Emerging Trends in Environmental Insurance For Contractors

The dramatic events of the last several years have had a profound impact on the insurance industry. As a naturally cyclical business, insurance has suffered the double whammy of a softening market cycle coming during an economic meltdown never before seen in our lifetimes. Such a historic set of circumstances will leave an indelible mark on our industry. But while there are many challenges yet to be overcome, there is certainly reason for cautious optimism; much like the American spirit, the insurance industry is infinitely resilient and creative. A key beneficiary of the bounce-back we expect to see can be found in environmental insurance. How it can help an agent become more successful, and why agent must know about it, are topics worth considering.

It can be argued that contractors are the backbone of our economy. Without them, things wouldn't be built or serviced, torn down or reconfigured. Clearly, the contracting industry has been hard hit by the economic downturn. The construction trades in particular, along with infrastructure and service industries, have all seen record decreases. Since the majority of insurance is based on either payroll or revenues, while these industries have contracted, so have many insurance agencies' revenues.

We are begging to see a slow reversal of the steady decline of the last several years. Over the first four months of 2010, we have witnessed a noticeable stabilization in our contractor clients. Where we had seen annual double digit narrowing over the last two years, most renewals are now coming in slightly off, or flat, and in some cases, projecting some growth for 2010 into 2011. We are still seeing some contractors going out of business, but it seems that the ones who were going to fall already have.

In addition to the slow recovery from the abyss of 2009, we are seeing growth in our business fueled by a growing national awareness of environmental exposures. Even discounting the terrible situation in the Gulf, awareness of environmental issues has grown dramatically in the last few years. Starting with sophisticated commercial customers and lenders, and spreading to most facets of the construction industry, contractors are being required to prove their ability to address environmental problems that occur on job sites.

This growing awareness has come from several different directions. The first can be found in the media. Chinese drywall, toxic mold, silicosis, fires at treatment sites, and lawsuits against land developers have all brought environmental issues to the forefront. The tragedy in the Gulf will only continue to heighten that concern to levels never seen before. The potential for a significant environmental event impacting a business or property is no longer perceived of as a long shot. Now many people recognize the ramifications can be significant, and it is important for everyone who could potentially impact a property is properly covered in the event they do.

Taking that heightened consciousness to a new level will be an increase in awareness of what might be a "pollution" problem that was not expected to be one. A perfect example of this comes from the many recent losses stemming from erosion and sediment runoff at job sites. There have been a number of well publicized six and even seven figure losses stemming from this problem that were treated as pollution claims and declined by standard GL insurers. Recognizing how broad the standard definition of a pollutant is, and also the very limited coverage provided by the ISO CGL form has lead to requirements for separate, identifiable pollution coverage.

Another impetus for coverage has come from the well-publicized understanding that coverage is available and affordable, now more than ever. In the late eighties and early nineties pollution coverage was something of a mystery. Now it is a well known, although not terribly well understood, product. Knowing that clients can afford to buy coverage, and that there are many venues for it, has lead to an increase in requirements for it.

The final driver for contractors to seek coverage comes from new regulations. An example is the new EPA regulation regarding lead paint. Effective April 22, 2010, the EPA began requiring all contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Contractors have to be trained and be certified to evidence it. The regulation goes further, requiring any removal of possible lead containing material be done by properly trained lead abatement professionals. All of this brings environmental concerns to a huge number of contractors, and their clients, across the country.

A gradually increasing demand for these products is expected to continue. Complicating matters somewhat is the dramatic increase in the number of carriers and programs offering environmental coverage. Where there were ten to fifteen companies willing to write pollution-related coverages ten years ago, there are now close to forty today. While more may seem like a good thing, this comes with real risks for the agent. Environmental insurance is a unique class of business, with every carrier offering coverage in its own way. While there are a plethora of products labeled "Contractors Pollution Liability, or "CPL", they are each unique to the carrier providing them. Companies may offer forms that appear on the surface to be the same as others an agent might have seen, but it is rarely the case that they are truly the same. In twenty years of working in this class, I have never seen two policies that offer the exact same coverage.

The recent entry of a number of admitted carriers does not help this problem. While their forms have been approved by the State, that does not mean they are the same as each other, or for that matter, that they offer better coverage than that offered in the Excess and Surplus market. Unlike standardized commercial property and auto forms, States do approve different environmental coverage forms. Admitted does give the agent the security of the State guarantee fund, but should not be inferred to mean the product is actually better in any other way.

It is crucial that agent review and understand the coverage they offer their clients to be sure it is adequate for what the clients do. There are many examples of forms in the market that have very restrictive language in them which can lead to inadequate coverage. Agents should request specimens of all policies and read them carefully before presenting terms to clients.

Once coverage is understood, the next hurdle is the carrier itself. The wide range of companies, new and old, requires the agent to make choices for the client. There are several key elements that should be considered. First is the overall rating of the carrier offering coverage. In today's volatile world, the better the A.M. Best rating, the better off an agent will be in the long run. In addition to the Best rating, it is also very important to choose carriers that have made a commitment to work with environmental risks. This means those companies that have in-house environmental claims staffs as well as significant environmental underwriting departments.

It also helps to work with carriers that offer supporting lines of coverage. You may be looking for Contractors Pollution Liability for your street and road contractor, but the ability to add premises pollution coverage for their yard could dramatically enhance your proposal, and their coverage. Many of the top carriers offer a full suite of coverages, and this gives you the ability to round out the offering to your client, while also being a testament to their commitment to the line of business.

An additional benefit of the growing environmental marketplace is the range of products available, as well as the appetite for offering coverage. The top-tier carriers are all open to providing pollution coverage to a wide range of contractor types. A few years ago residential contractors had trouble getting pollution coverage that would include Mold. That has changed, so that now most companies are willing to cover those risks. This increased appetite has made it possible to cover this environmental exposure of most all contractors.

In addition to a wider appetite, the current market is trending toward providing broader coverage than what was available only a few years ago. Many carriers are offering defense outside the limits with a cap, blanket additional insured where contractually required, and limited site coverage. In addition, many of these carriers are willing to work with their agents to broaden coverage further. It is important to recognize that much of this coverage is negotiated, and "off-the-shelf" products are seldom the best deal you can get for your client. Educating yourself as to what may be available is an important part of working with environmental products.

One such enhanced coverage for contractors is Contractors Pollution Liability with Professional coverage including Mold. Very few carriers offer this coverage with Mold in both coverage parts. The Professional coverage is significant for a number of reasons. Most CPL policies exclude Professional, which therefore eliminates coverage for supervision of subcontractors. If a sub causes a pollution problem, and the suit alleges that the insured failed in their obligation to properly supervise that sub, professional coverage would come into play. Contractors also often make modifications on the job to plan items. A duct might get moved, and the resulting re-routing might lead to a mold problem. Again if that claim comes in as Professional, this coverage enhancement would suddenly be very important.

The final area that we believe bodes well for the environmental insurance industry is green technology firms. This market segment has boomed in the last year, and with current events such as they are, the expectation is that significant growth will continue for the foreseeable future. Many green tech firms are seen as excellent prospects by environmental insurance carriers, who are willing to provide a full range of coverages for them. While many of these firms are true contractors with a green tech focus, they are perceived as good risks due to the sophistication of the work they often do. The enhanced training leads to a better paid, generally better trained workforce, which historically has led to a better risk for the insurance carrier.

