Monthly Archives: April 2021

Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Your Next Road Trip

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Detailed planning and on-point organisation are essential for any road trip. You need to make sure you have the plan of where you want to go, all the resources that you need, and that everyone coming along knows their role on the journey. However, you should also be taking a closer look at the vehicle that you’re bringing with you, as well.

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Make sure everything is working as it should be 

Naturally, the first thing that you should do is take your car to your nearest garage to have it checked up and make sure that it’s in as good a condition as it could be. Most important is that you’re using tires with plenty of miles in them, that your engine oil is good, headlights are working, and that the electronic systems such as AC can keep you cool and comfortable. However, if there are any issues that your mechanic highlights then obviously you should get them fixed.

Is it the right vehicle for the trip?

Your vehicle might be in perfect condition but is it really the thing that you need to keep everyone comfortable and safe for a long road trip? If not, you might want to look at making a new addition. You can look at car hire, or you can simply add to your current setup with second hand caravans for sale. Having the ability to set up for the night anywhere on the road (that it’s legal to stay at) can open up your road trip, allowing you to visit a much wider range of locations and have even more new experiences.

Make sure you clean it

Before you head out, you should make sure that your vehicle is as pleasant to be in as possible. This doesn’t mean only taking it for a car wash. You should also be cleaning it thoroughly on the inside as well. You can also make sure that it’s smelling as fresh as possible by washing the upholstery and using scented car accessories. If it’s a caravan, you should make sure that any old clutter is taken out so that there’s more space for you and your fellow travellers to store all the things you need for the trip, too.

Be ready to avert catastrophe

Aside from ensuring that the vehicle itself is the right option and as ready as it needs to be, you should also anticipate that you might run out into a few problems out there. Having the number of a vehicle recovery crew is all but essential to keep you from getting stranded. However, you should also make sure that a car emergency kit is also packed away, including a tire jack, spare tire, jumper cables and the like.

The right choice of vehicle and the right choice to make sure it’s in the right shape is essential to make the absolute most out of your road trip. Keep the above tips in mind to make sure your wheels are in tip-top shape before you start spinning them.

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Why Online Gaming is More Fun

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When it comes to having fun, many find online gaming more fun than playing real sports. This might be because it requires less physical effort and more brainpower. We cannot all be sporty or enjoy tiring ourselves out in all weathers. There will also, of course, be those of us that enjoy both. Then, we can transfer the skills we learn between the two. Playing sports on a computer or a mobile device will require a knowledge of the same skills and tactics required to compete in the real sport. Realism is now everything with online gaming, and VamosGG achieves it with the games that they make available to online gamers.

In addition, online gaming can even be a good side hustle as well as being more fun. Yes, you really can play games for real money!

Interactive Armchair Entertainment

Whether or not our chair or swivel chair has arms, we can still enjoy the comfort of it while playing an online game. If still daylight, we can look outside and pity that man or woman cycling while it is pouring down with rain, as we recreate the same activity in an online gaming situation. We can feel less lonely doing it, as we will be side-by-side with other virtual cyclists. Except that they will not be just virtual, they will be other gamers sharing the same experience and competing against us to be the best. There is nothing to beat the thought of real competition.

Healthy Competition

Online gaming can be considered healthy competition because it not only aids memory, coordination, and develops our problem-solving skills, it also helps us to relax. Also, in the comfort of our own home, we can feel safer and are not going to do ourselves the kinds of injuries we may pick up while playing a more physical sport. We have our home gym next door to keep ourselves physically fit. We can switch between there and our computer room at ease. There is a lot of fun to be had while gaming. Many games are about exploration and not knowing what we are likely to meet on the next screen. This is the challenge. As we become familiar with completing the different levels we then want higher scores. Everything in life is about scores, so it is good to get used to that through online gaming.

