Saturday, October 13, 2007

Managing Your Home Based Online Business – 5

In this series of articles so far, I have argued the need to use management practices even if you have your own home based online business. The discipline imposed on yourself will eventually make the business stronger and more profitable. I have touched upon the need for good financial and marketing management in the last two articles, and will now discuss another area of management that affects all others: Time Management.
To anybody working in an office or factory, time management may well be something they hope to escape from by having their own business. A highly pressured executive may well feel the same. They could work at home, where they’re the boss, and they decide what to do and when. They could watch tv when they want, sit up in bed with their laptops, or without, and numerous other symbols of freedom from being an employee.

Of course, these things are all possible when you work from home. Of all types of home business, though, working online is probably the most difficult to manage from a time point of view. Perhaps difficult is the wrong word. It’s actually easy. What is difficult is the high level of potential online distraction and having to resist it. Add the online distractions to those around you at home, and you have the ingredients for an awful lot of wasted time.

What Are All These Distractions?

There are many potential distractions online. Millions of them when you consider there are millions of websites, and millions of advertisements advertising those websites in often exaggerated, but tempting, ways. If you are trying to get traffic to your own website by surfing for advertising credits, you are particularly vulnerable to distraction, as you may spend a large part of your day being bombarded by advertising. Once you are drawn off into one tempting website, it can lead to others, then others and so on.

The same can be true of your email inbox. You may be signed up to various newsletters and ezines, you may be spammed, you may belong to safelists that require you to receive the owner’s emails. All or some may cause a distraction from your day’s business activity. You may reach the end of the day and suddenly realize: “Hey, I’ve achieved nothing today.” That can be a demoralizing feeling.

Offline there are many distractions too: you may have children around, your partner may want your company, you may want to laze in the garden as the sun’s come out for the first time in days. There are endless possibilities, depending on your own circumstances, interests and weaknesses. You need to be very much aware of what your own distractions are, and then manage them according to your business, domestic and personal priorities.

How Do You Manage Your Time?

However you manage your time, the first part of the process should be to:

• Decide what the essential elements are for developing and growing your business, steadily and profitably.

• Consider your domestic and personal situation. Now you have your own home business, you have a chance to build into your daily routine activities that will enhance your own happiness and that of your family. This is a great opportunity. Make the most of it.

• Take some quiet time and reflect on the first two items. Let them meld together in your mind and visualize how they can be brought together to make your perfect day/s.

Whatever the outcome of the above three steps, the result is not set in stone. You can change and adapt according to experience, but for now use this as an exercise in getting into a time management frame of mind.

Now that you know what you need to focus on, start to put a bit of pressure on yourself. Not major pressure; that would be counter productive. Start to structure your future, whether one day, one month or one year. Set yourself achievable targets each day, week and month; a list of tasks that you need to do to help your business and you to grow. I use a good old fashioned diary, just to get my eyes away from the screen a while, at the beginning and end of the day, and at intervals as each task is completed. Here are a few tips that I try to stick to:

• Set out a series of tasks to do each day. Make sure they are achievable.

• If you have any regular daily, weekly or monthly tasks (you should have), build them into your diary in advance so they do not get forgotten. For example, I do a daily Blog. That’s there in my diary every day of the week. You will need time set aside to consider finances. Put it in your diary in advance.

• If you have a long task to do, split it over a few days, rather than spend a whole day on the same thing. If it can be split into sub-tasks, all the better. For example, if you’re building a website, you may be able to split it into content headings or pages. Give yourself an achievable amount to do each day, allowing time for other things.

• Try to include one task per day that involves you increasing your knowledge and expertise. For example, if you have a new instructive ebook to read, set aside some time each day for it until finished. When finished, note in your diary to check on your implementation of suggestions you want to adopt. The same goes for new software and other new technology. A steady build up of knowledge can be planned for just by putting these things in your diary and sticking to the plan. Trying to master something new all in one go may cause unnecessary frustration and weariness.

• If you really must surf for advertising credits, do that as your last set task of the day, otherwise you may not achieve as much as you would have.

• If there’s something you can do away from the computer screen, try to plan for it. For example, if you need to plan website content or write an article, you will benefit from at least thinking of the main points by relaxing. If it’s warm, sit in the garden, somewhere to give you a break from the computer.

