Writing Library

5 Things To Know Before Flipping A Property by Tim Herndon

When flipping a property, your money is made when you buy, not sell, the property. Many times people buy a house with the intensions of making a huge profit, only to find out they could not make any money. After all of the renovations, there was not profit because the purchase price of the house was too high. When you purchase a property, you need to be sure that you buy the house with enough money left over to make renovations, have carrying costs, and add your profit. Most mistakes, while flipping a property, are made at the time of purchase of the house, not the sell.

Make sure to get an inspection on the home. By spending a few hundred dollars, you can save yourself thousands in expenses. Things such as the foundation, pest problems (termites), wood rot, electrical issues, and plumbing can cost you big money to repair. By getting a full inspection, you can rest assured that you know what is wrong with property before it is too late. When you write a contract for the house, you need to stipulate that you have 7 days to have an inspection performed. If the inspection finds problems that are going to cost more money than you are willing to spend, make sure you can get out of the contract with no penalties. This is very important when flipping a property.

Don't do the work yourself. Hire a contractor or several sub-contractors, and have the work done quickly. Your goal in flipping a property is to finish ASAP, so you want to get it on the market and get it sold fast. When I started to flip properties, I started by trying to do the majority of the work myself. I knew a lot about cosmetic remodeling and minor construction, and figured it would save thousands to put that knowledge to use. However, it took over 3 months to get all the work done that a contractor could have completed in 1 month. By doing the work myself, it took too long and it was exhausting. On my next flip, I used contractors for almost everything, and had the house sold less than 45 days. This included a new roof, new air conditioning, new hardwood, and much more. I did not have to spend all my time working on the property and was able to spend that time looking for the next deal. This is how you make a lot of money flipping a property. To reiterate the point, your goal should be to have the house renovated in less than 30 days.

Price the property 3-8% percent below market value, if you are retailing the property. Your goal is to buy and sell a property as quickly as possible, ensuring that you move on to the next deal. If you purchase a house and try to sell it at top dollar just to make a couple of extra thousand on your flip and end up holding it for 6 months or longer, you are losing money. Get your house on the market at a price that will blow your competition away, and you will sell it regardless of market conditions.

I remember times when I was told that "flipping a property in this market in this market was impossible", but I did it anyway. After three weeks on the market, I had several people that wanted to buy the house. Why? Because it was such a great deal that people jumped all over it. Pricing the property right is the key, especially if the market is slow.

It's okay to use a real estate agent when flipping a property, especially if it's a retail sale. Do not try to sell the property alone, unless it's a wholesale deal. In that case you would just use you database of cash buyers. Harness the power the power of the MLS system. When you do a FSBO (For Sale By Owner), you are depending on people driving by your house and seeing your sign. I have relationships with several agents in my area and they will do listings for a flat fee, plus 3%, if they sell the property. This is called a non-exclusive listing and gives me the right to market and sell the property too. I have found that Craigslist works well and listing your house with Google Adwords helps too. I use these tools, but always with the help of an agent to make sure I have all my bases covered. After all I can't sit around waiting, and hope the property sells. Once again, this will free up more time for you to look for more great deals.

real estate per diem

I hope this article has been helpful in showing you the basic needs of flipping a property. If you are willing to study and learn, you will make money. Do your homework before purchasing a property to insure you make a profit on your deal. Then, go out and make it happen!

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_11792.shtml

https://realtytech.com/real-estate-marketing/

Real Estate Websites: Understanding Lead Generation & Conversion

How are you generating your real estate leads today? In the past many agents have relied on Craigslist for all of their real estate lead generation needs. However, with them no longer allowing hyperlinks and thus taking the power away from many auto posters, where do you turn? Sure, you may still get some leads trickling through from your posting efforts, but for the most part, the free ride is over and you need to explore other options.

appointment setting

The answer for many agents is a quality, high converting real estate website (and an appropriate SEO/PPC budget for lead generation). When selecting a real estate website provider, you need to do your research to find out how well the site converts and what kind of back end is provided for you to work the leads from. Capturing the lead is only part of the equation - you need a state of the art back end to work the leads all the way through closing. In addition, decide whether you are looking for only buyer leads, or seller leads, too. If you want both, you'll need to invest in multiple real estate websites (ideally all leads will flow into the same back end to make you a more efficient agent) that are able to capture both types of leads.

targeted lead generation

The top agents out there have multiple sources of leads. Not only do they rely upon real estate lead generation websites, but they also have leads coming in from sources like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Homes.com, Proquest, Telecapture, and the list goes on. What do you do with those leads once you receive them? Jot them down on a spreadsheet? Talk about wasting money. You need a real estate website with an automatic email parser (aka a steel trap) to get all of your leads into 1 system where you can work them from.

Lead generation is one of the main factors that separates an average agent from a top agent. If you want to dominate your local market and be the top agent around, you need to beat all of the other agents when it comes to lead generation and lead conversion. Remember, don't look at real estate websites as a cost - look at them as an investment in yourself and in your business that will allow you to take your business to levels you never imagined.

-Stephen Thiele, Positioning4Profits

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1075166

https://www.paradym.com/blog/15-essential-marketing-videos-every-real-estate-agent-create/

Real Estate :: When to Call Agents During the Home Buying Process

Lots of folks decide to get an agent when they are in the market to buy a house. Having an agent is a more efficient way to work the system, get in touch with sellers, and give them recommendation on the various things that they can do in order to make the home purchasing process simpler. However, a few people also wish to be pro-active about finding a house, which results to them asking the question "should I call my agent?" A very relevant question since your agent is not always with you 24/7, and some people don't want to call their agent often, thinking that it may inconvenience them somehow.

Let's say that you're proactively looking for Miami houses for sale with you agent, and one afternoon while you are driving thru a neighborhood you find one Miami property for sale. It was not a planned thing, you simply saw a "For Sale" sign or an open house sign outside of a home that you suspect may be inside your resources. You like the curb appeal of the house a lot and you want to go in and check out whether you like the place or not.

The general rule for real estate agents is that whoever sells the house gets the commission. Agents make a living out of commissions, unless they get clients who arrange to pay them aside from the commission they will get. If you have been working with a property agent throughout your home search and you finish up buying a property because you were aided by a different agent, this suggests that the agent you have been working with will end up without a commission and won't be lead sales compensated for his / her efforts. Your agent may have to go thru the hassle of disputing the claim for commission.

real estate agencies

housing for sale

It's comprehensible that often taking a look at a house might be a heat of the moment thing. When you chance to find yourself in this kind of situation, try calling your agent first and more frequently than not, he or she will be very keen to rendezvous with you and accompany you in viewing the house. If you want to go to an "open house" event and your agent can't come with you, you can still go, of course, provided that you make it obvious from the start that you are already being represented by an agent. You will most probably be approached by the host of the open house. Give your agent's business card to him / her, sign your name in the guestbook and sign your agent's name beside yours. When agents come up to you to strike up a conversation, don't let the conversation carry on without making it clear you're already represented by another agent and that you're just there to take a look at the house.

Agents are in the business of service, which implies that they need to be able to address your requirements in the most effective way achievable. It's also in their own interest if they'll be able to do this. A happy client will refer them to other friends, and agents thrive on positive referrals. If you have hired an agent, let him/her do their job. You'll find that looking for a home will be a lot faster and less complicated this way. Not to mention that you'd wish to correctly compensate the person who helped you search for a place. Unless you are dissatisfied with his/her service, this is thought of as the ethical action to take.

http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051332212-1-when-to-call-agents-during-the-home-buying-process/

https://www.inman.com/category/marketing/

Real Estate Market Weak And Strong Areas

You want to know whether the market is strong if you are buying or selling real estate. Having such information lets you know how flexible you need to be in offers.

Sales have slowed for large parts of the east and west coasts for sellers. Good news for buyers there. On the other hand, sales are picking up in parts of the interior of our country. A cheerful note for sellers. Lets look at what is happening, why and what it means to you.

A lot of things affect market strength, but some more than others. Is employment strong in your area? Are there jobs available that pay well? Plentiful jobs that pay well help to strengthen the real estate market.

Is there a high inventory of newly built, but unsold, housing in your area? Has this inventory been increasing or decreasing? Sales tend to slow and prices decrease when inventory is very high. This often happens when prices have moved above what average families in an area can afford.

Where Home Inventories Are High

In Washington, D.C., Miami, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona inventories of new unsold housing have increased greatly in the last twelve months. Those markets tend to be better for buyers than in the recent past.

Where Home Inventories Are Low

In Texas, Dallas and Houston have very low housing inventory increases and a good employment picture. Prices are increasing there. Families are buying homes. Investors are scouting out the area and buying, too. This has created a situation that is very helpful to sellers, which is somewhat ironic given that Texas generally missed out on the housing boom of the last six years.

Whats Going On In Your Market

How do you figure out what the market is like in your area? Read the local news paper. Are there price reduced or buy now before the next price increase phrases in ads for homes being sold? Are there stories about lay-offs or about new employers coming to town? Call your local builders association, realtors association, Chamber of Commerce. Ask lots of questions about the number of unsold houses today as compared with the number a year ago. Ask the Chamber of Commerce about employers coming to town or leaving. Visit models in new communities and ask lots of questions there, too.

boston real estate

You will soon have your own opinion about what is going on in the part of the country in which you want to buy or sell. Your strategy needs to be adjusted to the strength of your position as a buyer or seller. Understanding the market you will be dealing in is a good place to start.

By: Raynor

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Raynor James is with the FSBO site - FSBOAmerica.org - homes for sale by owner.

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Real-Estate-Market-Weak-and-Strong-Areas/40980

Business & Financial News, U.S & International Breaking News

The destruction that heavy rain and floods from Hurricane Harvey could inflict on Texas would add to the pile of debt owed by a federal flood insurance program that is due to expire in September, advocacy groups said.

chris curry listing funnels reviews

Aug 25 2017

Canadian construction company Aecon Group Inc said on Friday it had engaged two financial advisers to explore a potential sale of the company, sending its shares up as much as 26.7 percent.

Aug 25 2017

OTTAWA The sharp reversal in Toronto's home prices has thrown Canada's biggest property market into chaos, with scores of buyers suddenly short of money and desperate to get out of deals that looked good just a few months ago.

Aug 25 2017

SAN FRANCISCO Affordable housing advocates are closely watching a package of bills currently under consideration by California lawmakers that would invest billions of dollars in helping to alleviate the state's severe housing crisis.

Aug 25 2017

lead generation marketing

TORONTO Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce said on Thursday it was prepared to keep expanding its market share in mortgages, shrugging off concerns over a possible sharp fall in house prices which have prompted rivals to curb lending to homebuyers.

Aug 24 2017

WASHINGTON U.S. home resales unexpectedly fell in July to an 11-month low as a chronic shortage of properties boosted prices, the latest sign that the housing market recovery was slowing.

Aug 24 2017

WASHINGTON U.S. home resales unexpectedly fell in July to their lowest monthly level of the year due to a lack of properties for sale, which also continued to push up prices.

Aug 24 2017

Zillow Group Inc on Wednesday won the dismissal of a federal lawsuit in Chicago challenging the accuracy of the online real estate website's 'Zestimate' tool for estimating U.S. home values.

Aug 23 2017

WASHINGTON New U.S. single-family home sales unexpectedly fell in July, dropping to their lowest in seven months amid a surge in prices, raising concerns of a slowdown in the housing market recovery.

Aug 23 2017

https://www.reuters.com/subjects/housing-market

https://www.inman.com/2015/10/21/10-real-estate-marketing-trends-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2016/

Listing your home? Check out the latest real estate buzzwords

Winter is considered "off season" in the real estate world, but that doesn't mean that buyers aren't still out there. Even in December, when everybody was busy racing around to get ready for the holidays, the number of home sales -- including existing homes, foreclosure resales and new home sales -- was 8.7 percent higher than in the same month in 2011.

One way to make your home stand out from others during the winter doldrums is to choose words that jump out at potential home buyers when they're searching through real estate listings.

Desirable features vary depending on price and city, but there are a few universally golden terms at the moment. Daniel Beer, a real estate agent and marketing expert in San Diego, says "open floor plan" and "downstairs master" are popular features everywhere.

"A downstairs master bedroom has long been standard in luxury homes," Beer said. "But now that requirement has moved down into the middle market, and home builders are responding." He says this is especially true among aging baby boomers, who are now focusing on smaller homes with fewer levels and fewer, if any, stairs.

Similarly, the "walkability" of a neighborhood is rising in stature. Green terms such as "solar" and "energy efficient" are red hot. "Low HOA fee" continues to be a popular term in listings all over the U.S. because an estimated 63.4 million -- and counting -- Americans live under the governance of homeowners associations.

On a more local level, the term "No Mello-Roos" is a welcome phrase in California because it means that a particular property is not subject to a special property tax that's often levied in newer communities to pay for parks, roads and other infrastructure. In coastal Southern California "new construction" jumps out because there is currently so little of it while demand is strong.

Seeing the light

"Light and bright" or words to that effect are huge in Manhattan. "I can't stress enough how important lighting is in New York," Leslie Lazarus, an agent with DJK Residential, told the Wall Street Journal. Lighting isn't as important, of course, in a fair-weather city such as Miami, but a "sunny breakfast room" or nook seems to appeal to people everywhere.

http://www.itbusinessnet.com/article/Real-Estate-Marketing-Experts-Reveal-Simple-Tactics-for-Generating-Quality-Real-Estate-Leads-5107249

Being as specific as possible with adjectives tends to result in higher sale prices, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Instead of "wood floors," for example, say "oak floors." How about "stainless" and "granite"? Not so hot anymore or even necessary: Those are givens these days if you've noted that your kitchen has been "updated," says Beer, who pointed out that "updated" is a word that always gets attention. Stainless may not be king much longer anyway, according to Beer. A current hot buzzword in design material, he says, is "Caesarstone," which is high-quality quartz.

Dropping high-end appliance brand names continues to be an effective "look-at-me!" lure. The biggies are still Sub-Zero, Viking, Bosch and G.E. Monogram, and "anybody considered a chef will demand a kitchen with a Wolf range," Beer said.

In the bathroom, the coolest brand name is now Toto. "Actually, it has become the Sub-Zero of the toilet world," Leonard Steinberg, managing director of Douglas Elliman in New York, recently told the New York Times.

Be cautious with the 'F' word

People tense up when they see the word "fixer," and readers often translate the term "investor," as in "investor special," as "needs lots of work" (use "income property" instead, Beer counsels). "The mood of the market right now is for a 'turn-key' or 'move-in-ready' property," Beer said.

At times, however, a term like "needs work" is advantageous. First-time buyers are often looking for a fixer-upper in a desirable neighborhood or coveted school district in which they would otherwise be priced out.

Buyers are often put off by hardcore sales lingo such as "Hurry, won't last!" Some phrases have been so overused that they now put buyers to sleep. "Gourmet kitchen" and "luxury bath" are in that category. And the word "rare" is anything but rare in real estate listings -- "rare jewel," "rare opportunity."

Be careful with vague superlatives, too. Some people believe "charming" means "small." Others consider "classic" a euphemism for "completely out of date."

Finally, Laura Lothian, a Pacific Sotheby's agent in La Mesa, CA, says she has seen the words "open house" more and more frequently in listings all over the U.S.

"It's a trend I love," she said. "People are having more open houses, and those open houses are attracting bigger crowds." She speculates that there are two reasons behind this trend. Most real estate photos are now taken by professional photographers, she says, so photos are looking more and more alike. Images can be easily "enhanced," so people want to get a more realistic look at a place with the electric wires in place and without a Technicolor blue sky.

The second reason open houses are increasing in popularity, Lothian believes, is that people are getting antsy about spending so much of their social lives online in places such as Facebook. "They want to connect with real flesh!"

Related:

Click to view original post.

http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2013/02/10/listing-your-home-check-out-latest-real-estate-buzzwords.html

Houses, Condos, and Apartments

How to Become a Realtor in Texasby Sydney Spence4 months ago

Texas is growing faster than ever as more and more people move to the state. Ask yourself where they will live and how to get your real estate license in Texas to make a profit from the growth.

Buying a Mobile Home on a Holiday Park?by Christine Baughen3 months ago

You've seen the photos of the sleek, warm, modern mobile homes. You've spent a weekend at the park. The salesman turned out to be your best friend. DO NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT!

How to Make Noise Complaints About Your Noisy Neighboursby Sylvia Leong8 months ago

Noisy Neighbours? Studies have shown that residential noise causes significant stress resulting in migraines, depression & psychological disorders. Here's how to pursue your quest for quiet!

How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! All the Tricks of Home Selling!!!by Nancy McClintock15 months ago

How to sell your home and get the most you can. Includes staging,cleaning, picking a realtor, pricing, showing your home, advertising mistakes to avoid. When to sell and for how much and so much more

Prayer to St Joseph | Sell My Houseby jellygator16 months ago

Some swear that a prayer to St. Joseph can help get their house sold. Will it help you? Learn about this practice, its history, and how to use it if you want to test it for yourself.

housing for sale

Finding and Solving Real Estate Problemsby Stephen Bush17 months ago

The ability to find and solve real estate problems should not be ignored by anyone investing in real estate or working as a real estate professional.

Home Buying Tips and Advice: How To Buy a Houseby John Coviello8 months ago

There are a number of important considerations and tasks that must be completed as part of the home buying process. Learn home buying tips and advice that will save you time in effort buying a home.

How to Sell Your House / Home "Rent to Own" Without A Lawyer or Realtorby Tammy4 years ago

An indepth tutorial on how to sell your home quickly as a rent to own from staging to closing as well as benefits of a rent to own contract.

House Drawing Plans for Modest But Elegant Small Home Designsby viryabo3 months ago

Now that you have decided to downsize and are now ready to build a smaller home; cut out architect's fees . . . go the less expensive way; save thousands of dollars and get your house plans online.

Mobile Home Ownership - The Lifestyle of Owners Who Live in Mobile Home Parksby Marlene Bertrand13 months ago

People own mobile homes for many reasons. Whether what is lead generation buying for temporary or permanent residence, there are pros and cons to owning a home in a mobile home park.

http://hubpages.com/living/real-estate/3363

The 10 best real estate markets in 2017

free real estate leads for agents

Skyrocketing housing prices in San Francisco and New York have created headaches for many of their residents, pushing rents and mortgages to unaffordable levels.

But when it comes to expectations for 2017, those once-hot markets may be cooling off. Real estate services company Zillow projects that three of the five largest U.S. cities will have below-average growth this year. Instead, the real estate markets that may experience the greatest price appreciation are mostly located far from the coasts and represent midsize metropolitan areas.

While American home prices have recovered to their precrisis levels, not all regions and types of housing have rebounded to the same extent. Homes valued below $100,000 have appreciated almost 10 percent in value from 2000, while those in the $500,000 to $1 million range have more than doubled.

The regions that benefited from the sharpest recovery in home prices are the West and South. This year, cities in those regions are also likely to see above-average housing gains, although the spoils will be enjoyed by some mid-tier cities.

Zillow said it based its forecasts on a combination of quickly rising home values, low unemployment rates and strong income growth. "Zillow's 2017 list highlights that jobs and opportunities are increasingly growing in smaller markets away from the coasts," said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell in a statement.

Across the U.S., home values are expected to rise 3 percent this year. Only two of the five largest American cities are forecast to experience above-average gains: New York, where prices will rise 3.6 percent, and Houston, at 3.3 percent.

Los Angeles, the second-largest U.S. city, will see home prices rise 1.5 percent, while No. 3 Chicago will experience 2.9 percent appreciation. Home prices in Philadelphia, the fifth-largest city, will rise 2.8 percent. New York and Houston are the largest and fourth-largest U.S. cities by population.

Read on to learn about the 10 hottest U.S. real estate markets for 2017.

https://www.cbsnews.com/media/the-10-hottest-real-estate-markets-in-2017/

How Real Estate, Derivatives and excessive leverage caused the financial crisis

REF has received 10 million dollars, which it lends to various borrowers, and earns interest. From the interest thus earned, REF pays its interest obligation to Bank A. The properties against which home loans are issued by REF are mortgaged with itself, as security.

Instrument 2

Credit Default Swaps (CDS)

As the Investment Bank, Bank A, has taken an exposure on the issuer of Bonds i.e. REF by buying the bonds, there is a possibility that when the time to repay the bond, or payment of interest comes, REF may default in the payment. Hence to protect against the risk of default Bank A purchases an instrument known as a Credit Default Swap from another investment Bank (MMI). Bank A pays a stream of premium payments to MMI, who in turn promises to indemnify Bank A if REF defaults. Bank A buys protection by paying a regular premium, while MMI sells protection by receiving regular premiums, with the Bonds issued by REF as the Reference Asset.

Protects against default Risk of REF

Provides regular Premium to receive protection

Note: In case REF does default, MMI would have to make payment to Bank A for the losses suffered by Bank A (to the extent mutually agreed by MMI and Bank A).

Instrument 3

Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDO):

Bank A is receiving continuous interest payments from REF resulting from the Bond transaction. Bank A now repackages this interest and sells in the market i.e. they create a new security based on the Assets (Bonds) that they own, repackage it and sell to investors in the form of CDOs, at a slightly lower interest rate ," thus they recover a large portion of their funds that they invested with REF through sale of the CDOs, and from the interest stream that comes from REF, Bank A can pay interest to the investors who bought the CDOs (and make a spread in between). Once this is done Bank A again has funds to repeat the whole process, i.e. again buy new bonds, repackage and sell to investors.

Pays 10M and receives 250000 per quarter@ 10% pa

Bank A repackages and creates new CDO and sells with coupon @ 9% p.a.

Investors

(buy the repackaged security and get Interest @ 9% p.a.)

Instrument 4

Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS)

REF who has lent out money to borrowers as home loans has a pool of Mortgages and a stream of interest receipts that borrowers pay to it.

REF securitizes the Mortgages that it holds and issues them to investors i.e. through a securitization process, REF converts the physical mortgages into securities (which are backed by the mortgaged property). These securities are sold to investors as MBS. Investors buy such securities and receive an interest from REF. The interest payable to investors of MBS may be less than what REF is getting from its borrowers.

REF Provided Loans and receive s Interest

REF securitizesand creates new MBS and sells with coupon @ 7% p.a.

Investors

(buy the securitized mortgages and get Interest @ 7% p.a.

Now REF realizes more money from the sale of these securities, and also makes a spread between the interest rate it receives from its Borrowers and the interest that it pays to its investors. The additional money could be used for further lending, to create more mortgage pools and reselling.

By doing so, REF not only raises more money for its operations, but also transfers the credit risk arising from the mortgages to the investors. Further, since it has more money to lend now, it tries hard to attract more borrowers, often lending to persons who may not have a good credit rating and thus not eligible to borrow.

Instrument 5

Interest Only Strips (IO):

Investors (buy IO Strips)

houses with land for sale

lead services

A derivative of the MBS that REF can issue is an IO security, whereby interest is paid to investors based on the current value of the loan collateral. High prepayment by borrowers can lead to lower returns to the investor than the actual amounts invested

Thus REF could issue IO Strips to Investors, who would get interest on their investments. The interest payments are based on the outstanding principal of the borrowers of REF. If the borrowers prepay faster, then the Principal component reduces, and hence this leads to reduction in interest payments to the investors.

Instrument 6

Principal Only Strips (PO)

Another variant of the MBS that REF can issue is a PO strip. PO strips are created by separating the principal payments from the interest payments collected from a pool of mortgage pass-through securities. The principal payments are combined, regardless of whether principal is paid early or at final maturity.

PO strips are priced and traded at a discount from par value, like zero-coupon issues, rising to par at maturity. PO strips can have high yields if prepayments are accelerated (and interest rates decline), but can have returns much lower than expected if interest rates begin rising. At worst, the return to the investor may never reach the purchase price, resulting in a loss

Investors (buy PO Strips)

REF could issue PO Strips as well to investors. Based on the repayments by the borrowers of REF, REF would repay the investors. If the borrowers repay faster than expected (prepay), then the investors who have bought the PO strips would benefit as they would get their principal much faster, and vice versa.

IO Strips and PO Strips are two sides of the same coin, whereby PO Strip holders benefit with faster repayments, while IO strip holders benefit with slower repayments.

So where is the problem?

All seems to be fine till now. Everyone seems to be gaining, and it seems to be a win-win for all parties involved ," Bank A can lend and earn interest, REF gets funds which it lends, MMI provides protection and gets premium, each of these parties resell their assets and increase their incomes, and finally the Investors have access to a wide variety of products to invest in and increase their returns.

So where is the problem, you may ask. Let us analyze this now.

Practically at each level, the funds released could (and would!) be deployed back into some instrument available in the marketplace ," either as real estate, or any conventional instruments like equities, bonds, government securities; or unconventional exotic derivatives. Hence the bubble keeps building.

We have seen how a simple transaction involving a Bond multiplied into numerous other transactions linked directly or indirectly to the original bond transaction.

This way a chain is created which consists of multiple participants dealing in various products, and as is said, the strength of the chain is as strong as the strength of the weakest link.

As a background note, let us once again remind ourselves why the property market was booming. This was because when the economy was doing well, interest rates were quite low and credit availability was easy, which resulted in more people taking loans and buying property (houses). This increased demand forced the prices to go up. As prices were increasing and everyone wanted to lend to everyone else, credit was available easily and cheaply, poor credit scores were ignored, and more and more people jumped onto this bandwagon, further driving the prices northwards. To add to this, loans were given to borrowers who typically should not have qualified for the loan given (known as sub-prime loans i.e. the credit worthiness of the borrowers was not prime). Often property was appraised at much higher value then it actually was to enable higher credit. When this finally came to light, the sub-prime bubble burst and prices of real estate nose dived. There was no credit available in the markets, and the valuations of existing homes dropped by as much as 50% and even more in many cases.

So, coming back to our discussion, now when this burgeoning market stopped its growth, demand for homes and real estate slumped. Thus REF could not deploy all the funds that it had and hence could not generate the required interest receipts to fund the interest payment to Bank A. REF may keep honoring its interest payment for some time using its accumulated profits or reserves, but eventually it may have to default, as there are no more flows or residual funds which can be used for the interest payments. To make things worse, because of the real estate market slump, property prices also start coming down. Hence investors, who had borrowed money and invested in high priced houses, now find that the value of their house is less than what they owe to the lender REF, and hence they start defaulting on the principal and interest repayments. Beyond a certain level, REF would not be able to sustain this and would have to fall (i.e. declare itself as a defaulter and/ or file for bankruptcy)

With this default, The USD 10 million that Bank A has invested in the bonds of REF is at risk. But as Bank A has taken a CDS, MMI would now have to make this USD 10 million payment to Bank A.

There are 4 possibilities here:

1. MMI has provided similar protection to many others, and there have been multiple defaults - In such a case, it is possible that because of the many defaults MMI had to honor, it is now exhausted financially and cannot honor its commitment to Bank A

2. MMI has provided similar protection to many others, and there have been multiple defaults, but MMI honors its commitment to Bank A - In such a situation, some other protection buyer will not get his loss protected, as MMI has used its finances to honor Bank A,,,s commitment, which would lead to the fall of such other protection buyer. We will ignore this scenario to take our discussion forward.

3. MMI has no other protection liability ," This would be a rare possibility, but possible only if MMI is too small to provide multiple protections, and hence it itself could fall if it honors its commitment to MMI.

4. MMI is financially strong and can manage all its commitments - For arguments,,, sake, we will ignore this possibility (which is also practical as we have seen in the current crisis, most protection sellers took a major hit)

Hence looking at scenarios 1 and 3, it is most likely that MMI cannot honor its commitment and Bank A will stand to lose the USD 10 million that it lent to REF.

Given this, there could be 2 possibilities with Bank A

1. It is financially strong and can take this hit of USD 10 million

2. It is financially not as strong (maybe because of other hits as well), and cannot take this loss of USD 10 Million.

In both the scenarios, the investors who have bought the CDOs from Bank A would suffer ," they may lose their invested amount and the interest (because CDO as a product is designed to transfer the risk from the issuer to the Investor).

Add to this the Default of Bank A, which triggers its own Tsunami as it would have multiple associations with various other participants (for example, Bank A may have provided protection to some one else, it could have sold bonds, issued equity, have commitments in the Forex markets, have exposures in the Forwards and Futures markets.) All such transactions have the possibility to fail, and counterparts may likely lose money because of this default, compounding the negative sentiment and defaults in the market.

Similarly, the investors who have bought the MBS from MMI will also suffer.

Hence this creates a chain reaction. Collapse of any one participant leads to a chain of collapses in the entire market-place. There is a compounding effect. When one participant falls, various counterparts also stand to lose. Negative sentiment and pessimism rule, which leads to more gloom in the markets, pressuring prices to fall further. This works like fuel to accelerate the vicious depression in the market, and indeed in the economy. Defaults increase, funds dry up and this keeps compounding, dragging more and more entities and investors into the black hole of crisis and bankruptcy.

Amongst all this chaos, the funds that the Financial Institutions may have deployed in the Equities and bonds markets would be sought back, by selling their holdings. This triggers another avalanche in these markets and prices fall further.

http://www.sharperagent.com/marketing-gallery/

Real Estate Leads | How To Generate Real Estate Leads

home for sale

Targeting tips for real estate leads:

Renters always have been a great target market for the real estate industry. Easily pinpoint higher-income renters who are prime candidates for home ownership.

Developing a dialogue with home owners interested in either moving up or downsizing has proven successful in generating listings. Not only can you select confirmed home owners, but you also can define your target market more specifically by considering a real estate lead's estimated available equity or property characteristics such as year built and presence of a swimming pool.

Baby boomers are influencing the housing market as they downsize, trade up and invest in second homes. To target baby boomers, you can use the year of birth demographic selection available in our consumer database to narrow your pool of real estate leads to those born between 1946 and 1964.

Predefined Mailing Lists for Real Estate Agents

Potential sellers: The key to growth in real estate is farming for future home sellers. Opening the lines of communication with promising prospects is integral to building long-term relationships.

Potential buyers: Owning a home is a dream for most renters. Reach out to these renters with open house invitations, pamphlets delineating what you need to know when you buy a home or an invitation to the next buyers' seminar you host.

pay per lead real estate

Direct-mail frequency is critical to generating real estate leads and establishing a dialogue with the home owners and/or renters in your farm area. Sending a series of post cards or letters generates more impact than sending just one mail piece. Direct-marketing professionals suggest that you send your farm area mail routinely.

The secret to generating real estate leads is to find the right audience and create a message that truly connects with them. A great way to do this is by tapping into your prospect's' lifestyle and interests.

Build a List of Real Estate Leads

http://www.experian.com/small-business/real-estate-leads.jsp

Kettering Police responding to scene after officer calls for backup

Kettering Police responding to scene after officer calls for backup | WDTN

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - Kettering Police are responding to a call from help from a fellow officer.

Crews are responding to the intersection of E. Bataan Dr. near Craig Dr. after a 'Signal 99' was issued just after 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The call for help was canceled minutes later.

Witnesses tell 2 NEWS two men and a woman were inside the vehicle when one the of the men who was armed stepped out of the van, according to area residents. Officials say the man refused to drop his gun despite orders from officers. They say when the suspect didn't listen, an officer shot him.

Witnesses tell 2 NEWS first responders performed CPR on the suspect. He was taken to Miami Valley Hospital where his condition is unknown.

The woman and other man in the vehicle were taken away in handcuffs.

two story houses for sale

2 NEWS is working to learn what prompted the chase and the condition of the suspect. Kettering Police announced they will hold a press conference Monday.

Share this:TweetEmailPrintMore

Share on Tumblr

Like this:Like Loading...

Related Posts

Youngstown police say spectators paid man in barbaric Facebook fight

Suspect shot by police Wednesday has died

Man shot in the leg in Miamisburg

Caught on cam: Cop shoots dogs

Advertisement

http://wdtn.com/2017/08/27/kettering-police-responding-to-scene-after-officer-calls-for-backup/

Real estate agent, clients find human remains during property tour

ORLANDO, Fla. - A sheriff's office says a real estate agent and clients found human remains at a property for sale in Florida.

Orlando Sentinel reports Lake County Sheriff's deputies say the remains were found Saturday in Groveland. Sheriff's Lt. John Herrell says investigators responded to the home after receiving a call shortly before 6 p.m.

Detectives could not fully investigate with the impeding darkness, so a deputy stood guard overnight until they could continue working Sunday morning. The Sheriff's Office did not disclose further information.

The Sentinel reports property records indicate the nearly 5-acre property on Douglas Road north of State Road 50 has a roughly 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom house. A County Property Appraiser's map shows the land is covered by trees with a retention pond on the property's north end.

find real estate

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/22/real-estate-agent-clients-find-human-remains-during-property-tour.html

How to Blog for Real Estate Leads (FREE TEMPLATE)

Do you fear the written word and so haven't yet ventured into the (fun) and exciting world of blogging? You may be missing out on a key piece of real estate marketing. Even if you aren't anywhere close to being Shakespeare, we have some tips that will help you get into the blogging game and potentially generate more leads in the process.

For those of you newbies out there, what exactly is a blog and why should you haveone? A blog is simply a part of your website where you publishyour own articles and discuss in a recommended 500 words or more on a topic related to your business. In doing so and with the right keywords, this will do a few things:

Attract more people to your website and therefore your business

Relay your expertise in your specific area of real estate

Instill confidence in prospects in your abilities and generate leads

About 500 words or more is the target in order to rank higher and better in search engines. Think you don't have much to say? Most of the blog posts on HomeValueLeads.com is about 500 words or more. It might seem like a daunting task, but with a little practice top real estate lead generation companies and some pre-planning, you will be well on your way to blogging heaven.

Anatomy of a Blog Post

A blog post is a simple article that focuses on one topic. So it's important to figure out what the main point you want to come across for each post is. Start with an introductory paragraph, no more than a few words, introducing your topic. This is usually a good place to 1) ask a question, 2) state a myth then say how you will debunk it, 3) set the stage for the rest of your post or 4) pose a challenge or issue that you will resolve through your post.

The next few paragraphs, or the body of your post, will be where you go into detail about your topic. The easiest way to not only read but also to write a post is to divide it into sections with clear headings. For example, if your topic is a recent seller you helped, lay the groundwork for the body of your post with the key steps you took in working with them: Description of the Client, Description of the Area, The Challenge in Selling Their Home, Your Plan and The Result. Breaking down any particular topic will give you direction and, counter-intuitively, more room to talk about each section in better, more organized detail.

Finally, don't leave your reader hanging! Give a good conclusion that includes a re-worded summary of your post and a call to action.

What to Write About?

You'll be surprised about how many topics are out there just waiting to be written by you. A good tactic is to collect a list of common questions that your clients often ask you. Then turn each one into a post! You can also write about clients (including any testimonials they give), real estate news of interest to your clients, neighborhood information or an event you will be holding. Tips on anything (how to stage your home, myths people hear, how to choose a neighborhood, etc.) always work for blog posts. You don't have to make your topics limited to just real estate business, either. Real estate is a relationship business, so use your blog to share (within reason!) a little about yourself - your upcomingparticipation in a community event, a cause you believe in or observations on the changes taking place in your city or area.

One of the challenges many real estate agents face is what voice to use. Remember, your blog is a reflection of you, and a in-bound way for prospects to get to know you better, so don't feel like you have to break out the thesaurus and use big words. Keep your statements simple, your sentences short and your ideas focused.

Make sure you choose a keyword(s) to make the search engines happy then intersperse that throughout your title, post and meta description. The meta description is the description that shows beneath the title of your post when it's listed in search engine results. It should be short and direct with the topic you are discussing clearly stated as close to the beginning as possible. Most blogging platforms give you an area to input your meta description and will even have tools to gauge how effectively you use your chosen keyword(s).

Plan and Schedule Your Posts

As a real estate professional, your time is valuable, but with a little planning ahead, you can set a regular schedule for your blog posts. First, come up with a list of topics. Include any timely ones that revolve around upcoming events, holidays or seasons. Then, organize them into an Excel spreadsheet with the date and title. You can even pre-write a bunch of them and schedule them to go out. Most blogging platforms, even custom-made ones, allow you to set and forget your posts so they go out at exactly the date and time you choose.

Share It!

And don't forget to share your blog post. Copy the link and share it across your social media channels. Email it to your clients. The more you share, the more people will care.

Some final tips:

mls homes for sale

Always include a picture or video with your email. Video has been shown to garner more opens and engage your audience more, so do them at least once every couple of months if not more. Be sure to tag your photo with the title of your blogpost so search engines can find it in the backend and make your post more relevant in search results.

You can start off with a weekly blog post. Once you get the hang of it, you can graduate to a couple of posts every other week or every week. The more updated your website is with your blog posts, the more the search engines will love you.

Make sure you have someone proof your blog posts before you publish them. Nothing worse than some typographical errors to distract your audience and take away from your message!

So, are you ready to blog? To help you out, download this free blog post planning template and get started today!

https://www.homevalueleads.com/how-to-blog-for-real-estate-leads-free-template/

http://blog.homegain.com/homegain-market-data/top-10-most-effective-marketing-strategies-for-re-agents/

The 10 best real estate markets in 2017

search house

Skyrocketing housing prices in San Francisco and New York have created headaches for many of their residents, pushing rents and mortgages to unaffordable levels.

But when it comes to expectations for 2017, those once-hot markets may be cooling off. Real estate services company Zillow projects that three of the five largest U.S. cities will have below-average growth this year. Instead, the real estate markets that may experience the greatest price appreciation are mostly located far from the coasts and represent midsize metropolitan areas.

While American home prices have recovered to their precrisis levels, not all regions and types of housing have rebounded to the same extent. Homes valued below $100,000 have appreciated almost 10 percent in value from 2000, while those in the $500,000 to $1 million range have more than doubled.

The regions that benefited from the sharpest recovery in home prices are the West and South. This year, cities in those regions are also likely to see above-average housing gains, although the spoils will be enjoyed by some mid-tier cities.

Zillow said it based its forecasts on a combination of quickly rising home values, low unemployment rates and strong income growth. "Zillow's 2017 list highlights that jobs and opportunities are increasingly growing in smaller markets away from the coasts," said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell in a statement.

Across the U.S., home values are expected to rise 3 percent this year. Only two of the five largest American cities are forecast to experience above-average gains: New York, where prices will rise 3.6 percent, and Houston, at 3.3 percent.

Los Angeles, the second-largest U.S. city, will see home prices rise 1.5 percent, while No. 3 Chicago will experience 2.9 percent appreciation. Home prices in Philadelphia, the fifth-largest city, will rise 2.8 percent. New York and Houston are the largest and fourth-largest U.S. cities by population.

Read on to learn about the 10 hottest U.S. real estate markets for 2017.

https://www.cbsnews.com/media/the-10-hottest-real-estate-markets-in-2017/

Stribling Marketing Associates. - Free Online Library

Stribling Marketing Associates, the new development arm of

http://www.itbusinessnet.com/article/Real-Estate-Marketing-Experts-Reveal-Simple-Tactics-for-Generating-Quality-Real-Estate-Leads-5107249

Stribling & Associates, announced that Benjamin Watson has joined as

Senior Project Manager.

http://www.itbusinessnet.com/article/Real-Estate-Marketing-Experts-Reveal-Simple-Tactics-for-Generating-Quality-Real-Estate-Leads-5107249

With a background in investment marketing and real estate sales,

Watson will oversee pre-sale, day-to-day, and long-term strategies for

several new developments in Stribling's portfolio.

Before joining Stribling, Watson was a vice president at DMG

Investments LLC. He held a senior marketing role at HAP Investments and,

before that, was a sales operations manager for a new development

marketing firm in New York.

Watson is currently working on Naftali Group's 210 West 77th

Street, 221 West 77th Street, and 275 West 10th Street (The Shephard);

and Adellco's 211 West 14th Street (D'Orsay).

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the University

of Virginia with a concentration in Marketing and Management.

COPYRIGHT 2017 Hagedorn Publishing

No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.

Copyright 2017 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/StriblingMarketingAssociates.-a0501246614

Easy Tips to Generate Real Estate Leads using Craigslist

Real estate market is one of the biggest in the USA. With the constant increase in population, there is a constant increase in demand of available property.

According to research 93% of the population looks to the internet for solution of their problems. Real estate is no different.

Online market has become an essential part of today's real estate. Craigslist is one such lead generating website. As of right now, it is the 14th biggest traffic website in USA according to Alexa.

Craigslist is a classified ad posting site where you can buy, sell or lease property. It is quite easy to use and generate good leads.

4 Easy Steps to Generate Real Estate Leads using Craigslist:

1. Access available Property in your Area:

The first step is to get access of all available properties in your area.

You can easily get this using IDX. IDX is a system that allows you to view all properties set up for sale, lease or buying.

Create an account as a broker and voila! You have the properties in front of you.

2. Create Attractive Ads:

oCreate captivating titles. Your title matter the most in an ad. Eye catching titles make sure that people will open it at least once to see what it offers.

oUse keywords. They are your ad's life line. They are the specific words people use to search for what they want. Make sure to place the right keywords in you title and content and your ad will flourish.

oKeep your description to the point. Lengthy content bores people. They want details that can be read quickly. Enter all the important and attractive features to pull customers.

oUse alluring pictures. They make your ads more appealing. Customers are likely to open ads that give them a visual of exactly what you are offering. So make sure to add pictures with the best angle of your property.

oDon't forget to add your link. Be sure to add your contact information. Add your phone and e-mail address for best results.

3. Advertise Them on Craigslist:

Congratulations! You have successfully created appealing ad. Now its time to post them online.

Creating an ad on craigslist is quite easy and free.

Create a free account and enter the details of the ad in the correct category. Use the right category or else your ad might flag.

Once you have done that, click post and enter the listing in the form. Your ad is now online and available.

4. Posting and Renew ads:

To obtain maximum leads, keep posting & renew your ad throughout the day.

Posting helps your ad to stay on top, so it should be one of the first ads a customer's sees.

If your ad expires, you can renew your ad and post it again. Renewing your post requires little bit changes in the ads and nothing complex.

It is fairly easy to do. You can use the steps mentioned above and get a good amount of leads.

http://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/real-estate-marketing-experts-reveal-simple-tactics-for-generating-quality-real-estate-leads_137639.html

You can also either do this yourself or you can hire a cheap craigslist posting service to do it for you. Hiring a posting service will ensure that you can focus on the leads you get and not on advertisement.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/print/12414806

Real Estate Lead Generation for 2017, Modernized Ways

The one question which is always asked about real estate is how can the real estate investors, real estate agents and the real estate professionals generate the verified buyer and seller leadsand the rental leads. What are the hindrances coming on their ways? What can be new methods of generating leads? Such questions bother realtors and they begin to find new and modernized waysforreal estate lead generation. These given ways to bring in the more leads will help the realtors to solve this questions.

Email Marketing

We can't deny the fact that email has a great importance in this modernized business world.Email allows every organizationtoshare the information about their products and servicesin a veryefficient and constructiveway.They can reach outto their existing customers and also to the potential ones.

If the real estate company wants anyone to subscribe to their email list then the email list should be set up in that way. Say sending weekly emails to everyoneon the listmentioning newly listed home and the features that make the home unique. Businessmarkets canreach the targetaudiencesby emails.

Buying Internet Leads

Recently, the concept of internetreal estate lead generationbeing bought online by realtors has been on the boom. Buying the internet leads for realtors has become easier these days due to the availability of various enhanced houses with property for sale lead generation tools. Even the types of leads like simple leads, exclusive leads, brand new leads, aged leads affect the real estate market. Understating the need of your customers will help to specify the leads ambiguously.

Real Estate Blogging

One of the most powerful forms of lead generationis nothing but theReal estate blogging. Though it is the most profitable way butis equally underestimated. Writing a regular real estate blog can prove to be the best method of generating leads. The blog is not limited to posting an article but it can be also used for creating emails for the subscribed list. Social media is no doubt a great platform where your ideas can be expressed to the huge mass of people.

SEO &Social Media

SEO is such a strategy by which you can reach up to the maximum people. SEO is a long-term strategy by which you can increase the online visibility. It should be done properly with true practices.

Social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+ and various other wide social sites play a great role in connecting a business to its clients. Social media is a fantastic approach to generate the leads though it keeps changing with the time.

Budget Boosting -PPC

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can be one of the best methods ofinstantly driving in real estate leads. PPC solutions, like Google Adwords, offer the ability to generate the leads.This can be tweaked to be hyper-local, or reach global buyers, investors and homeowners right where they are now. With a little strategy and education, real estate marketers can significantly drive down PPC costs.

Boosting your PPC budget, you can even dominatethe competition by buying every lead for a specifickeyword. Aside from the big platforms, a more affordable onlinereal estate lead generationmay be gleaned from purchasing image, text and banner ads on other websites directly.

homes for sale search

The New Follow-Upisn't just by phone

We all are aware of the follow-ups are key in this business. For 2017, the follow-up process has become a lot easier and simpler as the powerful marketing tools are readily available. The concept of retargetingis in the boom now. The visitors to your website have a browsercookie put on their computer. As for browsingthe webis continued by them, the tracking cookie allows them to be "retargeted"all over the web.

This type of powerful marketing toolsis a great key to achievingfurther engagement with the peoplewho visit your website.You can also use this on web properties like YouTube or Facebook pages.

Author's Bio:

email address list

Joy Peter is a writer, business consultant, and a visionary person. He expresses through writing. He writes about the business, the trends in modern business, his experiences, real estate and the changes taking place in life.

https://www.realestatepipeline.com/

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/real-estate-lead-generation-for-2017-modernized-ways

http://www.digitalhomeinfo.com/

Liverpool v Arsenal video, highlights, report: goals, Sadio Mane, Firmino, Mo Salah, Sturridge

foreclosed houses

search homes for sale

http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/epl/liverpool-v-arsenal-video-highlights-rampant-reds-hit-four-past-woeful-gunners/news-story/7ddb6458a165bb130949cd7ae42d10de

Real Estate Search Marketing Offers Florida's Real Estate Agents Exclusive Lead Generation Websites and Effective Internet Marketing Strategies.

expensive. Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) offers the successful Real

Estate Professionals of the future with exclusive targeted Premier Real

what is lead generation

Estate Domains, and the most effective Internet Real Estate Marketing

Strategies available anywhere today at a fraction of the cost of any

other options.

Once upon a time just having a website was enough to draw attention

and traffic to a business. The first domain name

"symbolics.com" was registered in 1985. Today there are

40,000,101 active .com domain names in the United States. A Google

search query for "Naples real estate agents" now returns

686,000 web results. A Yahoo search query for "Naples real estate

agents" returns 1,560,000 web results. It is very clear that just

having a website doesn't cut it any longer. Some of the most recent

data suggests that the typical Internet user does not even consider the

typical "website search results" returned from a search query,

they only review the first 3 positions of the paid "sponsored

ads". Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) subscribes to several

sources of "search engine keyword data", as well as performing

our own relentless pursuit of all pertinent data for our internal review

and consideration. By knowing what keywords, keyword strings, and

phrases that Internet users are typing into search engines, we are

thereby enabled to effectively structure advertising, websites and

website content, and website design to meet the needs and desires of the

masses.

The following are exerts from a recent real estate trade

publication article:

According to Ian Morris in Realty Times (R)

"The migration has begun. I'm talking about real estate

advertising-billions and billions of dollars worth-that is shifting from

traditional print to the internet, marking one of the most profound

transformations our industry has witnessed.

The real estate industry is in the midst of a transformation

primarily for three reasons: 1. home buyers and sellers are

predominantly online 2. online advertising is more cost effective 3.

online advertising offers more return and better access to targeted

consumer.

Although old habits generally die hard, this transformation should

come as no surprise to anyone in our industry. After all, more than

three-quarters of all consumers now begin their real estate experiences

online-and savvy real estate agents know they need to be where their

customers are to generate leads, referrals, and repeat business.

In fact the National Association of Realtors points out, that now

days, more buyers and sellers find their agent via the Internet than

from yellow pages, newspapers, and direct mail combined.

Real Estate is, and always will be, a professionally assisted

transaction-and the Internet is empowering agents like never before by

helping them profitably attract and build long-term relationships with

home buyers and sellers.

Are you putting your advertising dollars in the places where your

customers are?"

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/RealEstateSearchMarketingOffersFlorida'sRealEstateAgents...-a0135988501

Realtor Marketing System That Gives You A Career-long Flood Of Client Referrals

Well, now you know where all that junk mail and spam comes from.

When it comes to buying this list of professionals, you have a cluster of list companies to select from. Whichever list company you choose, ideally, they should provide you with each profession you'll need for your list, rather than going to a separate company for each profession. I tell you, it'll cost you a few dollars for this list but it's going to save you hours of valued time!

However you choose to get your list of professionals, once you have it, it's time to begin penning your "personalized" letter. I can't detail how to jot down sales copy here, sadly. Learning to pen sales copy is a long topic by itself.

Simply understand for now that you don't want your referral letter to be a "sales letter".

When one of these professionals gets this referral marketing letter, they ought to feel like they're the sole one who got it, even though you might copy most of it and mail it to other professionals.

The point is that you ought to jot down this referral marketing letter as if you were talking to them face-to-face. I'd advise that you don't make use of the boring, "professional" language style that you read in the letters you receive from your bank. Catch the reader's interest, write to them like a genuine human being and not like an institution.

By the way, this "personalization" goes for just about all your marketing pieces: postcards, flyers, ads, emails, etc.

What the heart of this letter needs to tell them is that you wish to refer business back and forth, not just take and take and take from them. You would like to be their "go to" Realtor or agent for the remainder of their career. Emphasize how they'll benefit without trying to "sell" them on it, you know?

You possibly could happen to know something about the company one of these professionals work for so feel free to drop that in your letter to make it more personal. If you know of a client who's worked with them, drop that in there too. Unless you babble about their momma, for some reason, it's almost impossible for you to get excessively personal in your letter.

My suggestion would be to definitely create this referral marketing letter in your own words. Nevertheless, if there's no chance you'll even contemplate about writing your own referral letter, then go ahead and hire a free-lance copywriter to take care of it for you.

Doing a search on Google will pull up some choices of freelance writers and companies for you to pick from. On some of them you can sift through freelance writers from all throughout the country and world. You can check reviews on most of the writers, find their hourly rates, forward them "interview" questions, etc. You can even place the job you're looking to fill and get writers to come to you. It's really pretty convenient.

Ok, so now that you have your marketing list and referral letter written, it's time to send it out. Only please, no matter what you do, do not send your letter in an ordinary, simple envelope similar to every other "schmo" does that sends mail to these professionals... Please.

Get another unique mailing package or envelope with some color or size to it. You need that letter to stand out from all the other mail this gentleman or gal is getting that day. Also, a perfect way to personalize your letter and get it opened, is to have the mailing and return addresses hand-scripted.

Ponder about how you prioritize your mail. Hand-written addresses go to the top of the stack, every time.

The next thing you need to do is enclose a special marketing piece, apart from your referral letter. A fun marketing piece to include can be a video you produce with Animoto and copy onto a DVD (easier than it sounds).

A buddy of mine used poker chips as his marketing thing when he sent out a mailing for his life insurance business. His subject was "Don't gamble with your life".

Isn't that brilliant? If you desire to be a top producing Realtor like the "big boys", that's the kind of thought you want to come up with, or at least be aware of where to get them!

Getting back to this referral letter, I'd advise that you aim them not only to your telephone number but also your website or blog. Be certain you provide them both choices. A number of Individuals would rather call you and others would preferably look over your site first.

This final step is probably the most significant. The number one rule in marketing is "repetition". Stats from the marketing industry establish that a potential client needs to be exposed to your message at least 7 times, on average, before they are comfy enough to answer back.

So the clear "take-away" is that you have to continue to market to these professionals on your list, more than once. I'd say shoot for once per month, either by phone or another letter, after you do the initial follow up telephone call after your 1st mailing. If you have it, using a professional's email address would be a good follow up also.

You just need to be extra careful not to smother them with follow-ups. You don't want to let them forget who you are but you also don't need to be calling or mailing them every other day.

A small time saving tip: if there's money in your marketing budget, try hiring a college student or high school teenager to stuff your mailers for you. pen the letters yourself but have your hired-assistant stuff the envelopes with your letters and marketing pieces.

It's inexpensive labor, just like US companies do when they hire overseas workers for their customer servicing call centers (did I just drop in a cheap shot?).

lead generation b2b

Bottom line, I just think this is one of the most outstanding marketing ideas for Realtors or agents out there. Eventually, this marketing method can give you a free flow of leads and prospects that can build you into a top producing Realtor or agent, as long as you stick with it and construct these referral relationships right.

Focus on serving them as much as you want them to serve you and the money will flow in!

By: Josh Sanders

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Shiloh Street University is an online marketing school for Realtors, dedicated to Creating Wealthy Agents through World-Class Marketing by providing step-by-step video lead-generation tutorials and Realtor training plans.

Get your "FREE 5 Day Sneak Peek" at www.ShilohStreetUniversity.com

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Realtor-Marketing-System-that-Gives-You-a-Career-Long-Flood-of-Client-Referrals/1559146

Listing your home? Check out the latest real estate buzzwords

Being as specific as possible with adjectives tends to result in higher sale prices, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Instead of "wood floors," for example, say "oak floors." How about "stainless" and "granite"? Not so hot anymore or even necessary: Those are givens these days if you've noted that your kitchen has been "updated," says Beer, who pointed out that "updated" is a word that always gets attention. Stainless may not be king much longer anyway, according to Beer. A current hot buzzword in design material, he says, is "Caesarstone," which is high-quality quartz.

Dropping high-end appliance brand names continues to be an effective "look-at-me!" lure. The biggies are still Sub-Zero, Viking, Bosch and G.E. Monogram, and "anybody considered a chef will demand a kitchen with a Wolf range," Beer said.

In the bathroom, the coolest brand name is now Toto. "Actually, it has become the Sub-Zero of the toilet world," Leonard Steinberg, managing director of Douglas Elliman in New York, recently told the New York Times.

Be cautious with the 'F' word

People tense up when they see the word "fixer," and readers often translate the term "investor," as in "investor special," as "needs lots of work" (use "income property" instead, Beer counsels). "The mood of the market right now is for a 'turn-key' or 'move-in-ready' property," Beer said.

At times, however, a term like "needs work" is advantageous. First-time buyers are often looking for a fixer-upper in a desirable neighborhood or coveted school district in which they would otherwise be priced out.

Buyers are often put off by hardcore sales lingo such as "Hurry, won't last!" Some phrases have been so overused that they now put buyers to sleep. "Gourmet kitchen" and "luxury bath" are in that category. And the word "rare" is anything but rare in real estate listings -- "rare jewel," "rare opportunity."

Be careful with vague superlatives, too. Some people believe "charming" means "small." Others consider "classic" a euphemism for "completely out of date."

Finally, Laura Lothian, a Pacific Sotheby's agent in La Mesa, CA, says she has seen the words "open house" more and more frequently in listings all over the U.S.

"It's a trend I love," she said. "People are having more open houses, and those open houses are attracting bigger crowds." She speculates that there are two reasons behind this trend. Most real estate photos are now taken by professional photographers, she says, so photos are looking more and more alike. Images can be easily "enhanced," so people want to get a more realistic look at a place with the electric wires in place and without a Technicolor blue sky.

The second reason open houses are increasing in popularity, Lothian believes, is that people are getting antsy about spending so much of their social lives online in places such as Facebook. "They want to connect with real flesh!"

Related:

Click to view original post.

house to sale

http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2013/02/10/listing-your-home-check-out-latest-real-estate-buzzwords.html

http://www.realsupportinc.com/

Real estate agent, clients discover human remains in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A sheriff's office says a real estate agent and clients found human remains at a property for sale in Florida.

The Orlando Sentinel reports Lake County Sheriff's deputies say the remains were found Saturday in Groveland. Sheriff's Lt. John Herrell says investigators responded to the home after receiving a call shortly before 6 p.m.

Detectives could not fully investigate with the impending darkness, so a deputy stood guard overnight until they could continue working Sunday morning. The Sheriff's Office did not disclose further information.

The Sentinel reports property records indicate the nearly 5-acre property on Douglas Road north of State Road 50 has a roughly 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom house.

A County Property Appraiser's map shows the land is covered by trees with a retention pond on the property's north end.

http://www.itbusinessnet.com/article/Real-Estate-Marketing-Experts-Reveal-Simple-Tactics-for-Generating-Quality-Real-Estate-Leads-5107249

2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-human-remains-real-estate-property/

https://smsold.com/

7 Top Real Estate Lead Generation Sources

In this episode of Hello Agent TV, recorded exclusivelyfor the Inman audience, Jay Sherer shares the best (and worst) sources for real estate lead generation. He uses industry statistics from the National Association of Realtors to determinewhere agents should spend their time, energy and money in order to build a stronger sales pipeline.

What do you think? What have proven to be the best sources of real estate lead generation in your experience? Where do you focus your time, energy and money in order to build a strong sales pipeline? Please share in the comments.

sale homes

Share this with an agent you know, along with the #1 mistake agents make with real estate leads and 50 real estate lead ideas for your website!

Also, please look for exclusive Hello Agent TV episodes on Inman in the future going beyond real estate leads. Thanks for watching.

Jay Sherer is one of the co-founders of the tech startup, Hello Agent. Follow him (@JaySherer) or Hello Agent (@HelloAgentPro) on Twitter.

Email Jay Sherer.

https://www.inman.com/2015/05/18/7-top-real-estate-agent-lead-generation-sources/

Is realty in Chennai on the path of growth?

The real estate market in Chennai has been through a lot in the last few years. The city as such has been through some very traumatic events which have had an effect on everyone including the real estate sector. But things seem to be looking up for the city as a whole and the real estate sector in particular.

The realty industry has been taking a beating for some time. But Chennai has been immune to this downturn for a long time. But there were some internal factors which managed to halt the good realty streak that the city was enjoying.

Chennai is primarily an end user driven market. This made it immune to all the troubles that were plaguing the markets which were neck deep in investors and the speculation that is inherent wherever they are present. But even this insulation can't save a market when a natural disaster comes along to disrupt the market.

