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Dressing for Greatness: Fashion Tips for Men’s Job Interview Outfits

November 19, 2018 by Jarred

You already know how important it is to prepare your resume and your mind before an interview, but what about your interview outfit? Follow these tips.

Are you hanging onto the job ladder by a thread?

And we mean that literally. Too many people have lost good opportunities because of a small detail on their interview outfits.

Those people didn’t plan in advance. It might have just been a missing button or a few loose threads, but those details show you didn’t prepare.

It’s okay if you don’t know what to wear yet, we’ve got your guide below.

Plan in Advance

The worst thing you could do is not think about what you’re wearing to the interview until the day of. Take a page out of women’s playbooks and plan your outfit in advance.

Why bother? You’ll have time to get that shirt dry cleaned or ironed, do your research on outfit type, and be less stressed that day.

When you’re checking out potential shirts or pants, look closely at them. Bring them into a brightly lit room, with blue-white light if possible. Office lighting is usually pretty harsh.

Look for stains on your shirt. Are the armpits discolored? Can you see stains up the front of the shirt? What about the collar?

Are there fraying or missing buttons? These are things that might not seem like a big deal to you, but they come off as saying you don’t care.

Do Some Research

What do you know about the company you’re applying to? Have you been in the office? Know people that work there?

The reason we ask is that there are different office dress levels. If you walk into a car dealership, you’re not likely to find someone in a full three-piece suit.

Slacks and a nice shirt are more likely. But if it’s a Ferrari dealership, the dress goes up a level.

So, how do you know what the dress code is like if you’ve never been there? It’s time to use those Facebook stalking skills you developed years ago.

Find their Facebook or Website and look for work culture posts. Do they seem laid back and chill or more formal?

On their website, it’s likely they’ll have pictures or a video of their workspace. Can you see what people are wearing in it? Are there jackets on their chairs? Are they wearing ties?

Note that if they have portraits (headshots) of employees, they likely dressed up for that occasion.

Startups are usually pretty laid back, but finical firms and corporations call for a shirt and tie.

Ask the Recruiter

You’re always welcome to ask the recruiter what the dress code is. Showing that you ask questions so you can come the most prepared is a great thing.

They’ll likely say one of three things: business professional (or just professional), business casual, or casual.

Here’s what those words mean.

Business Professional

Dress your best. You’ll need the full three-piece suit for this office. Make sure it’s ironed and cuffed to perfection.

A matching but conservative tie is appropriate. Wear dress shoes (and socks), maybe even throw on some cufflinks.

If you need an example of great suits, these by Stropdassen should do the trick.

Business Casual

You can leave the sports coat at home, this time. Unless you’re opting to wear a (nice!) dark pair of jeans. Jeans and a dress shirt with a sports coat is appropriate at this level.

But it’s safer to wear a pair of slacks or khakis. Pair them will a well-fitting dress shirt. You can add a tie if you like, but you don’t have to.

Finish it off with dress shoes.

Casual

Now, if the recruiter says the office is casual, then it doesn’t mean you get free reign. You still have to present yourself as a grown, functioning adult.

A pair of khakis and a short sleeve polo, tucked in is the right choice. You can wear dress shoes or something like Sperry’s. Stay away from the sweet sneaker kicks, unless you’re interviewing at a shoe store or something.

You still need to make sure it’s not dirty or wrinkled and that everything goes.

Colors and Patterns

When you’re putting your outfit together, you want to choose simple, solid colors. A blue or grey suit with a white shirt is classic. You can have a little fun with your tie, but it needs to stay subtle in pattern.

If you’d like to throw a pocket square in there, that’s where you can show a little personality. It’s up to you though, so feel it out.

For a more casual office, a plaid or lightly patterned shirt will work. Stay away from large logos or loud colors.

Run it by your mom or your girlfriend, any female in your life. They’ll let you know if you’re allowed to leave the house.

Wear Fun Socks

This is for you, not for them. There’s no reason an interviewer should see your socks. But if you have a kooky pair with tacos on them, wear them.

It’s small and silly, but something like that can make you feel more like yourself when you’re nervous.

Don’t be Fashionably Late

We know this isn’t technically an outfit tip, but it needs to be said. On time for an interview is five minutes early. On time, is late.

Your Interview Outfits

Put together one or two options for your interview a week or as in advance as you can. Make sure you do a run to the dry cleaner, if necessary.

Interview outfits are about showing the company you clean up nice, not about showing who you are. Your personality and resume should have that in the (leather) bag.

Feel like you need to come in with some business suggestions to sweeten the deal? Here you go.

