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06/21/2013 06:11

 

They say that if you really want to make money, invest in property. Property isn't a bunch of zeroes and ones stored in a bank's supercomputer somewhere, nor is it a bunch of otherwise useless precious metals like gold or silver. No, property is real, physical, hard, and yet property also has a use: people live and work on property. So it should come as no surprise that, as a property owner, you've made the right choice in your investments.

Still, it can be hard to get those investments to work for you. There's a lot of work that goes into managing even a single property; once you start developing your own little real estate empire, the paperwork, the financial aspect, working with clients... it can all start to get away from you very quickly. That's why most property owners today use property management software.

It isn't hard to fine affordable property management software online. Property management program costs are actually rather low, especially when it comes to web-based property management software. In fact, with online property management software, you might even be able to find a free version for you to use – perhaps indefinitely! Of course, you get what you pay for, and sometimes online property management software won't have all the features you're looking for. That's why you should always shop around before finally settling on a particular software suite.

As far as features are concerned, though, there's one big one when it comes to property management: online tenant payments. Making it easier for your tenants to pay you for the use of your property is key to expediting the money-making process in your business. The easier and more convenient it is for your tenants to pay you, the more likely they are to do it in a timely manner. Late payments can really damage your own finances if you're still paying down mortgages on the properties themselves, after all.

Of course, property management software has many other features available. You can manage the taxes, manage client/tenant histories, and manage repair and maintenance costs. Really, one of the most powerful features of the best management software is the ability to lay out the financial situation of your business in front of you, making it clear and simple. Having a concise understanding of your business and properties' financial situation is what will allow you to make sensible decisions when managing your properties. Sensibility, of course, is what fortunes are founded on.

 

06/21/2013 06:02

 

From the outside looking in, people wonder how hard being a property owner could possibly be. You own the property, you make money off it, ????, profit. As a property owner, though, you know the truth: its a mountain of paperwork, with every seemingly irrelevant detail of your business coming up in taxes, in financial statements, again and again. As if that wasn't enough, you need to manage your clients; the deadbeats, the tenants who are asking for maintenance and repairs, the prospective tenants, the tenants who are moving out, everyone demands your attention yesterday.

It can be too much for one person to take care of, but can you really afford to hire a staff? Before you go blowing tens of thousands of dollars on a secretary, an accountant, a loan shark, you might want to look into some 21st century solutions in the shape of real estate property management software. Similar to portfolio management systems that allow real estate investors to manage their real estate portfolios, the right kind of software can totally transform how you manage your business.

First, take a look at some property management software reviews. A good property management software review will tell you what kind of features you're getting with each particular software suite; they can end up costing a pretty penny if you go big, but sometimes even the most comprehensive software package is lacking some vital component that you then have to go out and pay for.

For example, does the software use facilities maintenance software? Being able to track what needs maintenance, how much it costs, when it needs to be done, and how you're going to account for the cost of the maintenance is pretty important. Putting the maintenance off – or doing it poorly – can have dire consequences for you and your tenants. On the other hand, you don't just want to be repairing everything at top dollar all the time, and at your own expense. Decisions, decisions. Software helps you make those decisions!

On the other hand, does the package include real estate accounting software? Although accounting software isn't always as helpful as a real, flesh and blood accountant, it is also considerably more affordable, and you get the added advantage of understanding how your finances got to look as they did, because you were involved in every step of the accounting process – the software just did the heavy math for you, and made sure to remind you of all the little details and caveats that come with accounting.

Whatever software package you decide on, its obvious that a good suite of property management software can make your life far, far more easier, and your business far more profitable to boot. What do you have to lose?

06/20/2013 14:03

Having a business mission statement reminds you of your priorities in a business. The business statement example highlights the purpose, and it prevents from distractions in your pursuit of achieving your goals. A good business statement example offers inspiration to define your goals and the strategies for achieving them.

A business statement example is a written summary of how you want your business to look and where you want to end up. It is the underlying morals and ethics by which you live by. It is timeless and it's underlying principles always remain the same. The business financial statements include profit and loss statement. It records the income in the business, as well as the expenses. It determines what the profit or the loss of the operation is for a particular period, by deducting all costs from income.

Unlike the profit and loss statement, the cash flow statement of business financial statements has nothing to do with income and expenses, but it has everything to do with cash flowing in and out of the business. Cash flow is mainly concerned with cash balance at the end of a particular period, for example every month.

Your business statement provides a path to understand the business vision and values. Your business statement defines the purpose of your business and encourages you to achieve the goals. Your business statement has a direct influence on the success of your business.