Meeting People

Many people will tell you that they met through online gaming. What started as companionship online and someone like-minded to share a gaming experience with has the potential to blossom into a romance. Already there is a common interest because of a shared love for gaming, so why not extend that to enjoying other aspects of life together? It is also great value for money because you are then paying one fee for a combined gaming and dating experience. This is not, of course, an expectation of gaming but always there as a possibility. So, next time someone says: “Wanna team up?” you just never know where it might lead. It is a fun thought, as much as the games are fun to play. Also, in situations such as pandemics, when we have to stay at home, we can still enjoy the company of others.

As much as we are enjoying the thought of gaming, it is time to conclude, so I wish you well with finding fun while gaming. If you have not tried the experience already, it offers so much in terms of preparing us for life in general by having us navigate our way through all sorts of situations we encounter that are not all that different from real life. After all, the programmer is a human being.

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5 Ideas to Earn Money Online

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The pandemic has required people around the world to stay indoors. This led to businesses losing significant amounts of revenue, which led to many people losing their jobs. With people looking for alternative ways to make ends meet, it comes as no surprise that interest in online businesses is on the rise.

The great thing about the Internet is it is a community hub, sales channel, and marketing network all in one. It offers various opportunities for people to make a living on it. Read on to learn some online money-making ideas you can explore:

Dropshipping

In dropshipping, you don’t keep stock of the products you sell. You purchase products as needed from a third party — usually a manufacturer or a wholesaler — and have each order shipped directly to the customer.

Dropshipping doesn’t demand as much as the traditional retail model because you don’t have to open a physical store, pay overhead, and stock inventory. As a dropshipper, you can reap a huge share of profit by marking up the products you sell. It’s a business model that can be very rewarding.

Startup costs in dropshipping are low, making it an increasingly popular way to earn money online. Among the top-performing categories in dropshipping are women’s clothing and accessories, home and garden, beauty, and jewelry. Products in these categories have a large market and are thus bought relatively frequently.

Shopify is a simple e-commerce platform that you can use for your dropshipping business. Once you are more established, you can explore additional website customization.

A challenge in dropshipping is the heavy competition. In order to succeed, you have to beat your competition with a well-chosen niche and innovative marketing.

Utilise The Skills & Knowledge Of Your Hobby

There are many ways that your skills and experiences can be turned into online moneymaking strategies, as will be discussed below. However, creating a secondary revenue stream that comes off the back of your hobbies and existing habits is one of the best options by far. 

If you are a skilled gamer, you could play competitively for money. Alternatively, sports fans can see this list of online bookmakers in the UK to put their predictions to good use. Similarly, fantasy sports games can open the door to a little extra money simply by doing the things you already love.

Alternatively, you could set up an online fan club dedicated to something you love. The options are endless. If you truly enjoy the activity, the amount of money gained won’t matter. It’s merely a bonus.

Blogging

People blog for various reasons. It could be to share their thoughts and experiences, to educate readers, to sell products and services, or to build one’s personal brand. But how do you make money from blogging?

When starting a money-making blog, you must choose a niche. This allows you to speak to a target audience with your quality content, which can lead to sales and leads.

There are a couple of ways to monetize your blog, including:

  • Sell physical products to your readers. For example, t-shirts or pillows.
  • Sell digital products like digital art, designs, templates, photography, or courses. You can create once and then sell again and again.
  • Sell freelance services like writing, bookkeeping, and consulting
  • Promote brands as an influencer
  • Sell memberships or subscriptions to private content on sites like Patreon

An advantage of blogging is it doesn’t require a big investment. However, it might take a little while before you can earn through this hobby as the blog won’t start at the top of Google search results instantly. But with tenacity and a well-chosen niche, you’ll be on your path to earning money through your blogging hobby.

Some blogging platforms you can use are Blogger and WordPress.

