I am an outdoor entertainment enthusiast. The way I see it, the exteriors were created for our pleasure. Homes are important to many of life’s needs, one of which is a roof over our head and protection from the elements. However, I find there are endless fun options for outdoor entertainment. While sitting around the campfire the other night, my son introduced me to the sport of Disc Golf. I hadn’t even heard of him until he mentioned it. I did some research and found that it is a fantastic outdoor entertainment activity with increasing popularity.

When it comes to the subject of disc golf, there are several interesting points to consider. First, there is the history of the sport itself, from its invention in the 1960s to its growth into a popular pastime today. Second, there is the accessible nature of the courses themselves, with a variety of options conveniently available. To help discover what this exciting game has to offer, let’s examine these categories in more detail.

Flying objects have figured prominently throughout human history and were first used as weapons for hunting and warfare. Experts believe that the cavemen used rocks as projectiles, giving them the ability to kill animals at safer distances. Later, people perfected this technology, using deadly accurate slingshots made from animal sinew and skin. Spears finally arrived on the scene, and these were even better for long range warfare. Over time, as the need to hunt for survival diminished, the challenge of throwing objects accurately became a competition. The warriors eventually began throwing their shields, and this is how the discus event was included in the Olympics.

The modern sport of disc golf has its roots in these beginnings, but has added some unique twists that make it endlessly fun. Before its official creation at the end of the 1960s, some isolated groups developed similar games, but they were short-lived and rudimentary. Some examples include a group of students at Rice University in 1964 that sponsored a tournament using Frisbees as pucks and trees for goals. Another case occurred at Pendleton King Park located in Georgia, which followed a similar plan. Frisbees were thrown into large trash cans set up throughout the park, which served as targets. The most organized attempt occurred in 1960, when the trading firm Copar Plastics produced Sky Golf, a kit that customers bought to play. However, the Frisbee craze had not yet reached its boiling point and the product did not catch on.

Disc golf was successfully championed by two different men, working independently of each other. They are George Sappenfield and “Steady Ed” Headrick, and both are responsible for creating disc golf as we know it today. How they did it? The first to start the movement was George Sappenfield, who was working as a counselor at a summer camp in 1965. He invented the game as an event for his campers and organized a course for them that used objects such as trees, signs, and utility poles as objectives. He called his new game “Basketball Frisbee.” He quickly became popular with children and decided to make it available to a wider audience in 1968. Once he graduated from the university he was attending, he became the Supervisor of Parks and Recreation in Thousand Oaks, California. . He was responsible for community sports and hosted a disc golf tournament for the general public. This early effort was supported by the Wham-O Corporation, which donated Frisbees for the players to use and Hula Hoops for the targets. Over time, its popularity caught on, and others began building courses across the country. One of the best known examples of this is the introduction of disc golf to the UC Berkeley campus, which became such a craze that an official course was soon built.

The second man to shape the face of modern disc golf was “Steady Ed” Headrick, who worked for the Wham-O Corporation. He is credited with inventing the modern Frisbee while working there and took the Pluto Platter, some believe originally a dog toy, and designed it for better performance. He loved the flight characteristics of this simple “toy” and saw potential for organized sports. It was Headrick who developed the first disc golf target, which he called the Disc Pole Hole & trade; and he equated it with the holes used by regular golf. He worked by hanging ten chains over an open basket: when the puck hit the chains, he lost his momentum and got caught in the “hole” below. He originally created this product to stop his friends arguing over whether the goal was successfully achieved and to make the game more fun. It was first used at Oak Grove Park in Pasadena, California and quickly became popular. It was Headrick who founded the International Frisbee Association or IFA, the first of its kind. Due to his contributions to the sport in general, he is now widely considered the father of disc golf.

The next area to consider is the diversity of courses currently available. Since its inception in the late 1960s, disc golf has grown in popularity. Due to the high demand for this sport, many excellent courses have been established throughout the country. In fact, nearly 3,000 courses are now offered in the United States alone, with an additional 3,000 available worldwide. Disc golf has spread to more than 40 countries and is also found in distant places like Australia, Japan and Europe.

If you’re a disc golf enthusiast, or just a lover of outdoor entertainment, there’s almost certainly a course near you. Most medium-sized cities have their own disc golf course, and many small communities include one as well. Some top-rated examples include Flip City disc Golf Park in Shelby, Michigan, which has a reputation for extreme elevation changes. Amazingly, Bill McKenzie built it all on his own and maintains it to this day. Blueberry Hill in Highbridge, Wisconsin also has rave reviews and boasts spectacular views of the Chequamegon National Forest as you play. It includes several ponds that act as a hazard, and the wooded part makes it a truly challenging game. A third course, which is one of the best in the country, is Idlewild, located in Burlington, Kentucky. It offers a professional level of gameplay, with a good variety of challenges in the landscape. It has a full eighteen holes, winding through the beautiful rolling hills.

