Gardener’s Paradise: Features To Consider When Buying a Home With a Garden
Gardening Essential 1: How can you budget for a dream garden?It might seem counterintuitive, but when looking for a new home that will hold your dream garden, prioritize the land first. Even if the home you buy is not the paradise you were hoping for initially, your home can be transformed over time with the right tools, effort, and funding; but if you buy a property that doesn’t have adequate land or yard space, you can’t build your dream garden. Unfortunately, land can be expensive (depending on where you are buying a property). Financing options like loans and other housing programs might be able to help you afford the home and land that you’ve been dreaming of.Gardening Essential 2: Is There Good Soil For Planting a Garden?While you are shopping for a new home, you must consider the soil on the property when you want to have a garden. If you are a knowledgeable gardener, start by looking at and touching the soil. Try to determine if it is rich enough for planting seeds or seedlings. When you are a novice gardener, take a small sample of soil to a gardening store for analysis. Make sure your soil is well tilled and prepared to receive seeds before planting.Gardening Essential 3: Does the Property Have a Fence?By having a fence around your property, you can protect your garden from wildlife that will damage the plants. Mesh wire fences are the most desirable type of fencing to keep out many smaller animals so that you won’t lose any valuable fruits and vegetables. A sturdy fence can also keep vandals from destroying your garden.Gardening Essential 4: Is There an Irrigation System?If you can find a home that has an outdoor irrigation system, then you will enjoy having fast access to water for your garden. You won’t need to stand outside for hours with a garden hose or carry huge buckets of water to the garden. Irrigation systems are expensive devices, and the installation process is invasive or time-consuming, so you should look for a home that has an irrigation system.Gardening Essential 5: Does the Property Have a Garden Shed?When you have a garden, you will need a place to store your gardening tools. Finding a home that already has a garden shed will make your life much easier because you will already have a place to store large pieces of equipment along with small tools. If the property doesn’t have a garden shed, then make sure that there is a place where you can build one.Gardening Essential 6: Does the Current Homeowner Have a Compost Pile?If the current homeowner has a compost pile, then you have easy access to fertilizer for your garden. Many gardeners create compost piles in their backyards or gardening areas so that they don’t need to spend a lot of money on bags of fertilizer. It can take several months for kitchen scraps and other degradable items to decompose to create a compost pile, so if you have one already, then you can continue to add garbage to the compost pile.Are There Additional Gardening Items Available?If the home you are looking at has additional gardening items such as trellises or planters, then you are going to have a great place to begin planting without needing to install these things on your own.
Commercial Loans – Know What You Are Getting Into
In business there are many ups and downs along the way. When things are going great guns you need to consolidate your position and always be prepared for the rainy day. And God forbid, if the rainy day does arrive, you have to be ready to deal with it. But what if you don’t have enough buffers in your business to tide you over rough times. Commercial Loans are just what you need at times like these to pull through any crisis and get back on your feet. But beware of money sharks in the market who might want to exploit your vulnerable position.These loans aren’t very different from personal loans only they are used for business purposes and are often backed by hard collateral like real estate.In business stakes are high and risks major, which is why if you are seeking a loan to bail you out, it’s understood that you are in a tricky position. There are lenders out there who might try to take advantage of your situation.Hiring services of a Commercial Mortgage Broker is a good option because.
It is his job to watch out for your best interests.
Being an experienced broker he might will the inside outs of the market and will be wary of notorious lenders.
Hiring a broker might make the process a tad bit longer but they are known to come up with innovative ideas to overcome any problem you might face.
Commercial banks, mutual companies, other financial groups and hard money lenders will be able to offer you Commercial Loans. With market regulations being lifted in recent times, such loans are easily available today, which might make them seem like an attractive proposition. But you need to be aware of the some malpractices that have crept into the business.It’s important to understand how money lenders work so that you can be on guard.
Different types of lenders have hugely varying criteria based on which they offer you the loan. Commercial lenders are usually more lenient than banks if your financial qualifications are not up to the mark.
Commercial lenders will weigh your collateral heavily and although they might be quicker in dispensing the loan to you, they will charge higher interest rates than a bank.
Bridging Loans are for short term arrangements till your primary loan is sanctioned. They will salvage any drastic situation for you but interest rates are generally much higher.
Some hard money lenders ask for fees to investigate the nature of your proposal upfront. There are high chances that you might not get your loan after all and fees won’t be returned. You need to be wary of such practices and money lenders.