Creating Videos for YouTube

In the past years, YouTube has become the go-to source for all types of video guides and courses. You can make money on YouTube in different ways:

  • Offer video editing services – If you have the expertise, you can earn a lot from video editing because many people are creating videos for the platform. Start by creating your portfolio and showcasing your editing talent. Then you can pitch to your network, local businesses, and freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork.
  • Apply for the YouTube Partner program – You can make money through membership perks, ads, and features, such as Super Chat. Super Chat allows viewers to pay so their messages will be highlighted during live streams.
  • Connect to the Google Adsense program – You must connect your channel to your Google Adsense account to get approved as a partner. Generally, you’ll earn based on the “impressions” that your videos get. An impression is every click or viewing of an ad.
  • Make videos for YouTube Premium – YouTube Premium is the platform’s ad-free subscription service. You can earn a share of the profit from membership fees based on how many times members viewed your videos.
  • Use video sponsorship and product placement – In exchange for a shout-out, companies that are interested in your audience might offer product placement deals or sponsor your videos.

Typing for Cash

If you want a flexible job that requires little to no prior experience, transcription could be the job for you. Transcribing is not complicated: simply listen to an audio file and type it out. If you’re a fast typist, you could earn a pretty penny with this one.

Transcription gives you the freedom to set your own hours. In a lot of cases, it will also allow you to work as little or as much as you want every week.

Transcription jobs are usually categorized into three: general, medical, and legal. The exact amount you can earn from transcribing depends on factors like the company you’re working for, the work available, and your skill level and speed.  Time spent on a transcript is influenced by factors such as audio quality, the accent of the speaker, background noise, and the speed at which people speak.

Companies such as Rev.com hire freelance transcribers.

Now is the time to take advantage of opportunities online. Explore these money-making ideas according to your passions and skills. With hard work, you’ll find yourself making the profit you desire.

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4 Reasons Why A Zoned HVAC System Is The Best Choice For Your Home

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Installing the right heating and cooling system in your home is so important. It helps you manage the temperature so you are comfortable all year round, and the right system can help you save money and be more eco-friendly too. With the help of a good company such as Front Range HVAC, a Highlands Ranch hvac company, you can have quality assistance in finding out what’s best for your home. There are a number of different options out there, but a zoned HVAC system is the best, in most cases. Here’s why you should install a zoned HVAC system in your home. 

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Use Separate Thermostats

If you are fed up with arguments about the thermostat, you need a zoned HVAC system. Instead of having one single heating control for the whole house, your heating and air company will install multiple thermostats that independently control different areas. So, if some members of the family like it hot, while you prefer a cool atmosphere, everybody is happy. You get way more control over the heating in your home and it stops any arguments because everybody can set the temperature just how they like it. 

Be More Energy Efficient

We’re all trying to be more eco-friendly and everybody likes to save money, which is why making your home energy efficient should be a priority for everybody. Having separate thermostats for different areas makes it so easy to save energy because you only need to heat the rooms that you are actually using. Those areas will heat up or cool down faster too because you are not wasting energy trying to heat the rest of the house at the same time. This quickly translates to decreased energy use and lower energy bills. 

Control Temperature With Your Phone 

Modern zoned HVAC systems can be fitted with smart controls that allow you to control the temperature via an app on your phone. This makes things far more convenient for you and it helps keep energy consumption down because you will never forget to turn the thermostat down. It also means that you can turn the heating on when you are on the way home, so by the time you arrive, your house is already the perfect temperature. 

Increased Lifespan

Keeping your HVAC system well maintained is vital if you want it to work properly. Unfortunately, repairing or replacing an HVAC system isn’t cheap, so increasing its lifespan as much as possible is the best way to save yourself some money in the future. Compared with a single thermostat system, a zoned HVAC system will last so much longer. This is because you are only heating certain parts of the home at any one time, instead of heating the entire house. So, the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, meaning that it has an increased lifespan. If there are issues, separate areas can be repaired independently, meaning that it’s far less likely you will have to replace the entire system. 

If your heating and cooling system has seen better days, you could just get it repaired and make do with what you have. However, a zoned HVAC system is simple to install, and even though it is an investment now, you will make big savings later on, so it’s definitely worth the money.

