king of convenience – FREEDOM AND ITS OWNER

I’ve heard lots of stories about deals gone bad or strange happenings in the real estate world at the end of this year. Everyone wants to talk about the year gone by here in Wichita Kansas,  good and bad.

I have a win-win goodwill story of my own.

This deal was signed sealed and scheduled for closing. The house was in probate as the previous owner had died and her kids were selling it. A few days before closing we find out the probate lawyer has not done his job and the paperwork hasn’t been before the Judge yet.

First delay. After many phone calls and much finagling we get a new date set. Again that date approaches and the lawyer is not finished. Now we’re five weeks overdue and my clients lease is running out at the end of the month with no chance of extending it. On top of that they have the moving truck reserved and help lined up.

We now schedule the closing with one day to spare and as that date approaches, yep, not ready. This time though the lawyer has an appointment with the court for the 2nd, two days after my client will be out on his ear.

So what do we do. The selling agent asks his client if we can take possession four days early, on a Friday, the day before Halloween, so they can move over the weekend. They agree so everything is going to be all right. The owners spend  Thursday and Friday morning finishing up moving and cleaning. They left the house spotless.

When I called my client Friday evening they were moving, loading the truck for the second time and almost finished. It would take one more trip in the morning.

And this is where everything could have gone terribly wrong. Saturday morning my phone rang and I was informed the basement was flooded. Of course you call your Realtor, he’s the one who sold you the house.

The sump pump had quit working. Remember, we haven’t closed yet and all their stuff is already at the house, moving truck returned, no where else to go and the basement is full of water.

So of course I rush over and indeed, the sump pump has given out. No reason, it must have been working yesterday as the basement was dry. The seller agent called the insurance company and they might be able to get to it today, Halloween.  In the meantime water is still running into the basement.

Can’t wait. A trip to Home Depot to buy a new one, home for tools and shop vac and then back to install it. Then we spent the rest of the day and into the evening installing the pump, pushing water back into the pit, pulling back carpet and trying to dry everything out. The carpet pad is of course ruined and the carpet itself needs some professional help.

I completely missed Halloween and handing out goodies to the neighborhood kids. Good thing Lisel was there to take care of that.

My clients are now  living in a house they don’t own yet with nowhere to go, I’m out the money for a new pump and the carpet layer wants to get paid. We closed Monday amid promises of payment for the disaster. We had no choice really but to trust the sellers.

In the end the carpet was fixed, the carpet guy paid by the sellers and a check came to my mailbox to cover the pump four days later.

This was a situation where there very easily could have been some big losers and upset people. As it turned out everyone did the right thing, did what they said they would and some even went beyond the call of duty. My clients are in their dry home, the seller is cashing her check and everyone is  living happily ever after. So far.

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Many people look at a blog and wonder what all the “stuff” means. Lisa Olinda, owner of Olinda Services has written a series of blog articles detailing what the components of the blog are and the best way to utilize them. If you have any questions you can email her at lisa@olindaservices.com.

• Day One – What is a Blog?
• Day Two – Elements of a Blog including Header, Tag Line, Columns, Pages, Title
• Day Three – Elements of a Blog including Calendar, Blogroll, Archives, Categories, Recent Posts
• Day Four – Elements of Blog including Meta and RSS Feeds
• Day Five – Comments

The important thing to remember is that a blog is an interactive site. Read, comment, ask questions, ENJOY!

The New York Times published an excellent article addressing the problems with safety in highway construction zones, which has caused numerous preventable accidents.

You can read it here.

In brief, the article points out that (1) many more accidents than are realized are caused not by negligent driving but instead by dangerous highway construction sites; (2) state regulations which govern these construction projects are insufficient in their scope and particulars; and (3) federal and state authorities do not adequately enforce safety.

The piece encourages federal authorities to increase their involvement with highway construction zones in order to create uniform regulations across the 50 states and actively enforce them.

Also noteworthy is that contractors with lacking safety records are often repeatedly hired by state and local governments.

In fact, this shows why New York’s Scaffold Law, Labor Law 240(1), which provides for strict liability against owners and general contractors, is such an important law. By placing responsibility on these entities, even though they may not be directly involved with the construction, it encourages them to, respectively, hire contractors with good safety records and enforce safety at the job site. 

This way, accidents can be prevented.

Don’t believe the naysayers. Sites like patrick.net are probably run by paranoid people who are afraid to step out of their house fearing they would be run over by a bus.

In this economy or any other, a home is the best investment you can ever make.  Think of it like a savings account. I was a renter for 10 years.  I was living paycheck to paycheck. And I never bought a home hoping to save up enough to pay the 20% for the house. At the end of the 10 years, I was still living pay check to pay check. And all my friends who had bought a house were in a far better financial position than me.

The more I have talked to renters the more I feel that their story is similar to mine. If you are renter and wish to share your experience. Please do post me a note.

The E-Myth Revisited

Tonight I just finished reading The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. This book was recommended reading for an MBA course I took last spring. Needless to say, I didn’t get around to reading it for class but recently found the time. I haven’t read Gerber’s precursor, The E-Myth, so I do not have that context to draw on.