So in conclusion, from the history of this fine sport to the available courses on offer today, disc golf is a fascinating subject. It’s fun to play, and with an amazing variety of courses across the country, you have access to more options than ever before. It’s easy to learn, but it takes a lifetime to master, and it can offer you a unique challenge every time you enter the course. It is an excellent opportunity to get out of the house, make friends and enjoy the outdoors. Being the outdoorsy type of person that I am, I can’t think of a better way to end a day of disc golf than to invite my friends over to the house, build a fire in the backyard firepit, crack open some of our favorite drinks. and remembering the events of the day.

In today’s world, it’s all too easy to ignore your online reputation. It’s even easier to instantly vaporize and let someone tear it up into a barely recognizable mark that you’ll confess to being involved with. Every blog, community site, customer review, or competitor has hundreds of different options for expressing views and concerns against a business. If you haven’t already, start understanding how to use social media monitoring tools and take proactive steps to keep your business running.

Your second option is to ask the simple question:

Can this happen to me?

Yes, sure you can.

As a case example, I pulled up a local Washington CEO Magazine article on the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2007. I pulled a few of the names off the list and did a quick Google query. Here are some of the headlines I found about the proper names of the “Top 100 companies:

Result 7 – Zillow – Google Headline “How Good Are Zillow’s Estimates?”

“Zillow was close to 5% of price in a third of the transactions The Journal studied. It was more than 25% off target in 11% of them. In 34 of the 1,000 transactions, Zillow was off target in more than fifty %. “

Our take: If you’re a Zillow user or investor, chances are you’ve been exposed to this article and several similar ones. How does it make anyone feel when the Wall Street Journal (regarded as one of the most reputable news sources) says that Zillow estimates are 50% off?

Result 6 – Comcast – Google Headline “A Comcast Technician Sleeping On My Couch” A Comcast cable technician came in to replace a cable modem and fell asleep while waiting for the customer service group. As of this article he was viewed: 1,219,303 times! (At 58 seconds long, that’s a LOT of bad reviews for Comcast.) It had 714 comments.

Our take: Holy smoke Batman. 1,219,303 views! I don’t know of any company that didn’t suffer a marginal hit to marketing, sales, and customer service numbers when a million different people have seen how lackluster Comcast support is.

Finding 3 – Spokane Federal Credit Union Review – Citysearch Review – “I had an account with Spokane Federal for many years and have never been so impressed, they pretty much only took care of what I needed and nothing more, overall I would say they met, not exceeded my expectations”

Our take: Even though Spokane Federal Credit Union has a lot of coverage, it would be easy to dismiss a mediocre review saying they’re nothing more than mediocre.

Result 3 – Zango – PC Hell: Zango Removal Instructions – “Zango is an entertainment site with access to free videos, music, games and other downloads. The site is free for all users, but paid with ads. It is present visitors with an end-user license agreement that they agree to before downloading any content.”

Our take: Here’s a desktop software company that has hordes of people using Zango gaming software, and every time someone Googles their name, you get “PC Hell – Zango Removal Instructions.” If you were to buy a desktop system that had them pre-installed, you can bet you’d remove it in a jiffy. I don’t need a casual gaming rig slowing down my PC while I need to process my data or send an important email.

No matter who you are (how big or small), this can happen to you.

It happens to Comcast and Zillow.

It happens to little ones too.

If you look at this problem from a strictly numerical standpoint, Comcast buys its own “comcast” keyword from Google so it can keep company branding and results at the top of Google. If you were to buy that keyword, it would cost about $1.25 per click, and there are an estimated 5,500 clicks per day on it (so a daily budget of $6,000 to $8,000 per day on that keyword).

If Comcast is paying just $.25 per visitor for that keyword, imagine that those 1,219,303 video views cost Comcast a minimum of $250k in lost clicks, not counting how many customer service issues and PR issues. cause.

For perhaps the first time in history, bank holdings are numerous in almost any housing market. First-time homebuyers, investors, and the average homebuyer in the US markets are eager to purchase a property from the bank.

At first glance, bank properties seem like a lot. Often, they offer significant savings. However, buying a property from a bank, whether it is a short sale or a foreclosure, also carries specific parameters and precautions for the buyer and the seller. Buyers should remember that buying a bank-owned property is very different from a routine property acquisition.

Bank Short Sales Statistics in Southeast Virginia

As of mid-2010, there are over 50 bank property listings in Williamsburg, James City County, Yorktown, Northern York County, and sections of New Kent County and Charles City. In Hampton and Newport News Virginia, there are approximately 175 bank-owned homes for sale. In the Northern Neck counties on the Chesapeake Bay, there are 28 short sales and foreclosures for sale. These numbers indicate that the recession is not over. Homebuyers can expect short sales and bank foreclosures to be listed for some time.

For homeowners who are under water, or who owe more on their home than it is currently worth (and/or are unable to pay their current mortgage due to reduced income, unemployment, or changed life circumstances) , a bank short sale may be a viable option. .