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Maintaining A Fleet Of Vehicles: What You Need To Know

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All businesses face differing problems. For all the profit made throughout the year, there are going to be periods of worry and even stress. If you maintain a fleet of vehicles, you’ll know that it comes with a serious investment in terms of cash, time, and management. Every business owner will approach this in a different way, along with how they approach working driver management. Some will have fleets of trucky, while others will focus on cars or even motorbikes. With that said, some things always stay the same.

Keep A Log Of Those Key Dates

There are often key dates when vehicles are concerned and if you have a fleet you need to keep up with them all. Some prefer to have these dates all come at once, while others will stagger then so that there’s less of an impact. MOT’s are a key annual factor if you’re running a fleet which is a few years old. This MOT guide can illustrate the process, but you also have to think about servicing, which can sometimes be bundled into the MOT. Of course, this is expensive, which is why some stagger instead of doing all the vehicles in one. Another key date to remember is tax. You don’t have the discs in the window to remind you anymore. You can log however you see fit. Paper based copy works but use google sheets and you’ll be able to access from anywhere. 

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Try To Save Money On Parts

Parts are expensive. There are some great deals to be had when working directly with part shops and companies, especially if your fleet is especially big. However, if you had the time and inclination you could do this yourself and save some money. Especially if you keep tabs on maintenance and fix as you go. Amazon is a surprisingly good place for car parts. Just make sure that they’re approved sellers and not on the gated brands list because they may not have been properly vetted. You can also save money on parts if you buy in bulk in advance. Think about it. Usually you’ll buy parts as you need them, one by one. If you buy in bulk once or twice in advance you’re saving cash. Just buy the things you know you’ll need. Wiper blades, brake pads, etc.

Ensure Driver Compliance

Your drivers need to be compliant with the laws of the land in which you operate. This is pretty easy to forget or to mess up. Perhaps someone gets banned from driving and doesn’t tell you, then gets pulled up in a company vehicle. You’re going to get trouble from the authorities for employing someone who doesn’t have the right to drive. Same with the people you employ. Vet them. Don’t just vet their driving license. Make sure that you check everything out as best you can. Don’t take anything for granted and double check everything. Also, test their skills. Sure, they may be qualified, but they may not be able to drive to your own personal standards. Worth checking before you have them sign on the dotted line.

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How to Successfully Manage Remote Workers

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Remote work became the buzzword when the pandemic hit. As companies were scrambling to ensure that their operations continued even amidst a lockdown that some countries are still experiencing, it became the solution to most of their problems.

But while working remotely was the easiest solution to an unexpected problem, it also posed a new challenge to managers used to working with in-house personnel. All of a sudden, they had to rethink the way they operate, the way they communicate, and the way they evaluate their team’s performance.

If you find yourself in the same boat, read on to find out how you can manage and lead a team of remote workers effectively and efficiently.

  1. Emphasize the importance of communication

While your team was in the office it was easy to see who’s on break, who’s in a meeting, who’s out to lunch, or who’s not in for the day. You don’t have that same visibility on your team’s schedules when you’re working remotely. Thus, it is important to ensure that you’re not just communicating, but you’re “over-communicating.”

Setup a notifications channel on your preferred workplace chat app where team members are required to notify what they are doing if they would be unable to reply to messages. This way, everyone has a way of knowing where each other is and expectations are easily set and managed.

In general, you are always going to get a lot more out of your employees if you are making a point of being there with them as best as you can be. That means that you are engaged with them, fully involved in what they are doing at all times – and with the right approach, that is something that you can be sure of regardless of whether they are remote workers, or working in the office.
This is often an important part of total quality management. What is total quality management? Quite simply, it’s a set of procedures for best practice for managing your people and your business. You’ll find that it can apply easily and readily to any workplace, even one that utilizes remote workers.