One of the interesting things about Gerber’s approach in this book is his use of a central story to apply the various themes he draws. Throughout the chapters and in the final chapter, Gerber counsels a small business owner on how to view and operate a small business. I appreciate his discussion of multiple personalities or “people” in each person that decides to go into business for themselves. Gerber explains the source of the confusion and frustration many small business owners encounter. Later on, Gerber discusses the “new view” of business, how the concept of franchising plays in, and specific strategies to follow.

I recommend The E-Myth Revisited for new business owners and those contemplating starting a business. Gerber provides new ideas along with some time-tested material. Those with sales or management experience will find sections of the book more or less review material. Still, there are some ideas Gerber mentions that are worth reading through to find the gems.

When you have to keep a business alive and kicking, you certainly understand the need of the right level of funding, and understanding that, you will also certainly know how difficult it is actually to achieve. Sometimes  due to a lack of contacts that could lead do the funding of the company, and in other cases due to the fact that the proposition value from the company is not really understood by owners and managers int he company, being unable to communicate it to potential investors.

Funds have always been very difficult to find and much more now in the actual economic downturn that we are all suffering. To be able to find financing, entrepreneurs must know their way around and must have the capacity of doing the numbers as good as a finance specialist would do them.

Funds and finances are a very interesting theme, reason why I have decided to post a very interesting artice, precisly about the funding needs of companies.

The original post can be found at: http://www.dr-smith.info/funding-strategies-for-new-businesses/

And I am attaching a copy of the article.

After the rush of figuring out a new idea for your business and pulling together a team to run it, one challenge faces all entrepreneurs. They must find the necessary financial resources. For some, the ‘money hunt’ can come to dominate their activities. Others find solutions that allow them to at least launch the business. Many companies founder because the team never figures out how to meet this challenge. How you meet this need is one of the most important steps in determining if your company is at least going to have the chance to succeed.

Early-Stage Funding Options

One of the principal reasons that founders find such difficulty in meeting this funding challenge is that they try to skip stages in the process. Many of them try to raise funds far in excess of the levels that their current situation merits. Investors make a distinction between a business builder and a lazy entrepreneur. The latter generally has a poorly written business plan or a vague idea for a business and approached them looking for five or ten million dollars to their ‘idea’. The former has shown prudence, professionalism and a sense of proportion in their efforts. One get serious attention while the other is the butt of jokes.

For a very early stage company, true funding requirements may extend only to filling the need to perfect the value proposition and develop a prototype. During this ‘project’ stage, there is no clear demonstration that the underlying value proposition can be monetized. There are no customers who have indicated, through their purchases, that what the company is offering is worth the projected cost. At this stage, entrepreneurs need to tap the three ‘Fs’ to meet these needs; friends, family and fools. Approaches to other sources will, for the most part, result in a waste of time and energy with little prospect of success.

Good entrepreneurs understand that they have to develop their company to a certain stage before either angel investors or venture capitalists will give serious consideration to funding it. But the challenge remains. Even the three ‘Fs’ may not be enough to get it to that stage. At this point, founders need to become very creative in their approach. There are many other, early-stage sources that can be tapped. Here are just a few of them:

• SBIR and STTR Funding: For certain companies, government funding is a real possibility. These programs offer money for development of prototypes and even simply proof of concept. In fact, stage one of the SBIR program is exactly that. In return for the right to use the results, almost every government agency will fund such proof of concepts in areas that they are interested and for problems that they need solved. Stage two of these programs offer follow-on funding for further development. The company retains the developed intellectual property with only the above restrictions.
• Potential Customers: This approach is a first, major test of the value proposition that the company is promoting. The logic is, ‘if your product or service is as valuable as you think it is, your potential customers should have an interest in its development’. Many companies have been launched using this approach and never had to go the further step of raising venture capital. There are additional benefits of this approach. First, you get to test your ideas in the real world. Second, your potential customers will help you refine your value proposition. Third, they will help you expand your pool of potential customers through referrals and references.
• Joint Ventures: Another option is to find a well established company to partner with. Although there are dangers involved such as keeping control of the intellectual property, many companies have successfully managed this risk and tapped into significant financial resources. Joint ventures are particularly relevant for high-technology companies that have either cutting edge or disruptive technologies.
• Grants: There are organizations and associations which are dedicated to supporting the development of certain technologies. Many of these provide development grants to emerging companies. Although the amounts may be small, the restrictions on the use of proceeds are generally few. Some companies have accessed a fairly regular stream of these grants to support development of new innovations or functionality.
• Bootstrapping: Sweat equity is defined as the time and effort that a team invests in getting a business to the stage where investors will be interested. This means taking it beyond the ‘business plan’ stage by sheer force of will and dedication. It may mean that founders will have to go without a paycheck for some time or that they will make barter arrangements that will give them access to the resources they need. They may have to take out a mortgage on their house or invest their savings. Such bootstrapping demonstrates a determination to succeed that extends well beyond verbal statements of commitment.
• Business Plan Competitions: Many universities and associations organize business plan competitions. The prize is often funding in the form of a grant or award. These competitions have a number of benefits. The first is that they force the team to finely hone their value proposition and translate it into a professionally drawn business plan. A second is that it brings the team into contact with other, competing teams. This gives them direct experience with the dedication, resourcefulness and professionalism of other teams. A third benefit is that the competition is generally judged by people very experienced in the start-up game. Some may be investors who will take the time to help the team perfect its business plan and value proposition.
• Micro-loans: There are financial organizations that specialize in making small loans to start-up companies. They are specialized banks. The loans are generally small but can be very useful in developing prototypes or bringing key team members on board. For the most part, these organizations recognize that they are making relatively high-risk loans. Their purpose is to support entrepreneurial activity.

