As a marketing, business and sales consultant, trainer and planner, for four decades, and a New York State Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, for more than a decade, I consider myself well – versed in the realities, nuances, needs, and options, when it relates to marketing real estate. Rather than make this a somewhat boring, technical discussion, I felt using a mnemonic perspective, and identifying the keys and possibilities, as they relate to real estate MARKETING, might be interesting and beneficial, both to professionals in the field, as well as individuals hoping to best market and sell their homes.1. Merits: Clearly identify and understand the home’s merits and weaknesses! How can you accentuate the positive, and show potential buyers, why your home, might be the one for them? Why do you consider these aspects to be merits and/ or benefits? It is important to realize that one of the essential keys to marketing houses, is selling the benefits (rather than the technical details or data)!2. Assets; attention: Remember, for most people, their house is their single largest asset! Why should a potential buyer want to live in your home? What distinguishes it, and what are its principal assets and strengths? How can focus and attention, be best centered around the main strengths?3. Relative: Know the competition! It may see strange to some, but it would benefit most home sellers, to attend open houses, for other houses, so you might be best able to compare, and understand your local market (and what the market might bear). Doing this will help one better be ready, able and willing, to price his house properly from the start! How does your house compare, relative to the rest of the local market? Try to be objective!4. Knowledge: Each local real estate market, has its distinctive nuances, etc! Have a thorough discussion with your real estate professional, and ask your agent, to share his insights and knowledge of the local market, so you can better perceive and have more realistic expectations!5. Energy; enrich: Seek a real estate agent, who oozes energy, and positive, enriching focus! If the agent is not energetic, potential buyers will generally be less enthusiastic!6. Timely; trends; tailoring: Seek an agent who responds and acts promptly, so every opportunity might be seized! Timely action and decisions, might make the difference between the possibility and/ or price of a sale! Seek someone who takes advantage of the relative trends, including all marketing avenues, and options! You need someone who will tailor his marketing plan, to best fit your property!7. Insights; ideas: A quality agent shares his insights and ideas with his clients, and explains how, the best marketing approach, is when homeowner and agent, work as a team, and are on the same page!8. Needs; niche: Is there a specific niche, which might be most attracted to your home? How might a specific home, fit the needs and priorities, of a certain group of people?9. Gain: The purpose of a quality, marketing plan, is to gain attention, views, and bring offers, for your home!MARKETING is an essential, key component of selling houses. Hopefully, these basic insights, have driven home, some of the reasoning!
What’s the Difference Between Term Life and Whole Life Insurance?
When it comes to life insurance, this is the probably one of the most frequently asked questions. Neither is really ‘better’, per se, but each type of policy serves its own purpose and has its own advantages and disadvantages.Let’s start with term life. Term life (sometimes referred to as temporary life insurance) is probably the most commonly purchased type of life insurance, mostly because it is also the least expensive. A term life insurance policy is only meant to cover a person for a specific period of time (the term). Term policies are typically issued in 10-, 20- and 30- year increments, with the shorter term policies being less expensive than the longer. On most policies, the premium is locked in for the length of the term.A 10- year term policy, for example, will have a fixed premium, and pay a fixed death benefit to your beneficiary if you pass away within 10 years after purchasing the policy. If you are still alive after 10 years, then the policy lapses, you are no longer insured, and you get nothing back (term policies typically do not have cash value accumulation). If you still need life insurance, you start from scratch. Considering will be 10 years older, the premiums on your new policy will likely be much higher. You also face the risk that your health could change, and you may no longer be insurable in 10 years.Most companies will give you the opportunity to keep the policy after the term ends; however, the premium is no longer fixed, and will increase dramatically each year that you keep the policy in force. Most insurance companies will also give the policy owner the opportunity to convert all or a portion of their term life policy to whole life (or another form of permanent life insurance) at a higher premium. There is often an age restriction on converting.Term life policies are often purchased with a specific purpose in mind. People often purchase term life when they buy a home, so that their spouse can pay off the mortgage in the event of their death. Once the mortgage is paid off, there is no longer a need for the insurance, so therefore the temporary nature of this type of policy is practical. This is often referred to as ‘mortgage protection’ insurance.People also tend to purchase term life when they have children, since