Today, we are faced with so many different flooring options on the market and don’t be surprised if you get a little confused. Whether you’re designing a new home or just planning to renovate your home, you should be aware of the pros and cons of various types of flooring.

Before making any decision, you should consider factors such as your budget, the durability of the floor, the difficulty of installation, and how much time and effort you are willing to spend on cleaning and maintenance. Keep in mind that one type may be easy to install, but difficult to clean. Another might be durable but is more expensive.

One of the main benefits associated with tile floors is the ease of maintenance. Tiles have been used for centuries to provide a durable tiled surface that is hygienic and easy to clean. Requiring no special cleaning solution, tile is easier to clean than most flooring options.

Choosing ceramic or porcelain tiles, it doesn’t matter, they can be repaired very easily if they get damaged. Always save an extra box of tiles for future repairs because there are often differences between two batches. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and designs, for interior and exterior. Wood-look tiles are especially popular as an outdoor flooring option. Tiles also offer the advantage of being waterproof, so if you have a leak in the dishwasher or washing machine, they can be easily cleaned without damaging them. Not everyone prefers this type of soil, due to its hardness. They are considered unfit for a comfortable life.

Wood flooring options come in two types. Hardwood floors are built as a single piece of wood, and engineered wood contains four to five layers of wood fused together.

Hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished many times over their lifetime. On the one hand, they are extremely durable and extremely easy to clean on the other. Solid Tongue is one of the more expensive wood flooring options. If you’re looking for a luxurious feel, invest in this type of flooring and you won’t be disappointed. Engineered wood offers all the benefits of natural wood flooring without the need for sanding or polishing. They can be ideal for installation below grade, as it is much more resistant to the effects of moisture than hardwood. The extremely fast installation is one of the most important factors affecting the decision to buy this type of flooring.

Increasingly popular, bamboo flooring is an eco-friendly flooring option that is more durable and easy to install and clean. This type of floor is the favorite of allergy sufferers and asthmatics due to its resistance to dust and mold. It is considered a highly renewable option for modern homes and can be found in many textures and colors. These floors are extremely easy to dent and scratch and the color of the bamboo is sensitive to sunlight and may fade over time.

Nothing adds visual warmth and comfort like rugs. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns, making them a perfect flooring option for any lifestyle and home decor. A carpeted floor is a safe floor, reducing the impact of slips and falls. Also reducing noise is a positive factor. Compared to other flooring options, carpet can be difficult and expensive to clean. Whether you choose natural wood or a selection of nylon and fibers, the rug will always provide years of pleasure.

As an investor, especially a real estate investor, you want to get a property that will give you the highest cash flow and ROI (return on investment) possible. Some investors opt for apartment complexes, while others opt for single-family homes. If you are the type who is new to the sand and wants to get your feet wet, the best way is with single-family homes. Depending on your investment strategy, you may want to invest in single-family properties to trade in ownership, live in it yourself, or as a source of cash flow by renting it out to someone else.

The only thing about finding this type of real estate is the high prices you can find. Because real estate prices have skyrocketed in recent years, the price of a single-family-owned home may be higher than you want to pay. However, there is a way out. In fact, you can find cheap single-family properties. Yes, you can practically get one that is a bargain. How is this possible?

Actually, there are many ways to get single-family homes. If you do some research and dig carefully, you may find some resources. Here are some resources you can try that have produced leads for other real estate investors:

o Homes in Need of Repair – One way to find affordable single-family property is by contacting local construction companies. Investors don’t realize that construction companies work closely with real estate agencies, sellers, and even the city or town where you live. They have friends in places you couldn’t contact. They can find out what properties are selling or about to sell and where the properties are located. Don’t be afraid to stop and ask a construction site manager if he knows anything. Just tell him that you’re a real estate investor, and he’ll be more than willing to share what he knows.

o Foreclosures – Another way to find single-family properties is by looking for foreclosures. Get a list of foreclosures from a real estate agent or online, and look them up. There is even a website dedicated to foreclosures. This is the best and easiest way to find cheap single family property. In fact, you can find some properties for practically a penny on the dollar. All it does in many cases is simply pay off the delinquent mortgage.