The floods which took place in the city in December 2015 were devastating not only to the people of this city but the real estate sector as well. A home in the city which was located in a low lying area was as good as lost to the floods. Even areas which were not considered to be particularly low lying were flooded. Many people lost their lives as well. This showed the city in poor light.

This incident was enough to erode buyer faith in the city. Buying a home in the capital of Tamil Nadu was the furthest thing in a buyer's mind. And why would they when they have seen what a very heavy bout of rains can do to the city. But natural disasters will not weigh heavily on the buyers minds for too long. They will return to the market after a sufficient amount of time has passed.

Political uncertainty also played an important part in bring down the sales of apartments in Poonamallee and other parts of the city. When there is even the slightest hint of political uncertainty, those who are investing in the city tend to stay away from it.

sell leads

Political uncertainty and natural disasters are now a thing of the past. There seems to be some sort of normalcy coming back to the realty sector in the city. Accordingly to reputed players in the industry, the number of apartments being sold and the number of new launches have gone up in this southern city. This a good sign for everyone involved in the sector here.

The most amount of homes sold in the last quarter of the year 2016 were in the affordable segment. This is the under INR 50 lakhs segment. There is great demand for homes which are in the affordable segment in part thanks to the government that has recognized the need for the same and given sufficient support to those involved in this segment. Other factors such as demonetization and the Real Estate Regulatory Act have also helped buyers purchase apartments in Poonamallee and other parts of Chennai.

Author's Bio:

I am writing for Indiaproperty.com. IndiaProperty is India's No.1 property portal. It is best source for all your property search and queries.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/is-realty-in-chennai-on-the-path-of-growth

Is Xowii Energy A Scam? An Unbiased Review Of The Xowii Business Opportunity

First off let me start by saying I have absolutely no association with XOWii or its opportunity. This review isnt going to praise each aspect of the company with the sole intent of recruiting you into XOWii.

XOWii is currently the defendant in a court case that was brought against them from Network Marketing Superpower MonaVie. MonaVie is accusing XOWii of trying to recruit their network of distributors by spreading false information regarding their products and compensation plan. Im not an attorney and dont feel like reading from beginning to end pages of legal documents so Im not going to remark on this situation.

The Company: XOWii is headquartered in Newport Beach, California and officially launched on October 4th, 2009. They enter the very competitive healthy energy drink marketplace and currently offer two products through its network of distributors. XOWii Energy and XOWii Thin.

So is XOWii a scam? To be classified as a scam the company would have to be involved in practices that attempted to cheat someone out of their money with deceitful or misleading acts. With that being said, XOWii is a 100% legitimate business working in and licenced by the state of California.

XOWiis Leadership Team: CEO and C0-Founder Richard Kelly has more than 15 years of experience in a broad range of investment opportunities within the banking and real estate industries.

President and Co-Founder James Christiansen has greater than 10 years of experience also in the real estate and banking industries. He was also a top earner with MonaVie for just over two years from 2006 to 2008.

The remainder of the management team also has extensive experience in banking and finance. What puzzles me somewhat is when reading their bios there is a noticeable exclusion of this teams former experiences in management or operations in the Network Marketing industry. With any company you contemplate joining you should assume to see a lengthy list of past achievements inside Network Marketing but regrettably other than James Christiansen its just not there.

XOWii Business Opportunity Review: When taking into consideration any business opportunity, its very important that you take into great consideration the market that youll be entering. There are currently over 2000 Network Marketing companies alone competing in the health and wellness industry with a significant number capitalizing on the modern energy drink fad. As we all recognize, fads come and go. How long will the energy drink craze last? Nobody knows. Will XOWii boost its product line and venture into new markets? Only time will tell.

From a marketing perspective I have a difficult time seeing a distinctive marketing proposition with the XOWii opportunity. Besides having a product line that in my opinion will be hard to market in the congested energy drink arena, on the surface the compensation plan seems as if it falls into the industry standard Binary program. I dont see anything that really sets this compensation plan apart and will grab the interest of experienced marketers.

My harshest analysis has nothing to do with products or compensation but rather is regarding their main website and what may be the most obnoxious presentation video that Ive ever come across. The repeating bad music made me want to hit the back button and in no way come back. As a distributor, I wouldnt feel comfortable sending any prospects here and with a bit of luck they will adjust it shortly.

XOWii Marketing Training: Other than long-established Network Marketing prospecting methods I regrettably couldnt locate any official company lead generation marketing system. I did on the other hand come across a group of strong leaders within XOWii that has taken the initiative to provide their team with a lead system and training. If they arent already, this group will more than likely become the leading and most profitable within XOWii and attain colossal MLM success.

Suggestion: Im not putting my stamp of approval on the XOWii opportunity nor am I saying stay away. This company has gained early momentum but its just way too early to forecast their long term sustainability so proceed with caution. The lack of a unique marketing proposition or lead generation system will make those that do join to find a way to market successfully and position themselves in the incredibly competitive juice and energy drink market.

cheap houses for sale

By: Tucker Keeling

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

This XOWii Review has answered the question about this company being a scam. Before joining or building your XOWii team, get Tucker Keeling's blueprint to MLM success with this MLM Recruiting System .

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Is-XOWii-Energy-A-Scam-An-Unbiased-Review-Of-The-XOWii-Business-Opportunity/1344961

Deals are Equal to Marketing and Leads by Karen Roberts

Live attendants will answer seller phone calls as if they're your company. Let us say you are "Mike buys Houses". They might answer like this "Mike buys houses, good day, how may we help you?". They can take the vital information for you, ask questions from your script and e-mail you the details.

You can then call them back when you're available. Even if you're going to call them back much later, the advantage is that you have already obtained the seller's information.

Because this process has provided you more information, you may already have an address as a result of your live servicing of the call, which can be an advantageous time-saver. Since there's an address, you could pull comps before calling them back about their property. Of course you won't have an accurate assessment of the repairs needed yet as it's been my experience that seller's will minimize the evident repairs that really need to be done on the home that they're selling.

Remember your purpose when you begin talking to them. Your purpose is not to sell them a service. Your first purpose is to qualify the caller, prospects vs.leads.

You would want to separate prospects from leads. All of them are considered to be leads, but you'll want to separate tire kickers from the true motivated sellers. An investor spends approximately 20 minutes building rapport and pre qualifying a seller. Your ability to gather pertinent information and assess everyone's needs, will determine the types of creative solutions that you're able to offer the seller.

The 2 key reasons to take this call

for sale by owner real estate

Ask yourself these pointed questions...

First, are they motivated?

Second, are the numbers going to work?

Your first focus should be to build rapport with them in order to discover via your questions, if the motivation is really there.

* Why are they selling their house now?

* What will they do if you don't buy it?

* How soon will they move out?

The greatest indicator as to whether they're motivated is if they start speaking about their personal concern, telling you that they don't know what to do, asking you to come and get the house, statements like," I just want to walk away" - and other statements of duress.

Next question for you is whether the numbers will work? Explore if you and the seller are even on the same planet.

It's time to be as creative as you can be and if you cannot come up with a solution or fear that your numbers might be off.... This is the greatest time to reach out to your mentor or support network, give them a call and ask for help. You might even consider asking your mentor to be on the phone with you and the seller or to listen in to discuss options after the call.

It's a great opportunity to really learn while you're in the thick of it.

Do not be married to this house, spend time on the ones that are likely to be a deal. And I mean a win-win-win deal. The Seller has to win, the investor and the end buyer of that house- all have to win. When everyone's winning, your local community wins along with the global economy.

Karen Roberts.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/marketing/article_4579.shtml

100 Real Estate Blog Posting Ideas

Blogging is a wonderful tool for real estate marketing. Not only does it increase your exposure on search engines but you start to build a valuable reputations for yourself as a reliable source and professional.

When it comes to blogging you are bound to develope some writers block now and again. It's important to blog about topics that relate to you industry, neighborhoods, market trends, etc. while keeping it fun and interesting for your readers.

Here is a extensive list of 100 Real Estate Blog Posting Ideas for you to utilize:

Describing Your Neighborhood...

1. Tell a story about your neighborhood.

2. Architecture or housing styles in your area.

3. Attend a public meeting and write about it.

4. Churches - what denominations are in your area, where are they located, when are services.

5. Commentary on local news stories.

6. Commentary on local public policy.

7. Cost of Living Comparison (for different cities or neighborhoods in your local market). Put in a side by side comparison for average price of homes, gas, utilities, etc. Provide proof to your buyers of what they get for their money in one city versus another.

8. Day Care - who provides day care services, what are rates, where are they located, etc.

9. Environmental issues - does your area do something significant to lessen the population's impact on the environment?

10. Guide to dining out - rank all the restaurants in your area (let the restaurants know about your ranking guide and see if you can get a link from the ones you rank highly)

11. Historic buildings - what time periods are represented, where are the historic districts, are there any museums or historical tours?

12. Job market in local area - who employs the most people in your area? What job sectors are considered "growth" industries right now?

13. Lists of local businesses - categorize them based on utility: supermarkets, department stores, hair salons/ barber shops, gas stations, etc.

14. Local Parks - what can you do at each park? Any commentary on which is your favorite and why?

15. Local Schools Ratings - reference online studies that you can find and what you know of the different schools yourself.

16. Market statistics for your area, including average prices and absorption rates

17. New businesses coming to area

18. Places to eat

19. Places to shop

20. Transportation & Parking - Does your area have a good public transportation system? Is it bike friendly? Are the freeways or highways well-connected?

21. Travel tips for visitors to your area (great for out-of-town buyers) - What kinds of items do people frequently forget when traveling to your area?

22. Upcoming sporting events, concerts, shows, etc.

23. Your city council.

24. Local directory of doctors, dentists, hospitals, chiropractors, etc. (also, get these providers to link to your site and add a blurb about their facility and the services they offer)

Buyer And Sellers Resources

25. A closing - what goes into one, how long it takes, what to expect, etc.

26. Avoid Legal Battles when Buying or Selling a Home (a great place to talk about the importance of hiring a professional - You! - and to talk about the protections and responsibilities built in to your state/local real estate contracts)

27. Book review of a real estate related book.

28. Buying a second home or vacation home/condo.

29. Buying your first investment property.

30. Real estate hoaxes and scams.

31. Create a helpful checklist for buyers and sellers.

32. Do and don't list on buying investment properties.

33. Equity stripping scams.

34. Fair housing issues.

35. Final walk through overview.

36. First-time home buyer programs.

37. Home owners associations - how they can impact your long-term expenses.

38. Home prices in local market.

39. How do I price my home right to sell without giving it away?

40. How not to sell a house.

41. How to sell a house.

42. Investment scams.

43. Land lord or tenant issues.

44. List of basic real estate definitions, from A-Z.

45. Local real estate market trends and observations.

46. Over-priced homes - how to identify them.

47. Pet-friendly housing.

48. Property taxes.

49. Real Estate Laws.

50. Senior housing.

51. The home buying process.

52. The home selling process.

53. The pros and cons of buying and owing a timeshare.

54. Things that go wrong with real estate sales.

55. Three Biggest Seller Mistakes (typically, these are Price, Condition, and Marketing - they must price it right, have it in good condition, and market it well - this is where you can talk up how your marketing program beats the competition).

56. Types of mortgages.

lead list

57. What you need to know about buying foreclosures.

58. What you should know about home inspections.

59. Women home buyers.

Home Maintenance and Remodeling

60. Building trends.

61. Childproof Home Safety Tips.

62. Decorating ideas.

63. Energy Saving Tips.

64. Fire Safety Tips for your home (also discuss 2 story homes, condos/high-rises, small children, the elderly, etc.).

65. Furniture.

66. Gardening and landscaping.

67. Home maintenance.

68. Home owners insurance.

69. Landscaping can make a difference.

70. Paint and painting.

71. Pest control.

72. Resources and tips for hiring contractors and actually having a good experience (a lot of folks have bad experiences with contractors either not showing up, not finishing the job, not doing work they were already paid for, etc. - you could provide a list of tips and resources, such as your local or state contractors association, referral services, etc.).

73. Simple repairs to help your home show better and sell faster.

74. The importance of safety around swimming pools.

75. Trends in kitchen design.

76. What are the Top 10 Scams of building contractors and how to avoid them?

77. What is curb appeal?

78. What to do about mold - is it really a problem?

79. What to look for when shopping for Energy Saving Appliances.

80. Feng Shui Decorating.

Home Listings

81. Local subdivisions/ farm area prices, solds, actives, pendings, etc.

82. Lofts in the Area.

83. New construction plans in area.

84. Open houses.

Loans And Mortgages

85. Advantages of going through a mortgage broker for your next loan as opposed to your local bank (i.e., more options for finding a lender to say yes, potential for better rates, competing lenders so can find the best program for your needs).

86. Repairing your credit.

87. Credit scores.

88. Dangers of certain types of loans (such as interest only, certain ARMS, etc.), and why they are not for everyone - be careful not to buy more house than you can afford.

89. Interest Rates.

90. Mortgage fraud.

91. Mortgage rate updates.

92. Mortgages news.

Move-Related

93. Bad neighbors - what to do to repair bad relations with them.

94. Good neighbors - how to show them you're appreciative!

95. Home safety.

96. Moving - how to prepare, what to do, etc.

97. Moving resource guide (resources for buyers moving in from out of the area, for local moves, and for sellers moving out - all are potential client bases for you).

98. Moving with children.

99. Moving with pets.

Referrals

100. Detail a lender who does a great job with your clients.

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

https://www.realestatemarketingblog.org/real-estate-blog-posting-ideas-2/

RealBiz Media Group Inc (RBIZ.PK) Company Profile

home for sale in

Realbiz Media Group, Inc. is engaged in the business of providing digital media and marketing services for the real estate industry. The Company operates through real estate segment, mainly through Web-assisted services. It also focuses on international food distribution of nuts, fruits, honey and meats. Its products and services include Enterprise Video Production, Nestbuilder Agent 2.0, The Virtual Tour (VT) and Microvideo App (MVA), ReachFactor, NestBuilder Website Portal, Nestbuilder Agent and Ezflix Mobile Application. The Company is formed through merging of three divisions, which include its licensed real estate division; its television media contracts (Home Preview Channel/Extraordinary Vacation Homes) division, and its Real Estate Virtual Tour and Media group. It provides video search, storage and marketing capabilities on multiple platforms, such it sales lead generation as Web, mobile and television. The Company's subsidiary, Verus Foods, Inc. (Verus), is a supplier of consumer food products.

https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=RBIZ.PK

Real Estate Impossible: Selling Nightmare Homes Video

Transcript for Real Estate Impossible: Selling Nightmare Homes

real estate ira

Tonight, you are going to meet a real estate agent who carries a firearm with him to work. That's because he's no ordinary agent. These are no ordinary houses he's selling. They are crammed to the gills with trash filled and sometimes illegal squatters. Who buys these kinds of properties and should they be something for you to consider? Here's ABC's Gloria Riveria. Reporter: In the market for a mansion but don't want to pay a premium? You might want to look in Jacksonville's exclusive gated community Pablo bay. This is nice. Fountains, well-kept grounds. This is a nice community. Reporter: Inside there is a house for sale that will take your breath away. But not in a good way. Wow. This is crazy. Reporter: In severe disrepair, seemingly unlivable. What's your name? Reporter: Seemingly unsellable. Garage sale gone bad. Reporter: It is a garage sale gone epically bad. Reporter: Unless you are a real estate agent Todd Arnold. What do you see it as. Opportunity. Like you see here, you have to get rid of all of this. Reporter: You have to get rid of all of this stuff but it is also the filth. Reporter: Where most see trash, Todd sees treasure. He finds distressed homes in danger of foreclosure. Prices it low and tries to sell it fast. It is called short sale. The opportunity for me, because I believe the house is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Reporter: Todd's job is to convince the mom of three this nightmare of a house could be her family's dream home. What are you here to see? We are here to look at this house because it's a short sale. And a good price for this neighborhood. Reporter: There's a catch, right? It's not very clean. Reporter: Jen's first impression -- What is that? Smoke and animals. Smoke and what. Smokers. Reporter: I expect Jen to high tail it out of here, but she seems to be seeing the potential. I guess I'm an optimist Anne and like a challenge. You have a challenge here. Off challenge. I mean, really, though, it would come down to the price. This could be a lot worse. Reporter: Looks pretty bad. Definitely need a new toilet seat. Reporter: Yeah. What's in here? ? oh, my god. Look at this. Nasty. Reporter: If these homeowners don't take their belongings with them, Jen could be stuck with all of that clean up. Do you think that is dog pee? I think that is dog pee. Reporter: Todd thinks he can convince Jen to buy it for the bargain price of $315,000. That is 40% below the market value. Short selling distressed houses is a big business that's happening across the country. If Palo alto, this three-bedroom home is selling for $1.8 million. Barbara Corcoran is a real estate mogul and host on ABC's "Shark tank." Yes, I am a big mouth. Pipe down, little man. Reporter: Her take on Jen's home. If I was writing an ad on this house, I'd say buyer beware. Reporter: But she does see the investment potential. It is always worth it to buy a hoarder house, here's why, you've get a 20 to 30% discount on the house and all you have to do is get rid of the stuff. Reporter: While Jen decides on that house, Todd takes us on a tour of his inventory, his business is booming. This is Jacksonville but the worst side of Jacksonville. Reporter: And can be dangerous. You feel like you need to carry a gun? Absolutely. It is dangerous business. Reporter: Todd is not sure what is waiting on the inside. People could be living in this place that don't really belong there. I like to honk my horn to let anyone that is there to know I'm here. Good practice, knock on the windows, peek in to see if I am going to surprise anyone. Reporter: I have a hard time imagining how this bombed out body could be a sale. We like to call it broom swept clean. You run a broom across and doesn't run across anything. Reporter: The next home looks decent from the front but the backyard is now a junk yard. The inside is packed to the gills. Homeowner tommy Thompson said he and his wife became overwhelmed by their own collections. Why didn't you get rid of this stuff? You would be surprised what we have gotten rid of. Reporter: If he can sell it fast his family will avoid foreclosure. Todd reports this home has multiple offers with a contract pending. The good, bad, ugly, they all need a buyer. I am helping buyer and sellers. Reporter: Back at Pablo bay, it seems Jen was able to see through the zoo inside. It as a formal dining room and eating area. Reporter: I missed that where was the dining room. The birds. Reporter: Oh, I missed that experts say buyers should do research. There is a wild card when you gate house. You can't get to the basement to see what the plumbing and boiler is like. You can't see what the view is like because you can't get to the window. So there is guess work. Reporter: Jen is ready to make a decision. You know all the work it will bring. Are you still thinking of putting in an offer? Yes. Reporter: Yeah? I would do it. Reporter: You are not easily daunted. But Jen may not have been fast enough. Tonight Todd reports that home received multiple offers and went over the asking price. No shame in the highest price from your end. I'm happy to sell it at any price. 10,000 or 300,000. As long as it is closed, it is money. If they don't close no money. Reporter: Gloria Rivera in

real estate homes

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/real-estate-impossible-selling-nightmare-homes-31301722

Blog | Inside Real Estate

3 Hard Truths About Building Your Brokerage

By Mike Alder

Real estate is hyper competitive, everyone knows that. According to the 2012 Economic Census, there are 86,004 real estate brokerage firms operating in the United States. This means you have competitors around every corner vying to overtake your market and your business. However, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is focussing on your [...]

Read More

The Only Metrics That Matter to Your Brokerage

By Mike Alder

As a broker-owner you are concerned with your top KPI's, (Key Performance Indicators) but despite best efforts to measure and analyze important metrics you may be missing a big piece of the pie. The top two metrics that matter to a brokerage are agent recruitment and retention. Individual agent performance metrics are irrelevant if you [...]

Read More

Low Risk, High Return Growth Strategies for Real Estate Teams

By Mike Alder

For large brokerages, cash and power drive growth. But for the single Realtor or small team, the improvement road can be rocky if you lack funds, knowledge, resources, and opportunities. You want to exploit strategies that will yield a high return with low risk and preferably with a marginal investment of time and money. Here [...]

Read More

Going Bigger with InPower

By Mike Alder

Register for this FREE digital summit at: https://goo.gl/8bQr4d Based on the tremendous interest and feedback we have received regarding our upcoming InPower customer summit, we have changed our plan and raised our sights. Rather than run a 2 day paid event for 100-200 people in San Diego (that's nice), we will launch our new platform [...]

Read More

Growth Hack Your Real Estate Teams: 2-Minute Read

By Mike Alder

By now you have probably heard the term "growth hacking" and while you may have thought it was a trendy buzz term used by techy startups it is in fact a strategy that can be just as readily applied to real estate teams as it is to the tech industry. Growth hacking is the idea [...]

Read More

7 Habits of Highly Effective Brokerages

By Mike Alder

leading company

Today's economy is fast paced and highly competitive. To stay on top many brokerages need to adopt measures that will make them highly efficient and effective. Chances are that you are familiar with Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Published in 1989, it has sold more than 25 million copies in 40 [...]

Read More

PRESS: Inside Real Estate Unveils Image-Recognition Home Searching on Kunversion Platform

By Mike Alder

Since the merger of Inside Real Estate and Kunversion under NexPhase Capital in the Fall of 2016, top brokerages and companies worldwide have been taking advantage of a powerful system for lead generation, CRM & automation. Now the innovation continues with the release of a new version of the Kunversion platform's Home Search Websites [...]

Read More

Things Every Broker Can Learn From Elon Musk

By Mike Alder

Elon Musk is an American entrepreneur, inventor and investor who is now considered one of the world's foremost future-thinking entrepreneurs. Best known for his role as CEO at Tesla Motors, Elon is regarded as one of the most inspirational thought-leaders of our time and a success driver in the world of tech innovation. Unlike technology, [...]

Read More

How to Turn Millennials into Money-Makers

By Mike Alder

By 2025 millennials (the generation born between 1980 and 2000) will make up 75% of the world's working population (forbes.com). The median age of Realtors is now much younger than in the past as more (young) people are entering the real estate profession. What does this mean for your brokerage? Continually attracting fresh blood and [...]

Read More

Inside Real Estate and Kunversion Solutions Become One!

By Inside Real Estate

Today, we are excited to announce that Inside Real Estate and Kunversion solutions will become one! The two companies have both provided solutions for real estate brokers, teams and larger enterprise customers. Kunversion has excelled in team and broker-focused lead-generation and marketing solutions, while Inside Real Estate has had a more customized and flexible solution [...]

Read More

http://insiderealestate.com/blog/

Realtor Marketing System That Gives You A Career-long Flood Of Client Referrals

What's the primary idea that pops in your head when somebody talks to you about a referral letter marketing idea for Realtors? You probably figure I'm talking about getting testimonials from your past clients to use in your marketing, correct?

That can also be an impressive marketing method for Realtors. However, I'm talking about getting a never-ending stream of client referrals from professionals like CPA's, mortgage brokers, financial planners, attorneys and contractors. And the only thing you'll need to do is pen a nice little letter, written by the greatest real estate agent (you!).

http://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/real-estate-marketing-experts-reveal-simple-tactics-for-generating-quality-real-estate-leads_137639.html

What referral letter marketing really boils down to for Realtors is this: find a list of professionals with clients likely to purchase or sell a house. Then you need to create a personalized letter about yourself and mail it, by regular mail, to your list of professionals.

Be sure you get distinctive and use an envelope that stands out from every other white, stock envelope in the mail. If doable, telephone each professional that receives your letter, as a follow up task.

You'd be surprised how many successful Realtors use this marketing idea for their entire careers, almost eliminating marketing expenses to produce clients. There's nothing wrong with following the leader.

http://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/real-estate-marketing-experts-reveal-simple-tactics-for-generating-quality-real-estate-leads_137639.html

The initial step in this process is making a list of these well-thought-of professionals that you want to build relationships with...

- CPA's

- Lenders (obvious, right?)

- Financial Advisors

- Lawyers

- Building Contractors

- Interior Designers

- Real Estate Appraisers

- Title Reps

- Electrician Contractors

- Residential Plumbers

- Landscaping Companies

- Roofers (residential)

- Tree Cutting Professionals

- Handyman Contractors

- Makes sense?

Several other professionals could be added but that will have you off and running.

Are you wondering how to get the data for these professionals so you can send them your letter? No worries, it's simple. You've got a duo of options but they depend on your marketing budget.

One option is to lookup the yellow pages on-line. I'm sure you already have a specific area you work in, as a Realtor, so it'll be best to adhere to that. The time consuming part about this choice is the manual labor.

You have to run through each individual listed and find their name, phone number and mailing address. Like I said, this might demand a bit of time but it's at no cost.

Another alternative for building this marketing list of professionals is to easily purchase a list. In the same way you're probably on one or more Realtor or agent lists being sold out there, just about every profession has their own list for sale also.

This isn't some kind of "black market" or illegal list, don't worry. If professionals, such as us Realtors and agents, sign up for random publications and associations, these lists are compiled and made available for sale to anybody.

Well, now you know where all that junk mail and spam comes from.

When it comes to buying this list of professionals, you have a cluster of list companies to select from. Whichever list company you choose, ideally, they should provide you with each profession you'll need for your list, rather than going to a separate company for each profession. I tell you, it'll cost you a few dollars for this list but it's going to save you hours of valued time!

However you choose to get your list of professionals, once you have it, it's time to begin penning your "personalized" letter. I can't detail how to jot down sales copy here, sadly. Learning to pen sales copy is a long topic by itself.

Simply understand for now that you don't want your referral letter to be a "sales letter".

When one of these professionals gets this referral marketing letter, they ought to feel like they're the sole one who got it, even though you might copy most of it and mail it to other professionals.

The point is that you ought to jot down this referral marketing letter as if you were talking to them face-to-face. I'd advise that you don't make use of the boring, "professional" language style that you read in the letters you receive from your bank. Catch the reader's interest, write to them like a genuine human being and not like an institution.

By the way, this "personalization" goes for just about all your marketing pieces: postcards, flyers, ads, emails, etc.

What the heart of this letter needs to tell them is that you wish to refer business back and forth, not just take and take and take from them. You would like to be their "go to" Realtor or agent for the remainder of their career. Emphasize how they'll benefit without trying to "sell" them on it, you know?

You possibly could happen to know something about the company one of these professionals work for so feel free to drop that in your letter to make it more personal. If you know of a client who's worked with home for sale them, drop that in there too. Unless you babble about their momma, for some reason, it's almost impossible for you to get excessively personal in your letter.

My suggestion would be to definitely create this referral marketing letter in your own words. Nevertheless, if there's no chance you'll even contemplate about writing your own referral letter, then go ahead and hire a free-lance copywriter to take care of it for you.

Doing a search on Google will pull up some choices of freelance writers and companies for you to pick from. On some of them you can sift through freelance writers from all throughout the country and world. You can check reviews on most of the writers, find their hourly rates, forward them "interview" questions, etc. You can even place the job you're looking to fill and get writers to come to you. It's really pretty convenient.

Ok, so now that you have your marketing list and referral letter written, it's time to send it out. Only please, no matter what you do, do not send your letter in an ordinary, simple envelope similar to every other "schmo" does that sends mail to these professionals... Please.

Get another unique mailing package or envelope with some color or size to it. You need that letter to stand out from all the other mail this gentleman or gal is getting that day. Also, a perfect way to personalize your letter and get it opened, is to have the mailing and return addresses hand-scripted.

Ponder about how you prioritize your mail. Hand-written addresses go to the top of the stack, every time.

The next thing you need to do is enclose a special marketing piece, apart from your referral letter. A fun marketing piece to include can be a video you produce with Animoto and copy onto a DVD (easier than it sounds).

A buddy of mine used poker chips as his marketing thing when he sent out a mailing for his life insurance business. His subject was "Don't gamble with your life".

Isn't that brilliant? If you desire to be a top producing Realtor like the "big boys", that's the kind of thought you want to come up with, or at least be aware of where to get them!

Getting back to this referral letter, I'd advise that you aim them not only to your telephone number but also your website or blog. Be certain you provide them both choices. A number of Individuals would rather call you and others would preferably look over your site first.

This final step is probably the most significant. The number one rule in marketing is "repetition". Stats from the marketing industry establish that a potential client needs to be exposed to your message at least 7 times, on average, before they are comfy enough to answer back.

So the clear "take-away" is that you have to continue to market to these professionals on your list, more than once. I'd say shoot for once per month, either by phone or another letter, after you do the initial follow up telephone call after your 1st mailing. If you have it, using a professional's email address would be a good follow up also.

You just need to be extra careful not to smother them with follow-ups. You don't want to let them forget who you are but you also don't need to be calling or mailing them every other day.

A small time saving tip: if there's money in your marketing budget, try hiring a college student or high school teenager to stuff your mailers for you. pen the letters yourself but have your hired-assistant stuff the envelopes with your letters and marketing pieces.

It's inexpensive labor, just like US companies do when they hire overseas workers for their customer servicing call centers (did I just drop in a cheap shot?).

Bottom line, I just think this is one of the most outstanding marketing ideas for Realtors or agents out there. Eventually, this marketing method can give you a free flow of leads and prospects that can build you into a top producing Realtor or agent, as long as you stick with it and construct these referral relationships right.

Focus on serving them as much as you want them to serve you and the money will flow in!

By: Josh Sanders

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Shiloh Street University is an online marketing school for Realtors, dedicated to Creating Wealthy Agents through World-Class Marketing by providing step-by-step video lead-generation tutorials and Realtor training plans.

Get your "FREE 5 Day Sneak Peek" at www.ShilohStreetUniversity.com

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Realtor-Marketing-System-that-Gives-You-a-Career-Long-Flood-of-Client-Referrals/1559146

Real Estate :: Real Estate Leads Make the Real Estate World Go Round (Page 1 of 2)

Real estate leads are everything to a real estate professional. Without leads, you don't get clients, without clients, you don't get paid. When it comes down to it, a real estate agent's base job is to gather and work his or her real estate leads. These real estate leads go into what professionals call a pipeline or sphere of influence. Your pipeline should NEVER be empty, because if it is, it means you have no way of getting a steady income. An agent spends their time converting these real estate leads into buyers and sellers in order to make their paycheck. For every client that buys or sells a home, you get a commission. If you've got no clients, you've got no income. It's a very basic fact.

So the questions remains, where do you get real estate leads from? Well, to be honest, a successful agent is ALWAYS gathering leads. You gather real estate leads from referrals of past clients, from sending out newsletters, postcards, emails, etc. You hold open houses for your listings, you talk to anyone and everyone you can wherever you are: at a party, at dinner, shopping. The average person moves every 5-7 years, so the odds are pretty good that someone you meet today will be selling their home within five years. Seems an awful long time to wait for a listing, but not if you've got plenty of prospects to work in the meantime and you continue to follow up with said lead until they ARE moving and need a real estate agent. The bottom line is, a successful agent will getting real estate leads for themselves everywhere they go.

Then of course there are the various services out there that SELL real estate leads, most of them generated online. Companies such as GetMyHomesValue, HouseValues, and even RE/MAX will sell prospective real estate leads to agents for a fee. These companies are a great source of prospects, but are often called into question for the "quality" of their leads. Often agents will sign up for a company that generates real estate leads and then be infuriated that they did not get a listing the first month. What should really be called into question is what exactly constitutes a real estate lead?

Many agents will say "someone who is looking to buy or sell within the next six months to a year." That seems like a very narrow definition of the term, and to be honest, agents who use that definition are probably not getting tons of commission checks a month. Successful agents understand that a real estate lead is just about anyone who may be able to use their service anytime in the next 5 years. It's easy to get the listing of someone who just has to sell their home within the next 3 months - they're desperate and will ususally use the first agent they come across- the true test of skill comes when trying to convert a client to your service when they may not be looking to go anywhere for another year or two. If you can convert a client that way, you are likely to have success with your real estate leads and real estate in general for years to come.

real estate agent marketing

Page 1 of 2 :: First | Last ::

Prev | 1 2 | Next

http://www.articlebiz.com/article/56492-1-real-estate-leads-make-the-real-estate-world-go-round/

Top 5 Real Estate Attorney No-No's in New York

You may have read in the news about attorneys who stole their clients' money, lost their license and went to jail. Yes, managing escrow money gets attorneys in trouble the most often. However, there are many other red flags that you should watch out for when selecting legal representation for your real estate transaction. Here is a list of the top five real estate attorney no-no's that go beyond theft, and which every client should be mindful of when seeking representation.

Dual Agent Representation Restriction: Clients need to be sure that their attorney is only acting as their attorney when seeking representation. In fact, attorneys are ethically precluded from representing both parties in a real estate transaction. The buyer and the seller must be independently represented or, instead, represent themselves (this is called pro se) in the transaction. An attorney cannot even have his legal fee paid for by the other side of a transaction (the buyer paying the seller's attorney is not permitted).

Brokering while Lawyering Preclusion: Interestingly, a lawyer can legally act as a real estate broker without a real estate brokerage license in the State of New York pursuant to real estate license law. However, an attorney cannot so act ethically while simultaneously representing a party to a real estate transaction in a legal capacity due to attorneys' ethics rules. This ethical prohibition extends to both the attorney's spouse and other members of the attorney's law firm where one acts as a real estate broker and the other acts as a transactional attorney in the same transaction. The rationale for this ethical rule is that an attorney who acts as a real estate broker will be motivated to close the transaction in order to receive the brokerage commission, which is typically only paid at closing, while a real estate transactional attorney is required to maintain an independence necessary to advise a client not to proceed with a given transaction or course of negotiations. Simply stated, an attorney's financial benefit cannot cloud his professional judgment. Clients need to be sure to have different professionals serving as their real estate broker and transactional attorney when buying and selling real estate. While collaboration between these professionals is in a client's best interest, commingling of fees certainly is not.

Prohibition on Taking Kickbacks: Not only should an attorney not act as a real estate broker while also providing legal representation in a transaction, such attorney is also ethically precluded from sharing in a referral fee from a real estate broker for sending the buyer or seller to the broker in the first place. Still further, an attorney shouldn't accept monies incident to referring a mortgage broker/banker, surveyor, insurance broker, stager, title insurer or any other third-party to their client (i.e., these recommendations are part of the fee for representation). The key is that attorneys must have no incentive in the transaction beyond looking out for their client's best interest.

The Violation of Sharing Confidences: Attorneys have blanket confidentiality as to their client's secrets, and absent a fraud on a tribunal (i.e., court), an attorney needn't disclose any of those confidences. However, the act of an attorney sharing your confidences with a third-party service provider waives a client's right to claim privilege if such attorney is asked about any confidences by anyone including a Judge. Additionally, certain third-party service providers actually have a statutory obligation to affirmatively disclose client confidences to a client's detriment (i.e., a seller's real estate broker must disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of property and a buyer's real estate broker must disclose all facts known to the tenant's ability and/or willingness to perform a contract to rent or lease landlord's property). So, attorneys should obtain their client's informed consent prior to sharing any information with anyone beyond the client about the transaction, except information concerning the fact that a contract was signed or information necessary for the scheduling of a closing because such sharing is required to effectuate the representation (i.e., you can't have a closing unless the lender and title company know to show up).

Being the Deal Killers: Old-school attorneys often wrongfully operate from an outdated attorneys' ethics rule known as the means-end test. Thereunder, a client could identify the end goal of the representation and a lawyer could effectuate obtaining such goal under any means the lawyer deemed fit pursuant to the lawyer's complete discretion and control. As a result, many a lawyer would smell risk in a transaction and kill the deal as this tactic minimized all exposure to suit for malpractice or otherwise. In 2009, New York adopted new attorneys' ethics rules, called The Rules of Professional Conduct, which modifies the means-end test into client informed consent. Thereunder, it's not the attorney's job to kill a client's deal. Instead, it's the attorney's job to advise their client of the risks and benefits of each proposed course of action and then, to ask the client to make an informed choice.

Today, transactional lawyers should be using informed consent letters throughout a real estate transaction. In fact, the real value of an attorney in a real estate transaction is to provide the client with the requisite know-how to make smart choices (e.g., should a buyer close with escrow if their walk-through discovers water in the basement; or should a buyer purchase a house without a certificate of occupancy; or should a seller permit a pre-possession agreement with the purchaser; or should a seller accept an attorney escrow check rather than a bank check in accepting payment). In every possible scenario there is not a one-size-fits-all right answer that works across the board and, instead, clients' decisions should be modified based upon their unique circumstances once they are advised of and understand risk. Still further, the best transactional attorneys not only advise their clients about the law, but also provide guidance about the best practice in business in order to empower their clients to make smart choices. This way, a top attorney's job is to help his client make money.

telemarketing leads

Adapted from this Dan's Papers article.

The Morning Email

Wake up to the day's most important news.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-m-lieb/top-5-real-estate-attorne_b_8197558.html

Real-estate News, Photos and Videos

Home>Topics>Business>Real Estate

Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Foreclosures

Home Builders

Housing Market

Mortgage Companies

Mortgage Fraud

Mortgage Rates

Mortgages

National Association Of Home Builders

National Association Of Realtors

Subprime Mortgage

Tony Rezko

Zillow

local lead generation

http://abcnews.go.com/topics/business/real-estate/

Is realty in Chennai on the path of growth?

The floods which took place in the city in December 2015 were devastating not only to the people of this city but the real estate sector as well. A home in the city which was located in a low lying area was as good as lost to the floods. Even areas which were not considered to be particularly low lying were flooded. Many people lost their lives as well. This showed the city in poor light.

This incident was enough to erode buyer faith in the city. Buying a home in the capital of Tamil Nadu was the furthest thing in a buyer's mind. And why would they when they have seen what a very heavy bout of rains can do to the city. But natural disasters will not weigh heavily on the buyers minds for too long. They will return to the market after a sufficient amount of time has passed.

Political uncertainty also played an important part in bring down the sales of apartments in Poonamallee and other parts of the city. When there is even the slightest hint of political uncertainty, those who are investing in the city tend to stay away from it.

Political uncertainty and natural disasters are now a thing of the past. There seems to be some sort of normalcy coming back to the realty sector in the city. Accordingly to reputed players in the industry, the number of apartments being sold and the number of new launches have gone up in this southern city. This a good sign for everyone involved in the sector here.

The most amount of homes sold in the last quarter of the year 2016 were in the affordable segment. This is the under INR 50 lakhs segment. There is great demand for homes which are in the affordable segment in part thanks to the government that has recognized the need for the same and given sufficient support to those involved in this segment. Other factors such as demonetization and the Real Estate Regulatory Act have also helped buyers purchase apartments in Poonamallee and other parts of Chennai.

Author's Bio:

real estate lead companies

I am writing for Indiaproperty.com. IndiaProperty is India's No.1 property portal. It is best source for all your property search and queries.

real estate website design

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/is-realty-in-chennai-on-the-path-of-growth

Want To Be A Realtor?

Starting Out

Deciding on a career in Real Estate wasnt an easy one for me although I knew it was something that I always wanted to do. I wavered back and forth for nearly a decade before finally deciding to take the plunge. As with any new venture getting started is always the hardest part. For me that was actually enrolling in the course. From there the course work just became a part of the daily routine. And Im sure, like most of you, we worked during the day and studied the often mundane course work by night. It would take me the better part of five months to complete the course work and pass the exam. I dont think I have ever been so nervous to take an exam in my life. Little did I know that the final exam flowed much smoother than I had originally expected. The preparation in the weeks leading up to the exam was the true test for me. As most of you know the exam study guide consists of 1000 practice questions covering every imaginable angle of real estate. I tend to learn by doing things rather than reading about them. I was nearly overwhelmed by all the legal phrasing in the course manual as it certainly isnt written in practical terms. I kept asking myself Are they seriously going to ask me this on the test? Panic nearly set in but I managed to build up enough knowledge and confidence to get through the exam and pass. Mission Accomplished!

Its been three months since that day. In those three months Ive learned a lot about what it takes to be a new agent in this business. There is an obscene amount of information to comprehend in your first few months on the job. Once you establish what brokerage youre going to work for youre going to meet a lot of people who have been in the industry for most of their lives. Its interesting; in speaking to agents who have been at it for three or four years they still feel that they are really new to the real estate industry. This has a lot to do with the fact that every transaction youre involved with is almost entirely different. Sure, each deal will follow the certain basics that form any transaction but each client, contract, sale etc. will always be unique. Im constantly being reminded from other agents that rarely will you get a deal that goes perfectly smooth from beginning to end.

home 4 sale

The clients, contracts, open houses, and showings are all a part of what we do as real estate agents. But as you will quickly learn it really only forms a small part of the process. Its what goes on behind the scenes that will make or break you in this business. If youre going to succeed in real estate its going to be what defines you from other agents, no matter how big or how small. You can have a massive advertising budget or a small advertising budget but you have to create some appeal in what you are trying to relay to the customer. You could spend $100,000 per month on advertising but if it has nothing to say or make you stand out in a positive light it will not be money well spent. For myself, my budget for now is not very much but my focus is on maximizing my exposure to the people I know and the ones who will help me grow my business. We are in a service industry and from day one it has been my goal to provide the most relative, up to date information as well as be professional and accessible to all of my clients. With the market changing as quickly as ours has over the past few months, now more than ever, service is one area of many that as new agents we can separate ourselves from the rest.

As new agents we may not have the fancy cars, the exorbitant advertising budgets, and the dozens of listings. What we do have is the advantage of being extremely excited and passionate about real estate. Your hard work and your positive and professional attitude will be what will get you clients and will ultimately lead you to sell houses. Regardless of your experience level clients want to work with someone they like and can trust to look after their interests.

So if youre new to this industry like me, get out there, get excited and work as many open houses as you can, meet as many people as possible, and treat everyone like you would expect to be treated. Do your best to focus on above all else, the service you provide to your clients.

By Mike Oxley

Real Estate Agent Profile

Best of luck!

By: Brad Furlott

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mike Oxley

Prudential Sussex

North Vancouver, BC

Real Estate Agent Profile

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Want-To-Be-A-Realtor/1018539

http://www.printerbees.com/farming-postcards.html

Company Profile for RealBiz Media Group Inc

Realbiz Media Group, Inc. is engaged in the business of providing digital media and marketing services for the real estate industry. The Company operates through real estate segment, mainly through Web-assisted services. It also focuses on international food distribution of nuts, fruits, honey and meats. Its products and services include Enterprise Video Production, Nestbuilder Agent 2.0, The Virtual Tour (VT) and Microvideo App (MVA), ReachFactor, NestBuilder Website Portal, Nestbuilder Agent and Ezflix Mobile Application. The Company is formed through merging of three divisions, which include its licensed real estate division; its television media contracts (Home Preview Channel/Extraordinary Vacation Homes) division, and its Real Estate Virtual Tour and Media group. It provides video search, storage and marketing capabilities on multiple platforms, such as Web, mobile and television. The Company's subsidiary, Verus Foods, Inc. (Verus), is a supplier of consumer food products.

http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=RBIZ.PK

real estate in the usa

leads in sales

Real estate agent, clients find human remains during property tour

ORLANDO, Fla. - A sheriff's office says a real estate agent and clients found human remains at a property for sale in Florida.

Orlando Sentinel reports Lake County Sheriff's deputies say the remains were found Saturday in Groveland. Sheriff's Lt. John Herrell says investigators responded to the home after receiving a call shortly before 6 p.m.

Detectives could not fully investigate with the impeding darkness, so a deputy stood guard overnight until they could continue working Sunday morning. The Sheriff's Office did not disclose further information.

http://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/real-estate-marketing-experts-reveal-simple-tactics-for-generating-quality-real-estate-leads_137639.html

The Sentinel reports property records indicate the nearly 5-acre property on Douglas Road north of State Road 50 has a roughly 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom house. A County Property Appraiser's map shows the land is covered by trees with a retention pond on the property's north end.

http://www.itbusinessnet.com/article/Real-Estate-Marketing-Experts-Reveal-Simple-Tactics-for-Generating-Quality-Real-Estate-Leads-5107249

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/22/real-estate-agent-clients-find-human-remains-during-property-tour.html

http://prospectsplus.com/ProductCats.asp?cid=370

How Realtors Can Break Into Digital Marketing

So you want to create a real estate marketing plan. Your brokerage needs an online presence, right?

realtor com leads cost

Sure. Take Mike Cooper, managing broker at Winchester Real Estate Sales, for example. He says his brokerage generates more than 80 percent of their new customers through the internet.

Cool, that's great... But did you know there are around 400,000 real estate agents in the United States? That's a lot of competition. Granted there are tons of realtors who get their license and only work part time. However, it still makes for a crowded marketplace.

How do you differentiate yourself and create a solid brand that defines you as the definitive real estate service provider in your area?

You can do this online through content marketing, and things like writing for your local paper which I talk about in this Inman article.

buying and selling a house

At AgentFire, we focus on paid advertising and content marketing. Our client, Kevin Johnson, a Realtor out of Orlando does the same - with a mix of FB ads and a platform called Adwerx.

Using these digital marketing tactics in his real estate business plan, Kevin made $100k in his first 90 days as a realtor. Not too shabby.

Let's break down the process of creating a digital marketing plan as a real estate agent or brokerage:

1. Get a professional website developed.

2. Figure out how to reach potential home sellers or buyers in your area.

3. Drive them to your website and create mechanisms for lead capture.

4. Nurture and follow up on those leads.

Creating a Real Estate Website

When creating your website, you want to ensure it has a beautiful and professional design. There's nothing worse than a poorly designed website that isn't mobile optimized.

Setting up property search using an IDX provider like Showcase IDX is also a great idea. Most IDX providers will allow you to set up "Delayed Forced Registration" which forces users to enter their information when performing property searches on your site. More on lead capture later.

You also want to focus on creating high-value content crafted for hyper-local SEO. One way to do this is by creating neighbourhood pages. You can target a lot of keywords for local SEO by creating dedicated pages and guides for specific neighbourhoods in your city.

P.S - These neighbourhood pages are also great for building your brand as the expert in your area.

Advertising Real Estate Online

You've got a few options here. Zillow and Trulia are sites many realtors use for generating leads. Facebook is a great platform which you may want to combine with Adwerx like our client Kevin.

A great way to drive lots of traffic to your site without spending a ton on ads is by creating search engine optimized content like we spoke about above. The key here is to make content that is highly targeted to lead users down your funnel and into the listing process.

For example: How to sell your house for the most amount of money in NYC

Articles with buyer or seller intent will help drive more targeted leads. Lastly, you want to ensure you can capture their information and follow up.

Capturing and Nurturing Real Estate Leads

Create landing pages that are optimized for capturing prospects information. Also set your website up with pop-up CTA's and email opt-in forms. By the way, offering a lead magnet like buyer and seller guides are great for increasing your lead capture conversion.

One other cool lead capture option is setting up a "Click to Call" button on the mobile version of your website. This will help immediately convert users with intent to buy or sell a home.

When you have your lead capture set up, ensure you "nurture" them properly. Set up a drip email campaign to help brand yourself, educate your leads and lead them down the funnel of listing or buying a home.

Further, you can use a CRM like Follow Up Boss to manage your leads and create select intervals for follow-up. If you are a brokerage owner, this is great for setting up lead distribution.

In Conclusion

Creating a solid digital marketing strategy as a realtor or brokerage can bring awesome results. The internet has made it easier than ever to build a strong brand.

Take advantage of the tools at your disposal - websites optimized for SEO and lead capture, IDX, advertising platforms and CRM's. Doing so can help drive more qualified leads into your funnel.

Remember that digital marketing can build awareness and attract leads... But it's your job to turn those leads into listings.

(P.S - If you'd like to know more about digital marketing as a realtor, you can read more on AgentFire.com. Good luck!)

The Morning Email

Wake up to the day's most important news.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/connor-ondriska/how-realtors-can-break-in_b_10215782.html

http://www.realpropertymarketing.com/

Real Estate Search Marketing Offers Florida's Real Estate Agents Exclusive Lead Generation Websites and Effective Internet Marketing Strategies.

generation companies" who sell leads for a set fee for each local

zip code. The same leads are then sold to multiple agents in each zip

code making the lead nearly worthless and the service is extremely

expensive. Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) offers the successful Real

Estate Professionals of the future with exclusive targeted Premier Real

Estate Domains, and the most effective Internet Real Estate Marketing

Strategies available anywhere today at a fraction of the cost of any

other options.

Once upon a time just having a website was enough to draw attention

and traffic to a business. The first domain name

"symbolics.com" was registered in 1985. Today there are

40,000,101 active .com domain names in the United States. A Google

search query for "Naples real estate agents" now returns

686,000 web results. A Yahoo search query for "Naples real estate

agents" returns 1,560,000 web results. It is very clear that just

having a website doesn't cut it any longer. Some of the most recent

data suggests that the typical Internet user does not even consider the

typical "website search results" returned from a search query,

they only review the first 3 positions of the paid "sponsored

ads". Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) subscribes to several

sources of "search engine keyword data", as well as performing

our own relentless pursuit of all pertinent data for our internal review

and consideration. By knowing what keywords, keyword strings, and

phrases that Internet users are typing into search engines, we are

thereby enabled to effectively structure what's on tv tonight advertising, websites and

website content, and website design to meet the needs and desires of the

masses.

The following are exerts from a recent real estate trade

publication article:

According to Ian Morris in Realty Times (R)

"The migration has begun. I'm talking about real estate

advertising-billions and billions of dollars worth-that is shifting from

traditional print to the internet, marking one of the most profound

transformations our industry has witnessed.

The real estate industry is in the midst of a transformation

primarily for three reasons: 1. home buyers and sellers are

predominantly online 2. online advertising is more cost effective 3.

online advertising offers more return and better access to targeted

consumer.

new listings of homes for sale

Although old habits generally die hard, this transformation should

come as no surprise to anyone in our industry. After all, more than

three-quarters of all consumers now begin their real estate experiences

online-and savvy real estate agents know they need to be where their

customers are to generate leads, referrals, and repeat business.

In fact the National Association of Realtors points out, that now

days, more buyers and sellers find their agent via the Internet than

from yellow pages, newspapers, and direct mail combined.

Real Estate is, and always will be, a professionally assisted

transaction-and the Internet is empowering agents like never before by

helping them profitably attract and build long-term relationships with

home buyers and sellers.

Are you putting your advertising dollars in the places where your

customers are?"

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/RealEstateSearchMarketingOffersFlorida'sRealEstateAgents...-a0135988501

New Real Estate Trend Uses Hollywood-Like Videos to Help Sell Your Home

http://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/real-estate-marketing-experts-reveal-simple-tactics-for-generating-quality-real-estate-leads_137639.html

ABC News' Mary Pflum and Eliza Murphy report:

A new trend in the real estate market is bringing a whole new meaning to "home movies."

In order to help sell homes, real estate agents and developers are commissioning mini-movies, replete with actors, scripts and musical scores, as a new tactic to entice buyers in a competitive real estate market.

Neo Property, one of the companies using this Hollywood-style pitch technique, made a mini-movie hoping to sell a luxury home in Queensland, Australia.

"It's a three-level home, contemporary design," the video's narrator describes while showing professional quality sweeping views of the home.

The video stars a young woman in her underwear tied to a chair inside the modern, sleek house, as helicopters hover around the property, ultimately ending with the woman being rescued by none other than the home's real estate agents.

The video seems to be targeting "a single bachelor lifestyle," Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing" real estate agent Josh Flagg told ABC News. "It's ridiculous."

The three-minute film, which cost $15,000, was the brainchild of Australia-based real-estate film company Platinum HD, the Wall Street Journal reports. Duncan Schieb, the film's producer, told the paper his goal is to make real-estate videos that "go viral" online.

Take a Look Inside Celebrity Real Estate

And the movie-like trailers could be coming to a town near you, where the not-so-subliminal message is that if you buy these homes, you, too, could be living in the lap of luxury.

Film House CEO Curt Hahn also directed a mini-movie for a 4,000-square-foot condominium listed for $1.795 million in Nashville, Tenn.

"They get to the end of the movie and see what the payoff is," explained Hahn. "People got to the end of that movie and they had tears in their eyes."

The budgets for these types of films can range from several thousand dollars to $1 million, depending on the type of listing, according to the Wall Street Journal.

But if you want to sell your house and can't afford a big production, do not despair, say real estate experts.

Eric Lavey, a Los Angeles real estate agent for Teles Properties, said he started making home movies for clients in 2011 for as little as $500 by hiring student filmmakers and directing the films himself. A former talent agent, he came up with the idea for home movies when the real estate market went particularly soft and said the proof of the selling power of the movies is in the signed-contract pudding.

Homes, Lavey said, stand out when their listings include a movie.

Hahn noted that movies can also make people fall in love with a home they would not otherwise have even considered, had they looked only at virtual tours and traditional real estate websites.

"I'll give you a perfect example of why still photos don't sell houses," said the filmmaker, who now makes as many as three home movies a week for homeowners and real estate agents in Tennessee and Michigan. "You wind up with all these empty, cold, still photos that don't have any emotion. They don't sell. They just show. Our movies create an emotional connection with a buyer."

Rogan Allen, a Nashville resident who has hired Hahn to help him sell his home of seven years with a custom-made movie, believes films are the wave of real estate's future.

"I absolutely think this is going to trickle down. I absolutely think that people with iPhones are going to make short films and upload them to YouTube," said the Tennessee native. "Anyone with a camera and use of the English language will be able to pull this off and probably in extremely clever ways we haven't thought of."

But those who aren't so sure can still sell homes the old-fashioned way, Flagg said.

"If you put your house on the market for what it's worth, you'll sell it. Simple," the real estate agent explained.

https://realestatetourism.ca/real-estate-marketing-experts-reveal-simple-tactics-for-generating-quality-real-estate-leads/66156

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/08/new-real-estate-trend-uses-hollywood-like-videos-to-help-sell-your-home/

http://www.hribar.com/real-estate-marketing-plan.html

Real Living Real Estate Leads Industry with Highest Customer Satisfaction Rating

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Real Living Real Estate, the first national real estate franchisor that

gave clients the power to grade their customer experience, announced its

agents received a 97% customer satisfaction rating for 2016, according

to independent ratings service, Quality Service Certification, Inc.

(QSC). This is the second consecutive year the brokerage network scored

97%.

Through Real Living's innovative Real Living 360 Service program, the

network asks customers to candidly rate the performance of their sales

agent. QSC administers and validates these customer service satisfaction

results following closed transactions for participating agents.

houses on sale

"The high ratings are a real win for our brand, especially when coupled

with Real Living Real Estate recently being named Real Estate Agency

Brand of the Year and Most Trusted Real Estate Brand in the 2017 Harris

Poll EquiTrend Study," said Robert McAdams Jr., president of Real

Living. "We are most trusted because of the industry-leading service we

consistently provide to buyers and sellers."

The latest results from QSC place Real Living at the top of the real

estate industry for customer satisfaction, based on responses from

thousands of home buyers and sellers. A full 92% of buyers reported

being very satisfied with the buying process and service provided by

Real Living network professionals, while 89% of sellers said they were

very satisfied with the selling process. In the latest report from the

National Association of REALTORS, only 60% of buyers said they were

very satisfied with the buying process and service provided by their

real estate professional while 61% of sellers said they were very

satisfied with the selling process.

"Sharing performance guidelines and expectations speaks volumes about

how genuinely we care about giving everything we can to our buyers and

sellers," said Lou Ann Pittman, director of relocation services at Real

Living Pittman Properties. "Real Living 360 Service is not just a trade

tool; it is a lifestyle our agents have developed and continue to

improve upon each and every day in order to be the very best in the

industry."

Gino Blefari, CEO of HSF Affiliates, congratulated Real Living on the

network's industry-leading scores. "As the latest numbers show, Real

Living network agents continue to deliver quality service year after

year," said Blefari. "This 97% overall satisfaction rating further

proves the network's dedication to only the very best in customer care."

homes to buy

About Real Living Real Estate

Real Living Real Estate is a full-service real estate brokerage

franchise company with a comprehensive and integrated suite of resources

for franchisees and their sales professionals, as well as for consumers

who work with them. In 2016 and 2017, Real Living Real Estate was named

"Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year" in the ongoing Harris Poll

EquiTrend study; and was named "Most Loved" and "Most Trusted" real

estate brand in the study in consecutive years. Additionally, the Real

Living brand and its innovative concepts were recognized by Entrepreneur

magazine as well as by Inman News with several Inman Innovator Awards.

Real Living Real Estate is a network brand of HSF Affiliates LLC,

majority owned by HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway

affiliate. Visitwww.RealLiving.com.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530006246/en/Real-Living-Real-Estate-Leads-Industry-Highest

http://www.reamark.com/catalog/postcards.htm

Real Estate Marketing, Do You Use Direct Mail?

Real Estate Marketing, Do You Use Direct Mail?

by: Barrett Niehus

Prospecting for leads is by far the most difficult part of being a Realtor or small business professional. In fact, lead development is by far the most expensive and time consuming aspect of your job. However, you level of success in lead development will determine if you succeed or fail as a real estate agent or small business professional.

So how do you develop leads? Well top selling professionals realize that they need to touch as many people as possible without spending a fortune or taking up a lot of their time. They also realize that they must make some form of contact with a prospect as many as eight times before that contact will even consider doing business with the professional. Many of these professionals use direct mail to recruit prospects, and direct mail tools to close their deals.

The fundamentals of direct mail are very simple. At is most basic level you are sending out message with an invitation for a prospect to contact you. The key is targeting your specific audience, and making your message stand out against all of the other junk mail that you prospects receive. In addition, you must expose your prospects to the message enough times to make them consider taking action.

mls lookup

The first step in creating a direct mail program is to determine where you are going to focus your message. What type of client are you specifically looking for? How old are they, what are their interests, fears, income levels, etc. With this type of very specific demographic information you can customize your message to invoke them to call you. Next, determine how many people you are going to send your message to and what geography you are going to focus on. Keep in mind that a direct mail piece with more than a 1% response rate is considered exceptional, and that statistically, post cards get more attention than envelopes in peoples mail boxes. Essentially this means that if you mail 500 pieces and you get five phone calls, you are doing exceptionably well.

After you know what your customer looks like and the area in which they live, create your marketing message. It should invoke emotion and request a response. The most effective messages offer something for free such as a free home report, assessment, or giveaway such as a software program or product. Other useful messages show what has just been listed and invite prospects to "cash in" on their rising home values.