their children will usually be financially dependent on them for the first 20 years or so of their lives. A 20-year term policy may be ideal for a new parent without a great deal of expendable income (to purchase whole life) but who would like a policy in place to make sure their kids are taken care of monetarily should a parent pass away before the child is an adult. Again, this is a temporary need, since once the child or children are grown, they are no longer financially dependent, and the insurance need is no longer there.Whole life insurance, on the other hand, is a permanent form of life insurance. There is no term length, and it is designed to insure a person for their entire life. While this does sound ideal compared to the temporary nature of term life, the biggest disadvantage is cost. Whole life is considerably more expensive than term life.Most companies will offer multiple payment options on whole life insurance. For example, they may offer a 10-pay or a 20-pay whole life policy. That means that you only pay premiums for 10 or 20 years. After the pay period, no more premiums are due on the policy, and the policy stays in force until your death, no matter when that might be. If you pass away before the pay period ends, the full death benefit is still paid, and no more payments are due.Some carriers also offer single premium whole life insurance, where you pay a single lump sum upon purchasing the policy, and you have a policy in force for your entire life with no further premiums due.Another advantage of whole life is cash value, which accumulates within the policy over time, and can be borrowed against by the policy owner as a source of funds. Within the policy these cash values grow tax-deferred. Policy loans will decrease the cash value and death benefit of the policy. Whole life cash value tends to accumulate slowly within the first few policy years, and then start to accelerate as time goes by. Upon purchasing whole life insurance, your agent is required to provide you with an illustration which shows how the cash value and death benefit of a policy will change over time.As you can see, both term and whole life have their advantages. Which one is better depends on the situation of the individual purchasing it. Term life is by far the less expensive option, but is not permanent, and does not have as many benefits. While whole life will cost you more, the permanent death benefit and cash value accumulation might be worth the extra premium for some people. In any case, it is a good idea to talk to a professional and weigh the differences before making your decision.Term Life-inexpensive compared to whole life-premiums are fixed for a period of time-ideal for someone with a temporary life insurance need (such as dependent children, mortgage)Whole Life-you cannot outlive the death benefit-accumulates cash value, which can be used by the policy owner-much more expensive compared to term insurance-premiums will never increaseFor more information, or to get a free quote, visit us here.
3 Tips for Selecting the Best Software for NGOs and Nonprofits
With the projected growth set to take the NGOs and nonprofits industry, most organizations are on the lookout to post better results and achieve efficiency in their functions using the best software for NGOs and nonprofits. Some of these will be in operations, financial reporting, eCommerce, accounting, donor relationship management, resource planning and so much more.With thousands of software for NGOs and nonprofits plying the market, getting the right software to power the efficiency can be and will be a challenge. Since selection will be inevitable, the following are some of the top things you have to do to succeed in selecting only the best software for your organization.Create a long list of wantsEvery organization has its positives and negatives, fully packaged areas and others, which need a boost. In an NGO or nonprofits environment, it could be the funding department, accounting, tax reporting, donor management, collaboration, human resources management and so much more. If you’re looking for software for NGOs or software for nonprofits, the best strategy to follow in order to get the best product or aid is to align software with organizational needs. A list of wants will help you get a specific program developer to create a working system or an already made software through a vendor.Note the strengths of software and vendorNot all departments are the same in an organization because some will always be more important (for organizational growth) compared to others. For example, fund raising is a core department in any NGO or nonprofits organization compared to security of premises, and so forth. If you’re charged in a position to select software for NGOs and nonprofits, the best way to go about it is by choosing software that leaves your organization in the best light possible. Some of the things you have to look at include the scalability of the software, reporting on the software, vendor suitability for each software and so forth.Choose value-add vendor or software developerOne of the worst mistakes any NGO or nonprofit can make concerning software choice is buying with the assumption that the software is a complete product once you’re purchased it. Truth is that, it’s not. When you choose a developer for a piece of software or a vendor for certain software, look at their value add statement with regards to the software for non profits. This will ensure that you benefit to the maximum.
When A Commercial Mortgage Makes Sense!