o Tax Liens – This is one way some investors get involved when it comes to real estate. They usually get a list of tax liaisons from the tax department at the county or local government tax office. You can also find these listings published in the Sunday newspaper. Many types of properties are listed. Just make sure the one you want is a single-family property. In some circumstances, you may have to pay as little as $500 or less for the property.

o HUD – Don’t forget to look at HUD. They have ways to help you finance your first home, but they usually have listings for single-family homes that are cheaper than what you’d find through a real estate agent.

o Bank Auctions – When looking for your next single-family home, why not turn to bank auctions? Many investors have gone into these and made a killing. But before you go to one, do your homework. Check in advance the houses that are up for auction and find out the market value of the houses and the taxes of the area, etc. Knowing these facts will save you a lot of money and time by only bidding on the price that is just below market value. This way, you won’t find yourself spending more than the property is actually worth.

o Distressed Housing: Another way to find a single family owned property is simply by driving down the street in your or another neighborhood. Find a house that is really addicted. Look for upturned cars in the driveway, spilled oil or litter, dead or overgrown grass, and an obvious sign of neglect. Also check the neighborhood. How close are you to shops and maybe nearby bus lines? These types of neighborhoods are low-income residents. As such, they are willing to sell their property very cheap just to get out of those conditions.

Finding cheap single-family property isn’t really that hard if you know where to look. Hopefully the information in this article will provide some ideas on where to look for them.

When you book a vacation rental property in a ski resort, there is undeniable magic in the phrase ‘ski-in, ski-out’. It conjures up images of a charmingly restored log cabin on the edge of an immaculately groomed slope, of watching other skiers make graceful turns from your living room window, with the occasional sprinkling of snow against the window pane. He suggests walking out your front door, clicking on your skis, and sliding down the slopes to the lift. You can anticipate avoiding the crush of people waiting for a lukewarm, soggy pizza at the mountain restaurant by using your own chalet as…a mountain restaurant. And, perhaps best of all, you may want to ski back to your doorstep in the late afternoon and forget about trudging the trails and the indignity of overcrowded shuttle buses.

The reality can be very different. Knowing the power of the term ‘ski-in, ski-out’, vacation rental providers are quick to use it to cover a myriad of different arrangements and a range of proximity to the slopes. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1) The ‘ski-in ski-out’ home that is truly ‘walking distance’ to the slopes. The economics of hillside housing development means that when an area is developed hillside, only part of it is actually hillside. There is almost certainly a hinterland of properties that have access to the slopes…via paths, steps, driveways, etc. The paths may or may not be short. Be sure to ask exactly how far a particular property is from the actual ski slope, and what the path actually looks like: is it a level walkway or a series of dozens of icy steps?

2) The ski-in, ski-out house reached via an ungroomed path through the woods. When these homes were originally built, the developers cut a path for them so they could be sold as ‘ski-in, ski-out’. However, these trails are very often too narrow for a snow cat to use; Furthermore, they are most likely private property and the lift company that sets up the slopes may not be responsible for them. Only if the owners of the properties that trail serves get together and make private arrangements to fix it, will you find the trail to be in good condition for safe use.

3) The ski-in, ski-out home offering good ski-in, ski-out access…if you’ve chosen one of the 2 weeks of the year when the snow is down to that level. Many resorts that offer ski accommodation are located in the valley, and global warming has caused the snow line to rise and the number of weeks snow stays on the ground at certain elevations to decrease.

4) Finally, there’s nirvana: a ski-in, ski-out home that is what it says it is: situated right on the slopes that are covered in snow all season long and groomed by the ski lift company’s snowcats to diary. This is what is now known as “true ski-in, ski-out.” However, you may find that because this property is so scarce, it is also very expensive, or alternatively, it is developed with high-density accommodation and lacks charm. The Aspens in Whistler is a good example of this. The situation is perfect, right on the slopes, but the accommodation is mostly quite spartan.

The lesson here is simple. When you book ski-in, ski-out accommodation, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. If you’re booking a resort like Whistler, where there are many gradations of ski-in, ski-out lodging, check with one of the local property management companies like Holiday Whistler, and ask them very closely about their exact location before you book. Your Whistler Ski Lodge.

There are a number of significant income tax benefits that are often overlooked by real estate investors that could allow them to defer or exclude some or all of their income tax liability on the sale or disposition of their real estate assets.