These and other funding sources can be very useful in getting a company through the early-stage. The objective of the founders should be to use them to develop the product or service to the point that the company will be of interest to investors who will look at it from a return on investment perspective. Investors will require a clear demonstration that the value proposition can be monetized and that the team is capable of managing that monetization. They will also look for indications that the team is very good at getting the most out of limited financial resources. Once a company gets to this stage, they are ready to start the hunt for larger amounts of funding. They have a number of options.

Funding a Going Concern

The good news is that the funding approaches for going concerns is much more organized than the early-stage sources. The bad news is that they are much more competitive and challenging. Here are just a few options:

• Angel Investors: Angel investors are generally high net worth individuals who have decided to make early-stage investment in emerging companies. Sometimes they operate individually and at other times they form angel investment associations. Many of these either organize or support forums which allow early-stage teams to present. Angel investors tend to participate in companies in specific spaces. Most of the groups have websites which list their portfolio companies and outline their investment approach. It is important to make sure that you are presenting to a group or individual that is interested in your space. Angels approach each company as business decision and expect a return on their investment. This tends to be a real challenge to early-stage teams as it may be the first time they will be forced to see their company in that light. A benefit of angel investors is that they will often consider smaller investments.
• Venture Capital Funds: These funds tend to be more organized than angel groups. For the most part, they are investing money provided by institutional investors like pension funds. As fund managers, they are responsible to those institutional sources for generating a substantial return on the money. Because the cost of diligence can be very high, these funds tend to prefer larger investments. That may seem like good news, but the bad news is that they will want a company to be much more advanced in the process of monetizing the value proposition. In addition to a good product or service, you will need a growing, referencable customer base and very good profit margins in order to attract their attention. Venture funds tend to look at a company from an investment perspective and within a fairly short time-line to a future liquidity event. Entrepreneurs who have eschewed venture funding for self-funding do so in order to avoid this pressure. Keep in mind that the venture fund makes its profit when you sell the business, take it public or bring in additional funding. None of these options may have a positive impact on your long-term strategies. Also, venture funds will almost certainly require either a seat on your board of directors or the right to appoint an outside director. They generally push hard for more professional governance and oversight.
• Customer Financing: If you have been successful in getting potential customers to fund your early-stage, you may be in particularly strong position when your company begins to turn a profit. This may be some of the least expensive funding you can access. If you have carefully built a relationship with a range of customers, they may provide additional funding in the form of advance orders or forward-looking commitments. The good news here is that the obligations to them will disappear when you deliver on your commitments.
• Bank Credit Lines: At some point, if you are good at growing your business, your company will become ‘bankable’. That means that it will qualify for a credit line. Initially this line may be used to financing receivables. The bank may loan against purchase orders and give you the working capital necessary to deliver on those orders. If you mange the line well, they may eventually let you use some of it for working capital to make forward investments in expanding the business. A word of caution about bankers; they expect to be paid back on time and with interest. Failure to do so will quickly sour the relationship. So, be careful and prudent when it comes to such credit lines.
• Business Credit Cards: A word of caution first. It is very important to keep business credit separate from personal credit. You may be offered business credit cards rather casually. It is important that you treat them as business credit. Credit cards can be used to fund travel expenses and short-term purchases. It is important to pay them off in a timely fashion. Failure to do so will negatively impact the credit rating of the company and may cause you problems with other sources of credit or funding. A good payment history will improve your access to those other sources.

Prudence, Professionalism and Proportion

The first rule in funding a business is prudence. Do not waste time and energy chasing funding sources that are highly unlikely to fund your business. The second is professionalism. Approach each funding stage in an organized and professional manner. This becomes more important as your company grows but it is essential to take a professional approach from the very beginning. The third rule is proportion. Make sure that you are working to access levels and types of funding that match the stage and condition of your company. Funding a company from start-up through profitability is a major challenge that all founders face. It makes little sense to make the process more difficult by ignoring these simple rules.

© Dr. Earl R. Smith II

Football fans hoping to buy Stirling Albion say they would work with a private buyer of the football club…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: english football clubs. The blog is also related to: soccer world rankings.

A Dalmation that ballooned to 70 kg (154lbs) after his owner fed him junk food struggles to find a new permanent home…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: food. The blog is also related to: food.

