Funerals - Funeral Packages

In this article we're going to discuss something that is becoming more and more popular with families of the deceased. Funeral packages.

Death is something we try not to think about. It isn't a pleasant subject. Unfortunately, it is also inevitable. Also unfortunately, we tend to think about these things at the last minute. Very few people really prepare for the death of a loved one.

One of the reasons, and possibly the main reason, is because there is more involved with what comes after someone dies than most people realize. It is because of the number of things that need to be taken care of that today many corporations, and yes, that's what they are, specialize in what are called "Funeral Packages."

A funeral package is just that. It's a one stop shop for all your funeral needs.

Just what are those needs? More than most people realize.

For starters, there's how you want the deceased to be buried, if at all. There are a number of options to choose from. You can have a standard casket, and even that isn't so standard anymore as there are many casket styles to choose from.

Then there is where you want the deceased buried. You can request a traditional funeral where the deceased is buried in the ground in a cemetery. There is also the option of having the deceased buried in a mausoleum or tomb. And then of course there is always the option of cremation, where there is no burial at all.

Then there is the matter of the funeral service. This all depends on the religion of the deceased. Some form of clergy is going to need to be secured for performing the service itself. That brings us to the matter of where the service is going to take place, a temple or church or even at the funeral parlor itself.

There is also the matter of flowers or other adornments that the deceased family wishes to have at the service. The deceased may belong to a special organization that either requires or allows them to have certain items at the service, such as a Mason who is buried with his white lambskin apron.

All of these things, and a lot more, are usually taken care of separately. But today with the existence of these funeral packages, one company can take care of all the arrangements, from casket to service for you.

The only laws, which are usually state laws, governing the sale of funeral packages is that the cost of each item of the package must be clearly marked in the sales agreement. Nothing is allowed to be left out, not even the flowers. Also, when purchasing a funeral package, if paying it off over time, any interest charges that the deceased family is going to be hit with have to also be clearly itemized on the agreement.

Funeral packages are big business, and while they save the deceased family a lot of time, they can be very costly if the family is not aware of all the costs they are going to be hit with.

Funeral packages are big business and most certainly here to stay. Buyer beware.

Tips and steps before hiring a professional cleaner

Over the last few years that I have maintained the floors for commercial and residential properties I encounter some difficulties the relationship between our customers and our company to their expectations. Good communication and an excellent explanation of the services would benefit both the consumer and the cleaner very. I have collected these tips and information for that purpose.

These are some steps that need to know consumers, before hiring a professional cleaner.

Remember your proper exercise and due diligence before hiring a cleaner. Search and service providers maintain a quality cleaning starts with a good relationship, good communication and a commitment to that process work!

"Please read" - Provider this responsibility falls not only on the cleaning. They share part of the responsibility.

* Always questions, whether she are insured and licensed.
* Ask, offer some detailed description of the service for you.
* Ask if you will be charged for various services, and you will be notified before they implement?In this case, there is an understanding. as it a lot of "bait and switch advertising".
* Get an approximate estimate for your project.
* What security concerns you have?
* What do you expect for cleaning?
* Matter what information to you most?
* Are you concerned about the chemicals?
* Do you have a certain time of day for job implementation?
* Ask special services, prices, or cleaning specials.
* Do you have received from a variety of cleaning companies quotes?
* How many service providers will be at home?
* How long does it take to run it to the service?
* Leave as much as possible about themselves and their services to say.In this way, you can determine whether they match your criteria.
* Trust is very important.
* The providers are left unattended in your home and sometimes.At the beginning of the conversation and introduction, you get a feeling of the person or company, that you have to do.

These tips help appropriate to the general consumer guidance on the setting, and this article was created when minimize miscommunication or misunderstanding between the consumer and service provider.

Relocation: Moving Home - A Stressful Time

Moving home involves a lot of work. There are also a lot of financial considerations that people generally are not used to. Engaging a solicitor, arranging the mortgage, paying for bridging finance if it is necessary, seeking the best selling price for your home, and the best buying price for the home you are moving into, all of these are very large and important transactions that cost a lot of money and may also cause you a lot of stress.

