I live in a town so small you can’t even find me with a GPS and I love it, it’s beautiful and quiet. All was great, I worked for pretty much, the only game in town that paid well and I was relatively sure our industry was recession proof. Wrong! I lost my job, due to budget cuts. I figured, No problem I’ll just have to commute, I only live 2 hours in either direction of a Big City or even better I’ll find a Home Based Business.Of course, I started searching for an employer first. Here’s what I didn’t count on, the jobs offered by the employers in the big cities pointed out that I am 2 hours in “Good Weather and Good Traffic” but when conditions are bad it would take me considerably longer. Therefore, these companies wouldn’t hire me, not because I wasn’t qualified but because they viewed me as a “Time and Attendance Issue.” Now if I was willing to relocate, I’d be hired! They made it sound as though I lived in travel trailer that I could just hitch to my car tow to where ever they were located.As for finding a “Real” Home Based business I had all but given up. Oh, the “Opportunities” I found sounded great, but when I Googled them it was frightening. Some people had lost thousands of dollars joining these “Scams”, heck I couldn’t even afford to buy spam let alone invest thousands of dollars.Next step, I started looking into the “Work At Home Positions” that companies outsource. The problem with that is that because I live in a rural area I don’t have access to “Cable High Speed Internet” I have wireless high speed and it’s not as dependable so the few potential jobs I found, I didn’t get.Now my back was really to the wall, I didn’t know what I was going to do but I knew there had to be someway that I could make money and remain in my home. The bills were piling up and I started getting nervous, you know you can maintain perfect credit for 99% of your life but let something major happen to change that and all of a sudden your a criminal to your creditors.One night I was sitting at my computer, as I had been doing since the day I became unemployed and I literally stumbled upon a “Real Home Based Business.” How did I know it was real? First off as always, I Googled it and much to my surprise all that came up was other people trying to get you to look at what they had by posing the question “Is It A Scam Or Is It Real”, I know cause I clicked on all of them.My next step was to take a more in-depth look, which I did, and everything appeared to be on the up and up. Now my concern was can I do this? This was a totally different profession for me, I had no previous education or even one skill in this industry. As I looked deeper into the Business, I began to perk up as I read on.This company offers a system that you plug into, coaches and support staff, training and Wait! What I get to follow the lead of top producers! and best of all they didn’t promise I would make thousands of dollars doing nothing!!!! They said right up front, if you want to make money you have to have the desire and dedication, we provide the tools and training but your success is dependent on you! Wow, in all my searching of Home Based Business I had never seen this, an actual “Honest” Home Based Business Opportunity.There hasn’t been a day that I have regretted my decision, I now get to work from my home, spending even more time in my rural paradise. The transition was made so easy I wish I had found this sooner, if you would like to see what I found click my link below.If your searching for the right Home Based Business whether you live in a rural paradise now or would like to, I hope this is as helpful to you has it has been to me.Good Luck in your making your dream come true! Maybe we’ll meet at the top!Best WishesTammy Bell

Real property taxes are often seen as an additional burden to property owners. They are often perceived as expenses added to operational cost. The national government acknowledges this predicament hence, tax advantages are being offered to lessen the blow of these tax expenses.So, fret not rental property owners, for the government are offering wide windows of tax benefits. Breeze through some of those tax advantages which might apply to you, while you are in business of providing dwelling units to American people.Mortgage Interest PaymentsUsually property owners are plagued with sky-rocketing interest rates when acquiring any real estate property loans or any other substantial loans intended for the repair of the rental property. In this case, your mortgage interest payments can be a source of great savings. As the property owner, one is entitled to tax rebates from mortgage interests in these loans. The total sum of the interest payments for these mortgages can be directly applied against the total taxes due for the year.Repairs CostProperty repairs cost is another facet that a rental property owner should also take into consideration. Usually, a rental property owner periodically does repairs to provide quality dwelling places for his/her tenants. Periodic repairs include routine replacement of electrical wirings, plumbing, reconstruction of damage house parts and the like. The cost of such repairs, often involves also a good sum. Hence, additional financial burden to property owners. Be worry free now, for this can already be charged against your due taxes for the year. Though there are inclusivity clauses which outline the allowed repair expenses, but still majority of those immediate regular repairs are included in the list.Local Travel ExpensesThe property owner usually pays his rented property for a visit, in cases wherein he is to settle issues on rental policies, payment collections and other operational issues. These visits, surely entail cost, especially if the property is located miles away from the place of residence of the owner. There are even cases that a property owner will have to take an inter-state travel. Hence, the expenses would include additional hotel accommodations aside from fare or gasoline/fuel cost. Travel frequency depends on the demand for actual property visit. Once expenses are accumulated, it will indeed total to a robust sum. Real property taxes included a rebate window for these types of expenses. The total sum of these expenses can be fully claimed against the real property taxes due of the property owner.DepreciationProperty depreciation is also tax sheltered in rental properties. Per taxation practice, rental properties are being depreciated over the actual number of years being used, according to its actual drop in value every year. The said property value drop across time is claimed against the property taxes due. Hence, as a property owner, one has to be really keen in monitoring this claim as this can also be a substantial saving.InsurancesSome counties require certain insurances before a rental property business commences. Often, these property insurances bore high premiums therefore accumulating additional high cost to the existing operational cost of the rental property business. Consequently, adding to the ballooning expenses of the property owner. To lessen this impact, the present tax mechanism offers a tax shield for this, wherein the entire expenses for insurance premium can be reflected as deductions to the total taxes due.Indeed there are ready available tax advantages and benefits that will shield the increasing expenses of the rental property owners. Hence, it is just a matter of accurately applying all these tax benefits. A word of caution though, as a rental property owner, pleas ensure that prior to accessing to all these benefits, all claims must be fully documented.

