Managing residential income property: One simple bit of timing can make a world of difference

Posted on Dec 30, 2015

Having been born and raised in SoCal, doing business there for over three decades, many of the lessons learned in nearly a decade of working in other states have been informative – an understatement if ever there was one. I’ll bet if you’re invested in a midwestern state, the thought of a last quarter vacancy freezes you in your tracks, pun intended. A November vacancy in San Diego is irritating, even a tad worrisome, but it gets filled. Instead of happening in a couple days or weeks, it might be a month. That’s an eternity around these parts. Yet that’s relatively overnight compared to dealing with having to rent up a unit in chillier climates, especially when it’s cold, wet, and holiday season. However, if escrow is closing on your latest acquisition in the winter, or you find yourself taking over units with leases rolling over then, what to do?

As usual – it’s all about planning.

It varies a little from market to market for local reasons, but there’s always a range of months when having leases roll over is preferred. Yeah, I know, Duh. Still, when closing on vacant units this time of year, or when taking over leases expiring now, it’s easy enough to eliminate the problem. Simply give new tenants or tell existing tenants they have a choice. They can sign say, a six month lease, or an 18 month lease. Either way you’ve eliminated the problem. The lease(s) will be timed to expire within the prime leasing season. But what if you own a couple dozen doors or more, maybe a lot more?

Do what builders and developers have been doing forever. Understand your market’s absorption rate. That is, the rate at which it can absorb vacant units – how many at a time? How many units can you or your management firm lease in 30 days? Is it a different figure just one neighborhood over? Maybe, maybe not. It’s almost a matter of sanity maintenance, isn’t it? Even if you’re in a market in which everything rents overnight with a 3 X 5 card on the front yard tree, having to mess with 10 new vacancies simultaneously isn’t any less of a pain. I know, because I’ve seen me do it.

Many members here talk about how they’ve learned to specialize in various markets for their long term investments. Using this method of staggering rollover times is, for most, a practical matter of self defense. By spreading out a bunch of leases over six months, you’ve created for yourself an orderly process in which you haven’t antagonized the local absorption rate. This also aids tremendously, your ability to plan various work projects around vacant units. Getting work done in the winter in potentially extreme weather is to be avoided when possible. By ensuring your vacancies will pop up during the prime rental season, and during reasonably decent weather, you’ve gone a long way towards eliminating logistical pains in the rear, not to mention your bank account. Also (Captain Obvious alert!!), by scheduling any vacancies for the best renting season, you’ve also virtually guaranteed yourself a far greater slice of the tenant pie. You think you don’t want dead of winter vacancies? Tenants aren’t exactly out in droves, looking for their next place right after finishing their second piece of pumpkin pie.

Now’s the perfect time to address this problem. Give your tenants notice that rollover time will mean a shorter or longer term lease. You’ll quickly find out that for the most part, they’ll be grateful for the change.

Author: Jeff Brown

Jeff’s Website: http://www.bawldguy.com

Simple ways to give meals a boost of flavor

Posted on Dec 29, 2015

(BPT) – Flavor is a top priority whether you’re cooking for a gathering or simply putting food on the table for a weeknight meal. Great tasting food can do a lot: turn a party into a success, make guests rave and even get the kids to clean their plates. Luckily, you don’t have to be a five-star chef to give your meals a flavorful boost that everyone will love.

You can easily turn standard dishes into outstanding ones with some savvy cooking secrets. In fact, putting a subtle spin on the classics can surprise everyone at the table. They might not expect more than the average beverage, snack or burger, but with the right ingredients, you’ll hear a chorus of “wows” after the first bite.

To add some extra flavor to your meals and gatherings, keep these tips close at hand in the kitchen:

* Behind-the-scenes burger ingredients. Ground beef can only go so far – it’s up to you to give it the extra edge. Luckily, options to jazz up the average burger are virtually unlimited. Work in spices like cumin or chili pepper, and herbs like basil or oregano. Flavored soup mixes, such as onion, are a great choice as well. Another option for a palate-pleasing surprise is to press two thin patties around your choice of cheese, before grilling to a safe temperature.