• If you think you will benefit from so doing, use the same diary to schedule in domestic activities too. Don’t forget, this is your home business. The home and your family are part of it. If you want to take the children to the beach after school, schedule it in. You can do that and still achieve something for your business that day.

• If you find that a task cannot be completed, or its priority should be lessened, don’t try to force yourself to do it the day first scheduled. Reschedule it for another day.

Time management is a very personal thing, especially when you have your own business at home. I am sure you can adopt your own techniques that suit you best. The most important thing to remember, though, is that time needs to be managed. If you’re alone in the business, time is a major limiting factor. It is important you make the most of your time, and for your own moraleArticle Submission, to end each working day feeling you’ve achieved something.


http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/managing-your-home-based-online-business-5.html

The Key to Home Buying Satisfaction May Have Less to Do With the Property Than You Think

Three bedrooms versus five, one bathroom versus two - will these things TRULY make you happy when you buy a new home? Not as much as choosing a home to suit your lifestyle will. This article rings to light one of the less discussed, but most important factors in finding the right home for you and your family.

People make their real estate buying decisions based on dozens of factors, and a lot of them are fairly straightforward qualities about the property that help narrow down the choices.

For one buyer, three bedrooms may be enough, four is fine, but five rules a house out. For another, the amount of land determines the acceptable area to enjoy and the desired distance from neighboring houses. For still others, the tax rate in one city or town versus another can hold some serious sway on the final purchase.

But what about a desired lifestyle? Some people consider things that factor into lifestyle – urban vs. suburban vs. rural, for example – but don't consciously consider lifestyle as a deciding factor for selecting a home. And these people might be more satisfied with their home buying decision if they did.

Selecting real estate to fit a lifestyle is a good option, because it'll help you fit in the community, and ensure you feel at home once you get moved in.

It's about finding a community that meets your needs. Of course, there are plenty of different lifestyles, and plenty of communities to suit those lifestyles. So, what's the simplest advice?

Look for a community that you feel comfortable in. It could be one where the neighbors are similar to you and have similar habits and a similar lifestyle. Or if you value diversity within your environment, you'll find comfort in variety.

You can tell a lot about a community just by driving through it. Check out the local shops and stores to give you an idea of the atmosphere. Check out local parks and drive through different neighborhoods. Then get out of the car and start walking around and talking to people. You're bound to meet friendly, open folks who can tell you what it's like to live in the community.

By selecting real estate to fit your lifestyle, you help increase the chances you'll like the home you move into. You'll find it easier to make friends and fit in. You'll have more things to do that you enjoy, the right mix of necessities at hand and room to retreat to.

The truth is, selecting real estate to fit a lifestyle isn't anything new. It may be something you're already doing without even thinking about it. Considering what a huge and life-influencing decision the home-buying process isHealth Fitness Articles, it's worth it to put some outright conscious effort into lifestyle considerations. It may make the difference between simple satisfaction and unfortunate toleration.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Alpine Lakes Real Estate has been building long-term relationships in the White Mountains region for more than 20 years. Their extensive real estate expertise is enhanced by their vast knowledge of the entire building process. With offices in Lincoln and Campton, NH, they also offer assistance with IRS 1031 "like-kind" exchanges, and the Design-Build services of their in-house architect. For more information, go to http://www.AlpineLakes.com.

Home Loans

Buying a home remains the great American dream. Home ownership rates have been exploding in recent years, spurred on by the historically low interest rates in the home mortgage market.

Home prices have been rising at far faster than inflation, especially in major urban areas such as San Francisco, San Diego and Chicago. This means that not only can that home you’ve always wanted put a roof over your head, but it can provide you with a great investment as well. For people new to the mortgage market, buying their first home starts with finding the best home loans.

All potential homeowners should take some time to research home loans before calling their local realtor. There are a dazzling array of choices available when it comes to home loans, and finding the right mortgage for your needs can be difficult. Approach your upcoming home purchase with the same seriousness you apply to other major purchases. Your home will most likely be the biggest single investment you ever make. Take the time at the beginning to educate yourself about home loans. It will be time well spent.

