3 Tech Upgrades That Will Raise Your Property Value

Web admin on June 4, 2021

If you’re looking to make some good money off of the sale of your home now that the housing market is exploding, you might as well take advantage of this as much as possible by doing what you can to improve your property value above what it already is. One great way to do this is to install some desired tech into the home. But not all tech will bring a great return on your investment.

To help you in figuring this out and getting the most out of your investment, here are three tech upgrades that will raise your property value. 

Build In A Smart Assistant

The team at SafeWise.com shares that one of the most wanted tech upgrades that buyers desire in a house is to have a voice activated assistant.

Because so many people use smart assistants through their phone on a daily basis, having this as part of their home just makes sense. A smart assistant can help you with things like making lists, researching, calling people from your contact list, reminding you of things, and so much more. So if there’s one tech upgrade that will be a huge perk to many people who are currently looking to buy a home, a voice activated smart assistant is it.  

Update Your HVAC With A Smart Thermostat

Tech is arguably put to best use when it makes your life easier and saves you money. And this is just what you can come to expect by installing a smart thermostat to control your HVAC system.

Not only can you tout the savings that any potential buyer might be able to gain from purchasing a home with a smart thermostat, but you can also share how much more energy efficient their home will be by using this system. If you so choose, Valerie Kalfrin, a contributor to HomeLight.com, shares that your smart thermostat can adjust your energy usage based on how prices for energy are changing. With this feature, you can save a lot of energy that would likely cost you more than you may be used to. 

Secure The Property With A Video Doorbell

While buyers can do a lot of research about a neighborhood before they move in, they can’t really be certain about how safe they’ll feel in this new home until they’re living there. 

To help put their minds at ease and sell them on a more convenient lifestyle, RealtyTimes.com suggests installing a video doorbell on your home before putting it on the market. This can serve to make potential buyers feel safer in the home immediately upon buying it and can be a selling point for security whether they’re in the home or away for whatever reason. 

If you’re wanting to update and upgrade your home with some sought-after tech before putting it up for sale, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you choose which tech to include.

How to Properly Reach Target Audience

Article Editor on June 3, 2021

Marketing and networking can be a daunting experience for many business owners, especially those who lack proper knowledge about the tips and guidelines for reaching the target audience. Most business owners fail to realize that building a successful online marketing campaign involves many elements, including choosing the right partner, creating relevant and valuable content, and engaging in keyword and optimization advertising. However, most business owners do not pay enough attention to these three essential components of a successful online marketing campaign, so they cannot achieve the goals they have set. Professionals like Helen Lee Schifter encourage others to use many tools to accomplish their marketing efforts.Therefore, it is essential to note the following points, which will help a marketer avoid pitfalls when partnering with other brands and creating effective online campaigns. With these tips, a marketer can quickly create an effective and efficient online marketing campaign.

It is essential to understand their target audience before partnering with other companies or brands. Their target audience should be those interested in the services or products that a marketer is offering online. Online marketing requires a marketer to build credibility with their target audience to feel comfortable and trust a marketer. The best way to build their credibility is to provide relevant and helpful information on their website, create valuable content, and engage in keyword and optimization advertising.

When selecting a partner to promote their product, choosing a solid online presence and a strong reputation is essential. When selecting a partner, consider the keywords and content that a marketer would like to include in their website. For instance, if a marketer wants to promote their travel products and services, they can consider choosing partners that offer travel-related keywords on their website. In addition to selecting a partner with a solid online presence and reputation, a marketer must also consider the products and services that a marketer would like to feature on their website. Remember that their target audience will need to know what products or services a marketer is offering and what sets their company apart from the rest. 

Therefore, a marketer can make their partner’s website feature a list of critical products and services and key SEO (search engine optimization) strategies and techniques that will help their customers find a marketer and make a purchase.

Be cautious about choosing a partner who may only be interested in their products. A marketer may lose customers to a partner who does not fully understand their target audience and how SEO strategies will benefit them. If a marketer is looking for a partner to help a marketer grow their business, consider choosing a partner that has a solid local presence in their target market. This will ensure that customers who live in their area will be able to find their website. 