Add to this the stress of actually moving home. There may be some emotional attachment to the home you are leaving and you may find this very difficult. Then you have all the practicalities of dealing with utility companies, having mail redirected, cancelling your services and informing friends and business of the move.

Traumatic

And this has not even begun to consider the hassle of packing up your belongings, arranging for a removal company, and transit insurance if you think you need it, and unpacking everything at the other end. It is really no wonder that so many people consider moving house such a major and traumatic experience.

However, if you take a step back, the situation is really not that bleak. Most people end up moving home for very positive reasons. These will include getting a new job, or moving to a bigger property. Therefore, as well as all the stress there is also a lot of joy and excitement involved.

Get Sorted

You can also use the move as a chance to clear out your possessions. Look through everything before you start packing and decide what things you do not want to take with you to your new address. If there are a lot of clothes you can pack them up and give them to a charity shop. You should think about getting boxes and old newspapers gathered up. Boxes will be available from local shops and you can save your newspapers for wrapping breakables.

If you are moving everything by yourself, you can rent a van to help you out. Make sure it is a suitable size. If the van is too small you'll find yourself doing multiple trips, and if it is too large you may not be able to park, or even drive it. You should be comfortable with driving the van so give it a try before loading it up to make sure. The alternative is always to hire a professional relocation company.

5 Tips to Create a Habit of Self-Discipline

5 Tips to Create a Habit of Self-Discipline

Lack of discipline is what often prevents small-business owners from creating extraordinary organizations and having more meaningful lives. Discipline is the ability to continue doing things after the mood in which they were started is long gone.

Here are tips on how to go about working on your self-discipline:

1. Discipline doesn't always mean punishment. Changing the way you look at being disciplined is the most difficult step. Just thinking about it often brings to mind negative connotations: limitations, sacrifice, reprimand . . . But it's up to you to use the stick or the carrots to motivate yourself to take action. Realize that self-discipline doesn't limit you, but rather it gives you the power to do the things that matter most both in business and in life.

2. Cultivate your carrots. Decide on how you will reward yourself. Doing things to get rid of unbearable pain or to avoid punishment is for strugglers. Developing a powerful vision for what's possible and working towards it will keep you excited and energized. Reward yourself along the way even for reaching the smallest milestones. Celebrate all the wins. Make it a game and have fun with it!

3. Make it a group sport. Going it alone is the hardest way to accomplish anything significant, so involve others. Do not underestimate the power of accountability -- it can work wonders. Carefully choose your supporters and mentors - make sure they are the type that will tell you what you NEED to hear and not necessarily what you WANT to hear.

4. Forget the losses but don't lose the lessons. Don't allow temporary defeats to sway you off your chosen path towards your business goals and life purpose. It's easy to beat yourself up for making mistakes, but it won't take you far. Instead, treat them as learning opportunities. Simply evaluate what didn't work, apply new strategy and take different action.

5. Start now and be consistent and persistent. Remember the Nike's commercial -- "Just do it!" Or my personal mantra: "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly to begin with!" Even the best intentions will not create any results; the universe has a tendency to reward action. Taking small steps in one direction every single day translates into huge leaps forward over a period of time.

Make a commitment to creating the habit of self-discipline; it can make a huge difference in both your professional and personal life!

Keywords: business plan, marketing strategy, business strategy, small business, Adam Urbanski

About the Author
Adam Urbanski, Irvine, California, USA
accounting@themarketingmentors.com
© 2001-2010 Marketing Mentors. All Rights Reserved. The author, Adam Urbanski, teaches service professionals and business owners how to develop better marketing strategies to increase sales and profits. Once a year, in November, Adam hosts Attract Clients Like Crazy Boot Camp designed specifically to teach entrepreneurs effective marketing strategies. www.themarketingmentors.com

Meditation and Memory

Meditation and Memory

Meditation is a wonderful method of helping the entire body to relax. Through a system of breathing exercises the body naturally feels the stress being released and for many people it allows them to be much more open and receptive.
Meditation can also aid in helping with memory. When a person feels relaxed the memory seems to function much better. Through the use of breathing and concentration the memory feels alive and vibrant once again.

Remember the last time you forgot someone's name or their birthday? It was probably during a period where you had a great deal on your mind or you were feeling stress.
Upon realizing your forgetfulness this generally stirs up even more anxiety which again leads to more memory problems. It's a cycle that some people find themselves constantly in.