If things turnaround for you and you want to make pre-payments, you might be charged a hefty fee for doing so. Always check the pre-payment clause in your contract.
With such simple measures Commercial Loans will make perfect business sense to you.
9 Signs It Might Be Time To Sell Your Business
Most business owners ignore these… until it’s too late.If you are like most business owners, you’ve occasionally found yourself wondering what your life would be like without the stress and hassles inherent to business ownership.Perhaps you are facing personal challenges, such as divorce, a death in the family,or other issues that need your full attention.Maybe you have health concerns that prevent you from engaging in your business as fully as you would like.Or, it could just be that you are ready to try something new, go back to school, buy a home in the islands, or devote more time to a hobby or interest that you’ve had on the back burner for far too long.Whatever reason you have for contemplating the sale of your successful business,you must understand that selling a business is a process for which you can fully prepare.The first place to start in those preparations is to recognize some of the warning signs that let you know it is time to plan your exit.
Life changes are causing you to lose focus. It’s difficult enough to run a successful business without the added stress of unforeseen life events. Situations such as divorce, illness of a family member, or the need to care for elderly parents can upset any work/life balance you think you have achieved. If you feel overwhelmed and depleted trying to focus on both the business and family matters, you might seriously consider selling.
You have a hard time getting up in the morning and going to your workplace. Everyone in business experiences episodic burnout. However, if you have a regular pattern of looking for any excuse not to go to the office, it might be time to sell. Forcing yourself on a daily basis to engage with your business can have a negative impact on your financial, physical, and mental well-being. Your attitude can wind up costing you lots of money, time, and effort.
You spend a lot more time thinking about retirement than you do about your company. There’s no shame in doing this. Many of us look forward to a life without work. However, spending inordinate amounts of time watching the travel channels on television and visiting trip planning websites might point to your deep-down desire to get on with the rest of your life.
Your kids don’t want, or are incapable of running, your business. Even if your children or other family members have worked with you in the business for years, this doesn’t mean that they necessarily want to take it over when you leave. As badly as you may want the company to stay in the family, you can’t make assumptions. Junior may love working with customers at your pool company during the summer, but he might very well have bigger plans for his life. Even more painful to contemplate is the fact that your chosen successors might not be capable of running the business, even if they want to do so.
Everything has grown stale and you’ve run out of ideas to keep things moving. Years ago, when you started the business, creative thoughts spewed out of your brain with the speed and intensity of a high pressure hose. You had tons of ideas about how to differentiate your business and make your brand unforgettable. These days though, you feel stuck and the idea well is bone dry. Without improvements and innovations, your company’s growth will stagnate. If you can’t re-ignite the idea machine, it could very well mean that it is time to sell.
You need to pour tons of money into updating your business. If you are in a highly competitive niche that is continuously evolving, you might find that you’ve fallen behind and need to do an extensive (and expensive makeover) in order to stay profitable. Even if you are currently making a nice income, it might not be in your best interest to spend money to stay in business, especially if you aren’t having fun with it anymore.
You get an offer you’d be foolish to refuse. This happens more than you might think, even during a down economy. Someone out there has his or her eye on your business and they like what they see. Out of the blue, they make you an offer that is considerably more than current valuation. In most of these situations, it would be crazy not to sell.
Interest rates are lower than ever before. I am writing this article in 2014, a time when interest rates are historically low. There has never been a better time to leverage other peoples’ money. For investors, it makes sense to borrow like crazy and snatch up any and every appreciable asset they can, especially companies which, if managed properly, will generate nice returns.
You have an opportunity to participate in another venture. Most business owners, even those who are only marginally successful, are constantly approached by purveyors of new “business opportunities.” These can range from hyped-up multi-level marketing positions to Ponzi schemes to legitimate investment opportunities. I am sure you’ve probably been approached by more than your fair share of people pitching these kinds of things. However, once in a while a really good opportunity manages to come your way. Maybe it’s a chance to partner with another successful entrepreneur in your local area or it’s a start-up with amazing potential. When you find something like this and your gut feeling is that you want to be in on the action, then it might be time to sell your existing business and try something new.