  1. Have shorter meetings

Let’s face it, even when you were in the office you hated long meetings. Imagine having to sit through 3- or 4-hour meetings while working remotely. You would get distracted more easily and not everyone may get a chance to share their thoughts. Instead of these lengthy and often long-winded meetings, have shorter 30-minute virtual huddles with clear agendas, and everyone is encouraged to participate.

  1. Utilize collaborative tools

Similarly, you can operate using shared documents like Google docs or spreadsheets where all team members are able to contribute. It could be a master list of all your clients, an evolving style bible, or a spreadsheet of issues encountered that you could tackle at the next meeting.

In this way, not only are you fostering a collaborative environment but you are also assuring your team members that they are being heard.

  1. Be a good listener

This leads us to the fourth tip. Don’t just tell your remote workers what to do. Instead, you have to take a step back and listen to what they need. The best remote workers are the ones that can work independently, and when you listen to your team members, you can easily identify who would benefit the most from constant monitoring and who would be better off being left to work on their own.

Regardless of the level of management they would need, however, it would still be a good idea to introduce an employee net promoter score. This will allow you to have a pulse on what your employees are truly feeling and how you can address any concerns they might have.

  1. Allow for substantial break periods

When you’re working remotely, it’s sometimes difficult to differentiate the line between work and personal life. Employees tend to work overtime, get easily distracted, or would need to schedule personal errands during work hours. As their manager, you need to rethink the way you value their work. Reconsider your bodies-in-seat mentality and welcome the productivity hacks that each worker comes up with uniquely.

This way you ensure the jobs still get done, but your work-from-home employees are happy and satisfied with the new arrangement.

  1. Set expectations

But just because you’re being flexible in your way of thinking, doesn’t mean you have to forget about deadlines and expected output. Make these expectations clear and remind them often that regardless of how they do it, there are certain expectations that they need to meet.

For example, if you’re managing a team of content writers, set a number of words they have to meet in a day and find a sweet spot of time when it can get done in a timely manner and still have enough time to meet high-quality demands.

  1. Celebrate your wins

Finally, be sure to acknowledge the successes and wins that your team has achieved. These can be small victories like no late submissions for the week or month or something as big as launching a new product.

Make it a fun and engaging activity. Shoutouts are great, but how about considering doing a video presentation recognizing your team’s efforts? This makes the win more personal and their individual contributions are supported.

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CBD Is A Massive Opportunity For Today’s Crop Of Entrepreneurs. Here’s Why

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You might know about CBD for its apparent benefits for wellbeing, anxiety reduction and chronic pain. But it is also a massive business opportunity for entrepreneurs. That’s because of how the market is going to evolve over the coming years. 

A Little Background

Just a little background first. CBD and cannabis are not the same thing. CBD is a specific compound from hemp plants that appears to interact favorably with the body. When people consume it, they feel like they are moving back to “balance.” Their brain chemistry normalises and they stop feeling so much pain. At least, that’s the claim. And there’s something to love about a delicious edible that can also help combat stress, anxiety, insomnia, and a whole host of other things.

CBD is legal in most countries, even if cannabis is not. So you’re perfectly within your rights to slap your brand on it and sell it to the market. But it’s also a growing industry, and that’s what makes it such an exciting prospect for anyone getting into the field. It feels a little bit like software in the 1980s. It’s exploding. 

Why CBD Is Going To Become A Major Industry

CBD is a fascinating molecule for its ability to change a person’s internal chemistry and states of consciousness. 

At the moment, we have a serious problem in the West. Most people are miserable and hate their lives. They feel anxious or depressed most of the time, and they’re looking for ways to escape this. 

Traditionally, people had two options. They could either go to their doctor and get them to put them on dangerous brain-altering pharmaceuticals, or they could go to their local drug deal. Neither of those solutions was ideal. 

But now there might be a third way: CBD. CBD alters the internal state of the body, but only in a way that brings it back into balance. People who take it regularly swear by it, claiming that it improves their wellbeing in unimaginable ways. CBD is also perfectly legal, so people aren’t risking a criminal record for using it. It seems to offer all of the benefits, and none of the downsides. Nowadays, many companies sell cbd wholesale, offering lotions, gels, capsules and oils designed to aid with pain relief, skin conditions and even as pet products!