It is important that real estate investors have at least a working knowledge of the basics in order to identify when a strategy may be applicable. The following is a concise summary of the available strategies that an Investor should discuss with her tax advisor.

Section 1031–Tax-deferred in-kind exchange of property held for rental, investment, or used in a business

Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (“1031 exchange”) provides that real property held for rental, investment, or use in a business (“leased property”) may be exchanged for real property “of the same kind” that is also held for rental, investment, or business use (“replacement property”) that allows the Investor to defer their federal and, in most cases, state tax obligations.

It is important to note that 1031 exchange transactions are tax-deferred exchanges, not tax-free exchanges, as many authors and advisers frequently refer to. Investors’ capital gains and depreciation recovery tax liabilities are simply deferred, and may be deferred continuously and indefinitely, on like-type replacement properties acquired as part of a series of 1031 exchange transactions.

The tax deferral benefits of the 1031 exchange allow an Investor to sell, dispose of, or convert real estate without reducing their cash position by paying capital gains recovery or depreciation taxes. This provides the Investor with the ongoing liquidity needed to grow their real estate portfolio through value trading and ultimately increase their net worth by improving cash flow and portfolio capital appreciation.

A qualified intermediary is required when completing a 1031 exchange transaction. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code applies to both personal and real property.

Section 1033–Involuntary Conversion (Disposition) of Property through Eminent Domain (Condemnation) or Natural Disaster

Section 1033 of the Internal Revenue Code (“1033 Exchange”) provides that real property that is or will be the subject of a mandatory or involuntary conversion either in an Eminent Domain proceeding (taking by local, state, or federal government) or destruction by an act of God, such as an earthquake, hurricane, fire, or other natural disaster, in whole or in part, may be exchanged tax-deferred for “like” real property that is similar or related in service or use to the property that was involuntarily converted.

Owners have up to two (2) years to replace property destroyed due to acts of God and up to three (3) years to replace property converted due to Eminent Domain proceedings.

A qualified intermediary is not required when completing a 1033 exchange transaction.

Section 1034–Reinvestment of Proceeds from the Sale of a Principal Residence (Repealed)

Section 1034 of the Internal Revenue Code (“1034 Exchange”) was repealed and replaced by Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code. However, it is important to understand what Section 1034 was about, what changed with the repeal of this Section, and what the differences are between the old and new law.

Section 1034 of the Internal Revenue Code allowed an owner of real property used as his or her principal residence to sell or otherwise dispose of the principal residence and defer 100% of his or her capital gains tax liability through the acquisition of another principal residence of equal or greater value.

Qualified Intermediaries were not required for Section 1034 exchange transactions.

Section 721–Tax-deferred exchange of property held for rental, investment, or use in a business in a real estate investment trust (REIT)

Section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code (“721 Exchange”) allows an Investor to exchange rental or investment real property for shares in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). This is called a 721 exchange, also known as an upREIT or 1031/721 exchange.

Investors typically use upREITs in conjunction with the sale of relinquished property and the acquisition of replacement property of the same type pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Once the replacement property has been held as a rental or investment property for 12 to 18 months or longer to demonstrate the Investors’ intent to maintain the property and qualify for 1031 exchange treatment, the replacement property is contributed to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). ) in exchange for shares in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) pursuant to Section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code.

However, the 721 exchange does not have to be in conjunction with a 1031 exchange. The Investor could simply contribute rental or investment properties that the Investor already owns directly to the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) as part of a 721 exchange.

The 721 exchange can provide an investor with a great exit strategy when trading their real estate investment portfolio for shares of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) which should provide more liquidity once the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) becomes publicly traded and listed on a stock exchange. The Investor also gains complete control and flexibility over capital gains tax recognition by determining the timing and number of shares sold in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

However, the 721 exchange essentially eliminates the Investor’s ability to re-exchange real property and defer their capital gains taxes through the use of a 1031 exchange because the Investor now owns securities rather than a real estate interest.

Article 121–Exclusion of Capital Gain in the Sale of Principal Residence

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 repealed and replaced the tax deferral provisions contained in Section 1034 of the Internal Revenue Code with a capital gains exclusion provision pursuant to Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Exclusion 121”).