Planning is an important aspect of creating a business form. It is important to plan what exactly the forms will be used for. There are certain criteria to be followed while creating business forms. For instance a business legal form is usually legally binding so it should have all aspects of local rules. While planning, Ideas can come from many sources to design the business form.

An online search will lead you to websites that offer business form templates many of which are incredibly useful, regardless of the kind of business you run, or want to run.

Form for business letter is useful for writing quality business letters, which are indispensable for professional communication. They help to invite responses, advertise, and to keep track of communications within and outside an organization. To make writing tasks easy one can follow a form for business letter.

Form for business letter is great for those who need a more professional look, in official communications. Many companies specialize in creating standard and customized forms for business letter for all possible purposes like writing resignation, offering of employment, informing of new schemes, announcing the launch of products, and so on. These templates can be easily modified on the computer. They are especially useful when a letter has to be drafted quickly.

06/20/2013 13:40



This is called the Information Age, and with good reason. Information has become the primary currency of the day – as if there was really ever any other kind – and so now there's a ton of it to be handled. For the modern, 21st century business, managing that information can be the difference between success and failure, but how can one person, or even a team of people, handle all the information a growing company is likely to see every day?

If you're a truly modern business, its silly to entrust your information management systems to a person when you can enhance or even replace their function with statement processing software. Statement processing will streamline and make more efficient your data processing power in your business, enabling you to focus on what really matters: making a profit and expanding your business.

Statement processing is often carried out by statement processing services. That's right, you can hire an entirely separate business to handle processing your data, documents, statements, and so on, for you. This can really free up your staff, allowing you to hire and pay only those who will help to improve your business's product, sales, marketing, and so forth, while the drudgery or paperwork is left your the statement processing service.

This whole process can be aided through the use of online document creation. Document creation allows your company to generate documents online, share them swiftly, allow simultaneous editing for quick and easy collaboration, and any number of other useful features. Document creation automation can even take the difficulty and tedium of creating those documents out of your hands; sometimes, documents that are intended to record and track the minutiae of your business are better left in the hands of machines.

Should you really be outsourcing document creation and management to other companies? Well, you don't have to, if you can create an adequate infrastructure in your business for creating, storing, and retrieving information. Unfortunately, that is an involved and often very expensive process. Only larger businesses tend to go to those lengths due to the sheer amount of data they process regularly.

For your business, you may want to consider outsourcing the more complex and tedious elements of business to other companies until you can grow and develop to the point that your business can handle them on your own. This especially goes for statement processing and document management, as the devil is often in the details when it comes to the law and taxes. One mistake could end up costing you!

06/14/2013 09:40

 

Given how busy families are these days, they don't always have time to vacuum and clean their own carpets. It's a pretty time-consuming activity that can be physically exhausting to boot. So what do they do? Hire a carpet-cleaning service, of course. Take a day out of the house, say at the beach of the park of some other relaxing locale, and when you come back your home is fresh and clean. Pay the service and wham, bam, thank you ma'am.

Of course, it isn't that simple for a business. Commercial properties have larger carpets, and your run-of-the-mill carpet-cleaning services simply don't have the manpower or resources to complete projects of that size – or on the regular basis that commercial properties require.

That's why there are commercial carpet cleaning companies. A commercial carpet cleaning company specializes in commercial properties, handling several large contracts at a time and regularly returning to do the jobs. Commercial carpet cleaning is actually a huge business – you need to maintain a clean, presentable, and professional workplace, after all! – and it isn't hard to find a suitable service in your area if you look hard enough.

Commercial office carpet cleaning isn't the only kind of carpet cleaning. Commercial can mean offices, but it can also mean the sales floor; if you've carpets in your business where clients enter and make purchases, it is even more important that your carpets are clean and presentable to them. If your carpets are dirty, smelly, or otherwise unfit for transacting business upon, your clients will take note.

Given how important commercial carpet cleaning is, and how big a job it often is, you might wonder if commercial carpet cleaning rates are unreasonably high. Certainly, some less scrupulous commercial carpet cleaning companies will charge a business outrageous rates if they can get away with it, but that's true of any service. Instead, go to other businesses whose environment you admire and find out who cleans their carpets. They almost certainly have a business relationship with a high-quality, affordable carpet cleaning service.

Of course, having a carpet cleaning service doesn't give your employees free reign to spill coffee and crumbs all over the carpet. Behaving appropriately in the office should always be a priority! You will, however, be able to look forward to fresh, clean carpets every month, without concerning yourself over why the soles of your shoes are sticky, or what that spot is and where it came from.