While the market is still very soft, and the overall economic fragility continues to keep companies in a very conservative posture, there is reason to believe that times are getting better. Finding additional coverage that enhances a contractor's ability to compete and function effectively in the marketplace is a perfect way for agencies to not only serve their clients better, but to increase their revenue as well. In the changing marketplace, opportunities abound for the agent who wants to develop an understanding of this complex but valuable coverage.

Bill Pritchard is the president of Beacon Hill Associates, a leading brokerage for environmental insurance coverages such as energy related coverages and contractors pollution liability insurance. Beacon Hill Associates can be found online at: B-H-A.com

Which Types of Commercial Property Should You Invest In?

When it comes to commercial real estate investment, investors often want to know which types of properties they should consider investing in. This article discusses about 5 groups of properties and reasons why you should or should not consider them.

1. Land: the people who invest in raw land often hope to buy agricultural land near commercially-zoned land at a few thousand dollars per acre. They dream their lot will be re-zoned to commercial in the near future which is worth hundreds of thousand dollars or more an acre. People who convince you to invest in raw land often try to sell you this dream. While this dream actually happens just like it's possible to hit the jackpot in Las Vegas, the reality is most investors lose money or get little return in land investment. It is a very risky investment as land generates either no or very little income. From an income tax viewpoint, land does not depreciate in value so you cannot claim depreciation. On top of that the interest rate to land loan is also very steep compared to other types of commercial properties. So each month, you would need to come up with money to pay for the mortgage while collecting none. You should consider invest in land if you

- Know how to develop so you could convert raw land into a shopping center.

- Know exact what you do and have deep pocket.

- Own the land of a shopping center (you don't own the buildings).

2. Apartments: this is a management intensive investment as the turn over rate is high. The leases are short-termed often at one year of month to month. As tenants move in and out, you would need to spend money to get the unit ready for occupancy. Apartment tenants tend to have higher late payments history than other tenants as they are more often have a tighter budget. If you don't like the headaches dealing with lots of tenants, you probably want to stay away from apartments. The key to successful apartment investment is to

- Control or minimize the expenses. This may sound like a trivial task until you see the expense list provided by the property manager. These expenses include: advertising, accounting, bank fees (for insufficient funds), capital improvement, coin laundry subsidy, cleaning, collection fees, garbage disposal, insurance, landscaping, legal (eviction) fees, maintenance, offsite property management, onsite property management, pest control, painting, repairs, sweeping, security, property taxes, utilities and water.

- Invest only in properties in a good location with no deferred maintenance.

- Stay away from areas with rent control, e.g. Berkeley, Los Angeles.

Otherwise you may end up getting little cash flow or even having negative cash flow. If one of your investment objectives is to get high cash flow, you may want to stay away from apartments. In California, if you own a 16 or more units apartment you must have an onsite manager. This increases the expenses further. In general, apartments are easy to buy and harder to sell. There are always lots of them on any markets. The upside about apartments is they tend to have high occupancy rate as everyone needs a roof over their heads. Due to this fact the interest rate for apartments is often ¼- to ½ percent lower than other commercial properties.

3. Special Purpose Properties: These are properties designed for a specific business, e.g. restaurants, gas stations, and hotels/motels.

- Restaurants: some investors like to invest in brand name fast food restaurant like Burger King, Pizza Hut, Jack In The Box, KFC. These are single tenant properties with long term absolute triple-net lease which often require no management responsibilities from the landlord. However, the rental income or cap rate for these restaurants is often lower in the 5-7% range. Emerging regional brand name restaurants like Johnny Carino's, Back Yard Burger, Zaxby's or Tia's TexMex tend to offer higher cap rate in the 7-8.5% range. However, when you look deeper in the financial statements they may not make a profit yet. The restaurant operators sell the real estate to investors higher cap rate and lease back the property for 20 years. They in turn use the sale proceeds to expand their business by building more restaurants. So if you are willing to take higher risks, you will be rewarded to high income with these emerging restaurants.

- Gas stations: when you buy a gas station, you buy both real estate and the gas station business. Most gas stations also have convenience stores and sometimes several car repair bays. The profit margin for gas is fixed at 10-20 cents per gallon [many customers wrongly blame the high gas prices on the innocent gas station operators] but is pretty high for convenience store. This is considered an owner-occupied property which qualifies you to a SBA loan with as little as 10% down payment is required. If you don't plan to get involved in running the gas station, auto repair and convenience store business, you may want to stay away from gas stations as gasoline is a chemical that could contaminate the soil. Once a leakage occurs and contaminates the environment, it takes years and lots money to clean up the soil. You may even be liable to damages from owners of adjacent properties as contamination may spread out to their properties. It's almost impossible to sell your property as no lenders want to loan the buyers the money to buy it.

- Hotels/Motels: once you buy a hotel/motel, you buy the real estate and a 24-hour-a-day 365-day-a-year business. This business requires hard work, and marketing skills to get the rooms filled. The rooms are worthless if they are vacant. The business tends to be seasonal and may be affected immediately by economic downturns and political events, e.g. 9-11. Many of these properties are owned by Indians with the last name Patel as they seem to work harder and know this business well.

4. Office Buildings: these properties are single or multi-story buildings. The older two-story office buildings without elevators tend to have trouble finding tenants on the upper floor as many service businesses may have physically-challenged customers who cannot walk up the stairs.

- Single-tenant buildings: the properties are used as corporate headquarters of big corporations like Cisco. These big buildings tend to be more sensitive to the economy. Once vacant, it's hard to find a replacement tenant.

- Multi-tenant buildings: these properties are leased by small businesses, e.g. real estate, tax accountants. Investors who purchase these properties want to spread out the investment risks. When one tenant vacates a unit, you lose just a small percentage of rental income.

- High Quality Tenants: most of them have good credits, lot of assets and promptly pay the rent when due.

- Leases: The leases for office building vary from full service [landlords pay property tax, insurance, maintenance and utilities] to NNN [tenants pay property tax, insurance, maintenance and utilities]. The NNN lease is a litmus test on whether the office building is in high demand by tenants or not.

- Medical buildings: these properties are leased primarily by doctors and dentists. A good medical building should be in front of or across the street from a hospital. This makes it convenient for doctors to go back and forth between hospital and their offices. Some investors prefer medical buildings as medical tenants are very recession proof.

5. Shopping/Retail Centers: These centers are mostly single-story and can accommodate wide varieties of tenants: retail and service businesses, restaurant, medical, school, and even church. As a result, this is the most popular type of commercial properties that investors look for. They are always in high demand as there are more buyers and few sellers.

- Multi-tenant strip: the advantage of this investment is when a tenant moves out, you only lose a portion of the total income while you are looking for a new tenant. So you spread out the risks in this property.

- Single-tenant building: The advantage is you just have to work with one tenant. Some of the tenants, e.g. Costco, Home Deport, Walmart, CVS Pharmacy sign 10-20 year lease and guarantee with their corporate assets which could be worth billions of dollars. This makes your investment very safe.

- High Quality Tenants: most of them have good credits, lot of assets and promptly pay the rent when due. They often sign long term 5-30 year leases so you don't have worry about finding new tenants every year. They keep your property in good condition and sometimes even spend their own money to make it look better in order to attract the customers to the stores.