By employing some of the techniques of meditation that people have been using for years, you can help open up your mind and memory thus allowing it to function better.
It's wonderful to imagine having the ability to recall names, numbers and important dates without having to look for pieces of paper or check a calendar. Instead it would all be there within your memory.

Meditation does not need to be a complicated process. There are simple exercises that anyone can do for a few moments each day that will help boost the memory.
The key to using meditation as a memory booster is that it will help build concentration which works hand in hand with developing memory.

Finding a quiet spot is very helpful when you want to meditate. Some people also feel that having essential oils or candles burning adds to the necessary ambiance.
If that does help you relax than it's going to beneficial to the entire process including helping you to reenergize your mind. There are also certain scents of oils and candles that are said to be beneficial for memory function.
Meditation can be taught in a class and there are usually classes offered at natural health care facilities and often even at regular gyms.
Some of the classes are geared towards helping the memory to function. For a person who feels as though their mind isn't as sharp as it once was, taking one of these classes will benefit them for years to come.
Building up a regular routine of meditation to aid in boosting the memory will also build self-esteem. Feeling as though you are on top of your game mentally is a wonderful self-image booster.

For someone who feels less comfortable within a class of people learning meditation, there are many books and manuals that offer substantial information on mediation as a method of empowering the memory.
Some offer illustrations of body position and along with descriptions for the breathing exercises. Following the methods outlined daily will open the person up to the benefits of meditation.
By using the techniques described they will not only be relaxing their bodies but fueling their memory as well. Having a relaxed and clear mind is one of the most important aspects to having a strong memory.

Effective PR program

Fundamentals of effective PR program

An effective PR (public relations) program includes both reactive — answering the media’s requests - and proactive — reaching out to the media — public relations strategies. Tactics range from telephone and on-camera interviews to wellplanned media events that include a variety of stakeholders. Many PR programs include elements of crisis communication and internal or organizational communication.

reactive
• Responding to media inquiries
• Interviews
• Crisis communications
proactive
• Pitches & press releases
• Video news releases
• Media events
• Bylined articles
• Press kits & Bios
• Web sites, blogs & more

Interview tips

Don’t be intimidated! - an interview is an excellent opportunity to gain added exposure and get your message in to the public. Whether, the reporter seeks you out or you find yourself in the right place at the right time, an invitation to be interviewed about a positive story is one you don’t want to turn down.
• Preparation — Try to find out beforehand as much as possible about the topic and what type of questions you’ll be asked. If possible, schedule a time for the interview so that you’ll have an opportunity to prepare and write down key messages you want to deliver.
• Messaging — Be clear and concise when answering questions and repeat your key messages, knowing that the interview will be edited. Avoid misleading and feel comfortable telling a reporter you don’t know the answer to a question.
• Follow-up — Thank the writer, editor or reporter for the opportunity to be included in their story and be sure to leave him/her with contact information in case they have follow-up questions and for future stories.

Tip — Be wary of reporters who don’t tell you what the interview is about or who might have a negative story in mind. And at no time should you speak “off the record.” Keep in mind that in any interview, even when the camera or recorder is turned off, your comments may still be used or quoted in the story. It’s good to establish a rapport with a journalist but, refrain from making comments you wouldn’t want repeated or even paraphrased by the reporter. Consider yourself always “on the record“.

PR constituents
• Media
• Industry analysts
• Customers/clients
• Executives & internal stakeholders
• Employees
• Community members
• Other influencers

Attorney Fees and Costs

Average Cost of Attorneys

Atorney's are the costs of client for legal representation by attorney (lawyer, solicitor).

Attorney can charge these fees in a number of different ways depending on their type of practice or what case they take on but they are usually set by contract in advance of the representation.

The most common fees are: flat fees, billable hours, contingent fees, pro bono, or retainer fees.