 

06/14/2013 09:26

Your employees are a great team, and you're happy with what they're doing for the company, but occasionally they need a shot in the arm that you just can't provide. Sure, you're their manager and you're the company's leader, but you're not a trained speaker. You don't know how to rile your team up, how to inspire them to greater heights of professional performance.

Now, you could spend the next few years training those skills – and you probably should; its a great skill to have! – or, you could outsource motivational speaking to someone who does it professionally. That's why many companies will pay for their employees to attend a seminar or show held by leadership development speakers, in the hope that those speakers will inspire employees to become leaders in their company.

A leader isn't necessarily someone who wants to take their boss's job. A leader in a business is someone who takes action, someone who sees a problem or an opportunity and goes for it without having to be told to do so. An inspiring speaker can motivate your employees to become that kind of leader, just the kind of person who can propel a business into the big time. A leadership development speaker is specially trained to bring those traits out in your employees.

Sometimes, the speaker may seem to be speaking about something that is unrelated to your business. Sure, you could have your employees listen to someone who specializes in “inspirational speak” for sales training, in the hope that your sales team will be inspired to, well, make more sales. That doesn't often touch the heart, though, that beating organ that drives us to greater heights.

Instead, perhaps the speaker is a motivational sports speaker. Aren't sports leadership speakers better-suited for a sports team to listen to? Surely they need a shot in the arm sometimes, too. You're right in that a sports team can benefit from a motivational speaker as well, but the lessons imparted through sports experiences can be applied to the business world as well. Teamwork, working hard to better yourself, working hard to improve the results of the whole team, these are lessons that can be applied to your company and your employees' life in it.

Feel free to poke around the Internet and view some videos of different motivational speakers. You can listen to some of their speeches and see what you think will be the best fit – the best message – for your employees. You know them best, after all, and its up to you to lead them to great heights in professional performance.

06/13/2013 22:18

There are so many laws and regulations that it is difficult to keep up with the changes.  In general laws are enacted to protect our rights so it is important to understand anything new that could affect you.  In 2003 Congress passed the Fair an Accurate Credit Transaction Act, or FACTA, as a federal law allowing consumers to have access to free credit reports.  Every consumer has the ability to request an annual free credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.  This FACTA law has implications for everyone, making it important to understand the ins and outs of the law, along with the protection it affords consumers.

An important piece of FACTA regulations is that it addresses identity theft.  It allows consumers who suspect identity theft to flag their credit history to indicate the suspected transactions, making it more difficult for someone to use their credit information.  In theory this should protect victims of identity theft, and should prevent the credit companies from holding fraudulent charges against the victim’s credit history. 

While for the most part the FACTA US law has protected the rights of consumers, there is a delay and backlog with the credit reporting companies.  There is also concern over the fact that FACTA preempts all state laws, even if those state laws that are stricter than the federal law.  This is a valid concern, and the reason that FACTA training is critical for anyone working with consumers and credit information.

As a practical application of FACTA, think about all of the things that consumers pay for every day.  Our social security numbers are attached to everything, and all of our payments or lack thereof is reported back to the credit bureau.  Knowing that mistakes are made, and identity theft is a reality, as consumers we want to know that our information is protected.  As business owners we want to ensure the protection of our customers.  It is for this reason that companies invest in programs and software that protects our information.

One expense that almost all consumers have is rent or a mortgage.  As an owner or property manager, it is important to know about the real estate accounting software and real estate property management software available to track and record payments of clients.  The software should be secure, and as it deals with money, credit information, and identifying numbers for clients, the information could allow a hacker access to hundreds of consumers.    

There are a lot of reasons and examples as to why businesses should invest in protecting confidential information.  While federal laws protect us as consumers, it is after the theft occurs that the laws take effect.  Anything that can be done proactively to protect the consumer is even more valuable.

06/13/2013 15:28

Did you know that Dallas, Texas is one of the best places in the country to start up a small business? A recent survey from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation found Dallas to be one of the country’s top ten best cities to start a small business. It notes that Dallas has business friendly regulations and tax codes.

 

If you have settled on the Dallas Fort Worth area as your new business’s home then you might want to look for a local internet marketing consultant. A local company will be helpful, especially for a small business, because it knows that climate of business and has a good idea of that area’s consumer demand. If you are able to find a company that specializes in online marketing in Dallas then your business stands a good chance of successfully getting off the ground.