Now that you have your message designed contact a local or internet based direct mailing list seller and rent a list of prospects addresses. You will be mailing to this list more than once so make sure you get repeat mailing discounts. All of these list brokers have test addresses in the lists they sell to make sure you only mail the agreed number of times. Many of these list sellers will offer mailing services as well, and some will even provide design and printing services. Companies such as PurePoscards.com and MailersClub.com are excellent resources to get both mailing lists and design services.

Use the design services as needed and remember that statistically, an enclosed letter with blue ink and a first class stamp will get the best response. Letters and postcards follow with lower responses. Regardless of the type of mail that you are sending, it is important to realize that you are hoping for at least a 1% response to your campaign.

Mail your message to the list and see what happens. Plan on mailing at least two more times to get your desired response, but feel free to modify the message and the medium. It is just important to provide your target customer with repetition so that they become used to your message and will consider doing business with you. It is through repetition and a message that stands out that you will get your client's attention and earn a response to your marketing.

Direct marketing is a very effective tool for realtors to grow their businesses. It can create a significant number of leads and a significant addition to your cash flow, However, direct mail must be done with proper planning and the right expectations for response. Never has a single one-time direct mailing been successful. Alternatively, real estate professionals who practice repetition in their direct mail and their marketing grow wealthy while they leave their competition behind.

About The Author

Barrett Niehus is a principal for IP Ware Real Estate Investment Software http://www.realtysoftware.org and a technical marketing specialist for Compound Solutions in Escondido, California.

This article was posted on May 11, 2004

View More Videos from the "Marketing" category:

<< Back to "Marketing" Index

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/marketing/article_472.shtml

Tips for Generation X and Generation Y home buyers

According to a recent survey, people who belong to the Generation X and Generation Y demographics haven't been deterred by the housing market downturn at all.

A Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate survey found that 75 percent of Gen X and Y respondents believe owning a home is a key indicator of success; 69 percent said the recent housing downturn made them more knowledgeable about homeownership than their parents were at their age.

And it turns out that Gen X-ers and Y-ers are more motivated than some older generations give them credit for. The survey revealed that Gen X-ers and Gen Y-ers are willing to take second jobs (40 percent said they would) or move in with their parents (23 percent) in order to buy into the American Dream of owning a home.

The real estate market during the past five years was certainly scary, especially for younger and less experienced home buyers. And so, a lot of people in Gen X and Gen Y sat on the sidelines. But the market has definitely bounced back, and many believe that now is a great time to buy. You just have to be savvy about it.

Here are five tips to help Gen X-ers and Gen Y-ers buy into the American Dream.

Have a five-year plan

Unlike the boom years, don't assume a home purchased today will appreciate in value within five years. If you're unsure about your five-year plans, it's better to rent.

Use technology creatively

It's well-documented that Gen X-ers and Gen Y-ers start their home search online. Real estate listings sites, mortgage calculators and valuation tools such as Zillow's Zestimate home value are typically places a buyer starts. But, once you're in the market, there are tons of online resources. Less obvious tools, such as Google Street View, can help, too. It once helped a client realize that the home she wanted to buy in San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood may not be as safe as she thought. Google Street View revealed that there were previously bars on the windows of the ground-floor apartment.

Beware of information overload

Using the Internet and apps, home buyers today have an unprecedented amount of data available. Sometimes, however, it's too much and can cause the buyer to shoot themselves in the foot. For example, a buyer might learn that the seller stands to make a 10 percent profit in a short amount of time. Even though the profit is in line with current market values, that information might cause the buyer to make a low offer and kick themselves a month later for missing out on a great house.

Don't assume you don't need a real estate agent

Because so much information is online, many Gen X-ers and Gen Y-ers might think they can buy a home on their own. However, the role of the agent is no longer about finding the listings. It's about presenting the offer and getting it accepted, getting through inspections and getting the deal done. A real estate transaction can go 50 different ways now. A good agent will steer a buyer on the right path. A savvy agent will know the ins and outs of any local market better than an uninformed buyer with a full-time job and family. It's their business to be in the know, and it's what they do all day long. Experienced agents will have a strong network in the local market that can give you the added edge. Good agents like to work with other good agents. Finally, keep in mind that a listing agent might not even consider working with an unrepresented buyer.

Look for opportunities to increase the home's value

Baby boomers and preceding generations could more or less count on staying in their homes for many years and, in turn, their homes' steady increase in value over time. After the market downturn, however, that's not the case. Because they're so mobile, Gen X-ers and Gen Y-ers in particular should steer clear of buying the best home on the best block. Instead, look for ways to add value. Look at homes that don't show well, are marketed poorly or are outdated. Don't be afraid of doing light remodeling or making smart improvements that will add value. If you have to sell your home sooner than you'd planned, you're covered.

Related:

Brendon DeSimone is a Realtor, a regular HGTV contributor and one of the nation's leading real estate experts. He has collaborated on multiple real estate books and his expert advice is regularly sought out by print, online and television media outlets like FOX News, CNBC and Forbes. An avid investor, Brendon owns real estate around the US and abroad and is licensed to sell in both California and New York. You can find Brendon online or follow him on Twitter.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

Click to view original post.

amazon in sale

http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2013/01/20/tips-for-generation-x-and-generation-y-home-buyers.html

Glossary of Literary Terms

Human mind is like a clock that ticks every moment. Even while we sleep, our brain spins stories, and plays them like a motion picture that we call a dream. It converts information of the hours of wakefulness into more permanent and enhanced memory. It should then not be difficult to perceive the level of activity (or should we call it hyperactivity), that the human mind undergoes when we are awake! Not only does our mind seep in all the information like a dry, hard surface soaking water, it processes all that information and forms its own opinions, and these opinions need to be communicated. The moment we talk about communication, the first thing that comes to our mind is LANGUAGE.

True, there are signs and symbols to communicate, but can they really replace words? Is it possible to put across our thoughts in a meaningful and comprehensible form form using them? Now that the need for words and sentences has been established, let us move a step further.

Let's consider the following two sentences:

It was a very hot day."The streets were a furnace, the sun an executioner." (Cynthia Ozick, "Rosa")Both the sentences mean the same. However, the second sentence makes use of metaphor - a figure of speech that emphasizes the fact using a comparison rather than just stating it. Each language has such literary terms and devices that makes it a mode of expression of creativity and imagination along with one's thoughts. Besides the rules of English grammar there are numerous other devices that make expression so effortless. This article is a glossary of literary terms and definitions in English language. This glossary is not only of help to students of a particular language, but will also enable common man to appreciate the beauty of this language.

Literary Terms Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X |Y | Z

Ab Ovo: Latin phrase for a narrative that starts "at the beginning" of a plot and moves on describing events till the end of the plot in chronological order of events. This is opposed to in medias re in which a narrative begins somewhere in the middle of the plot, and recounts earlier events through a character's memories or flashback.

Abolitionist Literature: Any form of literary work, written in the nineteenth century, that was aimed at condemning slavery and slaveholders, and advocating abolitionism of slavery.

Abstract Diction or Abstract Imagery: Language that denotes the qualities that can't be perceived by the senses. For instance, calling someone nice or good is abstract. However, saying that rose is red is concrete.

Abstract Poem: A poem that relies on auditory patterns rather than meaning of words, grammatical, or syntactical use to convey sense.

Absurd Literature: It refers to a literary work that has in common, a sense that human condition is essentially absurd, and can be best represented by works of literature that are themselves absurd.

Accent: The stress or intonation on a syllable while pronouncing a particular word or sentence. The meaning can be easily derived by the stress that is applied on a particular word.

Acrostic: A poem or other form of writing in which the first or last letter, syllable, or word of each line or paragraph, when arranged one after the other, form a word.

Act: A play is divided into a number of major divisions. Each major division is known as an act. The end of an act is signified by dropping the curtain. Playwrights use acts to emphasize change in time, events, or mood. Each act is further divided into scenes; each scene again highlights change in location, time, or entry of a new character within each act.

Action: An event or series of events (real or fictional), that make the subject of a literary piece of work. Actions along with dialogs of the character shape the plot of a narrative poem, prose, novel, story, or a play.

Adventure Novel: A novel in which exciting events are more important than the development of a character or a theme. For example, Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes.

Aestheticism: Aestheticism or aesthetic movement started in the latter part of the nineteenth century in France. During those times, anything that was not scientific or did not have any moral use was ignored, especially by the middle class. It was in opposition to this attitude, that French writers developed the aesthetic movement according to which, art was the most supreme of any work produced by man, and it need not have any moral implication or use. Art was perceived to be self-sufficient. The rallying cry of this movement was art for art's sake.

Affective Fallacy: It refers to the mistake of judging a poem on the basis of its emotional effect on the readers. The term was coined by W. K. Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley as a principle of New Criticism, and is a direct attack on impressionistic criticism, according to which, the real value of a poem depends upon the reader's immediate response to it.

Affix: A morpheme that is added to a stem or base to give it a new meaning. If the affix is added in the beginning of a stem, it is called a prefix. When added at the end of the stem, it is referred to as a suffix. In the word 'unbreakable' the affix un is the prefix. In the word 'beautician', cian is the suffix.

Affixation: Affixation refers to making a new word by adding an affix to it.

Alexandrine: It is a line of iambic hexameter. In this, twelve syllables in a line are divided into six feet of iambic stress pattern. Since, an alexandrine is a long line, it is often divided in the middle by a pause or a caesura. The division results into two symmetrical halves, called hemististches.

Allegory: The word has been derived from the Greek word allegoria which means, 'speaking otherwise'. This term acts as an extended metaphor in which, objects, characters, or actions are used to denote something other than their literal meaning. They are used to symbolize qualities of social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas like charity, kindness, greed, or jealousy. In other words, through allegory, authors use elements of the narrative, to stress upon broader ideas that may not be explicitly mentioned in the narrative.

Allegoresis: Allegoresis refers to reading a story as an allegory.

Alliteration: Alliteration is a literary or rhetorical stylistic device in which, consonant sounds are repeated (usually at the beginning) of a number of words in close succession. However, the repetitive sound can come inside the words as well. In literature, alliteration is used to emphasize on specific actions. For example, in Astrophel and Stella by Sir Philip Sydney, a line states "Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite" (Line 13). In this line, the repetitive use of the sound 't' helps the reader to visualize and better understand the poet's anguish as he bites his pen. Other, more simple uses of alliteration are 'descending dew drops' and 'luscious lemons'. While in the first case, the writer helps the reader visualize action like descent of the dew drops by repeating the sound 'd', in the second example, the quality of the lemon being luscious is highlighted by using the sound 'l'.

Allomorph: Allomorphs are the variations or different pronunciations of a morpheme. For instance, the morpheme plural-s has the standard /s/ sound in cats, but in dogs the morpheme becomes a /z/ sound.

Allophone: Phonetic variants of the same phoneme are allophones. For example, the letter t in the word tar is aspirated, but the letter t in the word stop is unaspirated.

Allusion: In literary work, allusion is a reference to some person, place, or event in history or in another work of literature. Allusions are often used to convey broad complex ideas with a quick reference to well-known events or characters. An example is Steve's love for comfort was his Achilles heel. Here the allusion 'Achilles heel' draws reference to Achilles, the famous warrior whose mother dipped him in holy water holding his heels. Due to this, his only weakness was his heels. Here, Achilles heel refers to Steve's love for comfort which was his only weakness, and could cause his downfall.

Ambiguity: In ordinary parlance, ambiguity refers to the use of a vague expression instead of being precise. Hence, this could be interpreted as a fault in the writing style. However, in literature ambiguity is often used on purpose by an author to highlight the effectiveness and richness of a work. In such a case, a single expression, word, or phrase can allow for two or simultaneous expressions. A good example is the open ended conclusion to Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown."

Amelioration: Amelioration is a favorable semantic change in which a word gains increasingly positive connotations or loses the negative ones. For example the word 'knight' that originally meant servant came to be used for 'servants of the kings' at a later stage through amelioration of the word.

Amphibrach: It is a metrical foot of three syllables in which, one stressed syllable has an unstressed syllable, one on each end.

Anachronism: Anachronism refers to placing of an event, person, object or verbal expression in the wrong historical time. For example, in Julius Caesar, Shakespeare mentions the clock in a number of instances. However, there were no household clocks in ancient Rome. Anachronism is either intentional or accidental. However, it is allowed under 'poetic license'. Another example of anachronism is found in the costumes of Elizabethan plays. This tradition continues even today when Shakespearean plays are carried out in Victorian frippery.

Anacrusis: The introduction of one or two unstressed syllables in the beginning of a line of verse where normally a stressed syllable would come.

Anagram: When the letters in a name or words are jumbled or shuffled to form a new word, it is said to be an example of anagram. Often taken as an author's ingenuity with wordplay, anagrams were used to conceal messages or veil names. By using anagram one could indirectly refer to some quality that was not socially accepted. An example can be found in the work of Tanith Lee. In her short story Bite-Me-Not, or Fleur De Feu the vampire's name is Feroluce, which is an anagram of his demonic predecessor Lucifer.

Anagrosis: A term used by Aristotle, it refers to the realization by the protagonist of something of great importance, especially some truth about himself or human nature. For example, in the novel Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding, the protagonist, on evidence of a birthmark, realizes that he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson.

Analogy: Using an instance somewhat similar (not the same) to the one being talked about, in order to highlight the salient features of the instance in question, through comparison of the two.

Anapest: It is one of the four standard feet in the English Language in which two unstressed syllables are followed by one stressed syllable. For example, The As syr / ian came down / like a wolf / on the fold. / The italicized syllables are stressed and the non italicized ones are the unstressed ones.

Anaphora: The intentional repetition of a word or phrase in the beginning of each sentence, line, paragraph, verse, or stanza in order to achieve artistic effect. For example, Churchill's declaration "We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on the end. We shall fight in France. We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost shall be.", is an example of anaphora where the phrase "We shall" has been used repetitively every time in the beginning of sentences. This example of anaphora emphasizes determination and solidarity.

Anaptyxis: Introduction of a weak vowel sound between two consonant sounds in order to make pronouncing a word or a phrase easier. This introduction of the vowel sound is intrusive and is unexpected historically or according to the norms of language development.

Anastrophe: It refers to the inversion of the normal order of words in a language. For example, in this sentence Glistens the dew upon the morning grass., the verb comes before the subject-noun. However, according to normal syntax, verb should come after the subject-noun. According to the normal syntax, the sentence should read as "The dew glistens upon the morning grass."

Anecdote: It is an un-elaborated narration of a single incident, with the dialog of the characters, actions, and thoughts all organized into a plot that is aimed at creating particular effects on the audience.

Annal: A concise form of historical writing that has a chronological, year by year account of events.

Antagonist: A character in prose or poetry that deceives, frustrates, works against, or tries to harm the main character who is known as the protagonist. The antagonist need not be a live character. It could be any quality as well. Also, the antagonist needn't be always bad. In fact, it can be a virtue which acts against a protagonist, who in this case would be evil.

Anthology: A collection of poetry, drama, or verse.

Anthropomorphism: The act of attributing human-like qualities to non-human entities. Anthropomorphism specifically refers to gods and goddesses having human forms and human-like qualities like jealousy, hatred, or kindness.

Anti-romance: Anti-romance is a story which has an apathetic and self-doubting protagonist or the antihero, who fails in his objectives. Anti-romance features insanity and depression. It is a direct contrast to romance.

Anticlimax: A sudden change or drop from some important and dignified idea or situation, to one that is trivial or ridiculous. It is a deliberate action of a writer with the aim of achieving a comic or satiric effect. It is often used as an equivalent of bathos.

Antihero: A character in a literary work, who is opposed to the image of a protagonist or a hero as he is traditionally perceived. He embodies negative qualities like dishonesty, selfishness, ignominy, and so on.

Antithesis: Antithesis refers to the use of contrasting words or phrases in close sequence. For example, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." - Speech of Martin Luther King, Jr., at St. Louis, 1964."

Apologue: A moral fable in which the author uses animals and inanimate objects as people or characters, that allow the author to comment on human conditions. Apologues are often used to emphasize the irrationality of traits of mankind. George Orwell's Animal Farm and Aesop's Fables are examples of apologue.

A posteriori: It refers to a belief or a proposition that can be determined only through observation.

Apostrophe: It is used when addressing a real or imagined person.

A priori: An argument is referred to as a priori if its veracity can be inferred without any direct perception.

Arcadia: A mountainous region in Greece in which shepherds lived in peace and contentment. In literature, the word is associated with simplicity and denotes a retreat from the complexities of life.

Archaism: Deliberate use of words, expressions, spellings, or phrases that have become obsolete in the present era by a writer for artistic purposes.

Archetype: Archetypes are characters, images, and themes that evoke same response in readers across cultures and time because of their symbolic association with universal meanings.

Argument: The sequence of ideas or the plot of a poem that forms its conceptual structure.

Arthurian: Any piece of literature that is related to King Arthur.

Aside: A stage device through which a speaker communicates his thoughts and ideas to the audience through a short speech which, by convention, other characters on stage are unable to hear.

Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of identical or similar vowels (specially in stressed syllables), in words that occur in close sequence.

Asyndterm: It is a stylistic scheme in which conjunctions are intentionally removed from a string of related clauses. This is usually done to speed up the rhythm and emphasize on the idea in a single line or phrase.

Atmosphere or Ambiance: The emotional tone prevalent throughout a literary work or a section of it, that helps the reader to anticipate and relate to the course of events, whether happy or sad. Alternatively, the terms mood or ambiance (French word) are also used for atmosphere.

Aubade: Also called a dawn song, an aubade is a genre of poetry in which the subject of a poem revolves around the dawn or coming of the dawn. It also includes a song that is to be sung or played outdoors at dawn. Aube is the dawn song sung specifically by a friend over a pair of lovers until the break of dawn.

Auditory Imagery: Descriptive language that evokes some sound that could be noise or music.

Autobiographical Novel: A semi-fictional account of an individual's life, in which the experiences of an author are either transposed on to other characters or are mixed with fictional experiences.

Autobiography: A non-fictional work by a subject, about his or her own life. Every account of the author's life is true.

Avant-garde: Piece of art or literature, that is experimental and innovative, and transcends the norms that are generally accepted.

Business: Also known as on-stage business, the term business denotes any on-stage activity like expressions, gestures, and general activity of the actors, other than blocking.

Bachic Foot: A foot in a poetry containing three syllables in which the first syllable has a light stress, and is followed by two heavy stresses.

Bacchic Meter: Very rare in English, bachic meter refers to a poem in which each foot has three syllables, all of which are heavily stressed.

Ballad Measure: A ballad measure consists of a four line stanza with four stress and three stress lines alternating with each other. A ballad measure has abcb or abab rhyme scheme.

Ballad Opera: An eighteenth century comic drama in which lyrics are set to current popular tunes.

Ballad Stanza: A four line stanza that consists of alternating lines of eight and six syllables. It is also known as quatrain and follows the rhyme scheme of abcb pattern.

Ballad: A narrative folk song or poem that tells a story and is passed orally through tradition. Ballads cannot be traced to a particular author. Characteristically, they are dramatic and impersonal narratives.

Ballade: A French verse that is made of three, eight line stanzas, that have a consistent meter, and a rhyme scheme. The last line of the stanza is a refrain and the ballad stanza is followed by a concluding stanza, four lines known as the envoi, which are addressed to the prince.

Bard: Originally, a Celtic poet who would sing heroic poems by memory while playing the harp. In time, the word bard came to denote any poet. In modern times, Shakespeare is largely referred to as the Bard of Avon.

Baroque: Baroque refers to a style of architecture, sculpture, and painting, that employs the classical styles of the renaissance. However, the classical styles are broken and intermingled to produce a dramatic, grandiose, and highly energetic effect. A good example of this style is, St Peter's Cathedral in Rome. In literature, baroque refers to any piece of work that is elaborately formal and grandiloquent in style. For instance, in English literature the metaphysical poems of John Donne are often referred to as baroque. However, it more appropriately applies to the elaborate style, fantastic conceits and the fervent religious emotionalism of poet Richard Crashaw.

Beast Epic: A genre of literary work which comprises tales consisting of animal characters with human qualities that were intended to be read allegorically. The beast epic started with Aesop's Fables in the sixth century.

Bestiary: A medieval listing containing the names and attributes of different animals, birds, and even rocks. The explanation of every animal ended with a moral. These animals were often used as symbols of Christian doctrines and beliefs. For example, the pelican in bestiary was described to tear open its breast to give life to its young with its blood. This was a living representation of Jesus Christ.

where to get real estate leads

Beat Generation or Beat Writers: A group of American poets and novelists who formed a close knit association in the second half of 1950s and early decades of 1960s. They rejected the mainstream American values and experimented with drugs and alternate forms of sexuality. They favored unrestricted self-realization and self-expression. The cultural phenomenon that they inspired was later sometimes called "beatniks".

Beat: Beat is a heavy stress or accent in a line of poetry. The meter of a line is determined by the number of beats in it.

Beta Reader: This term denotes a reader who reads a work of fiction with a critical eye with the aim of improving its grammar, spellings, characterization, and the style of writing in general, before it is published.

Bildungsroman: Also known as Erziehungsroman, these are German words that mean "novel of education" or "novel of information". These novels dealt with the development of the character and mind of the protagonist as he grows, from childhood to adulthood, through various experiences. The protagonist most often faced a spiritual crisis and as he recovered from it, he matured and understood his role in the world. Examples of this are, Bronte's Jane Eyre, George Elliot's The Mill on the Floss, Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage.

Biography: A complete account of a particular person's life that attempts to portray the character, temperament, as well as the experiences of the individual.

Black Aesthetics: The proponents were mostly the African-American writers who rejected the 'high art' advocated by white culture and called in for exploitation of the vigor and freshness of black vernacular, in rhythms and moods emulating jazz and the blues, that concerned mainly with the lives of the lower class, and specifically addressed the Black audience. The most prominent proponent of Black aesthetic was Imamu Amiri Baraka.

Black Arts Movement: Black arts movement refers to the literary works of African-American writers that were shaped by the social and political turbulence of the 1960s. This period was marked by the widespread protests against the Vietnam War, rights of the Blacks that led to a number of violent confrontations and the burnings and riots in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, and so on.

Black Comedy: A sub genre of comedy in which topics that are taboo are treated in a satirical or humorous way. However, the seriousness of the topics are never compromised in their depiction. Black comedy is also known as black humor, morbid humor, dark comedy, or dark humor.

Blank Vernacular: It is the ethnic dialect of the African-American writers. It is also known as Black English Vernacular (BEV) or African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) in scholarly texts.

Blank Verse: A verse in iambic pentameter that does not have any rhyme scheme, hence the name 'blank'. It was popularly used in verse drama of the sixteenth century by Shakespeare, and later by Milton and Wordsworth for poetry.

Blocking Agent: A person, circumstance, or mentality that prevented two lovers from being together.

Blocking: Arrangement and movement of characters on stage, that ensures that all characters are visible to the audience, and actors are spread evenly throughout the stage and not cluttered at one place.

Bloomsbury Group: The Bloomsbury Group was an informal association of a group of writers, intellectuals, and artists in the Bloomsbury town of London, formed in 1905. Its members opposed the post-Victorian restrictions on arts and morality. This group had an important influence on literature and arts about two decades after the end of World War I. Virginia Woolf, E. M. Forster, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell, and Clive bell were some of this prominent members of the group.

Boethian: Anything related to the philosophy of Boethius, that is a philosophy of predestination, which suggests that all events appearing evil, disastrous, or accidental are actually not so. They are, in fact, illusions that appear like that because of the limited perception of mankind. According to Boethius who founded the philosophy, these events have a higher beneficial purpose that would elude the comprehension of human beings, as long as they are bound with the laws of the physical universe.

Bombast: Inflated and wordy speech that is grossly disproportionate to the worth of the subject it addresses.

Bound Morpheme: A morpheme that in itself does not have a meaning and hence, has to be exclusively used as a part of a larger word. For instance, the morpheme gruntle in the word disgruntle is an example of a bound morpheme. This is opposite to a free morpheme that can retain independent meaning on its own. Examples of free morpheme are it and self in the word itself.

Bourgeois Drama: It refers to the dramas in the 1830s in England which were based on domestic life and contemporary matters. Emphasis was laid more on re-creating local color and domestic detail. This marked the deviation from melodrama and romanticism in drama of the preceding stages. Emergence of bourgeois drama saw the development of new staging practices.

Bourgeoisie: A French term that refers to the non aristocratic middle class, that comprised the well to do group of consumers, that did not have to face the hardships of the lower class workers or the proletariats. The word bourgeois is the adjective of the term bourgeoisie that refers to the tendencies, values, and qualities of the bourgeoisie.

Bourgeoisie Tragedy: A form of tragedy which had protagonists from the middle class who suffered a commonplace or domestic disaster. This kind of tragedy that developed in the eighteenth century was the result of the enlightenment and the emergence of the bourgeoisie class and its values. It is also known a domestic tragedy. The first true example of bourgeoisie tragedy is George Lilo's English play The London Merchant.

Bowdlerization: Editing a literary work for profanity, sexually illicit material, or unacceptable political sentiment. The term was often used derogatorily by editors and scholars to denote an incomplete or inferior quality literary work. The term originated from the name of Reverend Thomas Bowdler who removed parts from his Family Shakespeare that he considered "unfit to be read by a gentleman in the company of ladies."

Box Set: A theatrical structure in modern drama in which the stage is set up as consisting of a room with three walls, with the audience watching the drama through the invisible fourth wall.

Breton Lai: Fourteenth century narrative poem about courtly love and chivalry, which also contains supernatural elements. The Franklin's Tale from Canterbury Tales written by Chaucer is an example of a Breton lai.

Burlesque: A play, film, stage production or any other form of literature that mocks a person, idea, object, or style of writing, by trivializing the exalted, or by portraying the trivial in a grand manner.

Burletta: It is a musical term that denotes a brief comic Italian ( later English) opera. Its synonyms are burla or burlettina.

Burns Stanza: Also known as the six line stave or the Scottish stanza, the Burns stanza is a six line stanza with an aaabab rhyme pattern. It has tetrameter, a lines, and diameter b lines. However, the second b line may or may not be repeated. Though such stanzas are named after the Scottish poet Robert Burns, they were not invented by him; he just used them prolifically in his work. It was in use much before Burns and then it was known as the Standard Habbie. Examples of the Burn stanza include Robert Burns' To a Louse and Address to the Deil.

Buskins: It is a renaissance term for the elegantly laced boots worn by actors in ancient Greek tragedies. Later on, the buskins came to denote the elevator shoes, that made the actors wearing them, unusually tall. The height emphasized the royal status of the character being played. These shoes are also known as Cothurni (singular: cothurnus).

Byronic Hero: An idealized and romanticized antihero who is flawed in character. A Byronic hero is typically a young and attractive man who defies authority and moral codes of conduct. However, paradoxically, the character comes to be ennobled by his rejection of virtues. The term has its origin in the works, as well as life of Lord Byron whom his ex-lover Lady Caroline Lamb had characterized as being "mad, bad, and dangerous to know".

Cacophony: In poetry, cacophony refers to the use of sharp, harsh, and unmelodious sound. It is the opposite of euphony.

Cadel: Cadel specifically means a small item or an extra something added to the initial letter. Initial letter refers to the first decorated letter in the beginning of a chapter, story, poem, or section of text of medieval manuscripts.

Cadence: Generally, cadence refers to the rhythmic pattern created in language due to varying stressing of words and syllables. However, more specifically it denotes to the melodic pattern just at the end of a phrase or a line. Cadence gave writers a distinctive style. A cadence group is a series of word that have a specific pattern when spoken due to specific heavy stresses and light stresses. For example "our inalienable rights".

Caesura: A pause that can come at any place within a line of poetry. It helps in maintaining the poetic rhythm of the line, and may not be indicated typographically at all. However, certain writers either use a slash (/) or a space to denote caesura in a line.

Canon: Canon is a collection of works, genuinely believed by scholars to belong to a particular writer. For instances the Shakespeare canon. As opposed to it, apocryphal work denotes those that are of dubious or uncertain origin.

Canto: Canto denotes the major divisions within a poem, specially an epic. A canto is comparable to a chapter in a novel. Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy contains 100 cantos.

Captivity Narrative: An autobiographical narrative of colonials or settlers who are captured by the aboriginal tribes and live with them till their freedom. Such narratives often include a theme of these settlers surviving the temptations of alien ways of life and attaining salvation by their faith when they are faced with difficult situations.

Cardinal Sins: The cardinal sins were also known as the seven deadly sins. These sins are Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Anger, and Sloth. These sins were defined and discussed at length by major theologians as Gregory the Great and Thomas Aquinas, and played an important role in many works of the medieval and Renaissance literature and were frequently presented as personifications.

Cardinal Virtues: As opposed to the three Christian or Spiritual values of faith, hope, and love, the four Cardinal values are prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude.

Caricature: In arts, caricature is an exaggerated portrait of an individual in which the physical features are distorted, however, maintaining a visual likeness that enables one to identify the individual. In literature, it means exaggerating certain characters whereas, over simplifying the others. Caricature can be insulting or complimentary. It can be used for political purpose or simply for entertainment, and is a form of burlesque.

Caroline Age: This is the time between 1625 to 1649 which marks the reign of Charles I. The name Caroline Age is derived from Carolus, the Latin word for Charles. The supporters of Charles I were broadly referred to as the Cavaliers who were rich aristocrats and courtiers. They were known for their love for luxury, finery, licentious behavior, and fervent interest in arts. The writers with the court were referred to as the Cavalier poets. They were famous for the use of witty and polished lyrics of bravery and courtship. They were in conflict with the supporters of the Parliament who were known as the Roundheads. The conflict between the two groups led to a Civil War. With the end of the Civil War, the Cavalier Age and their art form also ended. The Caroline Age is also known as the Cavalier Age. Richard Lovelace, Thomas Crew, and Sir John Suckling were some of the prominent poets. It was in the Caroline age that John Milton started writing.

Carpe Diem: Poetry or literature of the carpe diem tradition stresses the brevity of life, and the fleeting nature of time. Hence, it means to make the most of life, as life is short and time is fleeting.

Caste Dialect: Dialect spoken by specific classes of society. Many times the caste dialect spoken by a speaker gives him the identity of belonging to a particular class.

Catachresis: According to the Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, catachresis implies "misapplication of a word, especially in a mixed metaphor". It could also indicate use of word in a place where normally it would not be used. Using a word for something that does not have any word in that language could also be taken as an example of catachresis. Due to the myriad implications of the term, it is difficult to give a single definition for catachresis. Examples: Black Sun - paradox or contradiction, To take arms against a sea of troubles. - an example of illogical mixed metaphor, Can't you hear me? Are you blind? - inappropriate use of words.

Catalectic: Catalectic lines in poetry are those that are formed by dropping one or more unstressed syllables. Hence they form a metrically incomplete line. Headless or acephalous lines are examples of catalectic lines in which the syllable is dropped in the beginning of a line. Catalectic lines contrast with the acatalectic lines that refer to normal lines of poetry that have as many number of syllables as normally expected in poetry. A hypercatalectic line has one or more syllables extra, than a line of poetry should normally have.

Catalexis: Catalexis is the act of making a catalectic line in a poetry.

Catastrophe: Catastrophe refers to the final action that results in the unfolding of the plot in a play, especially in a tragedy. Denouement (French word for "unknotting") is a synonym of catastrophe.

Catchword: Catchword was the single word at the right hand corner at the bottom of each page, that appeared as the first word on the next page. It was very common in Shakespeare's plays that were published in earlier times.

Catharsis: In Greek, catharsis means "purgation'", "purification" or "cleansing". As per Aristotle's definition, Catharsis describes the release of emotions (especially that of fear and pity) of the audience, after they have watched a tragedy.

Caudate sonnet: Caudate sonnet is an expanded form of a sonnet which consists of 14 lines followed by a coda. A coda is a passage that marks the end of a piece of music.

Cavalier: See Caroline Age.

Cavalier Drama: Court plays of 1630s, that received patronage of the Queen, were known as Cavalier Drama. This form of drama was often criticized for their ponderous style and lack of originality in subject matter. Prominent playwrights of this type of drama are Sir John Suckling, Thomas Killigrew, and James Shirley.

Cavalier Poets: See Caroline Age.

Celtic Revival: Celtic revival refers to the literary movement that started in 1880 and continued till the death of William Butler Yeats in 1939. Although, the movement aimed at the revival and encouraging a new appreciation of the Celtic Arts and culture, and was spread across various countries of the North West Europe, its best incarnation was in Ireland. Hence, it is also known as the Irish Literary Renaissanceor the Irish Literary Revival. The poets and writers of Ireland emphasized on the revival of traditional Irish literature and Irish poetry. Their aim was to create a distinct national literature that would include Irish legends, myths, and history. The major writers, however, wrote in English language instead of using native Irish which was one of the Celtic languages. They also used non-Irish literary forms and modern Irish life instead of ancient past for subject matter. Some of the noted writers of this movement were William Butler Yeats, Edward Martyn, lady Gregory, and AE (George Russell).

Censorship Ordinance of 1559: A law under Queen Elizabeth which was aimed at political censorship of plays and all literary works based on religious or political themes.

Censorship: It refers to the act of hiding, destroying, or altering piece of literary works so that the public is able to read it or view it only partially.

Chain of Being: A cosmological hierarchy of universe that finds resonance in arts, politics, literature and philosophy of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Chain of Being put the Judeo-Christian God at the top, followed by the angels, human beings, animals and plants arranged in descending order of intelligence. At the lowest rung of this hierarchy, were placed the inanimate objects like rocks and stones. This hierarchy is a complex one, as different parts of the Chain were believed to correspond with each other.

Chanson de geste: This is the old French word that means "songs of great deeds". Chanson de geste are epic poems that were written between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries, in praise of events (some legendary and some real) in the history of France during the eighth and the ninth centuries, with emphasis on the conflict of Charles Martel, Charlemagne, and Louis the Pious with the Moors and the Saracens.

Character: The embodiment of a person in a drama or narrative through verbal representation or actions. It is through their dialogs and actions that the readers or audience is able to understand the moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities of that character, and thus the overall story.

Characterization: Use of description, dialogs, dialect, and actions to create the emotional, intellectual, and moral dimension of a character is called characterization. Besides enabling the reader to understand the personality of a character, characterization may also give clues about the social, cultural, and geographic background of a character as well.

Chaucerism: Chaucerism refers to the experimental revival and formation of new words, that was a deliberate attempt at emulating sounds, verbal patterns and the 'feel' of words from older centuries. This is an example of verbal or grammatical anachronism.

Chiasmus: A figure of speech such that words in the second clause or phrase transpose or invert the order of the first clause or phrase. Example: "Flowers are lovely, love is flowerlike" - Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Chivalric Romance: A literary genre of high culture, prevalent during the middle ages that comprised tales of chivalry and adventures of knights as they went on a quest, mostly to rescue fair maidens. In such tales, the knights would display courage, nobility, and respect for the ladies, and the ladies in turn displayed virtues like modesty, elegance, and fidelity. The knights on their quest would meet elements with supernatural and magical powers, whom they would defeat showing exemplary courage.

Choric Figure: Also known as the choral character, the choric figure is a character in a play who remains detached from the actions of the play and through his comments gives the audience a perspective, through which the characters and events in the play should be viewed. For example the Fool in Shakespeare's King Lear.

Chorus: Initially a group of people in Greek tragedies served as commentators expressing religious, traditional, and moral attitudes as the dramatic events and actions unfolded in a play. However, the chorus found place in the works of Roman as well as English playwrights and dramatists. During the Elizabethan Age, chorus referred to a single person who the author used, to express a commentary on the play. This chorus would often speak the prologue, epilogue, and an introduction to each act in the play.

Chronicle Plays: Plays based on the historical materials in the English Chronicles of Raphael Holinshed and others. The group of plays include Marlowe's Edward II and three parts of Shakespeare's Henry VI. The Elizabethan chronicle plays are also known as historical plays.

Chronicle: A systematic compilation of events and accounts in history, arranged in chronological order, in which the chronicler does not attempt to analyze or question the events.

Cinquain: Probably an invention of the medieval writers, cinquain refers to a five line stanza with varied meter and scheme. Modern cinquains are based on the model standardized by Adelaide Crapsey (an American Poet). Craspey's cinquain had lines in increasing order of syllable count, starting with two in the first, four in the second, six in the third and eight in the fourth, returning to two syllables in the fifth line.

Classical: Work of art, drama, architecture, philosophy literature, and history related to the Romans and Greeks in between 1000 BCE and 410 BCE, is referred to as classical.

Classicism: A tradition that highlights the ideals like objectivity, emotional restraint, systematic thinking, clarity dignity, and promotion of general welfare, that were prevalent in ancient Greece and Rome is termed classicism.

Clich: A saying, expression, or idea that has been used so often in works of literature that it has lost its original meaning and has become a stereotype.

Climax Rhetorical: An artistic arrangement of items so that they appear in increasing order of importance. Its synonyms are auxesis and crescendo.

Climax (Literary): A point in the play or any form of literary work at which crisis reaches its maximum intensity and then is resolved.

Close Reading: Bit by bit analysis of every word and literary devices used to understand their significance, inter-relationship. and ambiguity (multiple meanings).

Closet Drama: A drama that is written to be read by a single reader or aloud to a small group instead of being played on stage.

Colonial Period: According to the American historians, this is the period dating from 1607 to 1775, when the first settlements of the American soil started by the colonialists, till the outbreak of the American Revolution against the British Monarchy. Writings of the Colonial Period were mainly religious, practical, or historical in nature. As per the British historians, they used this term to imply the general expansion of the British empire to America, Indies, India, Africa, and the Middle East.

Comedy: The most general definition of this literary term is a fictional work that is mainly aimed at amusing the readers or audience. A comedy is supposed to entertain the audience rather than compelling them to think about serious ideas and themes. The characters typically avoid disastrous events and have a happy ending. The different types of comedy are romantic comedy, satiric comedy, comedy of manners and farce.

Comedy of Errors: A dramatic work that is humorous or satirical and is characterized by a series of comic instances of mistaken identity. The drama typically has a happy ending with the resolution of the thematic confusion.

Comedy of Humors: A genre of dramatic comedy in which personality of each character was dominated by a particular trait or 'humor'. The English playwrights Ben Jonson and George Chapman popularized this genre in later years of the sixteenth century.

Comedy of Manners: A witty form of dramatic comedy that depicts and criticizes the manners and affections of a contemporary society, often represented by stock characters.

Comic Relief: Introduction of a humorous character, instance or speech in a serious or tragic work to relieve tension.

Commedia dell'arte: In Italian it means "comedy of the artists (or of the guilds)". This form of comic drama evolved by the guilds of professional Italian actors in the mid sixteenth century. In this genre, the plays were unscripted and actors largely improvised the dialogs around the scene. Outside Italy, it is known as Italian Comedy.

Common Measure: Common measure consists of closed poetic quatrains which have rhyming pattern of abab or abcb. The lines in this, have iambic tetrameter that alternate with lines of iambic trimeter. Synonym for this is common meter.

Concrete Diction / Concrete Imagery: As opposed to abstract or generalized language, concrete diction or concrete imagery uses language that describes qualities that can be perceived by the senses.

Concrete Poetry: Also known as shaped poetry, concrete poetry derives significance from the shape in which the text of the poetry appear on the page. The shape which can vary from that of a swan's neck to a set of wings, in some way have connection to the meaning of the words.

Conflict: Depiction of struggle in literary work, be it between two ideas, characters or groups of people. The conflict can also be internal, that is the protagonist struggling with psychological tendencies.

Connotation: While denotation implies the primary significance or reference of a word, connotation means the associated or secondary significance of a word. For example, the words civil war, revolution, and rebellion have the same denotation. However, the word Civil War has a historical significance for Americans that gives a greater meaning than just being an attempt to bring about a change in the political or social milieu.

Consonance: A type of alliteration in which a consonant sound is repeated in quick succession. For instance, in all mammals named Sam are clammy the consonant sound that is repeated is m.

Convention: Convention is a set of norms, criteria, or standards that become associated with a certain genre of literary work as its indispensable trait. For example, in the Western movies of the early twentieth century, it was a convention for the protagonist to wear white hats and the antagonist to wear black hats.

Couplet: A pair of lines in a verse that rhyme and have the same meter. The couplet was popularized in English language by Geoffrey Chaucer in the fourteenth century.

Courtly Love: A doctrine of love that had elaborate code and which dictated the relations between lovers of the aristocratic class. This code was popular in the lyric poems and chivalric romances during the Middle ages in Western Europe.

Crisis: A moment of uncertainty and tension that results from earlier conflicts in a plot. During crisis, it is unclear if a protagonist will fail or succeed in his struggle.

Criticism: Literary criticism is the overall term for study, analysis, defining, interpreting, and evaluating works of literature. The different types of criticisms are practical criticism or applied criticism, impressionistic criticism and judicial criticism.

Crown of Sonnets: A sequence of sonnets addressed to one person or dealing with a single theme. It is also known as sonnet corona.

Curtain Raiser: A performance or a stage act by an actor that opens the show for a more famous actor.

Cyberpunk Movement: A post-modern genre of science fiction in which events take place partially or completely in virtual reality. The characters may be human or artificial intelligences. A popular example is William Gibson's Neuromancer.

Dactyl: It is a three-syllable foot that contains one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables. Dactyl is the opposite of anapest.

Dada: Dada or dadaism is a movement that began during the First World War in Switzerland and peaked in 1916 to 1922. The movement was in opposition to the brutality and destructiveness of war. It used all art forms including visual arts, literature, and theater against the prevailing standards of art. The movement held public gatherings, demonstrations, distribution of pamphlets, and journals and presentation of art forms to engender negative art and literature that stood in direct opposition of the values professed by the contemporary bourgeois society. By 1925 this movement gave way to surrealism and other movements.

Dawn Song: See Aubade.

Dead Language: A language that doesn't change or evolve is a dead language. It seems to have frozen in time as it is not used in general everyday discourse and is learned only to be used during rituals or scholarly studies. Examples are Classical Latin and Sanskrit.

Dead Metaphor: A figure of speech that originally developed as a metaphor, but lost its original, metaphorical implications due to over use, and is used more as a regular idiom.

Decadence: Decadence or decadence movement was the derogatory name given by critics to a late nineteenth century movement that took shape in Western Europe, mainly in France. However, later on some writers of this movement triumphantly adopted the name, and called themselves the decadents. The writers were for most part associated with symbolism and the aesthetic movement. The decadent movement is now considered a transitional phase between Romanticism and modernism.

Declined Language: A declined language is one in which declensions or inflections are used to give more meaning to words. Inflections or declensions mean special endings stuck on the end of a word to signify features like case, number, gender and so on. Example of an English noun declining to distinguish between singular and plural is book vs. books. Other names for declined language is synthetic language or inflected language.

Decorum: In poetry and theater, decorum refers to the requirement that characters, their speech and characterizations should match with each other and be in consonance with the genre they represent. For example, satire requires lowly characters, low style and actions. However, epic literature requires the characters to belong to high estate and speak in elevated style and diction.

Deism: A religious movement that was popular throughout late seventeenth century up to the late eighteenth century that professed a rational rather than faith-based approach to understanding religion and God. This movement is frequently associated with the Enlightenment movement, Neoclassicism and Free Masonry.

Denotation: The strict meaning of a word as found in the dictionary, without any reference to its any implications or associations it may have with any event or abject. Also see connotation.

Dnouement: A French word, Dnouement refers to a series of events that take place after the climax that concludes the plot and brings about resolution conflicts.

Deus Ex Machina: The literal meaning of Deus Ex Machina is "God out of the machine". The term is a plot device in which a person or object intervenes in the play unexpectedly to help a character out of the difficult situation that he is stuck in.

Deuteragonist: The character in a play who is next in importance to the protagonist. The character of slave Jim in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an example of Deuteragonist.

Diachronic: Analysis of changes in literature, history or linguistics over a course of time is known as diachronic. It is the opposite of synchronic which refers to study in a single moment of history. However, a synchronic analysis considers development of traits or norms over wide geographical areas or over a number of disciplines.

Dialect: The difference in sound, spellings, grammar, and diction in language used by people of specific class or group that distinguishes them from those of other class or groups.

Dialog: The lines spoken by characters in a play, novel, or essay. It is through dialogs that characters converse with each other. Dialogs help in characterization and are crucial for the plot to advance.

Dibrach: A metrical foot in poetry that has two unaccented short syllables. It is also known as Pyrrhic.

Diction: Diction refers to the kind of words, phrases, sentence structures, style of expression, and figurative language used by a writer or a speaker.

Didactic Literature: Any piece of literature that is designed to expound, teach, or give information on any subject like a moral, religious, philosophical doctrine rather than concentrate on the artistic qualities or techniques of writing. Didactic literature, as opposed to non-didactic piece of work, is not aimed at entertaining the readers. Example: Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism. Similarly, didactic poetry refers to something that is supposed to teach an ethical, moral or religious theme.

Digression: Intentional diversion from the theme in a particular section of a speech or composition is known as digression. In Classical rhetoric, since Corax of Syracuse, digression was one of the five sections of an oration or composition. However, the place of digression in the order of the five sections was not fixed. In the eighteenth century, digression became a part of satirical works, fine examples of which are A Tale of Tub by Jonathan Swift and Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne.

Dime Novel: Precursor of paperbacks, comic books, and pulp magazine, dime novels became popular in the US during the mid nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. These were melodramatic novels of adventure, that were based on western theme. Prominent writers were E.Z.C. Judson.

Dimeter: A line that has only two metrical feet.

Dirge: A song of grief or mourning to be sung most suitably in a funeral.

Dissociation of Sensibility: A literary term for separation of intellectual thought from feeling of experience that was prevalent in seventeenth century poetry.

Distancing Effect: Also known as alienation effect or estrangement effect, distancing effect refers to the tactic used by a dramatist to ensure that the audience does not establish an emotional link, and accepted the social reality being depicted in the drama. Instead, with distancing effect a dramatist would evoke a reaction, and an urge to act against the state of society being depicted in the play.

Doggerel: Derogatory term for a verse of inferior literary value.

Doppelgnger: Popular in folklore, doppelgnger refers to seeing oneself in peripheral vision. Doppelgnger was considered as a bad omen, and was popularly used by Fyodor Dostoevski and E. T. A. Hoffman in their works.

Double Dactyl: A comic verse with two quatrains in which each line is written in dactylic dimeter.

Double Entendre: Deliberate ambiguity introduced in a phrase or image that usually involves sexual or humorous meaning.

Double Plot: Use of two plots within a single narrative.

Double Rhyme: A feminine rhyme that involves repetition of two syllables instead of one. For example bend/lend is a single rhyme as it has used one syllable to rhyme. However, bending/lending is an example of double rhyme as it uses two syllables for rhyming.

Doublet: Two words that originated from the same etymon (origin of a word), however, have different meanings as they were adapted into the language during different periods. For example, the words chef and chief come from the same French word, Chief means leader of a war band, as it was adapted when Norman French was associated with military power. However, when the word chef was derived, Parisian French was largely associated with culinary arts.

Drama: A composition in prose or verse that is designed to be presented on stage. In this, actors take the role of characters. Through their dialogs and actions, the characters advance the plot. An individual work of drama is called a play.

Dramatic Irony: A device by which a dramatist lets the audience know a circumstance that a character in the play is supposed to have gone through but is unaware of. Due to his ignorance, the character behaves in a way grossly inappropriate to the present circumstance, and expects the outcome to be quite opposite of what the audience knows is awaiting him.

Dramatic Lyric: A dramatic monologue in which a speaker addresses an auditor in a critical moment, revealing himself in a dramatic situation.

Dramatic Monologue: A type of lyric poem in which the speaker speaks at length to the audience about his innermost thoughts and feelings.

Dramatis personae: A Latin phrase for the list of characters who play a role in a drama - commonly employed in various forms of theater.

Dream Allegory: A genre of poetry popular in Middle Ages in which the narrator goes off to sleep. In his sleep he sees a dream in which a spirit guide takes him on a long journey, in which the narrator comes across a number of historical or fictional characters engaged in allegorical activities. Through their activities and interactions with them, the narrator learns important lessons about religion, spirituality, and love which he otherwise would not have been able to know in real life. After he wakes up the narrator resolves to share his knowledge with the world. This is also known as a dream vision.

Dumb Shows: A pantomime introduced before a (spoken) play or before each act of a play that summarizes the events that follow.

Duple Meter/Duple Rhythm: Duple meter refers to a poetry that has one meter in each line and two syllables in every metrical foot.

Dystopia: A work of fiction which presents a very grim picture of the social, political, and technological aspects of a society. It is characterized by poverty, disease, oppression, war, violence, violation of human rights, and widespread unhappiness.

Early Modern English: In the beginning of the 1940s, many historians replaced the term Renaissance with "early modern" to cover the period from the 1450 to 1800. "Late modern" began from 1800 to the present day.

Eclogue: A poem written in a classical style that has a pastoral subject. Such poems are also called bucolics.

Ecocentrism: A system of values which denotes that all livings things (not just human beings) and the environment are no less important than human beings themselves and even possess moral and political rights. Ecocentrism is in opposition to anthropocentrism.

Edwardian Period: The time between 1901 to 1910 during which, King Edward VII reigned United Kingdom. The prominent writers of this period were Thomas Hardy, Alfred Noyes, William Butler Yeats, Henry Arthur Jones, and George Bernard Shaw.

Eiron: A stock male character in Greek tragedies who appeared to be less clever than he actually was. The eiron was known for his ironic understatements. Through his superior verbal skills, he defeated the braggarts and shallow characters.

Ekphrasis: Derived from Greek for "description", ekphrasis is a writing in which an author includes a passage that describes a visual (or non-visual) work of art like a painting, sculpture, or architecture.

Elegy: A melancholic lyric poem written to commemorate the loss of a loved one. Alternately, the subject matter of an elegy could also be serious meditations or sustained formal lamentations. It is a form of lyric poetry. Famous works include Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, Edmund Spencer's Astrophel, John Milton's Lycidas, P. B. Shelley's Adonais and Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse.

Elizabethan Age: The period of 1553 to 1603 that marks the rule of Elizabeth I. During this time commerce, maritime power, and literature developed rapidly. It was, in fact, the age of English literature which witnessed the literary works of Sir Philip Sidney, Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Francis Bacon, and Ben Jonson to name a few.

Emblem: A pictorial representation or an image that symbolizes a concept or represents a person like a king or a saint.

End Rhyme: A rhyme in which the last word of every verse rhymes. In contrast, in an internal rhyme the rhyming word lies somewhere in the middle of each line. In head rhyme, the starting consonant of a word alliterates with the beginning consonant of another word.

End-stopped Line: If in a poem, pause in the reading at the end of a sentence, phrase, or clause coincides with the end of the line, then it is said to have end-stopped line. This is in contrast to enjambment in which the continuity of the syntactic unit (clause phrase or sentence ), is broken by the end of a line or between two verses.

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement that developed in the seventeenth century in western Europe and lasted till the nineteenth century. It believed that humanity could improve its plight by applying reason and logic. It disapproved superstitions, untested beliefs, and barbarism of the medieval ages to embrace the artistic excellence of the Greco-Roman world.

Epic Simile: Like a regular simile, an epic simile compares two objects. However, instead of doing the comparison in a single line, epic simile develops the comparison at great length that may span over fifty or hundred lines. It is also known as Homeric simile.

Epic: A genre of classical poetry that is a long narrative verse written on a serious subject, usually about the ideals and cultural values of a race, a nation or a group of people upheld by a hero or a demi God. The exploits of this central character is written in high elevated language. An epic is set over a vast geographical area and involves Gods and supernatural beings taking part in it. Other than the central character, there are other important characters that are warriors or belong to the royalty. Iliad, Odyssey, Mahabharata and Ramayana are considered the most important epics in the history of literature. While primary epics refer to folk epics that were transmitted orally in pre-literate cultures, secondary epics are those that are actually written down.

Epigram: A verse or a prose that is written in a witty satirical manner with the aim of ridiculing an idea or a thought.

Epigraph: A quotation which marks the beginning of a document. It can be in the form of a phrase or a poem, and has multiple functions. It can be the preface, the introduction, or a compiled summary of the work following. It can also compare with a greater literary work to enhance the expectation of the audience.

Epilogue: A conclusion (known as the final chapter) written at the end of a novel, play or a long poem. It is usually a long speech, delivered either by the (or one of the) central character or by the writer himself, where the speaker speaks to the audience directly.

Epiphany: An ordinary moment in a literary work when a character has a sudden realization about himself.

Epistolary Novel: A novel that is written in the form of letters - written by one or many characters in the novel. This technique helps the author do away with the narrator.

Epistrophe: It is a figure of speech which denotes the repetition of words at the end of successive sentences or phrases. It can be understood as the counterpart of anaphora.

Eponym: A word that can trace back its origin to the name of a person or a place, for example, the word sadism is derived from the name of Marquis de Sade, a French aristocrat.

Essay: It is a short piece of writing where the author uses his own point of view for its construction. It can depict anything from arguments for/against a topic, recollections and reflections, criticism, political and social manifesto, etc. Famous examples can be John Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding and Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism and An Essay on Man.

Eulogy: It a speech or a written documentation in praise of someone (usually but not always) deceased/retired recently. It is usually given during funeral services. However, eulogy can also mean to praise a person/persons on special occasions like during their birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

Euphemism: The use of a mild and comparatively less negative word instead of a blunt or harsh word.

Existentialist Novel: A novel that is written keeping in mind theories put forward by existentialist thinkers, who pointed out the meaninglessness and absurdity of existence.

Exposition: A literary technique used in at the beginning in novels and plays, in order to give background information about the characters and the circumstances.

Extended Metaphor: An extended metaphor or a conceit is a metaphor that extends into the next line. It is also found frequently throughout the work. They are highly applicable or effective in poems and fiction.

Fable: A fable is a short story that essentially has a moral. Fables are written and told to induce certain morals without instructions. There is mostly a use of animals and other imaginary creatures. The literary term can also mean idle talk.

Fabliau: A Fabliau is a narrative that is humorous in nature. The narration revolves around trickery, practical jokes, sexual blunders, obscenity, mistaken identity, and humor. It can be used to show suggestive aspects of literature with a humorous touch.

Falling Action: Falling action is that part of the literature that comes after the peak or "climax". This portion speaks of the effects and the impact of the climax of the story.

Falling Rhythm: This literary term is also known as descending rhythm. It is a rhythmic pattern created by the succession of metrical feet. Each of these metrical feet is composed of one accented syllable, which is followed by one or more unaccented syllables.

Fancy and Imagination: Fancy and imagination are two very closely connected literary terms in literature. For quite a while, they were used as synonyms. However, as time passed and English literature evolved, both have acquired different definitions. Fancy was used to emote the concept of a mental process that involves mixing of memories and logic to form a different concept. On the other hand, imagination means the formation of mental image on no fixed parameters.

Fantasy: Fantasy is also closely related with fancy. However, fantasy is imagination which is vivid and unrestrained. Fantasy is, ordinarily, extravagant, and does not have any specific relation with reality. It is mostly an exaggerated vision of a desire.

Farce: Farce is a concept exhibiting a negative aspect or a lie, in an extravagant, and humorous manner. It uses satire in its course as well. Farce helps bring a tricky point out with the help of humor or satire.

Feeling: Feeling in literature can have two meanings. Feeling can be referred to as the sensation of a certain item touching the surface of the skin. Or, it could also mean a perception of something that is intangible in a pseudo-tangible manner.

Feminine Ending: A feminine ending is a literary term in poetry to describe a line or a verse that ends in a weak syllable. It could also speak of a prose that ends with a weak climax. In music, feminine ending means end of a tune on a weak or unstressed note.

Feminine Rhyme: It is a poetic term. Feminine rhyme means a bisyllabic rhyme in which, the second rhyme is unstressed. It could also mean a triple rhyme (using three syllables) in which the first and the second are unstressed.

Fiction: Fiction is an aspect of literature that deals with the imagination and the contrafactual events (events that are not true while writing, but may be true in the future). It can also mean to be an imaginary event that has been made to make a certain point clear.

Figurative Language: Figurative language is one that goes beyond its literary meaning to have a deeper, more effective bearing. It uses figures of speech.

Figure of Speech: Figures of speech are words or phrases that are used to express a meaning that is not confined to its literary meaning. They are used very often in prose as well as poetry to make the point clear and apparent.

Fin de sicle: Fin de siecle literally means "end of the century". However, the literary term is used in prose and poetry to express the end of an era that marks the dawn of another. Fin de siecle is often used to show a period of degeneration as well as of hope.

Flashback: Flashback is remembering or reviewing past events. Flashbacks are often used in dramatics, poetry, and prose to allow the reader or the audience to visualize an event that took place in the past.

Flat Character: Flat character is one that is stagnant. It is a secondary and auxiliary character that plays a role that is not dynamic, however, it is one that makes a difference to the main characters.

Fleshly School: Fleshly school is a literary term referring to the name coined by Robert Buchanan to a school of poets. The members of the fleshly school were great poets like Rossetti, William Morris, Swinburne to name a few.

Foil: Foil is that character in the play (or any other literary work), who brings out/highlights the qualities of the protagonist, and also emphasizes on the moral factor of the story. The foil is mostly in contrast to the protagonist.

Folklore: Folklores are the unwritten stories, poetry, phrases, and morals of a certain culture. They are passed down from one generation to another by word of mouth in the form of stories, poems, songs, and phrases. Folklore are known to have a major impact on the mindset of the audience.

Folk Tale: Folk tales are stories that are used to show a certain moral. These folk tales are ordinarily unwritten and passed down from parent to child. These exist in all cultures, and play a big role in maintaining the values of the culture.

Fool: A fool, literally, was a jester in the court of a prince who was meant to amuse and entertain the courtesans through witty jokes and remarks. He had the independence of mocking anyone and everyone as long as he is entertaining. Ideally a fool was supposed to be a very intelligent person.