Additionally, a marketer should avoid partnering with companies with a proven record of accomplishment in delivering traffic and establishing themselves as credible web platforms.

A good partner in online marketing should establish and maintain a consistent online marketing campaign and have an effective strategy for targeted traffic and SEO. Make sure their target audience will be able to find a marketer through a variety of search engines. Their partner should also include content on their site that is relevant and useful to their target audience. Finally, the company should be able to deliver to their target market on time. By having a dependable partner in online marketing, a marketer can increase traffic to their site, generate sales, and increase ROI.

A great partner in online marketing will understand the value of their website. Therefore, their partner should provide a marketer with the following services: link building, content management, and SEO copywriting to increase website traffic and establish a strong presence on the Internet. By focusing on these three services, a marketer will benefit from their experience and knowledge. Good partners will also offer regular consultation meetings to help marketers plan their websites and reach their goals. In addition, they should be available to answer any questions or concerns that a marketer may have.

There are more than a few factors to look for in a good partner in online marketing. The most important thing is to make sure their chosen partner can deliver the services a marketer needs to help a marketer reach their goals and offer ongoing support after a marketer has reached them. In addition, it is best to hire a reputable firm or consultant so a marketer can be confident of the value of the products or services a marketer will receive.

The last thing to consider in their search for a good partner in online marketing is the price they will charge. Therefore, it is crucial to find a company with experience in helping a marketer reach their goals by providing beneficial services to their target market. A marketer wants to work with a firm or consultant with years of experience in providing services that reach their target audience and create a positive impact in the industry. A professional firm will help a marketer understand their target market and how a marketer can use the Internet to reach them. 

Once a marketer understands these basic needs and wants of their target audience, they will be ready to increase their traffic, increase their sales, and increase their ROI. Helen Lee Schifter has marketed a lot in her life and knows the value of reaching an audience.

Uncovering the Mystery of the “We Buy Homes for Cash” Websites

Full Editorial on May 27, 2021

Whether you’ve just inherited a house that you can’t (or don’t want to) keep, you need to move quickly, or you’re in a financial hardspot, those we buy homes for cash sites may seem like a good option. However, in a real estate market that strongly favors sellers, you might be better off going with the traditional sale. 

Before contacting one of these sites, you should know the truth about them and read up on some top agent insights on the market.

Why are we buy homes for cash sites appealing?

Cash for homes sites are appealing because they give the homeowner a way out and receive a large sum of cash up front. Closing on these houses typically takes a fraction of the time it would take for a normal closing, which can take up to 45 days or more if there are roadblocks along the way. 

Also, when you sell a house using these sites, they’re typically bought as is, meaning you don’t have to make any repairs or worry about staging. You don’t have to worry about appraisals because the companies use local market data to come up with an offer. You don’t have to worry if the buyer’s financing goes through since it’s being paid by cash.

Who are the people that run these sites?

The people who run these sites vary. Sometimes you’ll find individual investors who flip homes or will turn them into a rental property. Sometimes you’ll find larger investors who buy nicer homes and sell them off pretty quickly to buyers looking for an easy experience.  Then you may have large companies who buy up all sorts of properties and either hold on to them as rental properties or to sell for large profits.

What are the risks of selling for cash?

People who use these websites tend to be in a financial situation where they need to get rid of a house they can’t afford. However, while these sites may offer a faster way to get cash and sell the home, you could lose a lot of money on the sale. Instead of getting the full value of the home if you were to go through a realtor, you could get somewhere between 65% to 94% of the value.

Watch out for the signs of a scam

Selling your house fast and for cash may seem like a dream come true, but there are people out there who will pray for people who are in a tough spot. They know that you’re desperate and they’ll offer you far less than your house is worth. 