 

One of the most important online business marketing strategies is search engine optimization (SEO). SEO can impact your business dramatically by increasing your companies ranking on search engine searches. Now, it is important that you know who you are dealing with when it comes to SEO. There are a lot of big companies that are far more interested in getting money from you than getting money for you.

 

This is another reason why local help can often be best. An SEO company in Dallas has a greater likelihood of being a smaller company (since it is local) and gives you a better chance to know the people who are working on your account. Quality Dallas SEO services have the ability to target searches in the DFW metro area.

 

Why is this important? If you are a small business that provides locally based services or product distribution, then it makes very little sense for your SEO to be effecting searches on the other side of the globe. A good, local company will know the market and also know how to help you reach it.

 

Your business operates in an economy with a significant online presence. The World Wide Web is not exclusively reserved for companies that operate in large geographic regions only. Online marketing strategies for the small business also exist. More and more, local businesses are utilizing the Internet to increase their client base, move more product, and raise their profits. What is stopping you from having that kind of business success? Find an Internet marketing consultant soon!

06/13/2013 09:59

No business has ever grown without a solid marketing plan.  The traditional methods of advertising a product or service are no longer our only options for making people aware of our business.  Today most of our research happens online.  In order for a business to grow and remain competitive they must be on board with an online marketing plan.

If you live in Texas there are a lot of Dallas Internet marketing consulting services available, so how do you select the one that is the best fit for your company?  Working closely with a Dallas Internet marketing consultant gives you the benefit of one-on-one service with a professional who comes to understand your business and target market.  A local consultant will be able to better understand the purchasing patterns of local customers.  They will also be able to offer you both face-to-face and online services, which are critical in ongoing growth.

We know that the Internet has created a worldwide market for businesses who know how to use it as a tool.  Since there are so many avenues to take, it is best to use a professional service.  Online marketing in Dallas could range from a website for customers to browse products and services, to a full service site that allows customers to place orders.  Dallas online marketing opportunities could also include email lists, promotions and specials geared towards certain customer lists, and increasing your visibility in search results.

If you are interested in becoming more visible not just to existing account holders, but also potentially new customers, then you need search engine optimization services, or SEO.  SEO professionals are able to design and work with your website to return it more frequently and earlier in search results.  We know that customers are more likely to contact and buy from companies that appear more frequently.  Prior to selecting a partner in marketing your business, search for search engine marketing services in Dallas and read all the reviews.  Also, look for a proven track record of success. 

A reputable and successful SEO company in Dallas will be able to share customer examples and solid numbers representing their success.  If a company you are interviewing can’t be clear on how they plan to make you more successful, then you need to keep interviewing.  It is helpful if you are clear on your goals and needs, and if you are aware of those two things you will better be able to choose a partner in marketing. 

05/31/2013 14:01

Bankruptcy is an incredibly difficult process to go through, both legally and emotionally. After all, the idea that all your assets are about to be wiped out – well, you don't need to be told just how stressful that notion is. Sometimes, though, you don't have a choice, and you have to go through with what you might never consider at any other time. Your creditors have come calling, your debts are due, and circumstances have left you in a situation where you just can't honor your obligations. That's why we have bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is also why we have lawyers, among other reasons. Bankruptcy law is incredibly complex, a labyrinth of caveats and coulda-shoulda-wouldas. Fortunately, if you live in a major city like Philadelphia or Chicago, there are plenty of Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys who can take your case and hold your hand throughout the process of declaring bankruptcy.

A Chicago bankruptcy attorney will be necessary if you're declaring bankruptcy in Chicago because the city, the region, and the state will have its own particular laws related to bankruptcy. You'll want someone trained in that area of law, someone able to navigate the courts and legal processes necessary to successfully declaring bankruptcy.

You probably can't afford to have your bankruptcy declaration denied – otherwise, why would you be doing something so drastic? When you file Chapter 7 in Chicago, don't do it alone, or you may end up doing something even more drastic. At this point you may be asking yourself, how much does a bankruptcy attorney cost? Whether it is a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney, it doesn't really matter what the cost is. You need their services. You need their knowledge and their expertise.

Whether you're in Chicago or Philadelphia, bankruptcy attorney services are essential for successfully declaring bankruptcy. You'll quickly find yourself overwhelmed by a mass of questions that are not immediately self-evident in the bankruptcy process without someone to guide you through your bankruptcy.

You'll also need someone to guide you through the various legal processes, the documents to be submitted and the fees to be paid, so that you can pull your bankruptcy off in a timely and efficient manner. In the long run, a bankruptcy attorney saves you money, time, and stress. When you consider what you're paying for what you're getting, you have to admit that this is a pretty good deal!

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