a provisional status is that the latter allows brokers to operate as an unsupervised independent agent. A provisional status license requires a broker to work under the supervision of a broker who has been nominated. However, a real estate licensee or agent does not automatically become a realtor. To become a realtor, a licensed real estate agent needs to belong to the National Association of Realtors, which is a private trade association.

What are Serviced Apartments?

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It seems that everybody’s talking about serviced apartments and how they are going to become the hotels of the future. But what exactly are they and what’s all the fuss about?

A serviced apartment is a property that has been fully furnished and is available for very short term let. Sometimes serviced apartments can be rented for as short a period of time as one week. Although most serviced apartments require guests to stay for at least a minimum of a week, some allow you to book for just one night.

Serviced apartments that allow one night stays are normally linked to big hotel chains. Hilton and Marriott have serviced apartments for instance.

Serviced apartments normally have a living room, fully fitted kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. The number of bedrooms varies by apartment and you get to choose how many you want in the one that you rent.

As well as being fully furnished and offering a lot of space to spread out, serviced apartments are also equipped with the latest communication devices. They tend to have direct dial telephones, fax machines, broadband connections and satellite television.

This means that you do not have to worry about shipping your furniture when you relocate. The idea behind this is to reduce the stress and hassle associated with moving as much as possible.

In addition to this some serviced apartments also offer services that you might expect to only find in a hotel. For instance, many of them have a 24 hour concierge service, in-house maintenance and even a daily maid service.

Serviced apartments are designed to make your life as easy as possible. As a result most will give you a welcome hamper when you arrive. This contains essentials like tea and coffee as well as bread butter and milk to help you get on your feet.

Serviced apartments are becoming popular among executives relocating abroad because they offer a home from home. Guests do not have to worry about shipping furniture, utensils, telephones and televisions because the apartments are fully equipped with everything that you might need during your stay.