Home loans are available from a wide variety of sources. These sources include banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions and mortgage brokers. Shop around at all of these sources to find the home loans with the lowest interest rate and lowest costs.

You will also have to decide between fixed rate home loans and variable rate home loans. Variable rate home loans are often advertised with extremely low “teaser rates”. These rates are used by lenders to get your attention and lure you in.

Before signing up for a variable rate mortgage, make sure you find out what the interest rate cap is. Variable rate home loans are usually based on an underlying interest rate, like the prime rate. The interest rate you pay will typically be the prime rate plus or minus a certain percentage. The variable rate mortgage will have a cap above which the interest rate cannot rise. Find out what that cap is, then use a mortgage payment calculator to see what your monthly mortgage payment will be at that rate. If you cannot afford the monthly payments at the maximum interest rate, you may not want to take the mortgage loan. While it is unlikely that interest rates will rise sufficiently to make the maximum interest rate kick in, it is always a possibility.

Variable rate home loans can be a good choice if you believe interest rates are likely to fall. In an environment where interest rates are steady or rising, they may not be so good a choice. You may also want to consider a variable rate mortgage if you do not plan to stay in your home more than five years. For instance, if your job transfers you every couple of years, you could probably get away with a variable rate mortgage and take advantage of the lower interest rate. When you move and sell your home, you will probably realize a gain due to rising home prices.

On the other hand, fixed rate home loans have a set interest rate for a set period of time, generally either 15 or 30 years. The interest rate does not change, therefore you will always know what your monthly mortgage payment will be. You are protected from rising interest rates with a fixed rate mortgage. If rates fall significantly, you can always refinance your mortgage loan to take advantage of the lower rates.

If you can afford the payments, 15-year home loans can substantially lower the amount of money you will ultimately pay for your home. When you run the numbers on a 15-year versus a 30-year home mortgage loan, you may be surprised at how affordable the 15-year home loan can be. Your mortgage payment will not double if you go with a 15-year mortgage versus a 30-year. This has to do with the affect of compound interest. You are paying far less interest in the long run on a 15-year mortgage.

Whatever type of home loan you decide on, the most important thing is to take that step which transforms you from a mere renter to a home owner and builder of equity. There are a great many home loans out there, but once you find the right oneComputer Technology Articles, you will find the rewards of home ownership well worth the time and effort put forth.



http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/home-loans.html

Guide to Buying a Home

Before you rush out to purchase a home, there a few tips that might help you get a great deal on the home of your dreams.

First, before anything else, it would be in your best interests to talk with a lending company and receive a pre-qualification letter. This letter will let you know exactly what your maximum mortgage amount can be.

Many times, the lending company will ask that you put up a “good faith” payment that will be put in an escrow account; this money shows the home seller that you are serious about purchasing their home.

Next, you should have a home inspector to go to the home that you wish to purchase. Even if the home seller and the real estate agent already has one for you to see, you should invest the money into getting a home inspector of your own. The inspector will note any problems that he sees with the home in the way of repairs and you should look over this very carefully before signing any contracts. You do not want any surprises like a bad foundation or a leaky roof.

Look for a location that fits your lifestyle, such as proximity to schools, the beach, work, or any other activities that you enjoy. You may wish to find a home close to the elementary school, near a shopping centre, or even away from all the noise of the big city. Visit the neighborhood at different times during the day and in the evening and night to see what goes on in the neighborhood before you purchase. Do not take anyone’s word on how quiet the neighborhood really is. You can also find out the crime statistics in the area to ensure you are seeking a home in a safe area.

You can talk with a realtor and learn what homes are going for in the same neighborhood with similar amenities to make sure the home you wish to buy is not overpriced or under priced. If the property is way under market value, you should try to learn why before signing any type of contract. If the property is overpricedFeature Articles, you can always try to negotiate with the seller to try to get them to lower the price to a more reasonable price.



http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/guide-to-buying-a-home.html

Save yourself from homebuying disasters.

Buying a house will most likely be the most important purchase you make in your life. The lenders and agents are counting on you to walk blindly into your home purchase. Make them work for you. Take the extra time, arm yourself with the knowledge of home buying and lending practices in order to make informed, sound judgments and decisions.

