RESPA: The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) is a consumer protection statute, first passed in 1974. One of its purposes is to help consumers become better shoppers for settlement services. Another purpose is to eliminate kickbacks and referral fees that increase unnecessarily the costs of ... more...

Purchasing Land: What To Look For
It doesn't take long to realize that finding the right piece of property is the most important aspect of new home construction. In a development, restrictions and easements have already been sorted out, but if you are looking for a stand-alone piece of vacant land, you're on your own. Here are ... more...

Investing in Residential Real Estate: Achieving Positive Cash Flow
When investing in real estate, it is highly desirable to achieve positive cash flow on a month-to-month basis. This is true even if you are counting on property value appreciation to supply the bulk of your desired return on investment. If you are losing money month-to-month, you may find all of ... more...

Legalities & Tax Advantages In A Home Business
Every year, several thousand people develop an interest in "going into business." Many of these people have an idea, a product or a service they hope to promote into an income producing business which they can operate from their homes.If you are one of these people, here are some practical ... more...

FTC Names Dirty Dozen Email Scams
The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for issuing and enforcing rules for consumer issues on the Internet. As part of this process, the FTC has published a list of the 12 scams you are most likely to receive as email.The Dirty Dozen ScamsThe "dirty dozen" are:1. Business opportunitiesThese ... more...

Why Do Realtors Advertise Your Home in Print,on the Radio, on Television, etc.?
Why Do Realtors Advertise Your Home in Print,on the Radio, on Television, etc.?Realtors represent a huge part of the national advertising expenditure each year in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. Every seller would like to see their home in a large, impressive ad. The seller wants the ... more...

Five Reasons for Tenants to Buy Instead of Renting - An Economic Perspective
If you are presently a Tenant anywhere in North America, before you plan to remain a Tenant you should read this Article. There are several good reasons for ownership to prevail over tenancy and the real estate profession is littered with extremely clever pointers as to why Tenants should buy - and ... more...

10 Home Purchase Abroad Tips For Success
Are you seeking your little corner of sun drenched heaven on earth? If you are youre certainly not alone!Many Northern Europeans, Americans and Canadians are looking overseas for investment real estate or for a holiday bolt hole and if youre considering buying a second home in the sun, a home from ... more...

Opt-In Email to Increase Website Traffic and Boost Online Sales
Sending messages and information to people who have given you permission to contact them is a great way to build the kind of relationships that will encourage a steady flow of traffic to your website... and greatly increase your online sales!All online businesses can benefit from having an opt-in ... more...

50 Surefire Business Card Tips
Business cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains ... more...

7 Pitfalls of Using Email to Sell
* Are you sending e-mails to prospects instead of calling them?* Is e-mail your selling medium of choice because it lets you avoid the rejection that you dread when you make real cold calls?* Do you wait and wait for return e-mails from prospects that will give you the green light to move the sales ... more...

Making it affordable: Nine tips for first time home buyers
It seems that everyone loves a good real estate story. The media is filled with reports about soaring property values and home owners of modest means becoming instant millionaires when they sell. As a result, many first time home buyers, afraid of missing out, will rush into buying decisions and ... more...