1. If an attorney voluntarily work on behalf of indigent clients (accepts a case at no charge) then he is working pro bono, or for free.
2. A retainer fee is an upfront fee paid to a lawyer (you pay for a certain amount of hours and once those hours are worked, additional hours are billed per hour).
3. Contingent fees are when a lawyer accepts a portion or percentage of the monetary judgment or settlement (of the case) in the event it is won. If the case is not won, then the lawyer does not accept any payment (no win - no fee). (Most of worker’s compensation and personal injury claims are paid with contingent fees.)
4. Also, in some lawsuits the loser pays the attorney’s fees for all parties involved.

Social Media Platforms: Facebook - Part III

Facebook - Part 3

Dealing with Friend Requests

Generally, it makes the most sense to only accept friend requests from people you know in some form or another. After all, anyone who becomes your friend has access to whatever information you share with your friends. This is why it makes the most sense for you to also create a Fan Page for your business. That way, if someone you do not know “friend-requests” you and is a potential lead, you will be able to direct them to your fan page. Don’t worry, you can still communicate directly with him or her from a fan page.

Managing Your News Feed

Once you start developing a network of friends on your personal profile, you’ll begin to receive lots of notifications on your news feed. Thankfully, Facebook allows you to control who and what you see in your news feed.
If you’re sick of hearing about people’s farms, trips, quizzes, questions, or any other silly app that is cluttering up your news feed, hover over any post within your news feed and click the “Hide” button. From here, you will have the option to hide users themselves or the app that is spamming your news feed on their behalf. Don’t be shy about hiding annoying friends from showing up in your news feed, they won’t know you have hidden them, and you will remain friends with them. Utilize “Hide” to make your news feed more manageable and useful.

Joining Groups and Becoming a Fan of Pages

Not only can you be a resource for potential buyers through Facebook, but Facebook can be a fantastic resource for you! Search around for groups and fan pages that have like-minded people talking about your interests. You’ll be surprised at how many there are and how much you can learn from them.
Introduce yourself and start participating in the conversation.

Vanity URL for your Profile and Fan Page

Recently, Facebook has allowed users to create vanity URL’s for their personal profiles and fan pages. Simply put, a vanity URL lets you create a custom URL that will take users to your profile or fan page. For example, you can have the vanity URL http://www.facebook.com/mycompany. Vanity URL’s provide a memorable link that makes sharing much easier. Claim your vanity URL at http://www.facebook.com/username/.

Social Media Platforms: Facebook - Part II

Facebook - Part 2

Privacy Settings

One of the most important things to consider when using a social network like Facebook is your privacy, especially for your personal profile. If you are accepting friend requests from people you do not know, or have some of your privacy settings set incorrectly, you may disclose personal information that you had no intention of sharing. To help address this, Facebook allows you to control almost everything that friends and others can see about you.
To access Facebook’s privacy settings, click on “Account” on the top right corner of Facebook. From there, you should see a link to “Privacy Settings.” Make sure that you take the time to go through these settings when you first create a personal profile.

A few tips on privacy:

• If someone is harassing you on Facebook, you have the ability to block that person from interacting with you. This is a quick and easy way to prevent someone from contacting you through Facebook.
• Quite a few of Facebook’s default privacy settings allow for more public visibility than you may be comfortable with. For example, anyone on Facebook is allowed to view your profile picture photo album by default. This is why it is so important to carefully review each section within “Privacy Settings” after you create a personal profile.
• Facebook allows search engines like Google to access and display publicly available information within their search results. This may be good for your public visibility, or it may be publicly disclosing more information than you are comfortable with. To see what may potentially be displayed, click on the “Preview” to see what the public can see.
• Applications that you install (i.e. games, quizzes, tools) all have their own privacy settings. Go through each application’s privacy settings after you install it to make sure everything checks out.
• There are definitely other settings that relate to privacy that may not be in the “Privacy Settings” link. Check out the “Account Settings” and “Application Settings” as well, after you create a profile or install a new app.

Social Media Platforms: Facebook - Part I

Facebook - Part 1

Wikipedia says: Facebook is a social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves.

Facebook is the social network where you will have the opportunity to connect with anyone from old classmates, friends, family, other real estate agents, and even potential clients. If you were wondering about how popular Facebook is, consider this: Facebook just overtook Yahoo! as the second most visited website in the United States, with 133.62 million unique visitors. Facebook’s interface is constantly evolving, but there are numerous aspects of Facebook you’ll want to know about.