Bank short sales are a tedious process. Those banks that have accepted TARP money, such as Bank of America or Wells Fargo (the former Wachovia) are more inclined to short a property. These banks actually have the leverage to take the loss on the loan.

Some banks are not so friendly to short sales. Instead, these banks allow properties to go into foreclosure. Statistically, an average of 75% of short sales are retired or often end in foreclosure. Banks can hold inventory this way and wait for property values ​​to rise.

Buyers and sellers should be aware that a short sale can take anywhere from four weeks to eight months or more to complete. If a buyer and seller are involved in a short sale, they must be patient.

There are some tricky issues with property short sales. To complete a short sale, you need a good attorney. The lawyer will negotiate with the bank to obtain the best possible conditions for the sale of the property. When there is a second mortgage on a property, there is little chance that the business will receive any proceeds from the short sale. Since the second mortgage loses the most with this type of sale, the company can delay the process.

Making a short sale of a property does not guarantee that the property owner will walk away free of financial responsibilities. Mortgage companies can still choose to hold the former owner liable for financial losses, even after a short sale is complete. A knowledgeable REALTOR will hire a qualified real estate attorney to ensure that the final contract includes verbiage requesting that the remainder of the debt owned by the first or second creditor be forgiven. Inserting this clause may or may not work, but it must be written into the contract.

foreclosures

The best way to find a foreclosed property (or short sale) is to retain a qualified REALTOR in the desired area. This REALTOR will conduct a special MLS search for bank properties.

Foreclosed properties may have been recently vacated and some may have been vacant for a year or more. Some property owners choose to talk to their lender about their inability to keep the loan and then voluntarily vacate the property rather than wait for foreclosure. The owner will send the deed and keys to the lender and will vacate the premises. If an owner leaves this way, some banks may even forgive the unpaid balance.

Mortgage companies and banks like to “spread and fake” in private. This means that the lender acts as if the loan is working, so you don’t have to report it as a delinquent loan. If the loan were to be classified as non-performing, the bank would have to pay more reserve funds to guarantee the investment. Bank properties sit vacant longer in this market for this precise reason

Once the lender takes possession of the property, they have the option of auctioning off the foreclosure in court. Often these home auctions will only generate 50% of the value of the home. If a lender can’t get enough money for the foreclosed property through public auction, he or she can hold it and vacate it or put it on the real estate market.

Condition of Bank Short Sales and Foreclosed Properties

Short sales and foreclosures are sold ‘as is’, with no repairs negotiated. The property can be inspected, but even if something is found wrong, the owners are not required to do anything. The buyer, on the other hand, may need to meet certain conditions for the lender. Some may require moisture and termite inspections, or septic and well inspections, and these costs are the responsibility of the buyer. Do you want to bear it? The seller most likely will not want to pay for inspections or upgrades to existing systems.

Some short sales and foreclosures are in mint condition, while others are ‘buyer beware’ as they have repair issues. It just depends on the situation. An inspection is well worth the money and certainly a good decision for a short sale or foreclosed property. Buyers and REALTORS should be on the lookout for extensive damage, wear and tear, and possible structural issues. Avoid buying homes that require large capital investments to make the home livable: faulty sewers or wells, asbestos, poor roofing, leaded or leaking water pipes, and electrical malfunctions are some of these. Even a small or insignificant repair problem can escalate the longer the home is uninhabited and the problem is ignored. Vacant homes are more likely to become infested with rodents and pests and even snakes and small animals. Look for signs of these when viewing the property.

Even if you’re not the type of person who wants to take the risk of buying property from a bank, don’t let that stop you from buying a house outright. All investments are at risk. It is often better to know what these risks are in advance. If, after reviewing the bank’s property purchase terms, you decide it’s not for you, then consider buying a home through a traditional real estate transaction. There are still plenty of great deals on home buying.

To get to the top of the real estate investing mountain, you’ll want and need to use every tool available in your financial tool belt. While you can theoretically build a house with just a few tools, the quality of the house can suffer if you don’t have certain specialized tools at your disposal. The same is true when you try to finance your real estate transactions.

First, a key real estate truth: You don’t need to have a great credit history or access to a ton of cash to make a fortune as a real estate investor. But you’ll get to the Promised Land of real estate investing much faster if you do.

Since your ultimate goal is to build a thick real estate portfolio and a large residual monthly income that comes in regardless of whether you decide to get out of bed every morning or choose to sleep in late, you’ll want to make sure your finances are in good shape. maximum state of health. That requires you to give your finances a serious checkup, just like your personal doctor would to make sure you’re the picture of good health.

Step one: Get into the right frame of mind

The most critical step in looking at your financial situation is realizing that the way you approach money and financial decisions plays a critical role in your ultimate success or failure. If you have a proven track record of shooting yourself in the foot with poor financial decisions, it’s imperative that you make a sea change and change your spending habits.