- Triple Net (NNN) Leases: the leases for retail centers are often in favor of the landlord. The tenants pay a base rent and reimburse the landlord for property taxes, insurance, maintenance and sometimes even property management fees. This takes away a lot of risks from you as an investor. The NNN lease in a sense is a litmus test on whether the property is in high demand by tenants or not.

- Ground Lease: occasionally a retail center with ground lease is for sale. When you buy this center, you only own the improvement but not the land underneath. It could be a trophy property but you should think thrice about investing. Once the ground lease expires and the land owner refuses to extend the land lease, you own nothing! So it's easy to buy this center but very hard to sell.

David V. Tran is the President and Chief Investment Advisor at Transmercial (formerly eFunding, Inc.), a commercial real estate & loan brokerage company in San Jose, CA. His website is http://www.transmercial.com He may be contacted at (408) 288-5500. Transmercial does business in all 50 states. He is the #1 US commercial real estate expert author. David currently offers 3 FREE real estate investment seminars:

1. How to invest in commercial real estate for early retirement income.
2. How to maximize cash flow with 1031 tax-deferred exchange.
3. TIC: Fractional ownership in high-value commercial properties.

David's blog features a daily list of Best Commercial Properties in the US to invest for early retirement income.

You are welcome to share this report, unedited and in its entirety, with anyone you like. You may not remove this text. � 2007-2009 Transmercial.

3 Reasons - Take the Time to Detox

I don't have time, It's to hard, I don't believe it helps, etc,etc,etc..How many more excuses can you come up with, we have heard them all. The steps to detox are simple, as simple as doing maintenance on your car, but people just won't do it. Well, this might explain why the U.S. is way down the list in health. Read further for the reasons you should clean your body out once in a while.

It's not as though your body is asking you to do a detox every day, just once every 6 months or so.

Reasons for a detox.

1. 
   Quality - what is meant by good health? What is good quality health? These days it seems to vary according to lifestyle and who influences your opinion. If you follow the medical system taking 3 or less prescriptions a day would be good quality. Being able to work 14 hours a day would be good quality for others. Quality has nothing to do with what your body needs these days it has to do with what your body can do, that's until it runs out of gas then who do you blame?


2. 
   Aging - detoxing your body removes all the toxins that cause aging and deterioration. There is no law written that says to grow old is to grow slow. Only the drug companies have a interest in making you think that old equals problems. There answer for that is more drugs which fill your body with more toxins.


3. 
   Priority - we have been trained and may we say trained very well by commercials. When you hit 50 years old you will have this problem. Or if you feel run down you should take this drug. Buy this buy that, what is your priority? Is it to the pursuit of things or is it to a balanced healthy happy life. You can't have that if your body gives up on you because you gave up on it.

It's just sad to see health put at such a low priority when it means so much in the overall importance to living. Detoxing is a simple process that produces great benefits for your body. It's not a lot to ask when you realize how much it means to your daily routine.

Find out more about detoxing and other health issues by going to the Health Hub. It's time to take back your Health. It's time to enjoy life again and it's your time to find out about all the choices you have for Good Health.

Stronger Credit Repair #5 - What to Do When You're Hit With Identity Theft

By now you have seen the commercials on television of new companies, many available right here in Chicago, that offers protection from Identity theft one of the fastest growing crimes in the country. The fact is that Chicago is one of the leading cities that suffer from this crime and our numbers are only getting worse. While many of these protection companies do work and offer a great service there is truly no way to protect your self completely. The good news is that it is not as difficult to recover from identity theft as it was years ago.

A while back if you because a victim of identity theft there was an investigation done by your bank. You did not get your money back until this investigation was complete and that could take months and even longer. Now banks are so worried about frustrated customers and identity theft has become so popular, the recovery time is less than a few weeks. One thing that does to get fixed usually by the bank or the protection company is your credit score and that can cost you big. Your score can have a direct impact on getting approved for a loan, getting a job, and how much you pay for loans and financing. It can even affect your chances of getting a rental property and your insurance rates.

You have worked hard to have a good score and you shouldn't be punished for being a victim. That's why you need to hire a credit repair company. What makes these companies great is the fact that they can fix any score no matter the reason it was lowered. Credit repair is fast, effective, and very affordable, so make sure you use it to fix your score and not waste time and money.

By David George

http://www.creditrewind.com/credit_repair_chicago_il.html

The Benefits of Fatloss4Idiots

Many weight loss methods are just quick rehashes of previous ways to lose weight which were proven to be a commercial hit. With a few tweaks here and there along with a catchy name, these quick rehashes quickly turn into money making machines. Fatloss4Idiots doesn't take the beaten path in order for a quick buck. It is truly a new and revolutionary dieting method that is effective and healthy. Let's take a quick look at what makes Fatloss4Idiots so special.

1. A Leader, Not A Follower

This method of losing weight is completely new. I can guarantee you have never tried anything like it before. This does not use the principal of eating less that so many mainstream successes do today. I wouldn't be surprised at all if dieting companies begin to construct their own watered down version of this method and claim it to be original.

2. Blazing Fast

While I don't want to sound like many of those ridiculous diet commercials, this method of losing pounds works extremely fast. Not to the point of being unhealthy, but still very fast. It is possible to see substantial results within a week. But you have to be up for the challenge. Remember, there is no such thing as an easy way to lose some pounds.

3. Food Will Always Be Delicious

Forget starving yourself, with this revolutionary method you will be able to eat a wide variety of foods. Yes, you are allowed to eat on this diet. And no, variety does not mean a biscuit and a glass of water. I admit that it does sound ludicrous, but remember that this method is like no other before it. Food is actually what helps you shed pounds easily and proficiently.

Click Here To Learn More About Weight Loss That Works.

You Will Not Only Learn What Works When It Comes To Losing Weight, But You Will Also Learn Which Weight Loss Methods To Avoid!

Commercial Painting Budgets - Budgeting For Commercial Painting Projects

If your maintenance budget for the current operating year has a taken a hit, you may be wondering how to get a commercial painting project accomplished along with everything else. Two possible solutions to project budgeting are purpose driven spending and changing the contracting process.

Purpose Driven Spending
The most common view of a commercial painting project is simple maintenance and facilities up-keep. Justifying painting and coating projects as preventative maintenance is relatively easy because the surface treatment can prevent damages to the underlying structure. If the budget separates preventative maintenance funds from operating costs, you could package and combine the painting project according to its true purpose to get the funding from your management team.

However, painting and coating can be a lot more than simple up-keep. In a retail setting, the appearance of a structure can a have a direct impact on the amount of business the facility is able to attract. If the current maintenance budget cannot support a painting project, perhaps the marketing budget could.

Changing the Contracting Process
As a commercial painting budget solution, changing the contracting process may seem like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. However, the savings from a new way of administering contracts can be significant, especially if your facility does a lot of outsourcing.
Many large organizations adapt a job order contracting system (JOC ) to handle their contracting process. A JOC system is a type of indefinite demand and indefinite quantity contracting system which relies of pre-defined base prices for services. Contractors bid by multiplying the base prices by a selected co-efficient.

JOC systems are often used by schools, government agencies and other organizations to streamline their contracting process. The real savings come from reduced advertising costs, reduced administrative needs, and a quicker RFP to finished project time. According to a white paper published by Centennial Contractors Enterprise, Inc., the savings associated with a JOC system can be up to 21 percent of standard costs.