Foot: No, this does not mean the lowest end of your leg or a measuring unit. The literary term is a unit, but, to measure and describe the underlying rhythm of the poem. A foot, basically, consists of a certain number of syllables. These syllables form part of a line of verse. A foot is described by the character and number of syllables that it may contain. In English, feet are named for the combination of accented and unaccented syllables.

Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a tool used to give the reader or audience a hint of what may happen ahead. It consists of subtle hints that would make the audience "get intuitive" of an event and anticipate it. When that event does occur, the impact is stronger and the feedback is positive.

Form: Form is a literary term that refers to the shape of the poem or prose. It refers to the general structure of the flow of thought as well as the events (if any). Form also defines the theme or the topic. It could also reflect on the impact of the literature.

Fourteener: A fourteener is a line consisting of 14 syllables, usually having 7 iambic feet, often used in 16th century English verse. A fourteener could also mean a poem with fourteen lines.

Frame Story: A frame story has a couple of meaning. Primarily, it can mean a secondary story that is embedded in the main story. Secondarily it could be the link between stories that are otherwise unrelated.

Free Verse: A free verse is verse or poetry that does not abide by the rules of rhyming. However, it can be interpreted as poetry due to the style it is written in. The general flow of thoughts, use of words, and form can help in perceiving it as a poem.

Freytag's Pyramid: Freytag's pyramid describes the structure of a play or a drama. As per Freytag's pyramid, a play or drama is divided into 5 parts. Exposition, rising action, climax (or turning point), falling action, and resolution.

Fugitives: The Fugitives were a group of poets and literary scholars. They got together at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, around 1920. They published a literary magazine called "the Fugitives" from 1922 to 1925 to showcase their work. The fugitives included notable members like John Crowe Ransom, Allen Tate, Merrill Moore, Donald Davidson, William Ridley Wills and Robert Penn Warren.

Fustian: Though fustian otherwise means a very heavy fabric of cotton, in literary terms it has a different meaning. From the time of Shakespeare, the word fustian or bombast means extremely pompous, inflated, and pretentious writing or speech.

Futurism: Futurism, in literary terms, is a style of the fine arts. It was originally developed by a group of Italian artists in 1910. In Futurism, forms derived chiefly from cubism were used to represent rapid movement and dynamic motion.

Gallows Humor: Gallows humor is used to express a serious, frightening, or painful subject matter in a humorous or satirical manner.

Gathering: In arts, a gathering, ordinarily, refers to an event or an art festival that brings a lot of enthusiasts together.

Genetic Fallacy: The literary term genetic fallacy is a fault caused due to irrelevance. Genetic fallacy is when the conclusion of any literature seems irrelevant with reference to the expected flow. The premise of the conclusion is based on the origin and not the present scenario.

Genius: The word genius has a few meanings in literature. Firstly, genius would mean "an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, etc", Secondly, it could also refer to a natural ability and skill at a certain act.

Genre: Genre is a literary term that is, ordinarily, used only with reference to art and literature. Genre means a certain class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content or technique. A few examples would be, genre of story writing or genre of music.

Georgian Poetry: Georgian poetry was a set of anthologies that were published by a few English poets at the time of King George V of the United Kingdom. The poets whose works were showcased at this time were known as Georgian poets.

Georgic: A georgic is a poem that is based on agriculture or has a general agricultural theme. The term was initially used for poetry by one of the worlds greatest poets, Virgil, of Latin origin, in 29 BCE.

Gesta: Gesta is the Spanish for the word geste which comes from the phrase chanson de geste, which means songs of heroic deeds. In literature, gesta is considered to mean a story or tale of certain deeds or achievements.

Gloss: A gloss is a summary of the dictionary meaning of a word, but only a word or two in length. It is typically used for a simple translation of a particular word in another language. Gloss, as a literary term, could also refer to giving a false or deceptively good appearance to something.

Gnomic Verse: Gnomic verse or a gnomic poetry is one wherein there is the use of sayings and maxims within the verse to make it highly moral and memorable. It belongs to a certain genre called wisdom literature.

Golden Line: A golden line is a part of a golden verse. It has two adjectives, two substantives and a verb, the first adjective agreeing with the first substantive, the second with the second, and the verb placed in the midst. Confusing, but the Golden verse was very popular and common in the seventeenth century Latin literature.

Goliardic Verse: Goliardic verses or Goliardic poetry were written by Goliards. Goliards were people who disagreed with the common gospel verses and the Church. They were, ordinarily, university students who went from one European university to another, scholars who had completed their studies but were short of funds, unfrocked priests, runaway monks, and clerks. They sang these verses while begging, traveling from one place to another.

Gongorism: Gongorism is a literary style that was developed by Luis de Gngora y Argote, a Spanish Baroque lyric poet. This literary style includes writing, which is dominated by elaborately or excessively ornamented writing, and use of puns and conceits.

Gonzo Journalism: Gonzo journalism is a style of journalistic writing that emphasizes on the moral or the conclusion of an event, with the use of little fiction and exaggeration. The literary term includes the actual facts and the writing is in the first person point of view. This is done to keep the reader engaged. This style was first introduced in 1970s by Hunter S. Thompson. Later, this style was used in other literature and arts as well.

Gothic Novel: Gothic novels are novels having stories that belong to the Gothic fiction or horror genre. Gothic, as a genre, is defined as belonging to the Middle Ages, old-fashioned, unenlightened, and characterized by gloom, mystery, and grotesque.

Grand Guignol: Grand guignol is a theatrical term. It originates from le grande guignol, a theater in Paris. It is a term that refers to a drama that emphasizes horror and sensationalism.

Graveyard Poetry: Graveyard poetry is that part of the literature, which is concentrated mainly with mortality. The majority of it contains epitaphs of death and gloom. This kind of poetry was very popular in the 18th century.

Graveyard School: Graveyard school was the group of poets who wrote graveyard poetry. The graveyard school included poets Robert Blair, Elizabeth Carter, William Collins, William Cowper, Thomas Gray, James Hervey, James MacPherson, William Mason, David Macbeth Moir, Thomas Parnell, William Shenstone, James Thomson, Joseph Warton, Thomas Warton, Henry Kirke White and Edward Young.

Greek Tragedy: Greek tragedy, also known as tragedy, was a style of art that was based on pain and suffering. Nonetheless, the art of the matter lied in the fact, that in spite of depicting pain and suffering, it offered a great deal of pleasure to the audience. This has now become a drama tradition that is followed in certain cultures.

Grub Street: Grub street was actually a street name. The street was situated in London and housed impoverished hack writers. These writers were paid meager amounts to write "pulp fiction" novels within a deadline. Even though the street no longer exists, Grub Street has now become a literary term for poor hack writers and writings of low literary value.

Grundyism: Grundyism is a literary term named after a character named Mrs. Grundy from a play "Speed the Plough" by Thomas Morton. The character shows a prudish adherence to conventionality, especially in personal behavior.

Hagiography: Hagiography is the study of saints. It refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically the biographies of ecclesiastical and secular leaders. Hagiography and the use of it in modern literature, is fairly uncommon.

Hagiology: Hagiology is the study of hagiography.

Haikai: Haikai is a poetic genre. It includes a number of forms which embrace the aesthetics of haikai no renga. It also includes what Bash? referred to as the "poetic spirit".

Half Rhyme: A half rhyme is a rhyme in which either the vowels or the consonants of the stressed syllables are identical. For example, eyes, light; years, yours, etc.

Hamartia: Hamartia, in literary terms, means "The character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall." It is used very often in all the aspects of literature and works as a powerful story plot.

Handwaving: Handwaving is a literary term that is used to express and mean insubstantial words, arguments, gestures, or actions which are used in an attempt to explain or persuade effectively.

Headless Line: A headless line is a line in a poem which does not concur with its accepted meter, due to omission of the first syllable. Headless lines are also known as Acephalous lines, and are usually deliberate variations in scansion. However, this is not always obvious. Famous poets to use such a technique include A.E. Housman who wrote, "To an Athlete Dying Young".

Head Rhyme: Head rhyme means a consonantal alliteration at the beginning of words. It is also called a beginning rhyme.

Hebraism-Hellenism: Hebraism is the identification of usage, traits or characteristics of the Hebrew language. On extension, it is sometimes applied to the Jewish people, their faith, national ideology or culture.

Heresy of Paraphrase: "The Heresy of Paraphrase" is the title of a chapter in The Well-Wrought Urn, a seminal work of the New Criticism by Cleanth Brooks. Brooks emphasized structure, tension, balance and irony over meaning, statement and subject matter. He relied on comparisons with non-verbal arts in order to shift discussion away from summarizable content.

Hero: A hero is an unavoidable aspect of literature. The term often refers to the lead character (main protagonist) or the one with distinguished courage or ability, and admired for his brave deeds.

Heroic Couplet: A heroic couplet is a set of two rhyming lines of iambic pentameter.

Heroic Drama: Heroic drama is a type of play. It was popular during the Restoration era in England. It was distinguished by both its verse structure and the subject matter.

Heroic Stanza: A heroic stanza is a four-line stanza consisting of two heroic couplets.

Hiatus: The literary term hiatus has a couple of meanings in literature. Firstly, a hiatus refers to a break in the intensity or momentum of a certain act. Secondly, it refers to a missing piece or a literary gap.

High Comedy: High comedy is, obviously, an aspect of comedy. It is comedy which deals with the polite society. It is characterized by sophisticated, witty dialogs, and an intricate plot.

Higher Criticism: Higher criticism is a critical study of biblical texts to ascertain their literary origin and history. It also studies the intentions of the authors and the meaning of their works.

Historical Linguistics: Historical linguistics is the study of changes in a language or a group of languages, over a given period of time. It is also known as diachronic linguistics.

Historic Present: The historical present (sometimes dramatic present) refers to the employment of the present tense when narrating past events. Besides its use in writing about history, especially in historical chronicles, it is used in fiction, for 'hot news', and in everyday conversation.

History Play: A history play is one that is based on a certain historic event. This trend was started by William Shakespeare. As such, these plays are also known as Shakespearean history.

Homeric Epithet: A Homeric epithet is known as an epithet. These epithets were used in all forms of literature and were introduced in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.

Homeric Simile: A Homeric simile is also called an epic simile. It is a detailed comparison in the form of a simile that is many lines in length. It was introduced in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, however, it has been used by many other writers after him as well.

Homily: A homily is a literary term that refers to a commentary that follows the reading of a scripture. It is often considered synonymous to a sermon.

Hovering Accent: A hovering accent is indeterminacy as to which of the two consecutive syllables in a line of verse bear the metrical stress.

Humor: In general literary terms, humor means a comic, absurd, or incongruous quality causing amusement.

Hubris: In literary terms, hubris is used to express excessive pride, self-confidence, or arrogance.

Hymn: A hymn is a song or ode in praise or honor of God, a deity, a nation, etc. It can also refer to any literature of a similar nature.

Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a part of speech that is used, both in prose and poetry, to express a certain emotion by the use of exaggeration.

Hypercatalectic: The literary term, hypercatalectic, refers to a line of verse containing an additional syllable after the last dipody or foot.

Hyperbaton: A literary term in which the normal order of words is changed unexpectedly. This includes anastrophe, tmesis, hypallage, and other figures of speech. It is an example of rhetoric scheme.

Iambic Meter: Iambic meter is a type of metrical foot found in English poetry, where an unstressed syllable comes first, and then the stressed syllable appears. Poems which have the iambic meter are known as having a raising meter as it ends with a strong stress. This metrical foot can be seen in majority of the English poems, and is thus said to be the most common.

Iambic Pentameter: A poem is said to be written in iambic pentameter when it follows the iambic meter, five times in a single line throughout the poem. Iambic pentameter can be seen largely in the works of many great poets like Shakespeare, Donne, Milton, Wordsworth, etc.

Idiolect: Idiolect is the manner in which a person speaks during a specific time in his life. For instance, it can be a speech pattern of an individual when he was a child. During this time, his speech pattern or pronunciation would be slightly different from what is actually said.

Idiom: An idiom is a word, phrase, or sentence that is specific to a language or culture, but does not have a literal meaning. For instance, the phrase a little birdie told me, does not mean that a bird came and actually told a person something, rather it is used when someone does not want others to know where he/she got the information from.

Idyll: An idyll is a form of poem which describes a perfect and happy life in the rural area, in an emotional way. The main theme of these poems is nature, and how man is happy and cheerful in an uncivilized area, free from the vices of the modern and civilized world.

Imagery: Imagery is one of the most important terms in literary criticism. The term imagery may suggest only visual pictures or images found in a piece of literature. However, it includes all the other human sensations including smell, actions, feelings, and tastes. When a poem, novel, or play uses descriptive language along with figurative speech to explain things like nature, a particular place, or situation, etc., it is said to be a work of imagery, where the reader gets the minutest details of what is exactly happening in the scene.

Imagism: Imagism is a movement started during the 20th century, against Gregorian poetry which was based on emotion and sentimentality. This movement was started in Britain and the United States by poets like Ezra Pound, Carl Sandburg, etc., who wanted poets to write such kind of poems where they can use everyday language, direct presentation, precise and clear imagery, experiment with new rhythm, etc., instead of writing in a traditional, abstract, and flowery language. Imagism was highly influenced by the Japanese Haiku poem.

In Media Res: In media res is a type of narrative, which is totally different from the traditional form of narrative where a story is narrated in a sequential form. It is where the play or novel begins with an important event, though something has already happened. It is usually used in epic poems, one of the most significant example is Milton's Paradise Lost, where the story begins when the bad angels have fought the war and have already fallen from the grace of God. However, the actual war is narrated only in Book V and VII. In media res can also be found in the famous works like Homer's Odyssey and Iliad, Dante's Divine Comedy, etc.

Interior Monologue: Interior monologue is a literary device which can be said to be a type of stream of consciousness, where the writer records the thinking process of a character in the same way in which he is thinking, filled with vagueness, and lacking a chronological order. These thoughts are not structured, and may not have grammatically correct sentences.

Internal Rhyme: Internal rhyme is where a poem has rhyming words in the same sentence. One word would be in the middle of the line while the rhyming word would be at the end. Here is an example from the poem The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe - While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping.

Intertextuality: Intertextuality is a term which emphasizes that no text can be claimed as original. According to the pioneer of intertextuality, Julia Kristeva, (a post structuralist), 'every text is a combination of various other texts, written with the help of implicit as well as explicit references'. For instance, James Joyce in his Ulysses, has recited the story found in Homer's Odyssey, however, the plot is set in Dublin. In the same way, Matt Haig's The Dead Fathers Club is set in modern England, but is similar to Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark written by William Shakespeare.

Intrigue Plot: Intrigue is a literary device where one of the characters in the story plans a scheme which can only be successful if the other character or characters remain ignorant of it. Many famous tragedies as well as comedies are based on it.

Invocation of the Muse: The Greco-Roman mythology talks about nine muses who are supernatural spirits or Goddesses inspiring the conception of arts and literature. Earlier, it had been a very common practice for the poets to invoke one of the muses in the beginning of the poem, to help them with the needed skills, inspiration, situation, and knowledge, so that they can write a poem on a subject they have thought of. Famous example is John Milton's Paradise Lost where he invokes the "Heav'nly Muse".

Irony: Irony is a literary device where the reality is totally different from what is actually portrayed. Sarcasm can also be said to be a form of irony, where it may appear that a person is praising someone, but actually is doing just the opposite. In dramatic irony, though the character does not understand the cause of the situations that he is experiencing, the reader or the audience knows perfectly why certain situations have taken place. Due to this, the audience feels that the character's actions are inappropriate. Dramatic irony can be seen in plays like William Wycherley's The Way of the World, Sophocles' Oedipus, the King, etc. Romantic, cosmic, Socratic, verbal, situational, cosmic, and structural irony are some of its forms.

Jacobean Era: The Jacobean period is the era when England was ruled by King James VI. This era extends from the year 1603 - 1625, and follows the Elizabethan era during which England was under the rule of Queen Elizabeth. When she died, her cousin, James VI of Scotland took over the throne. The literary works produced during this period are known as Jacobean literature. Some famous writers of this era include William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, John Donne, John Webster, etc.

Jeremaid: The term 'Jeremaid' is created from the name of Jeremiah, who was one of the Biblical prophets from the Old Testament. In the Hebrew Bible, Jeremiah attributes the destruction of Israel in the seventh century B.C., as the punishment that God gave people due to their improper religious and moral behavior. In the same way, a prose or poetry where the writer laments on the condition of the society in a particular period due to improper social as well as moralistic behavior, is said to be a jeremaid.

Juvenalian Satire: Juvenalian satire is a harsh and bitter kind of satire than the normal satire. The term is derived from the name of the Roman poet, Juvenal, who was the pioneer of juvenalian satire. This kind of satire involves irony, moral indignation, pessimism, etc., most of the time without any sense of humor.

Kabuki: Kabuki is a dance drama which is a part of the traditional Japanese culture. This stylized form of dance drama can be based on a variety of themes like love relationships, historical events, etc. Along with the dialogs said by the characters in the drama, one can also find the use of musical instruments. It is said to have originated in the year 1603, when kabuki was played only by women. However, later in the Edo period, women were banned from performing Kabuki, which is a rule that has continued to be followed even in today's modern world.

Kunstlerroman: Kunstlerroman is a form of novel that comes under the term Bildungsroman, which refers to novel of education. It is a German term which means an artistic novel, where the writer tells the story of an artist, beginning from his childhood years to how he reaches a stage of maturity where he successfully becomes a master of his artistic skills. Examples include James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, D. H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers and Charles Dickens' David Copperfield.

Lai: Lai is a short narrative poem or song written by French and German writers during the 13th and 14th century. The main theme of the lai poems was romance and courtly love written in octasyllabic couplets. Marie de france have written a number of lai poems which are named as Breton lai, because they have borrowed heavily from Celtic and Arthurian legends.

Lament: Lament is a type of poem or song through which grief is expressed. The purpose of this poem is to mourn the sorrow felt after the departure of a loved one, or grief of losing some valuable thing.

Lampoon: Lampoon is a type of satire where a person or character is ridiculed in a highly crude and coarse manner.

Legend: Legend is often confused with myth, however, both have different meanings. Unlike myth which is based on stories of the supernatural, a legend is a story that tells the tale of a human being and his accomplishments. Though there may not be any proof about the various details mentioned in the legends, the characters and locations surely must have existed in reality.

Light Verse (light poetry): Light verse is a form of poetry that does not include flowery and abstract language, rather, these poems are a blend of everyday language with humor. Though the tone of the poem is light, it does not mean that the subject matter of the poem is a superficial one. On the other hand, there are many light verse poems containing serious issues. Nursery rhymes are examples of light verse. Other famous poets who were masters in light verse include Lord Byron, T.S. Eliot, Johnathan Swift, etc.

Linguistics: Linguistics is an area where language is studied in a scientific manner. Here, the different aspects of language, including its various elements and principles, are studied thoroughly. Some of the important branches in the field of linguistics include syntax, phonology, phonetics, semantics, morphology, etc. It also includes the study of language in relation to other social sciences like anthropology, psychology, sociology, philosophy, etc.

Literary Ballad: Literary ballad is referred to the written form of ballad song. The literary ballad, which is also known as the lyrical ballad, became very popular during the Romantic period when poets started creating ballads by directly imitating the language, form and spirit of the traditional ballads. The most famous work of literary ballads is Wordsworth's and Coleridge's Lyrical Ballads published in the year 1798. Some of the other works include Keats' La Belle Dame Sans Merci, Walter Scott's Proud Maisie, etc.

Literary Criticism: Literary criticism refers to the process of analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating a work of literature, be it a novel, play or poem. Literary criticism, with the help of various literary terms and theories, tries to interpret what a piece of literature means.

Literary Realism: Literary realism refers to a piece of work where the writer has portrayed the story as well as the characterization in a truly life-like manner. This trend was started by the French writers in the 19th century, however, it was soon adapted by other language writers too. These writers described the everyday routine activities in detail, without romanticizing even a little. Some of the examples of literary realistic works include George Eliot's Middlemarch, William Dean Howells' The Rise of Silas Lapham, etc.

Literature: Literature is an amalgamation of various written works which are produced with the help of creative imagination. Though works that have scientific as well as technical subject matter can be called literature, most often works that include creative writing are referred to as literature. Drama, novels (fiction and non-fiction), poetry, etc., are part of what is known as literature.

Litotes: Litotes is a figure of speech which is included in a statement to emphasize on its opposite meaning. It can be said to be a deliberate understatement, where you mean just the opposite of what you said. For instead of saying she is a good singer, with the use of litotes you can say, she is not a bad singer at all.

Liturgical Drama: Liturgical drama, also known as religious drama, includes plays narrating Biblical as well as stories of the saints. These plays were held in church after the mass during the middle ages. Early liturgical plays were in the prose form and the language used was Latin. Later, prose was substituted by verse, and in place of Latin, came other vernacular languages. By this time, these plays were no longer played in church, however, they continued to carry religious significance.

Local Color: When a writer describes a particular region including its geography, people, clothes, traditions, ways of thinking, etc., in a piece of fiction or poetry, it is called local color. Rudyard Kipling's India, Thomas Hardy's Wessex, etc., are some of the fine examples of local color.

Lost Generation: Lost generation is a term that Gertrude Stein coined for a group of American writers and intellectuals who were against the post World War I materialistic values of America. These notable people left America and moved to Europe because they were more attracted to the cosmopolitan cultures of European countries, especially Paris and London. Some of the notable writers who were a part of this group included Earnest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, and John Steinbeck to name a few.

Low Comedy: Low comedy is directly opposite to the intellectual humor found in high comedy. Low comedy is quite slapstick, where humor is created through silly and clownish physical actions. There is absolutely no space for intelligent verbal dialogs in low comedy.

Lyric: Lyric is a short poem written in first person, where a single speaker expresses his emotions and personal feelings. These poems usually do not go beyond sixty lines and can also be sung in the song form. The different forms of lyric include sonnets, elegies, hymns, odes, etc.

Machiavellian: The term 'Machiavellian' is attributed to rulers who seem to be honorable and trustworthy from the outside, however, are actually very ruthless, deceitful, and power seeking individuals who would go to any length to safeguard their position and power. This term was coined by an Italian writer, Niccolo Machiavelli in his work, The Prince, where he said that human beings by nature are untrustworthy and cunning, and without indulging in evil and deceitful actions, people in power would not be able to hold up their position. Machiavellianism became very popular in the 16th century as many playwrights used it in their plays.

Magic Realism: Magic realism is a term that describes such works of fiction where the author combines the everyday normal events with fantasy. This term was coined by Franz Roh, a German art critic, to describe the works of certain painters in 1925 whose paintings depicted an altered reality. Later, this term was also applied to works of writers who blended fiction and reality in their work. These fantastical events include dream-like sequences as well as stories from mythology and fairy tales. One fine example of magic realism can be found in Gabriel Gracia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. Other exponents of this literary genre include Italo Calvino, Isabel Allende, Jorge Luis Borge, etc.

Malapropism: Malapropism is said to occur when a word is substituted with a similar sounding word in a sentence to create a humorous effect. This term is derived from the character of Mrs. Malprop in Sheridan's comedy, The Rivals who in the attempt to show off her vast vocabulary, came up with lines like he is the very pineapple of politeness, etc.

Marxist Literary Criticism: Marxist literary criticism is analysis of literature on the basis of economic and political theories, and principles of Marxism. Karl Marx, the pioneer of Marxism believed that social conditions are determined by the political and economic conditions of a certain period, which in turn influences literature of that period. Some of the Marxist literary critics of the 20th century are Raymond Williams, George Lukacs, Fredric Jameson, Leon Trotsky, etc.

Masque: The masque is a type of play which began in Italy, however, became a popular genre during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, and King Charles I. The actors in the play wore masks as per their characters, and the play was an amalgamation of song, music, stage design, poetic drama, dance, splendid costuming, etc. At the end of the play, the actors would remove the masks and the audience would join them for dancing. One can find a masque play within Shakespeare's plays, The Tempest and Hamlet.

Melodrama: Melodrama is applied to plays where dialogs were accompanied by music, to emphasize on certain crucial scenes. The plot and characterization in melodramatic plays are quite predictable, where usually the good-hearted hero has to fight the evil incorporated villain to save the heroine. The key characteristics include excessive emotions, artificial happy endings, sensational actions, etc. Though music was a part of melodramatic plays, their use was very restrictive. The Broken Sword by William Dimond, The Red Rover by Edward Fitzball, etc., are some of the examples of melodrama. This melodramatic form is also adapted in various films, novels, television programs, etc.

Memoir: A memoir is often confused as autobiography, however, both these literary genres have certain differences. A memoir is a literary genre which depicts a part of a person's life, unlike an autobiography which is the story of a person, written or advocated by himself, starting from his birth up to his death. The memoir written in first person focuses on the events and people that the author has experienced or met during the journey of life, especially in his career.

Metaphor: Metaphor is a figure of speech where two distinctly different things are compared without using adverbs of comparison, 'as', 'like', etc. It is used to lay emphasis and bring out certain qualities of the object or person which may not be noticeable in normal situations. For instance, Shakespeare's metaphor in the play, As You Like It, all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.... where actually the writer is trying to make the audience understand that there is no difference between life and theater, and human beings are merely playing parts allotted to them, just as the actors are doing on the stage.

Metaphysical Conceit: Metaphysical conceit, a kind of figure of speech which is similar to metaphor, can be seen in the poems of 17th century metaphysical poets. Metaphysical conceit is where an object or person is compared to a thing that is totally different from the former. The objects of comparison in metaphysical poetry ranged from common place to theological, philosophical and practical knowledge. These conceits were unusual, witty, and sometimes quite shocking. For instance, in his poem, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, John Donne has compared two separated lovers to a draftsman's compass.

Metaphysical Poets: Samuel Johnson coined the term 'metaphysical poets' for a group of poets belonging to the 17th century. These poets did not come together to begin a movement against the poems of the Elizabethan era. Rather, each of these poets, in their own way, defied the clichs of Elizabethan poetry and created poems that combined intellectuality with abstract and complex imagery. Though these poets were not influenced by each other, their poems contain a variety of similar characteristics including the use of figures of speech, variation in the structure of the poems, poetic style, experimenting with rhythmic patterns, manner of organizing poetic argument, etc. Some of the great metaphysical poets include John Donne, Andrew Marvell, John Herbert, Abraham Cowley, George Chapman, etc.

Metonymy: The term metonymy is taken from a Greek word which means 'change of name'. It is a figure of speech where a word is substituted with another word, which has become associated with it due to frequent usage. For instance, 'the press' refers to reporters while the word 'crown' has become synonymous to the king or the royal family.

Meter:Meter refers to the varying, nevertheless recognizable pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that occur in regular units in the lines of a verse. Each regular unit is called a foot. Depending upon the number of feet in a line, a line can be called monometer (if it has one foot), dimeter (if it has two feet), trimeter, tetrameter, and so on till nonameter (if a line has nine meters in it).

Miracle Play: Miracle plays were popular in Europe during the medieval period. These plays were based on stories of the Bible as well as those of miracles that the Christian saints performed. However, there are critics who believed that miracle plays were those that told the stories of martyrdom of Christian saints.

Mock Epic: Mock epic is a parody of the epic poem. In a mock epic poem, the poet includes all the characteristics of an epic poem, whereas the story is rather mundane or about some trivial issue. With the help of epic style, including elaborate form, high style of language, etc., the poet makes the petty situation highly humorous and entertaining. Alexander Pope's Rape of the Lock is one of the finest examples of mock epic poems.

Modernism: Modernism is a term that refers to the arts and literature that were produced during the late 19th and 20th century, especially after World War I. Most of the modernist writers broke away from the past established beliefs and traditions, and produced works that reflected the political, economic, and social conditions of those times. This period was filled with several art and literary movements, including formalism, existentialism, surrealism, etc. There was also a fresh change in the form and style of the literary works produced by the modernist writers.

Monologue: Monologue refers to long and uninterrupted dialog by a character in the play, where he expresses all his thoughts and emotions in front of the audience or any other character on the stage.

Morality Play: Morality plays were popular during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. These plays are believed to have been begun by priests to educate the masses about the moral values and beliefs of the Christian faith. Morality plays were allegorical, where virtues and vices were personified in the form of characters, and the plot usually involves how man falls into temptation and commits sin, but repents later after realizing his mistake, and so is saved from damnation.

Motif: Motif is an idea that a writer deliberately repeats in his piece of work to make the readers understand the central idea of the plot. Motif can be an incident, verbal formula, device or some kind of reference.

Muses: The nine muses, are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and have the ability to inspire artists, writers, and poets in producing works of creativity.

Myth: The term myth refers to stories that talk about the creation and evolution of the world. Myths are usually attached to religion, and have a deep cultural significance. Most of the mythological stories involve Gods, ancestral heroes, supernatural beings, etc.

Narration: The act of telling a sequence of events to an audience. It also refers to a story that involves situations, characters, action, etc.

Narrative Poem: It is a literary term for a poem that tells a story, like an epic or a ballad.

Narrator: The speaker or the voice, who is narrating the story.

Naturalism: A literary movement which believed in depicting life to resemble reality as closely as possible, without distortions by emotions and literary conventions.

Near Rhyme: A type of rhyme form, where the rhythmic pattern of the words is similar but not exactly alike. These rhymes either have matching vowel segments or matching consonant segments. These rhymes are also known as inexact rhymes or slant rhymes.

New Comedy: Comedy from Greece that developed after 300 BCE, which focused on romantic angles, wit, and dramatic twists.

New Criticism: An approach to literature that suggests, that detailed analysis of the language used in a literary work can reveal important layers of meanings that form an important part of the work.

Nom De Plume: It is a literary term for the false name under which a writer publishes his/her literary work.

Nostos: Refers to the theme of homecoming used in literature.

Novel: A long fictional narrative of 50,000 words or more originated in the late seventeenth century. Novels focus on the lives of a few primary complex characters, but also involve several secondary characters. Famous novelists like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Emile Bronte, George Orwell, and many more have entertained readers with their works for decades.

Novella: A fictional narrative that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, with a word count of about 20,000 words. This term was earlier used only for Italian, French, and German narratives.

Novel of Manners: A novel that discusses in details the social cultures, habits, expectations, and traditions of a specific group of people at a specific time.

Novelette: The term was used earlier for English prose narratives that were longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. Now the term is used interchangeably with novella.

Objective Correlative: It refers to a literary device which uses an event or a situation to symbolize an implicit mood or emotion, that is ordinarily inexplicable.

Obligatory Scene: It is a scene, which demands its presence, due to the plot of the play, forcing the playwright to write it. It is also called the scene-a-faire.

Occupatio: A device used by orators where they refer to a topic by saying they won't mention it.

Octameter: It refers to the verse in poetry that has each line in eight metric feet. This is not a common meter in English poetry.

Octave: The first two stanzas, or the first eight lines of the Italian form of the sonnet, in the rhythm abbaabba, is called an octave.

Octavo: A book format popular in the medieval ages, where in, a sheet is folded three times to create a book with eight leaves or sixteen pages.

Ode: An ode is a lyrical verse. It is a form of lyric, which has its origins in Greek poetry and expresses emotions reverently and enthusiastically. It has varying line lengths and intricately developed rhyme schemes. Famous odes like Shelley's Ode to the West Wind and Keats' series of odes namely Ode to a Nightingale, Ode on Melancholy, Ode on a Grecian Urn, Ode to Psyche and Ode to Autumn are some of the most exquisite works of art in their own way.

Oedipal Complex: A theory put forward by the 20th century psychologist, Sigmund Freud, who said that male children would often possess a need to kill their father, and usurp his position in the family, due to jealousy, brought about by sharing the mother's affections. The theory was named after Oedipus Rex, the mythical doomed Greek hero, who killed his father and married his mother, albeit unknowingly.

Off-Rhyme: See near-rhyme.

Offstage: An area of the stage that is not visible to the audience.

Old Comedy: Comedies from Athens that date back to 400 - 499 BC, which featured songs, dances, satirical, and ribald forms of humor.

Old English: The form of English that was spoken before 1100 C.E. or the Christian Era.

Olfactory Imagery: The mental image or feeling of scent that a reader experiences while reading a passage of literature.

Omniscient Narrator: Also known as third person narrative or outside speaker, it is the literary technique employed, where the story is narrated by a person who is separated from the characters in the same. He is party to all the happenings in the story.

One-Act Play: A play in which all the action happens at a single place and as a continuous action.

Onomastic: A branch of lexicology that deals with the study of names. Many authors have used onomastology in naming characters, using the meaning of their names to either symbolize or pun on their characteristics.

Onomatopoeia: Literary device in which the word used resembles the sound it denotes. Simple examples are "hiss", "crash", "buzz", etc.

Open Couplet: A couplet in which the thought or idea does not end in the same rhyming couplet but carries on to lines in any subsequent couplet.

Open Ended: A story or a drama which has a resolution that is ambiguous.

Open Poetic Form: A poetic form which does not subscribe to established rhythmic patterns and derives rhyme from repetition of phrases and words, grammatical structuring, print layout, etc.

Open Syllable: A syllable that ends with a vowel.

Opera: Musical theater in which classical plays are performed, with dialogs declaimed in a half-sung manner.

Opera Bouffe: The form of opera that originated in France.

Opposition: The stand that is taken against the protagonist in literature.

Oral Formulaic: This literary term refers to traits that are common to works that are meant to be recited aloud to an audience. These traits are a way to make things easier for the speaker and the listener.

Oral Transmission: The age-old tradition of passing on folklore and tales by word of mouth. This technique was extremely popular before the development of writing.

Organic Form: Literary works that do not follow a rigid set of rules, but the rhythm of the thought/emotion being expressed.

Organic Unity: A theory that suggests that every element of a good literary work contributes to the whole. They are all interdependent on each other and if even one element, a character, an action, etc, is removed, than it will take away from the potency of the work.

Ostranenie: Also known as defamiliarisation, it is a satirical artistic technique, that forces the audience to see everyday things in an unconventional way, so that one perceives familiar things in an enhanced manner.

Ossianism: The craze for celtic art and culture and also their myth and folklore that was seen in the 1760's, after two epic poems, Fingal and Temora, apparently composed by the Gaelic warrior, Ossian, suddenly appeared on the literary scene.

Ottava rima: A poetic technique, wherein, the verse consists of eight lines in the rhythm abababcc.

Outline: The basic scenario of a literary work, especially a drama or a novel.

Oxymoron: A literary device in which two words that contradict each other in meaning are used together to form a paradox. For example, "And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true." from Tennyson's Idylls of the King.

Palindrome: A word or a sentence, that reads the same, when read forwards or backwards. Palindromes date back at least to 79 A.D., as the palindromic Latin word square "Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas" was found as a graffito.

Palinode: A poem or a part of one, wherein the poet takes back the idea that he has put forward in an earlier poem. This technique is generally used as a method of apologizing and retraction of earlier work.

Parable: Parable is a literary term used for a short story or narrative, that uses allegory and real life occurrences, to give out messages about religion, values, and morals.

Paradox: A sentence that seems contradictory in the context, but if inspected closely makes sense, and is a description of the truth.

Paraphrase: A technique in which a writer, rewrites in one's own words, a part or the whole of a literary work.

Parody: A satirical imitation of the work of an author with the intention of ridiculing the ideas in the work and its characteristic features.

Pastoral: An artistic work that mainly depicts a shepherd's life, especially the simplicity, peaceful, rural existence, and the uncorrupted life.

Pathos: Situations or language that arises feeling of sympathy and pity in the audience, because of its tragic nature.

Patronage: The act of providing an artist with financial and political support in order to encourage his works.

Pen Name: See Nom-de-plume.

Pentameter: When the verses in a poetry consist of a fixed set of syllables, forming lines of five feet, the resulting poem is said to be written in pentameter.

Periodization: The classification of literature according to the historical periods in which they were written as opposed to the genre they belong to.

Peripeteia: The stage in a literary work, where there is a sudden change in the direction that the literary work is taking due to an unexpected reversal of circumstances.

Persona: The character created by the author to tell a story to the audience or the reader is called persona. Also referred to as narrator or storyteller.

Personification: A figure of speech in which animals, ideas, and inanimate objects are shown to have human traits and characteristics.

Petrarchan Conceit: An unusual and elaborate comparison used by an author. This term is named after the Italian Renaissance poet Petrarch.

Picaresque Novel: A satirical novel, generally set in episodes, which tells the story of a wandering picaro (rogue), who uses hits wit to get out of tricky situations.

Plagiarism: The intellectual theft of an artistic or literary work, and reproduction of the whole, part or theme of the work as one's own.

Play: An enactment of a drama on stage by a group of actors who often wear makeup and costumes to resemble the characters they are portraying.

Plot: The effect of the structure and relationship of the actions, events, and characters in a fictional work.

Poetic License: The freedom that a poet possesses to depart from normalcy, where reality, historical facts and common discourse is concerned, in order to convey a certain idea to the reader.

Poetic Justice: A term coined by Thomas Rhymer in the seventeenth century, according to which, every narrative or drama should end with proper moral resolution for all the characters.

Poetry: A genre which is characterized by the use of rhythm and patterns like meter, rhyme, figures of speech, etc.

Point of View: It is a narrative method which determines the manner in which, and the position from where, a story is told.

Prequel: A literary work which is often written after the success of an author's work but is set before the occurrence of events in the earlier work. It has the same characters.

Problem Play: Plays in which the conflict arises out of the moral and social dilemmas that the protagonist faces, which are common to the society at large. The term is also used to describe some Shakespearean plays that explore the dark side of human psychology and present to the reader the gray side of humans, without proper resolution at the end.

Prologue: A section of introductory material, before the start of the main literary work.

Prose: Any literary work that is not written in a rhythmic pattern.

Protagonist: The main character in a literary work, on which a majority of the narrative focuses.

Pseudonym: See Nom-de-plume

Pulp Fiction: They are novels written on newsprint (hence called pulp fiction), which targeted the general public and aimed to thrill and excite. They have been historically very popular, but heavily criticized for degrading literary quality.

Pun: A literary technique used originally in serious work and now more often to create a comic effect. It is a play on words by either exploiting the multiple meanings of a word or by replacing a word with another, that is similar in sound but different in meaning.

Qualitative Meter: Qualitative meter is usually found in English poems, where heavily stressed and lightly stressed syllables appear alternatively throughout the poem.

Quantitative Meter: When a poem follows a meter where there is an alternation between short syllables and long syllables, it is called a quantitative meter. This is different from the qualitative meter and is used very commonly in Greek, Latin, Arabic as well as Sanskrit poems.

Quatrain: A quatrain is a stanza of a poem with four lines. Though a quatrain can appear in any rhyme scheme, the most common one is the abab pattern. A sonnet is made of three quatrains followed by a couplet.

Queer Theory: Queer theory is a term usually applied to gay and lesbian studies in the field of literature. However, apart from these studies, this theory also focuses on issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, cross dressing, sexual desires, etc., that appear in literature.

Reader-response Criticism: Reader response criticism is a literary theory which gives utmost importance to the reader in interpreting a work of literature. This theory is in contrast to other literary theories that try to find the absolute meaning, or what the author intended through the book. Pioneers of this theory believed that no interpretation is absolute, rather each reader creates his own interpretation. The focus of this theory is on the way an individual reads and the factors that influence his interpretation.

Realism: The term 'realism' in literature refers to the portrayal of human life and experiences as one sees in real life. Realism is an artistic movement began during the 19th century in France which soon spread to other parts of Europe. This movement was started as the revolt against the exaggerated emotionalism of the Romantic Period. For the realists, truth and accuracy became the tools of perfection.

Refrain: Refrain is a line or a set of lines that appear at the end of every stanza in a poem. When refrain appears in the end of the stanzas in a song, it is often referred to as chorus. These lines can either be similar in each stanza or may appear with slight variations.

Renaissance: Renaissance, which is an Italian word for 'rebirth' is a period which followed the Middle Ages. This movement which is supposed to have begun during the 14th century in Italy, spread to other European countries throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. Renaissance broke away from the superstitious and ignorant traditions and beliefs of the medieval period to achieve a world of enlightenment. This period saw the emergence of great writers like Shakespeare, Marlowe, Johnson, etc.

Restoration Period: Restoration Period refers to the time when King Charles II was restored to his throne by the English, after forty years of tyrannical rule of the Puritans. During the Puritanical rule, all sorts of literature was banned from the country, which was restored during the English Restoration period along with the King. The literature of this time focused on the urban lifestyle as well as the social and economic conditions of those times. Comedy flourished more than tragedy with the introduction of 'Comedy of Manners' during this Period.

Rhetoric: Rhetoric can be explained as an art of writing or speaking in a manner that would aid in persuading the reader or the audience. Aristotle in his 'Rhetorics' has mentioned the ways in which an orator can persuade the audience in accepting his point of view.

Revenge Tragedy: Revenge tragedy, as the name itself says, revolves around a person's need to avenge the death of a near one. Revenge tragedies emerge from the plays of Roman playwright Seneca, which became popular during the Jacobean Era. Some of the examples of include The Spanish Tragedy, Hamlet, The White Devil, etc.

Rhyme: When two similar sounding words are repeated in a stanza of a poem, it is known as a rhyme. Rhymes that appear at the end of the lines are called end rhymes, and are the most common type of rhyme in poetry. There is also internal rhyme where rhyming words appear in the same line. Apart from this, they can also be divided into masculine and feminine rhymes. Rhyming words that end with a stressed syllable is called the masculine, while those that end with an unstressed syllable are known as feminine.

Rhyme Scheme: Rhyme scheme refers to the pattern in which the rhyming words appear in a poem. The rhyme scheme may be similar in all the stanzas throughout the poem, or may vary. In the olden days, when poems were passed along as songs, rhyme scheme helped people to memorize the songs. The most commonly used ones found in English poetry include aa, bb, cc, dd, ee and abab, cdcd.

Romantic Comedy: Romantic comedy is a literary genre which became popular during the Elizabethan Era. Romantic comedy plays revolve around two young lovers who have to face lot of problems and hardships before they unite at the end of the play. Mistaken identities, misunderstandings, disapproving parents, etc., are some of the themes that can be commonly found in such plays.

Romantic Period: The Romantic Period refers to the period in the history of English literature which existed during the 18th century. This period was a response to the period of Enlightenment which gave a lot of importance to reason and logic, as it laid more importance to nature and human emotions. Some of the famous writers of the Romantic Period include William Wordsworth, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, Coleridge, Charles Lamb, etc.

Round Character: The term round character was introduced by E. M. Forster in his essay, Aspects of the Novel. This type of character stands in direct contrast to the flat character, which is usually a typecast and predictable character. On the other hand, round characters are quite complex and undergo various changes through the process of the story. These type of characters are often unpredictable and are closer to real life people.

Russian Formalism: Russian formalism is a literary theory that was introduced in the year 1915 in Russia. Formalists stressed on the literary devices and formal patterns used in literature than the content or subject matter present in a piece of work. These formalists drew a line between daily speech and the language used in literature. Russian formalism was primarily responsible for the development of structuralist and post structuralist movements.

Saga: In the original sense, a saga refers to the Scandinavian and Icelandic stories about battles, legends and customs that were written in prose between 1120 and 1400. These traditionally dealt with the exploits of a hero, families and kings. Most of the Icelandic saga revolves around the tales of the Vikings settling in the region; like the Grettir's Saga, Egil's Saga and the Saga of Eric the Red. However, in contemporary times, saga refers to a work of literature that narrates the exploits of a hero or the accomplishments of a family through several generations. A good example of a recent saga is Mario Puzo's The Godfather.

Sarcasm: Sarcasm is another name for verbal irony in which the speaker means something very different from what he speaks. It is usually used to hurt someone, say for example, through false praise.

Satire: Satire is a literary device that is used by an author to express disapproval of vices and imperfections in individuals or human beings in general. He may use ridicule, derision, irony, or other methods to meet this end. Although, on the surface a satire seems to be funny, its purpose isn't to amuse the reader. In fact, the writer cleverly uses wit to criticize follies or shortcomings he doesn't agree with, with the aim of arousing contempt in the reader. Horatian satire and Juvenalian satire, formal satire and informal satire are some forms of satire.

Scansion: Scansion refers to scanning a poem and analyzing the stressed and unstressed syllables to determine its meter.

Setting: Setting refers to the time, place, and social circumstances in which a literary work occurs. Dystopia, fantasy world, imaginary world, mythical place, parallel universe, virtual reality and utopia are some of the different types of settings.

Short Story: A short story is a fictional narrative that centers around one main event and aims at developing a single character only.

Simile: Simile is a figure of speech in which two objects are compared using adverbs such as "like" and "as". For example, the courage of an individual can be emphasized by using the simile He was as brave as a lion in the battlefront.

Soliloquy: A literary device most commonly used in drama in which a character reveals his thoughts and feelings, audible only to the audience and not to the other characters in the play.

Sonnet: A sonnet is a lyric poem that consists of fourteen lines and has a specific rhyme scheme. Italian sonnet or Petrarchan sonnet, Miltonic sonnet, and English sonnet or Shakespearean sonnet are common forms of sonnet.

Sprung Rhythm: Sprung rhythm is a term that was coined by British poet Gerard Manley Hopkins to describe his personal metrical system. In sprung rhythm, in each foot the first syllable is stressed. It is followed by a varying number of unstressed syllables. However, when recited, each feet lasts the same amount of time. It is also known as accentuated rhythm.

Stanza: A stanza forms a unit of division of a poem. It may consist from 2 to 8 lines that have a distinct pattern of meter and rhyme. A two line stanza is called a couplet. A stanza consisting of three, four, five, six, seven and eight lines are called tercet, quatrain, quintain, sextain, septet and octet. Ballad stanza, Burns stanza or Scottish stanza and sestet are some other common stanza names.

Static Character: A character that does not undergo any change in personality throughout the course of a narrative is called a static character. In case an author provides little characterization of a static character, such a character is called a flat character. As opposed to static character, a dynamic character evolves in his personality over time.

Stereotype: A stereotype is a character that is so simple and ordinary in its personality that it seems to be a representation of a specific social group or type of people.

Structuralism: Also known as structural grammar, structuralism refers to the approach that aims at describing how a language is actually used instead of determining the right version for learners of that language. This approach is associated with linguists such as Franz Boas and Edward Sapir.

Subplot: A subplot is a minor secondary plot that runs simultaneously with the main plot and is auxiliary to it. A subplot involves the deuteragonist or any character other than the protagonist or the antagonist. The subplot may comment directly or indirectly on the main plot or may highlight the idea being projected by the main plot by contrasting with it. Sometimes, there may be more than one subplot in a piece of fiction that may join with the main storyline in time, place or in thematic significance.

Suspense: As a plot progresses, readers or audience establish a bond with the characters and understand the plot. Suspense refers to the anxious anticipation that readers or audience experience with respect to the future course of events, or what will happen to the characters in the narrative. The aim of suspense is to maintain the interest of readers throughout its course.

Symbol: A character (symbolic character), object, place, image or event with a deeper, more abstract meaning than the literal one. Symbols help in conveying complex ideas without going into painstakingly elaborate descriptions. Conventional symbols like the Star of David express meaning that is understood throughout a particular culture. However, literary or contextual symbols express meanings that are specific only to the particular piece of literary work. For instance, the white whale in Moby Dick has several symbolic meanings. Use of symbols is referred to as symbolism.

Synecdoche: A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to denote the whole thing and vice versa.

Synesthesia: In literature, synesthesia refers to using one mode of sensation to describe another. For instance, color may be attributed to sound by using the expression loud colors meaning too bright or unpleasantly bright.

Syntax: Syntax refers to the standard order in which words are arranged so that they form a meaningful sentence.

Tale: A tale is a simple narrative in which the main focus is on the course and outcome of events. Fairy tale, folk tale, fable, tall tale and urban legend are some of the different types of tales.

Tenor: Tenor is a literary term introduced by I. A. Richards that denotes the subject of a metaphor. For instance, in the metaphor all the world's a stage, the whole world is the tenor.

Terza Rima: It is a rhyming verse stanza that consists of tercets in which each is linked to the one coming after it with a common rhyme: aba, bcb, cdc and so on.

Theme: Theme denotes the central idea, message or lesson that is conveyed by a piece of literary work. Besides plot, character, style and setting, theme is the other main component of a work of fiction.

Tone: Tone refers to the attitude that a writer takes towards his subject, characters and readers. The words and details used in a piece of literary work denotes its tone.

Tragedy: Tragedy is a serious play in which the protagonist suffers a series of misfortunes that leads to conclusion which is disastrous for the protagonist.

Tragic Flaw: It is the error or mistake in choice of action that a tragic hero commits that leads to his downfall in a tragedy. Aristotle termed this "mistake in judgment" as hamartia.

Tragic Hero: Tragic hero is the protagonist in a tragedy who meets his doom due to the mistakes he makes in his choice of actions.

Tragicomedy: Tragicomedy is the literary term for a work of fiction that blends elements like standard characters, subject matter, and plot-forms of both tragedy and comedy. Hence, this genre of literary creation involves characters from both high class and middle and the lower class although, conventionally tragedies should have characters of high class while comedies consisted characters from lower and middle classes.

Transcendentalism: Transcendentalism or more specifically American transcendentalism refers to the ideas that emerged in New England, in opposition to Intellectualism that prevailed in Harvard during the first half of the nineteenth century. According to transcendentalism, the spiritual state and morality can be realized through human intuition and conscience without moral laws or doctrines of religion.

Travesty: Travesty is a type of low burlesque in which a lofty subject is debased by treating it in an undignified and inappropriate manner.

Triad: A collection of three ideas, concepts or entities that are more loosely connected than the pure trinity. The oldest triad belongs to the religious poetry of the Sumerian scholastic period (circa 2400-2200 BCE) in which Gods of heaven, earth, and water are represented as a triad that are linked with each other.

Triple Rhyme: A rhyme that contains three syllables is known as a triple rhyme.

Trochee: Trochee is the literary term for a two syllable foot used in formal poetry, in which stressed syllable is followed by an unstressed syllable.

Trope: Literary trope is a figure of speech in which a word is used to convey a meaning that is different from what it means literally.

Troubadour: This style of poetry refers to the love poets in Southern France who wrote and sang poems, hat dealt with courtly love, between 1100-1350. They were known for being creative and experimenting with metrical forms. They are credited to have influenced the development of love lyric in Europe. A troubadour is essentially a male poet. A female troubadour is called a trobairitz.

Understatement: Understatement is a literary device that stands completely opposite to the figure of speech, hyperbole. An understatement is when an issue or situation is expressed in a much lesser magnitude than it actually is. Understatement usually creates an ironic effect and sometimes is also used to create humor.

Unintrusive Narrator: Unintrusive narrator is someone who is completely different to an intrusive narrator. An unintrusive narrator is one who does not give away his opinions or judgments on a character or situation while narrating a novel.

Unities: Aristotle in his Poetics introduced the concept of 'unity of action', where he said that a play should revolve around a single plot and should not have any subplots. Later in the 16th and 17th centuries, Italian critics added two more, namely the 'unity of time' and the 'unity of place'. The unity of time emphasizes that the time period of the play should not be more than the actual duration of the play, and the unity of place stresses that the action that takes place in the play should be restricted to one place. However, these three unities, especially that of time and place, were not followed strictly by the English playwrights, but were popular among the Italian and French writers.

University Wits: 16th century England saw the emergence of a group of playwrights who had completed their university education. This group of playwrights were called the University Wits. Thomas Lodge, Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, Thomas Lodge, John Lyly, etc., are some of the known university wits.

Unreliable Narrator: An unreliable narrator is a narrator who interprets the events in the novel according to his opinions, rather than that of the author. Unreliable narrators are deceptive as they are influenced by personal bias, psychological instability, faulty perception, and limited understanding. A novel narrated by an unreliable narrator would have some hints by the author so that the reader recognizes the unreliability of the narrator's interpretations.

Utopia: The term 'utopia' refers to those fictional writings where the social and political conditions are portrayed as perfect, which is actually not possible in real life. The Utopian way of life was first described by Plato in his treatise Republic. Later this was adapted by Sir Thomas More in his book 'Utopia'. The Utopian society is free from poverty and vices, all the citizens are happy, virtuous, and healthy or in other words, it is a perfect world.

Variorum: The term varorium can have two interpretations. Firstly, it is a collection of all the works of the writer including the various revisions done to those works. Variorum also refers to an edition which contains all the annotations, criticisms, and commentaries of various critics and editors on a particular piece of work.

Verbal Irony: Verbal irony is a kind of irony, where the character says something that he actually does not mean, which the reader would understand immediately, but the other character would fail or take time to comprehend. Works like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock, etc., have several examples of verbal irony in them.

Verisimilitude: The term 'verisimilitude' is where people get a felling that whatever they are reading or observing on the stage is real or somewhere close to reality. For instance, a person in London watching a play that is set in Italy has a sense of verisimilitude, where he is able to think the stage represents Italy.

Verse: Any line, stanza, or composition which follows some kind of meter and rhythm is called a verse. Poems can be found in rhymed verse, free verse as well as in blank verse.

Victorian Period: Victorian Period is the era when the British Empire was ruled by Queen Victoria, starting from the year 1837 till the year 1901, when the Queen died. During the Victorian Era, England had become a supreme industrial power. The novel form was the most popular during the Victorian Period which reflected the economic, social, intellectual, and religious issues of that time. The famous novelists of the Victorian Period include Charles Dickens, George Eliot, William Makepeace Thackeray, and Thomas Hardy to count a few.

Villain: The term 'villain' is derived from the old French word, vilein, and refers to a character in the play who is evil and performs cruel and malicious deeds on other people. A villain is an antagonist who is pitted against the protagonist or the hero, and plots against him to make his life hell. For instance, Iago in Othello and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.

Vilanelle: The term 'villanelle' is adapted from the Italian word villanella, which means rustic. It is a type of poem which contains nineteen lines, divided into five terctes (a stanza made of three lines) and a quatrain. The vilanelle has only two rhyme sounds which is followed throughout the poem. Dylan Thomas' Do not Go Gentle Into that Good Night is a good example of a vilanelle.

Voice: Voice refers to a distinct style of the author which reflects in the way he creates a piece of work. It is influenced by various factors including the author's personality, way of thinking, attitude, character, etc. It can also be referred to as the persona of the author.

Well-made Play: The well made play was introduced by Eugene Scribe and Victorien Sardou in the 19th century. This dramatic genre was later adopted by realistic writers like Henrik Ibsen. Well-made plays were created with careful as well as logical construction of the plot.

Western Fiction: Western fiction became a part of American literature during the early 20th century. This literary genre refers to those novels which spun stories around the American Old West frontier, particularly in the late 19th century.

Wit: The term 'wit' is often considered synonymous to humor, and is a form of verbal expression that is used to make others laugh.

Women's Studies: Women's studies refer to an academic field which focuses on researching and studying issues concerning women, including topics like gender, feminism, and politics. Women's history, women's fiction, feminist art as well as feminist theory are a part of women's studies.

Xanaduism: The term 'Xanaduism' was initiated by John Livingston Lowes in his work, Road to Xanadu which is the study of Coleridge's poem, Kubla Khan. Xanaduism refers to the literary study of sources that helped in the formation of fantasy and imaginative works.

Xenia: The term 'Xenia' refers to the Greek concept of hospitality. People in Greece had to follow this custom very strictly where they had to look after the comfort of travelers who came to their city by providing them with food and shelter. The belief is that if they do not do so, they would have to bear the brunt of Zeus, who is the King of the Gods.

Xenophanic: The term comes from the name of the Greek poet Xenophanes, who wrote poems during 550 BCE. Xenophanic poets are those who wrote satirical and witty poems while traveling around the world.

Yarn: A story that talks about adventures and events that are made interesting by adding impossible fantastic elements. The language used in yarn is usually colloquial English which has a realistic tone.

Zeitgeist: Zeitgeist is a German word which means 'the spirit of the times'. The term refers to the spiritual, cultural, political, and intellectual attitudes, and spirit of a country or society during a particular period.

Zeugma: Zeugma is a Greek word which means 'bonding' or 'yoking'. In literature, when a word is used in relation with two or more words grammatically, though it is appropriate logically for one of the two, it is called zeugma. Sometimes, the word would be in literal relation to one of the words and metaphorical to the other. For e.g., The Queen of England sometimes takes advice in that chamber and sometimes tea.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/glossary-of-literary-terms.html

Historical Periods of Deflation

Deflation is a dire economic crisis. To put it in terms of economics, deflation is marked by a general decrease in price levels of all products and services accompanied by a decrease in the quantity of money in circulation within the economy. Although it causes the value of the money to go up, you need to spend lesser amounts of money to pay for more goods or services. If this phenomenon is stretched for a long time, this can lead the entire economy to enter the malevolent deflationary spiral. The major cause of this sudden change, is due to fall in aggregate demand for various goods and services. Lowering of demand leads to lower production of goods and lesser generation of services. This in turn leads to lower employment requirements by manufacturers of such goods. Low and under employment in the society further leads to decrease in aggregate demand. This vicious cycle of deflation takes the entire economy towards a downward spiral of recession and unemployment. Let's look at some major historical periods of deflation to see how this malevolent nemesis has served to topple many during various time lines.

Historical Experience With Deflation

Following are some of the most prominent historical instances of deflation experienced by various nations around the world. Let's get an idea in brief, of the economic havoc that deflation wreaked on these countries during various periods.

Post Panic of 1837-United States

Following the Panic of 1837, which was spurred by all banks' insistence on accepting payments in either silver or gold coinage alone, there was a five-year long period of economic recession in the US during which the money supply in the US economy had decreased by almost 30%.

The Great Deflation-United States

This was a 20 years long period, spanning from 1870-1890, in the US when there was a drastic decline in the prices of goods, raw materials, labor and services throughout the country. This was a rare instance of a nation actually gaining from deflation as due to the low cost of materials and labor, the just-beginning-to-industrialize US economy of those times was better able to swiftly inundate itself with industries and set up factories and production units at a lower cost. During this time, the well-established industrial nations such as Great Britain suffered economically due to a fall in demand and prices. The cause of this deflationary period is attributed to the return to gold standard post Civil War.