 

Filed Under: Business

The 5 Things You Need to Know on How to Become an Entrepreneur

November 17, 2018 by Jarred

Want to be at the top, but don’t know how to get there? You can do it with a little know-how. Find out how to become an entrepreneur here!

Are you a failure?

We’re not trying to be mean, just logical. A large number of businesses fail – even when they’re well run. Why? Because those people didn’t know how to become an entrepreneur.

You don’t want to be them – at least not more than once. Read this guide to get some insight into success.

Change Your Mindset

First of all, learning how to become an entrepreneur is not just a work choice. It’s a life choice. At some points when you’re running and starting a business, it’s going to take over your life.

That’s okay. Think of your business as an infant. It needs the most intense care at the beginning, then you can slowly let go as it ages.

If you’re not ready for some long nights, early mornings, or even all-nighters once in a while – this may not be the choice for you.

Never Stop Learning

Albert Einstein famously said, “Once you stop learning, you start dying”. There’s no reason to speed up the inevitable. You should learn something new every day, if not two things.

Keep a journal for yourself of things your business has taught you that day. Even if all you can think of is a random fact an employee taught you.

This will be invaluable to you when you’re in a bad spot or want to mentor someone down the line.

Keep Your Head High

At least once during your entrepreneurial career, you’re going to lose money. Or you’re going to run into a problem you don’t see any way out of.

A lesser person would give up, but not a successful one, says Raymond Bonnett of West Chester, Pa.

Keep pushing and eventually, your failures will be things you learned you can write in your lesson book.

Don’t Get Lazy

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? That’s a good way to become irrelevant and lose your ventures. Think about smartphone apps.

They come out with new updates and bug fixes all the time. Your business should be constantly bettering itself too.

If you settle for what works, it’s going to stop working eventually. You won’t be exciting for customers anymore. It’s better to try something that fails than to stay stagnant.

Trust Your Gut

This tip is unique because it’s both a business tip and a life tip. There are horror stories out there of times people didn’t trust their intuition and something went violently wrong.

Psychologists are beginning to think that we hold emotional processing in our gut as well as our brain. So if you get a “gut feeling” that something is off, stick to it.

The worst thing that can happen is being wrong, which is better than being ripped off!

How to Become an Entrepreneur

If you follow these tips on how to become an entrepreneur, you’ll have something many never have in the business world. Self-awareness.

Knowing that you could and will fail at some point, but that you’ll keep going is the key to success.

Already in a business venture? Click here to learn how to rev up sales for the holidays.

 

Filed Under: Business

Air Style: How to Choose an Air Compressor for Your Business

November 15, 2018 by Jarred

If you’re looking for an air compressor for your business you want to make the right choice. We look at how to choose an air compressor to meet your needs.

Do you need an air compressor for your business? Before you get stressed out trying to figure it all out, take a breath.

By evaluating your needs and breaking up your search, figuring out how to choose an air compressor can be easy.

We figured we’d help point you in the right direction! Read our simple air compressor buying guide!

Familiarize Yourself With Some of the Lingo

You don’t need to be an expert on how an air compressor works to use one (basically, it sucks in air and creates a usable force), but knowing some basics will certainly aid your search and help find the air compressor for you!

Some common words and phrases you will see throughout your search may be confusing, so familiarizing yourself with some of the words and mechanics will be helpful in the long run.

Ask Yourself the Important Questions

There are a variety of tools and products that use air compressors. This means there are also a lot of variations when it comes to the air compressor itself.

Start by asking yourself what you need in a compressor.

What is it for? Certain air compressors are better for different jobs. Figure out exactly what you will be using the air compressor for, and go from there.

Other important things to think about is where the compressor will be located, and how the power will be supplied. Does it need to be

What Type is Best for You?

Should your air compressor be stationary or portable? Stationary air compressors are larger and best for continuous use, like in a car shop. If you have to move the air compressor around or are in a compact area, go with the portable.

If you’re needing an air compressor, you likely have a tool in mind that you are using it for. Make sure that the air compressor you choose works with the air tools you need! Don’t forget to figure out the necessary features and accessories to accompany your compressor!

Here is when knowing some lingo comes in handy. The type of air compressor- rotary vs. reciprocating- matters too. Reciprocating air compressors are a good and cheap option for businesses, while rotary air compressors tend to be higher in efficiency and last a long time.

Examine Your Power Needs

Now, what about electric or gasoline? How you power your air compressor is important. For most projects, electric will be a good choice. If you are working outside, a gasoline-powered air compressor is an option that can generate more power.