Whether you waste a ton of money on music downloads, splurge every day on overpriced gourmet coffee, or deal in a first name with the clerk at Walmart, I’ve got a news flash for you: your budget has more meat than hog than a congressional spending bill. By removing much of the waste from your personal finances, you can generate cash out of thin air that you can use for much better purposes than instant gratification. Instead, you can change your life for the better. But the choice is only yours.

Step Two: Cut Expenses relentlessly

When you finish paying bills at the end of the month, do you usually have cash left over, or do you tend to spend it all within a day or two of payday, then hobble until your next paycheck arrives? Most people spend most of their salary on bills, food, and other necessities. If they’re lucky, they can save a few bucks for a rainy day. The difference between those who are in control of their finances and those whose financial lives are in disarray is that being in control means taking control and staying in control. While many people have trouble increasing their income, it is possible to reduce expenses. To do that, you need to monitor your spending and identify areas of your budget that can be cut. While this isn’t the sexiest topic of conversation, it is absolutely vital to your ultimate success as a real estate investor. Budgeting for monthly expenses and spending only what is on your list is one of the most difficult aspects of taking control of your financial life. By eliminating unnecessary expenses, you will reach your goals faster. Here are some ideas to get started:

Gut the cable pig: That’s how it is; cancel your cable. You’re constantly complaining that there’s nothing good anyway, right? Instead, talk to your spouse, take a walk, listen to a podcast, or read a good book on investing.

Reduce your cell phone plan to suit you: Most of the people are saddled with expensive and wasteful cell phone bundle deals. Unlimited texting, mobile web, and bulk calling plans are great, but most people don’t use all the features on their phone. Do you need mobile browsing, or is it just a toy you use to watch YouTube videos when you should be doing something else? Do you need unlimited texting, or can you give your thumbs a rest if it will save you $20 per month?

Check your credit card statement: See if you have any recurring charges each month. Are they items that you need? You may even have a few small charges each month that you forgot to sign up for. Delete the ones you don’t need and keep them up to date to make sure you’re not throwing money out the window.

Stay out of the Drive-through – your waistline and your wallet will thank you. These often daily trips to McDonald’s and other fast food outlets are killing your health and your budget, sometimes to the tune of $5-$10 per trip. This also applies to coffee. Caribou and Starbucks are tempting, but do you really need to stop for a $5 cup of joe every day, or would you save money by making it at home?

Step Three: Pay Off Excess Debt

Another area that is probably holding you back is excessive debt. High credit card balances, store credit card balances, and computer payments are a reality for millions of us. However, if they’re holding you back financially, you should go the way of the 8-track tape and join the growing list of things that once served a useful purpose and no longer do. Make extra payments, have a garage sale, or do whatever it takes to eliminate excessive debt. If you can’t find the cash to pay some of these bills, consolidate or at least make larger payments. If what’s in your wallet, credit cards, are eating up too much of your cash, it’s time to take control and protect your financial interests. No one else will.

Step Four: Check Your Credit Report and Score

How is your credit history? Do you have a long history of consistently paying your bills on time, or do you tend to pay a lot of your bills late, if at all? If you’re like most people, your history of paying bills on time falls somewhere in the middle. The first step in making that determination is to look at your credit report and find out what your credit score is. Once you know those details, you can get to work improving your credit and positioning your finances to take advantage of real estate opportunities when they come your way. The good news is that you won’t have to spend a small fortune to get your credit report. The federal government, for once, finally had a pro-consumer idea that makes sense. The three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, have partnered with a single website www.annualcreditreport.com that allows you to get your credit report once a year for free. Whether you get all three at the same time, or stagger them to look at a different one every four months, that’s your choice. The important thing is that you get these reports and see what information is in them. They will have most of your credit transactions on them, as well as any cancellations, late payments, etc., along with your current balances. If you find that your report contains errors, omissions, or fraudulent accounts (accounts listed in your name that were opened by someone other than you), there is a mechanism to correct these entries. Because your ability to borrow money and the interest rate you’ll pay depend on the accuracy of these reports, it’s in your best interest to make sure the story on your credit report is true. While you may not get free credit scores with your free credit reports, it is important that you have an accurate understanding of your current credit score as part of a comprehensive examination of your finances. You are much more than a number, but to a potential lender, numbers are all that matter. If your FICO score is too low, your chances of getting approved for a loan are reduced. This knowledge will allow you to act decisively in improving your credit score, and the rate and terms that you can demand in all your financial transactions.

Step Five: Increase Your Income

You have two options to increase your income: work harder at your job or find an entrepreneurial opportunity that can put you on the path to financial success. Investing in real estate is a proven method of building wealth, residual monthly income, and life-changing opportunities.

Pine Financial Group aims to continue to provide you with tools that you can put to work in your life today to increase your income and build real, sustainable wealth. What you do with this knowledge is up to you.

Putting a pool in your backyard sounds like a great idea, right? You can swim to your heart’s content and entertain family and friends on those hot summer days. Unfortunately, the price of a swimming pool is not cheap. You could end up spending thousands of extra dollars if you don’t do the proper research and compare pool companies before installing your pool.