In general, a Taxpayer may sell real property that they own and use as their primary residence and exclude from gross income up to $250,000 in capital gains tax if the Taxpayer is single and up to $500,000 in capital gains tax if the Taxpayer is married and file a joint income tax return. The Taxpayer is required to have lived in the real property as its principal residence for at least 24 months of the last 60 months (two of the last five years). The 24 months need not be consecutive, and there are certain exceptions to the 24-month requirement when a change in employment, health, or other unforeseen circumstances has occurred.

Section 121 is effective for dispositions of real property held as a principal residence after May 7, 1997. Taxpayers may complete a 121 exclusion once every two (2) years.

Taxpayers should carefully monitor the amount of capital gain “built” on their primary residence and may want to seriously consider selling their primary residence before the capital gain tax liability exceeds the $250,000 or $500,000 limit. The Taxpayer’s capital gains tax liability in excess of these exclusion limitations will be subject to tax. A sale of the primary residence would preserve the tax-free capital gain exclusion and allow the Taxpayer to purchase another primary residence and start over.

Special legal, tax, and financial planning is needed in circumstances where a Taxpayer already has a significant capital gains tax liability that exceeds the $250,000 or $500,000 exclusion limit. For example, the primary residence could become a rental or investment property and then be sold as part of a 1031 exchange after it has been rented long enough to demonstrate the Investor’s intent to maintain the property as a rental property or investment. . This would allow the taxpayer to dispose of their primary residence, defer all capital gains tax liability, and diversify and allocate capital gains tax liability on a pro-rated basis among a number of rental properties, paving the way for more planning. financial, fiscal and patrimonial. opportunities.

There are special rules applicable to real property initially acquired as replacement property through a 1031 exchange transaction and later converted to the Taxpayer’s principal residence and sold pursuant to Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Consult with Tax and/or Legal Advisors

Investors should always check with their advisors before proceeding with any of these strategies. The sophisticated qualified brokers at 1031 Exchange should also be able to help answer any questions you may have.

Many expats who are assigned to Qatar or retirees who want to live in Qatar after retiring ask what is the cost of living in Qatar. Is it too expensive to live in Qatar? Or is it the same as other countries in North America or Europe?

The cost of living in Qatar for you and your family will largely depend on the lifestyle you are used to. Particularly in Doha, the cost of living index is relatively high, ranking 49 out of 300 companies in terms of expensive living. Let’s look at the cost of basic necessities in Qatar so that you can assess whether living in Qatar is expensive or not.

1. Accommodation

Expats in Qatar often rent apartments, villas, or condos. Most apartments are not furnished, but furnished apartments are also available. In most rentals, amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, and playgrounds are available and are charged as part of the monthly rental payment for the unit.

A furnished studio or one-bedroom unit costs around QAR 5,000 to rent, which is approximately USD 1,370. However, if you rent a villa with 4 bedrooms, it can cost up to QAR 20,000 if you are in an expat resort.

2. Supermarket

The cost of food, soft drinks and other household items necessary to keep daily life possible is comparatively expensive compared to other countries. This is especially true if you also want to buy internationally known food brands.

For a family of two, reserve around QAR 1,800 or approximately USD 490 for this expense.

3.Utilities

The good thing about Qatar is that basic services like water, electricity, gas and telephone lines are subsidized by the government. Therefore, this particular expense will be much cheaper compared to other countries. However, living in Qatar, given the high temperatures, will lead you to use your air conditioning system, especially in the summer months.

For a family of two, utilities as a whole will cost around QAR 1,100, or about USD 300. This low price offsets the cost of living in Qatar a little lower.

4. Clothes

Even if clothing is a bit expensive in Qatar, Qatar’s living conditions will not require you to overdress given the country’s hot temperature.

For a family of two, clothes for both people will cost around QAR 1,100, or about USD 300.

5. Health

If you are an expat, this particular item will not be a problem for you considering that your employer should cover it for you and your spouse. However, if this will not be covered on a monthly basis, you will need to use your own health insurance provider.

For a family of two, healthcare coverage for both people will cost around QAR 1,300, roughly USD 360 per month. This is a definite must cover item for you and your family.

In general, the cost of living in Qatar is not that different in most progressive countries.

Any investor who sells more than one or two properties a year will find themselves in trouble with the IRS qualifying them with “dealer status” for tax purposes. This is extremely dangerous stuff. Dealers, like real estate agents, are considered self-employed and are subject to the 15.3% self-employment tax. Worse yet, a dealer can’t pay taxes in installments when he uses owner financing. All property tax must be paid in advance, even if full payment has not yet been received.