Have you ever thought about becoming a property manager? It’s an exciting job, and a dynamic job with a wide range of possible places to work. The property manager handles the business of renting or leasing properties, including record keeping, ensuring regular maintenance is done, and handling property taxes. You’ll work with leasing companies, real estate agencies, landlords, tenants, and residents, and you’ll try to attract new clients through advertising and marketing. Let’s look at what it takes to become one.

There are a variety of places where you could manage, including senior centers, apartment buildings, commercial or industrial properties, health care centers, and even government properties. You will want to decide sooner rather than later which you prefer in case there is special licensing you need to take care of to be qualified to do property management.

In your post-secondary or return to school education, you will want to study at the very least business administration, business law, finance or accounting, and management. All of these courses will give you tools necessary for your job. At a minimum you will want to obtain an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s would be even better.

Next you will need to take the necessary certification exam for your state. There may be some specific coursework needed that is not part of your degree that you will have to take first. These will deal with topics like leasing laws, property rental regulations, and other specific information.

Some states may require an application to go with your transcript and testing results. An application fee may also be required. Upon receipt and reviewing the paperwork, you’ll be issued a license that will be valid in that state. Not every state will honor the license of another state, so if you move or you plan to be a property manager in another state concurrently, you will need to find out the requirements for that second state.

Finding a real estate brokerage or agency that might be overwhelmed dealing with sales as well as property management is a good place to start. When you can demonstrate that you have the ability to take care of their properties, you’ll be able to translate that into another, bigger job. Be ready to prove that what you learned in school will be an asset to the brokerage.

Another way to break into the business is by agreeing to be an assistant to a property manager. You’ll get hands on experience with the paperwork and be able to make contacts in the industry without the pressure of being a full-fledged property manager. You’ll learn which maintenance companies are responsive and provide quality work, and which ones you should avoid, all valuable knowledge to have when you move up.

So to answer the question can I become a property manager, the answer is yes! You just need to complete the necessary education and get the proper licenses. With a little practice at an office before you start your own company, you will be set up for success.

There is an ageless axiom in advertising that states when business is good it pays to advertise, but when business is bad, well then one must advertise!

There is certainly no arguing that spreading the word about your business, products, or services is necessary no matter how great a value or benefit your products and services have to offer.

Let’s say for example that you had the cure for the common cold. No doubt virtually everyone would be interested in your product. However if no one knows about your product or knows where to get it, then most likely no one will find it. In other words, the quality or the benefit of the product is not enough to make the product a success. The marketplace has to know what the product can do and, maybe more importantly, where to get it.

Simply that’s what advertising does. Today consumers are bombarded with messages every minute. The challenge is to make sure your potential customers remember your message.

For generations throughout most of the 19thand 20thcenturies, there was little need for small business owners to advertise much. Word of mouth, a solid reputation, and an established customer base usually were enough to maintain a sufficient revenue stream that generated some profit. Small business owners knew most of their customers well enough, personally or professionally, to maintain their business. Competition was present, but often not intense enough to cause too much concern. Usually there was room enough in the market for everyone to make a living.

Advertising – if it was done at all – was mostly done around special events or time of year. Small business owners did the traditional and necessary stuff. They relied on newspaper ads, radio, signs, and maybe television.

Some of the advertising was effective, but for the most part advertising was not necessary for survival. Of course there were exceptions then and there are exceptions now.

Certain businesses have always had to advertise regularly. These include vehicle dealerships and retail stores particularly. But for the most part, most small businesses – and particularly B2B (business-to-business) enterprises didn’t advertise much at all aside from the occasional ad in the trade journal. The latter was usually perceived as mandatory or obligatory. It may not have been much of a sales generator.

Things began to change in the decade of the 1990′s when the world began to shrink thanks mostly to great advances in electronics and communications. The Internet and the World Wide Web brought us all closer to things far, far away. The changes were gradual at first, but momentum has increased steadily and continues today. Frankly, there will be no stopping it any time soon.

Direct-to-consumer small businesses have responded well. The market expanded well beyond the neighborhood for them thanks to E-commerce. Shopping on line has become routine for millions of consumers. The smallest of businesses can ship its product to almost anywhere in the world.