Pool prices vary depending on the type of pool you want. Inground pools tend to be more expensive due to the digging and excavation involved. With the required let configuration, an above ground pool is more affordable for most families. The bottom line is that you want to end up paying the right price for your pool.

The best way to do this is by comparing pool companies and pool prices against each other. Beware of companies that offer pools at discount prices or at a relatively low price. Cheaper is not always better. However, you want to pay a reasonable overall price. Expensive pools don’t always mean better either. Beware of hidden costs that can inflate the price of your pool. If you choose a company based on a lower price but their service isn’t the best, you may end up paying more in the long run to fix mistakes. What you want is a reputable pool company that offers pool prices you can’t afford, but that are reasonable.

When looking for reasonable pool prices, you need to think about what you’ll pay. Installing an inground pool involves excavation, concrete pouring, and installation. Essentially, you’ll be tearing your backyard apart and then putting it back together. The final price also depends on the type of accessories you choose. Adding things like a waterfall, slide, or pool heater can add a lot to the price.

The best way to be financially prepared for your group is to calculate the amount of money you will spend ahead of time. Factor in accessories, installation, and the price tag itself. Also, be sure to set aside some money in case something goes wrong. You want to be able to afford mistakes or setbacks, should they occur. If not, then you will have that extra money to play with. You can use it to buy some fun and exciting pool furniture, pool games, or pool floats for your whole family to enjoy.

The average family size inground pool costs around $15,000, while most above ground pools range from $2,500 to $4,500 if you install it yourself. The cost will also be determined by the size, style, and location of the pool. Also remember that installation costs extra, so unless you plan to install the pool yourself, you will have to pay for installation. Other costs may include landscaping, pool fencing, and ongoing maintenance. Ongoing maintenance can include anything from chlorine and other cleaning chemicals, upkeep of filtration equipment, pumps and hoses, and electrical maintenance.

They’re important to all new and used cars, but a Chevy Cobalt extended warranty is a must. Why? Because, to put it mildly, these aren’t the best-built cars on the road. And chances are you have some sort of problem that requires a mechanic’s attention. You can’t be without it.

When it comes to the smaller class of cars, the Cobalt is at or near the bottom of the field. Compared to similar vehicles, the ride, handling, stability and comfort ratings are low. You’ll do a little better with the SS trim, but the LS and LT are disappointing.

But not everything is bad. In addition to its attractive price, there have been relatively few engine and transmission issues, and the paint and trim will stay intact for long periods of time.

Problems arise when it comes to a few important areas, which is why Chevy Cobalt extended warranties are recommended. What areas in particular? The integrity of the body, which is a great consideration. This has been a major problem for the Cobalt since 2005, and it doesn’t look like the 2009 model is going to change things. Body issues can be significant expenses and often arise after the original manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

Hardware is also an issue with these small vehicles, including windows and locks, trunks, mirrors, seat belts, and glass. Many owners have reported significant problems with various parts, and the Cobalt scores below average in this area. Over the years, there have also been some problems with electrical equipment.

With all of these potential problems, you really can’t be without a Chevy Cobalt extended warranty. One of these problems alone can cost a few hundred, even a few thousand dollars to fix. And if you meet several of them? Forget it.

You really can’t afford to go without extended coverage on your car, especially one that has been known to have structural and/or mechanical problems in the past. You are preparing for disaster.

With the money you’re saving by buying this car, whether new or used, you can purchase additional coverage that in many cases is less than the cost of a major repair. If you think about it that way, you can see how foolish it would be to go without one.

So there you have it. That’s why Chevy Cobalt extended warranties are something every owner of these vehicles should get. Make the right choice.

How to start your own cleaning service provider

For the last 50 years, our homes and offices used to be covered with cement or tile floors.

Today it is highly likely that you can find most commercial office floors with carpet. More of our private homes are also furnishing their floors with rugs, some even going to the extreme of including rugs in their bathrooms and kitchens. They called it wall-to-wall carpeting.

The on-site carpet cleaning industry was born due to the fact that removing wall-to-wall carpet for cleaning is highly impractical.

It’s also noteworthy to recognize that more homeowners are turning to the alternative flooring trend. About 3/4 of its floors are covered with carpet and the rest are materials such as laminate, ceramic tile, stone, and hardwood.

Even so, there’s still plenty of room for carpet cleaning services to come in, especially those that are diversified and clean carpets, upholstery, and those alternative floor coverings.

Many carpet cleaning services started out as home-based businesses. As you grow older, one may choose to move into a commercial location, but many highly profitable carpet cleaners never move out of their homes.

“This carpet cleaning business is something the average guy can really do without a huge amount of education or expense,” says Mike Blair, owner of AAA Prestige Carpet Care, a carpet and upholstery cleaning business in St. George, Utah. “It’s not for everyone. It’s a physically and emotionally demanding business. You do it all when you’re starting out, you’re the head chef and the bottle washing. But it’s profitable enough.”

WHO WILL CONSIDER YOU FOR CLEANING SERVICES?