The most important factors that the IRS seems to use to determine whether or not someone is a real estate broker are the frequency of property sales, the number of properties sold in a year, and whether there is continuity in the process to suggest that selling properties is the actual intent of the business. If the properties are held for more than a year before being sold, this may also contradict an investor’s activity being considered a “dealer”.

There are several ways to handle a significant number of transactions per year and still retain the tax advantages of being an investor rather than a trader:

1. Invest property through a limited partnership, self-directed IRA, Coverdell education savings account, or individual 401k plan. In a limited partnership, only the general manager will be considered a distributor. Trusts and various types of self-directed savings and retirement accounts are considered passive investments and these plans do not imply active participation in a business.

2. Form a joint venture agreement with an active investor or broker who will essentially create a “made for you” investment strategy for buying and selling wholesale. That joint venture partner may well be considered a “dealer,” but as long as you or your entity do not have title, you are not directly involved in any change of ownership activity.

3. Place each property in a separate LLC or trust and transfer the LLC or trust in lieu of the property that is within the entity.

4. At a minimum, be careful to separate your wholesale fix-and-change business from other business, such as your “buy-and-hold” operations or any deal involving installment sales.

Planning how to finance and maintain your property can be just as important in determining the success of your real estate investment as the actual selection of properties you decide to purchase. Having the brand with dealer status could cost you a lot of time in the long run. Make sure you’re trading smart!

Remember Allen Iverson’s dunk on the 6-foot-11 Marcus Camby? You know, the guy isn’t even 6 feet tall! He actually he is only 5’10.75”. So it’s clear that he can jump. But without any exercise no one can jump that high. There are many exercises that can increase your vertical jump, but most of them are simply not effective.

So which exercises are the most effective? Here are the top 5 exercises to increase your vertical jump:

1. Jump rope

It’s a very common exercise and the reason why is because it works. Jump rope not only gives you explosiveness and calf strength, but it’s also a great way to build stamina and work on overall leg strength. Jump rope at least three times a week to increase your aerobic fitness level.

2. Calf Raises

Calf raises are a very effective exercise because they train the muscles that give you the explosive drive in the jumping process. Here’s how you do it: Stand on a foot block or the bottom step of a stairway in your house and rise up on your toes as much as possible. Hold the contraction briefly, then return more slowly to the starting position. Strong calves help you do quick, on-the-spot jumps.

3. Lunges

This is a great exercise because it simultaneously trains different muscles that are involved in the jumping process: thighs, lower leg, back muscles, abdominal muscles. Standing in an upright position, step as far forward as possible without leaning your upper body forward until your front knee is at a 90 degree angle. Then return to the original position in one step. Do this 8 times with one leg, then 8 with the other. You can also use dumbbells.

4. Step Ups

For this exercise you need a bench or something you can step on (about 15 inches high). Simply stand in an upright position, then step on the bench at the height that would bring your knee to a 90 degree angle. Do 8 repetitions with one leg and repeat with the other. This exercise is a perfect extension of the lunge exercise because you train the antagonistic muscle group.

5. Touch the edge

Stand under the hoop and try to touch it with one or both hands or start running and jump as high as possible to reach the hoop. Important: Try to perform this exercise very clean and with maximum power and repeat it only limited times (for example, maximum 3 sets with 5 repetitions). After that, do not do any leg exercises for 24 to 48 hours. Your muscles need time to grow and regenerate.

In addition to these exercises it is important that you take care of your diet. The most important point here is to limit the amount of fat you eat. Fat makes food taste delicious, but it’s an athlete’s biggest enemy because it’s the extra weight you have to lift into the air and it inhibits the flexibility of the muscles you need to jump. Therefore, if you can control your nutrition and will use the above exercises, then serious results are guaranteed.

If you have Achilles tendon pain and/or injury, you have probably been diagnosed with one of the 4 – Tendonosis-Tendinitis-Tendinopathy-Tear.

What are the 4 T’s? tendinosis- injury or tear to the tendon without inflammation. Tendinitis – injury with inflammation. Some physicians have now lumped tendonosis and tendinitis under the umbrella term tendinopathy, which simply means degeneration or disease of the tendon. Of course, a tear is a complete or partial tear or a microtear in the tendon.