* Set out flavor-packed snacks. As the outdoor entertaining season kicks off, having snacks on hand is essential so that guests can graze. Fill serving bowls with something a little out of the ordinary, or a new take on a classic, like Snyder’s of Hanover’s Flavored Pretzel Pieces, which come in an array of flavors like Hot Buffalo Wing, Jalapeno, and Bacon Cheddar. You can also use these tasty treats for creating out-of-this-world chicken fingers – simply crush them up and use them as breading.

* Fill drinks with extra flavor. A cooling beverage is a sublime thing on a hot day, but a basic glass of water just won’t cut it. One tasty – and pretty – way to upgrade tap water is to add flavor-infused ice cubes. To make the cubes, mix water and your chosen ingredients (fruits, herbs and juices all work well) in a blender, pour into cube trays, freeze and pop into your drinks when ready.

* Blend up an unexpected salsa. Whether you scoop it with chips or pour it over grilled meats, a flavorful salsa can earn you some bragging rights. Black beans and olives can bring zest to tomato salsa, and adding chopped avocado to blended tomatillos is a perfect meeting point between salsa and guacamole. Many fruits stand up well in a sweet-and-spicy salsa – try peach, pineapple or mango for a tropical twist that’s bright in color and flavor.

* Spice up your salads. A tossed salad can be a perfect addition to a summertime meal. They tend to be light and nutritious for any guests who watch their waistlines during bathing suit season. It is important to add exciting ingredients to your salad to prevent it from falling flat. Try using Pretzel Pieces flavors like Buttermilk Ranch or Honey Mustard and Onion as croutons to pack an unexpected punch. Find this recipe and more at www.snydersofhanover.com.

Making your meals memorable doesn’t require any special culinary expertise – just a few tips and some creativity. Use these ideas, put your own spin on a dish and you’ll have a table full of happy diners.

Taking the stress out of a job transfer move

Posted on Dec 23, 2015

(BPT) – A job transfer usually is a good thing. Hopefully the transfer signals a promotion as you take your career a step further up the ladder, bringing about new and fun challenges in the workplace. But the transition itself is often not easy, especially if it involves moving your home and family to a new location.

Businesses often give transferred employees less than two weeks (11 days) to accept a transfer offer and once accepted, an average of 33 days to move and report to the new job, according to Worldwide ERC, a professional association for workforce mobility. That isn’t much time to find a new home, put the old home up for sale or subleasing and plan a move that could be across town, across state lines or across the country.

Resources are available to help ease the stress of your job transfer. They include:

* Your company – Before you accept the job transfer offer, check with your human resources department on what services or financial compensation your company offers. Many companies outsource relocation services or cover selected services like providing rental moving trucks for employees. Be aware that the average cost of shipping household goods for a domestic transfer was around $12,459, according to Worldwide ERC.

* Truck rental – Much of the moving process involves the transfer of your household goods. Truck rental companies like Penske help to make this process much easier. For example, Penske, which is a member of Worldwide ERC, has a dedicated customer service and sales team within its existing call center to serve the specialized needs of employee relocations. The company also added services like moving labor to help customers load and unload the rental trucks, new self-storage options for movers and customized billing options for each of these services to make the corporate transfer much smoother.

“Time, cost and ease of use are of the essence with an employee relocation move,” says Don Mikes, senior vice president of rental for Penske. “We have a solid solution to make the process easy ranging from rental trucks, towing equipment and moving supplies to services beyond the truck such as self-storage and moving labor.”

* House hunting – Searching for a new home could be the most stressful part of relocating. Many employees will opt for temporary housing like apartments or extended-stay hotels for the first couple months of the transfer. This allows them to get a feel for the community and take the time to review homes for sale. However, if you prefer to purchase a home right way, contact the human resources department at your new location to ask for real estate agents referrals. Also take your search online. Between MLS listings with photos and online mapping tools, you can narrow your search quickly to preferred homes, allowing you to make an appointment once with your real estate agent to tour the homes and hopefully make an offer.

* House selling – On the other end of the spectrum, you also have a home to sell. Many homeowners are opting to hire a management company and rent out the home, with the intent to sell in the future once they have their life organized in the new location and have the time to list the home with a real estate agent. Management companies handle the review of rental applicants, the background checks, collect the rent and take care of any emergency maintenance concerns that might occur, allowing the homeowner to concentrate his energies on the new job.

The job transfer process may feel overwhelming, but with these resources available to assist you with the transfer, you’ll find yourself quickly settling into the new office and digging into the challenges of the new job.