No matter how meticulously you look after your property, there are certain long-term maintenance items and repairs that are inevitable. Sure, by staying on top of things you may be able to stave some of them off for a bit, but some things are impermanent by nature and are going to have to be repaired or replaced sooner or later, no matter what you do. A savvy property owner will always keep these items in the back of her head because the big repairs are almost unfailingly also the expensive repairs. In order to avoid being submerged in massive expenses all at once, be sure that you keep the following long-range maintenance items and repairs in mind, stash savings away, and know how up-to-date you are at any given time in order to better project just when these expenses may come due.

Roofing
Price tag: $10,000 or higher
How frequently you have to replace your roof depends on a variety of factors, including the type of roof you have and the sort of climate you live in. For example, shake or wood shingles will last from 20 to 25 years; composition shingles will last for 12 to 20 years; rock roofs will last for 12 to 15 years, and metal roofs will last for 50 to 75 years.

Even though most of these time spans are rather lengthy, it’s important that you always know exactly how old your roof is so that you can forecast inspections and, ultimately, replacement. The lifetime of a roof can be extended to the longer end of its expected lifetime by religiously cleaning gutters and checking for leaks, exposed areas, and loose shingles. When it does come time to repair your roof, make sure you search long and hard to identify a quality roofer. Although you may pay more up front, you will save in the long-term when you consider the fact that thickness and quality of installation can significantly add to the lifetime of your roof.

Heating
Price tag: $3,000 to $5,000
Heating systems were not built to last forever. On average, a furnace will last from 14 to 20 years although, again, its lifespan is expanded or contracted based on the quality and frequency of repairs and general upkeep.

Having your furnace inspected once a year and diligently changing your air filter (up to once a month in climates that experience cold winter weather) is a great way to put off that furnace replacement for as long as possible. Taking these measures also saves you money in the short term (which can be stashed away to save up for that eventual replacement) by increasing energy efficiency and, thus, lowering heating bills.

Appliances
Price tag: $350 to $2,000
Particularly if you own multiple units, appliance costs can add up quickly. When it comes to appliances, unfortunately you cannot really control how tenants treat them on a day-to-day basis. Because this is out of your control, be sure that you perform a thorough inspection of refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and (if applicable) washers and dryers every time a unit switches tenants. Should you identify necessary repairs, be sure to fix them, no matter how small they may seem.

While all of these appliances separately don’t necessarily represent a massive expense, should you find yourself in a position where multiple appliances have to be fixed at once, you certainly will feel the pressure. And because appliances (particularly refrigerators and stoves) are such an integral part of tenants’ daily lives, chances are if an appliance does need to be replaced, you’ll have to take care of it immediately. With that in mind, be sure that you always have funds stashed away and at the ready should a spur-of-the-moment appliance replacement become necessary.

Although all of the items mentioned in this blog will have to be replaced sooner or later, as a general rule of thumb, a formal or informal inspection of their status on an annual basis will extend their lifetime significantly. But, just in case, be sure that you always have a stash of funds set aside for when the day comes that replacements are necessary.

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I left Houston in a flurry of snow – two to three inches on my day of departure.  One of their earliest snows on record! 

The trip through Dallas and Fort Worth was notable for the traffic on the roads and for the project signs that had the bid red letters “NOT HIRING”.  There were very few projects that were recently undertaken from our route through the area.  One or two larger projects had been enclosed, looking ready to finish.

I-35 through Oklahoma had some road construction that appeared to be ongoing and recent.  Oklahoma’s I-35 does need the work.  Into Kansas and Wichita, again, not much construction was observed.

There are a lot of similarities on this leg of the trip with the previous portions.  It appears private spending is down considerably.  Public money projects are the only game in town.

Virtually all of the people I talked with were highly skeptical of the ability of the federal government to ramp up any area of the economy with the stimulus spending.  Yet they were optimistic that they will survive these times.   Not all of the firms are seeing the extreme depth of the economic hard times.  Most of the people are concerned about the higher costs that will be incurred by the proposals on cap and trade and the healthcare debacles being rammed through the House and Senate.

While on the road I received emails and information from several people around the country stating the conditions I encountered are very similar to where they operate.  Private money is not spending.  If there is construction spending it is with public money.  Projects with public funds are of little to no lasting benefit.  Competition is increasing, profits are down and it looks like 2010 will be worse.

Back in Omaha, after 31 nights, 3,500 miles, 430 gallons of diesel fuel, meetings in many cities and towns, I asked myself if this was a beneficial trip.  For me, it is a resounding YES!  It has nothing to do with the state of the economy – it sucks and we are being lied to by the politicians.  It has everything to do with those in the construction industry.  These people are hard working and business savvy.  They know construction and are results oriented.  They are optimists and survivors.  They are the people that make this country and industry great!

The restaurant owner who commissioned this sign had to decide which was more important, the name of their restaurant, or the fact that it serves vegetarian food.