The advantage of a JOC system is that once in place to cover a painting project, the system is equally applicable to virtually every other outsourced aspect of facilities budgeting. However, if you are not currently using a JOC system, you should strongly consider hiring an expert consultant to help you implement the program.

Final Words
Facility budgets are not likely to increase anytime soon, so creative solutions are a must to find room in the budget for commercial painting, construction and maintenance projects. In the end, whether your company chooses purpose driven spending or changing the contracting process, the ability to establish a companywide logical decision-making process and get management buy-in is critical to the company's success in managing your commercial painting budget.

Steve Parker, Sr. Estimator, RaiderPainting.com - the preferred painting contractor for building owners and facility managers of commercial and industrial properties nationwide. Call 877-724.3371 for a free Estimate. And check out the Raider Painting Blog.

Commercial Coffee Brewer

Are you a coffee lover? Consider getting a commercial coffee brewer to provide you with coffee shop quality coffee.

It's an understatement to say that most people own a java maker. But coffee-making machines suffer from a lot of limitations. If you just have a regular machine, your java can often come out pretty inconsistent. One day it's great, the next day it's bad. It's also a hassle to change the filters and add in coffee.

So what's the solution, other than having to pay a lot money hitting coffee houses. The solution is a commercial coffee brewer. These coffee makers deliver professional coffee at the hit of a button.

Now there are many models and types of java brewers. The first thing you should know is that these coffee makers are hundreds of dollars. But they deliver premium java. There are many features offered by these machines that regular java makers don't, but the main advantages can be summed up by this: convenience and better taste.

Commercial coffee brewers can brew coffee faster and hotter than regular machines. Most models have a boiler tank that maintain the temperature of the coffee at the ideal temperature. This ensures that java is so much better tasting.

Now, without a doubt you are going to pay more money for a commercial coffee machine. That means if you want one, you should spend the necessary time trying to get the best price online - you can literally save hundreds of dollars like this.

Look online to get the a deal on a commerical coffee brewer. If you like the convenience of a coffee maker, consider looking at the Breville panini press to make the best sandwiches ever.

Vending Machine Financing

Vending machines help generating revenues directly. They are helpful in providing various snacks and beverages to the customers. And there are many types of these machines, like: for vending ice cream, bottles, hot drinks, hot foods, snacks... and so on. The machine itself is generally expensive regardless of the type. Hence vending machine financing is often essential.

Candy machines are easy to keep. They require limited space only, can help generate great money and are a hit in restaurants and retail stores. Their impressive looks attract children. However, due to their special features, they generally cost more then small budgets allow. Hence many business owners look for financing to acquire them.

Coffee machines come in different sizes and shapes. A table top coffee machine is a hit in commercial places and offices, using superior technology to make a tasty cup of coffee. These machines include a powerhouse bean grinder and a gravity based hopper system..

Combo machines occupy limited space and they offer great value for the money spent. Soda and snack combo machines are ideal for any commercial place. They are noted for their attractive appearance also. They can provide canned drinks or bottles and variety of snacks. They are electronically programmed to provide the customer needs. Hence they are quite expensive and so financing the combo vending machine is a must.

Cold food vending equipment often offers large storage space. This is a must in today's busy world. A basic unit often is capable of vending cold foods or ice cream, has a separate panel to control vending and has safety switches to provide better reliability. It has adjustable defrosting buttons. Due to the special features, it costs high. Hence it is wise to go for financing.

Vending machines save the cost of rent, employee wages and so on. They offer sure success to the owner. They can provide excellent stream of income regularly. You can take returns from your investment immediately after installing the vending machine in a particular location. Hence investing on a vending machine is not an expense but a great way of earning money. Due to the numerous benefits, the cost is often high. Hence many vendors find it wise to go for financing.

There are some reliable financing institutions that have vast experience in the filed of equipment financing. They are willing to grant financial assistance at low interest rates. There are no cumbersome procedures required to get financial assistance. A simple application is enough to get fast approval. Some companies even accept online application. Therefore you can get the amount you require to arrange for vending machine even without stepping out of home

Once you install the vending machine in any location, you would get stream of revenue from it. Hence you would find it easy to pay the low monthly installments to the financing company.

Chris Fletcher's page features more about new and used Vending Machine Financing and other finance topics.

Assassin's Creed 2 Review

Assassin's Creed 2 is the follow up to the critical and commercial hit "Assassin's Creed." It follows the same basic story line, continuing after the events of the original. However, this time you instead of playing as assassin Altair, you will step into the shoes of Enzio, a wealthy young adult in Renaissance Italy.

One of the greatest parts of this game is the history, and there is much of it to be had. For instance, during assassination attempts and various cut-scenes, you will not only meet plenty of famous Renaissance figures, but be able to read a background on them too. This seems boring, but it really makes you feel like you're playing amidst not only real, but important people.

The main complaint in AC1 was the lack on variety and the short game length. This is entirely fixed in AC2 however. Not only is the battle system redone, but there are plenty of things off the beaten path that you can do in between flashbacks that will add hours onto your gameplay time. For instance, you now can be a main investor in a small city, eventually bringing it from rubble to a respected economic center. As you invest into upgrading buildings, you will get discounts and the buildings, as well as a cut of the profits. With this money you can buy plenty of new armor and weapons, as well as fun add-ons like art for your mansion and treasure maps to find extra gold scattered around each town.

The graphics and sound in this game are also fantastic. From the shadows off roofs, to huge landscapes will an unreal viewing distance, to the water in the rivers running through to towns, everything looks absolutely gorgeous, especially if your TV supports 1080p HiDef.

This game keeps you in your chair from beginning to end, including a huge twist at the end guaranteed to make you gasp. AC2 is improves and leaps and bounds over its predecessor, and with new content unlockable via Xbox Live, even more fun can be had if you manage to complete all of the offline content.

5/5

http://www.technikpost.com

JD

How to Find Great Commercial Properties on the Internet

Whether you are new to the field of commercial real estate or you have been involved in the field for some time, you probably are always looking for great ways to make the whole process much easier. At times it can be a bit difficult to find commercial properties that are for sale; however, technology has now made it easier than ever to find excellent commercial properties quickly. The internet is an excellent way to find commercial properties that are suitable for you without having to do a great deal of foot work on your own. One of the easiest ways to use the internet to find great commercial properties is to take advantage of the commercial real estate databases that are available for your use.

Commercial Real Estate Databases

A commercial real estate database is basically a compilation of various real estate listings, and most of the feature listings all over the country, although some are a bit more local specific. These databases allow you to search for the type of properties that you are looking for. Databases make it much easier when you are looking for commercial properties online because they take listings and put them in one convenient place. This saves you from having to scour the web for listings that are various different local pages. While there are many real estate agent webpages that list commercial listings as well, it could get very tedious to have to go through so may webpages and never find what you are looking for. With the help of the database, you have access to thousands of listings and only the relevant ones will be shown when you do a search.

What Information Will I Find?

There is a great deal of information that you can find at a commercial real estate database. First of all, you will, of course, find great commercial property listings. Not only will you be able to search commercial properties for sale, but you can also search through commercial properties that are for lease as well. If you are interested in finding a broker, most commercial real estate databases also can provide you with information on various brokers in your area. You can also find information on commercial loans at these sites and various breaking news stories in the area of real estate in general. If you are selling commercial real estate, there are often wanted boards as well, with posts from people who are looking for a specific type of property. Once you start using a real estate database, you will be able to benefit from far more than just the commercial real estate listings.