Individual Profiles vs. Fan Pages

It makes the most sense to create an individual profile for yourself and a fan page for your business. A fan page is the place for you to promote your new listings, products, and other information. Fan pages are the place where users expect this type of ‘push’ content.

A few more tips on fan pages:

• Fan pages - share pictures, video, blog posts, and any other type of multimedia content that may be of interest to your fans.
• Invite past and present clients, friends, family, and co-workers to join your fan page. The more fans, the greater chance natural conversation will occur on your fan page.
• Ask questions to engage with your fans, i.e. “What are the most important things to consider when buying shares?”
• Check out other fan pages and build on their success. Nearly every brand has a Facebook fan page. Take a moment to scope them out and see what they are doing right. For a start, check out the Custom Facebook Page Gallery. Please take into consideration the fact that these fan pages likely cost each brand a lot of money, so don’t worry as much about the aesthetics of each page. Instead, focus on how each brand may or may not be successfully engaging with their fans.
• Update your fan page regularly! If you are going to neglect something on Facebook, make it your personal profile. It is inexcusable to create a fan page and then ignore it.
• Make your fan page an information resource. Post and link to useful content that will help your fan base with their real estate needs. Becoming a reliable resource
is the best way to build your fan base naturally.

Creating and managing a fan page is a considerable undertaking, but if done correctly, can be quite beneficial for your business. For more tips and guidance, check out the Facebook specific links at the end of this post.

More information:
All Facebook - www.allfacebook.com
Inside Facebook - www.insidefacebook.com
Facebook Help Center - www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/help/?ref=pf

Wording and Terms in Legal Filings

Wording and Terms in Legal Filings

Here you can learn some basic terms; unfamiliar terms can be looked up in Legal Dictionary contained in www.nolo.com and other readily findable on-line dictionaries. MOST IMPORTANTLY, so you won't be accused of perjury or slander/libel should your Statements of Fact later be shown incorrect - follow the example of lawyers.

They typically either present any such Claims of Fact as opinions using such words/expressions as: "evidently", "clearly", "it is reasonable to conclude that" "..is consistent with 'something/somebody' being.." "it appears that".
They also might say "We/This Plaintiff assert that..." or the verbs "aver", "claim", "allege" "We aver that..." Hardly ever do lawyers state anything unequivocally as fact.

When stating dates they are also hedging; hardly ever just stating the date, but rather say "on or about 12/31/03".
When quoting they usually put the actual quote in quote marks and then add "or words to that effect" As the Rules of Civil Procedure state there are penalties for making statements which you cannot prove or support with any evidence.
Using the words "said" and "same" - the said words are used to refer to something previously mentioned: instead of writing again "copy of the Employment Contract dated by 12/31/03" they would say "copy of the said contract" or "contract original and a copy of the same".

Some useful and common expressions: "Attached hereto/thereto", "Enclosed herewith", "hereby (meaning this document) certifies that", "thereby (thus) causing further harm to the Plaintiff","wherefore (in light of the above) we ask this Court...". Including large blocks of text from other documents is done by Reference:
"the section of XXXXXXX attached hereto as exhibit B will not be re-iterated here
but is included by way of reference as if fully set forth".

Harsh words such as lie, stupidity etc are likely to irritate the judge, thus words such as false, falsehood, misstatement, absurdity, deception, irrational etc are used. A litigant should NEVER use derogatory terms, court will penalize it and it's self defeating.

Sarcasm is quite common and acceptable, sentence such as: "but it would not be fair to say that the whole Plaintiff's 'case' consists of falsehoods alone, as it also includes absurdities.
For example Plaintiff's claim that "...does not make any sense.." or "Thinking rationally it is impossible to understand this claim by the Defendant, as...".

Very importantly, the words in legal proceedings should be taken LITERALLY: if you see something like "there is no evidence that such and such took place" it means exactly that - they are not denying that something took place, but rather are alleging that there is no evidence. To give you an entertaining example: as I recall, Clinton denied in Court his liason with Lewinsky - "There's not a sexual relationship!". When they started accusing him of perjury his answer was: it depends on how you define the word 'is'. "Is not and has never been or is not at this moment" or words to that effect. When pressed to explain what his definition of "is" was, he went on to say he meant "is not at this moment" and further explained that what he said was: he did not have sexual relations at that particular moment (in court!).