The amount of power generated in these machines is represented by horsepower (HP), determined by the amount of pressure created and therefore contained by the machine (measured in PSI). Cubic Feet per Minute measures the volume of air leaving the air compressor.

When choosing an air compressor for your business, you’ll want to be familiar with your power needs.

A Little More Comfortable With How to Choose an Air Compressor for Your Business?

Knowing how to choose an air compressor is an important step for your business. Now that you have a handle on that, we can move onto less mechanical topics.

For helpful guidance and helpful tips for successfully operating your business, click here!

 

Filed Under: Business

Trading Cryptocurrency: Here’s What You Need to Know

November 15, 2018 by Jarred

Trading cryptocurrency is becoming a big deal – and you want to get in on it. Find out what you need to know about how to trade cryptocurrency.

From familiarizing yourself with the different cryptocurrency exchanges to understanding what a trading bot does, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all things crypto.

While, yes, it won’t always be simple to learn to trade cryptocurrency, the truth is it’s not as difficult as you think. It’s easy to feel like you’ve won the lottery after your first few crypto trades go well.

But don’t get ahead of yourself.

The important thing is to learn to master the basics before you get into anything more complicated.

If you’re interested in how to trade cryptocurrency, you’ve come to the right place.

Consider this post your starting point for getting your feet wet into the seriously exciting (and, be warned, somewhat addictive) world of crypto.

What Does Cryptocurrency Trading Mean?

Whether your goal is to master day trading cryptocurrency or if trading will be more of a hobby than a full-time job, you need to start by making sure you’re absolutely clear on what exactly it is.

Most people are aware that cryptocurrency trading is the process of switching out one currency of crypto for another. For example, you could decide that you want to trade your Bitcoin for Ethereum.

But many people don’t realize that trading also means actually buying and selling cryptocurrency from a coin source. Trading also refers to the process of switching out fiat currencies (like dollars, yen, euros, and other international currencies you can get from a bank) to crypto.

When the majority of people enter the crypto market for the first time, they’ll buy established and well-known cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin. However, you may not know that there are, as of this writing, well over 1,500 different kinds of cryptocurrencies.

So, what should you do if you want to buy a lesser-known option?

In order to get in on an initial coin offering, or ICO for short, you’ll need to make sure that you start by having enough of these more common coin currencies in the bank first. You can also use special blockchain services from a coin source to get the currency you want.

Centralized and Decentralized Coin Exchanges

Learning how to trade cryptocurrency the right way also means understanding the differences between a centralized and decentralized coin exchange.

These crypto exchanges are where you actually buy your crypto in the first place. In other words, you can’t just stroll into a branch of your local bank and pick up a few Bitcoin.

The majority of coin buyers will use the centralized exchange to trade and buy crypto, because there’s a “middle man” there to help facilitate stronger security measures.

You don’t want to lose sleep at night worrying about whether or not your coins will still be there in the morning.

In other words, the centralized exchange stores both your fiat and cryptocurrencies, and you give that exchange access to your account. Though this might sound dangerous at first, it’s actually a smart move.

You’ve likely read horror stories about lost wallet private keys and passwords. If you forget your password, on a centralized exchange, you’ll be able to get help regaining access to your crypto wallet.

This isn’t usually the case with a decentralized coin exchange — which is why they’re not nearly as popular as the centralized option.

On a decentralized exchange, the focus is peer-to-peer trading, buying, and selling. Essentially, there’s no “middleman” or “storage space” for your coins. Instead, trades are executed on the basis of swaps and even smart contracts.

it’s important to keep in mind, however, that both centralized and decentralized coin exchanges can be hacked into.

Crypto Trading Bots and Automated Trades

Many people feel that the best way to trade Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is by using trading bots and other automated trading tools (like those discussed on this website.)

This is because, unlike with our traditional stock market, there are no “closing and opening bells” on the crypto exchange.

Instead, the crypto market is open 24/7. Of course, you have work, time with friends, and (presumably) the need to sleep. This means that you can’t always jump on the top trading opportunities and best prices when they’re available.

So, many people enlist the help of these trading robots and tools to execute these trades for them automatically. Essentially, the bots are made from software that’s able to analyze the current data of the market, and determine if it’s in line with your objectives.

Plus, you’ll also be able to use a bot to help you to see multiple crypto markets at the same time. Especially if you’re interested in trading lots of different currencies, this is a valuable asset.

Another advantage of going the automated route?

These trading bots are able to execute trades much more quickly than you could on your own. So, if your goal is to participate in a high overall volume of trading, relying on a bot to do the hard work for you is a smart move.

Just make sure that you do your research to find the best bot and automated tools for your needs.