Laminates – Textures, colors, and choices for all your interior needs

Posted on Dec 9, 2015

Laminates let you create your own world of imagination. You choose from a sea of textures, colors, and choices. Laminates are affordable as well. So, if you are the one who is considering a home make-over, choosing laminates for this job is the best option you have. Plastic laminate products are durable as well as affordable. Whatever your aesthetic preference or budget, plastic laminate products can easily make your home come alive like never before. Give it a try and see yourself.

Plastic laminate products satisfy all your interior needs – kitchens, bathrooms, cabinets, wardrobes and/or edgings. You in fact have all the time on this planet to choose from the entire range of designs, colors, textures, and finishes. Compact grade laminate are robust and ideal for applications that demand long life, minimum maintenance, damage resistance, and hygiene. These laminates give your interiors an all-round finish with a striking design feature. Your home will love it.

You can even check out laminates sitting at your favorite couch. All you need to do is surf several leading sites selling plastic laminate products. Check out the range of textures and colors, and choose what you find the best for your home-interiors. Now, isn’t that easy?

However, one thing that you should keep in mind is to deal with a reliable seller/producer and not a newcomer in the industry. When you deal with a professional and experienced producer of plastic laminate products, you get the top-quality products at the most-competitive prices in the market. So, take you time. Think, compare, ask others, and choose the best for your sweet home. With laminate countertops, give your home a new look. And, your home will thank you for this.

As already mentioned above, laminates come with an impressive long life and minimal maintenance needs, using these laminates are a wise choice. Also, look for the instructions by the manufacturer and follow the same so that you don’t have to face any problem half way. So, make-up your mind, do some research, and give that much needed make-over to your sweet home.

By: Smith, John

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7296.shtml

Address your skin’s needs through a holistic approach to facial skincare

Posted on Dec 2, 2015

(BPT) – Many women cite a number of external factors that can trigger sensitive skin flare-ups, including harsh ingredients, weather and makeup. What they may not know is that lifestyle choices can also influence the health and appearance of their skin.

Different lifestyle factors, including diet, fitness and stress management can affect skincare in addition to the facial skincare products used. -Simple, a line of facial skincare products that is perfect even for sensitive skin, recognizes this, and therefore, takes a holistic approach to skincare by focusing on the link between all of the factors that impact skin.

Simple is launching The Simple Advisory Board, a panel of leading industry experts who offer advice for a complete approach to skincare. Board members are sharing tips to help achieve natural, healthy-looking skin all year long through a balanced, holistic lifestyle approach.

* Dr. Debra Luftman is a Board Certified Dermatologist who believes that healthy skin can have a positive impact on overall health. She also firmly believes skincare does not need to be complicated to be effective.

Top tip: Sooth tired eyes with a cool home remedy

Sometimes when eyes are feeling tired or irritated, the wakeup call they need might be found in the refrigerator! Chill spoons in the refrigerator and place them over your eyes for an instant soothing sensation and an immediate, chilly jolt back to life. Dr. Luftman says, “your eyes will feel cool and look refreshed, the blood vessels around your eyes will shrink and eye circles will appear to vanish!”

* Trainer-to-the-stars, Kacy Duke – whose client list reads like a red carpet who’s who – is one of the most sought-after personal trainers and fitness consultants in the world, in addition to being one of the founders of Equinox Fitness Clubs.

Top tip: Get moving and get skin fit

Exercise can be hard to fit into busy schedules and often takes a back seat to other priorities. On the days when you cannot make it to the gym, find alternate ways to squeeze in some movement so your daily routine can help you pick up the slack. Take the stairs over the escalator, get off the bus a few stops early or jump around the living room to your favorite song. By finding ways to move – even on non-gym days – you promote better blood flow and circulation, which show in the health and beauty of your skin.

* Gita Bass is no stranger to the stars. She’s credited with creating amazing looks for many celebrities on and off camera and is the talent behind numerous editorial photo shoots and advertising campaigns.