Whether you are a first time home buyer or a happy home owner who wants to refinance an existing home loan, there are some cardinal “dos” and “don’ts” to follow. For many, home ownership is the biggest investment in their lives and that could be the reason why some people act irrationally, as if they purposely want to sabotage the deal. Follow these simple rules and you will be sure to make your experience difficult and unpleasant, if not a complete disaster.

Don't get pre-approved or pre-qualified for a loan; lose your dream home to someone else.

Being pre-qualified shows some commitment on your part to both the mortgage broker and the seller. Being pre-approved is an even better step to take. The lender knows your financial standing and is able to present you with the loan deal. If you are neither pre-approved nor pre-qualified, a real estate agent representing the seller will not treat you seriously, and the property you want will most likely sell to someone else during the time you waste securing a home loan. Go ahead and procrastinate, you didn't want that house anyway.

Make verbal contracts only. Talk is not cheap.

Since they are not enforceable in most states, make sure that the details of the deal regarding who pays certain costs or necessary repairs are agreed on verbally, and only verbally. Similarly, when the lender tells you that your rate is locked in, don’t ask for written evidence. You might be in for a big surprise at the closing appointment, but who doesn't like surprises?

No need to be discriminating. Choose a lender by using only one criteria.

A favorite criteria of most people is to go with a bank that offers the lowest interest rate, without any consideration of the true cost of the loan. Even if you know how to calculate it, you'll probably choose the lowest rate loan. The chances are that the lowest rate bank is charging a lot more in fees and points than others, but who has time to shop around? Life is busy. Others, usually more cautious people, go with the bank where they have their checking account. After all, your bank loves you and would not wish any financial harm, right?

Pay more than you should. Choose the seller’s real estate agent to represent you.

It is truly the best option. Rather than asking friends or colleagues for referrals, picking up the yellow pages or searching online for your own agent, simply go with someone whose job it is to get the best deal for the seller. Who cares about conflict of interest. Be house poor.

No need for tedious professional home inspections.

After all, what could go wrong? Leaky roofs, plumbing problems, termites, asbestos; all a minor nuisance. If electrical problems happen to start a fire… well, that’s what smoke detectors are for.

Don't bother reading important contracts. Just sign all documents.

They are long, difficult to read and understand and are very time consuming. Rather than familiarize yourself with them ahead of time, just wait and sign everything at your closing appointment. Besides, what you've signed may open the door to a world of surprising homeowner adventures you could never have imagined. More surprises for you to enjoy!

Buying a house will most likely be the most important purchase you make in your life. Don't mess it up!
There are countless websites, magazines, books etc with which you can empower yourself in this daunting task. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of; learn all that there is when it comes to buying a home. If you want to fail, just follow the preceding steps. But, success at negotiating the best price and the best loan rates can be achieved by simply avoiding these foolish and costly mistakes. The lenders and agents are counting on you to walk blindly into your home purchase. For them, the bottom line is getting the commission. They are hoping for as quick a sale as possible, and they would like you to be a typical uninformed client who makes decisions with their hearts only and not their heads. Make the agents work for you. Take the extra time, arm yourself with the knowledge of home buying and lending practices in order to make informed, sound judgments and decisions. You've worked very hard to get to the point of buying a house, so be smart about it and don't mess up!

Find more about home loans, insuranceFree Reprint Articles, and money saving tips at: How Much?

http://www.howmuchanswers.com/



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Simon Fox is a senior staff member with How Much? - Comparing financial products.

Home Protection: Protecting Your Castle

In this articles you will find tips on how to protect your Family,Home,property.

Information on home protection products that makes your home a lot safer.

Tips on walking around the outside of your home, and looking carefully with “thief eyes” you should be able to identify any exploitable areas.
Your home is your castle. It contains your most valuable possessions, not the least of which is your family. It is an unfortunate reality that criminals will exploit any gaps in your home protection system in order to invade your private domain. This can result in the loss of cash, jewelry, electronics and your sense of security. Or, even worse, it can result in the loss of a life; yours or a loved one’s. Citizens are understandably becoming more and more aware of the dangers that face them, and are looking for solutions.