All home and business owners with installed carpeting and/or upholstered furniture are your potential customers. Targeting a residential market will mean less upfront costs and equipment, as businesses typically need more than just cleaning their carpets. You will need more equipment to service them.

However, due to the fact that carpet and upholstery cleaning services are used by a wide range of commercial businesses, this is a lucrative market worth pursuing.

Business operations that use carpet and upholstery cleaners include apartment and condominium buildings, offices, schools, banks, restaurants, hotels, churches, bowling alleys, transportation terminals, and more.

One such reliable cleaning service provided by one of my most trusted Singaporean friends, Mr. Dinesh’s company, is Cleaning Solutions Clearvisions (S) Pte Ltd . More information can be found on their website. clearvisions.com.mx.

WHO ARE YOUR BUSINESS RIVALS IN THE CLEANING INDUSTRY?

You may be competing against all the carpet and upholstery cleaners in your neighborhood that are targeting the same market, but there are other sources of competition that you should be aware of.

Business accounts may prefer to hire a janitorial service for carpet cleaning and other miscellaneous cleaning jobs; it is easier for them to have a single source for these types of cleaning services. You don’t need to convince these prospects that, as specialists, you will do a better job. Or find out who your janitorial service is and work out a subcontracting agreement with the cleaning service.

In the residential market, your primary competition (in addition to other carpet and upholstery cleaning services) will be do-it-yourselfers. This includes people who rent carpet cleaning machines from local supermarkets, people who buy their own cleaning machines, and people who use spray-and-vacuum carpet cleaning products available in supermarkets and retail stores.

A Florida carpet cleaning service owner says many of those aerosol products are the best sources of business he has, and even leave the carpet looking worse, which means he gets the call to do the job right. cleaning.

CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING SERVICES

50 years ago, our homes and offices used to be covered with cement or tile floors.

Today it is highly likely that you can find most commercial office floors with carpet. More of our private homes are also furnishing their floors with rugs, some even going to the extreme of including rugs in their bathrooms and kitchens. They called it wall-to-wall carpeting.

The on-site carpet cleaning industry was born due to the fact that removing wall-to-wall carpet for cleaning is highly impractical.

It’s also noteworthy to recognize that more homeowners are turning to the alternative flooring trend. About 3/4 of its floors are covered with carpet and the rest are materials like laminate, ceramic tile, stone, and hardwood.

Even so, there’s still plenty of room for carpet cleaning services to come in, especially those that are diversified and clean carpets, upholstery, and those alternative floor coverings.

Many carpet cleaning services started out as home-based businesses. As you grow older, one may choose to move into a commercial location, but many highly profitable carpet cleaners never move out of their homes.

“This carpet cleaning business is something the average guy can really do without a huge amount of education or expense,” says Mike Blair, owner of A Prestige Carpet Care, a carpet and upholstery cleaning business in St. George, Utah. “It’s not for everyone. It’s a physically and emotionally demanding business. You do it all when you’re starting out, you’re the head chef and the bottle washing. But it’s profitable enough.”

WHO WILL CONSIDER YOU FOR CLEANING SERVICES?

All home and business owners with installed carpeting and/or upholstered furniture are your potential customers. Targeting a residential market will mean less upfront costs and equipment, as businesses typically require more than just cleaning their carpets. You will need more equipment to service them.

However, due to the fact that carpet and upholstery cleaning services are used by a wide range of commercial businesses, this is a lucrative market worth pursuing.

Business operations that use carpet and upholstery cleaners include apartment and condominium buildings, offices, schools, banks, restaurants, hotels, churches, bowling alleys, transportation terminals, and more.

EQUIPMENT

Wide range of options when it comes to carpet cleaning and ancillary equipment, and it could take you a month to research them all. The following information should save you some time cleaning carpets:

It is best to avoid the older type of rotary brush cleaning machine. this is typically what is available for consumers to rent at retail stores. This type of cleaning machine is found in both commercial and consumer sizes, but even the largest cleaning machines do an amateur job of cleaning. And therein lies the reason why carpet and upholstery cleaning businesses are thriving. If the homeowners and building superintendent are happy with the poor results, they could hire any kid on the block to wash their carpets and/or upholstery with a rented cleaning machine.

However, there is a demand for quality cleaning work. and if you give it, you will have a client who will contact you repeatedly. But you can’t give a better cleaning result than customers can achieve themselves if you don’t use better cleaning equipment, and in most situations, that means using commercial-grade cleaning machines.

Cleaning equipment manufacturers offer a wide range of styles and features with an equally wide range of prices and payment terms.

Consider issues like versatility, is the cleaning machine multifunctional (can the cleaning machine do more than just clean carpets?), and if so, what will you need in the way of cleaning accessories? What type of guarantees does the manufacturer of the cleaning equipment offer? What about service contracts, training and other support issues?