The small B2B enterprises have not responded as well as their direct-to-consumer counterparts. Competition for the B2B enterprise has increased from outside the traditional market and from outside the country. It is a global economy, not just a neighborhood anymore. What was automatic is no longer automatic. Long established customers are courted from afar by new competitors. Established business contacts are no longer present. Buyers and decision-makers are far away, not down the street or across town as they once were. The company headquarters down in Dallas is calling the shots for the Wisconsin location. The contractor from Phoenix is looking for a masonry contractor in Ohio. That’s the way of B2B commerce today.

To survive in the new world economy, both the small direct-to-consumer business and the small B2B business must now do something that hasn’t been done very often or very well for generations. The small business owner must now advertise effectively. Advertising effectively is not just advertising more of the same, but advertising by using methods outside of, instead of, or in addition to the old traditional ways.

Patience is not a typical trait of entrepreneurs and small business owners. The lack of patience on their part is particularly true when it comes to advertising. Most entrepreneurs and small business owners have tried one form or another of the established forms of advertising including newspaper and journal print ads (display advertising), radio or television (media advertising) or direct marketing at least one time.

Consequently, there are many small business owners that will swear that advertising is a waste of money.

Advertising specialists and Marketing experts measure everything. Nothing is left to chance or luck. These specialists and experts know that repetition is essential to any effective advertising program. While it is possible to get lucky the first time, almost always advertising will take time and repetition to be effective.

Signs are a perfect illustration. Advertising professionals know that signs have a very high percent of Recall. Billboards, yard signs, and vehicle signage can have as high as a 96% Recall factor. In other words, people remember the message or important information that the sign provides.

Recall is not Recognition however. A person will drive by an outdoor billboard 20-22 times on average before noticing it. We know this because marketing experts have measured the traffic.

What does this mean for the business owner? There are 21.75 work days per month for the average worker. Large outdoor signage contracts are monthly, but the basic outdoor package is ninety days or more. In other words, advertising experts conclude that there is a statistical probability that the population of drive-by traffic will view and recall an outdoor sign at least once in a business month or at least three times during the three month period of a basic contract. How many people drive by? That depends on the location of course, but the sign company will know how many will pass and the particular demographics of the passerby at various times of the day. Once again, the demographics are measured.

Similar or identical measuring principles apply to all other ad media. Since advertising stimulates people to call or to visit the place of business and advertising encourages the visitors to become customers who purchase products, then it is understandable why frequency and repetition are keys to advertising success.

Speaking of other media, the advertising efforts of any business cannot rely on one method or media. Using one method of advertising is rarely successful. The company’s advertising effort must be a combined and coordinated program with a singular purpose and message. Seeking the advice of advertising or marketing professionals before launching an advertising program is highly recommended and very beneficial.

Furthermore, advertising must be viewed as an investment aimed to generate new customers and new opportunities. In other words, advertising should increase or otherwise benefit sales revenue. How will the small business owner know it is working? You guessed it. The business owner will measure the results and compare the revenue to the investment. How much a business owner spends on advertising depends on the nature of the business and the return on the investment expected or sought.

Advertising can be expensive, but I have identified in the following paragraphs some inexpensive and effective advertising methods that will stimulate product awareness and that will generate the desired results for both direct-to-customer and B2B businesses.

Web site: An effective, commercial web site is essential for any small business in our present economy. Searching the web for information is now the method of choice for not only direct customers, but also business-to-business customers.

Signage: Whether a permanent or portable outdoor sign, yard or street corner signs, vehicle signs, or company uniforms or clothing, signs are very effective. Every piece of moving equipment and every employee is a potential moving sign. An employee in a uniform becomes a walking billboard.

Direct Marketing: Direct marketing whether by mail, email, fax, flyers, canvassing, personal delivery, or other methods remain as solid advertising choices with good return on investment. Frequent and repetitive contacts with targeted customers or market segments are essential however. Once is just not enough!

Cable TV Advertising: Cable TV advertising is the fastest growing medium in advertising today. It is a great way to reach consumers directly so this medium is better suited for the direct-to-customer business, but there are exceptions. Unlike advertising on the local stations of the major Television networks, the cable television providers offer very diverse and highly targeted advertising packages to the local markets at very affordable prices. Often cable providers will produce the commercial for a small fee or include the cost in the advertising package. If Cable TV advertising is a viable advertising option, it is without a doubt the best value and the best return on investment in the market today.

Print Collateral: Color printing is no longer the expensive venture it was in the past. The days of printing 10,000 copies of a brochure to assure a low price per piece are gone. Thanks to direct-to-press digital printing and on-demand printing, the cost to produce a small quantity of company brochures or flyers is reasonable. Additionally, thanks to the ease of editing digital and small quantity printing, revisions or updates are easily applied to keep the collateral piece current. Additionally, thanks to computer hardware and software technological improvements, and affordable, high quality printers, brochures can be produced internally. The business owner must weigh the possible savings compared to the message that a less than professionally prepared collateral piece conveys. Like all other advertising, printed material conveys not only the message, but also conveys the quality image of the company. If your message is printed on a low quality printer using economical printer paper, then that is likely the message you send to your would-be customer. On the other hand, if your message is printed on a higher quality paper stock at the highest quality setting, then the message you send will be quite different. The brochure or print collateral must have the feel of quality.