Home owners need complete security plans that will protect their residence and everything in it, both while they are at home and while they are away. Home protection is a top priority. The first step in home protection is to complete a comprehensive evaluation of your home’s “weak zones’. These are the aspects of your home that leave it open to attacks. By walking around the outside of your home, and looking carefully with “thief eyes” you should be able to identify any exploitable areas. For example, windows provide an easy avenue to enter your home, especially when they are on ground level. You may also notice ways in which higher windows can be accessed either via trees or other buildings on your property. After completing a survey of your property, it’s time to obtain the self defense and home protection tools that will keep you, your family, and your cherished belongings safe.

Here are some easily overlooked weak points that most homes offer to criminals, and the effective tools that will deter them. Many of us believe that the lock on our door will be enough to keep a burglar out; if we feel that we need extra security we simply add more locks. What we do not consider is how easy conventional locks are to pick. By adding more you may slow the burglar down a bit, but not enough to deter them. The solution is to install an unpickable lock. Advancements in technology have essentially made keys obsolete; it’s time for you to get up to date with a fingerprint door lock.

These locks will only allow you and your family to unlock the doors which means no keys to lose and no locks to pick. Within your home you likely keep valuable such as jewelry, cash, and important documents. Protect your assets by keeping them safely secured in a safe. There are several models of safes on the market. The most advanced systems combine sturdy construction with fingerprint recognition access. When searching for a merchant that carries home protection equipment it is important that you seek one who is reputable and knowledgeable. A great place to look is at http://bljsselfdefense.com/home_protection.html. This company offers a wide variety of items, includingfingerprint locks and safes, and provides consumers with education on self defense. In addition to the online resourcesHealth Fitness Articles, BLJ's Enterprises supplies its customers with personal attention to help ensure that they develop a home protection strategy that is right for them.



http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/family/home-protection-protecting-your-castle.html

Buying Your First Home - Watch Out!

If you are buying your first home, watch out! There are people who will help you get into all sorts of trouble.

If you are buying your first home, there are people who will help you get into all types of trouble. Well, mostly it is one type of trouble: financial. Here are some examples.

Watch Out For Real Estate Agents

You might think that real estate agents would love first-time home buyers, since they can influence them and make a sale more easily. In reality, though, many people are very hesitant to make a decision when they buy their first home. It will be the single biggest purchase they have made in their lives, after all, so they want to take their time and see a lot of houses. Meanwhile, the agent just wants a sale.

Don't be pushed to make a fast decision. It may be true that a particular house is "not going to last long," or it may just be something an agent says. Either way, their are other homes, and you need time to get a feel for what is available and at what prices. This education is crucial, and comes primarily from looking at a lot of homes.

The agent is not necessarily looking out for your best interest, by the way. Unless you hired him to represent you, he works for the seller and is even obligated to pass on any relevant comments you make, like "we can go higher on the offer if necessary." Keep quiet, and remember that the agent is a sales person, whose primary concern is to sell something.

Watch Out For Mortgage Lenders

When you are buying you first home, you are also buying your first mortgage loan. Lenders will be so helpful. For example, they will help you afford a loan that is too large by offering you a variable-rate loan with a low teaser rate. Of course they won't help the hundreds of thousands of families that are now facing foreclosure because those payments went up when the teaser rate period was over.

Variable rate, interest only, and even reverse-amortization loans (where you owe more each year) have all been "helpfully" pushed on first-time buyers who are trying to buy more than they can afford. You are told that buying a home is the best thing you can do. Sometimes this is true, but it never is if you can't hold onto that home. If you really can't afford a home, a smaller home with a smaller mortgage loan is better - and if you can't afford that, renting is actually the best thing you can do.

Look at the worst-case scenario when considering a loan. For example, if you are considering a variable rate loan, ask what the payment will be if interest rates go up 5% years later. Will you be able to comfortably afford that? The banker may helpfully point out that the rate is capped at a 2% rise per year, but that just means the day of reckoning is postponed a little. In three years you could be paying almost $6,000 more per year on that $200,000 loan.