The Great Depression of the 1930s

The Great Depression is, perhaps, the most notorious among all historical periods of deflation. It started with the catastrophic US stock market crash on 29th October, 1929. This phenomenon is also known as the Wall Street Crash and the day it happened is grimly remembered as Black Tuesday. The Great Depression was born of manifold reasons, such as massive failures in financial structures like banks and stock markets, contraction of money supply by the US Federal Reserve, decision to return to the Gold Standard by Great Britain prior to World War 1, etc. The ripples of this depression was felt worldwide, with most countries experiencing its onset at different times during the 1930s, till the early 1940s.

The Financial Crisis of 1997-Asia

It all started when the Thai Baht collapsed, as a result of the Thai government's decision to float the national currency by cutting down its peg to the USD. This decision was spurred by failure to support the Baht exchange rate after long periods of financial extensions, most of which was extended towards real estate. Thailand was already under a staggeringly high foreign debt, way before the Baht crashed, and was technically seeing bankruptcy in the eyes at that time. The currency crash only added fuel to the already raging fire of an economic collapse. Starting from Thailand, the Asian Financial Crisis spread its ominous grip upon a large part of Asia, including Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Philippines were the countries that received a major blow due to this crisis. Other Asian countries like China, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and Brunei also felt the ripples, though on a much smaller scale.

The Japanese Deflation of the 1990s

Starting in the early part of the 1990s, the deflation in Japan, was a result of a combination of various economic and demographic dissonances. Chief among them were asset price deflation, investment in insolvent companies, extension of non-performing loans by banks, etc. Also, due to the large incidence of banks involved in non-performing loans, people in Japan prefer investing their savings in Treasury Bonds rather than in bank accounts, further pushing these banks towards insolvency. Another major concern is Japan's negatively lopsided demographics. A significant part of the Japanese population consist of individuals above the age of 60. This part of the populace is headed towards a decline and a higher death rate, which significantly exceeds the birth rate in Japan, making such demographics a major issue.

Financial Crisis of 2007-2010

The recent recession that rocked the global economy started with a decline in the liquidity that took place in the US banking sector. Widespread unemployment in terms of drastic decline in recruitment and a peak in firings by companies all over the world was witnessed during the period starting from December 2007 till June 2009. Repercussions and ripples of economic depression can still be seen and felt at present, though on a much smaller scale than when it started. This is why despite recession having officially ended in June 2009, the threat of a deflationary rebound still lingers in our minds.

That was a brief overview of the major deflationary occurrences in world history. Although there are certain technical differences between recession and deflation, both cripple the economy. Compared to deflation, inflation is the lesser evil as people don't lose employment and the aggregate demand keeps mounting, leading to increased production of goods and services which require employment and recruitment of more people. In fact, within a certain limit, a small dose of inflation now and then is actually good for any economy.

luxury homes for sale

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/historical-periods-of-deflation.html

https://austininstitute.com/the-principles-of-marketing/

Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust (PWLR.SI) People

Name

Description

Mr. Lim Kok Hoong (Steven) is Non-Executive Independent Chairman of the Board of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust. Mr. Lim has over 32 years experience in public accountancy. He was a Senior Partner with Ernst & Young Singapore from 2002 to 2003, and prior to that, was the Managing Partner of Arthur Andersen Singapore from 1990 to 2002. He also previously held the position of Regional Managing Partner, Asean, for Arthur Andersen during the period 2000 to 2002. Mr. Lim graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1971 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA).

Mr. Yong Yean Chau is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since January 29, 2009. He joined Parkway Trust Management Limited as CFO in February 2008 and was promoted to CEO in December 2008. Mr. Yong was previously the CFO of the Singapore Tourism Board, overseeing its fi nance and corporate services functions. Prior to that, he was the CFO of Ascendas Pte Ltd (Ascendas). During his tenure with Ascendas, he was seconded to China-Singapore Suzhou Development Ltd and Singapore-Suzhou Township Development Pte Ltd as the CFO in Suzhou, China. Before joining Ascendas, Mr. Yong held other fi nance and audit positions in Beijing ISS International School, Housing and Development Board and Arthur Andersen. Mr. Yong graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours) and was conferred a Fellow Chartered Accountant of Singapore by the ISCA. He has also completed the Advanced Management Programme with Harvard Business School.

Mr. Loo Hock Leong is Chief Financial Officer of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since January 29, 2009. Mr. Loo brings with him 19 years of extensive banking and corporate experience. He was previously the Senior Vice President, Corporate Advisory of Global Financial Markets with DBS Bank Ltd. He has provided advisory services on corporate treasury management to large corporations in area of corporate fi nance and merger & acquisition. He has extensive experience in the fi nancial structuring of interest rate and foreign exchange risk management solutions for these clients. Mr. Loo graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Hons) degree in 1995. In 2000, he obtained a Masters of Applied Finance from the Macquarie University with three distinguished awards: Best Overall Performance, Best in Derivatives Valuation and Best in Legal & Tax Risk in Finance. He also possessed a professional qualifi cation from ISCA.

Mr. Tan Seak Sze is Senior Vice President - Investment, Asset Allocation & Strategic Research of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since 2011. Mr. Tan was the Vice President, Investment of CapitaLand Group before joining Parkway Life REIT. He was responsible for the investment activities of CapitaLand's retail business unit in India. Prior to this, he worked for two years in the Philippines as the Chief Operating Offi cer of a business process outsourcing fi rm. In 2004, he was seconded by Ascendas Pte Ltd (Ascendas) to the position of Chief Executive Officer of L&T Infocity- Ascendas Ltd, a developer company of IT complexes in Hyderabad, India. In 2003, he was the Finance Manager of Ascendas-MGM Funds Management Limited. Prior to this, he was Assistant Vice President, Corporate Finance of Ascendas and was responsible for the Ascendas Group's domestic and international financing programmes including cross border fi nancing and strategically managing the group's capital structure. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Tan was with JTC International Pte Ltd where he joined as a Business Development Officer and eventually assumed the post of Senior Manager, Investment and Planning. During this period, Mr. Tan accumulated regional work experience in areas ranging from project evaluation, fi nancial modelling, fi nancial structuring, marketing with extensive exposure to strategic planning. After graduation, Mr. Tan was with the Corporate Banking Department (Real Estate Division) of DBS Bank Ltd from 1991 to 1994. He was responsible for the marketing and credit assessment of the portfolios of the bank's real estate corporate clients. Mr. Tan holds a Master of Business Administration with High Honours from the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Accounting and Law from the University of Kent at Canterbury, United Kingdom.

Ms. Liu Chen Yin is Vice President - Asset Management, Strategic and Corporate Planning of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since December 11, 2009. Ms. Liu brings with her 15 years of experience in the areas of valuation, marketing and leasing, investment and asset management. Prior to her appointment with the Manager, she was with CapitaCommercial Trust Management Limited, the manager of CapitaCommercial Trust (CCT). She was involved in the sourcing and evaluating of potential investment opportunities, as well as the development and implementation of asset management strategies and plans for CCT's asset portfolio. From 2002 to 2006, she was with City Developments Limited, where she was responsible for the marketing and leasing of its office portfolio. From 1999 to 2002, she was a Senior Valuer with CKS Property Consultants Pte Ltd. Ms. Liu graduated from National University of Singapore in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Real Estate. She is also a registered licensed appraiser.

real estate for sale in

Ms. Patricia Ng is Assistant Vice President - (Head of Finance) of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust. Ms. Ng brings with her more than 13 years of accounting and fi nance practice in several public listed companies. Prior to her appointment with the Manager, Ms. Ng has worked in Serial Microelectronics Pte Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Serial System Limited), Raffl es Medical Group, Stratech Systems Limited and Watsons Personal Care Stores Pte Ltd. Her experience encompasses fi nancial and management reporting, consolidation, taxation, cash management, budgeting, compliance and risk management functions. Ms. Ng graduated with the professional qualifi cation from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and is a Chartered Accountant with ISCA. She also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from The University of Hull Business School, United Kingdom.

Ms. Teo Chin Ping is Assistant Vice President - Asset Management of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since 2011. MsMs. Teo brings with her 19 years of experience in the field of architecture design, master planning, management and administration of projects in Singapore and overseas. Prior to her current appointment, Ms. Teo was a project manager with Thomson International Health Services Pte Ltd (TIHS). While at TIHS, Ms. Teo worked on the International Women and Children Hospital and a Fertility Centre proposal in Vietnam. She also worked with Singapore General Hospital on an addition and alteration project for the Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as design and renovation for various departments within the hospital. Ms. Teo was stationed in Kunming, China, briefl y while working on a hospital project there. She also has experience with some school and residential projects in Singapore for PMLink Pte Ltd. She was with ACP Construction Pte Ltd prior to her role with PMLink Pte Ltd, where she worked on Biopolis II. Ms. Teo joined ST Architects & Engineers Pte Ltd after graduation, where she worked on master planning in Jordan, an international airport proposal in Myanmar, factories in China, office towers, conventional and automated warehouses as well as the Changi Naval Base in Singapore. Ms. Teo graduated from University of Tasmania, Australia in 1995 with a Bachelor of Architecture. She is also a Qualified Architect with the Board of Architects, Singapore.

Mr. Shawn Yap is Assistant Vice President, Asset Management of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust. Mr. Yap brings with him 12 years of experience in the real estate sector, mainly in the areas of real estate asset management, marketing and leasing. Prior to his appointment at Parkway Trust Management Limited, he was the manager of CapitaLand Commercial Limited. His responsibilities included managing commercial and industrial assets, monitoring and evaluating financial performance of assets, developing and implementing of asset management strategies, as well as conducting studies to maximise asset yields. He was also involved in the divestment of CapitaLand's commercial assets, mainly Temasek Tower, Hitachi Tower and Chevron House. From 2002 to 2004, he was with Singapore Land Authority, where he gained considerable experience in marketing, managing and leasing of State properties. He was also involved in the formulation of policy papers. Mr. Yap graduated from National University of Singapore in 2001 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) degree, majoring in Finance.

Puan Rossana Annizah Binti Ahmad Rashid is Non-Executive Director of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust. Her Working experience and occupation(s) during the past 10 years include : Time Dotcom Berhad Deputy CEO (from Oct 2012 to July 2014); MAXIS Berhad (formerly known as Maxis Communications Berhad); CFO (2004 to 2011); Deputy CFO (2003).

Dr. Lim Suet Wun is Non-Executive Director of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust with effect from February 26, 2014. Dr. Lim is the CEO, Parkway Operations Division of Parkway Pantai Limited. Dr. Lim has more than 28 years of experience in healthcare management. Before joining Parkway in 2011, he was the CEO of the National Healthcare Group and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). In 2003, Dr. Lim led the TTSH team through the SARS crisis, when it was designated as the SARS hospital for the whole of Singapore. For his leadership, he was awarded the Public Service Star by the President of Singapore. Before this, Dr. Lim held the positions of CEO of the National University of Hospital and COO of KK Women's Hospital. From 2011 to 2012, Dr. Lim was appointed as Chairman to the Board of Joint Commission International (JCI), the world's leading international healthcare accreditation organization. Dr. Lim was also previous Chairman of Johns Hopkins International Medical Center (Singapore), and served on the Boards of the Ministry of Health Holdings Pte Ltd, National University Health System Pte Ltd and Singapore's Nursing Board. He headed several Ministry of Health committees including the review of the country's Medishield Insurance scheme in 2005. Dr. Lim is currently a Member of the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board and Honorary Secretary in the Council of the Singapore National Employers Federation. A doctor by training, Dr. Lim also has Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Mr. Low Soon Teck is the Non-Executive Director of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust.. He served with Kuok Oils and Grain Pte Ltd (Jan 2005 Jan 2006) Group Financial Controller Wilmar International Limited (Jan 2006 Jan 2009) Group Treasurer PACC Offshore Services Holdings Group (Jan 2009 2013) Chief Financial Officer RCMA Group (Jan 2013 Dec 2015) Group Chief Financial Officer IHH Healthcare Berhad (Jan 2016) Chief Financial Officer.

Dr. Tan See Leng is Non-Executive Director of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since June 21, 2011. Dr. Tan is the MD and CEO of IHH Healthcare Berhad and Group CEO and MD of Parkway Pantai Limited. Dr. Tan fi rst joined Parkway Holdings Limited in September 2004 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Mount Elizabeth Hospital. He was subsequently appointed Senior Vice President, International Operations, in November 2006 and was later seconded to Pantai Holdings Berhad as CEO of the Hospitals Division, a position he held till February 2008. In 2009, Dr. Tan held the position of Executive Vice President of Singapore and Malaysia Operations at Parkway till April 2010 when he was appointed as MD and CEO of Parkway Holdings Limited. Due to the restructuring of the Group, Dr. Tan became the Group CEO and MD of Parkway Pantai Limited in May 2011. On 5 April 2012, Dr. Tan was appointed as Executive Director of IHH Healthcare Berhad. He subsequently took the helm as MD and CEO on 1 January 2014. Prior to joining Parkway and Pantai, Dr. Tan founded a private primary healthcare group in Singapore. Dr. Tan has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry and is an active member of various medical committees in Singapore. This includes serving as an Appointed Member on the Ministry of Health's Steering Committee for Primary Healthcare for the country for 2010 in 2003, and an Executive Committee Member for the National Healthcare Group Cluster's University Cancer Program. Dr. Tan was also appointed by the Ministry of Health as member of the Medishield Life Review Committee in November 2013. Dr. Tan holds a MBBS as well as a Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) from the National University of Singapore. He is also a Fellow of Academy of Medicine Singapore. In addition, Dr. Tan has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Mr. Puah Tuan Soon (Benson) is Non-Executive Independent Director of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since July 5, 2007. Mr. Puah has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Esplanade Co Ltd (TECL) since 1998. He held a concurrent appointment as CEO of the National Arts Council (NAC) from 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2013. Prior to these appointments, he was the CEO of Temasia Health Pte Ltd, the international business and management arm of Health Corporation of Singapore (HCS), an entity linked to the Government of Singapore that invests and develops businesses in health services, from 1997 to 1998. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Puah was the Director and Chief Executive of Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), a government statutory board responsible for the development, management and promotion of Sentosa, Sentosa Cove and 11 off-shore islands. From 1982 to 1994, Mr. Puah worked in various senior positions in hotels managed by global hotel operators including Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Hong Kong and Singapore, Shangri-la's Rasa Sentosa Resort in Singapore, Shangrila Hotel Surabaya in Indonesia and Hilton International in Singapore, amongst others. Mr. Puah graduated from the University of Surrey, Guildford, in the United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Catering & Tourism Administration.

Mr. Tan Bong Lin is Non-Executive Independent Director of Parkway Trust Management Limited, Manager of Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust since July 5, 2007. Mr. Tan has over 28 years experience working in fi nancial institutions. Between 1990 and 2007, he was with Citigroup Global Markets Singapore Pte Ltd and was its Managing Director (MD) from 1991 to 2007. His responsibility included overseeing the Smith Barney brokerage and advisory business. Prior to his appointment in Citigroup Global Markets Singapore Pte Ltd, he held various positions in Drexel Burnham Lambert (S) Pte Ltd, including as a Dealer, an Operations Manager and an Assistant General Manager, from 1980 to 1990. Mr. Tan was a member of the Finance Committee at Singapore Broadcasting Authority from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Tan graduated from the University of Singapore in 1980 with a Bachelor of Accountancy.

https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=PWLR.SI

https://www.realestatemarketingblog.org/

10 Real Estate Blogs You Should Read

Welcome to the first installment of the Rainier Title news roundup. Twice a month, we'll bring you the best in real estate news, information and other helpful bits of information that will help you build your business and stay ahead of the curve. This week I thought it would be good to kick things off with the top 10 real estate blogs from around the web. We aren't affiliated with any of these blogs, but they sure do provide some really good content that every real estate professional should know about. If I missed any, let me know in the comments!

In no particular order, here they are:

Bigger Pockets - This blog covers a wide range of topics touching on just about every question that a Real Estate Agent could have. Posts have titles such as, "What is the best interior paint for Landlords and House Flippers?" to "Never (Ever!) offer a Distressed Seller This..." and finally, "How to Start Investing in Real Estate at a Young Age". And best of all, with this blog you're getting the perspective of over a dozen people. It's a must follow.

RISMedia - This blog touts itself as "The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems" and they definitely do their best to back up their claim. One thing that really makes this blog standout from the rest is the fact that they have their own TV show. Yes, Real Estate TV. Perfect for folks who don't like to read!

The Real Estate Bloggers - This blog is all about the latest news, trends and marketing information. Don't let the word trends scare you away. These guys are bringing the freshest real estate news out there. Like this post on a man that was swallowed by a sinkhole while sleeping...

The Real Estate Tomato - Jim Cronin has worked hard to help thousands of realtors develop a superior online presence that enhances their businesses. This blog is one of the ways he does that. And, the proof is in the pudding, he has over seven thousand twitter followers. The Real Estate Tomato blog strives to develop real estate agents into proficient bloggers, so if you're looking to get started online, or get better about your blogging, this is the place to start.

Inman News - Most of you have heard of Inman News by now. They're one of the industry thought leaders when it comes to just about everything real estate. One thing I appreciate is their focus on the use of technology and the amount of data they often gather for their articles and conferences.

Trulia - This is another industry leader when it comes to the real estate industry. If you haven't seen their blog though, you really need to check it out and subscribe. One immaediate takeaway you can get from reading their blog is to see how to use a blog to target very specific people and instances. This post on finding an apartment in Manhattan is a good example.

Zillow - Here is another great example for agents to get a lot of good information from industry leaders and see how they are using technology to sell homes. This recent post on "A Guide to Sublet Etiquette" seems quirky at first, but it could come in handy.

Houselogic - This blog is great because it covers everything from helping people get organized, to green living and taxes and financing. There's so much here, you could spend days reading it all.

Paper Money - If you get excited when Excel opens up and dream in charts and graphs, this blog is for you my friend! It's primarily focused on the US Real Estate Bubble, but the amount of information they provide to each blog post is astounding! Get caught up on where the housing market sits in this blog.

Realtor.com - Last, but certainly not least is Realtor.com. They've got all kinds of topics they cover from celebrity houses that make people on Cribs look poor to trends in home decor. My favorite is their article on Michal Jordan turning 50 and buying himself a mansion. A lot of the 12,000 square feet is hardwood flooring. Do you think he's allowed to play basketball in the house?

Well, that's it for the roundup! Hope you enjoyed, have a great weekend and let us know what your favorite blog is in the comments!

mls home listings

http://www.rainiertitle.com/blog/news/post/10-real-estate-blogs-you-should-read

Strategic Default Leads To Foreclosure, Homeowners Don't Care

Conventional wisdom would have us think that foreclosure is a last resort for borrowers who have come to the brink of financial ruins and can simply no longer afford to make payments. But in the current real estate situation, this is not always the case anymore. A growing number of borrowers are treating the loss of equity in their homes as a business decision and walking away, letting the bank have the property back.

With almost twenty-five percent of the American housing market going under, can anyone blame homeowners for opting to default on their loans? While there are consequences for taking this decision, such as foreclosure and a severely damaged credit score, they seem like better choices for many people than paying hundreds of thousands of dollars more than a house is worth over the course of fifteen or thirty years.

telemarketing leads

Even if mortgage modification could be an option for certain borrowers who have lost all of their equity due to a declining market, strategic default often occurs when the owners are not behind on monthly payments. And owners who have not become late in payments are usually not qualified for a modification program. The lenders banks are only willing to modify loans for those who are facing a financial hardship and have become delinquent on several monthly mortgage bills.

This means that the lenders are mostly unwilling to negotiate with owners who are concerned about spending too much income in the future on a house that is not worth what they have agreed to pay on it. And the only consequence is a civil lawsuit resulting in the loss of the home and a poor credit record. Neither of these are quite as disturbing as dedicating the next few decades of one's life to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more on a piece of real estate than it is worth.

Strategic default is a phenomena that can not be fixed by increasing government programs to raise home values or by financial institutions offering mortgage modifications to borrowers that do not dramatically lower principal balances owed. People with no equity in their homes already feel they have no ownership giving up the expensive monthly payment is often worth the bad credit. And low credit only lasts for several years, while a mortgage that can not be refinanced on a home that can not be sold will go on for decades.

By: Nick Adama

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To find out more about how foreclosure works, visit Nick's website, which provides advice to borrowers trying to save their homes. Foreclosure loan, deed in lieu, mortgage modification, and short sale assistance can be found, in addition to info on stopping a foreclosure before the sheriff sale. You can read more about how to save your home while there is still time and find the site on the web at the following: www.foreclosurefish.com/

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Strategic-Default-Leads-to-Foreclosure-Homeowners-Don-t-Care/1355723

http://realmarketing4you.com/

How To Find Work - InfoBarrel

How to Find Work

Dread the process?

Good news. I worked as a recruiter for several years and heard many techniques for finding work. What I have found is many individuals who are skilled in their trade are not always skilled in selling their services. I hope you find this information helpful. If you know someone who works one of these jobs, please forward this article to them.

buying and selling a house

Tip #1 EUR" Artist / Painter EUR"

Being creative doesn't always lead to being wealthy. You may find having to concern yourself with money distracts you from your creative "juices". This is true of many artists I know. So, how do other starving artist survive financially? One artist I know in Portland, ME started his career by painting landscapes and displaying them at local art shows. He made a few dollars, but the shows were seasonal and cash flow unpredictable. He considers painting commercially "a waste of his talent" and found an alternative way to share his art while making a living. He painted a mural, for free, at a local Italian Restaurant. I say for "free" but the true arrangement is the owner of the restaurant agreed to display a photograph of various projects the artist has completed and provided a business card slot for the artist to market his work. The artist will receives 1-2 calls a week from out of town patrons who appreciated his work and ask if he would consider painting a mural for their residence. He has become quite well known in local social circles as someone who can enhance the character of a home with his art work. He also has established contact with several real estate brokers who, when listing a home, will often suggest to a seller that a fresh coat of paint will help increase the value of their home and help move it quicker in the market.

Tip #2 EUR" Carpenter EUR"

property sale sites

I need to start by outlining the obvious - a busy carpenter has a better chance of finding work than one who waits for work at home. What do I mean by this? I know a finish carpenter who will spend every Friday driving through different neighborhoods looking for a porch or a set of steps that are all but falling off the side of a home. He will knock on the door and let them know he will repair their steps for the cost of the materials plus $40. What, only $40? Yes. Being a skilled carpenter this project might take him only 2-3 hours to complete. If the homeowner is interested, he will go with the homeowner to Home Depot, show the homeowner the materials they are going to need, and the homeowner pays for the materials. The carpenter follows the homeowner back to the home and completes the project. The carpenter asks if he can put a sign next to the steps for the next 10 days stating "quality home repairs EUR" call phone#". Most homeowners are glad to allow him to do so, considering the terrific service they just received. Repairing 8-10 small steps per month, the carpenter will post 6-8 signs per month, and will receive 6-10 calls per week asking if he can stop by to provide a quote. He will quote these projects at his regular rate. The projects he has gained included kitchen remodeling, a few bedroom additions, several decks, and even a custom display room for a car collector. He uses these small Friday jobs as a lead generation source and an opportunity to talk with potential customers.

Tip #3 EUR" Landscaper EUR"

I know a local landscaper who mows the lawn of a prominent real estate agent for "free". Again, the word "free" comes with a twist. The arrangement is he waives his weekly fee as long as the agent gives his business cards to new home buyers from out-of-town. In the United States, the average homeowner will move every 7 years. This means, 1 in 7 homes in any given neighborhood (statistically) will be sold to a new homeowner by next season. Many out-of-town buyers do not bring their old lawnmowers with them. They will either buy a new one, or will ask a local person who they would recommend. The landscaper will barter 2 hours of lawn mowing services for lead generation. He looks at his time mowing the realtors lawn as a cost of marketing. Another note: Many landscapers are good listeners. Like a hairdresser, landscapers are a dumping ground for neighborhood gossip. If a client mentions they are moving to a new location, the landscaper will hear about the move months before the homeowner is listing his home on the market. Guess which real estate agent he recommends using?

Tip #4 EUR" Recruiter EUR"

The most talented recruiters maintain contact with those they have placed. By listening daily to their contacts, a recruiter will have a keen insight to which companies are hiring, which are laying-off, who is enjoying their job, and who isn't. A recruiter works much like a real estate agent. They will place a contact several times during their career and make a commission on each transaction, much like a real estate broker will sell a home multiple times during their career. I know a local recruiter who will meet with a variety of sales reps from manufacturing, service industries, retail sector, and even the reporter of our small town newspaper. Who are we kidding? Reporters are sales reps too. The interviews they conduct are passed as a lead source to a buddy in their advertising department looking to leverage the papers newfound "relationship". Business reporters are knowledgable of a local economy and are a great resource for an advertising team. A recruiter, by constantly asking individuals how they like their job, often hears about successful companies that are in their early stages of growth. If you are looking for a new job, there is no better access source to upcoming openings than ask a hairdresser, local reporter, librarian, postal worker, or commercial real estate agent. They all work with the public daily and have a good pulse on the local economy.

Tip #5 EUR" Secretary EUR"

Talented secretaries can find themselves in a dead end job at low pay. I know one individual who is extremely talented with Microsoft Office and, on her own time, has offered computer training for "free" on Saturday mornings to single moms. There is that work "free" again, so what is the catch this time? She keeps in touch with those she has trained. She is perceived to be an expert with the MS Office tools by those she has trained and one day a student introduced her to the President of a local company she recently started working for. This led to a new job opportunity for the secretary with a significant raise by someone who recognized her value and appreciated the quality of her work. This secretary had spent 3 hours every Saturday for 2 months offering training to help others succeed. Did she devote 24 hours of training with the sole purpose of finding a new job? In the end, was her time a good investment?

Opportunity

Each of the examples I have outlined discusses the value of networking and being a good listener. Too many individuals assume the job market is bleak. Rather than find work, they wait for it. Each of the individuals I have mentioned leveraged their contacts to find opportunities not advertised in a help wanted section of a newspaper. Some would argue they developed their own destiny. What do you think?

Share Your Experience

I hope this article has been helpful. Please leave comments for future readers and feel free to email a copy of this article to a friend or family member who might find work in one of the fields mentioned.

If you have a recent success story about finding work, consider writing about it on InfoBarrel. BECOME AN AUTHOR and write about how you found your last job. There is no cost to join and your suggestion may help someone find employment.

http://www.infobarrel.com/How_To_Find_Work

Real Estate Leads | How To Generate Real Estate Leads

Nearly 20 percent of Americans move every year. Our mailing list database is brimming with custom real estate information such as length of residence, home value, home owner's age and income, census tract data and the presence of children. Top performers rely on proven real estate leads from Experian.

Whether you're a realtor, broker or property manager, connecting with your ideal prospects is vital to your success.

Targeting tips for real estate leads:

Renters always have been a great target market for the real estate industry. Easily pinpoint higher-income renters who are prime candidates for home ownership.

Developing a dialogue with home owners interested in either moving up or downsizing has proven successful in generating listings. Not only can you select confirmed home owners, but you also can define your target market more specifically by considering a real estate lead's estimated available equity or property characteristics such as year built and presence of a swimming pool.

Baby boomers are influencing the housing market as they downsize, trade up and invest in second homes. To target baby boomers, you can use the year of birth demographic selection available in our consumer database to narrow your pool of real estate leads to those born between 1946 and 1964.

best lead generation websites

Predefined Mailing Lists for Real Estate Agents

Potential sellers: The key to growth in real estate is farming for future home sellers. Opening the lines of communication with promising prospects is integral to building long-term relationships.

pay per lead advertising

Potential buyers: Owning a home is a dream for most renters. Reach out to these renters with open house invitations, pamphlets delineating what you need to know when you buy a home or an invitation to the next buyers' seminar you host.

Direct-mail frequency is critical to generating real estate leads and establishing a dialogue with the home owners and/or renters in your farm area. Sending a series of post cards or letters generates more impact than sending just one mail piece. Direct-marketing professionals suggest that you send your farm area mail routinely.

The secret to generating real estate leads is to find the right audience and create a message that truly connects with them. A great way to do this is by tapping into your prospect's' lifestyle and interests.

Build a List of Real Estate Leads

http://www.experian.com/small-business/real-estate-leads.jsp

The Best Places To Buy Real Estate

If you're brand new, inexperienced or just starting with real estate learning how to be an investor, you'll always be wondering where is the best places to buy real estate. The answer to this question is you can buy real estate all over the United States.

For all beginners and to build confidence in the field, I recommend that you start buying real estate in your local area and I will tell you why. First of all, by buying property locally, you know the area in a way that no outsider could know first hand. You should know which parts of town are growing, which parts are sinking, which parts to avoid, and which parts have always been desirable.

list of real estate companies

Keeping your business locally will give you a lead about changes that could increase or decrease the real estate prices. For example, is a new shopping mall, freeway, or office building being built nearby? What about factories and businesses, are they laying off people, or is a new company coming to town?

Another reason to buy or sell in your local area is that if your property is close by, you can keep your eye on it. If minor problems occur, such as storm damage or routine wear and tear, you can spot and fix them right away. Its a must to know the real estate market in that particular area. By you doing your business locally you'll be able to recognize the opportunities when they appear.

When you're investing locally, invest in a handful of areas that you can understand and monitor such as those within a ten mile radius of your own home. Its easier to manage properties in the same area than properties in different parts of town where real estate and economic conditions can change at any given time and you dont have a clue.

What can help you start smoothly is start out by investing in single family homes because they've more plentiful and easier to sell than apartment buildings. You and buyers can get a wider range of financing plans for single family homes than for any type of real estate.

By: Corobo

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Colon Bolden is a full time internet marketer who works with other industry leading internet marketers from around the world. He specializes in helping others succeed in marketing online home businesses. For more information on continuous ways to profit other than the same traditional way, visit www.wenetprofitsglobal.com

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/The-Best-Places-To-Buy-Real-Estate/924781

https://www.nar.realtor/field-guides/field-guide-to-marketing-tips-for-realtors

Florida Leads Nation in Foreclosures

According to real estate data-supplier RealtyTrac, U.S. foreclosure starts increased 2 percent from February to March, the second straight monthly increase following three consecutive monthly decreases.

Florida, Nevada and Illinois posted the highest foreclosure rates for the first quarter, according to RealtyTrac's March and first quarter U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. Florida had the most foreclosures of any state--one in every 104 housing units, or nearly three times the national average.

Florida cities accounted for 7 of the 10 highest metro foreclosure rates, with Miami leading every other metro area in the country for the first quarter. Other cities in the top 10 included Las Vegas at number four, with one in every 99 housing units filing.

The U.S. overall reported 152,500 foreclosures in March, a decrease of 1 percent from February and a decrease of 23 percent from a year before. The March decrease helped lower the total for first quarter U.S. foreclosures--including default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions--to their lowest level since the second quarter of 2007.

Although the overall national trend continues to head downward, RealtyTrac vice president Daren Blomquist says "late-blooming foreclosures are bolting higher" in some local markets where aggressive foreclosure-prevention efforts in previous years are wearing off.

Meanwhile, says Blomquist, in other states, more recent foreclosure-prevention efforts have drastically increased the average time to foreclosure. Sometime down the road, he thinks, that could result in a second outbreak of delayed foreclosures.

Properties foreclosed in the first quarter took an average of 477 days to complete, up from 370 days in the first quarter of 2012. That's the highest average time since the first quarter of 2007.

Why so dramatic an increase?

"It is being driven at the national level," Blomquist tells ABC News, "mostly by increases in states where new legislation is changing the foreclosure process and making it more difficult for lenders to foreclose."

appointment setting services

Prime examples, he says, are the Homeowner Bill of Rights in California that took effect in January, and the Foreclosure Fairness Act in Massachusetts that took effect in November.

real estate listing lead generation

Oregon, Nevada and Washington, he says, have passed similar legislation in the past year and a half.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/florida-leads-nation-foreclosures/story?id=18923708

http://www.mytechopinion.com/2009/07/50-do-it-yourself-marketing-ideas-for-your-real-estate-business.html

Real Estate Search Marketing Offers Florida's Real Estate Agents Exclusive Lead Generation Websites and Effective Internet Marketing Strategies.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Real Estate Search Marketing(TM)

www.realestatesearchmarketing.com announced today the offering of more

than 280 exclusive real estate lead generation websites and marketing

systems targeting Florida's hottest real estate markets.

"There is absolutely no question that the traditional real estate

business is currently undergoing a dramatic transformation that is being

driven by Internet savvy buyers and sellers worldwide. The latest

statistics indicate that some 85% of all real estate buyers and sellers

begin the process online," said Ray Whitmer, CEO. "Internet

Lead Generation has become one of the most important tools for the

successful real estate agents of the future. We uniquely provide our

clients with 100% exclusive lead generation websites and marketing

strategies, designed and built to meet their business needs,"

Whitmer added.

Effective and ongoing client lead generation is the biggest

challenge for today's real estate professionals, because of fierce

competition for market share. The only options available to agents until

now, has been to subscribe to services offered by several "lead

generation companies" who sell leads for a set fee for each local

zip code. The same leads are then sold to multiple agents in each zip

code making the lead nearly worthless and the service is extremely

expensive. Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) offers the successful Real

Estate Professionals of the future with exclusive targeted Premier Real

Estate Domains, and the most effective Internet Real Estate Marketing

Strategies available anywhere today at a fraction of the cost of any

other options.

Once upon a time just having a website was enough to draw attention

and traffic to a business. The first domain name

"symbolics.com" was registered in 1985. Today there are

40,000,101 active .com domain names in the United States. A Google

search query for "Naples real estate agents" now returns

686,000 web results. A Yahoo search query for "Naples real estate

agents" returns 1,560,000 web results. It is very clear that just

having a website doesn't cut it any longer. Some of the most recent

data suggests that the typical Internet user does not even consider the

typical "website search results" returned from a search query,

they only review the first 3 positions of the paid "sponsored

ads". Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) subscribes to several

sources of "search engine keyword data", as well as performing

our own relentless pursuit of all pertinent data for our internal review

and consideration. By knowing what keywords, keyword strings, and

phrases that Internet users are typing into search engines, we are

thereby enabled to effectively structure advertising, websites and

website content, and website design to meet the needs and desires of the

masses.

The following are exerts from a recent real estate trade

publication article:

According to Ian Morris in Realty Times (R)

"The migration has begun. I'm talking about real estate

advertising-billions and billions of dollars worth-that is shifting from

traditional print to the internet, marking one of the most profound

transformations our industry has witnessed.

The real estate industry is in the midst of a transformation

primarily for three reasons: 1. home buyers and sellers are

predominantly online 2. online advertising is more cost effective 3.

online advertising offers more return and better access to targeted

consumer.

Although old habits generally die hard, this transformation should

come as no surprise to anyone in our industry. After all, more than

three-quarters of all consumers now begin their real estate experiences

online-and savvy real estate agents know they need to be where their

customers are to generate leads, referrals, and repeat business.

In fact the National Association of Realtors points out, that now

days, more buyers and sellers find their agent via the Internet than

from yellow pages, newspapers, and direct mail combined.

real estate leads system

Real Estate is, and always will be, a professionally assisted

transaction-and the Internet is empowering agents like never before by

helping them profitably attract and build long-term relationships with

home buyers and sellers.

Are you putting your advertising dollars in the places where your

customers are?"

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/RealEstateSearchMarketingOffersFlorida'sRealEstateAgents...-a0135988501

http://blog.homegain.com/homegain-market-data/top-10-most-effective-marketing-strategies-for-re-agents/

How Do You Become An Estate Agent In London?

A lot of people think that estate agents will no longer be as popular as several years ago, especially rules in London flats to rent have become more lenient. Nevertheless, you can still establish a career in the business. More potential home buyers and lettings clients would prefer to deal with professionals. They are able to save time, energy, and sometimes money in doing so.

But how do you become one of the estate agents in London? Here are some tips:

1. Get a good education.

There are real estate courses in the UK, which you can take. However, you should know that enrolling in one is not mandatory. In fact, you can be a graduate of any course. You can gain a good head start against the others, though, if you have a degree in business, finance, economics, and even psychology. You can better understand the lettings market, and you have a good grasp about real estate.

2. Obtain a certificate.

For a number of years, there have been calls to impose licensing for estate agents in the UK. This is because there is a continuous rise of people who have become victims to scams and bogus agencies. One of the certification exams is called Certificate of Practice in Estate Agency in the UK. You can also enroll yourself to NVQ or National Vocational Qualifications sponsored by the National Association of Estate Agents.

Again, the examinations are not mandatory, but it is a lot better you go through them to increase your credibility.

3. Work with a firm.

You need to do this particularly if you are new in the business. There are so many things you can learn from working with an established company. The work, moreover, does not have to be too stressful. Usually, you will be asked to manage the collections for London apartments or you will be requested to put up ads and listings for flats for rent. You may also have to communicate with the home owner who wants his or her property let for a while.

4. Join associations.

In the UK it is very important that you are part of an organization or association, especially if the group is involved in redress schemes. You will be penalised if you are not. Some of the best organizations are Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, National Association of Estate Agents, and Independent Network of Estate Agents. If you are searching for a company, it is a wise idea to check their membership in any of these.

ways to generate leads

5. You should be alert.

The competition in real estate is tough these days, and it is important you remain to be alert at all times. Scour for a flat for rent that requires advertising, ask around among your friends and family members if they are or they know anyone who is interested in having their properties for let. Also be mindful of people want to find a property to rent.

Most definitely, an estate agent should exhibit proper values to succeed in the business. You should have good communication skills, dedication to your job, passion to help others, and commitment to offer only the best to your clients.

http://real-estate.ezinemark.com/how-do-you-become-an-estate-agent-in-london-31c23df103c.html

Houses, Condos, and Apartments

Buying a Mobile Home on a Holiday Park?by Christine Baughen3 months ago

You've seen the photos of the sleek, warm, modern mobile homes. You've spent a weekend at the park. The salesman turned out to be your best friend. DO NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT!

Prayer to St Joseph | Sell My Houseby jellygator16 months ago

Some swear that a prayer to St. Joseph can help get their house sold. Will it help you? Learn about this practice, its history, and how to use it if you want to test it for yourself.

How to Become a Realtor in Texasby Sydney Spence4 months ago

Texas is growing faster than ever as more and more people move to the state. Ask yourself where they will live and how to get your real estate license in Texas to make a profit from the growth.

lead generation b2b

How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! All the Tricks of Home Selling!!!by Nancy McClintock15 months ago

How to sell your home and get the most you can. Includes staging,cleaning, picking a realtor, pricing, showing your home, advertising mistakes to avoid. When to sell and for how much and so much more

real estate leads for free

Mobile Home Ownership - The Lifestyle of Owners Who Live in Mobile Home Parksby Marlene Bertrand13 months ago

People own mobile homes for many reasons. Whether buying for temporary or permanent residence, there are pros and cons to owning a home in a mobile home park.

How to Make Noise Complaints About Your Noisy Neighboursby Sylvia Leong8 months ago

Noisy Neighbours? Studies have shown that residential noise causes significant stress resulting in migraines, depression & psychological disorders. Here's how to pursue your quest for quiet!

Home Buying Tips and Advice: How To Buy a Houseby John Coviello8 months ago

There are a number of important considerations and tasks that must be completed as part of the home buying process. Learn home buying tips and advice that will save you time in effort buying a home.

Three Quick Easy and Low Cost Ways to Add Curb Appeal to Your Houseby Marlene Bertrand15 months ago

Whether you want to prepare your house for sale or you just want to live in an attractive home, here are three quick, easy, and low cost tips that help you build dynamic curb appeal for your home.

How To Find Real Estate Agent Near Meby Sudipa16 hours ago

Are you looking for a real estate agent near your home? There are many tips and tricks to find one. Keep reading.

Castles for Sale in Americaby Ann Leavitt16 months ago

The American Dream sometimes includes castles. When it does, no expense is spared. Unlike the castles of Europe and Asia, American castles have no history worth mentioning except for perhaps their stories of rugged...

http://hubpages.com/living/real-estate/3363

http://www.longviewrealestatemarketing.com/search.aspx

Real Estate Internet Marketing Tips

Emergence of the Internet has prompted a radical change in commercial trends all over the world. Today, online marketing has become the key tool for numerous businesses, to bring in customers. Real Estate is one of them. Of late, Internet has become the first place for most of the potential buyers, in their search for a home.

Advantages of Marketing Real Estate Online

buy house

1. Internet buyers make for better clients. A general online marketing trend reveals that these clients are wealthier and ready to buy more expensive homes.

2. Internet shortens the search for potential home buyers. It saves a lot of time and energy and is often more cost-effective than the traditional ways of marketing.

3. As it takes much lesser time to go through, clients can view more listed homes online and are able to narrow down the search to their desired ones.

4. Studies also reveal that the average age of potential home buyers is coming down, and this younger generation has grown up with the use of Internet in their daily lives.

amazon cell phones

5. Home buyers availing Internet services for their home search are also well-informed about the whole purchasing process, and expressed better liking for their real estate agents. In fact, almost 80% of Internet home buyers use an agent, which is greater than the traditional buyers who prefer them with a 70% probability.

In addition to the vast viewership of outstanding potential clients, the Internet offers both expediency and cost-efficacy that traditional marketing media cannot offer. Now websites are more appealing and instructive, than even the best promotional materials like brochures. Communication offered by emails makes it quite easier and cheaper to keep in touch with your past clients.

So, if you are a real estate agent and have not yet explored the benefits of online marketing, then you're losing a vast base of potential clients.

Helpful Tips

Notwithstanding the enormous swing of online buyers, most realtors complain that their websites aren't productive of any new business. While most real estate agents recognize the significance of Internet marketing and readily purchase a website, they usually do not put in the methodical efforts and time to achieve the goals. As an agent, you can achieve your goals by making your site truly effective.

This may happen due to exaggerated promises from their web designers, a misunderstanding of Internet functioning, or a lack of direction. Due to these factors, many websites are falling far short of their potential. So make sure that you are taking an active part in the creation of a stronger web presence for your practice. Master the techniques of search engine optimization. You must learn how to increase web traffic and convert leads into clients. Here are a few tips for you.

1. Make your Website More Appealing - When people visit your website, you don't have much time to capture their attention, before they hit the back button. So make the home page more interesting, with minimal distractions. Make it more informative for potential home buyers. Avoid misuse of pop-up windows or flash. Use only fast-loading graphics and other elements. The web pages present on your site must be lightweight.

2. Enlist your Website - Search for the hottest Internet web directories and enlist your site there. This can be one of the easiest and most effective ways of free web promotion. Make your site rich in content and appearance to get accepted in your directory of choice.

3. Search Engine Optimization - Respect the search engines. Follow the practice of using web pages that don't incorporate large amount of code, unrelated to your content. Avoid the poor use of frames. Search engines do not index content from frames that well. In order to enhance web traffic, try to develop links with other real estate sites in your area that do not compete with you.

There are many factors that contribute to a website's search engine ranking. Inbound links are one of the biggest factors. Hunt for such inbound links and acquire them. It is always a better SEO practice to upload your site map. If a search engine finds your XML sitemap file, there's a good chance it will find, crawl and index (record) all of your web pages. Putting keywords into hyperlinks is one of the easiest on-site adjustments you can make to improve the search engine visibility of your website.

4. Create a Blog - Blogging can be more than a communications tool and networking platform for real estate professionals. It can convey personality, generate leads and boost business. After creating the blog, don't forget to get enlisted in directories; it will only help the cause.

5. Publish Online Articles - Publishing an article is a proven way to grow your online presence. Online articles support your Internet marketing program in a number of ways, ranging from search engine visibility to page ranking.

6. Display email id - Users hate being forced to fill out forms to gather information. Some users may accept this online form as expediency; but some users may prefer to use their own email to contact the agent directly, so that they will have a record of the email.

7. Minimize Attrition - Attrition follows you, for every step of your real estate Internet marketing campaign. Attrition refers to people who "drop off", along your marketing process, somewhere between first contact and client acquisition.

8. Create Lead Generation - Remember, website traffic is only unproductive traffic until you act upon it. To get those visitors to act in some way to become your clients, you need to create a lead-generation program based on value and incentives. Don't forget that people are used to respond to a well-presented offer of value, be it online or offline.

So be creative, attentive, ever learning and success is not far away!

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/real-estate-internet-marketing-tips.html

http://www.ajross.com/industries/real-estate/

Billionaire Sues to Reveal Identity of Blogger Who Published Information Online

Investment research website and blogging forum Seeking Alpha is in hot water after an anonymous blogger revealed that billionaire David Einhorn was secretly buying up shares in a tech company.

Einhorn's Greenlight Capital filed a lawsuit against Seeking Alpha Inc. on Thursday with the Supreme Court of New York, hoping to reveal the identity of the mysterious blogger, who used the pseudonym "Valuable Insights."

In the lawsuit, Greenlight says the only people who know about its purchases of Micron's stock were "Greenlight's employees, legal counsel, prime and executing brokers, fund administrator, and other agents."

With a well-known investor backing Micron, the company's share price "rose immediately after Valuable Insight's posting," the lawsuit notes.

"Because this was the very time frame in which Greenlight was in the process of building its Micron position, it was forced to pay higher prices for its Micron securities," the lawsuit states.

Greenlight is alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of duty of confidentiality, and aiding and abetting breach of duty of confidentiality.

The company argues in its lawsuit that Seeking Alpha is the only source known to Greenlight that can identify the identity of the blogger. On Nov. 21, Greenlight's legal counsel sent a letter to Seeking Alpha requesting the identity of the user, but was refused, the lawsuit states.

Read More: What Billionaires Wager During March Madness: Warren Buffett and Dan Gilbert

Seeking Alpha has stated on its website that it "holds anonymous contributors to the same compliance and biographical standards as contributors who write under their own name," and insists "on receiving the author's real name and contact information."

home search websites

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and Securities and Exchange Commission warn investors generally against following advice from "pump and dump" schemes that try to manipulate stock prices online or through emails with false or misleading statements.

But in this case, Einhorn takes issue with the accuracy of this particular Seeking Alpha user.

Shiyan Koh, vice president of personal financial management at personal finance website NerdWallet, said there are some "great contributors" to Seeking Alpha, but she cautioned consumers about material on the site.

"Seeking Alpha's independent contributors who write their views have no obligation to consumers about whether that advice or recommendation is best for them and their situation," Koh said. "Consumers should take what they read with a grain of salt. They should definitely think about the extent to which that applies to their situation and the context of their full financial plan and picture."

Seeking Alpha calls itself a "platform for investment research" with insight by "investors and industry experts rather than sell-side analysts," according to its website. The company's editors choose articles for publication from those submitted by contributors, the website states.

"Our contributors receive direct payment for articles as well as exposure and customer lead generation," Seeking Alpha says on its site.

However, Seeking Alpha's "Instablogs" are blogs written by Seeking Alpha readers that are "not selected, edited or screened by Seeking Alpha editors, in contrast to contributors' articles," the website states.

Jonathan Gasthalter, a spokesman for Greenlight Capital, declined to comment.

In Photos: The Flashiest and Most Surprising Celebrity Real Estate On the Market

Other Seeking Alpha users have been the target of other lawsuits involving content on the website. In December, vending machine maker AVT Inc. filed a lawsuit against a Seeking Alpha contributor, served this month, for libel and other alleged actions for his suggestions that the stock was worth less than what it was trading for.

Shannon Illingworth, founder and chairman of AVT, Inc., said his company filed a civil action against the contributor, seeking damages resulting from multiple publications concerning the firm.

In 2011, Sino Clean Energy Inc. (SCEI) sued another Seeking Alpha user and 10 anonymous "John Does," accusing them of "manipulating the public market for SCEI stock for personal gain at the expense of SCEI and its shareholders." Sino Clean Energy withdrew its complaint in Sept. 2012.

Colin Lokey, director of contributor success at Seeking Alpha, declined to comment about Greenlight's lawsuit and the other complaints.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/billionaire-sues-reveal-identity-blogger-published-information-online/story?id=22549304

https://www.propertiesonline.com/

How To Find Work - InfoBarrel

How to Find Work

Dread the process?

Good news. I worked as a recruiter for several years and heard many techniques for finding work. What I have found is many individuals who are skilled in their trade are not always skilled in selling their services. I hope you find this information helpful. If you know someone who works one of these jobs, please forward this article to them.

sales leads companies

Tip #1 EUR" Artist / Painter EUR"

Being creative doesn't always lead to being wealthy. You may find having to concern yourself with money distracts you from your creative "juices". This is true of many artists I know. So, how do other starving artist survive financially? One artist I know in Portland, ME started his career by painting landscapes and displaying them at local art shows. He made a few dollars, but the shows were seasonal and cash flow unpredictable. He considers painting commercially "a waste of his talent" and found an alternative way to share his art while making a living. He painted a mural, for free, at a local Italian Restaurant. I say for "free" but the true arrangement is the owner of the restaurant agreed to display a photograph of various projects the artist has completed and provided a business card slot for the artist to market his work. The artist will receives 1-2 calls a week from out of town patrons who appreciated his work and ask if he would consider painting a mural for their residence. He has become quite well known in local social circles as someone who can enhance the character of a home with his art work. He also has established contact with several real estate brokers who, when listing a home, will often suggest to a seller that a fresh coat of paint will help increase the value of their home and help move it quicker in the market.

Tip #2 EUR" Carpenter EUR"

I need to start by outlining the obvious - a busy carpenter has a better chance of finding work than one who waits for work at home. What do I mean by this? I know a finish carpenter who will spend every Friday driving through different neighborhoods looking for a porch or a set of steps that are all but falling off the side of a home. He will knock on the door and let them know he will repair their steps for the cost of the materials plus $40. What, only $40? Yes. Being a skilled carpenter this project might take him only 2-3 hours to complete. If the homeowner is interested, he will go with the homeowner to Home Depot, show the homeowner the materials they are going to need, and the homeowner pays for the materials. The carpenter follows the homeowner back to the home and completes the project. The carpenter asks if he can put a sign next to the steps for the next 10 days stating "quality home repairs EUR" call phone#". Most homeowners are glad to allow him to do so, considering the terrific service they just received. Repairing 8-10 small steps per month, the carpenter will post 6-8 signs per month, and will receive 6-10 calls per week asking if he can stop by to provide a quote. He will quote these projects at his regular rate. The projects he has gained included kitchen remodeling, a few bedroom additions, several decks, and even a custom display room for a car collector. He uses these small Friday jobs as a lead generation source and an opportunity to talk with potential customers.

If you have a recent success story about finding work, consider writing about it on InfoBarrel. BECOME AN AUTHOR and write about how you found your last job. There is no cost to join and your suggestion may help someone find employment.

http://www.infobarrel.com/How_To_Find_Work

Split Leads Country Legend Reba McEntire to Sell Starstruck Farm for $7.9M

Country music legend Reba McEntire is selling her lakefront farm in Lebanon, TN, for $7.9 million, says The Tennessean.

real estate agent lead generation

Starstruck Farm includes 83 acres with frontage on Old Hickory Lake, a 12,816-square-foot home with seven bedrooms, and an eight-car garage. The estate also boasts a tennis court, five-stall barn, and equestrian center with indoor and outdoor riding arenas.

The house, which is about 30 minutes east of Nashville, is fronted by pillars and features a chef's kitchen with huge center island, a living room surrounded by windows, a plush home theater, and a wine room.

The sale comes in the wake of the singer's December split from her husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock. McEntire unloaded her Beverly Hills, CA, mansion last summer for $22.25 million. She tried to sell Starstruck way back in 2002, when she was working on her TV sitcom, "Reba." The list price 14 years ago? $1.8 million. Now, that's appreciation.

McEntire has sold more than 85 million records worldwide and racked up 40 No. 1 singles, including "Is There Life Out There." She starred in "Reba" from 2001 to 2007, and was recently a guest judge on "America's Got Talent."

http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2016/09/01/split-leads-country-legend-reba-mcentire-to-sell-starstruck-farm-for-7-9m.html?hl=1&noRedirect=1

The Time Ric Flair Traveled To North Korea For The Biggest Wrestling Show Of All Time

The Time Ric Flair Traveled To North Korea For The Biggest Wrestling Show Of All Time - Neatorama

The show, which took place on April 28 and 29, 1995, was dubbed the International Sports and Cultural Festival for Peace bythe North Korean government. For a country that is usually intent onkeeping outsiders away, inviting 300,000-plus people to cram intoPyongyang's massive May Day Stadium over the course of the two-day eventseemed to be an about-face for the notoriously secretive regime.

real estate property search

"American tourists are almost never granted visas," wrote The New York Times'sSheila Melvin in 1996. "Yet less than a year after [Kim Il-sung's]death, North Korea was allowing outsiders to attend an InternationalSports and Cultural Festival for Peace. Perhaps it was an effort toshowcase a North Korea ruled by Kim Jong Il."

purchase leads online

http://www.neatorama.com/2017/08/26/The-Time-Ric-Flair-Traveled-To-North-Korea-For-The-Biggest-Wrestling-Show-Of-All-Time/

Real Estate Marketing | Buzzle.com

Best Real Estate Advertising Ideas

Real estate deals are extremely lucrative, and the money invested in advertising about these properties is recovered easily. Hence, you should be armed with some of the best advertising ideas to sell your property at the best price...

Commercial Real Estate Marketing Ideas

The real estate business, though a rewarding one, can be quite tricky when it comes to marketing your property. If you're looking at getting prospects to notice your prized piece of land or construction, it would do you good to go...

houses with property for sale

Advertising Ideas for Realtors

Real estate is facing a downturn in sales and realtors are looking for ways to boost the sales. Find some interesting ways to advertise in this article.

Real Estate Advertising Ideas

If you are in real estate, then you know the competition that there is in this field. You need real estate advertising ideas that will set you apart and give you an edge over competitors.

Apartment Marketing Ideas

Good marketing ideas for apartment will help you to get an edge over your competitors. Read the following article that will provide you with some interesting ones for the same.

Real Estate Marketing Tips

The following real estate marketing tips may serve as guideposts to real estate agents, brokers, and individuals interested in buying or selling property.

Real Estate Internet Marketing Tips

Marketing through the Internet medium has captured the most important place in propagation of a realtor's business. Here we discuss some finer marketing details and tips that will help widen the reach of your business.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/real-estate-marketing/

http://www.mytechopinion.com/2009/07/50-do-it-yourself-marketing-ideas-for-your-real-estate-business.html

Real-Estate investing: Investing in REITs

Real-estate may provide investors with a high-yield and low risk investment combination for greater total return potential to a diversified long-term portfolio.

mls search

For most people, investing in real estate begins and ends with the purchase of a home and any prospects of investing in office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers seems nearly impossible. However, these investments are more attainable than you may think thanks to real estate investment trusts (REITs).

A REITs sole purpose is to invest in groups of professionally managed properties such as office buildings, apartment complexes, medical complexes, industrial buildings, and so on. REIT performance has varied over the years, but the total annual return for the past 10 years has been 10.5%.

REITs trade like close-end mutual funds. There are a fixed number of shares outstanding and they offer those shares via a price per share model similar to close-end mutual funds. However, unlike close-end mutual funds, REITs gauge performance under different metrics. Rather than measuring performance by net asset value, REITs use a tool called funds from operations. Fund from operations is defined as net income plus depreciations and amortization, excluding gains or losses from debt restructurings and sales of properties. A REITs growth benchmark is a byproduct of funds of operations growth.

Appeal of REITs

REITs offer an array of advantages to investors, including:

Diversification - Investors turn to REITs and their good dividend paying potential for diversification against future market downturns because REITs are uncorrelated with equity markets.

Built-in management -- Each REIT and its property investments are overseen with their own management team, saving investors tremendous time from researching each property's management team.

Tax advantages -- REITs don't pay federal corporate income taxes and are required by law to distribute at least 90% of their annual taxable income as dividends, eliminating double taxation of income. Investors can also have a portion of REIT dividend income be treated as a return of capital.

Inflation protection -- Since landlords are inclined to raise rents more quickly when inflation picks up, equity REITs -- which obtain most of their income from rents -- can be an inflation hedge.

Weighing out some risks

lead generation real estate

Just like all investments, REITs carry with them specific risks that you should consider and discuss with your Isakov Planning Group Financial Advisor before adding them to your portfolio. Above all is the lack of industry diversification because all REIT investments include only property investments. Some REITs may be even less diversified when they choose to specialize in specific property developments such as medical buildings, or golf courses. Because of their focus, a REIT investment should be used as part of a diversified portfolio to provide greater diversification.

You should also be aware that REITs are subject to changes in the value of their underlying portfolios, and their prices may fluctuate with changes in their real estate holdings.

REITs are also interest-rate sensitive -- particularly mortgage REITs. If rates and borrowing costs rise, construction projects with marginal funding may be shelved, potentially driving down prices across the REIT industry.

There are some unique factors to consider when selecting a REIT

Yield and debt -- High-yields are tempting, but REIT yields above certain levels may mean that there's not enough being reinvested for acquisitions, which could affect long-term growth. Too much debt or leverage can also influence prospects for growth. Your Isakov Planning Group Financial Advisor can help you define what a high REIT yield and a high debt load could be in a given market scenario.

Management potential -- Management should have a substantial personal stake in the REIT, which should be listed in the latest proxy statement. If the REIT is new, refer to the prospectus for the management's track record (if any) in similar enterprises. For insight into management's effectiveness at cutting costs and increasing rents and occupancy, refer to same-space revenue growth in the annual report's financial analysis.

Demographic trends -- In the case of apartment REITs, for example, ask about the area's direction of vacancy rates and rents, the amount of new apartment construction, and the affordability of home ownership. The higher the cost of home ownership, the more attractive an apartment REIT might be.

Perhaps investing in a REIT mutual fund is one way to manage risks or real estate investing, and to spare investors from investing time into researching all the avenues that should be carefully considered when investing in a diversified real estate portfolio on their own. A real estate mutual fund may invest in several different properties across different sectors of the real estate industry in several different geographic regions, giving you diversification and a way to manage your risks.

Your REIT Investment

Real-estate may provide investors with a high-yield and low risk investment combination for greater total return potential to a diversified long-term portfolio. Talk to your Isakov Planning Group Financial Advisor about which REITs could help you meet your financial goals and ways to incorporate a REIT investment into your portfolio.