Also keep in mind that whether you choose portable or truck-mounted cleaning equipment, each of your service vehicles will need a carpet cleaning machine. Smart Tip: Keep your back in mind when shopping for cleaning equipment. Look for cleaning tools and designs that reduce stress on your back so you can clean longer and be less tired at the end of the cleaning job.

STARTING CLEANING KIT CHECKLIST

Carpet Cleaners Carpet Cleaning Machine (Truck Mounted Unit) Carrying Case for Accessories Emulsifiers Horsehair Brushes (for upholstery) miscellaneous Pile Brushes Pre-spray & Fabric Protectant Signage Stain Brushes Utility Brushes Machine for wall cleaning

You are already familiar with Real Estate Appraisers, they appraise real estate, your house and land, crops on the ground, buildings that are not mobile. A personal property appraiser appraises just about everything else. Her car, boat, Grandma’s Haviland, Suzie’s Barbies, tools, equipment, jewelry, furs, antiques, the ’41 Buick in the back storage building, crops after harvest, landscape plantings the keeper real estate agent forgot or didn’t notice, your furniture, tractors and bulldozers, horses and cattle. Everything is personal property, even your Rembrandt and your VanGogh, especially them.

Only? Of course, no.

Personal property appraisers work together for you, I handle antiques and residential contents, horses and those pesky garden plantings. Yes, that means trees and shrubs that you spent a lot of money on and should be able to add their value to the price of your home or office. You should be able to secure them. People steal trees. Yes, trees planted. Happened to a close neighbor a few years ago: New planting, forty locust saplings, all planted, mulched, watered, and in the morning…gone. Value, forty times $90.00 each, without insurance. Other personal property appraisers handle all of the other “stuff” mentioned above and much, much more.

So you need an appraisal to insure things, and you need an appraisal to claim against loss, damage, or theft using your insurance. You need an appraisal and a rider on your insurance for sterling silver, fur coats, jewelry and antiques, both home antiques and garage antiques. You need an appraisal for an estate when someone dies and leaves a certain amount of value, you need an appraisal to donate something other than cash if the value is over a certain amount, and you may want an appraisal to buy or sell something.

You need an appraiser if you want to donate anything other than green money. There are some pretty specific rules about that, but it’s doable. Many things are acceptable as donations, even horses. It is possible to donate items to an organization that wants to sell them, but there are even stricter rules about it and it takes time.

An example of a restricted-use personal appraisal: You want to buy something quite exotic… a helicopter. There is a very nice one for sale at the local airfield, but how much do you have to pay? Enter your friend the real estate appraiser. A call is sent to the helicopter guy who is a mechanical and equipment appraiser with make, model, year, engine hours and pictures via email. Helicopter guy does some digging and comes back. Down and Dirty – It’s called a restricted use appraisal and it’s just to help you out when you need a value to clear your mind. Agree, helicopters are terrifyingly exotic. Try this: your daughter talked you into a horse, she’s always a daughter, sons want cars. Same process, only this time we go to her, have her try the horse, stop her if we think the horse is beyond her or a bad choice in some other way. Perhaps she will suggest some places for a suitable horse, a tackling stand, and lessons on how to handle and ride such a large animal. We then help establish what the selling price of that horse should be in the same restricted use format, FYI.

Grandma just moved into a nice one-story condo where dinner is served in the “clubhouse” every night and there’s always something going on. She’s tired of dusting off that generational trash, so she let you drive. Relatives have come out of nowhere saying that grandma or grandpa promised them the same. Grandma doesn’t say, but she does say, “NO BEARINGS!” Now this is a little different, you don’t give… well, you don’t care about the value of a single item in that house, but you want Grandma to have as much money as possible because you like to see her smile and play. Bridge or Euchre or Texas Hold ’em to everyone you care about and having friends again instead of a big empty house.

You have a settlement problem. There’s a lot of that going around right now, saleout, that is.

We can help with that too. Most personal property appraisers also handle liquidations or auctions or some other form of distribution of personal property. We’ll help you decide whether to sell things locally or perhaps they would sell better at a regional auction house like Cowan’s in Cincinnati, Ohio, Neal’s in New Orleans, or Jackson’s in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. These are just three of the many auction houses. Reliable regional companies in the Midwest. There are others in other parts of the country, and there are reliable “field hammermen” all over the United States as well.

Now you have another problem, a relative who fights. Grandma refers them all to YOU! there are many ways to handle this, auction houses are one, well-advertised local clearance sales, sometimes called “estate sales” are another. If auction is your choice, we help you organize, pack and deliver things, pay us by the hour. If you choose a liquidation type sale, we enter the price and organize everything. The family enters and makes their decisions, the accounting is kept so that each member knows what each one took. When the sale is over, the money is divided in such a way that all family members get out equally. It’s about what Grandma said, “no niceties.” What’s left over goes to St. Vincent De Paul or his church or the reStore or the sidewalk. It is easy? No, it’s hard work but you don’t do it.