Not only do you have to worry about getting less money than your house is worth, you could fall victim to a bait and switch type scam. These scammers will tell the buyer that they’ll take the verbal agreement between you two and write it up for you to sign. Since you’re in a rush to sell, they could present you with a contract that is very different than what you agreed to and if you don’t read it closely, it could be disastrous for you. 

Is this right for you?

If your area is experiencing a strong seller’s market and you work with an experienced realtor, you could get more than the market value for your house. Plus, when housing inventory is low, you could receive multiple offers (sometimes above asking) and the house may not even stay on the market very long before the offers come rolling in.

How to Become Talented in Sales

Article Editor on May 25, 2021

People so often do not believe that they have the right to succeed. However, to be a good salesperson, it is important to believe in success. Sounds unreal but it is true. People fail because they don’t program themselves to believe in success. Having a talent in sales is a tough skill to learn, so if one is timid and quiet, not pushy or quick with answers, make the necessary adjustments and learn how to build those skills in order to succeed. Say it over and over until it is set and accepted.

Determination

It takes a lot of drive and determination to go out and sell, either at street level or at meetings. Meeting with fellow sales people or customers is a hard time, but that is the time to prepare and to gain confidence. Know the product so well that questions can be answered easily and quickly. The customer will gain confidence. That is part of being determined to succeed.

Alexander Djerassi is a prime example of determination and having accepted success as an outcome for himself. He forged ahead forgoing surety to develop a career he believed in. Few people have that much faith.

Natural Talent

Some people are natural sales people. They have positive, outgoing personalities and usually they are well liked. They are strongly determined to win at whatever they do. The rest of us have to train the talents we have and we do have the talents. Even the timid, quiet person can succeed at sales if determined to win. If talking is not a strong point, listening probably is and that is an important part of selling. Talking is important, but listening is also so important. People want to be heard and appreciated.

When to Talk

There is a time in the sales spiel when it is necessary to shut up and let the customer talk. It is important to know when the customer is about to buy or will not buy. It is important to know so time is not wasted. This may sound a bit cutthroat but is wise.

Listen and see what the customer wants or is really communicating. People want to have a chance to have a say.

Winning or Losing

Careers have their ups and downs, there are days of loss and there are days of win. The job continues. A good salesman knows this and doesn’t respond negatively or over positively with either one. A dry spell will not last forever. A winning streak may be over today. It is important to continue and continue with determination.

 Alexander Djerassi wrote many articles and speeches and must have had much opposition to what he produced. He worked in high powered positions and with that always comes tension and much challenge. He moved forward and when the situation changed he changed with it to continue with his success.

Commitment

It is most important to be committed to the job. There are other things to do in the world, but this is the job. Decide to do it at top quality.

Your Pet is Sick: What Do You Do?

Jen Lambert on May 25, 2021

If you’re a pet owner, then having a sick pet is the stuff of nightmares. Even if they’re not seriously ill, a pet that’s under the weather is a sad sight, and you need to know what to do to care for them until their symptoms abate. If they are seriously ill, then you have a whole extra batch of worries, as well as the potential costs of vet’s bills.

Perhaps worse is not knowing for sure what’s wrong and being torn between the disruption and stress of taking your pet to the vet, and keeping them safely at home (but potentially missing out on important treatment!). Uncertainty can weigh heavily on responsible pet owners. Today we’re looking at how you can cut through that uncertainty and make the decisions you need to take the best care of your sick pet.

Learning

It’s important for you to learn about your pet. In part, this will happen naturally: the longer you spend with them, the more you’ll get to know what’s normal for them and what it means when they depart from that baseline of normality. Gradually, you’ll learn the difference between serious problems, minor illness and strange moods and discomforts.

As well as this process of osmosis, you can research actively. Read up on the species you’ve chosen as your pet, as well as the specific breed you have. You’ll find out about common health problems and behavioural issues and how they manifest, and whether you can help your pet at home or if you’ll need to seek a vet’s help.