This leads me to wonder about a number of related questions:

(1) What does this say about the local vegetarian restaurant options? Are there so few options that the only thing that matters is the fact that the food is vegetarian?

(2) What can be inferred about the quality of the food (if anything)?

(3) What space is this restaurant trying to occupy in the market?

(4) And in the interest of answering at least one question: Did I eat there? No.

Visit the article link for a video about efforts to fight BSL in Miami-Dade.

Note: this article contains several inaccuracies, such as the suggestion that communities in Texas have “pit bull” bans in place.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/pinecrest/story/1378374.html

Woman flees Cutler Bay home to keep banned dog

A woman left her Cutler Bay home rather than give up her dog, an outlawed pit bull in Miami-Dade County.

BY ELYSE COLEMAN
South Florida News Service

Yvette Kooistra is in the front lines to fight a Miami-Dade law that bans pit bulls.

It’s been a long battle.

Kooistra left her Cutler Bay home two years ago after her then 3-year-old pit-bull mix, Baby, was confiscated by the county.

She had previously received a $500 fine and a court order to remove the dog, the penalty for breaking the ordinance preventing the ownership of pit bulls in the county.

Kooistra, 60, hired an attorney to regain ownership of Baby. When plans to have a friend in the Florida Keys take care of Baby fell through, she fled there herself. Kooistra spent five months living out of a hotel, maxing out her credit card and spending through her savings, before finding a place to live and a job at a pet grooming place making $8 an hour.

Miami-Dade residents are banned from owning pit bulls. Any dog fitting the physical characteristics of a pit bull by more than 51 percent may also be banned.

Kooistra is a member of the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation, an animal advocacy group founded in October 2008, dedicated to abolishing this law.

“This ordinance, basically, is the version of racial profiling,” said Dahlia Canes, a founder and director of the coalition. “It is discriminatory. It is unjust. Thousands of innocent animals are targeted on a daily basis in Dade County.”

Kathy Labrada, investigation supervisor for Miami-Dade Animal Services, said the criteria used to determine if a dog is a pit bull is based entirely on appearance. She said the ordinance applies to dogs with the physical characteristics of an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Dr. Sara Pizano, director of Miami-Dade Animal Services, said about 800 pit bulls and pit-bull mixes are abandoned in her shelter every year.

She said the shelter is able to work with rescue groups to have some of the dogs relocated out of the county depending on their temperament.

“Not a huge percentage [of the dogs] are pulled, but that would be an option if they’re not aggressive,” she said.

The ordinance was passed by county commissioners in 1989 after a young girl was mauled by a dog classified as a pit bull.

The Florida Legislature later passed a law to prevent further bans on specific canine breeds, so the ban is only observed in Miami-Dade County. However, Sunrise does require pit bulls to be muzzled and leashed in public.

Kelly Fiterman, a resident of Sunrise, said she supports the city ordinance. Her 9-year-old mix breed, Chino, was attacked on two separate occasions by different pit bulls in Snyder Park and required surgery after the second attack left him with a softball-sized abscess on his neck.

“They had to open him up, and he had a drain in his neck for a week,” she said.

Chino’s surgeries cost Fiterman $2,000.

Across the nation, other communities in Kentucky, Texas, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio and Colorado have imposed pit-bull bans similar to Miami-Dade’s to protect residents and their pets.

Canes, from the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation, said a ban in Denver is one of the most heavily challenged.

“The two [biggest movements against breed specific legislation] are in Denver and Miami,” she added.

Meanwhile, Kooistra remains in the Keys to keep her beloved dog. She calls herself a prisoner in paradise.

“It’s pretty rough,” she said. “I’m away from my family. I used to see my grandsons every day. It’s affected my life like nothing ever has. It’s a beautiful place to live, but most people who live here [in the Keys] have money.”

Currently, there are hundreds of Portland, Michigan homes for sale by owner or FSBO.

PRIV have become increasingly popular for owners who are willing to do some 'work more on their own to avoid paying commission to estate agents. However, at least in the current market in Michigan, finding buyers is not easy.

Many owners think they can put a sign in the yard, sit and wait for the phone or the door. Ring has in some areas, these things happen. Depends on whether the property is in a "sellers market" or a buyer's market " 's" – and more importantly what it says on the sign.

All know, is in a "sellers market" lucky owner of a house will end with a contract the first day of the open door. In fact, sometimes you take the offers, at the end of their property. Estate agents use the term "seller's market" for the situation that occurs when describingmost qualified and interested buyers of properties available for sale.

Portland, Michigan homes for sale by owner

The opposite situation is that found in most of Michigan. There are many houses for sale and many potential buyers.

In this situation the buyer has some 'advantage, of course, more homes to choose from, the best conditions, etc. The aim is to stop the sellers of the property market, usually as soon aspossible.

Here, where strategies only come into play in the current market of Michigan. Offer your home on a lease option (also known as the purchase of rental) will help you find buyers more quickly because it will be much larger than a house buyer to open.