How Can I Use a Database

If you are new to the internet, or even new to using an online database, you may be wondering how you can use a commercial real estate database for your benefit. First of all you will need to know what kind of property you are looking for. If you are looking for commercial real estate for sale, then you will want to choose the option to search these listings. In order to do a simple search, you can just enter the state that you are looking in, and the type of commercial real estate that you are looking for. In some cases you may be able to designate a specific part of the state as well. When you hit the "search" button, you will be presented with listings that match your search results. If you find that your results are too broad, then you may want to choose an advanced search, which will allow you to narrow the search parameters. This type of a search will ask for more than just your location and use for the property. You will able to specify the acreage or square feet of the property, and you can also narrow the search by your price range as well. This will enable to get even more specific search results.

A Few Helpful Databases to Consider

You may find yourself wondering where to get started when it comes to online commercial real estate databases. There are several databases for you to choose from, and you may like one more than the others, or you may decide to use them all. One great database to consider is LoopNet. You can find this database at loopnet.com and it considered to be the largest commercial real estate database on the web. Another very excellent database that is worth trying out is CityFeet. At cityfeet.com you will find a huge amount of commercial real estate listings, and this site provides a variety of helpful tools for those who are involved in the commercial real estate market as well. A few other great commercial databases to check out include commrex.com, land.net, cimls.com, and realestatejournal.com.

While you can try using search engines or even local real estate pages online, one of the very best ways to find great commercial real estate listings quickly is to use the available online databases. As a busy professional, you may not have time to be chasing wild leads, but using these online databases can help you find great properties that are worth checking into further. You will already know that the fit the price and the basic parameters of what you are looking for, so you will find yourself one step ahead of the game. Start making the most of your time and consider using these great online databases as a part of your commercial real estate business.

Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga and Yolanda Bishop of [http://www.maverickrei.com] specialize in commercial and investment real estate. As of May, 2006, they and their partners are managing over $600 million dollars worth of new projects.

The Movie Review of Angels and Demons (2009)

The movie adaptation of Dan Brown's most successful novel till date, 'The Da Vinci Code', was a massive commercial hit in 2006. Most of the critics had rejected the film but the viewers loved it. The success of this movie prompted the producers to come out with a sequel (in reality a prequel) starring Tom Hanks as Prof. Robert Langdon yet again. The film adaptation of Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons' was directed by Ron Howard and released in the summers of 2009.

Angels and Demons doesn't features in the same league as The Da Vinci Code. In fact the stupendous success of latter had led the 1st three novels of Brown hitting best seller's list. So, the film adaptation of Angels and Demons was never expected to match the hype and money generated by its predecessor. Definitely Ron Howard didn't have any sort of pressure on him to deliver. He could have used this opportunity to create a film that could satiate the critics, viewers and the fans of Brown alike. But he misses out by miles. The film didn't get much favorable reviews from critics but the worst of all the director disappointed the fans of this second best novel by Dan Brown completely.

The biggest drawback of this film is that it deviates a lot from the original novel in terms of plots and characters. The character of the director of CERN has been left out while the character of Hassasin has been replaced by Mr. Gray, a white male. Unlike novel Prof. Langdon visits Vatican directly without visiting CERN. There are a no. of other vital changes in the plot and the events which are quite painful for an avid fan of the novel to watch.

The film fails to create memorable characters too. The character of Camerlengo has been messed up completely. In the novel his character is quite complicated and very deftly written. In the film he is a mere shadow of the character depicted in the novel. Mr. Gray is a big big disappointment. It is difficult to understand why the character of Hassasin was replaced with this one.

But still the film is not bad. For the people who love fast thrillers and have nothing to do with the novel or Dan Brown the film is a good time pass. The pace of the film is good and visually it is brilliant. Howard has kept the proceedings much simpler and so the film is comparatively easier to understand than its predecessor.

For detailed review of the film visit the following page

http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/83768-Angels-Demons.aspx

Hitting it Big in the Music Industry

Whether you're running a rock band or a rap group, the rules are always the same. You have to get signed if you want to make it into the big time. Until you hit the worldwide spotlight, you're going to find yourself just scraping by.

If you want to get the attention of the record labels, there are some things you and your band will have to do. This article goes over a few of the more often overlooked tactics.

The first step to getting signed is getting a fan base. Obviously, record labels are prone to think that if your group can draw a crowd on the local level, you're likely to be able to draw a bigger crowd on the national level.

Learn to think about the business side of the music business. A record label is looking for one thing: profitability. And if you can show that you already have a built-in audience, they label executives are way more likely to see the potential for your group.

You may well wonder, how do you build a fan base? Well, it is like anything in life worth doing. It takes work and fortitude. The "If you build it, they will come" mentality will not help you here. You actually have to do some planning and strategizing to get your music before fans.

Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are the big three places to get your music heard by potential fans. This is where you need to focus your energies.

Social media sites are an excellent way to let people know about your group and what you are up to. Learn the three major networks and use them frequently. Anytime you have anything moderately interesting to say, let your fans know. Put out a blast when you are about to have a show. Then recap afterward. Especially alert folks when you are writing or recording new songs.

This is just the bare bones. There are literally hundreds of creative opportunities, whether you play at a local festival or get your music heard in a commercial. Try everything and you will get to the big time.

Commercial oven and restaurant table linens are few investments you have to make in order to start up your own restaurant business.

Turbulence Continues For Airbus A380 - Largest Passenger Aircraft in Commercial Aviation

It has been rough flying for the Airbus A380, the big double-decker "superjumbo" aircraft that was once hailed as the future of commercial aviation and was destined to take over the skies. Only a few years ago experts were praising it:

"Airbus had the prescience to correctly anticipate an environment of high fuel prices, public clamor for quieter airports, fewer emissions, and less crowded skies. This is the kind of superior product vision that has served our industry so well," former Engine Alliance President Bruce Hughes said.

One Airbus customer said: "The A380 is the future of flying."

The problems began long before the inaugural flight in October 2007, but they have persisted since the maiden journey. With just 10 deliveries in 2009 and 23 in total since 2007, enthusiasm for this big aircraft has waned.

By all means, the A380 is a magnificent aircraft. It combines the very latest aeronautical technologies and with nearly 50 percent more floor space. It offers unparalleled comfort in every class and more open space for more than 550 passengers to stretch their legs.

The aircraft has significantly reduced noise and emissions levels so it minimizes the effects on the environment. Its new generation engines and advanced wing and undercarriage design mean the A380 not only complies with today's noise limits but is significantly quieter than its competitor, producing half as much noise on take-off.

The A380's weight-saving composite materials help make it a highly fuel-efficient aircraft. It burns 12 percent less fuel than its competitor and it also has reduced exhaust emissions. In every category the A380 seems like a winner.

So what went wrong? It is hard to put your finger on one reason - this is a massive project that took many years, cost billions of dollars and was the combined effort of thousands of people from several European countries. But we have highlighted a few major issues:

Design Changes

The cost increases due to ongoing design changes hit suppliers with production problems and this has taken a toll. The price of the airplane has doubled since its inception, while the market has contracted by a greater proportion.
As costs of the A380 continue, the overall development price tag has risen to over $15 billion US. Meanwhile, the market for the VLA (Very Large Aircraft) continues to erode, and a current EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company) review about what went wrong is not going to help the A380'S fortunes.