Depression and anxiety look like they are going to continue their upward trend over the next couple of decades. So entrepreneurs need to be ready with safe and effective products to counteract the problem. And nothing is more potent in this regard than CBD. The industry is going to explode. 

There are all sorts of angles you could take as well. You don’t just have to slap your branding on CBD oil and sell it over the internet. Other opportunities exist in edibles, topicals and even cannabis debt collection (a kind of B2B service for the industry). 

Wrapping Up

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CBD has all of the properties of an industry set for primetime. It is gaining legal backing (a trend that is unlikely to reverse). It is something that people need and that requirement is only going to go up in the future. And it is also a product that people feel that they have to have continuously. All those factors mean that the market is going to grow tremendously, and a lot of people will get rich off the back of it.

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How Financial Independence is Possible through BRRRR

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If you’re interested in getting into real estate investment, you will hear about the Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat (BRRRR) method. When done correctly, this method will allow you to make most, if not all, of the money that you invested on the property back in a short time.

This investment strategy can be used on fourplexes if you can afford it, allowing lower regular expenses on a property compared to one to three-unit properties. When someone moves out of the dwelling and your property has a vacancy, your income will not go down to zero like it would with a single-family home. Instead, you will still have income coming in from your other two units while you look for a new tenant.

What is the BRRRR Investment Method?

The BRRRR method is a real estate investment strategy that many real estate investors recommend. However, several steps are necessary to make your entrance into the real estate investment world as smooth as possible. With that in mind, this is what you need to know about each step:

  1. Buy

The first step is to purchase a property that needs some upgrades and repairs. The property purchase can be made either by paying in cash, using a private home loan, or using a government-backed loan. However, to improve your investment’s potential return, you must conduct a fair amount of research when buying a property. Ensuring that you get the best deal possible in the property you’re trying to rehab.

  1. Rehab

When you find a property and purchase it, you will begin the rehab process, which, if done right, will address any potential upgrades and repairs on the property. Also, it would be best if you got the home looked at by an inspector who will recommend repairs and upgrades to things like:

  1. Replacing drywall that is damaged
  2. Bathrooms that need an upgrade
  3. Roofing repairs
  4. Installing new carpet or paint
  5. Landscaping overgrowth affects the property’s appeal
  6. Replacing kitchen appliances that are not working properly
  7. It can build bedrooms or units for single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.

Once the repairs and upgrades get completed, they will increase the property’s value.

  1. Rent

After the property goes through the rehab process, you will begin to look for renters. This step requires that you screen potential tenants by making sure that they will afford their monthly payments. Finding the right renter will take some work, although you must make sure that you’re not too demanding since no one is perfect.

Also, an appraisal must be done on your property once the tenant moves in. You will, of course, have to notify the tenant when the appraiser is visiting their property. Moreover, it will also be beneficial to you if the unit is looking clean and organized by the time the appraiser shows up.

  1. Refinance

Once a tenant has lived in the property for several months and you have built an acceptable amount of rental history, you will be able to start the refinancing process. This process will require that you find a lender who will offer a cash-out refinance since most real estate investors recommend it. After the refinancing on the property, the money you borrow must be equal to the appraised value for the BRRRR strategy to work.

  1. Repeat

After you finish the process, you will take everything you learned and the cash you have taken out, and you will be able to start the process all over again. You can also even build a system that implements all the lessons you learned in your previous BRRRR cycle. Moreover, implementing past experiences will enable you to make the process easier and better for future tenants.