This is because although there are many potential home buyers in Michigan now, you can not buy a lot at home because funding from traditional banking: there are largeenough down payment, often have problems with bruising of credit, etc. However, many of them can afford the monthly payments, because they have a good job indefinitely.

As real estate investors in Michigan, whether you want to buy a house on an option to lease, or who are motivated to sell your house, we can help. Our team of experts has hundreds of options for leasing in Michigan in recent years made .

Portland, Michigan homes for sale by owner in the price ofLow-high $ 100 to $ 200.

About 25 miles northwest of Lansing, is the city of Portland, Portland Township borders, but is politically independent, then the owner of the city do not pay taxes to the municipality.

The neighborhood of Old Town is well preserved. To make the famous "Portland Bridges", for a total of four metal-truss bridges are both in their original location or on the sidewalks for pedestrians crossing the apartment, the search movesGlass and Grand Rivers. It 'a beautiful city with a historic small town feel "too.

Property values in many areas of the economic problems suffered in the state. Buyers, in turn, have the advantage that it should retrieve the values and the increase in the coming years. It 'a great time to go home for the conditions of sale to ensure a faster sale and a good time to stop wasting money on rent, buy a house on the possibility of leasing and repair your credit with the help of expertMichigan real estate investors.

The terms of the contract, a lease option vary and are too specific to meet the needs of both buyers and sellers. In all cases, a portion of the rent will go to the subsequent acquisition of the house, so that the buyer can build equity.

Lease Option Agreements may attract more buyers in Portland, Michigan homes for sale by owner listings. Who are not able or willing to make an outright purchase at this time,destroyed because of the pitfalls of credit and bank financing, often just an option to lease or "rent-a-Scheme concerned.

Job Description:
As an owner operator, your business’ success relies on strong partnerships; and owner operators leasing on with J.B. Hunt’s Independent Contractor Group find exactly that. We understand to stay profitable you have to stay moving, that’s why we offer you access to one of America’s largest freight bases and the option to choose the revenue plan that works best for you.
Choose from one of our two Independent Contractor Plans:
Performance Percentage Plan:

• 65% of load revenue
• Must be available 86% of time with no load refusal
• 100% pass-through of shipper’s fuel surcharge
• Plates/permits, scales, tolls, fuel, maintenance, Qualcomm and required escrow deducted from weekly settlement
• Paid on loaded miles

Percentage Plan:

• 62% of load revenue paid on all loaded miles
• Flexible fuel surcharge, paid on loaded & empty miles
• Plates, permits, scales, tolls, fuel, maintenance, Qualcomm & escrow deducted from weekly settlement
• No forced dispatch

Owner Operators will deliver 98% no-touch random OTR freight, primarily within the lower 48 states. Plus when you contract with us, you buy your fuel at our price with no mark-up. And we connect Owner Operators with a voluntary health program, offering single or family coverage at affordable group rates. Pets and passengers are permitted.
Please call 1-800-528-6754 for the more information and for the most up to date listing of opportunities for Owner Operators.
Owner Operator Opportunities are not available in all areas, call for a listing of current locations or visit www.jbhunt.jobs.

Dog Food
Ah, the big one.  If you have a large-breed dog, this is going to be the bulk of your costs.  Super-premum dog foods are expensive.   But you know what is more expensive?  Vet bills for an unhealthy dog.  You can only skimp so much on food.  Giving your dog cheap food is like you eating McDonalds every day in order to save money, it’s just not healthy. But you still have options to save.  I save on raw diet for my dogs by finding meat on sale, buying a lot, and freezing it.  Kirkland Dog Food (sold at Costco) is inexpensive and has decent ingredients, read the bag and compare- no corn or by-products.  It is a good middle-range food, and at around $22 for a 40 pound bag, the price is right.  It is perfectly fine  to switch brands of food, just do it slowly over about 5 days to prevent stomach upset.  If you are sticking to your regular brand, remember the bigger bag you buy, the more you save.  Just keep your pet food in an airtight container.

Shop around for good deals

Dog Training

Good dog training truly is an investment.  Imagine what the cost of not training a dog can be…  Damaged property, ruined shoes, destroyed rugs and carpets… and on.  Even the lawsuit of a dog bite or an attack upon another animal.  For a dog, training can mean the difference between life or death.  If you are looking to time and money on dog training, the best option is to do private lessons with a professional trainer.  In one private lesson, you will get a ton of info and a lot to practace at home on your own.  As opposed to a class, which takes more time, you get a lot more individual attention and your dog can learn the basics without having to override the distraction of 10 other untrained dogs in the room.  Avoid training at big box stores like Petco or Petsmart, they are not professional training facilities, some are very inexperienced, and you will not get the same results.

Toys
Stuffed plush toys in pet stores are overpriced.  They can cost an average of $6 each, and your dog just rips them up anyway.  On a recent visit to Village Thrift Store in Roscoe Village, I browsed an entire wall of stuffed animals, all of which were cheap.  I bought a few for my dog.  Look for stuffed animals that have nothing inside them but cotton filling, never Styrofoam bits or mechanical parts.  You can also remove the plastic eyes if you want to.