Another example in filings, a lawyer claimed that the defendant was being sued for X dollars - full amount + costs etc of what she borrowed from a bank and that she did not pay "that" amount back. He knew perfectly well that she paid most of it back. But if we tried to press the issue, he would have said he meant "EXACTLY THAT" amount. Likewise facing question about a client's net worth related to his ability to pay child support a lawyer quite truthfully said that it's difficult to get an exact dollar amount, but he's sure his clients net worth exceeds $100,000 which was true but grossly misleading. If he said it exceeds $300,000 that would have also been true.

Lawyers use these methods for saying untruths without actually lying and perjuring themselves.

Abbreviations:
* USC - US Code
* Fed.R.Civ.P - Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
* FRAP - Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure

Whom to Notify Before Moving?

If youre going to move...

Don't forget to notify the following people and service providers before you move:

• Family and friends
• Doctor/dentist/optician
• Paper/magazine deliveries
• Receiver of Revenue
• Accounts and accountant
• Schools
• Postal services
• Department of the Interior (ID Book)
• Bank and building societies
• Lawyer
• Minister
• Sporting clubs
• Insurance company
• Voters roll
• Automobile Association
• Telkom
• Municipality
• Medical Aid
• Employer
• MNet/DSTV/SABC

Market Value of Real Estate Property

Determining the market value of real estate property

Market value is the value of your house as seen through the eyes of a prospective buyer who has many properties to choose from.

A Comprehensive Market Analysis is essential to determining value. This market analysis has many elements:

• Location is one of the most important elements.
• Characteristics of the property is another.
• Similar properties for sale in your area are considered.
• Recent sales of comparable properties are also included.

Goal is to determine a price that will attract a willing and able buyer, in a reasonable time, at the best price:

• The price should not exceed market value by more than 5%.
• If overpriced, potential buyers may not even make offers.
• Overpriced houses get ”stale” with buyers and agents quickly.
• Long marketing periods can be expensive due to loss of buyer interest and “wasted” mortgage payments.

Things to keep in mind about pricing:

• Realistic pricing will achieve maximum price in a reasonable time.
• Profit desire is irrelevant; the market determines the price.
• The cost of improvements is almost always more than their added value.
• Houses that remain on the market for a long time lose interest and do not get shown.
• A house that is priced right from the beginning achieves highest total net income.

Internet Home Business

Make money online from home

Here are some ideas for starting an Internet home business:

Blogging
Affiliate Marketing
Recruiting
E-zine / Email Marketing
Niche Forums
eBay Auction Selling
E-Commerce
Arts Crafts
Freelance Consulting Services
Internet Research Business
Podcasting
Membership Sites
Tutoring
Bookkeeping
Coaching
VA (Virtual Assistant)
E-Product Development
Workshops Tele-seminars

Life Quotes - Part 1

Inspiring and motivating life quotes by famous people

Quotes on life

"In life, there are either results or excuses."
- Woody Allen

"Live every act fully, as if it were your last."
- Buddha

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."
- James Dean

"Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes."
- Oscar Wilde

"The most important things in life aren't things."
- Anthony J. D'Angelo

"Life is a sum of all your choices."
- Albert Camus

Submit Quote about Life in the comment box!

How to hire a lawyer

You may have a legal problem and not know how to resolve it. Lawyers have been specially trained in the law and our legal system. The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem. Sometimes people feel nervous when meeting lawyers, but remember that you're the one doing the hiring, and what's most important is that you're satisfied with what you're getting for your money.

Before you make any hiring decisions, you might want to ask certain questions to aid in your evaluation.
Questions you should ask your prospective lawyer before making a final hiring decision:

1. Ask about the lawyer's experience and areas of practice.
. . . How many similar matters have you handled?
. . . What were the results of those cases?
. . . Do you typically go to trial or settle out of court?
2. How long has the lawyer and the firm been practicing law?
3. What kinds of legal problems does the lawyer handle most often?
4. Are most clients individuals or businesses?