Learning How to Trade Cryptocurrency Isn’t Always a Challenge

We hope that this post has given you a better grasp on the basics of learning how to trade cryptocurrency.

Remember to understand the type of exchange that fits with your interests and overall risk tolerance. We also suggest starting with a more established currency, like Bitcoin, before getting involved in newer offerings.

Above all, as with any investment strategy, resist the temptation to put your eggs in one basket — no matter how good the deal sounds.

Looking for more crypto trading advice? Need insight into the latest real estate trends, advice on stocks to buy, and other financial news?

Keep checking back with us for the latest tips and tricks.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Business

11 Strategies to Help Keep Your Small Business Organized

November 14, 2018 by Jarred

Time and money rely on organization-something every small business owner needs. Click here for the top 11 strategies on how to organize a business.

Have you finally mustered the courage to start your own business? Way to go!

Good organization is vital for ensuring success in any business. Unfortunately, many small business owners or managers struggle to get and stay organized. This makes it hard for them to succeed in business.

If you’d like to get started in the right direction by learning how to organize a business, stick around.

The following guide will look into 11 best organization strategies to help get your small business organized and ready for takeoff.

1. Go Paperless

Why go paperless? Every business owner or manager must address this question before they can adopt a paperless system in the office. There are many valid reasons to go paperless in the work environment, and yes, you too can go paperless in your small business.

The most obvious advantage of going paperless is it reduces the amount of paperwork you’ll need to handle and keep in the office. It can also eliminate or reduce time-consuming tasks, such as printing, filing and locating clients’ files.

Managing and storing all the written documents involving business transactions can be more difficult and costly when compared to electronic-based systems.

With an electronic document management system, you can easily keep and track all records relating to a particular business transaction without cluttering up your workspace with huge amounts of paperwork.

With the advent of cloud storage, you can store all important files in the cloud, creating more functional space in your office. Built-in security provided for cloud storage prevents unauthorized access to vital information, maintaining data privacy.

2. Hire a Tax Expert

Every business must pay its taxes and be able to keep up with tax compliance requirements. Though you can file your tax returns yourself, it’s best to hire a tax adviser to do it for you.

No matter how small your business is, getting all the financial records required for tax purposes can be overwhelming, particularly because you’re involved in the daily running of your business.

A tax specialist will help keep everything in order for the tax season.

3. Use Accounting Software

Ensuring tax compliance isn’t the only reason to keep your business finances in order. Money is also needed to facilitate day-to-day business operations.

Keeping tabs on all your invoices, expenses, and incomes can be an arduous task if you still rely on manual bookkeeping methods. Consider investing in accounting software that stores and automatically updates your financial records every time you make a new entry.

The best part is that you can quickly retrieve the information you need at any time.

4. Go Clutter-Free

Many small business owners or managers don’t have a lot of functional space at their disposal. Yet, they don’t do much to make the most out of the space they have.

When you’re getting started, your office space may be sufficient for your business needs. But over time, it may become smaller.

Though finding a new office space or expanding an existing one is inevitable when your business outgrows its start-up office space, clutter can give the illusion that extra office space is needed.

To beat clutter and prevent it from creating a messy environment, you need to adopt organizational strategies that involve getting rid of things you no longer need.

5. Tame Your Email

With so many messages flocking your email inbox, monitoring important messages can be a daunting task. But that needn’t be so.

These days, almost every email service provider has included a feature to help you keep track of important messages and message threads.

Streamline your email by making the most of these features.

6. Delete Inactive Social Media Sites

Online marketing has created a level playing field for all business with an online presence to compete in both local and international markets.

One of the most important online marketing platforms available for small businesses is social media. If companies stay in touch with customers, they can create the social media presence they want.

Unfortunately, some small business managers don’t know how to get the most out of their social media involvement. They create accounts and then fail to update them frequently. Ultimately, this hurts their online presence and leads to loss of online credibility.

Deleting inactive or extraneous social media accounts is a nice way to create time for accounts you can keep up with.

7. Manage Your Time Well

Like money, time is one of those valuable business resources you should use wisely. But unlike money, you can’t increase the amount of time available to you.

There are 24 hours in a day and you can only work during certain hours of the day. That said, proper time management is vital for the success of your business.

To make the most of your business hours, you’ll need to plan ahead, prioritize your engagements, and avoid distractions. You shouldn’t waste time on activities that don’t support the growth of your business.

8. Don’t Mix Work With Personal Life

Some things are easier said than done. Not mixing work with personal life is one of them. But you’ll have to separate your work and personal life to be productive at work and to maintain good personal relationships with the people in your life.

Your business can only succeed if you know how to strike a balance between your professional and personal life.