Author's Bio:

Isakov Planning Group financial advisors bring industry leading resources and expertise to help clients pursue and achieve their goals. Along with expert market analysis from the firm's top investment managers, your Isakov Planning Group financial advisor will work with you to develop and deliver tailored solutions that can help you get on track and ultimately achieve your most important objectives, whether you're looking to plan for retirement, build tax-free wealth, get your kid's through college, or build a lasting legacy for your family.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/print/2028986

Want To Be A Realtor?

Starting Out

Deciding on a career in Real Estate wasnt an easy one for me although I knew it was something that I always wanted to do. I wavered back and forth for nearly a decade before finally deciding to take the plunge. As with any new venture getting started is always the hardest part. For me that was actually enrolling in the course. From there the course work just became a part of the daily routine. And Im sure, like most of you, we worked during the day and studied the often mundane course work by night. It would take me the better part of five months to complete the course work and pass the exam. I dont think I have ever been so nervous to take an exam in my life. Little did I know that the final exam flowed much smoother than I had originally expected. The preparation in the weeks leading up to the exam was the true test for me. As most of you know the exam study guide consists of 1000 practice questions covering every imaginable angle of real estate. I tend to learn by doing things rather than reading about them. I was nearly overwhelmed by all the legal phrasing in the course manual as it certainly isnt written in practical terms. I kept asking myself Are they seriously going to ask me this on the test? Panic nearly set in but I managed to build up enough knowledge and confidence to get through the exam and pass. Mission Accomplished!

Its been three months since that day. In those three months Ive learned a lot about what it takes to be a new agent in this business. There is an obscene amount of information to comprehend in your first few months on the job. Once you establish what brokerage youre going to work for youre going to meet a lot of people who have been in the industry for most of their lives. Its interesting; in speaking to agents who have been at it for three or four years they still feel that they are really new to the real estate industry. This has a lot to do with the fact that every transaction youre involved with is almost entirely different. Sure, each deal will follow the certain basics that form any transaction but each client, contract, sale etc. will always be unique. Im constantly being reminded from other agents that rarely will you get a deal that goes perfectly smooth from beginning to end.

listing real estate

The clients, contracts, open houses, and showings are all a part of what we do as real estate agents. But as you will quickly learn it really only forms a small part of the process. Its what goes on behind the scenes that will make or break you in this business. If youre going to succeed in real estate its going to be what defines you from other agents, no matter how big or how small. You can have a massive advertising budget or a small advertising budget but you have to create some appeal in what you are trying to relay to the customer. You could spend $100,000 per month on advertising but if it has nothing to say or make you stand out in a positive light it will not be money well spent. For myself, my budget for now is not very much but my focus is on maximizing my exposure to the people I know and the ones who will help me grow my business. We are in a service industry and from day one it has been my goal to provide the most relative, up to date information as well as be professional and accessible to all of my clients. With the market changing as quickly as ours has over the past few months, now more than ever, service is one area of many that as new agents we can separate ourselves from the rest.

As new agents we may not have the fancy cars, the exorbitant advertising budgets, and the dozens of listings. What we do have is the advantage of being extremely excited and passionate about real estate. Your hard work and your positive and professional attitude will be what will get you clients and will ultimately lead you to sell houses. Regardless of your experience level clients want to work with someone they like and can trust to look after their interests.

So if youre new to this industry like me, get out there, get excited and work as many open houses as you can, meet as many people as possible, and treat everyone like you would expect to be treated. Do your best to focus on above all else, the service you provide to your clients.

By Mike Oxley

Real Estate Agent Profile

Best of luck!

By: Brad Furlott

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mike Oxley

Prudential Sussex

North Vancouver, BC

Real Estate Agent Profile

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Want-To-Be-A-Realtor/1018539

Inman Recap: Inbound Marketing for Real Estate

2015-04-06-1428322554-6101587-10brilliantmarketingquotes11638.jpg

Recently Inman hosted webinar on the fundamentals of inbound marketing for real estate. The webinar, titled "The Art of Inbound Marketing for Real Estate" - took place on March 12th, 2015. If you missed it, you can catch the replay here.

Curious what it's all about? Check out this recap:

Inbound Marketing: A Definition

Inbound marketing the opposite of traditional interruptive marketing. Instead of aggressive outreach, effective inbound marketers attract potential leads by providing helpful, relevant content to consumers. Inbound marketers strive to publish and share expert content in places where people search for answers to their real estate questions - which is to say, on the internet. Most consumers start their research process online and a surprising 79% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. To be an effective inbound marketer, you need to have a strong web presence and you must be viewed as a trusted source for real estate advice.

Inman's 6 Pillars of Effective Inbound Marketing

Pillar #1 - Publish:

Your best advice shouldn't be sitting sent to one lead in an email. Instead, it should be shared on a public platform where other potential leads can find it. First, build a business blog and be active on social media. Then, get inspired by buyer and seller questions, trends in the industry and your interests and use that inspiration to create highly engaging and relevant content.

Pillar #2 - Promote:

social media lead generation

Inman suggests you use the 411 formula:

share 4 relevant posts of other people's content (and it can't be about you);

re-tweet / share / re-post 1 update from someone else (you want to be viewed as a curator of content);

promote 1 piece of content of your own (and yes, you can even spread the word about your listings).

Pillar #3 - Capture:

"If you don't have a good landing page, it's like going fishing without a net: you might land a big one on your hook, but you won't be able to drag it into the boat." ~ Beth Morgan.

Well-designed landing pages are critical to converting online visitors into leads that you can nurture into clients.

Pillar #4 - Nurture:

Good lead nurturing is targeted and continuous. For best results, identify your lead's needs, create relevant nurturing content to promote engagement and be consistent. Make sure you establish and maintain your expertise and always respond to leads in a timely manner.

Pillar #5 - Close:

Reach out to people in person and ask how you can help them. Make sure to add them to your database and make a consistent follow up part of your everyday routine.

Pillar # 6: Analyze:

Check the analytics of your website and social media efforts at least once a week to identify what's working and what isn't. You want your online presence to be engaging and effective - so you should continuously optimize your promotional efforts to get higher conversion rates.

Inbound Marketing for Your Business

Though you may not have realized it, you're actually already employing inbound marketing tactics in your business every time you share your expertise with buyers and sellers. Don't be afraid to leverage online channels (starting with your own website) to expand your reach. Having an online presence is no longer an option - it's a necessity - so climb aboard the inbound marketing train and enjoy your ride!

How do your leverage inbound marketing in your business?

Want more marketing and social media advice? Check out Zurple blog.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/irina-jordan/inman-recap-inbound-marke_b_7009932.html

Real Estate Search Marketing Offers Florida's Real Estate Agents Exclusive Lead Generation Websites and Effective Internet Marketing Strategies.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Real Estate Search Marketing(TM)

www.realestatesearchmarketing.com announced today the offering of more

than 280 exclusive real estate lead generation websites and marketing

systems targeting Florida's hottest real estate markets.

"There is absolutely no question that the traditional real estate

business is currently undergoing a dramatic transformation that is being

driven by Internet savvy buyers and sellers worldwide. The latest

statistics indicate that some 85% of all real estate buyers and sellers

begin the process online," said Ray Whitmer, CEO. "Internet

Lead Generation has become one of the most important tools for the

successful real estate agents of the future. We uniquely provide our

clients with 100% exclusive lead generation websites and marketing

strategies, designed and built to meet their business needs,"

Whitmer added.

Effective and ongoing client lead generation is the biggest

challenge for today's real estate professionals, because of fierce

competition for market share. The only options available to agents until

now, has been to subscribe to services offered by several "lead

generation companies" who sell leads for a set fee for each local

zip code. The same leads are then sold to multiple agents in each zip

code making the lead nearly worthless and the service is extremely

expensive. Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) offers the successful Real

Estate Professionals of the future with exclusive targeted Premier Real

Estate Domains, and the most effective Internet Real Estate Marketing

Strategies available anywhere today at a fraction of the cost of any

other options.

Once upon a time just having a website was enough to draw attention

and traffic to a business. The first domain name

"symbolics.com" was registered in 1985. Today there are

40,000,101 active .com domain names in the United States. A Google

search query for "Naples real estate agents" now returns

686,000 web results. A Yahoo search query for "Naples real estate

agents" returns 1,560,000 web results. It is very clear that just

having a website doesn't cut it any longer. Some of the most recent

data suggests that the typical Internet user does not even consider the

typical "website search results" returned from a search query,

they only review the first 3 positions of the paid "sponsored

ads". Real Estate Search Marketing(TM) subscribes to several

sources of "search engine keyword data", as well as performing

our own relentless pursuit of all pertinent data for our internal review

and consideration. By knowing what keywords, keyword strings, and

phrases that Internet users are typing into search engines, we are

thereby enabled to effectively structure advertising, websites and

website content, and website design to meet the needs and desires of the

masses.

The following are exerts from a recent real estate trade

publication article:

According to Ian Morris in Realty Times (R)

best lead generation for real estate agents

"The migration has begun. I'm talking about real estate

advertising-billions and billions of dollars worth-that is shifting from

traditional print to the internet, marking one of the most profound

transformations our industry has witnessed.

The real estate industry is in the midst of a transformation

primarily for three reasons: 1. home buyers and sellers are

predominantly online 2. online advertising is more cost effective 3.

online advertising offers more return and better access to targeted

consumer.

Although old habits generally die hard, this transformation should

come as no surprise to anyone in our industry. After all, more than

three-quarters of all consumers now begin their real estate experiences

online-and savvy real estate agents know they need to be where their

customers are to generate leads, referrals, and repeat business.

In fact the National Association of Realtors points out, that now

days, more buyers and sellers find their agent via the Internet than

from yellow pages, newspapers, and direct mail combined.

Real Estate is, and always will be, a professionally assisted

transaction-and the Internet is empowering agents like never before by

helping them profitably attract and build long-term relationships with

home buyers and sellers.

email lists for sale

Are you putting your advertising dollars in the places where your

customers are?"

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/RealEstateSearchMarketingOffersFlorida'sRealEstateAgents...-a0135988501

Top 10 real estate trends for 2014

(MoneyWatch) If the real estate recovery is a baseball game, we're in the fourth or fifth inning.

So what will the rest of the game look like?

Experts from the Urban Land Institute unveiled their view of how the rest of the recovery will play out in their Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, released this week at the land use and planning nonprofit's annual conference in Chicago.

The group highlighted a number of housing trends we can expect to see playing out over the next few years, based on surveys and interviews with real estate developers, investors, lenders, servicers and builders.

free real estate leads for agents

Millennials are moving the market, but not as homeowners

Though the so-called Millennial generation has been much-maligned in the media, real estate movers and shakers are increasingly interested in where this generation is headed -- quite literally. A number of the cities have seen increased economic activity in the real estate sector led by this generation, particularly Austin, Seattle, Portland and the Twin Cities in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis' place as number nine on a list of the top 10 cities for developers came as a surprise to Andrew Warren, director of PwC, a research and advising firm that co-authored the report with ULI.

"This is a city that's attractive to younger generations," he said, adding that its diverse economic base is helping to bring in a lot of college grads that don't want to leave the Midwest.

However, this same group isn't forming new households, and they're not buying as many homes as their parents' generation were at their age.

Second-tier cities will lead the recovery next year

Investors, developers and builders are losing some interest in the so-called 24-hour gateway cities -- San Francisco and New York City -- and have developed more interested in cities like Dallas and Portland, where there are more housing deals to be had.

For example, in 2011 only New York City and Washington, D.C. had good prospects for real estate investors and developers, according to the ULI report, but now Austin, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orange County, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle make that list -- and D.C. actually dropped out.

Real estate recovery still hinges on job growth

The slow pace of job growth as well as income and wage growth is still holding back the real estate recovery and that's not likely to change quickly.

Many cities in the Bay Area and in Texas have seen strong housing recoveries based on the strength of their economy, said Stephen Blank, ULI senior resident fellow for finance, so places with low unemployment can expect better recoveries next year, while places still haunted by economic issues won't.

The "smile investing" philosophy is back

Real estate developers are interested once again in a so-called smile investment philosophy, Warren said. According to the philosophy, developers and investors start looking at cities in the Northeast and moving south to cities along the Sun Belt -- Florida, Texas, Arizona -- and then coming back up to the Northwest -- Northern California, Oregon and Washington state. So expect to see more activity in those areas than in the Midwest.

Multi-family apartment building will wane

With rapidly rising demand for apartments during the recession -- boosted by increased demand from homeowners-turned-renters -- multi-family building surged. But that's likely to quiet down in 2014, as supply and demand have swapped places -- and there may actually have been too much multi-family building in 2013, Blank said.

Condo development is still on the back-burner

The recovery in the condo market hasn't matched that of the single-family market, and developers aren't willing to take the risk on putting up new condo buildings.

Instead, builders and developers are taking a dual-track option: They build a rental apartment building with an eye on switching it to condos in 12 to 16 months, depending on market conditions, Warren said.

High-end apartment buildings are also proving problematic for developers, as the interest from well-heeled potential renters simply hasn't been consistently strong.

Inventory is coming back

The experts at ULI are predicting that 2014 will be the last year that low inventory will aid property prices. Distressed inventory is drying up and sellers are looking at better profits than they have in years.

The buyer's market is long gone

Homes right now are priced to please sellers. "For buyers, they're priced to disappoint," Blank said.

Sellers now know they can squeeze buyers eager to buy before interest rates and home prices shoot up even further.

Shadow banking is emerging

There's optimism among those surveyed by ULI that lending standards will loosen next year, but Blank isn't as sure.

To fill the void, a concept called "shadow banking" has started to emerge and may take on a larger role in the lending market next year. Shadow banking is similar to traditional bank lending, but it's done outside banks and can therefore get around bank regulations.

Borrowers going this route will find a hodge-podge of private funds, wealthy individuals, family offices, and refugees from other lending markets, according to the report.

home real estate

The suburban is going urban

There's not a lot of interest in developing suburban areas, Warren said. But where there is, it's surrounding more urban-minded projects located in spots where amenities and public transportation are easily accessible.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/top-10-real-estate-trends-for-2014/

Sales / Service :: Real Estate Lead Generation and Prospecting (Page 1 of 2)

Interviewer: Today we are talking with Bill Stubblefield from Coldwell Banker. He is part of the Ali van Westenberg Real Estate Partners and welcome to the show.

Bill Stubblefield: Thanks for having me, I appreciate it.

Interviewer: Well we are talking about a topic that a lot of real estate agents can use these days and thats lead generation and prospective.

Bill Stubblefield: Yeah.

cheap homes for sale

Interviewer: And the question is, how do you get new business these days?

Bill Stubblefield: Well there are so many ways you can do new business these days. Right now I would say first and foremost you got to create a prospect list that you can manage every single day. You got to get on the phones, you got to get out knocking on doors you got to do a lot of the things that quite frankly most of real estate agents won't do to make sure you can get yourself head the business.

Interviewer: It's been a lot of years, I bet, since some people knocked on doors?

Bill Stubblefield: It has, it truly has, yeah, some people in farm areas knock on doors that way, but actually going to a door of somebody that just came off the market withdrawn for sale by owner--it's really important that you stay in touch with those people, so that you can help them accomplish their goals.

Interviewer: Now I know you use Metrolist Statistics, but how do you use that to help you with new business?

Bill Stubblefield: Specifically just statistics by themselves; Metrolist provides us the opportunity to be able to go to every single buyer and seller and help them understand this is whats going on in the market. For instance, we are 16% down on our inventory this year which is great, but sellers dont realize that, so it's our job to be the market expert.

Interviewer: Of course unless you are in the luxury market then it's...

Bill Stubblefield: Totally different.

best way to get leads in real estate

Interviewer: It is a fair amount. Estimate how much time you spent prospecting each day and generating links?

Bill Stubblefield: Minimum of two hours per day. I also go out three days a week and knock on doors for an additional two hours plus one weekend day a month and thats calling past clients just listed just sold calls, sphere of influence, expired listing, withdrawn listings, as well for for sale owners.

Interviewer: And so if you had to recommend really one thing for a new broker to do to build their business today what would you recommend?

Bill Stubblefield: Immediately build your contact list to 500. You need to take reach out and make sure that you know 500 people, you can put into your own database, so you can start calling them and making sure that they know your presence is in the real estate market.

Interviewer: Lot of people talking today about using social media whats your thoughts on the overall trend?

Bill Stubblefield: Social media is, I think you have to have a presence I wouldnt spend more than maybe 10 to 20 minutes a day on it honestly, because as long as you are out there people are going to see it. If you Tweet, if you Facebook, whatever you do, if you do something every single day, they will see it, I would spend the rest of your time strictly doing lead generation activities.

Page 1 of 2 :: First | Last ::

Prev | 1 2 | Next

http://www.articlebiz.com/article/615809-1-real-estate-lead-generation-and-prospecting/

Deals are Equal to Marketing and Leads by Karen Roberts

As an investor that makes a living off of closing real estate deals-Leads are Monumental! If we have no leads... consequently, .we have no deals.

Getting real leads

In real estate, you want to get a pipeline of leads coming to you on a regular basis. It requires a great marketing plan and taking action on the plan will get you there. Drive the leads into local numbers even if you're not familiar with the farm area, local Sellers are going to feel more secure. A prospect list that you're mailing to, will be more secure if they're calling a local number, they're likely to believe that it must be a guy/gal along the street who buys houses versus an 800 number - which might lead them to believe that it's bigger company, not in the area.... which doesn't inspire as much familiarity.

Understand prospects vs. leads

Using answering services is also recommended. If there are sellers calling your voicemail, you'll lose 50% of callers. You have to understand that motivated sellers are hoping that somebody will answer the phone; you have to hire or have someone to answer the call, live. If you do have to forward to voicemail, 50% of callers won't leave a message. Another thing about answering services is that you're going to have seller phone calls at all times of the day and night. It is not always most convenient for you. You can be in a nice restaurant, when suddenly you get a seller call that's not appropriate. Or like me, I might be working on something when suddenly there's a seller call and it's difficult to switch my mental process to be ready to qualify a seller. It's easier when someone else answers it, a trained someone else. There are many answering services out there, I've heard of Patlive, GotVmail, and Onebox to name a few.

real estate lead generation tips

When you're ready to train an individual to answer your calls, invest some time into writing your scripts with some variations in them and they will become the template that your outsourced hire will use to carry out the call.

Live attendants will answer seller phone calls as if they're your company. Let us say you are "Mike buys Houses". They might answer like this "Mike buys houses, good day, how may we help you?". They can take the vital information for you, ask questions from your script and e-mail you the details.

home on sale

You can then call them back when you're available. Even if you're going to call them back much later, the advantage is that you have already obtained the seller's information.

Because this process has provided you more information, you may already have an address as a result of your live servicing of the call, which can be an advantageous time-saver. Since there's an address, you could pull comps before calling them back about their property. Of course you won't have an accurate assessment of the repairs needed yet as it's been my experience that seller's will minimize the evident repairs that really need to be done on the home that they're selling.

Remember your purpose when you begin talking to them. Your purpose is not to sell them a service. Your first purpose is to qualify the caller, prospects vs.leads.

You would want to separate prospects from leads. All of them are considered to be leads, but you'll want to separate tire kickers from the true motivated sellers. An investor spends approximately 20 minutes building rapport and pre qualifying a seller. Your ability to gather pertinent information and assess everyone's needs, will determine the types of creative solutions that you're able to offer the seller.

The 2 key reasons to take this call

Ask yourself these pointed questions...

First, are they motivated?

Second, are the numbers going to work?

Your first focus should be to build rapport with them in order to discover via your questions, if the motivation is really there.

* Why are they selling their house now?

* What will they do if you don't buy it?

* How soon will they move out?

The greatest indicator as to whether they're motivated is if they start speaking about their personal concern, telling you that they don't know what to do, asking you to come and get the house, statements like," I just want to walk away" - and other statements of duress.

Next question for you is whether the numbers will work? Explore if you and the seller are even on the same planet.

It's time to be as creative as you can be and if you cannot come up with a solution or fear that your numbers might be off.... This is the greatest time to reach out to your mentor or support network, give them a call and ask for help. You might even consider asking your mentor to be on the phone with you and the seller or to listen in to discuss options after the call.

It's a great opportunity to really learn while you're in the thick of it.

Do not be married to this house, spend time on the ones that are likely to be a deal. And I mean a win-win-win deal. The Seller has to win, the investor and the end buyer of that house- all have to win. When everyone's winning, your local community wins along with the global economy.

Karen Roberts.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/marketing/article_4579.shtml

Strategic Default Leads To Foreclosure, Homeowners Don't Care

One of the largest benefits of a mortgage modification used to avoid a foreclosure is that it is a compromise between the mortgage company and the debtors. The lenders do not want to go through a costly process of taking the home back only to have it sell for much less than it is worth, while the borrowers want to remain in their property if only they had a second chance after a hardship and a reasonably affordable monthly payment.

But this benefit of compromise can be a drawback if the property is too far underwater for it to make sense for either the owners or the lenders to meet in the middle. And with the drastic drop in home values over the past few years, more debtors are using strategic default as a way to avoid the eviction process or being made to pay for a home that is too expensive and not worth anywhere near the principal balance owed on the mortgage.

Conventional wisdom would have us think that foreclosure is a last resort for borrowers who have come to the brink of financial ruins and can simply no longer afford to make payments. But in the current real estate situation, this is not always the case anymore. A growing number of borrowers are treating the loss of equity in their homes as a business decision and walking away, letting the bank have the property back.

With almost twenty-five percent of the American housing market going under, can anyone blame homeowners for opting to default on their loans? While there are consequences for taking this decision, such as foreclosure and a severely damaged credit score, they seem like better choices for many people than paying hundreds of thousands of dollars more than a house is worth over the course of fifteen or thirty years.

Even if mortgage modification could be an option for certain borrowers who have lost all of their equity due to a declining market, strategic default often occurs when the owners are not behind on monthly payments. And owners who have not become late in payments are usually not qualified for a modification program. The lenders banks are only willing to modify loans for those who are facing a financial hardship and have become delinquent on several monthly mortgage bills.

This means that the lenders are mostly unwilling to negotiate with owners who are concerned about spending too much income in the future on a house that is not worth what they have agreed to pay on it. And the only consequence is a civil lawsuit resulting in the loss of the home and a poor credit record. Neither of these are quite as disturbing as dedicating the next few decades of one's life to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more on a piece of real estate than it is worth.

Strategic default is a phenomena that can not be fixed by increasing government programs to raise home values or by financial institutions offering mortgage modifications to borrowers that do not dramatically lower principal balances owed. People with no equity in their homes already feel they have no ownership giving up the expensive monthly payment is often worth the bad credit. And low credit only lasts for several years, while a mortgage that can not be refinanced on a home that can not be sold will go on for decades.

list of real estate companies

By: Nick Adama

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To find out more about how foreclosure works, visit Nick's website, which provides advice to borrowers trying to save their homes. Foreclosure loan, deed in lieu, mortgage modification, and short sale assistance can be found, in addition to info on stopping a foreclosure before the sheriff sale. You can read more about how to save your home while there is still time and find the site on the web at the following: www.foreclosurefish.com/

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Strategic-Default-Leads-to-Foreclosure-Homeowners-Don-t-Care/1355723

Real Estate Ads, words that sell and words that fail

There are a lot of standard phrases used in real estate ads. Just because you see a phrase used a lot doesn't make it a winner. Some of those common phrases, like "motivated seller" can work against you!

Are you a FSBO? That translates to "For Sale By Owner", pronounced "fizz-bo". Do you use a real estate agent? Either way, you need to pay attention to how your home is marketed. The words chosen for your ad and flyer's can lure in prospects or can turn them off!

A real estate agent's experience can be valuable in marketing your house. But how about adding a little scientific research?

Paul Anglin, a professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario Canada is also a real estate economist. Professor Anglin led a study in two counties in Ontario to study the effect of real estate ad phrasing on sales price and time on market. The results showed that some common words had a demonstrably positive effect on selling price, and shortening the time to sell. The surprise, to me, was that some commonly used words can get in the way and cost you money!

townhouse for sale

What's the magic word?

One of the words that can put more money in your pocket is "beautiful". The study showed that using the word beautiful scored an additional 5% in the resulting sales price. That works out to $15,000 on a $300,000 house. I don't know about you, but my house is beautiful!

What are some of the other words that scored positively and negatively in the study?

___________________Words that sell____________________

Some words strike a positive note with today's buyer. Here are some words that have shown a positive effect:

Curb appeal

Move-in condition

Landscaping

Granite

Gourmet

Golf

must see

__________________Words that can fail__________________

Some good sounding words can double-cross you! Here are some commonly used ad words and how they can be misinterpreted:

Motivated seller - loosely translated as "I'll take less money so low ball your bid"

Good Value - loosely translated as "It may not be much, but it's a bargain."

As-is - loosely translated as "It's a mess and we can't do anything with it, are you dumb enough to try?"

Other words and phrases that can work against you:

must sell

good value

starter home

vacant

handyman special

motivated

__________________A note of caution___________________

It should go with out saying that the words you use must be honest choices. If it's a dump, then the word "beautiful" will get a snicker, not a sale. If you use "curb appeal" then the house better look good as the prospect drives up and gets their second impression. You ad is their first impression; and it should be as good as you can make it!

Acknowledgements

Professor Anglin's study was covered in a news release that found it's way into several major newspaper articles. I saw the study result first in an article written by Ann Brenoff in the LA Times and reprinted in the Arizona Republic.

Other interesting articles on real estate sales

https://hubpages.com/living/Real_Estate_Ads

Real Estate :: How To Be Successful At Real Estate Marketing

The National Association of Realtors has reported that agents spend an excess of 70% of their time on marketing themselves. That percentage is a testament to how important effective marketing is to have a successful career. In order for your real estate marketing plan to be effective, you have to have a good strategy in place. You also have to be aware of the most effective tools and know how to use them. Real estate is a competitive world. You have to be on top of your game at all times.

Print advertising can be effective if used correctly. Utilize postcards, hangers, letters, newspapers, and classified ads. Print advertising is one of the oldest methods out there and in many respects is not the most effective, but it can still help you reach your goals. Take nice pictures of your properties and include a description as well. Do not forget to include some contact information such as a mailing address and phone numbers. Some potential clients may be too busy to take time and go look online. You can be much help to them by presenting them with hard copies of your listings.

zillow leads

Most homebuyers start their home search online. Online marketing is one of the most effective ways to get your message across. Online, you will not be limited to a single small page. You will have the freedom to add as much content as you like including virtual tours and videos. Such content is enjoyable for potential clients.

One of the most cost-effective ways to reach a larger audience is by utilizing one of the major social networking sites. Through these sites you can social network with other agents as well as potential clients. The best part is that it is free. You can showcase listings and gain referrals.

Your personality also has a great effect. The business side is not the most important thing. Clients also want to understand you personally. You must have great communication skills. If you do not feel completely comfortable, it is fine to bring along a friend to assist you. There is nothing wrong with getting a little support. In fact, it is a great confidence builder.

Remain in contact with all or most of your clients. Offer them the chance to evaluate your service by taking part in a quick survey. This is a good way to find out what they liked and disliked, so that you can improve for the future.

Get yourself affiliated with industry organizations. These organizations can assist you in promoting yourself. Potential clients may also enjoy the fact that you are part of an organization. Also, you will be able to meet new individuals and gain new knowledge.

Some people make the costly mistake of trying to separate their work from their personal lives. It is important to be open with your friends and family about what you are doing. Everybody you speak to may not need your services, but they may know someone who might. You could gain an unexpected contact by doing so. You could develop a chain of word-of-mouth advertising that could be greatly beneficial to your business.

http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051467849-1-how-to-be-successful-at-real-estate-marketing/

Ryan Reynolds makes Blake Livelys birthday all about him

Ryan Reynolds makes Blake Lively's birthday all about him | Page Six

Professional Hollywood troll Ryan Reynolds posted a hilarious birthday message to his wife Blake Lively on Twitter, making it clear who the real star is in their relationship.

The "Deadpool" actor, 40, celebrated "The Shallows" star's 30th birthday by tweeting a picture of them together - with some unfortunate cropping.

Cheeky Ryan tweeted "Happy Birthday to my amazing wife", but only put a tiny slice of her into the picture, which mainly showed his own face.

The snap had been taken from the 2015 Met Gala where Ryan's wife's elegant outfit and effortless glamour had left him rather upstaged.

Ryan's delivish sense of humor had struck once more, and at the time of writing the tweet has racked up an amazing 640k likes.

The Canadian actor is known for his wry Twitter banter, often making jokes at the expense of his wife and two infant children.

Another recent example of this was when Ryan responded to a journalist who asked him if he'd comment on how he creates life "on [his] own terms".

Ryan replied: "I'll have to ask my wife."

He and Blake, who have been married since 2012, have two daughters together - James, 2, and Ines, 11 months.

The couple met while working together on "Green Lantern" in 2010, a movie which Ryan now publicly admits to hating.

see also

6 Photos

Meet Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' adorable daughtersThe two girls have finally made their Hollywood debut.

James had been married before, to Scarlett Johansson, for two years and was also engaged to Canadian singer Alanis Morrissette.

Ryan is currently shooting the second "Deadpool" movie, which was hit by a terrible tragedy recently.

Filming was suspended after a stunt double, Joi Harris, died after the brakes on her motorbike failed.

She was standing in for actress Zazie Beetz, who plays new character Domino, an ally of Deadpool's.

house realtor

The professional motorcyclist was dressed as Domino when she lost control of her Ducati bike on the Vancouver set and was catapulted off the vehicle, crashing through a plate glass window at Shaw Tower.

Meanwhile Ryan's latest movie "The Hitman's Bodyguard" has received poor reviews from critics despite the stellar casting of Reynolds, Samuel L Jackson and Salma Hayek.

Share this:FacebookTwitterGoogleWhatsAppEmailCopy

http://pagesix.com/2017/08/26/ryan-reynolds-makes-blake-livelys-birthday-all-about-him/

How To Become A Real Estate Agent

Take a second to think about the glamorous life of the Hollywood real estate agent: fast cars, million dollar deals, and plenty of days off to spend time with friends and family. The truth is that these kinds of elite real estate agents do exist, and they're scattered all over the world. Achieving this level of success will take years of hard work and dedication, and only those who completely commit themselves to excellence will enjoy the money and luxurious lifestyle that the most famous real estate agents are known for.

If this kind of lifestyle excites you, you're not alone. Every year, tens of thousands of Americans choose to start a career in real estate and it's not difficult to see why. Real estate agents are in constant demand, they live a self-employed lifestyle while working under the protective umbrella of a large brokerage, and their income is limited only by their work ethic and determination to succeed.

If you're ready to go all in, this article will teach you how to become a real estate agent in three basic steps, and will provide you with valuable resources for further education and research.

Step 1: Understand the World of Real Estate

For the right kind of personality, a career as a real estate agent is the perfect fit. For others, the independent lifestyle, unpredictable hours, and competitive nature of real estate may not be exactly what they were looking for in a career. Before spending months studying for your state department real estate licensing exam and hundreds of dollars in tuition fees, it helps to first understand exactly what being a real estate agent is all about. This means spending a few days hanging around a brokerage, having discussions with anyone you know in the real estate industry, and reading books written by real estate professionals.

By far the most popular and widely-read introduction to the world of real estate is Break Into Real Estate, written by licensed Realtor, Wayne Jordan. It's full of real-life case studies and offers an excellent overview of all the different kinds of real estate agents, as well as valuable strategies to get you ahead of the pack once you've landed your first job at a brokerage.

Step 2: Get Licensed

All 50 states require that you pass a real estate exam in order to become a licensed real estate agent, but each state will have different requirements and material that they will test for on the exam. What you'll need to do is visit your local real estate board's website and find the requirements for your particular state.

For example, in Alabama, you must be at least 19 years old and complete a 60-hour licensing course in order to become licensed. In Texas, the minimum age is 18 years old and the required licensing course is a whopping 180 hours. Some states run a background check and will deny your application if you have a criminal record; others won't run a check at all.

This is also a good time to mention that one of the greatest benefits of being a real estate agent is your freedom to live absolutely anywhere you want. Since a real estate license is only valid in the state you received it in, now is the time to decide where you want to live for the next few years of your life.

Always wanted to live in New York or California? Now's the time to make the move.

Regardless of your state's requirements, you must make sure your licensing course is pre-approved by your state's real estate board. Yes, there are plenty of expensive courses out there that are not approved by the state and will not satisfy your education requirement. Contact your state for a full list of pre-approved licensing programs in your area.

Once you've completed your education requirement and studied for your licensing exam, it's time to take the test. The format of the test is multiple-choice and you will be given approximately 90 minutes to complete the test. In most states, a passing score is 70% or above, so don't feel pressured to answer every single question correctly. On top of that, you can re-take the test if you don't pass the first time.

The most important part is to relax....you're going to pass. And once you do, it's time to start your career as a real estate agent.

Step 3: Find a Brokerage

All states require that new agents sell real estate as part of a licensed brokerage. However, not all brokerages are created equal. It's up to you to find a brokerage that fits your personality and desired work environment.

Entire books can be written on what makes a brokerage excellent and what doesn't, but for the purpose of this article, it's important to keep one thing in mind.

You shouldn't just be working hard for your brokerage; your brokerage should be working hard for you. Remember, the brokerage won't make any money unless you go out there and close sales. Therefore, it's in your brokerage's best interest to make sure you're a well-equipped agent and you've been given all the tools necessary to make a living selling real estate. (a real living, not minimum wage or a part-time salary).

When you walk into that interview, always remember that you're interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you.

Surviving The First Three Years

Make no mistake....getting your own desk and territory while working at a real estate brokerage is exciting, especially if you found a brokerage that is willing to devote time and resources to helping you excel.

But landing that first job is the easy part. Keeping it for 3, 5, even 10 years down the line? That's where things get tricky. Due to many reasons--lack of motivation, lack of guidance, stiff competition--the harsh truth is that many real estate agents don't make it past Year 3. The good news for you is that the greatest rewards--both financial and personal--lie mostly in that third year and beyond.

The key to surviving those first three years is picking a niche and sticking to it. No matter how hard you try, you're not going to succeed by jumping from one niche to another year after year. Are you particularly drawn to commercial real estate? Do you get a sense of satisfaction from helping young couples find their first home? Perhaps you are intrigued by the advent of the "online brokerage" (such as Redfin) and you feel like you can excel in that kind of digital environment.

Whatever your niche may be, your best chance at surviving in this field is to pick one and stick with it for at least a few years. You'll be in a much better position to change your niche once you've established yourself and achieved some degree of financial success. You don't want to have switched your focus three times in three years and have nothing at the end to show for it.

As long as there are people, there will be property. And as long as there is property, those properties will need agents to serve them. If you take the time to master this industry and learn your craft, your services will always be in demand.

There has never been a better time to start your career as a real estate agent. If treated with respect and with focus, it can be everything you imagined and more.

cheap homes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-yore/how-to-become-a-real-esta_b_11120604.html

Growing Austin-Based Real Estate Marketing Company SmartTouch Interactive Expands Their Ranks

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SmartTouch Interactive, an interactive real

estate marketing agency, real

estate marketing automation and lead

nurturing CRM solution company, announces and welcomes six new,

experienced and passionate additions to their company's team.

With growing clientele in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Panama,

SmartTouch Interactive has expanded their home office members located

in Austin, TX: Senior Account Manager, SEO Manager, Senior Account

Director, Content Marketing Coordinator, Account Coordinator, and

Executive Assistant.

SmartTouch Interactive welcomed Dhivya Jairam in September 2016 as a

Senior Account Manager for one of the two Account Service teams. A

University of Texas and University of Houston graduate with a wealth of

agency experience, Dhivya leads her team to create, manage, and execute

marketing campaigns from conception to implementation while also

supervising cross media integration and constructing client marketing

schedules and budgets.

Felicity Nava yields her senior-level experience in her role as SEO

manager to oversee and develop strategies for the improvement of organic

search results in order to increase the amount of qualified traffic and

qualified leads and to maximize ROI for SmartTouch Interactive clients.

Joining SmartTouch in January 2017, and a graduate from Texas A&M -

Corpus Christi, Felicity has offered invaluable search engine

optimization insight for SmartTouch Interactive clients and the

company's own organic search traffic.

Brett Tarr joined the team in June 2017 as Senior Account Director and

brings with him 16 years of experience in optimizing campaigns, web

content, and managing the direction of product launches. As Senior

Account Director, Brett oversees project management, omni-channel lead

generation, and campaign design and management. He additionally leads

the second Account Service team in order to generate revenue and produce

results.

homes for sale on

Rebecca Eddleman embraced her role as Content Marketing Coordinator in

August 2016. She graduated from St. Edwards University and applies her

education in writing and rhetoric to managing and developing internal

marketing communications and lead generation for SmartTouch

Interactive. She works directly with the company President to coordinate

the company's marketing campaigns, online presence, webinars, and

collateral, as well as writes and edits content for clients across the

multiple marketing mediums that SmartTouch Interactive specializes in:

email campaigns, social media, SEM, and website creation.

Sophia Amador signed on as the Executive Assistant to the President of

SmartTouch Interactive in May 2017. Sophia is currently enrolled at the

American Military University and harnesses her Human Resources

experience to assist with a multitude of tasks including: Sales

management, website traffic, meeting administration, and CRM management.

Haley Thompson joined SmartTouch Interactive on Dhivya's Account

Service team as an Account Coordinator at the beginning of the month,

after interning and contracting for the company this past year. She

manages client Facebook creative and prepares emailcampaigns utilizing

SmartTouch's marketing automation platform, NexGen.She also is in

charge of reviewing performance on marketing deliverables and

preparesquarterly and yearly reports.

SmartTouch Interactive proudly embraces these six stellar teammates and

welcomes the foreseeable growth they will bring to all areas of the

company.

"I'm delighted to welcome six new members to the SmartTouch team. Their

drive and candor is top-notch and pairs right alongside the group of

talented people at SmartTouch before them. As a team, we look forward

to what we will further accomplish for our clients and a promising,

scalable future," said Robert Cowes, President and Co-founder of

SmartTouch Interactive.

About SmartTouch Interactive

SmartTouch Interactive is an interactive marketing agency that provides

proven lead generation programs and lead management system, SmartTouch

Platform, the lead nurturing CRM.The SmartTouch team's expertise in

lead generation and online marketing helps firms that require a

multi-touch sales cycle create demand for products and services and grow

their business with customized, interactive lead generation programs and

lead cultivation. Backed by 30 years of experience in developing lead

generation programs for hundreds of clients, SmartTouch Interactive

sets a new standard with lead generation programs and a single solution

that integrates CRM, Marketing Automation, Email Marketing and Inventory

Management in one platform, SmartTouch. http://www.smarttouchinteractive.com

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170711005017/en/Growing-Austin-Based-Real-Estate-Marketing-Company-SmartTouch

https://www.outboundengine.com/blog/9-pro-tips-marketing-ideas-for-real-estate-agents-in-2015/

Find Real Estate, Homes for Sale, Apartments & Houses for Rent

Find Real Estate, Homes for Sale, Apartments & Houses for Rent - realtor.com

It looks like Cookies are disabled in your browser. For the best experience, please enable cookies when using our site.

Be Ready to Buy - Get Pre-Approved by a Lender Now

Get Pre-Approved

We did not find listings for:

Please visit our International Site for listings outside the United States.

To search for an MLS Listing Number, please type a # symbol in front of the number and click search

Check the spelling and formatting:

Please check your spelling and use the common location formats listed below.

We cannot find listings using informal location names such as "Maui" or "Bay Area".

By City

Columbus, OH

By ZIP Code

43224

By Neighborhood

Old Town, Chicago, IL

By Street or Address

910 E Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA or Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA

By MLS ID

#12345 or #QW12345

Nothing matches . Please check your spelling and try again.

We did not find listings for:

Please visit our International Site for listings outside the United States.

To search for an MLS Listing Number, please type a # symbol in front of the number and click search

Check the spelling and formatting:

Please check your spelling and use the common location formats listed below.

We cannot find listings using informal location names such as "Maui" or "Bay Area".

By City

Columbus, OH

By ZIP Code

43224

By Neighborhood

Old Town, Chicago, IL

By Street or Address

910 E Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA or Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA

By MLS ID

#12345 or #QW12345

Nothing matches . Please check your spelling and try again.

National Association of Realtors

Find out how the NAR works for consumers and REALTORS

We did not find listings for:

Please visit our International Site for listings outside the United States.

To search for an MLS Listing Number, please type a # symbol in front of the number and click search

generating real estate leads

Check the spelling and formatting:

Please check your spelling and use the common location formats listed below.

We cannot find listings using informal location names such as "Maui" or "Bay Area".

By City

Columbus, OH

By ZIP Code

43224

By Neighborhood

Old Town, Chicago, IL

By Street or Address

910 E Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA or Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA

By MLS ID

#12345 or #QW12345

Nothing matches . Please check your spelling and try again.

http://www.realtor.com/

https://www.inman.com/2015/10/21/10-real-estate-marketing-trends-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2016/

Real Estate Ads, words that sell and words that fail

Selling a house? What single word in your ad can add thousands of dollars to the selling price? Do you know which words work best? Do you know that some commonly used real estate ad words can backfire and harm your sale opportunities?

There are a lot of standard phrases used in real estate ads. Just because you see a phrase used a lot doesn't make it a winner. Some of those common phrases, like "motivated seller" can work against you!

Are you a FSBO? That translates to "For Sale By Owner", pronounced "fizz-bo". Do you use a real estate agent? Either way, you need to pay attention to how your home is marketed. The words chosen for your ad and flyer's can lure in prospects or can turn them off!

A real estate agent's experience can be valuable in marketing your house. But how about adding a little scientific research?

Paul Anglin, a professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario Canada is also a real estate economist. Professor Anglin led a study in two counties in Ontario to study the effect of real estate ad phrasing on sales price and time on market. The results showed that some common words had a demonstrably positive effect on selling price, and shortening the time to sell. The surprise, to me, was that some commonly used words can get in the way and cost you money!

What's the magic word?

One of the words that can put more money in your pocket is "beautiful". The study showed that using the word beautiful scored an additional 5% in the resulting sales price. That works out to $15,000 on a $300,000 house. I don't know about you, but my house is beautiful!

What are some of the other words that scored positively and negatively in the study?

___________________Words that sell____________________

Some words strike a positive note with today's buyer. Here are some words that have shown a positive effect:

Curb appeal

Move-in condition

Landscaping

Granite

Gourmet

Golf

must see

__________________Words that can fail__________________

Some good sounding words can double-cross you! Here are some commonly used ad words and how they can be misinterpreted:

Motivated seller - loosely translated as "I'll take less money so low ball your bid"

Good Value - loosely translated as "It may not be much, but it's a bargain."

As-is - loosely translated as "It's a mess and we can't do anything with it, are you dumb enough to try?"

Other words and phrases that can work against you:

must sell

good value

starter home

real estate lead generation websites

vacant

handyman special

motivated

__________________A note of caution___________________

It should go with out saying that the words you use must be honest choices. If it's a dump, then the word "beautiful" will get a snicker, not a sale. If you use "curb appeal" then the house better look good as the prospect drives up and gets their second impression. You ad is their first impression; and it should be as good as you can make it!

Acknowledgements

Professor Anglin's study was covered in a news release that found it's way into several major newspaper articles. I saw the study result first in an article written by Ann Brenoff in the LA Times and reprinted in the Arizona Republic.

Other interesting articles on real estate sales

https://hubpages.com/living/Real_Estate_Ads

https://smsold.com/

Realtor Marketing System That Gives You A Career-long Flood Of Client Referrals

Ponder about how you prioritize your mail. Hand-written addresses go to the top of the stack, every time.

The next thing you need to do is enclose a special marketing piece, apart from your referral letter. A fun marketing piece to include can be a video you produce with Animoto and copy onto a DVD (easier than it sounds).

A buddy of mine used poker chips as his marketing thing when he sent out a mailing for his life insurance business. His subject was "Don't gamble with your life".

new home listings for sale

Isn't that brilliant? If you desire to be a top producing Realtor like the "big boys", that's the kind of thought you want to come up with, or at least be aware of where to get them!

Getting back to this referral letter, I'd advise that you aim them not only to your telephone number but also your website or blog. Be certain you provide them both choices. A number of Individuals would rather call you and others would preferably look over your site first.

This final step is probably the most significant. The number one rule in marketing is "repetition". Stats from the marketing industry establish that a potential client needs to be exposed to your message at least 7 times, on average, before they are comfy enough to answer back.

So the clear "take-away" is that you have to continue to market to these professionals on your list, more than once. I'd say shoot for once per month, either by phone or another letter, after you do the initial follow up telephone call after your 1st mailing. If you have it, using a professional's email address would be a good follow up also.

You just need to be extra careful not to smother them with follow-ups. You don't want to let them forget who you are but you also don't need to be calling or mailing them every other day.

A small time saving tip: if there's money in your marketing budget, try hiring a college student or high school teenager to stuff your mailers for you. pen the letters yourself but have your hired-assistant stuff the envelopes with your letters and marketing pieces.

It's inexpensive labor, just like US companies do when they hire overseas workers for their customer servicing call centers (did I just drop in a cheap shot?).

Bottom line, I just think this is one of the most outstanding marketing ideas for Realtors or agents out there. Eventually, this marketing method can give you a free flow of leads and prospects that can build you into a top producing Realtor or agent, as long as you stick with it and construct these referral relationships right.

Focus on serving them as much as you want them to serve you and the money will flow in!

By: Josh Sanders

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Shiloh Street University is an online marketing school for Realtors, dedicated to Creating Wealthy Agents through World-Class Marketing by providing step-by-step video lead-generation tutorials and Realtor training plans.

Get your "FREE 5 Day Sneak Peek" at www.ShilohStreetUniversity.com

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Realtor-Marketing-System-that-Gives-You-a-Career-Long-Flood-of-Client-Referrals/1559146

New Real Estate Trend Uses Hollywood-Like Videos to Help Sell Your Home

ABC News' Mary Pflum and Eliza Murphy report:

A new trend in the real estate market is bringing a whole new meaning to "home movies."

In order to help sell homes, real estate agents and developers are commissioning mini-movies, replete with actors, scripts and musical scores, as a new tactic to entice buyers in a competitive real estate market.

Neo Property, one of the companies using this Hollywood-style pitch technique, made a mini-movie hoping to sell a luxury home in Queensland, Australia.

"It's a three-level home, contemporary design," the video's narrator describes while showing professional quality sweeping views of the home.

The video stars a young woman in her underwear tied to a chair inside the modern, sleek house, as helicopters hover around the property, ultimately ending with the woman being rescued by none other than the home's real estate agents.

The video seems to be targeting "a single bachelor lifestyle," Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing" real estate agent Josh Flagg told ABC News. "It's ridiculous."

The three-minute film, which cost $15,000, was the brainchild of Australia-based real-estate film company Platinum HD, the Wall Street Journal reports. Duncan Schieb, the film's producer, told the paper his goal is to make real-estate videos that "go viral" online.

Take a Look Inside Celebrity Real Estate

And the movie-like trailers could be coming to a town near you, where the not-so-subliminal message is that if you buy these homes, you, too, could be living in the lap of luxury.

Film House CEO Curt Hahn also directed a mini-movie for a 4,000-square-foot condominium listed for $1.795 million in Nashville, Tenn.

"They get to the end of the movie and see what the payoff is," explained Hahn. "People got to the end of that movie and they had tears in their eyes."

The budgets for these types of films can range from several thousand dollars to $1 million, depending on the type of listing, according to the Wall Street Journal.

home sale sites

houses with land for sale

But if you want to sell your house and can't afford a big production, do not despair, say real estate experts.

Eric Lavey, a Los Angeles real estate agent for Teles Properties, said he started making home movies for clients in 2011 for as little as $500 by hiring student filmmakers and directing the films himself. A former talent agent, he came up with the idea for home movies when the real estate market went particularly soft and said the proof of the selling power of the movies is in the signed-contract pudding.

Homes, Lavey said, stand out when their listings include a movie.

Hahn noted that movies can also make people fall in love with a home they would not otherwise have even considered, had they looked only at virtual tours and traditional real estate websites.

"I'll give you a perfect example of why still photos don't sell houses," said the filmmaker, who now makes as many as three home movies a week for homeowners and real estate agents in Tennessee and Michigan. "You wind up with all these empty, cold, still photos that don't have any emotion. They don't sell. They just show. Our movies create an emotional connection with a buyer."

Rogan Allen, a Nashville resident who has hired Hahn to help him sell his home of seven years with a custom-made movie, believes films are the wave of real estate's future.

"I absolutely think this is going to trickle down. I absolutely think that people with iPhones are going to make short films and upload them to YouTube," said the Tennessee native. "Anyone with a camera and use of the English language will be able to pull this off and probably in extremely clever ways we haven't thought of."

But those who aren't so sure can still sell homes the old-fashioned way, Flagg said.

"If you put your house on the market for what it's worth, you'll sell it. Simple," the real estate agent explained.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/08/new-real-estate-trend-uses-hollywood-like-videos-to-help-sell-your-home/

https://thecottonsolution.com/

The 8 Real Estate Marketing Strategies

Globalization and advancements in technology have changed the way you can market your real estate opportunities. This article illustrates the 8 strategies you should consider this year to embrace new opportunities.

Various Social Media Strategies

Social Media has changed the way we think, and for real estate investors, it has also changed the way they search for properties. They no longer just rely on newspapers advertisements or listings, but increasingly looking for information using social media.

real estate leads system

How social media can help you in terms of marketing? Apart from just simply listing your properties on your social media page or profile page, you can also consider the following:

First: Actively engage with other networkers and collaborate them by cross-listing and referencing properties available.

Second: Use social media networks to find other channels especially international or inter-state agents or marketing partners that can assist you with promotions.

Third: Become a subject matter expert either for the areas you are promoting or the asset type. This is by far, one of the most effective marketing strategies to differentiate you from others.

Active property marketers will write multiple articles or use videos to showcase their expertise, this strategy is especially useful if you wish to reach out to international or non-local investors, as they need more information to analyze your properties.

Create a good Newsletter

I am surprised that many real estate agents even developers are not producing regular newsletters. Most of the newsletters are simply flyers or digital advertisements about the new development or listings.

If you can provide substantial information in your newsletters, you can increase the readership and create a database of loyal investors. Once again, as you are likely to deal with investors from different regions these days, it is a good opportunity to provide analysis of the location and investments, which can help potential investors to understand and make informed decisions.

Multilingual Website

European real estate companies have adopted this strategy long time ago. It is yet to become a major marketing strategy by most of North American real estate marketing firms.

This is one of the best ways to find new investors for your projects; popular language choices now include Spanish, Chinese and Russian language. You can find a translator and create contents in different languages for your opportunities.

Automatic translations such as Google or Yahoo while they are free, Internet translations are usually inaccurate and can actually damage your reputation. It is best to spend a little bit of investments to translate your documents properly rather than saving a few bucks by using free translation software.

Multilingual Newsletters

While we are on multilingual websites, make sure you also create some multilingual newsletters. Your multilingual newsletters should be target focused. For instance, Chinese investors are very active in California, Texas, Washington or New York.

Another example is Canadian French speaking investors are very active in Florida or South Carolina properties. Create newsletters in different languages discussing about opportunities in these selective markets, and you can increase your chance in reaching the target markets.

Create Several Regional Blogs

Blogging is a very useful way to create Internet traffic. You can create several blogs and post related articles on them. You don't have to write all the articles yourselves, but posting useful reference and resources about a particular area. This will create followers if they are looking for the particular area.

It is best to be very specific about the region, such as a particular suburb, not just something generic like "California Real Estate". As you know, real estate investors search the city as their keyword, if you create a suburb / neighborhood specific blog, you can attract the target traffic very effectively.

Listing on Different Search Engines

Google is the dominant search engine in some markets but for other markets, Google is not highly used. You can submit your website to various search engines in your target markets. China is the most fragmented search engine market with multiple search engines, while many markets in Asia use Yahoo as their primary search engine.

Submitting a website on various search engine is a useful way to make sure people can find your website using their preferred search engines. It is one of the basic strategies to use for web marketing.

Real Estate Whitepaper

Whitepaper is a good marketing idea. Whitepaper is already a very popular method adopted by IT companies to find new leads, but rarely adopted by the real estate companies apart from a few international real estate companies.

Produce a small eBook or a whitepaper and upload them on your website and distribute them through your social media networks - make sure you include an area where prospective investors can register their information with you.

I also know some real estate companies developing their own e-magazine, which does not have to be extensive, but informative - it is also an excellent way to reach new investors, even creating new advertising revenue once you have sufficient readership.

Selective Banner Advertisements

The effectiveness of banner advertisements such as Google Adword or Facebook Ads will depend on how you utilize them. Some real estate marketing companies have found Facebook or LinkedIn Ads more effective as you can really narrow down your target markets and not overspending your budget.

As mentioned earlier, more effective strategies will be to link your whitepapers or newsletters on these banner ads, and invite people to download information they are looking for. They may not be investing in your project right away, but you can create a database of prospective investors using these resources.

Be creative about your real estate marketing strategies, the marketing cost these days are actually significantly lower compared to the past as you do not need to spend a lot of costs on printing or mailings anymore, you can use Internet and maximize your opportunities.

lead generation firm

There are many other ways real estate professionals market their opportunities. For instance, some have used eBay to list various opportunities to attract international buyers, or set up property discussion forums or groups; as well as uploading multiple YouTube videos. All of these tools are available, and it is up to you if you want to utilize them.

I hope you find this article useful to create new marketing strategies to promote your projects to investors worldwide.

http://www.infobarrel.com/The_8_Real_Estate_Marketing_Strategies

10 Real Estate Blogs You Should Read

How To Find Work - InfoBarrel

How to Find Work

Dread the process?

Good news. I worked as a recruiter for several years and heard many techniques for finding work. What I have found is many individuals who are skilled in their trade are not always skilled in selling their services. I hope you find this information helpful. If you know someone who works one of these jobs, please forward this article to them.

Tip #1 EUR" Artist / Painter EUR"

Being creative doesn't always lead to being wealthy. You may find having to concern yourself with money distracts you from your creative "juices". This is true of many artists I know. So, how do other starving artist survive financially? One artist I know in Portland, ME started his career by painting landscapes and displaying them at local art shows. He made a few dollars, but the shows were seasonal and cash flow unpredictable. He considers painting commercially "a waste of his talent" and found an alternative way to share his art while making a living. He painted a mural, for free, at a local Italian Restaurant. I say for "free" but the true arrangement is the owner of the restaurant agreed to display a photograph of various projects the artist has completed and provided a business card slot for the artist to market his work. The artist will receives 1-2 calls a week from out of town patrons who appreciated his work and ask if he would consider painting a mural for their residence. He has become quite well known in local social circles as someone who can enhance the character of a home with his art work. He also has established contact with several real estate brokers who, when listing a home, will often suggest to a seller that a fresh coat of paint will help increase the value of their home and help move it quicker in the market.

home listings for sale

Tip #2 EUR" Carpenter EUR"

I need to start by outlining the obvious - a busy carpenter has a better chance of finding work than one who waits for work at home. What do I mean by this? I know a finish carpenter who will spend every Friday driving through different neighborhoods looking for a porch or a set of steps that are all but falling off the side of a home. He will knock on the door and let them know he will repair their steps for the cost of the materials plus $40. What, only $40? Yes. Being a skilled carpenter this project might take him only 2-3 hours to complete. If the homeowner is interested, he will go with the homeowner to Home Depot, show the homeowner the materials they are going to need, and the homeowner pays for the materials. The carpenter follows the homeowner back to the home and completes the project. The carpenter asks if he can put a sign next to the steps for the next 10 days stating "quality home repairs EUR" call phone#". Most homeowners are glad to allow him to do so, considering the terrific service they just received. Repairing 8-10 small steps per month, the carpenter will post 6-8 signs per month, and will receive 6-10 calls per week asking if he can stop by to provide a quote. He will quote these projects at his regular rate. The projects he has gained included kitchen remodeling, a few bedroom additions, several decks, and even a custom display room for a car collector. He uses these small Friday jobs as a lead generation source and an opportunity to talk with potential customers.

New listings. - Free Online Library

MANHATTAN

ROOSEVELT ISLAND

531 Main Street-#715

$1,600,000

Corner duplex co-op. 2,000 s/f home originally four bedrooms now

configured as three. 25 ft. wide living/dining room. Renovated, windowed

kitchen with separate breakfast room/dining den. Walk-in pantry.

Downstairs master with marble ensuite, second bedroom or den, and second

full bath. Corner terrace. Building has an indoor pool, sauna, sundeck,

fitness room, bike room. Maintenance includes all utilities. Cats

allowed. No dogs. Listing agent: Suzanne Wolf, Corcoran .

TURTLE BAY

240 E46th St. #6C

$585,000

Condo studio in 24-hour luxury doorman building. Located in

thriving community close to major transportation, fine dining like

Sparks Steakhouse, Smith and Wollensky, La Pecora or the Palm

Restaurant. Morton Williams and a Farmer's Market at the Dag

Hammarskjold Plaza opposite the United Nations. Listing Agent: Juan

Rodriguez, Charles Rutenberg NYC

MURRAY HILL

20 E35th St. #10F

$679,000

Renovated east-facing, 10th floor one bedroom. Prewar details.

Entry foyer, sunken living room with custom built-ins, and beamed

ceilings. Real Flame Gel Fuel fireplace. Dining area in the living room.

Doorman building with planted roof-garden, fitness room, storage,

bicycle room, and laundry facilities. The maintenance includes electric.

Pets welcome. Listing agent: Jamie Breitman, Corcoran.

mls property search

NOMAD

31 E28th St. #9E

$3,295,000

2,000 s/f two bedroom, 2-bath loft in The Parkwood boutique doorman

building. Expansive kitchen, contemporary living room, master bedroom

with en-suite bath, two wardrobes and private balcony. Oaked plank

flooring; high, beamed ceilings and custom closets. Secured keyed

elevator. Full-sized washer and dryer. Originally constructed in 1913,

the 12-floor building was converted to a residen- tial condominium in

2006 featuring 22 apartments. Amenities include personalized concierge,

video security, refrigerated storage and roof deck. Listing agent: James

Pecora, DJK.