Government-Backed Loans

One obstacle with using the BRRRR method is that it requires that you fund not only the purchase of the property itself but the repair and upgrade costs. These costs can be high, and unless you’re an amazing saver, it might be a bit too much to afford. Thankfully, there are government-guaranteed loans that can cover the cost of rehabbing a property while also offer several benefits; these programs are:

203k FHA Loans

An FHA 203k loan allows you to buy a home and finance the repairs with the same benefits offered by FHA home loans. These benefits include:

  • Low 3.5% down payments
  • If the down payment is not affordable, you can get the money as a gift from a friend or family member.
  • The seller can also cover closing costs.
  • FICO scores of 580 also qualify, with some lenders going even lower.

However, FHA 203k loans can also cover repairs and upgrades to properties purchased and used for the BRRRR process. These upgrades and repairs are:

  • Remove all health and safety hazards.
  • Add units or bedrooms to a property with a limit of up to four units.
  • Update property accessibility for disabled residents.
  • Replace appliances that might be malfunctioning.
  • Change carpets, paint, and landscaping.

VA Rehab Loan

The VA Rehab Loan is the VA’s response to the 203k FHA loan. However, this loan is for veterans, active-duty service-members, and surviving spouses of deceased military members. Moreover, the loan offers some of the best benefits available like:

  • Zero down payments
  • Low monthly costs
  • Low-interest rates
  • No mortgage premiums
  • No prepayment penalties

Eligibility requirements for the VA Rehab loan are no different from the requirements for the regular VA home loan. Nevertheless, rehab loans meant to finance the repairs and upgrades to a property; including:

  • Repair doors, windows, roofing, and gutters.
  • Improve Insulation
  • Treat and get rid of mold and lead paint.
  • Upgrade the property to meet accessibility requirements for disabled veterans.

Both the FHA 203k and the VA Rehab loans are lent out by qualified lenders and guaranteed by the United States government. Meaning that the lenders get covered if a borrower must default on a loan, which in turn allows the lender to be a little less stringent about an applicant’s credit score.

Summary

There are several benefits to using the BRRRR investment method. These include the potential for a high return on investment, a fast way to build equity, and the potential for lower overall costs and risks once you start owning and renting out several properties. However, the initial costs might be slightly high, although government-backed loans are sure to reduce those costs significantly.

Phil Georgiades is the CLS for VA Home Loan Centers, a government-sponsored brokerage specializing in VA Home Loans. He has been practicing real estate in a professional setting for 22 years. To apply for an FHA home loan, call us at (877) 432-5626.

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How to Choose the Right Tech for Your Business

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The majority of businesses, big or small, need to rely on technology to gain a competitive edge. State-of-the-art tools and devices allow you to provide a more efficient service to your clients and improve communication and collaboration among your team. It’s important to know you’re investing in the right tech, however. It should directly help you reach your business goals and ensure you achieve the maximum ROI. It also depends on your industry, if you’re a photographer, a high-end camera is essential, but for marketing purposes for a catering company, perhaps not. Here’s how to choose the right tech for your business.

Outline your needs and goals

Before acquiring any tech, you need to learn how to conduct a technology assessment. You can also outsource this service to an agency or MSP that specializes in procurement. They will be able to assess your technology needs and offer professional insights. It’s also important to outline which specific business goals investing in new tech will help you achieve. These should be measurable in numbers to work out a budget.

Do industry-specific research

If you need specialist hardware, software, other equipment for the type of business you run, research industry trends. Find out which brands your competitors are using and whether they’re working for them. For example, if you work in the holistic therapy industry, you’ll need to find the best hyperbaric chamber for sale online. Try networking with similar businesses for tips and advice.

Work out a budget

Once you’ve figured out your needs you can then create a realistic technology budget. It’s worth going over your budget with a financial advisor as there are many new trends in technology budgeting. Businesses are choosing to invest more in tools and tech as they help streamline many processes and make a good impression on clients. There are also plenty of ways to cut costs, however, and a financial advisor with experience in your sector will be able to help you with this. 