Watch Out For Family And Friends

The best intentions of friends and family can get you into trouble. When you are buying your first home you will get advice. Sometimes it will be good advice. Other times it will be a friend trying to get you to move to his neighborhood - the one you can't afford. Family too can push you to buy before you are ready, or spend too much. They don't always know what is best for you, so do your own thinking, buy what YOU needFree Articles, and buy a home you can afford.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Copyright Steve Gillman. For a Free Real Estate Investing Course, visit: http://www.housesunderfiftythousand.com/

Home Buying Grants - The Secrets Of Successful Applications!

Home buying grants are waiting... for those select few who know how to get them. This article provides any new grant seeker with solid foundations for securing the free grant money available for housing grants.

Owning a home in America today, instead of becoming a luxury it can actually become a reality, with the help of the home buying grants. If you are interested in saying “stop” to your monthly rent, then they might be the perfect solution for you. A grant is an excellent possibility that saves you a lot of stress and troubles. It can be the optimum solution for you, in case you do not have great sums of money at your disposal, to use and to invest as you please.

The first thing you are going to face when you want to apply for one of the home buying grants is the wide range of eligibility criteria. For sure, your financial status matters, as well as your occupation, family members, location and so on. But as long as you are informed well enough and as long as you opt for the programs that suit you best, you have all the chances to get the desired aid. The fact is that in the US today, you can find various lending programs that offer very low rates – and who doesn’t want that? So, in order to get the best offers, you should start your search with the help of the Internet. You can find various directories of home buying grants, offered by numerous organizations and banks. But when you do your search, make sure that you are only considering the ones that promote a serious and reputable image.

In addition to the above, you should know that the process implied by the home buying grants might take a lot of your time. In addition, you might need to wait for some months or even a year in order to obtain the money. Actually, this might be considered one of the main flaws of the home buying grants process. Still, as long as you keep contact with the provider, as long as you provide the requested information in time and as long as you collaborate optimally, thus offering all the details that are needed, you have all the chances to wait less and to get your grant sooner.

The home buying grants sound like an ideal solutions for all those who can not pay cash when purchasing a home. And that is why they appeal to so many people. Even more, the popularity of the home buying grants has increased in the past years, as a result of the real estate boom. Individuals are actually aware of the fact that we are dealing with a business opportunity here, and not just with a simple necessity. Nowadays, people are interested in buying more than one residence, since the real estate business has become the safest and the most profitable of all. And when you think about it, you can actually gain profit with the help of these home buying grants.

More and more individuals are interested in applying for home buying grants, this is a current fact. And if we think about it, these programs come with many advantages. Besides saving us the troubles of dealing with monthly rent, they can offer security, thus providing us the necessary funds for purchasing a house. And we all know that owning a home is an essential factor of our feeling of safety and well being. Considering all these factsArticle Search, it is no wonder that the popularity of the home buying grants is constantly increasing.


http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/home-buying-grants-the-secrets-of-successful-applications.html

Buying & Renting a Holiday Home in the Sun

For those who think buying a holiday home, to rent, is an easy way to make a profit on your investment you should be aware that it isn’t as easy as it sounds. To start with, there are over 500,000 holiday home owners in the UK - and most of them rent out their property. You can expect high out goings, management commission and fees, insurance bills, and the usual household bills.

For anyone considering buying a holiday home, to rent, these six pieces of advice will be invaluable.

Location
Choosing a good location is vital,not only because you want a location which is popular with holidaymakers, but also one which is not overly competitive. Destinations like Florida and Spain have, over the years, become highly competitive with thousands of holiday villas available for rent. It is important that you look for facilities close to the home - restaurants, bars or shops, particularly since holidaymakers will be catering for themselves.

Type of accommodation
Think about your target customers. If you are targeting families, then buy a two or three bedroom holiday villa, near popular family attractions. If it is couples or small groups you are hoping to attract then look at buying a two bedroom apartment near shops, bars and restaurants, beaches, and golf courses. For smaller groups, or groups of adults “space” will be less of an issue.

Buying a one bedroom apartment will restrict you to couples, or two adults only. Huge five bedroom houses may sound good, but for short haul destinations like Spain, a three bedroom holiday home will suit most holidaymakers, and large houses may put people off renting your home.