WEST VILLAGE

204 W 10th St. #28

$745,000

One bedroom, 1-bath top floor co-op apartment with custom kitchen

with DeLonghi range/oven. Renovated bath with Grohe Axor fixtures and

Duravit sink, toilet and soaking tub. Hardwood floors. Pet friendly. .

Listing agents: William Bolls, Kyle Jekielek, Anthony Darrin, Corcoran.

GREENWICH VILLAGE

232 E6th St. #3D

$790,000

One bedroom co-op apartment in pet friendly elevator building close

to 1 NYU, Astor Place, subway, restaurants, venues, shops, bars. Well

maintained building with shared residents gar- * den, laundry room, bike

storage, super and management company. Pied-a-terres permitted. Listing

Agent: Alexei * Lyalin, Charles Rutenberg NYC.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Newlistings.-a0500683291

Deals are Equal to Marketing and Leads by Karen Roberts

As an investor that makes a living off of closing real estate deals-Leads are Monumental! If we have no leads... consequently, .we have no deals.

Getting real leads

In real estate, you want to get a pipeline of leads coming to you on a regular basis. It requires a great marketing plan and taking action on the plan will get you there. Drive the leads into local numbers even if you're not familiar with the farm area, local Sellers are going to feel more secure. A prospect list that you're mailing to, will be more secure if they're calling a local number, they're likely to believe that it must be a guy/gal along the street who buys houses versus an 800 number - which might lead them to believe that it's bigger company, not in the area.... which doesn't inspire as much familiarity.

Understand prospects vs. leads

search mls

Using answering services is also recommended. If there are sellers calling your voicemail, you'll lose 50% of callers. You have to understand that motivated sellers are hoping that somebody will answer the phone; you have to hire or have someone to answer the call, live. If you do have to forward to voicemail, 50% of callers won't leave a message. Another thing about answering services is that you're going to have seller phone calls at all times of the day and night. It is not always most convenient for you. You can be in a nice restaurant, when suddenly you get a seller call that's not appropriate. Or like me, I might be working on something when suddenly there's a seller call and it's difficult to switch my mental process to be ready to qualify a seller. It's easier when someone else answers it, a trained someone else. There are many answering services out there, I've heard of Patlive, GotVmail, and Onebox to name a few.

When you're ready to train an individual to answer your calls, invest some time into writing your scripts with some variations in them and they will become the template that your outsourced hire will use to carry out the call.

Live attendants will answer seller phone calls as if they're your company. Let us say you are "Mike buys Houses". They might answer like this "Mike buys houses, good day, how may we help you?". They can take the vital information for you, ask questions from your script and e-mail you the details.

You can then call them back when you're available. Even if you're going to call them back much later, the advantage is that you have already obtained the seller's information.

Because this process has provided you more information, you may already have an address as a result of your live servicing of the call, which can be an advantageous time-saver. Since there's an address, you could pull comps before calling them back about their property. Of course you won't have an accurate assessment of the repairs needed yet as it's been my experience that seller's will minimize the evident repairs that really need to be done on the home that they're selling.

Remember your purpose when you begin talking to them. Your purpose is not to sell them a service. Your first purpose is to qualify the caller, prospects vs.leads.

You would want to separate prospects from leads. All of them are considered to be leads, but you'll want to separate tire kickers from the true motivated sellers. An investor spends approximately 20 minutes building rapport and pre qualifying a seller. Your ability to gather pertinent information and assess everyone's needs, will determine the types of creative solutions that you're able to offer the seller.

The 2 key reasons to take this call

Ask yourself these pointed questions...

First, are they motivated?

Second, are the numbers going to work?

Your first focus should be to build rapport with them in order to discover via your questions, if the motivation is really there.

* Why are they selling their house now?

* What will they do if you don't buy it?

* How soon will they move out?

The greatest indicator as to whether they're motivated is if they start speaking about their personal concern, telling you that they don't know what to do, asking you to come and get the house, statements like," I just want to walk away" - and other statements of duress.

buy real estate leads

Next question for you is whether the numbers will work? Explore if you and the seller are even on the same planet.

It's time to be as creative as you can be and if you cannot come up with a solution or fear that your numbers might be off.... This is the greatest time to reach out to your mentor or support network, give them a call and ask for help. You might even consider asking your mentor to be on the phone with you and the seller or to listen in to discuss options after the call.

It's a great opportunity to really learn while you're in the thick of it.

Do not be married to this house, spend time on the ones that are likely to be a deal. And I mean a win-win-win deal. The Seller has to win, the investor and the end buyer of that house- all have to win. When everyone's winning, your local community wins along with the global economy.

Karen Roberts.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/marketing/article_4579.shtml

http://www.byreferralonly.com/

Luxury Real Estate Tips from Million-Dollar Listing's Madison Hildebrand

Last Updated Oct 12, 2009 2:46 PM EDT

I confess that "Million-Dollar Listing," the Bravo reality show that follows the lives of three high-end realtors in California, gives me a bit of an ice-cream headache. However, judging from the series' expanded run, lots of us like ice cream. Starting tonight (Monday) at 11 pm Eastern, Season Three is back for nine episodes rather than the usual six.

best lead generation websites for realtors

The show is certainly full of goodies like glimpses of high-end homes and the wicked behavior of buyers and sellers -- not to mention the drama in the lives of the luxury real estate agents. However, since I'm one of those practical people who likes the fact that ice cream is full of calcium, I'd like to point out that it can deliver some real estate lessons too.

Madison Hildebrand, one of the show's stars and a Malibu realtor who has also written "Activate Your Passion, Create Your Career," did a phone interview with Moneywatch.com, and offers these five tips for buying and selling luxury real estate:

Try to roll with the softer market. "Real estate was fun until now," wails Hildebrand in the show's first episode. However, he notes as a realtor who has sold $100 million worth of real estate in the past five years, "it's the first year where I felt like I had a lot more time to myself." The good news, he says, is that "things have picked up in the past couple of months." (We've seen this in the stats for Manhattan too, which had a little of a third-quarter rebound.) For buyers, Hildebrand says, "there are a handful of great deals in Malibu; prices have come down significantly -- on the order of forty percent."

Remember pricing is not an exact science. "There is no calculation that you can punch in and come out with an exact number," Hildebrand notes. However, people who work in real estate do have a sense of general market levels, which can move slowly, and you'd be wasting your time to ignore that. "Six months ago, the people who were interested in writing offers were only interested in writing them 40 percent below asking, at a time when the homes were coming on the market at a fair price," says Hildebrand. "The homes were never going to get there."

Marketing involves many channels, including advertising and networking. Hildebrand posts his new multi-million dollar listings on Facebook. Does that mean only social media sells homes? Networking is broader than that, he insists. "I always get leads through Facebook, but it's not like I'm selling my followers, it's about being part of a community," he says. "When I started I had fifty contacts in my sphere of influence ... now I have several thousand."

Fess up to your realtor. "Tell me your secrets because I need to know them," says Hildebrand, who notes that he keeps his client's trusts. "My role is to take the stress and fear out of negotiating and marketing, so we can get top dollar ... but if a client only has six months left [to be able] to pay the mortgage, I need to know that. Don't come to me, like happened on the show, and say, 'I need to sell my house in thirty days.'"

Don't take staging suggestions personally. Apparently they have a lot of leeway in Malibu, because in the first episode of Million-Dollar Listing, Hildebrand markets a house with a wire sculpture that I would have tossed in a closet tout suite. (Let me just say this: balloons for boobs). However, he notes that he did once request an owner to pack up some of his 14 taxidermied African animals, including an elephant-foot nightstand. "Malibu is a pretty eccentric community so we can get away with a lot that you can't in the suburbs," says Hildebrand, "and I only offer suggestions. But you are hiring me to market a product, and it's not about you, it's your house."

Follow Alison Rogers on Twitter

Follow Madison Hildebrand on Twitter

photo of Madison Hildebrand visiting a property by Bravo's Vivian Zink, courtesy of NBCU Lightbox

best real estate websites

2009 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/luxury-real-estate-tips-from-million-dollar-listings-madison-hildebrand/

Marketing Your Virtual Wholesaling Business

The main key in virtual real estate wholesaling is not the type of property you buy but finding the right bargain property that can be sold to a real estate investor or a bargain hunter. That is what virtual real estate wholesaling is about; knowing how to find a great value with high profit potential, negotiating, and closing the deal.

So how does one go about finding potentially great bargain properties? A lot of the locating bargained value property can be done on the internet in virtual real estate wholesaling. It is in knowing where and how to move on it that will make the difference in the level of success one can achieve in virtual wholesaling.

With virtual wholesaling, you have the added benefit of location, meaning you can buy and move property anywhere, which opens income potential through the roof. Bargain properties are everywhere and one way of finding bargain property is through internet marketing. By getting the word out that you are willing to buy up properties you will have potential bargain property deals coming to you. With the internet, you can do a lot of your marketing free with very little internet marketing skills. You may choose to outsource your marketing if the internet marketing territory is like a foreign language for you. Either way there is little to no cost in internet marketing.

There are numerous other ways you can locate great bargain properties as well as market your wish to purchase property for virtual wholesaling via the internet. Some examples are:

lead generation online marketing

Internet Classified Ads: You can post ads stating you are interested in buying property as well as find potential bargain homes. An example of internet classified ad site is Craigslist. Craigslist gives a virtual wholesaler the United States at their fingertips.

Ebay Classified Ads: This opens up another whole avenue of prospects. You may chose to post your own add or look in the specific regions homes for sale by owner ads where you know economic times are causing hardships. As sad as it is, it does make a nice profit for a real estate wholesaler.

Personal Websites: Many internet sites allow one to open free personal websites that can give you a good start in your internet marketing for your virtual wholesaling. You can start a blog educating the public what virtual wholesaling is all about and how it can benefit a seller to seek out a virtual wholesaler such as yourself. It gives you a great opportunity to make yourself human to the prospective homeowner as well as takes away some of the insecurities one may have about making a virtual real estate deal. Getting involved in the social networks online also is another great way to market your business and take away the anxieties potential sellers may have. The internet is wide open to numerous ways of marketing.

Online Real Estate Agencies: This is another potential gold mine in finding potential bargain properties. Keywords used by Realtors in their listings such as "motivated owner", "drastically reduced", "priced to sale", or "handyman special" are cues that the property may be in need of repairs or has been sitting on the market for a long time.

There are numerous other ways one can market their self and become highly successful in the virtual real estate domain.

Copyright (c) 2009 Duncan Wierman

real estate leads system

By: Duncan Wierman

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Duncan Wierman is an Ex Software company CEO turned Real Estate Investor and Marketer. Discover how to use creative online marketing methods to do more deals online. For more details on how this type of automated internet marketing system works for real estate investors his free report can be found at www.duncanwierman.com . Duncan is also offering readers a complimentary copy of his software at www.onlineleadfinder.com

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Marketing-Your-Virtual-Wholesaling-Business/813167

Scottish NYU Student Describes the Shock of Seeing the Stifling of Free Speech on Campus

Scottish NYU Student Describes the Shock of Seeing the 'Stifling of Free Speech' on Campus

As a child in Glasgow, I learned that sticks and stones might break my bones but words didn't really hurt. I'm now at New York University studying journalism, where a different mantra seems to apply. Words, it turns out, might cause life-ruining emotional trauma.

for sale by owner real estate

During my 'Welcome Week', for example, I was presented with a choice of badges indicating my preferred gender pronouns: 'he', 'she', 'they' or 'ze'?

The student in front of me, an Australian, found this hilarious: 'Last time I checked, I was a girl.' Her joke was met with stony silence. Later I realised why: expressing bewilderment at the obsession with pronouns might count as a 'micro-aggression'. Next stop, 'transphobia'.

It was soon obvious to my fellow students that I was not quite with the programme. In a class discussion early in my first semester, I made the mistake of mentioning that I believed in objective standards in art. Some art is great, some isn't, I said; not all artists are equally talented. This was deemed an undemocratic opinion and I was given a nickname: the cultural fascist. I've tried to take it affectionately.

internet lead generation

After a year on campus, on a course entitled 'Cultural Reporting and Criticism', I still feel unable to speak freely, let alone critically. Although it doesn't apply to my own course, friends have told me about 'trigger warnings' that caution they are about to be exposed to certain ideas; the threat of micro-aggressions (i.e. unintended insults) makes frank discourse impossible. Then there is the infamous 'safe space' -- a massage-circle, Play-Doh-making haven -- where students are protected from offence (and, therefore, intellectual challenge).

http://legalinsurrection.com/2017/08/scottish-nyu-student-describes-the-shock-of-seeing-the-stifling-of-free-speech-on-campusscottish-nyu-student-describes-bewildering-year/

http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/04/16/real-estate-marketing

New listings. - Free Online Library

MANHATTAN

ROOSEVELT ISLAND

531 Main Street-#715

$1,600,000

Corner duplex co-op. 2,000 s/f home originally four bedrooms now

configured as three. 25 ft. wide living/dining room. Renovated, windowed

kitchen with separate breakfast room/dining den. Walk-in pantry.

Downstairs master with marble ensuite, second bedroom or den, and second

full bath. Corner terrace. Building has an indoor pool, sauna, sundeck,

fitness room, bike room. Maintenance includes all utilities. Cats

allowed. No dogs. Listing agent: Suzanne Wolf, Corcoran .

TURTLE BAY

240 E46th St. #6C

$585,000

Condo studio in 24-hour luxury doorman building. Located in

search house

thriving community close to major transportation, fine dining like

Sparks Steakhouse, Smith and Wollensky, La Pecora or the Palm

Restaurant. Morton Williams and a Farmer's Market at the Dag

Hammarskjold Plaza opposite the United Nations. Listing Agent: Juan

Rodriguez, Charles Rutenberg NYC

MURRAY HILL

20 E35th St. #10F

$679,000

Renovated east-facing, 10th floor one bedroom. Prewar details.

Entry foyer, sunken living room with custom built-ins, and beamed

ceilings. Real Flame Gel Fuel fireplace. Dining area in the living room.

Doorman building with planted roof-garden, fitness room, storage,

bicycle room, and laundry facilities. The maintenance includes electric.

Pets welcome. Listing agent: Jamie Breitman, Corcoran.

NOMAD

31 E28th St. #9E

$3,295,000

2,000 s/f two bedroom, 2-bath loft in The Parkwood boutique doorman

building. Expansive kitchen, contemporary living room, master bedroom

with en-suite bath, two wardrobes and private balcony. Oaked plank

flooring; high, beamed ceilings and custom closets. Secured keyed

elevator. Full-sized washer and dryer. Originally constructed in 1913,

the 12-floor building was converted to a residen- tial condominium in

2006 featuring 22 apartments. Amenities include personalized concierge,

video security, refrigerated storage and roof deck. Listing agent: James

Pecora, DJK.

WEST VILLAGE

204 W 10th St. #28

$745,000

One bedroom, 1-bath top floor co-op apartment with custom kitchen

with DeLonghi range/oven. Renovated bath with Grohe Axor fixtures and

Duravit sink, toilet and soaking tub. Hardwood floors. Pet friendly. .

Listing agents: William Bolls, Kyle Jekielek, Anthony Darrin, Corcoran.

GREENWICH VILLAGE

232 E6th St. #3D

$790,000

One bedroom co-op apartment in pet friendly elevator building close

to 1 NYU, Astor Place, subway, restaurants, venues, shops, bars. Well

maintained building with shared residents gar- * den, laundry room, bike

marketing leads

storage, super and management company. Pied-a-terres permitted. Listing

Agent: Alexei * Lyalin, Charles Rutenberg NYC.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Newlistings.-a0500683291

http://agentbutler.com/

Strategic Default Leads To Foreclosure, Homeowners Don't Care

One of the largest benefits of a mortgage modification used to avoid a foreclosure is that it is a compromise between the mortgage company and the debtors. The lenders do not want to go through a costly process of taking the home back only to have it sell for much less than it is worth, while the borrowers want to remain in their property if only they had a second chance after a hardship and a reasonably affordable monthly payment.

But this benefit of compromise can be a drawback if the property is too far underwater for it to make sense for either the owners or the lenders to meet in the middle. And with the drastic drop in home values over the past few years, more debtors are using strategic default as a way to avoid the eviction process or being made to pay for a home that is too expensive and not worth anywhere near the principal balance owed on the mortgage.

Conventional wisdom would have us think that foreclosure is a last resort for borrowers who have come to the brink of financial ruins and can simply no longer afford to make payments. But in the current real estate situation, this is not always the case anymore. A growing number of borrowers are treating the loss of equity in their homes as a business decision and walking away, letting the bank have the property back.

flats for sale

With almost twenty-five percent of the American housing market going under, can anyone blame homeowners for opting to default on their loans? While there are consequences for taking this decision, such as foreclosure and a severely damaged credit score, they seem like better choices for many people than paying hundreds of thousands of dollars more than a house is worth over the course of fifteen or thirty years.

Even if mortgage modification could be an option for certain borrowers who have lost all of their equity due to a declining market, strategic default often occurs when the owners are not behind on monthly payments. And owners who have not become late in payments are usually not qualified for a modification program. The lenders banks are only willing to modify loans for those who are facing a financial hardship and have become delinquent on several monthly mortgage bills.

This means that the lenders are mostly unwilling to negotiate with owners who are concerned about spending too much income in the future on a house that is not worth what they have agreed to pay on it. And the only consequence is a civil lawsuit resulting in the loss of the home and a poor credit record. Neither of these are quite as disturbing as dedicating the next few decades of one's life to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more on a piece of real estate than it is worth.

Strategic default is a phenomena that can not be fixed by increasing government programs to raise home values or by financial institutions offering mortgage modifications to borrowers that do not dramatically lower principal balances owed. People with no equity in their homes already feel they have no ownership giving up the expensive monthly payment is often worth the bad credit. And low credit only lasts for several years, while a mortgage that can not be refinanced on a home that can not be sold will go on for decades.

By: Nick Adama

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To find out more about how foreclosure works, visit Nick's website, which provides advice to borrowers trying to save their homes. Foreclosure loan, deed in lieu, mortgage modification, and short sale assistance can be found, in addition to info on stopping a foreclosure before the sheriff sale. You can read more about how to save your home while there is still time and find the site on the web at the following: www.foreclosurefish.com/

where to find real estate leads

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Strategic-Default-Leads-to-Foreclosure-Homeowners-Don-t-Care/1355723

Dollar dumped as Yellen dances around monetary policy

Dollar drops as Yellen steers clear of rate hike talk

New York (AFP) - Carefully scripted remarks by the world's leading central bankers on Friday left the dollar lower but had a muted effect on global stocks, while crude prices rose as monster Hurricane Harvey approached the US Gulf Coast oil hubs.

Analysts had not been expecting major announcements heading into Friday's much-anticipated summit of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

buyers agent

But the possibility of a surprise from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen or European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi kept investors on edge.

Yellen, in a speech defending tough banking regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis, did not address whether the Fed would stick with its plan to carry out a third interest rate hike in 2017 -- a move increasingly in doubt.

The dollar fell sharply on the remarks, with the losses picking up later in the day.

Near 2030 GMT, the euro was up 1.1 percent on the US currency at $1.1926, its highest level since January 2015.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/dollar-equity-markets-focus-turns-banker-gathering-032441782.html

http://www.realestatemarketing-blog.com/

Benefits Of Real Estate Teams

generate business leads

In recent years, the real estate industry has changed dramatically.

With the advent of new technology and more home sellers and buyers using the internet before selecting a real estate agent those who have not kept up with the times and technology are destined to fall behind the leaders.

Take for example the concept of real estate teams. Most industries have utilized team concepts to their advantage for years: corporate departments, sports, small businesses all utilize the team concept for growth and profitability.

The real estate industry however has historically placed real estate agents as sole entities, training them to be stand alone islands left to their own devices and abilities.

However, in recent years this 'old school' training has slowly been side stepped by some of the most profitable and top producing real estate agents in the country.

By realizing and implementing team concepts into a real estate agents business, these agents can provide substantial benefits to their customers' traditional methods lacked.

Let's examine a few of the benefits of being on a real estate team...

Marketing and advertising

Teams utilize shared expenses in marketing and advertising to a much greater degree due in part to having additional resources by way of more agents as well as an increased visibility in the communities.

Stand alone agents must pay for all marketing and advertising costs themselves with little assistance from the brokerage. It is up to the individual agent to market and advertise properties for sale using their own limited funding.

With teams, agents do not have to fund the advertising costs alone. Having more agents available to share the costs greatly decreases an agents cost outlays and increases their profitability.

In addition, sellers can be assured that their property will reach more potential buyers. More potential buyers in turn may mean quicker sales and often times better realized profit.

Let's not forget about our buying customers who also benefit greatly from the real estate team concept. Regular team meetings to discuss customers' wants and needs may often present opportunities missed by the solo agent.

More minds working on a task tends to produce better results!

Experience and training

Teams benefit not only from 1 agents experience, but the combined experience of the entire team.

This aids the individual agents by having insight and experience to draw on for help in problem solving and working with difficult property issues as they arise.

Having a larger 'pool' of experience to draw on provides agents with less experience increased training opportunities in a much quicker time frame.

Support

The real estate business experiences business peaks and valley's through out the year depending on locality.

During the busiest times of the year some agents may not be able to provide the support and services which they normally provide due to the number of customers they're working with at one time.

On a team, this is never the situation as there is always someone on the team that can lend a hand, provide support, show customers properties, write contacts etc.

Fun and Camaraderie

Teams tend to be much more fun!

Think about this a moment: If an agent is working alone, they may be able to visit and entertain with a few other agents in their office when not busy.

However, with a team you get the closeness of friendship and support that only a group of like minded professionals enjoy.

Team events, dinner parties, team meetings etc. all lend themselves to additional fun for the agents providing the ability to relax and share good times with others.

While many agents continue to employ the 'old school' traditional techniques in running their businesses, the more successful agents employ the team concept to provide increased customer services, reduced costs to team agents as well as increased profits to sellers and agents alike.

Growing a productive team is a key ingredient in running a successful real estate business in today's market.

list of homes for sale

By: Jennifer Mackay

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Jennifer Mackay is an award winning real estate agent and Keller Williams team leader in the Panama City Florida area. Her website:

Panama City Real Estate provides guidance, information and free buying and purchasing features for registered visitors. Follow: @realtorjennifer | Facebook

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Benefits-of-Real-Estate-Teams/1339796

INVESTOR PROFILE-HSBC's Nerbrand lives his dream | Reuters

* Childhood walk down Wall Street inspired career path* Warned of credit crunch before crisis.

* Called bottom and top of equity market in 2009-10

By Chris Vellacott

LONDON, June 10 Few working in finance can saythey are fulfilling their very earliest career ambitions but asHSBC Private Bank's head of global strategy Fredrik Nerbrandconsiders himself to be living his childhood dream.

Nerbrand, a Swede, says he was just eight when he firstdeveloped an ambition to work in the industry, awestruck by WallStreet while on holiday in New York with his parents.

"It was a fascination with the high buildings, the men insuits, the hustle and bustle," he said.

snow plowing service and removal buffalo ny

This early foundation to his career may explain why, at just35, he has already served three years in his senior rolecoordinating the global investment strategy for HSBC's (HSBA.L)private clients whose combined assets amount to $433 billion.

"There was never a second choice," he told Reuters. I'vewanted to do what I do now for as long as I can remember.Everything that I've done has been towards being a strategist."

An economics graduate from Sweden's elite Lund University,he puts his rapid ascent of the greasy pole to the "meritocracy"at HSBC Private Bank, which he first joined in 2005 from a jobas equity strategist with JP Morgan Private Bank.

But he is quick to credit the team of 23 analysts whocombine to develop the investment ideas used by clients and HSBCportfolio managers running discretionary portfolios.

"This is not the world according to Frederic Nerbrand. Wehave a number of great investment thinkers around the world thatI leverage as much as I can," he said.

Nerbrand works from the super-modern UK head office of theprivate bank which hides behind the facade and ornate lobby ofwhat was once the Conservative Club in the heart of London'swealthy clubland of St James's.

The surrounding streets recount the area's past as theterritory of British old money, with Buckingham Palace, officialresidence of Queen Elizabeth, and the London home of her heirPrince Charles both nearby.

But former aristocratic mansions and gentlemen's clubs nowwear brass plaques bearing the names of hedge funds and privatewealth managers tapping new streams of wealth.

ANTARCTICA

Nerbrand clearly likes the company of the private bank'smonied clients, each of whom must have at least 2 million poundsin investible assets.

"It is an interesting client base because they have beensuccessful doing what they have been doing. In my mind,entrepreneurs are the heroes of modern society," he said.

The advice he offers to those personal heroes has thrown upsome notable hits -- as well as the odd miss.

He argued through 2006 and 2007 that credit offered verylittle value, before the subprime crisis and credit cruncherupted. Then in March 2009 his team called the bottom of theequity market and watched as markets enjoyed a sustained rally.

Most recent was a call to take profits on shares, releasedon April 21, since when global stock markets have plunged onfears of contagion from the Greek debt crisis and slower thanexpected global economic recovery.

Among the missteps he notes that the call on credit threeyears ago wasn't accompanied by a sufficient downgrade onequities, while the team missed the surge in gold which Nerbrandblames on focusing too much on demand fundamentals.

"We argued that in a recessionary environment and withwaning inflationary pressures that should cause demand for goldto diminish which it hasn't," he said. Gold XAU= currentlytrades close to all-time highs at around $1,250 an ounce.

He should be pretty used to weathering discomfort. Many inthe City run the odd marathon but Nerbrand decided he'd do hisin Antarctica, ploughing through knee-deep snow and temperaturesof minus 40 degrees celsius.

"It was a bit nippy," he recalls. That's maybe why his nexttarget, which awaits the permission of his wife, is a similarevent in the Sahara.

For a man used to going from one extreme to the other, he isvery conscious of the market's propensity to over-react. Hislatest positions include a positive view on the energy sectorwhere oil company shares have been "indiscriminately" punishedfor BP's (BP.L) struggles with the Gulf of Mexico oil leak.

Nerbrand is also concerned about sovereign debt in developedeconomies such as the United States and Britain, though concedesthe problems they face are not on the same scale as Greece.

Private banking suits Nerbrand over other areas of financialservices because of the scope of his remit, he said. "The worldis your oyster in this industry because of the variety of assetclasses and how you can go about articulating a view."(For the Funds Hub blog: blogs.reuters.com/hedgehub) (ForGlobal Investing: here) (Editing by Joel Dimmock and Greg Mahlich)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/financialsSector/idUKLDE65721G20100610

Coconut Cake Recipe & Buttercream Frosting

Looking for the perfect spring and summer desserts? This gorgeous moist Coconut Cake, decorated with coconut or vanilla buttercream frosting, will dress up any Sunday brunch!

http://www.dailymotion.com/buffalonysnow

Classic Coconut Cake Recipe2-1/4 cups cake flour1 Tablespoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup butter, softened1-1/2 cups sugar4 egg whites, room temper ature2 teaspoons coconut extract3/4 cup milk1/4 cup Coco LopezHow To Make Coconut Cake and Coconut CupcakesPreheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter or spray two 9 X 2 - inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Likewise, spray or butter one 9 X 13 - inch baking pan, or prepare 24-30 cupcake tins with paper liners. Set aside.Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a medium size bowl and set aside.With mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add egg whites one at a time, beating until light and fluffy. Add coconut extract and beat again. Scrape down sides of bowl.With mixer on low - medium speed, add half the dry ingredients to the butter, alternating with half the milk and Coco Lopez, repeat, and scrape as needed between additions. Mix until batter is nice and smooth with no lumps, being careful not to over mix.Pour the batter into the prepared pans, or divide evenly between the cupcake tins.Bake round cake layers for 25 - 30 minutes, 9 X 13 - pan for 35 - 45 minutes, or until a pick comes out clean. Bake cupcakes for approximately 20 - 25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.Cool 9 X 13 - inch cake and cupcakes completely on wire racks before frosting or freezing. Cool round layers 10 minutes before loosening, then remove them from the pans, and cool completely.The cake, layers and cupcakes can be double wrapped in plastic and frozen for later use.Coconut Frosting Recipe1/2 pound solid shortening (1 cup)1/2 pound butter, room temperature (1 cup)1/4 cup marshmallow fluff1/4 cup Coco Lopez1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract, or vanilla extract2 lbs. confectioner's sugar, sifted (powdered sugar)1-2 Tbsp waterGarnish: 2 cups toasted coconutHow To Make Coconut FrostingUsi ng a high-speed mixer, cream shortening, butter, marshmallow fluff and Coco Lopez together using the beater attachment. Add coconut extract and beat until light and fluffy. If vanilla buttercream frosting is desired, substitute vanilla extract for the coconut, and omit Coco Lopez.Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating after each addition until smooth and there are no lumps left.Add water a little at a time until the frosting is of spreading consistency. Add more water if necessary. If by chance too much is added and the frosting is watery, just add a little more sugar and beat again.Frosting should be totally smooth with no lumps.How To Assemble & Decorate a 9-inch Round Coconut CakeSmear a good size dab of vanilla buttercream frosting on a flat, round, decorative serving plate. Place one round cake layer on top of the frosting and press lightly. Brush 1/4 cup Coco Lopez over the layer and let sink in a bit. Spread a t hick coat of frosting over this layer and place the second layer on top, pressing down lightly to seal. Brush with a small amount of Coco Lopez and allow to sit for a few minutes to penetrate the cake layer.Remove approximately 1 cup of frosting and place in a pastry bag fitted with a medium size star tip and set aside.Frost the sides and top of cake using an off-set spatula, making sure to seal all edges evenly.Pat toasted coconut all around the sides, pressing lightly to adhere. Save a small amount to garnish the top of the cake.Using the pastry bag, place 12 evenly spaced rosettes on the top of the cake.Refrigerate any leftovers. Cake and cupcakes can be double wrapped in heavy duty plastic wrap and frozen.How To Decorate CupcakesSpread the frosting over the tops of the cupcakes as desired, maybe with a slight twist of the wrist to form a swirl. Decorate with edible flowers, small edible rose petals and pa nsies for the ultimate chic-cupcake!Or, place the coconut frosting in a large pastry bag fitted with a large star or rosette tip.Starting close to the cupcake, firmly squeeze the bag and frosting through the tip in a round circular motion, finally swirling the frosting into a peak.Sprinkle tops with toasted coconut if desired.Makes one 9 X 13 - inch cake, one thick 9-inch double layer round cake, or 24 - 30 cupcakes depending on the size. The recipes for Coconut Cake and Vanilla Buttercream Frosting can be halved to make and decorate one 8 X 8 - inch square cake or 12 cupcakes.

For more springtime cake and cupcake recipes, try the moist and stunning Red Velvet Cake and the spicy Homemade Carrot Cake, both with Cream Cheese Frosting or the Spice Cake with Penuche Frosting.

http://suite101.com/coconut-cake-recipe-buttercream-frosting-a105055

Honda Introduces HSS Series Snow Blowers | Reuters

Exceptional performance and ease of operation for residential and commercial consumersModels manufactured at Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc. (HPE) in Swepsonville, NC

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Aug. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Honda Power Equipment today introduced its all-new HSS Series of premium snow blowers for North American and European markets. Designed with an emphasis on quality, reliability, and ease of use, the new HSS724A, HSS928A and HSS1332A two-stage models deliver superior performance and enhanced control and handling for both residential and commercial users.

The all-new HSS Series products are being manufactured domestically at Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc. (HPE) in Swepsonville, NC, using domestic and globally sourced parts, allowing for increased flexibility to meet customer demand. Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in North Carolina and Honda R&D Co., Ltd., in Japan collaborated to design and develop the all-new HSS snow blowers, integrating a host of innovative design elements that contribute to simplicity of operation, superior snow removal and exceptional qualityall with a central focus on performance that delivers.

buffalo ny snow plowing

Ten all-new U.S. HSS snow blower models, each equipped with dramatic enhancements, are replacing the existing HS Series snow blower model counterparts. Key features include:

Finger Tip Steering Control conveniently located hand lever controls allows for easy maneuvering, and disengagement of transmission for easy movement when not powered (all models)Hydrostatic Transmission (HST) far superior than traditional disk drive; provides single-lever variable speed control when operating in forward or reverse (all models) Joystick Electric Chute Control single joystick control (4-directions) provides precision control of chute rotation and discharge angle; directly powered by the engine's power coil; no battery required (all models)DC Electric Start no extension cord necessary; easy starting with the on-board battery, which is automatically charged by the engine (all electric start models)Blower Diameter Increased for increased snow removal speed and discharge distanceHSS724A increased from 252 to 300 mm (11.8 inches) over previous modelHSS928Aincreased from 300 to 340 mm (13.4 inches) over previous modelHSS1332A increased from 300 to 340 mm (13.4 inches) over previous modelChamfered Scraper Bar design allows for edge of scraper to hit snow and ice patches flush and evenly for improved snow clearing to the pavement (all models)LED Headlight integrated into cover for improved night visibility; brighter, long lasting, and never burns out (all models)Auger Height Lever adjustable gas strut to raise/lower and position the entire auger housing precisely, providing prefect ground clearance over gravel or non-smooth surfaces. (all track models)Wheel Diameter increased to 14" diameter with directional tread for more ground contact and improved traction (all wheel models)Oil Drain location improved for easier access (all models)Offset Blower Shear Bolt unique design that provides for quick replacement and protects both auger and blower from damage (all models)Auger Protection System protects the shear bolts (HSS1332 models only)Hour Meter monitors hours of operation (HSS1332 models only)Precision Deflector Chute double-articulated deflector improves distance accuracy control (HSS1332AATD model only)Impeller Shield optimized to more efficiently direct snow into the blower (all models)Reversible Skid Shoes increased durability, offering twice the wear surface (all models)3-Year Commercial and Residential Warranty (all HSS models)

When it comes to snow throwing distance, the all-new Honda HSS snow blowers boast superior performance.Lightweight, right-sized GX engines, providing reliable power and quick starts, a pulley size optimized for top speed of the impeller, and an impeller wing positioned at 90 degrees for increased efficiency all work to contribute to increased snow throwing capability for each model.

"Snow removal is a tough job, and Honda engineers developed the all-new HSS Series snow blowers with an eye on both the residential customer and the commercial operator," said Scott Conner, senior vice president, Honda Power Equipment."Honda has incorporated a number of advanced features into the design of the HSS models to put more power behind the job of blowing snowresulting in enhanced performance and ease of use."

The Power Behind the Product

At the heart of every Honda snow thrower is a world-renowned, easy-starting engine that delivers smooth, quiet, reliable 4-stroke power and low emission levels.The new HSS724A, HSS928A, and HSS1332A models are powered by Honda GX Series Enginesthe 200cc GX200 overhead valve (OHV) engine, the 270cc GX270 OHV engine, and 390cc GX390 OHV engine respectively.The mid-sized GX200 model is a single-cylinder, horizontal-shaft engine equipped with a number of design enhancements, including a new carburetor chamber coating; an improved recoil rope design; and an added carburetor filterall of which help improve its fuel efficiency, reliability and durability.Larger GX270 and GX390 engines feature a rugged OHV design, an advanced combustion chamber design, variable ignition timing, and an increased compression ratioall working to ensure a high level of durability and reliability, increased power output, and fuel efficiency.In addition, the new HSS724AWD, HSS724ATD, HSS928AWD, HSS928ATD, and HSS1332ATD models incorporate an on-board battery for electric start capability.

The new Honda HSS snow blowers have a standard three-year warranty for residential and commercial use, and all models meet all current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission standards.These new snow throwers will be available nationally through Honda Power Equipment dealers starting September 1, 2015.

Hi-res product photography is available for download at www.hondanews.com.

The Honda Power Equipment logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5627.

Editor's Notes:

Honda Power Equipment, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outdoor power equipment, including outboard marine engines, general purpose engines, generators, lawnmowers, pumps, snow blowers, tillers and trimmers for commercial, rental and residential applications. Its comprehensive product line consists exclusively of 4-stroke engines.

Information for media regarding Honda products is available at www.hondanews.com.

Consumer information, including model overviews and updates, video clips, and complete specifications regarding Honda products, is available at www.honda.com, www.powerequipment.honda.com, www.hondaengines.com, and www.hondamarine.com.

About Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing, Inc.

On August 6, 2014, Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc. (HPE) marked the 30th anniversary of operations at its Swepsonville, North Carolina facility by announcing a new $8.5 million investment in plant operations to innovate production processes and add new products to its manufacturing lines, including two-stage snow blowers and generator models. Less than one year after this announcement, HPE celebrated the start of production of the all-new HSS Series two-stage snow blower line with a ceremony at its operation on June 9, 2015.

The 375,000 square-foot facility, which houses both Honda power equipment production and R&D operations, has long served as a major producer of Honda power equipment products for worldwide distribution, with the capacity to produce upwards of two million premium-quality Honda power equipment products each year.In 2013 alone, more than 400,000 North Carolina-made Honda power equipment products were exported to overseas markets, marking a record for the company. Honda's total investment in its Swepsonville operations is nearly $250 million.

The Swepsonville plant, which today employs more than 600 associates, has produced more than 30 million products using domestic and globally sourced parts during its 30-year history. HPE is the largest manufacturing operation in Alamance County, which also serves as home to Honda Aero in Burlington, maker of the HondaJet HF120 turbofan engines. Additional Honda operations based in North Carolina include Honda Aircraft Company in Greensboro, maker of the HondaJet advanced light jet, and American Honda Finance Company in Charlotte, which provides financing to consumers who buy Honda products.Honda total employment in North Carolina is nearly 3,000.

Today, HPE is the sole global production source for all Honda GC and GCV general-purpose engines and all Honda single-stage snow blowers.HPE provides these products vital tools for residential and commercial users to customers around the world.

HPE is supported by a network of suppliers that provide integral components for manufacturing.Currently, 155 domestic and international suppliers work with HPE; 45 of those suppliers are based in North Carolina.HPE has purchased nearly $500 million in parts from North Carolina suppliers, and the company will continue to work closely with the local community as the Honda business grows.

The Honda power product research and development team also is based at the HPE campus, where most lawn mower, snow blower and several general-purpose engines are designed and developed.Originally based in Ohio, the Honda power product R&D team moved to North Carolina in 1993 to be closer to power product manufacturing.As a result, Honda has greater synergies between development and production teams.

CONTACT: Media Contact / For more information: Steve Kinkade, Honda Public Relations American Honda Motor Company, Inc. 313.202.3156 phone steve_kinkade@ahm.honda.com

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/17/idUSnGNX84QYzJ+1cd+GNW20150817

http://www.westernplows.com/

How to replace snowthrower shear bolts

A first time owner can be frustrated by need for snowthrower shear bolts. The snowthrower shear bolts secure the snowthrower auger to the clearing blade. If the snow clearing blade gets caught on something the snowthrower shear bolts break to preventing damage to the drive cylinder and the snowthrower engine. Unfortunately, the shear bolts need to be replaced before the snowthrower will work again. Replacing snowthrower shear bolts for the first time is not easy if you are unfamiliar with the process. A little preparation can make a lot of difference if you have a broken snowthrower in with a half plowed driveway.

The first thing any snow thrower owner should do is to make sure that they have extra shear bolts. You never know when they will break and you do not want to be stranded in the middle of a snow storm without your snowthrower working. The type/measurement of your snowthrower shear bolts can be found in the owner manual or manufacturer's web site. Snowthrower shear bolts can typically be purchased from a local hardware store. You can also buy snowthrower shear bolts online in bulk and save them for later use. For homeowners with gravel driveways, extra shear bolts are always a good idea.

Things You Will NeedSnowthrower

Replacement shear bolts

Hole punch or Screwdriver

Hammer

Wrench

Step 1It can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have broken a snowthrower shear bolt. If you suddenly start having trouble clearing snow, you stop to decide if you have a broken shear bolt. First get the machine to a covered area like a garage or porch. You need a dry area to work on your machine as well as one that is warm enough to take off your gloves.Step 2

Turn off the snowthrower. If you have an electric snowthrower, unplug the machine. If your snowthrower is gas-powered, unplug the spark plug. You do not want the snowthrower accidentally starting while you are working on the machine.

Step 3Now clear the snow from the snow clearing or auger blade. If there are branches or a rock stuck in the blade, they need to be removed. After the blade free of all obstructions, check to see if the blade spins free from the driver cylinder. If it does spin, one or more shear bolts have broken off and will need to be replaced.

Step 4

Rotate the snowthrower auger to line up to holes in the drive cylinder. The holes can be difficult to line up without strong light or if the old snowthrower shear bolts are still stuck in the drive cylinder. If the old bolts are still stuck in the drive, use a hammer and punch to knock the old bolts out of the drive cylinder.

https://snowclearbuffalo.wordpress.com/

Step 5

Insert new snowthrower shear bolts into the auger and through the cylinder. Screw the nut into place and make sure it is tight. Try rotating the auger blade again and now it should resist movement because of the drive cylinder. Plug your machine back in and start it back up. If the snow blade rotates with the drive cylinder you are ready to start clearing snow again.

Tips & Warnings

Never use a normal bolt as a snowthrower shear bolt. If something get stuck in your snowthrower blade and the bolt does not break, result can not only damage the snowthrower but harm the operator.

http://www.infobarrel.com/How_to_replace_snowthrower_shear_bolts

Buying a House Means More Than Just a House Payment

The All American Dream is to own a home of your own. Many people think that paying rent is a waste of money. But when you do buy a house, you have more expenses than when you rent that many people do not consider. The monthly house payment may be similar to your rent payment but you will have utilities that may have been included in your rent payment. When you own a home, you have utility bills, garbage and water bills. You either have to do your lawn work and snow removal, or have it hired out which is another expense. Also, you have to have money saved for unexpected expenses and regular upkeep and repairs. When you rented, if something went wrong you could call the landlord. Now it is up to you to either fix it or you have to hire someone to do it. While renting the landlords were responsible for updating the carpet and painting. Now that is your responsibility. There will also be increased insurance expenses.

When you buy, in most cases you need a down payment besides your monthly mortgage payments. It is recommended to have as high a down payment as you can. If you do not put 20% down, you will have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). In recent years, in many cases people have been able to get a mortgage without having to put any or very little money down.

It is recommended if you are thinking of buying a house, to put that amount of your anticipated monthly mortgage payment away, while you are still paying rent. If you can do this consistently for 6 months or so, you should be able to afford your mortgage payment.

Many people end up in homes they cant afford when the beginning payments are too easy. In some cases, there are interest only mortgages. That in the first years you pay only interest on the mortgage. In these cases, you do not build any equity and in some cases when the market goes down, the value of your house could go down and you end up owing more on your house than it is worth. When this happens and you have to sell for some reason you would then have to come up with the difference.

A couple may think they can afford the house because they can make the payments but if something happens that they lose one of the incomes then they get into trouble. Experts say that younger people are living in homes and own cars that took their parents 30 years to afford.

So while owning a home is a great thing, it is also important to make sure you can afford it, so it does become a dream instead of a nightmare.

Author's Bio:

Nancy Kvamme started In the Black Money Coaching to help others learn to handle their finances better. She feels it is very important to also teach children the importance of Financial Literacy. She can help you set up a budget and spending plan, and ways to make you money go further. Also, money saving tips and ideas.

snow plowing service buffalo ny

in-theblack.net

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/buying-a-house-means-more-than-just-a-house-payment

Summer Jobs for 16 Year Olds

Summer is undoubtedly, a great time to go for a vacation, have parties and enjoy your holiday. But it is also a great time to earn a few extra bucks for yourself by doing summer jobs. Once high school is over and you are preparing for college, you have to think about paying your own college fees. Getting into the habit of working and earning on your own, surely helps in the future. There are many good things you learn with these summer jobs. They help you do something for others, keep you busy, teach responsibility and pay you enough to pull off your own expenses. So, if you are getting so many things by putting some extra effort which will pay you eventually, why not do it?

Good Jobs for Summer Vacations

snow plowing service and removal buffalo ny

16 year olds don't have to wear suits and sit in meetings giving opinions to the board! At this age, all you have to do is, think about earning while you learn. Considering that you are still a student and have to complete college with good grades so, someday you will sit in board meetings and for now, you can start from scratch! Thus, summer jobs are generally part-time jobs or just for a few hours, so you don't need to ask dad for allowance. To help you, we have compiled a few job options, which you can choose from.

Customer Service at Stores

There are many grocery and hardware stores which need youngsters to provide services like bagging and packing for their customers. Thus, you can start by going hunting to such stores and requesting them to help you out. Most of the grocery stores around America offer customer service jobs like these to 16 year olds, as during summers, many of their staff members go for a vacation. Thus, to fill in for them, stores give young boys and girls a chance, as a part-time or even a full-time job.

Babysitting

The most famous and well-known profession meant for 15 and 16 year olds is babysitting. This is one of the easiest jobs and you could get paid for it on hourly basis. All you need for this job is a good reputation, availability and parents who need babysitters. With this job, you can do your own work while watching the baby, it is a convenient and part-time job and you can get paid with a good amount of money. Once the parents start trusting your work, they will keep asking for your service. These are very convenient summer jobs for high school students.

Tutor

Another great summer job is to tutor kids younger than you. If you enjoy studying as well as teaching someone, you can offer your services to children below your age group or those who need a good teacher. For such teaching jobs, you have to tutor someone at home, so, you get a peaceful environment, facilities to teach and it is not very hectic for a part-time job as well. The most common subjects that teens need help with are math, science, foreign languages and English. Since, you are a 16 year old and have experience of studying these subjects, you might like to teach someone younger than you.

Library Shelver

Even though, you don't like to read much, a library can help you with your summer job! Libraries often need help with sorting out books, arranging them in order, alphabets, subjects and categories in their respective shelves. They also need young boys and girls who can climb and are active with working under these circumstances. Hence, you can definitely look for a part-time summer job for 16 year olds in a library.

Summer Camps

If you love kids, there is another job which you would love to do, and that is working at a summer camp. Summer camp jobs are very interesting and fun, as you have to keep a close watch on the kids, take care of their habits and make sure they are safe. Helping your superiors around the camp area is also one of the job criteria. In short, it is kind of babysitting at summer camps and this job is full-time for the duration of the camp. Doesn't that sound fun?

Some other part-time jobs for 15 and 16 year olds can be;

Sales In restaurants Car washer Gift Wrapping Writing Cashier Lawn mowing Gardening Dog Walking Snow Shoveling Paper boy/girl With these multiple and interesting summer jobs, you must have found something that you would like to do! Thus, take up a summer job and collect that extra cash, as it is a great feeling to hold that first check in your hands.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/summer-jobs-for-16year-olds.html

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Highway/snow/snowplow.html

Mario Williams plows Kelly's driveway, delivers food to snowed in neighbors

Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams has become a hero to many stuck in the Buffalo, New York snowpocalypse. Most of the city is snowed in with a blanket of up to six feet of snow. One person can get out of his driveway now though thanks to Mario Williams. According to CBS Sports on Wednesday, Williams came to the rescue of NFL great Jim Kelly and plowed the snow from his driveway.

snow plowing service buffalo ny

Williams didn't stop there either. Williams is a native of North Carolina and is understandably not used to the unforgiving winters of upstate New York. When Williams signed on to the Buffalo Bills for a record six year contract, he did what any level-headed NFL star would do. He bought a big truck and a Caterpillar plow.

Once the snow stopped falling in Buffalo, Williams started digging out. After he freed himself of the heavy snow, he plowed out Mr. Kelly. Then Williams began plowing others from the wrath of the snow.

Williams documented his one man snow plow operation on Instagram. You can see the defensive end in his Tundra with a Buffalo Bills Helmet on. He's listening to "Eye of the Tiger" as he plows the mean streets of Buffalo. Williams didn't stop at just removing the snow. He's delivering breakfast as well. Williams captioned his video with the comment:

"Just made some moves for the neighbors! Delivered milk, eggs, bacon and cereal gas. Anyone about to go into labor??? No matter rain, sleet or SNOW lets GO! #ineverbreakcharacter #mrdelivery."

Mario Williams has become a local hero after plowing Jim Kelly's driveway and the driveways of many neighbors. He is receiving a good amount of praise on Instagram and other social media outlets. Williams has also gained national attention for his heroic efforts and for the stylish way that he delivered.

http://www.examiner.com/article/mario-williams-plows-kelly-s-driveway-delivers-food-to-snowed-neighbors

http://www.chicagosnowremovalservices.com/

Brazed Heat Exchanger, Radiant Heat Exchanger And Plate Chiller Applications

There are many choices available for radiant heat exchanger or brazed heat exchanger applications. These can be used also for plate chiller units as well. There are a variety of connection sizes and models to choose from.

Common uses could also include household hot water heat exchangers, hydronic heating, radiant heat exchanger, and for ice and snow removal. Additionally they are used to cool off hot liquids flowing through the plates.

Brazed heat exchanger units are also called water to hot water heat exchangers. Often they will be used for plate chiller applications. These plates perform by taking the heat out of liquid as it flows through the unit or by adding heat to a liquid in the same manner.

In addition to heat transfer abilities of these units, the state of the art design brazed heat exchanger units offer the ability to operate in extreme temperatures of both hot and cold and at high flow levels in a very compact design. Plate chiller applications allow warm liquid to flow in and chilled liquid to flow out.

The compact design of the brazed heat exchanger and radiant heat exchanger units together with the corrosion resistant design and self descaling plate pattern make for high performance ratings on these units. Plate chiller applications are just one of several uses for this type of unit.

Brazed heat exchanger units are compact units that offer a wide variety of connection sizes which will allow for many different applications. Additionally, plate chiller units can be purchased in a variety of models which will cover many of your heating or cooling needs.

Radiant heat exchanger units are also used for outdoor wood furnaces, stoves and boilers to provide heated water into a residence. Cold water is sent into one side and hot water is retrieved from the other side.

Plate chiller applications rely on the same type of liquid flow and thermal heat transfer to cool the hot liquid being sent into the unit. Using the radiant heat exchanger unit, they take in the hot liquid on one side and send out cooled liquid on the other side.

The technology used in the brazed heat exchanger units includes several corrugated steel plates which are stacked one on top of another then vacuum brazed together. Radiant heat exchanger units use a snow plowing service series of non-intersecting parallel channels through which water or other liquid flows and uses thermal transfer to heat or cool the liquid running through.

Radiant heat exchanger units, brazed heat exchanger units or plate chiller units allow for the rapid cooling or heating of liquid using standard technology in a different way. They provide maximum effect with minimal pressure drop while the liquid is flowing through the unit.

About the Author:

Brazetek is one of the leading suppliers of efficient, compact and low cost brazed plate heat exchangers. These high quality heat exchangers can be used for a variety of applications including radiant heating, ice and snow melt applications, outdoor wood furnace heating, boiler heating, solar heating and domestic hot water heating, and many other domestic heating needs. Visit www.brazetek.com for more information.

http://www.articlesnatch.com/blog/Brazed-Heat-Exchanger--Radiant-Heat-Exchanger-And-Plate-Chiller-Applications/2777008

Business Liability for Snow and Ice Removal | Brad Reid

There are numerous slip and fall lawsuits resulting from snow and ice Snow Plowing Services on business premises. This comment briefly discusses each of three legal standards that may apply, depending upon the jurisdiction.

The "Natural Accumulation Rule" states that snow and ice are not created by the business owner and are not defective property conditions. Hence, the business owner has no responsibility to remove it and is not liable for injuries caused by slips or falls on it. A very limited exception to this rule applies if there has been a long passage of time during which snow has been compacted to ice. However, applying salt, shoveling, or plowing in and of themselves do not impose liability on the business owner.

The "Storm-in-Progress Rule" mandates that a business owner need only begin snow or ice removal after a reasonable time has passed from the end of a storm. A jury determines when the storm ended and if the injured individual slipped on un-removed "old" snow from a prior storm or "new" snow from a current storm. A reasonable care standard applies to the action of removing snow and ice.

The "Reasonable Care Rule" simply states that at all times a business owner must exercise reasonable care in addressing snow and ice. A jury decides if reasonable care exists. Snow and ice under this standard are no different than any other spill that should be cleaned-up. Even if the snow and ice are clearly visible, the business owner must act if an injury may be anticipated.

Business owners should utilize experienced legal counsel to determine what legal standard applies in their state. There may be local and state regulations that mandate snow and ice removal as well as safety signage. A business should not http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Winter-Storm-Watch-First-major-snow-for-mountain-passes-this-week-343914092.html have drainage systems that add to ice accumulation. Additionally an insurance professional may address the appropriate form of liability insurance for the business.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-reid/business-liability-for-sn_b_6245770.html

Shovel Snow to Burn Calories, do an Aerobic Workout, Lose Weight

Most experts on health and fitness agree that we should strive for 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily. That means there are several benefits associated with snow shoveling: exercise, fresh air, and the accomplishment of a needed task! The downside is that the medical community reports an increase in the number of heart attacks, injuries from falls and back injuries after major snow events. To safely accomplish the snow removal with the benefits of exercise requires some attention to safety and a healthy dose of common sense.

snow plowing service buffalo ny

Here in Minnesota, it has snowed 17 of last 21 days. Granted, it has been only 1/2 to 1 on most days. But the decks, paths to bird feeders and the slab in front of the garage should be cleaned every day. It takes about 30 minutes to remove up to an inch of snow from those spaces in this yard.

Calories Burned Shoveling Snow

According to the Harvard Medical School, a 155 pound person will burn 223 calories in 30 minutes of shoveling snow. Compare this to 205 calories for 30 minutes of low-impact aerobics or 149 calories for 30 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Shoveling snow is roughly comparable to weight lifting. A 155 pound person lifting weights for 30 minutes will burn 112 calories, half of that used shoveling snow.

Shoveling snow for 30 minutes per day burned an additional 3791 calories in the last 3 weeks (223 calories times 17 days of snow). A person needs to burn 3500 calories to lose one pound, so a pound should be gone! The Mayo Clinic provides much information on weight loss the healthy way, by increasing exercise and decreasing calorie intake.

Walking behind a snow blower consumes 167 calories in 30 minutes for the same 155 pound person, according to Harvard Medical School.

How to Dress for Strenuous Outdoor Activity

When preparing for snow shoveling, it's important to wear the proper attire:

Always wear a hat and gloves to keep your head and hands warm, prevent body heat loss.Dress in layers. As the body warms up from activity, a layer such as sweater under the winter coat may be removed. Hyperthermia lowering of body temperature is a threat to those not dressed properly for the outdoor conditions.In northern parts of the US and in Canada, it is normal for the temperatures to plunge after a snowstorm, often to sub-zero temperatures. Breathing very cold air can be damaging to lungs. If the air is bitterly cold, wearing a scarf or a facemask over the mouth and nose can help warm the air before it is inhaled.Tips for Safe Snow Shoveling

A prepared body tends to function more efficiently," explains Jude Sullivan, an exercise physiologist at University of Wisconsin Health Sports Medicine who occasionally works to help rehabilitate patients who've injured themselves shoveling snow. "A few minutes of warm-up before shoveling can go a long way toward preventing muscle injuries, as well as reduce the soreness one may experience hours later," according to Sullivan.

Use the techniques for safe lifting. Bend the knees, keep the back straight. Lift with the legs, not the back. Do not curl over the shovel, stand and walk straight. If possible, push the snow rather than lifting each shovel full.Watch for icy patches, especially if the snow began as rain or sleet.Pace yourself! There should not be a contest to see who on the block can clear the sidewalk the fastest. Take a break when out of breath, feeling tired or feeling any pain. Begin slowly.Stay hydrated. Bring a bottle of water outside to make this easier.Do some warm-ups and stretches before beginning to reduce the risk of muscle injuries. When the task is finished, stretch again to cool the muscles down.Try out several shovels in the store to find one that is comfortable to use and not too heavy. Bigger is not necessarily better. A wider blade will encourage people to scoop up more snow at a time, which increases the weight of each load. Find a handle that fits well curved or straight. Do some shoveling in the store aisle to find a comfortable shovel.Shovel Snow Safely to Remove Snow, Burn Calories and Obtain Moderate Exercise

With attention to safety and proper techniques, shoveling snow can be a rewarding form of moderate exercise and a good method of burning calories.

http://suite101.com/shovel-snow-to-burn-calories-do-an-aerobic-workout-lose-weight-a328862

http://snowremoval.com/

Snow Blower Comparisons - Toro vs Craftsman vs Troy-Built

If your snow blowing needs are light and you will only need the snow blower for a walk way, porch or desk area you wont be disappointed with the Toro Power Shovel. This light weight and easy to use snow blower is inexpensive and can clear an area of up to twelve feet.

It will throw the snow up to twenty feet really clearing away the area. It can also be converted to a broom and used to clear leaves and other yard debris. It is well worth the cost when you only have a small snow area to clear.

Another option in the snow blowers comparison is the Toro Power Clear 210R. This snow blower is better for moderate snow coverage. It is gas powered, but unlike other snow blowers that are gas powered it is lightweight.

It comes with a two year warranty and has a clearing range of 21 inches. Again, it works best for moderate snow fall, so keep in mind this unit can only work on paved surfaces and will not clear snow deeper than eight inches.

It is newer to the snowblower market, but works well if used with the models specifications in mind. If you are not sure about the Toro Power Clear 210R, but know that you want snow blowers for moderate snow here is another option in the snow blowers comparison.

The Craftsman 88957 is a well priced snowblower Snow Removal that works on both paved and gravel surfaces. It has a 24 inch clearing space with a single hand operation function. This means that you can steer the machine with one hand and adjust he blower with the other.

It comes highly rated by many different consumer groups. Finally in this snow blower comparison we have the Troy-Built Storm 3090 XP. This snow blower is great for bigger snow blowing jobs.