Reliability

Qantas and Emirates have concerns about the A380's reliability.

"We had a number of unrelated issues that have brought down dispatch reliability," said Emirates Airline president Tim Clark.

Qantas had high-profile problems when technical issues grounded all three of its A380's briefly. The airline said two A380's were declared "unserviceable with a fuel tank indication system problem", while the third "experienced a nose-wheel ground steering issue and an unrelated fuel leak issue".

The A380's newest customer, Air France, also experienced a string of embarrassing problems with the A380.

Economy

The recession has not been kind to commercial aviation as many airlines continue to lose money. The struggling industry faces another $5.6 billion of losses next year, on top of the $11 billion in 2009. Many airliners have cancelled orders for the A380 including Lufthansa, Virgin Airlines, Thai Airways, Fed Ex and others. Certainly the recession has been a chief factor for the aircraft's uncertain future.

The question remains - is the world ready for a VLA - or will it ever be ready for this enormous plane? Time will tell. But the money spent to find out the answer was probably not worth it. It may well go down in the history books like the Concorde SST.

Whatever happens to the A380, Boeing certainly looks like the winner in this race when it decided to drop their own VLA plans 5 years ago and opt for an expanded version of their successful 747 (the 747-8) instead.

Dan Chambers
Vesta Digital
http://www.vestadigital.com

Direct Response Advertising, Is Everybody Really Doing It?

The direct response advertising business is a $250 Billion dollar industry. Yes, Billion with a capital B. Yet people think they are not affected by direct response - until you find a George Foreman Grill in their kitchen. Even the most unsuspecting people are roped in by direct response (DR) advertising. This is why it is a growing industry for medium to small business owners to get their products and services sold.

Many of products you use today got their initial launch through DR advertising: TheraBreath; OxyClean, the Ab Roller®... and the list goes on.

Ironically, many people think they know nothing about it and are not affected by it. It is the most unsuspecting, yet highly workable, marketing method today. Why? TV. A newsblaze.com article Why You Can't Ignore the Power of Direct Response Ads to Boost Sales, cites television as reaching a whopping 98% of the homes in the U.S.

And according to a study from the Electronic Retailing Association, called The Evolving Role of Direct Response Television in Multichannel Marketing Execution, multichannel marketers are growing the DRTV industry. (Multichannel marketing is offering customers more than one way to buy something -- for example, from a website as well as in retail stores.)

Bob Francis, the Vice President of Commercial Production for Event Management Services, Inc. is a pioneer in the world of direct response. With 25 years under his belt in the DR advertising industry and accolades like having been the creative genius behind the well-known 8-Minute Abs campaign, when Francis comments on what it takes to be successful in DRTV, people listen.

To hit it big with Direct Response, one needs:

o A product that has mass appeal

o A good ratio between hard cost & retail price

o An irresistible, generous offer -- give away way more than what the consumer pays for (Victoria Principal's skin care line is a great example).

An added advantage is to have a consumable product. "Once they [consumers] like it, wear it or use it and get compliments three days in a row, you can guarantee when they run out they will buy it again." says Francis. "Consumable products have lifetime customers."

DRTV is not just for celebrities. Today's small to medium businesses can reap the rewards. The benefits include:

o Building brand name recognition

o Retail backup - in other words, take your product with proven DR advertising and sales backing it up, that retailer is already ensured they have a product that is going to sell in their stores.

What's the ultimate goal of DR advertising? Going to retail. George Foreman made millions before taking to retail. Jane Fonda's videos were once sold via Direct Response - now you can even rent them at video stores.

Francis' acumen lies in not only writing, producing and directing Direct Response ads, but also in assessing what products are viable candidates for this type of marketing approach. He imparts his knowledge to entrepreneurs from many different industries nationwide at marketing boot camps organized by Joy Gendusa, CEO of PostcardMania, and Marsha Friedman, CEO of Event Management Services, Inc.

One factor Francis claims he loves is disabusing entrepreneurs of the misconceptions of direct response advertising. Direct Response advertising is very workable today because:

o The costs of production is low

o With the advent of cable TV, media time is inexpensive

o You can target your audience with cable like never before

"You can't just utilize one channel of advertising these days," says Francis. "DR advertising coupled with an aggressive web and retail presence can boom your business."

Bob Francis is one of the pioneers in the direct response advertising industry. Bob began his career in 1983 as the producer of the hour long infomercials for the Lowry Group and National Super Star, two Real Estate seminar companies. Bob's biggest and most notable TV commercial hit was "8 MINUTE ABS" which he wrote, produced and directed and which sold over twenty million dollars in the first eighteen months it aired. It is still being sold on the internet today.

Karla Jo Helms is the Vice President Public Relations for PostcardMania. Joy Gendusa founded PostcardMania in 1998, her only assets a computer and a phone. By 2005 the company did over $12 million in sales, employed over 100 people and made Inc. Magazine’s prestigious Inc 500 List as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the nation. She attributes her explosive growth to her ability to choose incredible staff and her innate marketing savvy. As an Expert Author, she is always willing to share her marketing advice through articles, interviews and speaking engagements. Visit PostcardMania's web site at www.PostcardMania.com For more information on Bob Francis’ educational seminars, visit www.PowerMarketingMania.com

Tips to Hit on That Entrepreneurial Pitch

One of the most difficult presentations is the entrepreneurial pitch. It is a way of convincing someone to invest on that incredible business idea you have but most often than not, businessmen, rich and prominent people hear this as an endless record of ways to make someone lose money! Well, don't falter yet for here are some tips to pitch that investor you are trying to win for that new business venture you're working on:

1. Go straight to the point. Rich people value their time as much as they value their money. So during your first thirty seconds, explain what this certain business will actually do. Don't start off with tons of data or graphic presentation rather get your audience's attention first by providing them substantial data and highlight the things that they would get from it. And if the stars are working for you then you may go with other vital details.

2. Introduce your audience with your prospect customers/clients. Present your audience in a vivid and picturesque manner.

3. Explain on why your audience would bet their money on you and your business venture. Substantiate your claims with hardcore data that are true and viable.

4. Be sophisticated and take time to study about your direct and indirect competitors. Competition depicts an active market and feasible returns in the future.

5. Explain on why you alone can make this happen. Tell your history and background with other businesses and even your background at school.

6. Be confident and enthusiastic about your presentation. Show to your audience that you believe in what you are saying and that you are willing to bet your life on it!

7. Drop names of the company that are interested with your business preposition and the people who are willing to be part of your business endeavor. Nothing is more interesting than knowing that there are other players out there whose willing to bet on you than yourself.

8. Be specific. Lay down the exact amount you are asking from them and explain on how you came about with that certain amount.

9. Walk them through to your breakdown and on where their money would likely go. Do not include your expensive vacation, trust me it will not impress them.

10. Dress to kill, act confident and do not allow them to smell that stench of fear or doubt in you. Give the impression that you are not there to ask nor beg for money but rather you are there to make them your strategic partner. You'll be impressed on how people tend to give out willingly when they have that impression that you do not need it at all.