It is never too soon to plan for the eventual sale of your business, especially if any of these warning signals sounds familiar to you.As the starting point for planning your exit, seek out real business experts who, unlike the majority of business brokers, have actually bought and sold businesses.Such experts will help you gain an understanding of the business selling cycle from A-Z and learn methods to avoid common pitfalls associated with the process.I believe that the greatest legacy you can leave to your family is a company that you have converted into a money-creating machine, protected by design against erosive elements such as taxes and inflation that threaten to consume your wealth.Consulting with experts enables you to do just that by showing you exactly how to design a custom plan that lets you to sell your business, get cash flow for life and pay no taxes.Imagine how much peace of mind you would gain by incorporating this kind of proven business exit plan into your business- before you need it.Successful business transitions don’t come about by accident. They are the result of painstaking planning under the guidance of seasoned business professionals who know how to get the job accomplished with outcomes more favorable both to sellers and buyers.Savvy business owners realize that the complexities of selling a business are many and that it makes sense to partner with people who have been in the trenches.
5 Empowering Tracks From Female Icons To Make You Feel Inspired
Sometimes we all need a little lift. Whether you’ve had a recent knock to your confidence, have been going through stress in your personal or professional life, or have always struggled with your self-esteem, music is an essential tool for lifting your spirits and making you feel better about yourself.
According to a study by Heriot-Watt University, the type of music you listen to not only influences your mood, but also your personality, with indie and rock/heavy metal fans reporting the lowest levels of self-esteem, while fans of jazz, blues, opera, classical, pop, rap and soul all reported high levels of self-confidence.
So if you’re having a ‘down day’, why not boost your spirits by listening to some powerful, uplifting tracks? Here are five perfect confidence boosters.
Britney Spears – Toxic
Britney’s own struggles with her mental health and conservatorship have made her an inspiration for many people across the world.
This classic song is timelessly sensual, and the heavy beats throughout make it impossible not to dance to. A welcome blast of nostalgia, this tune has filled dance floors across the globe with fans old and new.
The video features Britney as a female spy playing the sexy flight attendant, seducing her passenger before she makes her escape on a motorbike and breaks into a high-security facility guarded by a laser security system.
This track and video is a guaranteed way to feel invincible, and deserves a place on your playlist no matter your mood.
Kelis – Milkshake
A cheesy classic that is guaranteed to make you feel all warm and gooey inside, Kelis pumps up the heat in this 00’s RnB track. Underpinned by intricate drum beats and electric elements, Kelis’ self-confidence is infectious, and it’s hard not to find yourself smiling at the lyrics.
This track is a great way to get into a flirtatious mindset, making it a great choice before going on a date or heading out for the evening.
And if you’re staying in? It’s a great mood lift. But beware! You may find yourself craving a sweet treat.
Eve (ft. Gwen Stefani) – Let Me Blow Your Mind
This RnB classic will capture your attention with its assertive rhythm and powerful vocals from 00’s icons Eve and Gwen Stefani. Featuring a laid-back – yet self-assured – beat, and catchy guitar riff, this is a great track for driving, and its empowering feel is sure to help you feel motivated.
Got a job interview lined up, or thinking of asking for a raise? This anthemic number is a quick way to feel positive and more assertive.
The video features Eve and Gwen Stefani crashing an exclusive event on quad bikes, causing a stir among the privileged attendants, and shoving the performer off stage to perform their own music, before finally being arrested and taken to the station in a police van.
This ‘baddie’ track helps you to tap into the hidden ‘bold’ side of your personality, and lifts your mood while keeping you feeling calm and cool.
Fergie – MILF$
If you have kids, it can be difficult to feel sexy. When you’re running around cleaning the house, changing nappies, or up to your elbows in dishwater, you can easily forget your sensual side – leaving you feeling frumpy and lacking in confidence and motivation.
Thankfully, Fergie’s comeback track is a quick remedy to your low mood and lethargy.
Featuring attractive mothers dressed in curve-hugging latex and silky lingerie going about their daily life in a dreamy, colourful suburbia, this track is a quick way to transform your self-esteem and transport you to a world where you are not just a mother, but a goddess too.
Why not shake off the day and tap into your feminine energy with Fergie, your sexiest PJs, and a bottle of your favourite wine?
Marina And The Diamonds – How To Be A Heartbreaker
Low confidence after a breakup? You’re not alone. Having your heart broken can leave you feeling depressed, undesirable, and unmotivated. So flip the tables on your ex and become a heartbreaker with Marina’s catchy club classic.
This empowering dance track will make you want to move your body and get in touch with your bad girl side, with its heavy beat and pounding rhythms.
Plus, if your libido has suffered as a result of your low mood, take a sneaky peek at the video – it will get your blood pumping with its steamy shower shots and smoking hot male models.