9. Record Important Details

Attending business meetings can be such a big hassle, particularly because you have to remember all the important details of the conversations you have.

A good way to remember key portions of previous conversations is to take notes. But taking jotting down details with pen and paper might not be the best way to get organized.

If you’re pre-occupied with writing notes, you may not focus on your conversations and also fail to create more personalized interactions.

Try ditching your notebook for an audio recorder to see the difference. You’ll be dazzled at how useful this small business organizer can be.

10. Adopt a Customer Integration System

Providing customers with appropriate technology to foster direct interactions with your business can make all the difference for your business.

Adopting the right customer integration system can help you keeping track of customer requests, orders, and feedback, but also save you human resources.

11. Ensure Proper Cable Management

Cluttered cables can make it hard for you to stay organized in your office. Ensuring proper management of voice, data, electrical, and IT cables are vital for creating a functional workspace.

Want to Learn More About How to Organize a Business?

There you have it – 11 tips on how to organize a business. With these business office organization ideas, you should be able to stay on top of things in your business.

You’re welcome to check out our business column to see what other invaluable information we have for small businesses like yours.

 

 

Filed Under: Business

4 Reasons Why Every Business Could Benefit By Switching to a VoIP Phone System

October 24, 2018 by Jarred

Are you thinking of switching to a VoIP phone system, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Read on to learn how every business could benefit from this switch.

As a business owner, you’ve likely already heard the statistic that your employees waste about 5 hours of company time each week on their smartphones.

But the types of phones that are really costing your company time and money — and causing your employees and clients frustration — aren’t actually smartphones at all.

Instead, the problem is your outdated or inefficient business phone system.

Have dropped calls, the necessity of keeping lines clear, and a general lack of the phone features you need become your new normal?

If so, now is the time to change — and to increase your profits as a result. Get rid of that ancient landline or poorly-performing business phone, and make the switch to a VoIP phone system instead.

But why are VoIP phone services so valuable?

Keep on reading this post to find out.

1. You’ll Save Money

Let’s face it: the best way to convince you to switch to a VoIP phone system is to talk about how it will improve your bottom line.

Because you’re making calls over the Internet, you’ll be able to save serious cash on international and long-distance calls.

Plus, because you’ll now have multiple phone lines freed up, your team members can make more calls more often. No more “negotiating” when it comes to who can use a phone line when. Instead, everyone can be as productive as possible.

With the majority of VoIP phones, you’ll pay a flat rate every month, which can mean excellent savings. Plus, when phone lines go down, whether due to a storm or to construction, you’ll still be able to make calls.

2. You’ll Have More Flexibility

You need to make it to your anniversary dinner — but you also need to wait for that important business call to come through.

If you’re using an outdated landline or another form of old-school phone communication, your only option is to stay chained to your desk and wait for the phone call to come in.

This doesn’t just mess with your work-life balance in an era where people already spend 1/3 of their lives at the office. It could also seriously impact your relationship. Your phone system just shouldn’t have this much control over your life, period.

Employee burnout (and the frequently resulting substance abuse) is a very real threat to your business. Now is the time to stop it.

When you switch to VoIP phone services, you can make and receive calls from almost anywhere. This is because the system is able to forward your work calls to your personal smartphone, your home phone, or anywhere else you choose.

VoIP services also make it easy to install multiple phone lines within your office. This way, you won’t have to worry about keeping lines clear. This will lower stress levels and seriously increase productivity.

3. The Best VoIP Phone Systems Offer Excellent Features

When you’re choosing between potential VoIP phone systems, make sure that you take a look at the available features.

You can get features like call and voicemail transcripts, automatic call distribution, and even voice recognition. You can also opt for features that are specifically geared towards conference call use. For example, the right system will be able to send reminders to conference call participants.

This way, you won’t have to hear anyone’s excuses when it comes “forgetting” about a conference call ever again.

Looking to learn a bit more about the kinds of features that might be available to you when you make the switch to a VoIP phone service? One Ring Networks can help you to figure out which features you can’t do without, and which ones you can add on later as your business grows.

The scalability of a VoIP phone system is, after all, one of the most valuable things about it. No more paying for features you don’t need or won’t use.

4. Calls Are Clearer with VoIP

You’re on the phone with one of your biggest clients, halfway through what’s easily one of your most important pitches of the year. So far, you think things are going pretty well.

You’re just about to begin the closing process, when all of a sudden, you hear static feedback over your line. Then, the phone starts clicking, and before you know it, you’ve lost your connection with your client.

You try to get them on the phone again — but they don’t answer.