Now that you’ve been flagged with a diagnosis, your doctor has likely mapped out a general course of action, and you may have some questions because Achilles injury can be confusing and contradictory to standard treatment beliefs.

What wound are you? The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the powerful calf muscles to the heel and is prone to great stress in middle and long distance runners. As such, the heavy demand placed on the tendon by running accounts for approximately 1 in 10 running injuries.

The most common Achilles tendon injury is caused by wear and tear or overuse. Ill-fitting shoes, anatomical disorders including leg discrepancy, weak calf muscles, and over- or under-pronation of the feet are also major causes.

Recent medical studies have also implicated antibiotic and cortisone treatments to increase the risk of Achilles injury.

Treatment When the Achilles tendon is tender to the touch and some degree of weakness is felt, doctors will treat the tendon for wear (in the case of a complete rupture, surgery is often the only answer).

tendinosis

In tendinosis there is no obvious swelling. This is not good because the body’s immune system is no longer trying to repair the damage to the tendon. Why would the body give up? Connective tissue, such as ligaments and tendons, do not have a good blood supply. This is obvious to anyone opening an anatomy book. The tendons are white in appearance, while the muscle that attaches to the bone is bright red. Without the blood supply, healing and rebuilding tissues, such as collagen, never reach the injured tendon. Poor blood supply is nature’s design to allow tendon elasticity and tensile force in support of powerful muscles. But when injury occurs, nature’s design isn’t always the best.

Typical treatments for tendinosis include immobilization (rest) to allow the tendon to heal. But, if there is no blood supply, there is no healing, so movement may be prescribed to increase circulation to the Achilles tendon.

Obviously, anti-inflammatory drugs are out of the question because they block collagen biosynthesis and inhibit inflammation.

Tendonitis occurs when there is inflammation and irritation. Now you can think to yourself, this is when I take anti-inflammatory drugs. The answer is surprising.

In Tenonosis and Tendonitis, Achilles tendon tears are causing two different reactions. In one, there is no inflammation present because the body has decided that the tendon cannot be repaired without medical intervention of some kind. In tendinitis there is inflammation present because the body is still trying to heal the tendon, but in chronic conditions it does not heal.

Avoid anti-inflammatories and create more inflammation In tendinosis and tendonitis, the answer is inflammation, increase it, but under controlled circumstances. If we can create inflammation in the areas of the tendon that are damaged, in sufficient quantity, the tendon can heal.

In my opinion, there is only one treatment that can do this: prolotherapy. Prolotherapy works by introducing a mild irritant via injection into the exact places where the Achilles tendon is most painful or weak. This irritant is usually something as benign as simple dextrose. What dextrose does is create a small, controlled inflammation at the injury site, which speeds healing and restores strength and elasticity to the tendon. In remitting cases, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is used as a stronger proliferative.

Prolotherapy is gaining favor among athletes because it is minimally invasive, does not require long periods of inactivity, and in fact, a prolotherapy doctor will usually recommend a supervised activity or recommended training plan to get the athlete back on the field as quickly as possible. .

One to six treatments is typical for the competitive athlete, spaced at weekly intervals.

The newest financial elixir to hit the American scene is the quiet title concept. Many consumers are under the impression that a quiet title action will get them a free home. Could not be farther from the truth. Why would I know? Because I wrote a continuing legal education credits workshop for lawyers.

The workshop has been approved in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Nevada. I have been holding workshops across the country on this topic and have had the opportunity to speak with homeowners facing foreclosure, real estate investors, mortgage professionals, and attorneys. After understanding what the concept actually is, everyone got a better understanding.

Silent title is designed to minimize litigation. Plain and simple. When you file this type of action, you are bringing a lawsuit against anyone who has a registered interest in your property. When you compare a foreclosure defense lawsuit to a quiet title, the difference is night and day. The current legal system encourages homeowners to seek the advice of attorneys to represent them in a foreclosure. But, and this is a big BUT. If the attorney is inexperienced in securitization, assignments, automatic signatures, notary fraud, and many other facets of what actually happened, he will be lost in court.