Also:

Will there be any limitations on the scope of the representation?
How will you be kept informed about the progress of the case?
How quickly do you respond to phone calls and e-mails?
How can I reach you after normal business hours?

In many cases, there is no fee charged for an initial consultation. However, to be on the safe side, ask about fees before setting up your first appointment. If the attorney does charge, simply ask if the amount will be credited to the bill later on.

Real Estate: Home Improvement Tips (2/2)

8 ways to help sellers make quick and affordable home-improvement fixes to appeal to buyers

Low-Cost Home Improvements for a Quick Sale

4. Paint Those Walls
Painting is one of the cheapest, most effective improvements you can make in your home - especially if the colors aren't neutral to begin with. I know you love the pink entryway and purple bathroom, but most buyers won't love it as much.

I know you think painting is cheap and that the buyer can just do it later. Most people think this way, however, there are many people who don't have the vision. They need to see it done. Painting your home off white or in earth tones is the best way to go. Remember: you're selling your home to appeal to the masses.

5. Address the Flooring
Flooring is a little more expensive, but will bring a better return on your investment - especially if you're still hanging on to the orange shag. Even if you have more modern carpet but don't have enough in the budget for new carpeting, a good cleaning by a professional can help dramatically. The same can be said for wood floors, too. A good scrubbing can go a long way.

6. Clean Your Windows/Treatments
Cleaning your windows can really spruce up your home. A bright home always shows far better than a dungeon. Removing heavy drapes and curtains can help, too, and breathe new life into your home. It's far better to have nothing than to have a pattern that was popular 20 years ago.

7. Change Old Lighting
Lighting is a subtle enhancement to make, but a buyer will notice if a home's lighting is outdated. There are some great lights that can be purchased rather cheaply in many lighting stores. Even little things like upgrading to brighter bulbs can help.

Dark or poorly lit rooms turn off most homebuyers. Although it's a little more expensive to add, recessed lighting can really change the look in a room. Recessed lights work especially well in kitchens and baths.

8. Declutter Your Home
This one can really go a long way. Buyers like spacious rooms they can envision their own belongings in. Getting rid of things you don't need or can put into storage while your home is on the market can transform the appearance of your home.

Hold a yard sale for those items that still hold value. For things you want to keep but will spoil how well your home shows, get a POD (portable on-site storage) or consider putting your stuff in a short-term storage facility.

Remember: not every improvement has to be expensive. Sometimes it's the small things that make the biggest difference in a buyer's mind.

Go to part 1/2

Real Estate: Home Improvement Tips (1/2)

8 ways to help sellers make quick and affordable home-improvement fixes to appeal to buyers

Low-Cost Home Improvements for a Quick Sale

In a very competitive real estate market, one of the things that's vital to your success is how well your home shows in relation to the rest of the inventory for sale. There are simple things that you can do to improve your chances, and maybe put a few extra dollars in your pocket at the same time.

Maybe you're not even thinking about selling your home right now. When the time comes, however, these lost cost improvements could make a difference.

First impressions are always important so you want to make sure the entry to your home shines. As the buyer approaches the front door, the last thing they want to see is an old, worn door with cobwebs hanging from above.

Right off the bat, most buyers are going to assume that if the home is not well maintained on the exterior, the interior won't be much better.

1. The Entryway
Painting the front door or even replacing it if it's beyond help can make a real difference. A nice shiny door set always stands out. If you have vinyl siding and haven't cleaned it in a while, mildew, dirt and grime can accumulate. Giving it a quick spray can surprisingly make a big difference in your home's appearance.

2. Plant Some Color
Planting some flowers around the entryway can really make your property come alive. Choose a variety of colors that really stand out. Adding a few potted plants in a covered entry or a large enough stoop is always a nice touch, too.

3. Fix Up the Baths
While remodeling a bath is one of the best home improvement projects to get the most return on your investment, it may not work in your current budget. But if you have gold toilets and sinks from the 70s, it may be time to let go and move on to something that 99 percent of the population likes better.

Have a gold shower too? There are low-cost alternatives to ripping out the shower. There are specially made bath fitters that are designed to go over a shower. New faucets are another low-cost item that can make a difference. Silver and nickel are "in" right now; brass is less popular. Changing towel racks, toilet paper holders and shower heads are also nice touches for little expense.