Your outdated phone service didn’t just cost you time. It also caused you to lose a deal, and likely made one of your biggest clients question your company’s professionalism.

Avoid this costly and seriously frustrating experience by switching to a VoIP phone system.

You’ll enjoy not just clearer and static-free communication, but also a much lower overall rate of dropped calls.

Ready to Make the Switch to a VoIP Phone System?

Whether you’re tired of losing business due to dropped calls, or if you just want to find ways to increase your bottom line, making the switch to a VoIP phone system is always the right call.

We also hope that you’ve learned about the features and benefits that the best VoIP phone systems can offer you.

Of course, the truth is that finding the right phone system is far from the only step you need to take to increase employee productivity and close bigger deals.

You’ll also need to think about how your office space encourages productivity, ideas for employee recognition, and even how your digital marketing strategy can win you more customers.

We’re here to help you figure all that out — and more.

Bookmark our blog so that you never miss a piece of our invaluable advice.

 

Filed Under: Business

7 Insanely Awesome Advantages of Investing in a Turnkey Rental Property

October 18, 2018 by Jarred

Are you thinking about investing in a turnkey rental property? If so, read on to learn the insanely awesome advantages of a turnkey rental property.

Many experts agree that if you’re looking to invest in real estate, it takes a solid team effort.

Very few people can make a wise investment in rental property and perform all the required tasks on their own without a little help. Having an extensive understanding and knowledge of the real estate market is critical, and not everyone has that on hand.

This is a big reason why people start looking at turnkey rental properties. Maybe you’ve heard whispers about its ease of access and high returns.

If so, then we’ve got seven advantages of a turnkey rental property for you to check out here!

What is a Turnkey Rental Property?

Just as the name implies, turnkey properties are homes or apartment buildings that are fully renovated and ready for a tenant. Hence, the term “turnkey,” because the key is ready to be turned.

Turnkey investments involve investors who want to purchase properties, renovate them (or have them renovated), find tenants, and then have the property managed.

Often, turnkey rental properties can be fully managed through a company designed to do just that.

This option of investment is usually incredibly appealing for people who want to dip their toes into real estate without having to perform much of the time-consuming tasks.

So, let’s dive straight into the advantages a turnkey rental.

#1. Takes Very Little Effort on Your Part

One of the biggest advantages to a turnkey rental property and the reason why many people end up choosing it is for how easy it is.

A turnkey investment is a streamlined process that is often managed by a company.

Normally, when you invest in a property there are a number of things you need to do:

  • Research the market
  • Find the property
  • Purchase the property
  • Renovate the property if necessary
  • Screen tenants
  • Manage the property

It’s pretty much a dedicated job from beginning to end!

Not everyone has that kind of time or freedom, which is why a turnkey rental property is so appealing. A turnkey company can help you get started on your investment with very little effort on your end.

#2. Benefit From a Wide Knowledge Base

When you choose turnkey investments through a provider company, then you’re also taking advantage of the knowledge and networking connections they have.

Do you know where the best real estate investments are? Do you know how much they’ll cost, what the returns will be like, or when you’ll see them?

Maybe not. And that’s exactly why you want to pull from other people’s expertise.

So, for example, if you’re the kind of person finding yourself asking questions like, “Is it a good idea to buy a foreclosed home?” then there’s a good chance turnkey is for you.

#3. You Don’t Need to Live Near the Property

Maybe living near your investment property isn’t such a big deal. Maybe you were already intent on investing in property near where you live anyway!

The good news, though, is that a turnkey rental property doesn’t require you to live near the property.

This means you could be living in Florida and investing in real estate in Wyoming for all anyone cares.

It’s an important advantage, because the best investments may not be near where you live. And generally, if you were investing entirely on your own, it’s a very smart idea to live close by. You need to be available and on-call for inspections, repairs, meeting with tenants, etc.

As a turnkey investor, you don’t need to do any of that. The company finds the best investment wherever it may be and helps get you to where you’re going.

#4. Get Cash Right Away

As we’ve already covered, investing in turnkey properties is a very streamlined process.

The company has most likely found a suitable property in your price range and can have it all lined up rather quickly.

This means you can get to the returns on your investment for a passive income sooner rather than later.

#5. Diversify Your Portfolio

It’s one thing you may hear a lot of people say off-handedly: “Make sure you diversify your portfolio!”

Basically, diversification means that you invest in more than one area and/or by more than one means to reduce your risk.

It’s risky putting all your eggs in one basket (another thing people say), so investing in turnkey rental properties is another way to mitigate risk.

#6. Repairs Are Done “In-House”

Purchasing a property is only half the battle. Repairs and upkeep are not only time consuming but costly, as well.