Treats
Treats are often overpriced, and your dog does not need them.  Look at what you are paying per pound for treats, it may be even more than you pay for dog food.  Sure it’s nice to be able to buy all-natural, holistic treats, but nowadays, maybe a good old Milk Bone won’t hurt Fido.  Have leftover crackers that went stale?  Don’t throw them out, most dog biscuits are mostly flour and grain anyway.  My dogs like Wheat Thins, especially the ones with cheese flavor.

Bones and Chews
Going broke on rawhides?  They aren’t cheap!  A 3-pack of 7” Bully Sticks is $8.99.  For just 3 chews, that’s pretty pricey.  A 12-pack of Greenies is $22.99!  They are a processed product that only lasts 60 seconds with my dogs!  Rawhides are also unsafe because they can cause an intestinal blockage if ingested in chunks.  Instead, I buy raw beef marrow bones from the grocery store or butcher.  They are healthy, natural, and they do an excellent job of cleaning the teeth.  Your dog will chew for a long time trying to get all the meat off the bone and eat the marrow from inside it.  Buy pieces that are large enough so they won’t present a choking hazard.

Raw beef marrow bones

Leashes and Collars
The biggest mistake people make is buying cheap nylon leashes and collars, or fashion collars.  They don’t last.  They fray, wear out, or discolor.  Buy a good quality leather collar and leash.  It‘s an investment that is worth it over time, because quality leather can last 15 years.   Your dog doesn’t need a different looking collar every season!  One annoyance some pet parents  have is their dog chewing their leashes- this is a bad behavior and needs to be corrected through training.

Bowls
Simple:  Two stainless steel bowls.  You will never buy bowls again.  Plastic may be cheaper, but it can be chewed up and can harbor bacteria.  Ceramic bowls can easily break.  Going really cheap?  Buy bowls from the thrift store or use old bowls you already own.

Bedding
Need a new dog bed?  Try a folded up blanket or comforter, both of which can be found for a super price at your local thrift store.  And if it gets ruined, so what, it was only $5.  If you have multiple dogs who sleep together, or a giant breed like a Great Dane or Mastiff, an infant crib mattress can make a great bed.  These can be found for cheap at garage sales or on websites like Craigslist.  The crib sheets are washable, too.  For a cute bed for your giant dog, a used toddler bed is great.

Waste Bags
Before they made doggie waste bags in all kinds of pretty colors and scents, there were plastic grocery store bags.  Save ‘em, and have your friends and family save them for you, too.  You can also use plastic newspaper sleeves.  Or if you have a yard, use a scooper and give the environment a break.

These designer poop bags cost $20! A bit pricey to try to look good picking up poo!

Supplements

The supplements sold for pets have a high mark-up.  Glucosamine (for joints), MSM, fish oil, vitamin C, all types of herbs, and many other supplements can be bought on sale at the drug store, grocery store, or Costco for a better price.  You can also be assured it’s human quality.  Read the ingredients!  Also, you do not need a puppy multivitamin if you are feeding a high-quality, balanced diet.

Cats
Didn’t want to totally exclude cats here.  For an inexpensive litter, some people use pine pellets, which are about $2 a bag and can be found at feed stores.  If you have a strictly indoor cat, there is no reason to vaccinate for anything, since the cat won’t be exposed to feline diseases.  For good health, cats should be fed a grain-free, high-protein, quality food.  They should also get moisture in their diet in the form of wet food- this helps prevent urinary problems and high vet bills treating them.

AVOID:

• Expensive Treats like dried chicken strips, etc.
• Cute items your dog doesn’t need
• Buying new fashion collars and leashes
• Paying for plastic bags
• Re-vaccinating pets every year
• Supplements marketed for pets

DO

• Choose a high-quality dog food
• Bathe your dog at home!
• Complete formal obedience training
• Buy on sale and use coupons
• Shop thrift stores and get creative!
• Make your own dog treats

Finally the voice of the American public has been heard.  From a ‘giant’ of a man Retired Army Col. Van T. Barfoot who resides in Richmond, Virginia to the everyday person throughout this great land.  He started a battle with his HOA in July 2009 and has received a victory to keep his flagpole which displays Old Glory proudly on his property. 

After multiple requests by you, the American public something has been done that is correct.  This is one of the few victories that we see as our rights seem to be dwindling away.  Many people contacted their representatives, especially here in Virginia.  Both of the Virginia Senators rallied behind Col. Barfoot. 

So America, THANK YOU.  If it was not for your support, then this battle would have continued and possibly would have ended with legal costs and eviction from his development.  SO AMERICA, you can be proud of the work you have done in support of one of our nations GREATEST AMERICANS.

In 1999, Richard Oulton moved into the Wyndham development of Dominion View Estates and read the Home Owners Association documents to ensure that he was within the guidelines to install a flag pole on his property.  From this pole, Mr. Oulton flew the American flag and his Purple Heart flag.  Not only was this man a veteran of the Vietnam war but was a member of the ‘Dead Man Walking Marine platoon’.  Nearly three-quarters of this group were lost due to battles in Vietnam.  Mr. Oulton also installed a marvelous plaque paying tribute to those fallen Marine brothers.  After multiple complaints and notices from the Home Owners Association over the height of the flag pole, Mr. Oulton was served to appear in Henrico Circuit Court. 