Top tip: Take it all off (makeup that is) before hitting the sheets

One of my top tips for a great make-up look is to start with the proper base: prepping your skin. If your skin is smooth and even, then your makeup is halfway done, which makes getting ready for a night out much easier. Just because you look amazing for a special date or dinner with friends doesn’t mean that you can forget about your skin once you get home (even if it’s past your bedtime). The best way to ensure your skin achieves a natural, healthy glow is by getting into the routine of cleansing before bedtime. Overnight, skin needs oxygen to repair itself, and sleeping in make-up can clog pores, causing breakouts and puffy eyes. Gita’s favorite way to cleanse gently and rid skin of impurities before sleep is with the new Simple Foaming Cleanser.

* Ellie Krieger is a “New York Times” bestselling author and host of the Food Network and Cooking Channel’s hit show “Healthy Appetite.” A registered dietitian, Krieger holds a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University. Her success can be attributed in part to her unique way of offering real life advice without any of the gimmicks and crash diets that permeate today’s trends.

Top tip: Put tomatoes to the test

Fine lines are a natural part of aging, but you can help combat them with the right diet. Tomatoes, in particular, contain an antioxidant that is proven to reduce skin cell damage, which can often lead to fine lines. Try an easy spinach salad with chopped tomatoes. Go the extra mile and top your salad with almonds or sunflower seeds. The vitamin E found in these nuts and seeds can help further protect against cell damage.

* Dr. Josie Howard is a board-certified psychiatrist with a practice dedicated to general adult psychiatry. She specializes in psychodermatology, an area of medicine that focuses on the relationship between stress, emotional well-being and skin health.

Top tip: Say it with a smile

Any level of emotional stress we experience can readily be detected on our face, whether it is seen through breakouts, irritation, blushing and of course, frowning. When we smile, we look better, less tired and more refreshed. An added benefit of smiling is that our brains interpret this as a signal that we really are happy and content. Moreover, smiling can help others react to us in a more positive way, which can lead to better and less stressful interactions (or a better and less stressful experience). For more information about Simple and tips from the Simple Advisory Board visit www.simpleskincare.com. While there, check out the Simple Sense diagnostic tool to receive a personalized skincare routine that includes lifestyle tips.

Survey: Teens not as cyber savvy as parents might think

Posted on Nov 24, 2015

While 89 percent of the 700 teenagers polled said they don’t give out too much personal information online (although 46 percent said their friends do), many admitted to engaging in online behaviors that could put their personal information at risk. Three-fourths of kids 13 to 17 included some type of personal information (partial or complete birth date, address, phone number, school, etc.) on their social media profiles.

“Clearly, there’s a disconnect between what teens – and their parents – think they know about online safety and what they’re actually doing,” says Hilary Schneider, LifeLock’s president. “While teens may be experts at using technology and social media to stay connected, we as parents must help them understand the steps necessary to protect their online privacy – or how their online actions today could affect their lives in the future.”

Despite near-daily stories of social media misbehavior damaging the careers of politicians, athletes and entertainers, nearly half of surveyed teens don’t expect their online activities to hurt them later in life.

Many were unaware of how to tell whether a site is secure before entering personal information.

“Children are favorite targets for identity thieves because they have clean credit histories,” says Schneider, who herself is a mother of teenagers. “Fraud may go undetected for years until the child applies for credit as a young adult. With the risks so high, teens and parents have to take steps to protect their privacy, security and identities online.”

The identity theft protection professionals at LifeLock (www.lifelock.com) offer some tips:

* Limit the personal information you share in your social media profile. Listing your full name, full address or even your birth date could potentially open the door to identity thieves.

* Do not accept “friend” requests from anyone you have not already met in person, even if he or she claims to be a friend of a friend.

* Use strong passwords for each social media account and for all your mobile devices. Strong passwords include capital and lowercase letters, numerals and special symbols. Consider using a pass-phrase like “LincolnClassOf2013IsTheBestEver!” or the first letter of each word: “LCo2013itBE!”

* Do your best to verify the security and authenticity of a website before you interact with it, buy something from it or give any information about yourself. Look for the URL to begin with “https” or for the lock symbol on the page that indicates a secure site at checkout.

* Remember that anything you post online is forever. It’s almost impossible to completely eliminate information from the Internet. Inappropriate material posted online now may affect your future relationships, ability to get into the college of your choice – even your future job prospects.

“Today’s teens use technology in virtually every aspect of their lives,” Schneider said. “But they can still use some help from parents to ensure they safely navigate the digital world.”

More information is available at http://www.lifelock.com/education and from the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.onguardonline.gov/features/feature-0002-featured-info-parents.