One great thing about turnkey rental properties is that they often come with warranties. Just like almost anything you’d buy, a company often provides some kind of warranty for some timeframe. Meaning, at the beginning of your investment, repair costs are often covered and done for you.

Even after a warranty expires, many turnkey providers will offer to do the repairs with their own contractors, making the whole process easy and convenient.

#7. Tax Breaks and Deductions

A big draw for a lot of people with turnkey investments are the tax breaks and deductions.

Investors can reduce income tax by writing off many things from their investment, including:

  • Repairs
  • Maintenance
  • Mortgage interest
  • Property management fees
  • etc.

There are a lot of aspects to investing in a turnkey rental which can help with taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does have specific guidelines on this, though, so it’s important to read up on some of their real estate tax tips.

To top it off, profits are not taxed until the property has been sold. This means that if you’ve purchased a property for $200,000 and it has appreciated to $300,000 before selling, then that $100,000 is tax-free!

Honing in on the Advantages of Turnkey

You may be interested in a turnkey rental property investment but are hesitant. You may be asking yourself, “What does it mean? How much will it cost? What will I need to do?”

Hopefully, we’ve answered some of those questions today and shown you some of best advantages of turnkey investment.

If you’re interested in purchasing a home in a new city, check out this blog post here for more info!

 

Filed Under: Business

Increasing Sales Coming Up To The Holiday Season

October 15, 2018 by Jarred

Shopping Mall, Woman, Shopping, Store, Retail, Center

For many companies covering a wide array of industries, the holiday season is the busiest time of year where sales are increased massively. To be able to get the most out of this time of year, it is essential that companies plan in advance, and start their holiday season advertising campaigns early. There are a variety of different mediums that you can use, and some of the most effective forms are advertising are listed below. The best choice for your business will all depend on your budget and your target audience.

TV Advertising

If your target audience is across the country, then advertising on television may be a good option for your business. It is essential to stand out from the crowd and create a memorable advert. John Lewis is a company that is known for making great Christmas adverts, and you can see some of their best ones listed on the telegraph.co.uk website. The one drawback with this form of advertising is that it can cost a lot of money to not only produce the advert but also to get it in front of your target audience.

Radio Advertising

Advertising on the radio is another form of advertising that is popular, and just with television, it is essential to create an advert that listeners will remember. Making a good advert for radio also takes a lot of creativity, as you cannot use any visual stimulation to gain attention. Repetition of crucial information is essential, but you also want to make it catchy but not annoying. You do not want your listeners to remember your company for the wrong reasons!

Billboard & Poster Advertising

Times Square, New York, City, Nyc, Crowd, Busy, Traffic

Another popular form of advertising which is excellent to target specific locations is poster and billboard advertising. If your business happens to be in Australia, check out the quality billboard advertising in Brisbane by Bishopp. You can have your advert placed in strategic locations that have a lot of passing traffic. Creating a striking advert will draw attention, and if placed in the correct area with high amounts of traffic, repeatedly passing by the billboards or posters will enforce your brand to potential customers. You could also move away from the traditional billboards and consider a video screen advertisement, although this may be significantly more expensive.

Online Advertising

Online advertising can be a lot trickier than other forms of advertising due to the competition. You can use the services of an SEO company to boost the presence of your website in search engine rankings, or you can do paid advertising with companies such as Google and Bing. If you are looking to optimise for the organic listings in the search engine, you need to realise that this can take some time to achieve rankings, so you need to start this form of advertising earlier than the others that have been mentioned.

Many other forms of advertising may work for your business such as distributing leaflets and flyers, email marketing, as well as sponsoring events. There is not one solution that works for every business, so sometimes it may require some experimentation to find the most suitable form for your company. Make sure that you plan early whatever medium you use to advertise to ensure that you maximise sales at this busiest time of the year.

Filed Under: Business

What You Should (and Shouldn’t!) Do with Your Year-End Bonus

October 10, 2018 by Jarred

There is no greater feeling than getting that year-end bonus after 365 days of hard work. But you’ve to make sure you’re using that money smartly. Here’s how

This year, holiday bonuses are going up by an average of 66 percent. As many as 63% of employers will be adding a little bow on their employee’s checks. That’s a lot of extra dough, which I’m sure for some who are strapped will go straight to x-mas gifts.

For those who can reinvest that money, you shouldn’t hesitate to do so. It’s a bad idea to give in to temptations that you’ll end up regretting. These are some examples of what to do and what not to do with year-end bonuses.