Get Advice

If, in spite of all your research you’re simply not sure what to do, then the next step is to get advice from an expert. You don’t want to subject your pet to the disruption of a trip to the vet if don’t really need it (and your bank balance wouldn’t thank you either) but if you can get advice from an expert without leaving the house you can make a much a more informed decision.

An online veterinarian might not be able to do blood tests or take x-rays, but they can listen to your description of the symptoms and make an initial examination of your pet. From this they can help you decide what is wrong and whether you need to get your pet to a vet’s practice for more tests.

Get Insured
If you’re worried about your pet, the last thing you want hanging over you are financial worries. A big vets bill can wipe out your savings, so you might find pet insurance is a better option. This swaps the occasional, unpredictable big lump sums for a smaller monthly amount it’s easier to work into a budget.

Renaissance Artists to Admire

Article Editor on May 24, 2021

What Is Renaissance Art?

There must be a reason Renaissance art is admired, but why is that so? Why is the Mona Lisa so worthy of such praise?

The art period from the 14th century until the 16th century is known as the renaissance because of the great awakening of humanism, reality, and individuality, all of which allowed the advancement of new horizons, a new way of looking at mankind and what really was. Man now began to respect intellect and inquiry. And that allowed men such as Da Vinci and his art to come alive.

What is it about the Mona Lisa: that smile, the reality of expression which was a new way of artistic painting, a more realistic example of humanism, the new sensation of the renaissance. Humanism is just what would be expected of the work, a way of looking at the man as realistic, with feelings, living in a world of pastoral scenes and natural home settings.

The Art

Renaissance art is thought of as painting as well as sculpture. But it encompasses much more. Renaissance art includes architecture, literature, music, philosophy, and many more endeavors in thought. The mind became alive in this period, to explore man’s existence in reality. Father Rutler expounded humanism, the forgiving of sins, and the growth of each individual at his own ability. It is these changes in the culture and life that was the Renaissance, that makes a man look at the great advances during this time that brings us to the present.

Art became more realistic, the backgrounds now having a more natural look rather than the ethereal gold or diaphanous backgrounds of the past. Artists were looking at trees in the distance and now applying perspective. They also showed the ability of foreshortening and knowing or expecting the public to be able to mentally fill in the missing pieces.

The Artists

The artists are well known by most people. Their art is exhibited and honored. Yet, art, like everything else, is made of materials that decay, and art, no matter how we try to protect and preserve it, will decay. We have already lost much of that old art that might have inspired us.

We have the works of great men who inquired and learned, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Both went beyond painting and produced magical works that expound harmony and unity, qualities which Father Rutler wanted people to admire, to use for peace of mind.

In literature, the art went from spoken tales and myths to the written word. Now came the tales of Cervantes. The poetic became popular, as popular then as communication allowed. Drama grew in reality and became popular on stages rather than carts and community gatherings. Philosophy became a reality with the rise of Descartes.

Conclusion

The renaissance was a break from medieval life to a more advanced look at mankind which led us into more modern and realistic life. Without that break, we wouldn’t have advanced as far as we have.

ECommerce Design Trends of 2021

Article Editor on May 21, 2021

Judge Napolitano, the former New Jersey Supreme Court Judge and now frequent guest tv news commentator loves to keep in touch with everything related to not only politics and the law but business.

And as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Napolitano notes that E-commerce shopping has been the recipient of millions of dollars in positive gains since March of 2020 when the pandemic began to hit worldwide.

Whereas previously many people, despite tremendous strides in security, refused to spend money online and would only go to a large box store to order, suddenly, with malls closed or still open but almost virtual ghost towns, suddenly going to the mall or a box store was no longer popular.

Shopping online shot up a remarkable 44 percent in the year 2020, and that tendency seems likely to be seen forever.

If people will feel safe after the COVID-19 vaccine fully takes hold and as much as 70 to 85 percent of the U.S. are vaccinated, will it be too little too late for malls in 2022?

Who can tell, but there are a number of trends that Judge Napolitano is noticing in the E-commerce design field in 2021.