Always remember that practice makes perfect. Make each presentation a venue for you to learn. Jot down notes on the things they've asked and you can use it to your next presentation as reference. You may find yourself pitching after pitching but do not lose heart cause eventually you may get funded for as long as you believe.

Want to find out more about Matchstick Door Blinds, then visit the author's site on how to choose the best French Door Shades for your door blind needs.

Commercial Real Estate - A Financially Rewarding Investment

Getting started in commercial real estate can be a daunting task. You will have to deal with tenants, business regulations, and a sometimes unpredictable market. However, commercial real estate can also be one of the most financially rewarding investments you can make.

A wise purchase can create a valuable safety financial safety net. But before you snap up an apartment building, follow these tips to help you choose the best possible property.

1. Location

Location is one of the most important aspects of commercial real estate. Just as with residential, a good location can make up for many other property inadequacies. Some properties have more potential and can be marketed as a variety of business opportunities, lessening the need for a great locale.

However, apartment buildings, condos, parking lots, or any property that has a revolving door of tenants will benefit greatly from a prime location. You want to ensure that your property is steadily occupied in order to maximize profits.

2. Know your limits

Just because you are able to purchase a property, does not mean that you have the ability to manage it as well. Managing commercial real estate is a time consuming affair and a career in itself.

Unless you're prepared to make this property your sole source of livelihood, it's best to outsource management to a trusted professional. That way you can concern yourself with more important matters than tenant complaints and trying to phone the cable company because apartment B's TV is on the fritz again.

3. Know what clients you want

Which kind of client you're interested in working with will determine what commercial real estate to invest in. Larger businesses that rent or lease your property have greater negotiation skills and higher expectations and demands than small or family-run shops.

Smaller businesses, however, can hit financial hardship which could negatively affect your own finances. Residential property can reap great rewards, but again there will be management issues. Each kind of client will provide a unique set of challenges as well as benefits.

4. Buy new or used?

If you're buying a pre-existing piece of commercial real estate, you'll have to consider if you plan on budgeting renovations or remodels. Remodels can be a drain on finances as well as time, but you can potentially save money if you make wise choices.

Not making necessary repairs, however, can put you at a great disadvantage. Sometimes buying newer property is the simplest solution, especially if you have little experience.

5. Realtors and marketing

So you've bought some commercial real estate. Now what? If you choose an empty property or have built a new one, you'll need to attract clients. Commercial realtors can help you list and advertise your property, helping you spread the word.

Commercial real estate is a great strategy to help spread and balance your investment portfolio or can just be a great way to earn some extra income. Investing in commercial real estate is a dynamic investment that will continue to grow over time, providing peace of mind that you are generating a healthy profit with minimal continuous effort.

Whether you're buying residential or commercial property in Western North Carolina, Hendersonville real estate firm can help you get the best returns on your investment. To locate a professional realtor, visit http://www.preferredrealestatecenter.com.

Commercial Collections And Credit Granting

It is estimated that billions of dollars in delinquent commercial credit is currently being carried on the books of both American and international businesses. This figure changes as our economy grows or contracts. Increased competition, diversification of product lines seem to indicate that these figures will continue to move upward. Regardless of the state of either the national or international economy, the necessity to grant credit and to collect commercial receivables using professional methods remains vital to all businesses.

Credit Sales Volumes Are Important

The average commercial business sell between two to five percent of their products for cash. The credit department is responsible for the other 95 to 98 percent of the goods and/or services sold. Businesses have varying percentages of their financial resources tied up in receivables. Actual losses might range from one-half of one percent to five percent of sales without serious results. This depends on profit margin and other factors. Losses can explode to significant sums very fast if not restricted by the credit manager.

Good Customer Relations Are Paramount

The credit department must also be in tune with customer relations. This quality is absolutely necessary in order for the company to prosper when selling on credit. It is very, very easy to say "no" to prospective customers, and it is also very easy to firmly demand payment at the time of the sale. If this attitude reduces sales, then the credit department is not performing its complete function, which is to create a balance between sales and collection of money.

When extending credit to a new customer, the following basic information should be harvested for your credit evaluation and kept on file:

Is the firm individually owned, a partnership or a corporation?
You must obtain full names of owners, partners or officers and all business addresses. This is a must. A follow-up form letter to the hastily approved customer may supply this information and the local city directory may be helpful with details of ownership or tenancy. You should, however, get the information before delivery of the merchandise.

How long has the applicant been in business?

Statistics show that 50 percent of business failures are firms less than one year old, 75 percent are less than five years old.

At what bank does the applicant do business?

What is the average size of his bank balance and are there any loans outstanding? The customer may have a financial statement which will reveal this, and certainly a phone call to their bank manager is in order. They might only confirm the existence of an account, unless your customer pre-approves release of the details. A carefully worded and signed application will gain you the most information.

What do the records show?

Are financing agreements kept, or have legal suits been filed? If the amount of credit requested is substantial, additional financial information may be secured from an outside credit information source such as another supplier trade association or business reference. n What are some of the business firms with which the applicant is currently dealing? You will want to check with at least three companies to determine how much credit has been extended and the creditors' payment experience with the applicant company. This procedure may help you and other businesses in exposing customers who exploit their suppliers.

Search for Patterns of Problems

It is a constructive idea to analyze those customers who have become collection problems and to note reasons for their delinquency. A pattern will probably be revealed.

It may be found that some collection problems involve businesses which were in operation less than a year at the time credit was originally granted. This is a "red flag." It does not mean that a new business should be denied credit, but it does mean that additional information should be obtained to ensure that the business is potentially a good credit risk.

Sometimes the credit manager will have to deal with a sales person who is overanxious or under-trained. In the desire to sell, they may make promises that lead to collection problems. When such a pattern develops in an area, it would then be wise to advise the sales manager about the problem. It is often expedient with large orders to send the potential customer a letter spelling out credit terms.

Some Delinquencies Are Unavoidable

It is inevitable in granting credit that certain conditions cannot be foreseen and that there will be unavoidable delinquencies.

It is usually acceptable company policy that credit losses within certain percentage limits can be sustained, as growth can only be achieved by reasonable risk taking. Reserves for bad debts and collection costs are an acceptable and recognized expense for business. A too-tight credit policy can dry up potential growth. A too-loose credit policy can be a great expense.

By granting credit intelligently and by following good billing and collection procedures, it is possible to hold risk to an acceptable figure--to a balance between company growth and losses due to bad debts.

Get free information and advice on commercial collections.

Hit the Road With a Dodge Sprinter

Who hasn't dreamed of hitting the open road and having an adventure with friends or family via an RV trip through the United States? But adventurous road trippers are exceedingly rare in a rocky economy with unpredictable gas prices.

Motor homes and RVs can be expensive to run and operate and are not always the most comfortable option, especially when travelling with children. Fortunately, Dodge has developed an alternative that can not only quench your thirst for the open road, but doubles as a great family car, utility vehicle, or simply a personalized road hog.

Meet the Dodge Sprinter, one of the most customizable and unique vehicles available on the market. Unlike bulky trailers or costly motor homes, the Dodge Sprinter is a comfortable, roomy, and multi-purpose van. It initially became popular navigating the tight turns and tiny streets of Europe as a commercial vehicle, but now America is embracing this versatile vehicle and discovering its many uses.

Why is the Dodge Sprinter a better deal than a traditional RV?