What You Should Do

You need to extract the most value out of that year-end bonus, here’s how:

1. Throw it in Your 401(k)

The most common investment is your 401(k) retirement plan. It appears right on any payroll check template, showing exactly what you put in. Go ahead and juice it up and make it a habit of increasing your contributions. Future-you is going to be proud.

2. Consider a Roth IRA

Step up to a bigger and better retirement savings plan, a Roth IRA. This should be your primary retirement fun, with your 401(k) as back-up. The biggest example of 401(k) uncertainty is what happenedduring the recession of 2009.

3. Take Care of Debts

Paying off debt isn’t a glamorous use of a yearly bonus, but it is vital. The more accounts that you can bring to good standing, the better your credit rating and more opportunities you’ll have in the future to invest.

4. Have a Plan “B” Fund

Saving for retirement should always take precedence over everything unless you don’t have an emergency fund. Many people make the mistake of ignoring the recommended 3-6 month emergency fund. This is to cover natural disasters, layoffs, loss of vehicle, or anything that can put your life on hold.

What Not to Do

1. Gamble It

Gambling with your year-end bonus is not smart, no matter how it’s done. Taking it to the casino, dog tracks, fantasy sports bets, or dumping it into a stock like Bitcoin is bad value. You have to build a lifestyle with more control over your odds and better return for your money.

That’s why retirement funds are so important. Once you get a taste of contribution-matching and high yields, you don’t go back.

2. Buy Electronics

Again, unless you have no money for Christmas, at all, don’t go buying electronics. The depreciation rate on these luxury items is horrible. You’re likely to lose half that investment by the next year.

There are some exceptions to the rule, but you have to shop smart and ahead of fads.

3. Give it Away

Being charitable during the holidays is great, we’re not discouraging that. However, try to avoid going over-the-top by writing your own Secret Santa story of infamy, a braggadocious present, or a charity that doesn’t need it. We’re looking at you, Salvation Army, Red Cross, and United Way.

Be Smart With Your Year-End Bonus

Pick up that 1-UP mushroom in real life by being smart with your year-end bonus. That extra $1-2 thousand can turn into $10-20 thousand if you play your cards right. If you start doing this as early into your professional career as possible, you’ll be one of those 40-somethings who can retire early.

If you’re looking for more tips like these to upgrade your life, check out We Are Augustine’s business column.

 

Filed Under: Business

Simple Fixes and Changes: How to Make Your Property More Profitable

October 1, 2018 by Jarred

If you’re looking to improve your home’s value on the market, it doesn’t hurt to give it a little extra weight and gravitas by doing a few renovations here and there. Remodelling your house can be a challenging task, but it can be gratifying to fix your home from top to bottom. Here are a few home improvement tips that are sure to make your home the envy of the housing market.

Changing the colour palette

A smart way to expand your home’s surface area is by changing its colours. Don’t believe me? Try turning your room’s palette into lighter hues, and you’ll see the effect almost immediately. Dark tones often make the room smaller. Stay away from darker colours especially if you’re painting the interior of the house.

Improving the flooring, inside and out

Hardwood is very expensive to install and would take weeks before you could start working on your upper floors. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, vinyl flooring could be the right choice to make. Vinyl flooring comes in sheets and isexcellent for insulation inside the home. Not only do they come in various colours and textures, but they’re also cheaper than the flooring that they imitate. From marble to mahogany, they are easy to install and easy to maintain and clean.

Hiring commercial paving experts can give you the best value for your money if you’re looking to improve your home. If you’re looking for a great way to stylize your outdoors, you could opt to choose marble or concrete, but there are other options as well. Choosing resin-bound paving could be one of the smartest decisions you’ll make. Not only does it make your home safe from flooding, but it also comes in different tints that can put an accent on your interior’s colour palette together with your outdoor landscape design.

Furnishing to stay in style

It’s a bold move to sell your house fully equipped with furniture, but it’s a great way to entice a potential buyer with minimalist furniture. Not only does it look pretty and compact, but it also makes use of small spaces. Having stackable drawers and chairs can make a room feel much broader while still having room for valuables.

Widening your spaces

Emphasise your windows and doorways. Consider if your house faces the sunrise in the right direction so that you can plan where to place areas where natural light can come through. Installing windows or glass panels in those areas are great ways to make use of natural light to expand your room’s depth.

If you don’t have the liberty of having spacious enough hallways or bedrooms, now might be the time to widen your spaces and to reduce your walls. Potential buyers are more attracted to wide open spaces, especially in the bathroom and kitchen areas. If you can make the most out of it, be sure to give a much-needed adjustment to areas that have a lot of foot traffic.

Filed Under: Business

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