The first is interactive design. Just because people are buying online does not mean they do not want to interact with products they see online. Creating 3D models, showing clients impressions with micro-interactions, and telling brand stories through the use of interactive videos are common.

Another new and emerging trend is creating individual landing pages of the most valuable products. Rather than go for the general shopper, landing pages tend to focus on the companies most profitable products, one at a time. And If the landing page leads to shoppers then searching for another product, it’s no skin off the companies back.

Also catching on is storytelling. Although clever marketers such as Paul Neman’s Foods, Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, and Burt’s Bees have used storytelling for years, now more than ever smart designers realize that people relate more to compelling brand stories than just images and copy.

Another trend, and it’s about time, is taking a mobile-first approach to design. Roughly 80 percent of all smartphone customers have purchased something online using their smartphone device, and as far back as three years ago, 10 percent of all online purchases were made via cellphone. Now it’s probably more like 18 percent. The thing is a designer must be very careful not to make the assumption that everybody will want to purchase through a PC.

Another trend is to use animated page transitions. These transitions give users a sense that they are interacting with the website and will not only notice, but will spend more time browsing on them. And the longer they stay the more they will shop.

Also, a major new trend is the use of micro animations. Through the use of micro animations, things are explained visually with the use of fewer words.

Also a current thing but increasingly used is AI chat boxes to provide a personalized user experience. Keep your business relevant by keeping up with the design and graphic trends.

Where Should You Go for a Career in Law?

Article Editor on May 19, 2021

” A good attorney knows the law. A great attorney knows the judge.” In some circles a joke like this one would have people rolling in their seats with laughter. There is no professional career that is as maligned as that of a lawyer. Even during Shakespeare’s time they were seen as deceitful and corrupt. A lawyer is often portrayed as a person with little or no integrity who always demands and gets his pound of flesh. Nothing could be further from the truth. Being a lawyer is an intellectually stimulating and rewarding job. Lawyers like Atticus Finch, Perry Mason, and Jack McCoy help us see another side of the law and the life of a lawyer. These three popular attorneys show how driven a lawyer can be. We see how focused they are on the truth and how hard they work for a righteous cause. They are the reason why so many young people continue to make the law their career of choice. In the heart of every lawyer beats a public servant who will go out of his way to correct the wrongs of society, defend the downtrodden while doing what he can to make this world a better place.

Alexander Djerassi is one such lawyer and his impressive resume proves that he is on his way to changing, if not the world, his community. Djerassi is an entrepreneur and expert in U. S. foreign policy in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. This magna cum laude graduate from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs holds a degree in law from Yale Law School. Djerassi has a passion for public service. As a dedicated public servant he has effectively used his training and his love for community to pull people together regardless of their differences. His enthusiasm, his vision, and his support have encouraged many college students and graduates to pursue a career in law.

There are many kinds of lawyers: tax, divorce, criminal, corporate but it is having a capable and decent lawyer like Alexander Djerassi that makes a difference. Whether he’s drafting public policies, helping with the merger of two giant corporations, or helping an innocent man go free, having a lawyer who cares goes a long way.

So what is it like being a lawyer in 2021? Even though The coronavirus pandemic has created an economic crisis in almost every industry, a McKinsey Report has found that law firms endured the hardship of the crisis better than most. A state-by-state study done by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Projections Central reported that the four states providing the best opportunities for lawyers are Alabama, Wyoming, Arizona, and North Carolina. Population growth has helped these four out perform other states in the country creating an excellent job market for a career in law.

Lawyers might be fodder for jokes on late night television, but lawyers still have their finger on the pulse of the nation. You still need a good lawyer to do almost anything.

Importance of Investing in Home Insurance

Article Editor on May 17, 2021

Many benefits go hand in hand with having the best quality homeowner policy. The more one becomes aware and knowledgeable about homeowner insurance benefits, and the more one becomes advantageous in time. One may probably have in mind a few advantages of homeowner insurance when one thinks about it. However, in the end, there are several main homeowner insurance merits that one should always have in mind and be acquainted with. Shalom Lamm explained that the use of homeowner insurance should make one go out and purchase one of the best policies that one can afford. These benefits are probably required to get motivated about buying the best and most ideal possible policy. The following are some of the benefits associated with having homeowner insurance.