If there is anything second to gold, it is probably real estate. This is where liquidity is changed into a highly rewarding asset class. Full time rents, development opportunities, time shares and more, many would say once you own property there is no shortage of channels of revenue. There is also an opportunity for scale: whether you construct a high rise corporate tower, inviting businesses, food chains and retailers in or erect a hotel and play host to the pantheon of tourists, travelers and businessmen checking in and out from time to time and splurging on premium luxuries, the opportunities are as big as your ambition. It has been shown that in the long term Commercial property is one of the better performing asset classes so it’s not surprising why it is so coveted by many investors.Possibly that’s why investors don’t mind large amounts of money for commercial properties. They know what true worth commercial property has. They don’t mind buying a commercial land on bridging finance and later securing a commercial mortgage to pay it off. And if it is planned nicely, it’s not surprising to see upward growth in asset value and asset revenue.The loans are generally made for about 10 years and secured against the property. If the payments are missed, it is repossessed. Typically such financing options are used:• To buy new premises• For extending the existing premises• For commercial and residential investment• For developing any property for other purposesCommercial Mortgage and why it makes senseIf you or your business is looking to purchase premises or wishing to include commercial property to your portfolio, commercial financing is what you need. It can be difficult acquire with a lengthy approval process, sometimes high interest rates and even personal guarantees sometimes required. Nevertheless, without sufficient cash in hand to finance a purchase it remains the most sensible way of getting financing to expand a property portfolio or grow a business.Let’s have a look at why commercial mortgage makes more sense than other forms of business financing.• Tax benefits: In most cases, mortgage repayments are tax deductible. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) usually regard the interest payments as allowable expense for tax purposes. So if your business ever buys a commercial property on mortgage, you can use the payments in Self Assessment tax return or company accounts for tax deduction.• It is cheaper than business borrowing: While commercial mortgage is not the only way to procure finance, it may be cheaper than other methods. Since the loan is secured lending, it is cheaper than unsecured loans and credit. In fact many companies consolidate their debts through commercial loans.On the other side, commercial loans may ask the borrowers to put down a significant percentage of the total amount to secure the deal. The payment may go as high as 30-40% in some cases. Similarly, borrowers may be required to deposit guarantee besides the collaterals.Having said that they are viable options, possibly a little more than other unsecured loans. So if you plan to acquire commercial properties or land, expand facilities or refinance debt, commercial mortgages may be the way forward. As always though, be sure to consult an Adviser when making your decision.Copyright © 2011
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3 Parallel Benefits of Cloud Computing and Social Media for Small Business!
Cloud computing and Social Media is transforming small business and IT by enabling new services that drive value, accelerate innovation and reduce cost across the enterprise.We are living in the world of Web 2.0, where hundreds of millions of people are connected to the Internet and millions of those people are connected on social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, and Twitter, using blogs, and posting on YouTube and Flickr. And there are thousands of examples where businesses have achieved milestones using these social networking tools.Similarly Cloud computing is quickly becoming the new buzzword in business. The vast amount of ways in which people can be connected online has sparked the interest of cloud computing services. Cloud services are becoming the most attractive way to tap into the Web 2.0 world and establish means of turning the flow of information and communication into business potential. We have noticed some parallel benefits of social media and cloud computing for small business and those are mentioned below;3 Parallel Benefits of Cloud Computing & Social Media for Small Business!Cloud Computing and Social Media both are Cost Effective for Small Business:Cloud computing is without a doubt the IT trend that has brought the most benefits to small businesses. We live in a global business environment and up to now small businesses had difficulties in competing with the big players, as they could not afford to absorb the costs associated with the necessary IT capabilities.But now it’s a Even playing field for Small Businesses, they can utilize the same tools that Fortune 100 companies use on a fraction of cost. Saving up the energy, infrastructure, environment and management bills.Similarly social media helps in lowering the cost of small business marketing, promotion, customer service, playing a key role in start-ups’ success. Emma Jones, co-founder of StartUp Britain, said technology has enabled more people to keep costs down while starting up their own business.She noted some businesses do all their promotion via Facebook and rake in “thousands of pounds worth of sales”. “Free and low-cost social media has represented a great way of small businesses being able to promote themselves and make sales”.Cloud Computing and Social Media Both Infrastructure Management and People Cost:Smaller business cannot endure to work with highly paid consultants to setup their IT infrastructure and cannot even have cost to retain them for management. Cloud computing in contrast has allowed them to relieve the infrastructure management costs. Cloud computing companies provide 24/7 customer support to handle all the issues.Similarly, social media has given the small businesses an opportunity to manage all the aspects of marketing from one platform; there is no need of hiring specialized people to manage their campaign. It’s easy to setup and can be handled by a single person. Starting with introducing the business with friends and followers and engaging them accordingly can easily create a buzz. Blogging is the most effective way to attract the target audience and converting them into customers.Small Business can Utilize the Same Tools that Fortune 100 companies Use:Cloud computing is the biggest trend in business industry seen after the adoption of social media. Companies like Google and Amazon have adopted cloud computing. And they are also providing cloud computing/hosting services for the other companies. And due to its scalable, cost effective, easily handled nature, it is becoming a hot cake for bigger companies, but Small Business Cloud Computing has greater potential.Similarly, social media is incubated heavily by the biggest companies and they harnessed it according to their needs. They spend millions of dollars each year to reach their audience/consumers socially, as they know that social behavior helps them understand what their customer really want, and that’s what helped them increasing their sales up to 50%. Smaller businesses have the same chance of reaching the right people, engaging them with right content and converting them to loyal customers. They have a chance to get their small business to an enterprise level business and mark their victory around the world.