Factor in the well-being of your staff

When assessing your needs it’s essential to factor in creating a healthy workplace for your staff. This means that part of your budget should be going on providing ergonomic working equipment and ensuring they have the tech they need to do the best job. You’ll only experience a lull in productivity if not. If your staff is comfortable and in good working conditions they’ll perform better. Also, keep them fully up to speed on how to use the new technology you’re implementing, and invest in onboarding and training sessions.

Consider scalable tech
You also need to consider the scalability of your tech. This refers to its capability to adapt if you grow your business. You need to ensure it can cope with more users, big data, and is compatible with multiple devices. If you’re planning on scaling your business in the future, you’ll need technology and equipment that will grow with you. This will ensure you achieve maximum return on investment for your purchases.

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How to Face the Married Life

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Finding someone you truly love and loves you back the same way is one of the best feelings in this world. To be with someone who understands your quirks and loves them is a rare and magical experience. One way or another, we will get to come across these things.

However, the sad truth is that even people who are so good together will have problems that will come their way. These challenges will rock their relationship to the core and make them question the love they share with their partners. If you’re one of these people, don’t worry. It’s a totally normal thing.

Marriage is a scary decision and a terrifying place. Of course, there’s the rainbows and the butterflies, but there’s also the tears and the arguments once in a while. If you feel like you’re starting to lose your partner, you’ve come to the right place.

Navigating the Married Life

If you just got married and you’re not facing any major problems yet, but you want to make sure that you don’t face them soon, we’ve prepared a quick list of tips for you. Below are some techniques on how to navigate married life.

The Right Perspective on Permanence

The idea of permanence can easily cloud your mind with fear and anxiety. The fact that you’d be living with one person for the rest of your life can be rather overwhelming that you start to feel the panic building up in your chest. Always remember that it’s about perspective. You’d be living with the person you love the most for the rest of your life. You get to spend every single day with your haven, a person with whom you can rest your troubles with.

That’s something you shouldn’t be scared of but rather be grateful for. It’s even more exciting when you have someone to build your dreams with-looking for a house and lot for pre-sale, saving up for the future, starting a family, and sending the kids to school. All of these get better when you’re with the person you love.

Embrace Imperfections

When we get married, we sometimes think that life will then start to become perfect. That’s not true. Some days will be mundane, and some will even be difficult, and that’s okay. You have to be okay with the fact that life is not always rainbows and butterflies. Accept that the imperfections are part of the married life.

Keep it Within the Marriage

Always remember that your spouse is called your partner for a reason. Your spouse is there to help you fix problems, not intentionally create them. That being said, whenever you disagree, make sure that youcommunicate it properly, and you do it only to each other. Avoid venting your problems to social media or other people because aside from the fact that it’s none of their business, it would not do your marriage any good.

Marriage Mistakes You Need to Avoid

There’s always a pattern when it comes to marital problems that lead to split-ups. More often than not, it’s about the mistakes we fail to see that chip away at the very foundation of the relationship and cause it to fall apart. Make sure that you get to avoid these mistakes.

Bringing Up Past Problems

The worst person you could ever hold a grudge on is your spouse. You spend your days with your partner, and we can’t imagine how you’re going to do that if you secretly despise him/her. Make sure that when yousolve a problem, you forget about it, and you don’t bring it up every time you argue.

Treating Your Partner Like a Kid

Do not ever treat your partner like a kid. Sometimes, we tend to see ourselves as superior and look down on our partners, especially when they make mistakes. Never forget that we all commit mistakes, but that does not justify any wrongdoing we can make towards our partner. You should always see your spouse as your equal.

Not Having Fun

Never forget the famous adage that goes, “laughter is the best medicine.” It’s easy to be caught up with problems, even just little ones, and be stressed out by it. However, you can also make the most out of it. Don’t ever lose your sense of humor when you get married because that’s a vital component of any relationship.

Once upon a time, you stood in front of your partner and vowed to love each other forever. We might all have our own definitions of the word, but what we do know is that love is a universal language that does not need to be understood; it just needs to be felt. Marriage might be scary, but knowing how to navigate your way through it will make it exciting.

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