Go to part 2/2

Real Estate: 10 Strategies for Short Sales (2/2)

Tips for real estate agents:
How to Sell a House When Seller Cannot Pay Off the Bank

Part 2/2

6. SET THE RIGHT PRICE.
Price the home at least 5 percent under market. You have to give the buyer compensation for the inconvenience of the Short Sale and a reason to wait. Price it even further under the market if the foreclosure is right around the corner. Negotiate by creating a sense of urgency in marketing materials and on the MLS. Most banks will accept as much as 10 percent under market.

7. PRESENT ANY REASONABLE OFFER.
This gets the waiting period started. Submit the offer and let it be working as you’re waiting for the file to be assigned. Some real estate commission mandates that you have to disclose any other offers that come in. If you get someone with a back-up offer now, the process is easier. If you submit another offer, call the people who made the original offer to let them know and give them an opportunity to update theirs. There is very few situations where the first people to make an offer didn’t get the property.

8. CALL EVERY WEEK.
Without agent calling the bank, no one would know the file is still in limbo. During the calls, establish rapport with the lender representatives and be nice. It’s very frustrating to call every week and have them try to get you off the phone, but they do take notes and put notes in the file. If you’re a jerk, they’ll note that too. Think about getting the borrower on the phone with you and the loss-mitigation negotiator to humanize the situation.

9. NEVER INCLUDE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE SALE.
Treat the sale of appliances, playground equipment and other items as a separate transaction. You don’t want any money unnecessarily going to the lender. If the seller doesn’t need these items, you can have the buyer purchase that property to give the seller money to move or to pay down a second mortgage.

10. TEACH OTHER AGENTS ABOUT SHORT SALES.
The seller’s credit isn’t damaged as badly, the seller moves with dignity, the buyer gets a home that’s in better shape than an REO, the neighborhood is saved from vacancies that leave properties at risk of damage, the bank gets more money sooner and reserves aren’t wasted. If you meet agents who don’t want to do Short Sales, turn them into a referral source. You’ll gain a reputation as a Short Sale expert.

Go to part 1/2

Real Estate: 10 Strategies for Short Sales (1/2)

Tips for real estate agents:
How to Sell a House When Seller Cannot Pay Off the Bank

Part 1/2

1. TRY TO SAVE THE HOME.
Determine if the sellers have a job with an income that provides a reasonable chance to support the house with a loan modification. Some might say I’m crazy for helping people get them. Yes, I’m crazy like a fox. If I help the homeowners now to save the house, save their credit, keep their kids in the same school, who do you think is their Realtor for life? You won’t make money in the short run, but in the long run you’ll end up with lots of referrals because you put their interests ahead of yours.

2. QUALIFY SELLERS FOR SHORT SALE.
There are specific hardships that must exist for a Short Sale to be an option. Verify that the seller (a) faces financial hardship (b) has no financial reserves, excluding retirement, and (c) is losing ground financially each month and heading toward foreclosure.

3. PREPARE A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION.
Make sure you have permission to represent the sellers. In the pre-listing appointment phone calls, get the information about their lenders and the loan numbers, so that you can arrive at your first meeting with a letter of authorization for them to sign. Have the borrower/seller in the letter direct the lender to give you the name and contact information for the investor and any mortgage guarantors, too. You want to have the power to negotiate with everyone involved.

4. PUT THE SELLERS TO WORK RIGHT AWAY.
Give them a list of what you need in the Short Sale package and have them collect the items for review during the first listing meeting. Every bank asks for different items, but typically they want the hardship letter, a financial form showing assets and liabilities, two months of bank statements, the last two pay stubs as well as copies of the mortgage statements. If the sellers are self-employed, you may need two years of tax returns. Once everyone signs the listing agreement, you lose the power to walk away if the client isn’t cooperative, so make the Short Sale package information a condition of the listing agreement.

5. DO A TITLE SEARCH UP FRONT.
You need to know what all the problems are as early in the process as possible. In title company states, get a title report, normally provided as a service. In attorney states, have a firm you work with do it, and specify in your offers that this will be the closing attorney. Make sure the attorneys and escrow officers are trained in Short Sales.

Go to Part 2/2