Keep These 5 Rules in Mind for Successful Commercial Designing
Who doesn’t want an excellent commercial design? Excellent commercial design is important to maintain the reputation and brand image of the company. As it is said, the first impression is the last impression, a good impression always attracts potential customers. It’s obvious no one would ever love to walk in a congested environment with bad lighting.
Bad design and interiors deteriorate the productivity of the employees. It can be a confusing task when planning a commercial designing project for the first time, hiring expert Commercial Architects Melbourne can be the best option to know about the latest trends and perfect matching designs.
This blog is about some basic rules to consider for making the commercial project successful.
Keep structures versatile
When it comes to transforming any commercial space, focusing on convertibility and keeping office interior decor versatile can be the best option. It can be done by implementing a versatile structure to spaces such as cafeterias, offices, and many more. Everyone gives preference to comfort hence, focusing on spatial and versatile design will help to complete commercial designing projects in an optimal way.
Consider the latest technology implementations
Technology plays a supportive role to enhance the commercial designing project. Moving forward with the latest technology is important to execute any business smoothly because technologies make the work much easier and comfortable for the employee as well as organizations. Implementing centralized and decentralized digital control is much needed in any commercial design.
Keep office aesthetics updated
Good aesthetics and interiors impact the overall representation of the office and make the place functional and attractive. Hire a reputed designer for modern décor and furniture ideas. Hiring a designer reduces half of the project stress and helps to meet the contemporary fashion and latest trends. They can help to choose the perfect theme that blends well with the office decor, atmosphere, and colour.
Provide personalized space to prevent congestion
Majority of customer prefers personalized space such as different seating to seat comfortably and do the personal work. Personalized space is one of the crucial factors for customer-based service offices such as hotels and cafeterias to provide an ambient and comfortable place.
Always keep safety first
Safety is the central feature of every construction and designing project. Hence, it’s the high-priority factor to keep the aesthetic and functional safety at the working place. It can be compromised for interior decoration and design purposes but it’s not at all affordable to compromise for safety purposes.
Following the above useful ideas can easily help in the successful completion of a commercial designing project in a safe and pleasing way. In today’s, modern construction, reliability, and comfort is also an equally important factor.
Final words,
It’s important to hire the experienced Building designer Melbourne to make the commercial designing project worthy. Hope the above rules helped you to scale up your interior designing projects with a better outcome. Follow the above tips for any renovation or remodelling project and surely you will get award-winning and achieve a better office experience.
How Long Should A Laptop Battery Last And How To Increase the Battery Life
No matter how expensive your laptop is, its battery won’t last more than four years. According to experts, a new laptop battery gives you as many as 1,000 cycles. In other words, you can charge and recharge the battery up to 1000 times. However, many factors play their role to increase or decrease the lifespan of a laptop battery. For instance, the material used for producing the battery substance. So, if you want to ensure that your battery stands the test of time, given below are some of the tips that can help.
1. Install a good battery monitor
If you are looking for an alternative, you can choose from tons of third-party utilities. Basically, the software programs help you monitor your laptop battery. These programs have no compatibility issues with any type of laptop.
Using these tools, you can find out which programs are using most of the battery power. You can then close the unwanted programs to save battery power.
2. Install maintenance apps
You can use some manufacturer-recommended maintenance tools for maintaining your laptop battery. Based on the type of your battery, you will receive different suggestions. Apart from this, your operating system will come with a built-in utility that can help you keep an eye on your battery condition.
3. Maintain your device temperature
You should try your level best to ensure your laptop maintains its temperature. In summer, electronic devices tend to heat up, which negatively impacts the life of the battery packs.
Therefore, you should make sure that there is a little bit of space between the bottom of the device and the table you have placed your device on. Besides, the ventilation system of your device should be working properly. For this purpose, regular cleaning of your device is quite important.
4. Don’t use maximum brightness
When your screen brightness is at maximum level, your device will use the maximum power. So, turning down the brightness is the first thing you can do to save power. Also, it is not a good idea to keep the brightness at max level as it can have a negative impact on your eyesight.
So, by following these simple tips, it will be easier for you to extend the life of your laptop battery.
5. Change the power-saving settings
Before you do anything, go into the power options of your laptop. If you are using Windows operating system, you can go to the control panel to access the power options. The control panel can be accessed from the Start Menu.
Some users have MacOS. If you are one of them, you need to access Energy Saver, which is found in the System Preferences. If these values are set to default, your computer will use the least amount of power.
So, what you need to do is make small changes to the settings so that you achieve a balance between power and performance. For best performance, there is always the choice to connect your device to the AC outlet.