Haven’t you hit your hot button yet? Well, I’m trying. I really want to tell you what you want to know. Let’s see: Insurance, donation, inheritance tax liability, litigation support, asset valuation. What about the guarantee of a bank loan? Do you think you have something that could be enough, a fancy cattle with a bull? A small plane? Van Gogh? Well, maybe not, but how about six John Marin watercolors from the early years of his career, or cels from an early Disney movie with a letter from Walt himself? The banker looks askance. You need a personal property appraiser, those things have value.

Do we do this for the goodness of our ears? Of course not. Do you spend forty hours a week at your office out of the goodness of your heart? Of course not. We charge per job or per hour. We never charge for the amount of value we will bring to you, that’s unethical, a big no no. We take photos, we inventory, we do research, we help you understand what kind of value you need. Remember that the sentimental value is zero.

Once again, what would you like to know about the appraisal of personal property? How can we help you solve your value problems and your customers’ value problems? Feel free to phone or email, we can usually go almost anywhere in Michigan.

Owning a condo is considered a hybrid type of ownership, as it is not a traditional ownership structure. There are some characteristics that can help in the definition of condominium ownership. An individual property unit is the space that falls within the limits that have been specified. This can include multiple rooms, as well as an interior wall dividing different rooms into that specific unit. It also includes storage areas and balconies. The unit is airspace with no land, but is still considered real property.

Common areas

The common areas are the other parts of said property. This is the area shared by all unit owners. This includes the roof, lobbies, hallways, foundations, floors, elevators, ceilings, and basement, etc. Others are facilities such as water, gas, electricity and heating. There are other areas such as the parking lots, the pool, etc., which are also part of the common areas shared by the owners of the units.

ownership interest

Ownership interest in the property is conveyed through deed. The owner can sell his interest if he wishes. Like other types of property, ownership can be held by one individual, or by two or more than two individuals, by a wife and husband, or by a business entity.

Taxes

As is the case with other types of property, condo unit owners have to part with property taxes as required by law. Each unit and interest in common areas is generally considered as a package and is assessed and assessed on an individual basis. Common areas are not assessed or taxed separately. The owner is responsible for taxes within his own parcel.

Associations

Typically, condominiums or unit owners associations are established when condos are created to make sure that all owners can maintain and manage the entire property as a team. A third-party property manager is typically assigned to handle all property development and management. There are some developments that have a community of owners and a community of condominium owners where they have responsibilities in different aspects related to the administration of the developments, as well as their maintenance.

There are governing documents that are created to offer guidance on how associations are supposed to operate. They also include some rules that all tenants, owners, and guests must abide by. These are the legal documents that can specify anything, including the type of pets allowed and the consequences of breaking any of the stated rules. Some of the consequences may include a lawsuit, enforcement, and even fines.

monthly expiration

The association receives payments at different times of the year and this is the responsibility of the unit owners. These dues cover maintenance and management expenses. Usually fixed and variable expenses owed like taxes, pool maintenance, gardening, garbage collection, building insurance, and also something to add to the reserve fund. If the money in a reserve fund is not enough, a special assessment may be charged to homeowners to handle improvements and special projects, such as furnace and roof repairs, etc.

When it comes to lease agreements, they can sometimes be difficult to read, especially if you don’t know what to look for. A lease is made by a landlord and then signed by the tenant (you). You will find that most leases are made up for one year. You will be able to find some that are short-term leases, but this is not common. Regardless of the length of the lease you are signing, you should be sure to read it very carefully to make sure nothing illegal has been put into it.

For most people, reading a lease can be a daunting and somewhat confusing task. But this step must be taken because you must read the different clauses that are included in the lease. For example, there could be a pet, maintenance, or sublet clause. Be sure to read each clause of the lease carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or get clarification on anything you’re unsure about.

Things to consider when reading a lease

One of the most important things to look for is any clause that tells you that you must pay for all damages or repairs to the property. It doesn’t matter what state you live in, this is illegal. The property owner is responsible for all damages and repairs to a property. Some examples of things he or she is responsible for are structural repairs, appliances that come with the property, and anything to do with heating and plumbing.

Another really important thing to keep in mind when reading your lease is to make sure that your security deposit is not part of your rent. Your security deposit is given to the landlord when you move out, and when you move out and the house is still in good condition, your deposit will be returned to you.

You should be sure to review the part of the lease that talks about your utility bills. If you move into a house, it’s normal to have to pay all the utilities. Now this clause can cause some problems. If you are asked to pay for your own electricity and water and you move into a building that only has one meter for the entire building, then this is illegal.

The landlord cannot ask you and the other tenants to split the cost of water and electricity. In this case, you are obligated to pay for those utilities. Now if the building has a separate meter for each unit, then it is perfectly legal for the landlord to ask you to pay for these utilities. Just be careful and be sure to check your meter situation before you sign your lease.

By making sure you are reading your lease, you are ultimately protecting yourself. If at any point while you are reading the lease and something concerns you or you don’t like, be sure to talk to your landlord. When both parties are satisfied with the lease, you can sign it. A lease is given to protect all parties involved and to make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way.