Property Management
Employ a management company or be prepared for hard work. Managing a holiday home involves home repairs, passing keys to holidaymakers, changing linen when the holidaymaker departs, garden up-keep, plus dealing with emergencies such as visitors locked out. Bear in mind that most property management companies charge commission for getting holidaymakers to book your home, instead take the responsibility of promoting your holiday home on yourself.

Property features
Keep the property up to date. DVD’s and CD players are no longer luxuries. Competitiveness is a big issue for owners nowadays.. no matter where your holiday home is located, be it Portugal or Cyprus, you have to offer something a little unique from other owners, perhaps discounted tours, free car hire. These extras may cost you in the short term, but over the year it may raise the percentage of bookings that your bring in.

Insurance & Fire certificates
More importantly, fire regulations mean that extinguishers and flame-resistant furniture are a must. Contact local town halls to research if you need any fire certification or complete any legal procedures, before renting out your holiday home. You must get the right insurance cover and property management companies often insist on public liability insurance of £1m plus, costing between £200 and £500 a year.

Finances
Don’t listen to anyone who says they can guarantee you 52 weeks of bookings for your holiday home. Before you buy a holiday home you must look at how many weeks bookings you require to make ends meet. This is especially important if you want to make a profit from your initial investment. Keep your accounts and finances in order. Much of your costs will be spent on management fees, holiday home insurance, property repairsArticle Submission, decoration and essential travel to and from the house - some of these can be set against tax and offset against non-property tax bills.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


32 yr old, Darren Cronian has worked in the Holiday industry for the past four years, and has gained valuable experience and knowledge from listening to experts within the travel industry. During this time he has slowly built up his online business 'Worldwide Holiday Homes' from a hobby website to a growing UK business based in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Real Estate 101: Consider This Before Buying Your New Home

More and more, people are deciding to buy land on which they will build their dream home. In this way, they are guaranteed that the home they buy meets all of their needs and wants as the home is built to their specifications.

More and more, people are deciding to buy land on which they will build their dream home. In this way, they are guaranteed that the home they buy meets all of their needs and wants as the home is built to their specifications.When looking to buy real estate on which you will build a home, however, there are still many things to consider. Similarly, it is still beneficial to enlist in the help of a real estate agent. With the help of a realtor, you can look at several different pieces of real estate in order to find the piece that is best for you. In addition to considering the way the land looks and how nicely your dream home will fit on this piece of real estate, there are other factors you should take into consideration as well. These include:• Checking on utilities• Looking into easements• Finding your boundaries• Considering road maintenance• Utilizing contingenciesIt is easy to fall in love with a piece of real estate and to want to buy it right away. In order to make sure you are making a wise investment, however, it is essential to consider each of these factors first.Checking on UtilitiesDepending on the location of the piece of real estate, certain utilities may be unavailable. Or, you might have to pay some very high fees in order to get the utilities ran to your new home. Before you buy the piece of real estate, make sure you are aware of its limitations and what you will need to do in order to get the utilities in place.Looking into EasementsAn easement is when someone has the right to use the land for some other purpose. This may be a private individual or a company. For example, if power lines are located next to the real estate you are looking to buy, the power company may have the right to access your land in order to maintain the power lines. Find out about any easements before you make an offer to buy a piece of real estate or insist that you be able to approve easements before you finalize the sale.Finding Your BoundariesMany banks will require that you have a boundary survey conducted before they will loan you the money to buy your land. If the bank does not require a survey to b conducted, it is a good idea for you to request one anyway. When you make an offer to buy a piece of land, it is usually a good idea to quote a certain price per acre as determined by the survey that is to be taken. Considering Road MaintenanceIf you are looking to buy real estate that is on a private road, you will need to consider how your road will be maintained. In many cases, the bank will require you to show a recorded agreement showing that you and any other property owners on the road will assist with the upkeep of the road. Utilizing ContingenciesThere are a number of factors that can cause the land to be unusable for you. For example, if the land does not have a sewer hookup, your decision to buy the real estate will be contingent upon whether or not you can get a permit for a septic system. Similarly, your house design will need to be approved by an architectural review committee. Therefore, whether or not you buy the real estate will also be contingent upon the design getting approval. By taking all of these factors into consideration and planning aheadComputer Technology Articles, you will be sure to get the home you have always dreamed of!



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