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Benefits of I.D. Badges
Everyone knows that I.D. Badges are significant to the society. It is used to identify each person from his office, school, and country. But is this the only benefit the I.D. badges provide? In general, the I.D. badge serves as a function to...
Corporate Travel Management
"Corporate Travel Management Post 9/11 When terrorists shook
America and the world with the September 11 attacks of 2001,
they didn't just hit the travel industry hard but also changed
the way corporate travel management functioned. Post...
How Secure are Your Bank Account and Assets?
If you're reading this you most likely live in a first world country with established banks, a stable government and a safe neighborhood -- somewhere you can sleep at night knowing your family’s future is safe. But are you really safe? In the...
Job Applicant Follies
Y’all ever wonder why some people seem to have such a hard time finding gainful employment? Well, after reading this column you may better understand some of the reasons why. This week I’m going to share some actual comments from selected employment...
Steal This Email!
Ample media attention has been focused on security issues such
as viruses, phishing attacks and theft of sensitive customer
information from large databases. The proliferation of Spyware
and Malware (malicious software) has also garnered...
Strategies To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime that is growing each year. If you're a victim of identity theft you may spend months, even years, trying to repair a ruined credit history. A seriously damaged credit report can compromise your chances of getting a...
The Thief Is In The Mail
29 January 2004 The car doors slam. The wheels screech. The teenagers pilot the speeding car down the pavement into the darkness; a crash is heard. That's when the public service message appears at the bottom of the TV screen: Lock your car. Take...
The Wireless Dilemma
"The cautious seldom err." Confucius
"Be prepared." Robert Baden-Powell
To begin at the beginning is always a good place to start.
Let's begin with a shocking statement by a senior government
member of the Electronic Crimes Task Force,...
Website Promotion – Where to Get Ideas for Writing Articles
Some six weeks ago, I began writing and submitting articles to free content sites in order to promote the six commercial Websites I own. The results have been both swift and dramatic, and the number of links from external Websites to my own...
Why Over 90% of VoIP (Computer Phone) Services Are Vulnerable to Attack
Vulnerable to Attack
By Dee Scrip
© All rights reserved. Dee Scrip
You are in the crosshairs as a primary target of computer hackers if you own a computer or operate on un-secure VoIP (computer phone) services.
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How To Become A Savvy Real Estate Investor
If you’ve turned on the television lately, at some point you'll hear the experts praising the virtues of diversification. Real estate has long been considered a conservative, long-term strategy to growing wealth. While some seasoned real estate investors make it look easy, to be successful, beginners should follow some basic principles.
Learn all you can. Consider attending a seminar or talking with individuals who are experienced in real estate investing. Look for people in your area or search for investor information on your favorite search engine.
Before committing your cash, you should have a fundamental understanding of real estate. For example, be aware that, in general, investment properties are not liquid investments. Barring exceptional circumstances, real estate does not sell at a moment's notice. It could take days or months to sell a property, depending on the strength of your local market conditions.
Consider your financial goals. It is possible to make a lot of money. However, you need to determine how hard you are going to work to do it, and how long you intend to keep each property. With each investment unit, you'll need to take into account cash flow, appreciation, equity, and depreciation. Talk with your accountant about tax liabilities and benefits.
Consider cash flow. You'll need to have enough capital on hand to cover any short-term losses due to vacancies between tenants, repairs, property management, taxes, mortgage, etc.
Start small. Look into buying a single family home or a duplex. Leave large apartment buildings and commercial properties to the professionals.
Inquire at your local Chamber of Commerce about companies relocating into or out of the area. Company movement is one indicator of demand for rental and/or office space.
Find a property that will be in demand when you are ready to resell. Look for a moderately priced home on a quiet street with three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage.
Research the property. The most common way
first-time investors lose is by failing to investigate a property thoroughly. Look beyond the front door. Investigate the reputation of the school district, the crime rate, and plans for expanding a nearby highway or developing vacant land. Check out Ask a local real estate professional about the area, its history, and how fast (or slowly) properties are moving. Find out the tenant demand in that market.
Inspect the home you're considering for signs of water damage, such as stains on the ceiling and crinkling or gathering wallpaper; open and close every door and window; and check all electrical sockets by plugging in an appliance. Get an independent home inspection, roof inspection and termite inspection. Unexpected repair costs can eat away resale profit. Because even the best inspection can't always predict problems, try to set aside some of the rental income for unexpected repairs.
Spend time driving the streets of the community noting the condition of other properties. Are lawns maintained? Are roofs in good shape? Are homes kept up?
Be ready to make fixes quickly and respond to the renter's needs. If you're not prepared to be a hands-on landlord, consider hiring a property management firm.
Find a real estate professional who has experience in investment properties in your market. They can pass on valuable information about rental prices in your market and the sale prices of other rental properties in the community.
Remember, investing in a property is much different than living in one, and while emotion and attachment can be prime motivators when it comes to homes, it is return on investment that counts when investing in real estate.
About the Author
Jamie Madison is a former Realtor® who provides valuable advice for prospective homeowners. Get insider information when searching for a new home or applying online for mortgage loans. Claim your *FREE* Report – “99 Home-Buying Tips” at http://www.freehomebuyingresources.com
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