1. One of the significant and crucial homeowner insurance benefits is that the investment will get protected, which is very important. For one to be sincere, with a good homeowner insurance policy, one will never be troubled regarding anything worse happening to one’s home. Also, one should worry less about fixing their home. Homeowner insurance does cover many things out of the equation, although it does not cover every incident. It will cover damages to both the exterior and interior of their home. It also covers the destruction of personal properties and damage and injuries that may occur on one property. In addition, the significant benefit of having homeowner insurance is that it not only protects the building but also covers the content and belonging in the house. When you take insurance, you can comfortably rest in a feeling of peace, guaranteed that the home gets protected from risk.

2. In addition, another merit of homeowner insurance is that one can get one of the best insurance policies in the market. Taking out this type of insurance is not as expensive in comparison with other types of policies. One can always have a good home insurance policy at a low monthly premium. It is mainly associated with the kind of home one possesses, and it is advisable to check into insurance rates before purchasing a property.

3.  Without a doubt, home insurance aids to manage the stress that comes with dealing with the property’s condition. By having a top-level home insurance policy, one covers much of the damages that can affect the home. There is no need to be troubled and deal with stress that can easily get managed by taking the best homeowner insurance policy.

4. If any damage happens to one’s home, the debt is taken care of by the home insurance that one had taken before the injury.

5. Compared with other insurance such as car insurance, one can possess a house without basically having homeowner insurance legally. It becomes a necessity when there is a home mortgage.

Shalom Lamm once said that it is dangerous if people do not have home insurance. He believes that insurance has so many benefits that he cannot understand why one would not have homeowner insurance.

Additions To Your Home And Property That Can Increase Your Quality of Life

Jen Lambert on May 15, 2021

The last year has been full of lockdowns and people spending more time than ever at home. Improving your quality of life through additions is more than possible. You would be surprised as to how much of a difference an addition like a hot tub makes in your daily life. Create a list of additions that you want to make to your home and property then put them in order of importance. This will allow you to budget over the course of time or give you an idea of how much money to take out via a loan. The following are additions to your home and property that can increase your quality of life. 

Luxury Shed

A luxury shed can be used as a home office, play area for the kids, or even a living space. Take a look at the amazing James Hardie sheds as you would be surprised as to how high quality they are. Take the time to see which shed companies in your area can help with the shipping and construction of the shed on your property. Sheds have come a long way and are way to versatile to simply use for storage. 

Pool

The addition of the pool can turn your backyard into a popular entertainment option for friends and family. The maintenance of the pool is something that you need to consider as this will be a monthly fee. The fees differ depending on the size of the pool and the amount of chemicals that need to be used. Pools do not make sense in all climates as heating a pool in the dead of winter can be extremely expensive. Adding an outdoor kitchen can make your pool area great for entertaining and grilling out. 

Adding a Home Gym 

Gyms were closed around the world and distancing restrictions are still in place in certain areas of the country. Finding home gym equipment can be a challenge as this equipment is in extremely high demand currently. Used gym equipment is likely going to be the best option as it will be far more affordable. Make sure that you maintain your equipment as you do not want to get injured due to a malfunctioning fitness machine. 

Finishing Your Basement and Adding a Projection Screen

Finishing the basement can drive up the square footage of livable space in your home. Not only will this increase the value of your home but it can be an incredibly versatile space. A projection screen with surround sound can allow you to have your own personal movie theater. This can also be a space that can be used as a bedroom for a teenager that wants privacy. The sound insulation in the basement will also be great so you do not have to worry about bothering neighbors when entertaining. 

The above additions are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of possibilities. Consult with the rest of your family as they might have some ideas that you hadn’t considered.