Well, now you feel comfortable because your brother-in-law found you a good lawyer who understands you. Here is the scenario that has occurred throughout the country. The well-meaning lawyer represents him in court, but what is he really doing? He’s trying to drag out the foreclosure process. Paying a lawyer monthly instead of the bank generates cheap rent for you. But, you MUST continue to fund your lawyer’s efforts. At the end of the day, when the lights go out, the lawyer comes up to him and says “we won.” You won what? You earned a dismissal without prejudice. This means that the opposing lawyer simply tells the judge: “see you next month, because we will be back.”

Now you get the image. The foreclosure defense is based solely on your financial ability to pay attorney and court costs.

Now, let’s take a look at what a silent title action is. In this type of action, you simply become the plaintiff and not the defendant. This is an important move. In a foreclosure defense action, you are the defendant. But let’s reverse the scenario. Let’s put the ball on the opponent’s two-yard line and you’ll drive it into the end zone. All you need is a lawyer who understands this implementation of the law.

A lawsuit is filed against anyone with a registered interest. How do you find this out? It has performed a title search and will reveal who has a registered interest or link. I know of an example here in Southwest Florida where a lawyer and real estate broker paid a bank $153,000 cash for a house in a foreclosure sale and the bank DID NOT OWN THE HOUSE. Knowing who has a registered interest is the real purpose of a smooth title action. Once you have notified the party(ies) that you have a registered interest, this is where the ice thickens.

They MUST PROVE to the court that they have an interest in your property. This has nothing to do with how much is owed. A quiet title action is heard under contract law and not under wrong law. Therefore, the amount of the debt is NEVER debated or disputed. The argument is who has an interest that is verifiable. YES, he told the judge, “Your Honor, I have a certified check to pay off my loan.” “Can you tell opposing counsel to return my original promissory note when I pay this debt?” It will never happen because the note was used as a financing mechanism when your loan was sold on Wall St. I can go on and on about this, but I wanted to touch on the logic of this topic.

Once served, the defendant(s) MUST respond within twenty days or, in some jurisdictions, thirty days. Yes, some homeowners have won a quiet title lawsuit and gotten the property for free. BUT, that’s weird. A good quiet title action will eliminate the real interested parties, giving you the opportunity to sit down at the table and negotiate with the real lender. This saves thousands of dollars in litigation costs when dealing with shell lenders, utility companies, and others who have no “skin in the game” or as the legal arena refers to as “no position.”

Respectfully, Regis Sauger Author/Speaker

For Sale By Owner or FSBO are those who sell their property on their own with little or no help from real estate brokers. The main reason why there are people who would like to sell their property without the help of a broker is simple, because they want to save on the sale and get more profit from the sale. However, the danger of selling property on your own, especially if it is your first time selling real estate, is the fact that you do not have the same skills and experience as a real estate broker. On top of that, statistics would show that most of those who sell their property on their own as FSBOs fail and rehire the services of a real estate broker.

However, nowadays, there is a service that could help a homeowner to sell their property with the help of professionals in the real estate industry without paying a large percentage, instead just paying a flat fee. This service is called Flat Fee MLS, this service would provide you with various real estate brokerage services that would only require you to pay a flat subscription fee. We have summarized below the different reasons why this service is better for FSBO.

1. Provides real estate brokerage services – although as FSBO you will still have to do most of the work, the flat rate MLS service will provide you with the essentials. Like having your property listed on hundreds of MLS listing sites that only real estate brokers can access. By doing this, you are potentially putting your property in front of thousands, if not millions, of potential and interested buyers.
2. Flat rate MLS also offers offline services – How do you capture the attention of passers-by who are also potential customers? You place a yard for sale sign on your property. This service can provide this service to you by paying a flat fee. Which means that as a FSBO you don’t have to make the yard sign on your own, the flat rate MLS provider will do it for you.
3. affordable rates – This may be one of the main reasons why as a FSBO you should get this service to help you sell your property. The subscription rates for flat rate MLS are affordable, in fact, they start as low as $99 for a three-month subscription and you get all the services and more.
4. Great after sales services – Most reputable fixed fee MLS companies would have an after sales service where you can get live customer support when you have problems with your subscription or if you want to change things in your listing. Not to mention the fact that some providers have a money-back guarantee to make sure you’re protected with the investment you’ve made. These are some of the reasons why you should use the flat fee MLS service to help you sell your property. Of course, every provider is different and one is always a cut above the other in terms of the services they provide, so you should choose the provider that is reputable and trusted.