This is a bulky and heavier snow blower than some of the other options in this review, but it gets the job done. It comes with heated hand grips, an electric push button starter, and power steering. It also has a powerful engine and a headlight. It can clear a lot of snow very quickly.

http://www.infobarrel.com/Snow_Blower_Comparisons_-_Toro_vs_Craftsman_vs_Troy-Built

New Hampshire snow plow driver chases alleged shoplifter from Wal-Mart lot

EPPING, N.H. - A snow plow driver in New Hampshire says she did her part to help a police officer who was trying to capture a fleeing shoplifting suspect, reports CBS Boston.

Laura Barker was clearing snow at a Wal-Mart parking lot in Epping, N.H. during Thursdays snowstorm when something caught her eye.

I saw an officer hiding at the doors waiting for somebody so I just kind of kept doing my job, kept an eye on him, make sure everything was going smoothly, Barker told the station.

The officer was reportedly waiting for Joshua Peno who was believed to be shoplifting in the store.

But Barker says while the officer was escorting Peno to a squad car, Peno ran.

Thats when Barker jumped into the fray, following the 22-year-old suspect in an attempt to keep him from leaving the scene of the crime.

The officer and Peno ended up wrestling each other to the ground, but Peno got free again and headed for a getaway car, according to the station.

Barker followed in her snow plow, trying to block the suspect's vehicle, but lost the trail at a nearby intersection.

Still, she feels that she did her part to help.

Us plow guys were just out here doing our job and when you see an officer on the ground, it was a little disconcerting to see that, said Barker.

Police say Peno was eventually arrested and charged with a number of crimes.

2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-hampshire-snow-plow-truck-driver-chases-alleged-shoplifter/

snow plowing service and removal buffalo ny href=''>

Boston buried in snow; new storm for Northeast

Bostonians have had it up to their eyeballs with the winter of 2015.

"I can't believe this is my neighborhood. It's wild," Amy McHugh of Weymouth, Massachusetts, told CNN affiliate WCVB-TV. "I keep telling the kids, 'You're going to be telling your kids about this.' It's unimaginable."

Not only unimaginable, but record-setting.

"It's only been 14 days, and we've gotten 70 to 80 inches of snow around the commonwealth," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "This is pretty much unprecedented.

"If I've learned one thing over the course of the past two weeks, it's (that) Mother Nature makes the rules," Baker said.

By Monday evening, the system had dumped an additional 22-plus inches on Boston, pushing it into the city's Top 5 for February snowstorms.

The 30-day total is even more impressive. At a fraction under 72 inches, it set a record. In an average year, the city gets 47 inches of snow.

Cesar Moya, 60, died after a plowing truck struck him Monday afternoon in Medford, Massachusetts, the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said. Moya was struck in a parking lot while leaving work after completing a shift at a market. He died from his injuries at a hospital.

"The circumstances surrounding what occurred are still being examined," the district attorney's office said in a statement. "However, due to the unprecedented weather we are all experiencing, it bears saying that we all need to be mindful of public safety issues as we navigate sidewalks, parking lots, and roads."

Even more snow could fall before the weekend. The National Weather Service is keeping close watch on a new storm that could bring between 3 and 6 additional inches of snow to the Boston area Thursday and Friday.

"I'd welcome a 6-inch storm at this point," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh quipped.

It's enough to drive some folks a bit stir crazy.

One Boston resident used the hashtag #getmeoutofhere to describe his feelings.

Tuesday's priority, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, was to assist cities https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC809d2CE2c_GO-ePkXRizbA with digging out.

The state agency will help cities move snow to snow farms or, in some cases, into rivers, spokesman Peter Judge told CNN.

"Everyone's been working full-bore for that last three weeks," Judge said, referring to the trucks removing as much snow as possible.

Eastern Massachusetts is running out of places to put all the white stuff.

There's so much snow that cities have been given permission to dump it in Boston Harbor, which is usually a no-no. The city is melting 430 tons of snow per hour, Walsh said.

School's out (again)Schools in parts of the Northeast, including Boston, were closed again Tuesday.

Walsh said students haven't had a full week of classes in three weeks.

They'll run out of snow days soon if the weather doesn't let up.

Schools in the Pentucket Regional School District, north of Boston, will remain closed the rest of the week. The superintendent cited the "frequency and intensity of recent storms, another potentially major storm brewing for Thursday and Friday, and the already high levels of snow on the roofs of schools" as factors.

Travel is a messBoston remains under a snow emergency and parking ban. Cars left on city streets were being ticketed and towed to make room for snowplows.

The string of storms is taking a toll on city coffers.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, known as the T, has suspended all rail services through the end of Tuesday. Limited bus service will be running.

However, air travel across the Northeast should improve. Boston has already exceeded its $18.5 million snow removal budget, and spent about $30 million -- most of it in the last 17 days, Walsh said.

More than 2,880 flights into and out of the United States were canceled Sunday and Monday, mostly because of the storm. By Tuesday afternoon, nearly 250 flights had been scrubbed, according to FlightAware.com.

Boston's Logan International Airport remained open during the storm, but most flights were canceled Monday.

Courts are closedThe weather forced a couple of big Massachusetts trials to be delayed.

The murder trial of former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez has been pushed back to Wednesday, and the same goes for jury selection in the trial of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Coping with the snowFolks in the Northeast are known for being tough, but three snowstorms in three weeks is wearing a bit thin.

"It's kind of depressing sometimes," Jesus Cora of Nashua, New Hampshire, told CNN affiliate WMUR-TV.

"It's really depressing, you know?" Boston University freshman Cameron Barkan said, expressing the same sentiment.

"I'm tired of it," said Barkan, who has missed three days of class because of the storms. "I usually like snow, but this is just a little much."

CNN's Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/us/northeast-snow/

buffalo ny snow plowing

http://www.hsnowremoval.com/

Crystal Dwyer Board Certified Life Coach and Hypnotherapist, Chopra Certified in Meditation

Life Coaching, Hypnotherapy, Mediation, EFT and NLP Expert

Crystal Dwyer Quick Facts Main Areas: Life Coaching, Hypnotherapy, EFT and NLP

Career Focus: Public Speaking - Transformational Seminars, Author, Life Coaching

Affiliation: Alliance For A New Humanity. National/Local Chapters People to People Ambassadors. Xavier College Preparatory Mother's Guild

Crystalis an author, speaker and highly skilled practitioner of Transformational Life Coaching. She graduated from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in the fields of Hypnotherapy and Life Coaching and is Board Certified.She is an expert practitioner of EFT and NLP. Shehas studied with masters of the healing arts, including a year and a half with the famous Chopra Center of Well Being, and is certified in meditation instruction.

Crystal has co-authored a book with self-help experts Jack Canfield and Bob Proctor titled 101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life - Volume II. Currently she is writing her own book and will be co-authoring a book with mind-science guru and author Doug Bench.

Using her unique and amazing techniques of Hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique and Meditation and Neuro-linguistic programming, her clients learn how to live life in the flow of abundance and goodness.

Her own personal and deeply spiritually intuitiveexperiences led her to pursue this path of healing, wellness and joy for herself. She feels this wisdom and the experiences have been a gift from God, and finds joy and gratification knowing others are benefitingfrom her expertise by moving out of confusion and pain into the joyful life path they deserve to be on.

Crystal has done extensive volunteer work, both in her community and in her children's schools, in addition to helping initiate organizations benefiting abused women and children. She is a financial supporter of numerous charities in her area, and has chaired large fundraising events to benefit the schools, sponsoring capital campaigns for improvements and tuition scholarships for disadvantaged children.

She believes the volunteer work and her profession as a former Real Estate Agent and model, has given her a vast understanding of people from many different walks of life.

Crystal is an outdoor enthusiast. She is an avid snow skier, water skier and loves to hike. Throughout her childhood, she was a devoted dancer.

Discover the breakthrough methods Crystal uses to bring Incredible, Life-changing success to people just like you. Self-confidence and Amazing Life Transformations can be yours starting today!Visit her Web site: http://www.crystaldwyer.com

"...Crystal's breakout sessions were tremendous!! Having had a large amount of experience as the student, and to a lesser degree as the teacher, in this type of setting, I was very impressed with Crystal's command of her subject(s), her awesome interaction with the participants in the audience, and her ability to provide a superior level of comfort for thosewho were brave enough to ask questions.

Additionally, Crystal's coaching style reminded me of my best teachers, professors, and seminar instructors that I have studied under in the past in school, college, university and seminar settings. Her compassion for people, her passion for the modalities that she has become an expert in, and her overall heartfelt attitude to see others have massive success in improving their way of life helps her message come across loud andclear"....Rick Reynolds -Phoenix, AZ

snow ploughing service

http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/crystal_dwyer.html

Snow plow caught on tape hitting cars Video

Now Playing: Video Shows Hit and Run Tragedy

Now Playing: Hit and Run Caught on Tape

Now Playing: Serious Hit and Run Caught on Tape

Now Playing: California Man Allegedly Forced Off Plane Due to Weight

Now Playing: Arrest Made in 'Unspeakable' Murder of 9-Year-Old Tyshawn Lee

Now Playing: 3 Officers Hurt in Colorado Springs Active Shooter Situation

Now Playing: See a Scary Near-Miss Highway Accident

Now Playing: Fence Jumper Forces 3-Hour Lockdown at White House

Now Playing: Dramatic Surveillance Video of Med Student Being Shot Fills in More Details

Now Playing: Woman Reunites With Driver Who Killed Her Mom in Message of Forgiveness

Now Playing: Thanksgiving By the Numbers

Now Playing: Behind The Scenes of Macy's Window Display

Now Playing: Hero Military Dog That Saved Unit in Afghanistan Is Getting Heroes of Her Own

Now Playing: Man Uses the Buffalo New York Snow Removal Force Against Armed Suspect Dressed as Darth Vader

Now Playing: Vietnam Vet's Dog Tags Returned After Backyard Discovery

Now Playing: Pre-Pardon Day for a Pair of Turkeys

Now Playing: Meet the Turkeys About to be Pardoned by President Obama

Now Playing: Graphic Video Shows Chicago Officer Shooting Teenager

Now Playing: Chicago Cop Who Allegedly Shot Teen Charged With Murder

http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/caught-tape-snow-plow-rams-car-9887537

Solar-powered 'smart' roads could zap snow, ice

An artist's conception of engineer Scott Bursaw's proposed solar roadway, which would resist ice and snow.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Engineers are developing high-tech road surfaces to melt snow, ice

Federally backed Idaho engineer pitches solar-powered road made of super-glass

Solar surfaces could power much of the nation, cut pollution, says inventor

Expert: Smart roads could be tried in downtown areas of snow-prone cities

(CNN) -- The snow removal services mayors of New York and Atlanta, Georgia, suffered stinging criticism for their handling of recent winter storms, but in the near future, technology could clear city streets of ice and snow -- by simply melting it away.

America's harsh winters cost the nation's economy billions of dollars each year in snow removal equipment, weather damage to streets and vehicles, extra days of school and revenue lost to closed businesses.

Scott Brusaw, a 53-year-old electrical engineer in tiny Sagle, Idaho, thinks he has a solution. So far, he's generated interest from the federal government and General Electric in his idea for a solar-powered roadway made from super-strong glass, instead of conventional asphalt or concrete.

"I'm looking out the window now at about a foot of snow, so if we can make it work here, we can make it work anywhere in the country," Brusaw said. "I'm hoping this spring we'll start laying the foundation for it right outside our building here."

Solar cells inside its glass surface would allow the roadway to act as a giant solar power generator, fueling embedded heating elements and making plows and other snow removal equipment unnecessary.

Are you snowed in? Share your stories, photos and videos

The heating elements would work "like in the rear window of your car," said the inventor, who intends to experiment with temperature settings during the next stages of the development process.

Electricity generated by the highway could be used to recharge electric vehicles and to power lights and LED warning signs along the road itself.

In fact, Brusaw believes that solar roadways -- if widely accepted -- could eventually generate clean electricity around the world, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and saving the planet from global climate change.

Marrying pavements with buildings

Brusaw is not alone in his quest to build a smarter road surface. On the other side of the country, at Massachusetts' Worcester Polytechnic Institute, civil engineer Rajib Mallick has a vision of his own.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is trying to tap into the energy potential of asphalt.

With help from a grant from the National Science Foundation and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, he and a group of colleagues are working to develop stronger, heat-absorbing pavements.

One idea is to embed the pavement with half-inch pipes filled with a fluid that resists freezing. In warmer weather, sun-heated fluid is stored in an insulated chamber, where it stays hot. Then, in cold weather when it's needed, that hot fluid is sent through the pipes to melt ice and snow.

"Think about it, we have more than 3 million miles of highways exposed to sunlight, so if we can harness this energy, it's free, and you don't need photovoltaic solar cells," said Mallick.

In the summer, the system could link parking lots to adjacent buildings, Mallick said, transferring heat from the asphalt to water tanks in adjacent buildings, which would save electricity.

Solar road panels would include glass layers, solar power cells, heating elements and LED road markers.

"We have to stop thinking of pavements as separate from buildings," he said. "They can depend on each other as parts of a efficient system to cut energy use and costs and move toward construction of environmentally sustainable buildings and pavement."

Even a warm weather city like Miami, Florida, could benefit from temperature-regulated pavements. The Worcester project estimates that every 50 meters of pipe embedded in Miami pavement would cost $12,500 to construct, $1,000 a year to maintain and would yield enough annual energy from its heat to power 55 homes for a month.

In six years, the smart pavement would pay for itself in energy production and savings, according to research by Mallick and his colleagues.

Smart pavements offer potentially impressive savings in other ways. Alaska spends an estimated $1,600 per mile on annual repairs to ruts in roadways. Controlling the pavement temperature can prevent much of this rutting damage, Mallick said.

Three FAQs that Brusaw gets

For Brusaw, the biggest opposition so far can be summed up in a word: "Change," he said. "It scares people, I think."

-- How can glass provide enough traction while supporting the weight, wear and tear of a conventional concrete or asphalt highway? Glass, especially when fused together in layers, is stronger than most people think, said Brusaw. He said he's joined forces with top glass researchers at University of Dayton and Penn State who can develop super-strong glass that would offer vehicles the traction they need.

-- How much would the solar highway cost? Brusaw calculates an estimated cost -- in great detail -- on his website. Short answer: each mile would cost $4.4 million. Payoff? A cleaner, self-sustaining highway that would eventually pay for itself in energy production and in other ways, he said.

-- Can the solar highway's surface collect enough sunlight when it's filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic? Yes, he says. Even when roadways are filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic, solar collection would be at 50 percent, he estimates.

Federal, state support

Building and maintaining "better, faster and smarter" roads to improve safety, increase taxpayer value and to remain competitive in the global economy are some of the reasons behind the Federal Highway Administration's commitment to innovation, said agency Administrator Victor Mendez.

Change ... it scares people, I think.

--Scott Brusaw, solar roadway inventor

The FHWA gave Brusaw a $100,000 contract and the agency is supporting other smart road research across the nation. Virginia Tech is looking at using machines called piezoelectric generators to convert the weight of truck traffic on pavements into energy that powers nearby lighting signals.

Another FHWA program at the University of Nebraska Lincoln will research how hybrid solar- and wind-based generators positioned along roadsides can power highway infrastructure -- and even send extra electricity to nearby communities.

However -- after ideas like these are perfected in laboratories -- the financial and political pathway to the real world will be tricky when state and federal budgets are severely limited, said Robert E. Lang, director of University of Nevada Las Vegas' Brookings Mountain West think tank.

"There aren't a lot of revenue sources to pay for this," said Lang. Justifying the cost of installing anti-snow smart roads would be easiest in areas of high population density, Lang said, where vehicles could be charged fees for the right to use them.

As for Brusaw, he hopes to win more private and federal support by demonstrating a new prototype smart-road parking lot to be finished in the spring.

His goal would be to partner with a high-profile national chain like McDonald's or Walmart to turn their conventional parking lots into solar-powered, interactive, temperature-controlled spaces where electric-vehicle owners can recharge their cars while they shop or drive across the country.

"The Federal Highway Administration told us they're not going to let us go out on the highway to start this," said Brusaw. "They told us to go into the parking lot first, prove your technology, perfect it and learn your lessons there -- which makes sense."

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/01/19/smart.roads/

Landscape Photography by Agnes celina

Very few of us are not inspired by majestic mountains, wide expanses of lush green grasses, fallen autumn leaves, sunsets or dewy glow on the land in the mornings. So, photographers thought that if human mind and heart is so pleased and attracted by these landscapes and scenes, then why not capture them and possess them. As this thought aroused interest, landscape photography emerged as a very fascinating hobby as well as career.

Landscape photographers try to pick up the feel and spirit of a scene, so that the person viewing it doesnt miss on the emotions part. Now, a lot of us are interested in how to compose these landscape photographs. Well, you might go about a few instructions and make your photography improved.

First of all, try picking a really good time to capture the scene. As mentioned earlier, the reddish sunsets tinged with yellows and oranges or the soft, cool glows in the early mornings, are examples of the best time to shoot, as they create very unique impressions in the photographs. Try capturing the sky with cloud build ups or the ground covered with scattered leaves to include feel into the snapshots.

Just because its landscape, it doesnt mean the photographs have to be horizontal all the times. In fact, you should go for the opportunity of changing the orientation to vertical whenever its possible or when you feel it would add to your variety without missing out on any element of the photograph.

In case, you use a telephoto lens, it is very hard to keep the camera very still for sharp, professional looking snapshots. In this situation go for a tripod and position it in such a manner that you dont let go of any central object. Also, try capturing an old tree or fencing or something that conveys a meaning to the viewer as it adds to your landscape shots worth and interest.

https://www.facebook.com/Buffalo-New-York-Snow-Plowing-and-Snow-Removal-658027424298532/

Photographs with high color saturation and contrast usually capture more attention of the viewer. For this effect, you could attach a polarizing filter so that you capture the finest of details in every photograph you take. This is usually very helpful when taking photographs that have all light tones or dark tones that you might fear would merge together and not stand out as separate items.

You should balance the light coming from all sources in your snapshot and try capturing most of the landscape both far and near. A tip for all of the interested ones out there is try shooting the same landscape in different seasons or at different times to add to your variety and observe patterns and changes. It could be very interesting to notice how a place looks at different times of the day and the year.

A common frustrating problem which occurs in photography is leveling. For this purpose, you use a tripod with a built in level, as unleveled snaps do not seem very appealing or professional. So good luck to you with your photography experience!

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/hobbies/article_2135.shtml

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Snow-Equipment-Snow-Plows/N-5yc1vZbxbo

9 Ways to Make Homemade Ice Melt

Quick Tip

Spread sand, bird seeds, or kitty litter across the driveway. The ice will melt, but sand and seeds won't. They will help you get a grip on the slippery and icy surface.

There are hundreds of commercial ice melt products and services available in the market today. They can work wonders to clean the ice off the streets, but they may leave residues, chemically attack concrete, and damage vegetation.

Apart from using professional ice melts, many people believe in cleaning the ice off the driveway in the traditional way. Using a snow shovel, the snow buildup can be scrapped off to clear the path. Like the simple shovel, snow blowers and other machines help you remove the ice. However, such ways need more physical energy, and hence, one may not carry out the process again and again.

Now, there is a simple solution to this problemmaking homemade snow melts with simple ingredients that can be easily found in your home. They are light on your pocket, and safe to use with pets around.

Homemade Solid Ice Melt

Salt

Salt is the most basic ice melt that you can find in your house. Spread the plain salt across the snow-covered area. Salt will spread through the ice layer. Ice will melt as salt lowers the freezing point of water. It is a perfect ice melt for your driveway without any added expense.

Fertilizer

Like salt, you can use fertilizers as an ice melt as well. You won't need to mix it with anything else. Spread the fertilizer across the snow-covered area. Ammonium sulfate, which is a common ingredient in fertilizers, works to accelerate the melting process. Using fertilizers as the ice melt will prove beneficial for your garden areas. However, they may not be a good idea for your driveways as once mixed with melting ice, it can flow into the sewers.

Baking Soda

All you need to http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/19/us/winter-weather/index.html do is sprinkle baking soda on the snow-covered path generously and wait for the ice to start melting. It contains sodium that lowers the freezing temperature of ice. However, you will need to make sure that you do not use the soda-sprinkled path immediately.

Homemade Liquid Ice Melt

Rock Salt + Water

You can use rock salt to melt the ice. Pour warm water in a bucket. Add rock salt crystals in it. Stir it occasionally till the salt crystals are completely dissolved. Pour the rock salt and water solution in a sprayer. Spray the solution over the unwanted snow on the driveway. The saturated force of the sprayer will penetrate through all the layers of the snow and melt it.

To prevent the reformation of ice, add calcium chloride in the solution in a 1:3 ratio of water used in the solution. Mix it well till calcium chloride dissolves. Pour the mixture in the sprayer and spray it over the driveway before the next expected snowfall. It will prevent any ice buildup in the sprayed area.

White Vinegar + Water

Add 1 part of white vinegar and mix it with 1 part of water. Stir the solution well, and pour it in a sprayer. Spray the solution on snow to melt it. However, you can add more vinegar in the solution if the snow is thick or taking a lot of time to melt. If you do not want to use the sprayer, you can directly pour the solution on the snow-covered area. You can use this ice melt for windshields as well.

Wood Ash + White Vinegar + Water

With these ingredients, you can make an ice melt that proves good for your plants as well. Collect 2 cups of wood ash from your fireplace. Pour it in a gallon of water, and let it sit overnight. Clear all the floating bits and pieces. Pour the mixture into another bucket; however, do not pour the sediment left at the bottom of the bucket. Add 2 cups of white vinegar in the mixture, and stir it well. Pour the mixture in a sprayer and spray it on the snow, which you want to melt. It will help you deice your sidewalks and walkways. Also, it does not allow new buildup of snow.

Rubbing Alcohol + Water

This one ingredient can be found in commercial ice melts, and in our houses too. Rubbing alcohol has a lower freezing point than water. You can simply pour it on the ice. It will help you break it up. However, you can mix it with water and spray it across the ice-covered area. The mixture is long-lasting that comes in handy in case of an ice-melting emergency. Spray it over your frosted windshield and car to melt the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq1by3meAC4 ice away.

Rubbing Alcohol + Liquid Dishwashing Detergent + Water

Here is a pet-friendly homemade ice melt. Take one quart of warm water and add 2 - 3 drops of dishwashing detergent and 1 ounce of rubbing alcohol to it. Mix the ingredients well, and pour the mixture in a sprayer. Spray it on the icy surface and watch the ice melt away.

Isopropyl Alcohol + Liquid Dishwashing Detergent

Here is a wondrous ice melt for windshields. Take a bottle of isopropyl alcohol with 70% or higher alcohol purity. Add 2 - 3 drops of liquid dishwashing detergent in it. Spray the mixture on icy windshields to clean them.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ways-to-make-homemade-ice-melt.html

Leaf and Snow Removal Tips | Reuters

MISSION, KS--(Marketwired - Sep 10, 2015) - (Family Features) Some people loathe the task of raking leaves and removing snow in the fall and winter months, with perfectly good reason. A bad back, or the fear of throwing out a perfectly good one, can be a hindrance when it comes to keeping up with your yard and driveway.

Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to help keep your pastures green and concrete jungle clear.

Ergonomic options

Recognizing the strain that the repetitive motion of raking or shoveling can put on the body, manufacturers have designed a wide range of ergonomic shovels and rakes that are less taxing on muscles and joints. Test-drive your options for a comfortable fit; look for a secure grip and a height that is comfortable (although bear in mind that the longer the handle, the more energy you'll need to put into hefting a load of snow).

Put some power to it

There is no gold medal for completing all your yard work by hand, especially if doing so results in days of pain. There are an array of leaf and snow blowers available to give you a hand with the chores. With electric and gas models, and a wide range of power to handle jobs big and small, you can save your energy for another item on your to-do list. Similarly, many riding lawnmowers offer the versatility to tackle projects like mulching, or even snow removal with the proper attachments, while atop a comfortable seat.

Mulching made easy

If raking and bagging leaves puts too much strain on your back, mulching with your mower is an ideal alternative. Models such as the John Deere Z235 EZtrak zero-turn radius mower allow you to easily switch from side discharge or bagging to mulching mode with a mulching kit attachment. Be sure to mulch leaves only when they are dry, as mulching wet or damp leaves can cause build up or clumping under the deck. Grass needs sunlight in the fall to help store food for winter, so don't let leaves build up on the grass. With regular upkeep, a thin layer of mulched leaves adds nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer.

Say goodbye to snow

Many riding mowers offer attachments that easily transition to year-round workhorses. John Deere's X500 Select Series mowers are compatible with a front blade attachment to push snow out of the way, or a snow blower that is more powerful than https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq1by3meAC4 the standard single-stage walk-behind throwers.

Hire out the work

As temperatures begin to drop, it's the perfect time to research the cost of hiring someone to rake or shovel. There are many options for lawn care services, many of which carry their services into winter for snow removal. Be aware that you may pay a premium for an initial visit to get things in order, and rates are generally lower when you commit to an ongoing maintenance plan. Also, kids -- whether yours or a neighbors -- are usually eager to earn some extra pocket cash, so put that youthful energy to work.

For more advice to help keep your lawn and drive clear as the weather cools, visit JohnDeere.com/Residential.

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate

This and other food and lifestyle content can be found at http://www.editors.familyfeatures.com. Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for use in print and online publications. Register with no obligation to access a variety of formatted and unformatted features, accompanying photos, and automatically updating Web content solutions.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2885907

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/10/idUSnMKWD78RJa+1e6+MKW20150910

snow ploughing href="http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2015/02/10/new-england-braces-for-another-big-snow-storm/">http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2015/02/10/new-england-braces-for-another-big-snow-storm/ href=''>

UPDATE 4-Skiers win, florists lose in storm-battered U.S. northeast | Reuters

(Updates flights, adds Connecticut salt shortage, collapsedroofs in NJ, paragraphs 7-8)

By Barbara Goldberg

NEW YORK Feb 14 The U.S. East Coast was blastedby the end of a four-day winter storm on Friday, freezing salesof Valentine's Day flowers and sweets but revving up snowmobilesand ski areas desperate to salvage a lackluster season.

As the storm blew out with a last salvo of thunder snow andlightning, the death toll rose to at least 20, including a36-year-old pregnant woman killed by a snow plow in a Brooklynparking lot. Her Snow Plowing Buffalo baby boy remained in critical but stablecondition, a New York City Police spokeswoman said.

Snowfall measured 28.5 inches (72.3 cm) in Pilot, Virginia,about 200 miles (321 km) west of Richmond, said Chris Vaccaro,spokesman for the National Weather Service. A new storm systemwas on its way, expected to dump up to 3 inches (7 cm) on theEast Coast into Saturday, he said.

Across the South, hundreds of thousands of people were stillwithout power on Friday as the result of broken tree limbsstressed by heavy snow and thick layers of ice falling ontopower lines. South Carolina customers may not be back to normalservice until late Sunday, said Duke Energy spokeswoman JenniferJabon.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike was shut for more than seven hourswhile it was cleared of twisted metal from up to 50 vehicles inmultiple accidents that injured 27 people, said Renee VidColborn, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.The injuries were not life-threatening, she said.

About 1,700 U.S. flights were canceled and roughly 6,600were delayed on Friday, said flight-tracking websiteFlightAware.com.

The heavy snow this winter has depleted U.S. stocks of roadsalt, and Connecticut, hit by 12 storms, requested federalassistance to help make up its shortfall.

In New Jersey, more than a foot (30 cm) of snow caused roofsto collapse at a sports complex in Waldwick and at a supermarketin New Milford, authorities said.

'AS GOOD AS IT GETS'

But outdoor enthusiasts like dog-sled guide Laura Bedorthaof Husky Works Mushing Co in West Wardsboro, Vermont, weregratified by the weather.

In Jackman, Maine, up near the Canadian border, Bishop'sStore welcomed a steady stream of snowmobilers lining up for gasand breakfast sandwiches.

"This storm couldn't have come at a better time," said ownerLorraine Levesque.

The $350 million snowmobile industry, which also does itspart to fill hotel beds and restaurants, desperately needed thesnow in a winter marked by freeze-thaw cycles in January andmore rain than snow.

"This is as good as it gets before the vacation week," saidBob Meyers, spokesman for the Maine Snowmobile Association,referring to the Presidents Day holiday on Monday.

His sentiments were echoed in the online ski report postedby The Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire: "Forgetwhatever it was you were supposed to do this weekend and makeyour way up here."

Snow days for schoolchildren troubled parents scrambling forchildcare and school administrators who had to look at ways toextend the calendar into summer to make up for lost classroomtime.

BYPASSING BOUQUETS

The white stuff made Valentine's Day gift vendors see red.The number of flower deliveries that Luis Martinez made foremployer Langdon Florist in downtown Manhattan was slashed inhalf compared with last year.

"Business is down because of the weather," he said,navigating pools of melting snow while carrying a bouquet ofroses.

Darryl Rallis, 49, a third-generation wholesale flowervendor in New York, estimated he had sold a quarter of theflowers he normally sells on Valentine's Day, typically theyear's biggest single day sales for florists, according to theWholesale Flowers and Florists Association.

The chill was felt all the way to Colombia and Ecuador,which are the major suppliers for Cupid in America.

"The problem is Washington and places like that, which areaffected by consumers' staying indoors," said Jairo Cadavid,spokesman for the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters,Asocolflores.

Valentine's Day flower exports to the United States fromEcuador are down between 12 percent and 14 percent from lastyear, said a spokesman for the Association of Flower Producersand Exporters, Expoflores.

Flour was flying at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, made famousby the popular American reality show Cake Boss, as bakersscrambled to meet requests for sweet stuff a day after the stormclosed all of its four locations.

"We're working twice as hard today to meet the demands ofyesterday," said bakery spokesman Adam Bourcier.

Friday's blue skies and temperatures in the 40s in the NewYork City area belied a previous night of thunder snow andelectrical storms in New Jersey. A bolt of lightning struck aSpirit Airlines plane flying from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, butit was able to land safely at its destination, Atlantic CityInternational Airport, said airline spokesman Jim Lynde.

In Georgia, it was estimated that 5 million of the state's25 million acres of forestland were damaged by the storm, saidJames Johnson, forest management chief with the Georgia ForestryCommission. (Additional reporting by Chris Francescani and Marina Lopes inNew York, Dave Sherwood in Maine, Daniel Kelley in Pennsylvania,David Jones in New Jersey, Karen Brooks in Texas, Harriet McLeodin South Carolina, Richard Weizel in Connecticut, David Beasleyin Georgia, Colleen Jenkins in North Carolina, Peter Murphy inColombia and Alexandra Valencia in Ecuador; Editing by GunnaDickson and Prudence Crowther)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/15/usa-weather-idUSL2N0LJ0NB20140215

John Deere Snow Blowers - InfoBarrel

With all the different brands of snow blowers on the market it can be hard to decide which one is right for your situation but if you own a John Deere lawn tractor that decision just got a lot easier. John Deere snow blowers are the perfect accessory for your mower. Easy to install, work great and besides what else is your mower going to be used for in the middle of winter. Make your winter snow removal a little less labor intensive and put that mower to work with the help of a good snow blower. In this article you will learn about the many sizes and designs of snow blowers made for and by John Deere. You will also find out some of the best places to find good deals on new and used John Deere snow blowers.

The first thing you need to do is figure out what size mower you own and if you don't own one you might consider purchasing one. The winter months are slow for retailers and you might get a good deal on one. Next go to Deere.com or your local dealer to find out what size snow blower fits on your lawn tractor. If you are going to the dealer go ahead and take a look at the snow blowers while you are in there.

44-Inch John Deere Snow Blowers

There are four different version of John Deere snow blower available. Two forty four inch blowers and two forty seven inch blowers. The smallest is the 100 Series 44-Inch Snow Blower that is compatible with LA105 to LA175 lawn tractors designed to work in all snow conditions including heavy wet snow. Features include a twelve inch auger, a durable non metal fan blade that will not bend, and a six inch polyethylene discharge spout and deflector that will not rust or dent and is resistant to build up. The spout can be adjusted two hundred degrees. It also comes standard with skid shoes to help control the cutting edge of the snow blower. Drift knives are available to give snow drifts a clean cut look. Recommended accessories include the use of two forty two pound rear ballasts and chains for the tires for added traction. The lift system and the spout rotation control are all manual.

The second blower of this size is the Select Series 44 Inch Snow Blower that is compatible with the X500 forty eight and fifty four inch lawn tractor and the X520. It will also fit the X300 and X304 with an additional lift assist spring kit. This John Deere snow blower is ideal for use in heavy snow regions. It also works well in all sow conditions and is better at moving snow greater distances. With a slow auger speed and high speed blower fan it provides consistent snow placement all snow conditions.

47-Inch John Deere Snow Blowers

If you are wanting or needing something a little bigger then the John Deere 47-Inch Sow Blower is what you're looking for. Compatible with the X530, X534 and X540 multi terrain tractors, this snow blower is a bigger version of the Select Series 44 inch blower. It has all the same features and accessories only a little bigger. Now if you have an X700 to X749 Ultimate tractor then you want the 47-Inch Quick Hitch Snow Blower. It is a two stage design with auger and high speed blower for the ultimate in snow removal. It comes with hydraulic chute angling with a two hundred degree spout adjustment. And best of all the Quick-Tatch design for dive in mounting and un-mounting.

snow plowing

Cheap John Deere Snow Blowers

This list is not exhaustive by any means there are many John Deere snow blowers out there and these are but a few. A quick look online will show you many of the others you could be interested in. If you are looking for a good deal the internet is also a good place to look for that too. Sites like eBay and Atlantictractor.net are places to look for good deals or Deere.com for a list of dealers. For good deals on used John Deere snow blowers you might try mowergraveyard.com. Hope this article has helped and with any luck you won't need a snow blower this year.

Here are some other related articles dealing with snow removal:

Used Snow Plows for Pickups

What is The Best Snow Shovel

ATV Snowblower

http://www.infobarrel.com/John_Deere_Snow_Blowers

http://www.realtruck.com/snow-plows/top-snow-plowing-tips/

Plumbing Vent Problems in Your House

Your house's plumbing vent's purpose is to remove sewer gases from the drainage system and equalize its atmospheric pressure. Without the vents, our toilets and all other home plumbing fixtures might not be draining properly, can cause unusual noises (like gurgling or belching as and after they discharge), and could be responsible for an unpleasant sewer gas smell inside the house.

A house plumbing system vent is one of those features that may easily become compromised. Some of the most common reasons for the plumbing vent to lose its performance is our lack of knowledge during remodeling, the house age, and / or miscellaneous stuff (including bad luck).

Lets go outside and look at your house's roof; you should be able to see a plumbing vent stack a piece of pipe penetrating the roof surface (if your plumbing fixtures have been located far away from each other, there could be more that one plumbing vent visible above the roof, but at least one should be 3 or 4 in diameter).

It's usually the same material as the rest of your plumbing drain system, but in older homes, there might be 2, 3, or even more types of pipes connected together. If you have a flat roof, you will most likely have to get up there to check your plumbing vents be careful (or even have a professional do it for you!).

If you can see the roof surface and you can't see the plumbing vent pipe you're not alone.

The most common reasons for this scenario are:

The main plumbing vent stack starts at the lowest part of your house structure. Decades ago, in older homes, the most common type of the plumbing vent pipe was cast iron - it could settle, shift under its own weight and along the entire length It could have corroded and separated sliding under the roof surface Another possibility is that your old roof has several layers of roofing material, and the vent is still there but its top edge level is the same as the roof surface.Sometimes it may also be blamed on the roofer - if it was too short, he could just go over it with new roofing material; or the plumber just stopped it in the attic or forgot to install it at all

Plumbing vents should be at least 6" above the roof surface. For cold climates, it should be 6" above the snow line (10" above the roof).

So if it's not above the roof, and you do have plumbing in your house, something is wrong and the best place to start searching for the plumbing vent is in the attic. Look for a pipe that penetrates the floor - the area usually corresponds to the toilets locations, kitchens, and other plumbing fixtures in your house. Sometimes it might be hidden under the insulation or simply laying on the attic floor.

You should consider yourself lucky if you can locate it in the attic because sometimes it's just a mystery, and could be an expensive one.

If your vent pipe is where it supposed to be, check the attic periodically anyway; the plumbing vent sometimes cracks, separates at connections, or it could be leaking around the roof surface penetration because of the improperly installed, missing or damaged flashing. If you spot the problem early, it might save you a ceiling repair.

Besides all the common plumbing fixtures, you may also have an ejector pump installed in your house. It might look just like a regular sump pump, but it serves your plumbing fixtures located below the main drain line. The ejector pump well also requires a plumbing vent. The well, its cover and all penetration points should be sealed to prevent sewer gases from penetrating it.

More about plumbing problems in Cast Iron Drain Lines

http://hubpages.com/living/Plumbing-Vent-Problems-in-Your-House

Snow expected to hit New York City on Tuesday

New Yorkers should prepare for the possibility of snow on Tuesday at noon, the New York City Department of Sanitation stated in a press release on Monday afternoon.

A total of 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected throughout the New York City area, according to the New York City Severe Weather website. The snow should leave the area by Wednesday morning, but cold temperatures will continue through Thursday.

Department of Sanitation personnel started preparing equipment, which includes loading salt spreaders, attaching plows and preparing http://www.intellicast.com/Travel/Weather/Snow/Storm.aspx tire chains, according to the press release. The department is also snow clearing working with the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocol.

All relevant snow agencies have been made aware of the snow alert. The sanitation department is looking at forecasts and plans to provide updates as the snow event nears.

For information about winter weather and the citys response to the snowstorm, visit the citys Severe Weather website or call 311.

New Yorkers can also sign up for Notify NYC, the citys free emergency notification system.

http://www.examiner.com/article/snow-expected-to-hit-the-city-on-tuesday

Shawn Vetere

- 0 Articles - 1 Website - 0 Events - 155 User points

Boston Snow Removal Expert

Shawn https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC809d2CE2c_GO-ePkXRizbA Vetere Quick Facts

Boston snow removal for the North Shore, Dorchester, Chelsea, Quincy, Brookline, Allston and Cambridge MA. Janitorial services include Boston snow removal, Boston landscaping, Boston office cleaning, Boston carpet cleaning, Boston commercial cleaning, apartment turnover, Boston snow removal and Boston green cleaning.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/shawn_vetere.html

Bloomberg surveys snow removal -- vows to complete clean-up efforts

A somewhat humble Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today visited with city residents hit hard by Sunday's blizzard, begging patience and promising a full investigation into why snow removal has taken so long.

Hitting all five boroughs over the course of five hours the mayor heard criticisms, asked how the city could be of help and updated residents on the status of snow removal. Bloomberg sought to calm nerves, promising that the city is working hard to clear streets as quickly as possible.

"As of seven o'clock this morning every street has been plowed at least once," the mayor said, while visiting a park and recreation center in southeast Queens. Bloomberg acknowledged that plowing by no means indicates that a street is clear. "The plowing of streets in many areas was slower than many would have liked me included."

The mayor emphasized that the mere plowing of a street doesnt mean that its clear. He said that in order to prevent plows from getting stuck they can only remove a limited amount of snow at a time, so multiple trips can be necessary. A three star sanitation chief has checked the city by flying overhead in a police helicopter to make sure that streets have been plowed, the mayor said.

So how is Bloomberg doing in pacifying the outcry from residents and politicians angry over what many say is the citys failure to respond in a timely manner? Hes getting mixed reviews.

Yesterday was a turning point, said City Council Member James Vacca (D Bronx), who met with the mayor at a Bronx diner this afternoon. I felt he was acknowledging mistakes today. He explained to me his full intent to find out what went wrong I did not find him to be at all arrogant.

Vacca said he was very pleased that the mayor today took the time to visit all five boroughs, the second time this week he had done so. I think it shows he cares, Vacca told Examiner.com.

Among Bloombergs visits today was the Marine Park home of Mary Lyons, a senior citizen who has been stranded in her home since the storm hit. Bloomberg brought Lyons a box of Juniors cheesecake and met with some neighbors who have been helping her with shopping and keeping her company. As the mayor approached her home his SUV struggled not to swerve on the snow covered streets around the neighborhood.

So whats the mayors message for people in neighborhoods like Marine Park, where streets remain largely impassible?

You can get angry or you can focus on trying to solve the problem of today, said Bloomberg. The sanitation department is working as hard as they can. Well constantly be sending plows down streets that get shoveling thrown into them and still the streets where we havent come through a second time.

The Department of Sanitation says that they are in continuous snow operations and will work through the night and will continue snow operations until the job is done. Residents are asked to report any unplowed streets by calling 3-1-1.

http://www.perloasis.org/snow-elimination-is-an-essential-evil-when-it-comes-to-having-a-house/

Street cleaning and parking meter regulations will remain suspended until further notice.

Examiner.com will continue to bring you the latest service updates on the storm clean-up operation.

Share your thoughts! Leave a comment or send a tweet

Contact Michael A. Harris at mharris@examinerny.com

http://www.examiner.com/article/bloomberg-surveys-snow-removal-vows-to-complete-clean-up-efforts

Shoveling Snow Just Got Easier And A Lot More Fun

Shoveling snow can be a great workout, but it's also a little time-consuming and labor intensive.

Joshua Jordan, a West Virginia magician -- or illusionist, as he refers to himself -- has a snow shoveling "hack": Make a snowball and start rolling it up. By the time he's done rolling, Jordan has cleared a whole snow-free path.

Jordan tells The Huffington Post his video is not an illusion, but cautioned that snow rolling only works with a certain type of snow.

"It's really like making a glorified snowman, to be honest," Jordan told The Huffington Post. "It's something I always did to get from my front porch to the car in the driveway, which is about 25 feet and all grass. The area in which I lived in West Virginia is like the Bermuda triangle for wet, heavy, thick snow, which is why we have killer ski resorts."

snow plowing service buffalo ny

"We always get that type of snow different from most of the country," he continued. "But this method is way better on your back and knees and much less time consuming."

The Weather Channel's Tom Niziol said such snow-rolling is "absolutely for real," confirming for AMHQ viewers that snow rolling is only possible under specific conditions.

Those are nice conditions," he said of Jordan's video. "The snow ... is just wet enough that it really packs together easily and he can actually roll that."

H/T DesignTAXI

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/04/shoveling-snow_n_6616378.html

Snow Removal May Work with a Snow Plow

A good snow plow could be one of the most useful snow removal items that anyone can handle. A great snow removal plan can work with a device that is used with the intention of keep heavy amounts of snow from getting into a property. This is convenient but it will help to watch out for how a snow removal plan can work with one of these plows in mind.

The big point about getting snow removal with a snow plow in mind is that it will involve snow being moved to a different area. This area can include a spot that features a large amount of materials shrubs or grass spots. These areas can be challenging to handle and should be considered carefully because of the risk that comes with getting anything handled.

The next important point about getting snow removal involves making sure that a snow plow can work with a good system that involves not only getting snow removed from a driveway or other hard surface but also from a lawn. Some lawns might be in areas that are very sensitive. A snow removal plan can work with some of these sensitive areas to help keep a property secure without worrying about any damages getting in the way.

Another part of getting snow removal ready is to see that the blade for a snow plow is going to be secure. The problem with a snow plow is that a blade will have to be adjusted to ensure that it will get its snow handled as well as possible. This is a necessity that must be addressed. A snow removal company should keep a plow adjusted to where it will be secure without any issues getting in the way.

A good material may also be used to help ensure that a plow can come with a de-icing material. A de-icing item should be used to help with ensuring that a property will not be problematic. This includes looking to see how the plow can work with getting items ready by simply taking a look at items that are used to help keep an area from being too dangerous.

It will be smart to think about getting snow removal plans ready as well as possible. Good snow removal plans can work Buffalo NY Snow Removal with plows that are used to ensure that a property will not be too difficult to work with. This is a great feature to see but it will help to see that a plow is going to work well without any issues. This is needed to help keep a property safe and secure without any issues getting in the way and to see that nothing wrong is going to get into the way.

http://snow.ezinemark.com/snow-removal-may-work-with-a-snow-plow-7d307b41679e.html

U.S. Northeast digs out after storm snarls travel | Reuters

NEW YORK New York dug out of its sixth biggest snowstorm on record and thousands of stranded travelers hoped to finally board long-delayed flights on Tuesday after a blizzard buried the northeastern United States the day after Christmas.

The city's normally busy streets were largely empty, many still unplowed, and commuter rail service struggled to resume regular operations after the storm dumped 20 inches (50.8 cm) over a 17-hour period on Sunday and Monday.

Financial markets operated normally.

"At first it was somewhat exciting and pretty cool to see this much snow, being from Texas, but by the second day it became pretty frustrating. The sidewalks were a mess," said tourist Will Robinson, 24.

Boston, Philadelphia and other cities on the Atlantic Coast also got pummeled with similar snowfall and crept back to life after an extended holiday hiatus when garbage went uncollected, offices stayed shut and shoppers stayed home on what normally is one of the busiest retail days of the year.

With 4,500 flights canceled or delayed on Sunday and Monday in New York's three major airports, tens of thousands of passengers camped out in terminals. Airlines could need days to work through the backlog, officials said.

A British Airways BAY.L jet was left for nearly eight hours on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy International Airport after landing on a flight from London on Tuesday. The airline blamed gate congestion and a lack of immigration and customs personnel.

Delays at JFK were running about five hours, said Ed Martelle, a spokesman for AMR Corp AMR.N, the parent of American Airlines. Operations at Boston's Logan International Airport were almost back to normal.

"This is kind of the perfect storm for airlines. We've dealt with big snows before, but this was a really big storm stretched over a really big area," Martelle said. "I won't say it's unprecedented, but we haven't seen this for a while."

In Philadelphia, 305 stranded passengers spent Monday night at the airport, down from 1,215 on Sunday night, an airport spokeswoman said.

In Boston, tens of thousands of customers were left without power after 18.2 inches (46 cm) of snow fell, 10th most since the National Weather Service started keeping records in 1892. The state of Massachusetts lifted its state of emergency and public transit operated with only minor hitches.

NEW YORK RESPONSE CRITICIZED

The 20 inches (50.8 cm) of snow that fell on Central Park snow removal marked the sixth largest New York City snowfall since records have been kept, a weather service spokeswoman said. Up to 32 inches (81 cm) fell in New Jersey. Winds reached 65 mph (105 kph).

The New York record of 26.4 inches (67.1 cm) was set on February 11-12, 2006.

True to character, New Yorkers complained about storm relief while the city's fleet of 2,000 snow-plowing sanitation trucks struggled to clear the city's 6,000 miles (9,600 km) of streets.

After ambulances and city buses got stuck and many neighborhoods outside Manhattan had yet to see plows, accusations rained in that City Hall failed to prepare for a blizzard that was forecast days in advance.

"If your street was plowed, the response was adequate. If your street was not plowed, it wasn't adequate. Yelling and complaining about it doesn't help," Mayor Michael Bloomberg told a news conference.

Times Square was mostly cleared in preparation for Friday night's New Year's Eve celebration. Warmer and mostly sunny weather was forecast until then.

Traffic trickled over a thin layer of slush, after the so-called crossroads of the world had almost no cars on Monday when snow was piled high.

(Additional reporting by Bernd Debusmann Jr. and Edith Honan in New York, Ros Krasny in Boston, Jon Hurdle in Philadelphia and Kyle Peterson in Chicago; editing by Mohammad Zargham)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/12/29/uk-us-snow-idUSLNE6BS01020101229

Is it possible to have thunder and lightning during a snow storm?

Report Abuse Additional Details If you believe your intellectual property has been infringed and would like to file snow plowing service a complaint, please see our Copyright/IP Policy

Report Abuse

Cancel

Report Abuse Additional Details If you believe your intellectual property has been infringed and would like to file a complaint, please see our Copyright/IP Policy

Report Abuse

Cancel

Report Abuse Additional Details If you believe your intellectual property has been infringed and would like to file a complaint, please see our Copyright/IP Policy

Report Abuse

Cancel

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080307205527AAtx2Mt

Show Safety tips

Whether you're living from a snowy locale for the first time, or, like me, you're no stranger to cold climates but constantly lived in apartments, anyone still live in a loft apartment and are just an extraordinarily good citizen, here is a collection of shoveling secrets to help you get opportunities report done safely and expeditiously.

Shoveling Buffalo New York Snow Plowing as a person Does

TAoM for you to be sure you're dressed properly for the job, this you own the optimal shovel (not plastic, not "ergonomic"). The most popular tips are "Do not try to shovel into the wind" and "A man is always looking out for still others. So in case you live next door to a little old lady, go over there and shovel her driveway and walkway, too". However, their recommendation of snowblowers for medium to long driveways falls flat to associated with us us associated with money or inclination shop for big items. I've got a shovel and determination, and that's plenty.

Sixteen Principle Rules for Snow Plowing Services via Popular Mechanics

This includes my favorite rule Little. 2: Avoid moving snow two appointments. Yep! Popular Mechanics offers an easy and elegant description here, while I keep keen to ascertain easy methods to make something akin to this function. Alas, according to Rule Without. 13 that states it's easier to get rid of snow when it's in thin layers instead of waiting until the snow almost all done is at complete violation to my own ruling that one shouldn't bother shoveling until it stops snowing. How about we choose say April when it stops raining..?

How To Shovel Snow Without Hurting Your Back from Huffington Post

How To Shovel Snow Without Killing Your Back from Men's Health

I understand why tip: "If the snow is too deep or heavy to push, think wall squat: Set the feet shoulderwidth apart, keep your lower as well as core set, and lift with your legs and butt." Any chance to try squats is fine by individuals.

What's Essentially the most Efficient Approach to Shovel Driveway Snow? from CBS

As per the CBS news affiliate - they contacted a Univ. of Minn. mathematician to see if he could devise the best way to shovel show; however, the response they got disappointed all of them with. "This type of question would be addressed with math, but so many variables exist that it's unlikely this might be an excellent way to get an plan." I will not believe this! I need mathematicians perform harder. Next Now i need to be handed a diagram..

How In order to A Driveway: Experts Offer Tactical Tips from WSJ

THIS is just what I've been looking with respect to! The article linked is mainly about snowblowers and other snow-removing gadgets, but actual truth is that gold is the graphic on the more reduced left. Click to expand, and you will probably see three diagrams for optimum snow removal efficiency. There are separate tips for dealing with light, fluffy snow since. wet, heavy snow, so love it so a whole lot of. I'm likely to memorize it ("Continue pushing in a spiderweb fashion") before the next snowfall and totally dominate the drive.

How to Draft a Snow Removal Contract

Any contract should be very clear, simple, and detailed. The same applies to snow removal contracts. Though before thinking of this, the first step is to have a look at the snow removal services you would prefer, followed by the pricing offered by different contractors.

The following are guidelines for you to be able to decide what all is necessary to be included in the contract. There will be variations in it according to your specific needs and considerations. Take a look at the following factors to be considered while making such a contract.

Parties

Mention the parties involved in the contract. That is, who is employing whom, and who all are involved and come under the purview of the contractors. This will help in ruling out any disputes as to whose responsibility was it, etc.

Definitions

This section is specifically for individual contracts, as in, the location of work or the site, the 'laws' to be followed and applicable, when to start snow removal (the specifications), when the work is to be called 'completed,' etc. All these factors come in this definitions sections.

Details

This is the most important section, as it contains all the details related to the kind of work to be done. For example, who is going to fund the materials required at the time of working, the rates calculation details, the responsibilities and liabilities, the usage of hat type of snow removal equipment, what is to be done if some damage occurs during the course of work, etc.

Insurance

Another factor to be checked is the contractor liability insurance. Check whether the contractor provides any insurance or has any tie ups with any insurance company. More often than not, losses are incurred during the process in spite of following the correct procedures.

Method

The method of operation also should be pre-decided and mentioned in the contact. Along with this, the respective costs too has to be mentioned. For example, if the contractor uses hand shoveling or snow plows, what will be the cost. The number of people working in both the cases will be different, and so will the charges.

Payment

This section is probably the only one which is referred to time and again by everyone involved in the contract. As the name suggests, it deals with the payment details. What amount or percentage is to be paid upon how much completion of the work, the method of payment, etc., are all such business communications that have to be mentioned.

Signatures

This is the last and obviously one of the important sections. It has to be signed by both, the contractor and the client, along with the date.

It is not a compulsion to get into a written and signed contract every time you opt for professional snow removal assistance. You can very much have a verbal contract too. just make sure that all the details are decided upon before the commencement of the job.

Deadly Blizzard Pummels Midwest, Brings Hurricane-Force Winds

More ABC US news | ABC World News

Copy

A deadly blizzard is burying much of the Midwest, closing highways, knocking out power to thousands and packing hurricane-force winds to an area that was socked by a ferocious storm last week.

The blizzard, which dumped more than 19 inches on Amarillo, Texas, and brought 75 mph wind gusts, made its way east overnight to Kansas. More than 5 inches have fallen in Wichita and forecasters said that 8 to 14 inches of snow could fall before the system moves through the state by late afternoon.

Kansas was still digging out from last week's storm that dumped more than foot of snow on parts of the state.

More than 15 inches were forecast for parts of western Missouri, with a foot or more in Kansas City alone.

Two deaths are being blamed on the blizzard conditions, while three other deaths are being attributed to strong wind gusts produced by the storm system.

The violent winds fueled a devastating fire in San Antonio, Texas, that burned one mobile home Monday afternoon, killing a mother and her twin toddlers.

"I came outside and looked across the street and the house was on fire," neighbor Enrique Pena said.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation, according to ABC News affiliate KSAT-TV.

In northwest Kansas, a 21-year-old man's SUV hit an icy patch on Interstate 70 and overturned, killing him, The Associated Press reported. And in the northwest town of Woodward, Okla., heavy snow caused a roof to collapse, killing one inside the home, according to the AP.

The storm will lose intensity as it moves northeast, bringing a swath of snow across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, the National Weather Service reported. Chicago will get slammed with 3 to 6 inches of snow later today.

By the time this storm system hits the East Coast later in the week, it will be mostly rain with parts of upstate New York and New Hampshire seeing 3 to 6 inches of snow.

Earlier Monday, 20 states from Texas to Michigan were under storm watches and warnings.

Texas has called in the National Guard to respond to motorist stranded on highways. In neighboring Oklahoma, Bill Thompson, his wife, daughter and two granddaughters were stranded on Highway 83 for over three hours as they attempted to drive to Texas Monday.

"It was kind of slippery but it was okay and we went over the bridge and all of the snow went real high and we got stuck and we're right in the middle of the freeway," Thompson said.

Amarillo was one of the hardest hit cities in Texas and the 19 inches of snow that fell Monday was the most snow in a single day for February. El Paso registered the highest wind gust at 84 mph.

In Oklahoma, 15 inches of snow fell in Woodward as winds gusted to 69 mph, which caused whiteout conditions that halted travel.

Roads from southeastern Kansas into the Oklahoma Panhandle slowly began to reopen Monday night. Parts of some highways remain closed because of blowing and drifting snow.

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback said their ditches are still full from last week's winter storm.

"You can't throw it off as quick or as easy so this one could be much more treacherous to travel in," Brownback said Monday.

While the much-needed precipitation does help parts of the Midwest recover from the drought, the overwhelming snow totals and blizzard conditions are a lot to handle for some.

"We've had a nice winter so far. And now, boy, in the last two weeks here, it's like gee," Elton Horne of Williamsburg, Kan., said.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/deadly-blizzard-pummels-midwest-brings-hurricane-force-winds/story?id=18595020

Be Your Own Private Investigator

For some of these methods, you will need to obtain passwords from your partner or bypass security controls on his or her cell phone or computer. If you bypass security codes, you could be on the hook for illegal activity depending on the laws in your state, so you should become familiar with what the law does and doesn't allow you to do, or avoid getting discovered.

1. Look over the information you can find on your partner's cell phone. Do you see frequent calls to or from an unfamiliar number? Do you see calls identified as someone you know calling much more often than they used to? Cheaters may assign a man's name to his mistress's number to mask her identity or vice versa. Write down any numbers you don't recognize and run them through several search engines to see if it hits upon any useful information.

2. Examine text messages. Frequent texting may also be shown on your cell phone bill. Some companies provide more thorough information than others, and some require you to make a request to see what numbers sent and received text from a phone on your account. Either way, reviewing your cell phone bill periodically will instantly reveal if your partner's been texting dozens of messages a day to another number. Another important piece of information that's easier to see on your cell phone bill than the phone (though it can be there, too) is call duration. Is she spending two hours on the phone with private detective atlanta a certain number?

3. Look at photos stored on the phone.

4. Look for cell phone applications like Tiger Text and Stocks, which are described in the links "How Your Spouse is Getting Away with Cheating!" and "7 Apps You Don't Want Your Man to Have." (You don't want your woman having 'em either!)

5. Use the free "Find my Phone" app available for iPhone users to track all the phones on your account. This doesn't require access to your partner's cell phone or his consent, but it does require that both the phone you're using with the http://zanyenclosure7287.webs.com/apps/blog/show/42888458-meet-the-private-investigator-who-helped-find-sabrina-allen-in-mexico application and the phone that's being tracked are on the same account.

6. You can install a keystroke logger on your spouse's computer. These software programs are difficult to detect, but you should also know that it may be illegal to use keyloggers. There are restrictions about who can and cannot use them, when, and why. You may violate federal wiretapping laws if these restrictions aren't followed. If you go this route atlanta private investigators and your spouse discovers how you obtained your information, you could face jail time if you haven't followed the strict limitations. If you meet the requirements and install this software, it can send e-mails and screenshots to an e-mail address that you specify.

7. Get access to your partner's computer and access his or her e-mail and social media accounts. If there's a chat program installed, look for chat histories. Check the deleted and trash folders (they're not always the same) to see what has been removed. Review the Sent Messages folder to see what your partner has sent to other people.

9. Check your partner's browser history and cookies. If they have been deleted, check again in a few days. If they've again been deleted, be concerned.

10. For a fee, you can hack your spouse's cell phone and get real-time or historic location data, text messages, e-mail contents, and more by downloading apps of your own. A simple internet search for spy applications will reveal a number of applications with varying costs, ease of use, and features. The programs take several minutes to install and are not easily detected on the target's phone. For an overview of how these aps work, watch this video. (I do not endorse any specific company or website for this purpose, including the one responsible for the video.)