Word quick spread to the Virginia Senate and Assembly over this court case.  Then Governor Kilgore even got involved and signed into law the “Wyndham Flag Bill” which was unanimously approved by the Virginia House and Senate.  Although passing of this new law prohibited Home Owner Associations from placing greater restrictions on flags then local ordinance display laws, Mr. Oulton was still out of luck.

On July 26, 2001, Mr. Oulton was told by the judge that the “Wyndham Flag Bill” did not apply to him since it was not about the flag but the flag pole.  After multiple appeals, Mr. Oulton finally removed the pole in March 2003.  After paying over $250,000 in legal fees, Mr. Oulton lost his battle to keep flying Old Glory.

Though Colonel Barfoot is far from the first military veteran that has attempted to fight the ever dominating Home Owners Associations, it still is a valiant battle that is being fought.  I commend Colonel Barfoot and Richard Oulton for their battles of multiple enemies that they have faced in their lives and pray that some day we will not have to battle something as patriotic as a flag pole which flys our Nations great Colors.

Did you know that businesses benefit from the ability to expense the cost of certain vehicles in the first year of purchase?

That’s right, you your business may be able to combine some of the hottest incentives in the automotive industry and accelerated tax deductions for an opportunity to purchase eligible 2009 and 2010 model year Armadas, Pathfinders, and Titans.

With the IRS Section 179 expense allowance a business owner may be able to deduct the actual cost of new business vehicles weighing more than 6,000 lbs. GVWR in the year of purchase.  Section 179 limits the expense of $25,000 for eligible Armadas, Pathfinders and Titans with beds 6 feet or shorter.  Titan pickups with beds longer than 6 feet in 2009 can deduct the full cost of the vehicle in the first year.  Additionally, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 increased the depreciation deduction to 50% if the remaining investment (if any) for these vehicles.  In order to qualify, the vehicle must (among other requirements) be used for business purposes 50% of the time.  In contract, a car, truck, or SUV used by a business but weighing 6,000 lbs. or less normally does not qualify for the section 179 expense allowance and will typically be limited to normal depreciation.  In 2009 this will be a maximum amount of $3,060 plus an additional $8,000 as a result of The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.

Eligible Vehicles 6,000 lb. GVWR or Higher         IRS Section 179 Expense Allowance
2009/2010 Nissan Pathfinder S/SE/LE/LE V8 4×4                 $25,000
All Armadas Eligible                                                                       $25,000
2009/2010 Nissan Titan King Cab SWB/ Crew Cab LWB   Actual Cost
2009/2010 Nissan Titan Crew Cab SWB                                  $25,000

Example:
Armada Purchase Price:                                $50,000
IRS Section 179 Deduction:                          $25,000
50% Depreciation year 1*:                           $11,160
Total Deduction in year 1:                            $36,160
Balance to depreciate(years 2-5):            $13,840
           *maximum allowance

Current Incentives:
Pathfinder: $2,500 Customer Cash or 1.9% APR for up to 60 months
Armada: $4,000 Customer Cash or 0.0% APR for up to 60 months
Titan:  Up to $5,000 Customer Cash or APR as low as 0.0% for 60 months

*Purchase your new vehicle to qualify for a tax deduction on your sales tax…

-Please consult with your tax advisor to determine eligibility of the additional $25,000 or more in deductions in the first year federal tax deductions. Financing subject to credit approval. Offer valid on vehicles in stock and ends December 31, 2009.

One great American hero that has not forgotten the dedication of his years in the United States Army is Retired Colonel Van T. Barfoot. Even at the age of 90, yes this is his actual age, he still flys the American flag high and proud each and every day. Though the United States flag has added a few additional stars since his days as a private in the United States Army in World War II, he still raises it every day.

He is just one of many that have fought to keep raising the American flag on their property over the past few years. Here are a few examples of when the flying or displaying the American flag has been BANNED.

• Skyline High School in Longmont, CO (2006) banned displaying the American flag as well as other flags after an immigration rally. It is important to note here that schools in Arizona and Texas banned the flags also.
• Oak Apartments in Albany, OR (2009) banned displaying the American flag even on personal vehicles when one man was showing support to his son who was being deployed again to Afghanistan.
• Firehouse in Chester, PA (2008) issued a notice banning placing any stickers on lockers including the American flag stickers.
• Firehouses in New York City (2007) issued a notice banning displaying any flags or pictures of fallen firefighters which included the American flag.
• Kindred Hospital in Mansfield, TX (2009) told a woman that a 3×5 American flag displayed in her office was offensive and must be removed.

These are just a few examples of how American citizens are being treated for simple act of displaying their patriotism. We need to keep speaking up ensure that our voices are heard over this roaring take over of our freedoms.