First and foremost, the 2.7 liter turbo diesel direct fuel injection engine gets 28mpg at 55mpg, making it more economical than many RVs. It has 10 removable seats (not including extra storage room available) so you can haul guests and goods comfortably and can make last minute adjustments.

If you do not need a lot of room, seven or nine passenger seating is also an option. No matter how much passenger room you need, there is always a lot of room for luggage, equipment, and whatever else you might need to haul.

Everyone will have a secure seat and seatbelt, which is safer than tumbling around in the back of a motor home. Once you're ready to set up camp, you can simply reconfigure the seats to make extra room.

The Dodge Sprinter also comes with hauling capabilities so you won't have to leave any of your big toys at home. It has a towing capacity of 7,500lbs, which is plenty for most families. You can also choose your roof height: standard, high, or mega.

You even have the choice of body length in 233 inches, 273 inches, or 289 inches, as well as a 144 inch or 170 inch wheelbase. You'll probably have more room to spare than you would with a large RV that is cluttered with unnecessary amenities.

The Dodge Sprinter is practically a blank palette, allowing you to add only what you need. Many RVs come with cumbersome cupboards, poorly constructed storage space, and some items you may not need such as bathrooms.

These can all add to the cost of renting or buying an RV. With a Sprinter, you can choose what additions you want to make, saving you money and space. Many Dodge Sprinters have been successfully converted into luxury campers with fake fireplaces, flat screen televisions, and even disco balls. But if you're more practical, they can easily hold mini fridges, bathroom units, and comfortable sleeping spaces.

Don't let the finances keep you from finding freedom on the road. The Dodge Sprinter is an economically friendly alternative not only for everyday driving and hauling, but for taking a break and finding some freedom behind the wheel.

The Dodge Sprinter can easily be customized that makes it a good alternative to an RV. It is much economical compared to an RV. Learn more about this great family car and utility vehicle at http://www.sprinterdealer.net

Grow Your Dental Practice - 3 Ways to Start Doubling Your Growth Right Now Even If You Hit a Plateau

How would you like to double your practice growth? How would you like to double your net income?

Of course you would!

But what we want and what actually happens are two different things.

When you first started your dental practice you felt the excitement. You experienced large percentages of growth for the first few years. Then your dental practice became stagnant. You're not seeing growth in your dental practice now. Your "adjusted gross income" and "net income" decreased to the point where it depresses you to look at the numbers on your tax return. You hit a plateau and it is commonplace for all businesses, including dental practices, to hit a plateau at some point in their life. Many will hit multiple plateaus.

Now I completely understand why hitting a plateau or even a decline in business would depress you. It's because you're seriously feeling the squeeze. You discovered that your expenses don't plateau just because your income has flattened or declined.

* Your staff wants more money
* You need more space
* You need more updated, emerging technologies and equipment
* It takes more money to run your practice

Not only do your expenses rise at the office, but they rise at home. You've got kids, private schools, bigger houses, insurance, higher taxes. So how can you as a dental practice owner get off the plateau, take your business to the next level and make more money?

3 Ways to Start Growing Your Dental Practice - Even Double It Right Now

1. Get the right training, skills and resources you need to build your business.

Look, you're either on plan, off plan, or you don't even have a plan. If you have been in practice for any significant amount of time and you are not investing heavily in your practice, I wouldn't be surprised if you're experiencing a plateau in your business right now. See, if you're not learning better ways to build your practice then you are just doing the same thing over and over again. How is that going to solve your problem and take your practice to the next level? It isn't!

2. Get the Right Employees - Implement a NO Mediocre Employee Tolerance Policy

With so many people unemployed today, you can find top talent. There is NO reason for why you have to accept mediocre performance. Remember, you get what you deserve. If you hire mediocre employees or if you keep mediocre employees then you deserve to get mediocre or sub-par results along with the gray hair you'll get for dealing with these people. And it doesn't take much effort to hire the right staff. In fact, I have a hiring system that allows you to hire new staff with less than 60 minutes of your time.

3. Get a NO excuse mindset

If you want to shorten the lifespan of your plateau then you need to stop being your own worst competitor. And I mean this in the most caring, loving way. You make and accept too many excuses for why you can't get new patients. For example, you blame the recession. Yes, many small and large businesses are failing. However, we've doubled our business in this economy. I have clients who've been practicing dentistry for 35 years and they had their best year ever in 2009. A few of these top performers are in the State of Michigan - one of the hardest hit states during the recession. If they can get new clients and double their practices, so can you.

But you have to adopt what I call the "two-economy system" mindset that accepts no excuses. I define the two-economy system as putting yourself in a bubble where the economy is good, and keeping everything out of the bubble that you don't have control over. So unlike most dentists who let all of the negative energy ooze into their office and into their existence, I reject it like the plague.

I adopted the policy that you get what you deserve - there are no excuses. I haven't made an excuse in 20 years. If I get a bad result, I probably deserved a bad result. It's that simple. So I don't make excuses. I just say, "I got what I deserved," and I need to figure out why and how I'm going to fix it so I get a better result next time.

So if you can figure out what actions and efforts it takes to deserve more... bingo, you can get it. If you make excuses about your ability to generate new patients, like your town or the economy or whatever other pathetic, whiny excuse you might have made in the past, you literally cannot do anything. It immobilizes you.

Want to Start Growing Your Dental Practice? Here Are Your Next Steps...

1. Get the training you need. If you'd like, check out my products and services for those who want to grow their dental practices at:http://www.SchedulingInstitute.com
2. Adopt a NO mediocrity tolerance policy.
3. Don't make or accept excuses. When you complain, whine and moan, you take all the power out of your dental practice and completely destroy the mindset of your staff.

Remember, it starts with you. So are you ready to grow your dental practice?

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Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance

A commercial insurance policy is needed if you use your car in a business and it is titled to a business. This is different than using your personal car for business purposes; you can have a personal auto policy and get a business rate if the car is titled in your name. You need to explain how the car is being used and the name that the car is titled in when you speak to an Insurance Agent and they can let you know what type of policy you will need.

The commercial auto policy provides some of the same basic overages as a personal auto insurance policy. You will want to make sure you purchase Liability Coverage and this coverage will cover the injuries of people that are involved in an accident. The coverage will also cover medical bills and lost wages as well.

The next coverage that you will want to buy is the Collision Coverage; this coverage will pay for the repairs to your vehicle if you are involved in an accident and it does not matter who is at fault, your car will still be covered.

You will also want t purchase Comprehensive Coverage because this coverage will pay for claims that are caused by vandalism, fire, or hail to name a few of the items covered.

Also, you will want to purchase Uninsured Motorist Coverage so that you can have protection in case another person hit your car and they don't have any insurance. This coverage will also pay for injuries and any property damage that the accident might cause.

The Insurance Agent should recommend the proper amount of coverages that you will need, however, you need to make sure you buy deductibles that you can afford. So, ask for multiple quotes with different deductibles on the coverages to see what package will work out best for you. Also, I would recommend that you can quotes from at least three different companies before you make your decision.

Hi my name is Deovon and I write articles to help teach people about commercial insurance. I am the author of this article "Commercial automobile liability insurance". My site http://www.urtopics.com is about all around topics for different types of insurance.

Credit Card Financing and Working Capital Funding

As a result of an increasing commercial financing crisis, commercial borrowers are evaluating new alternatives for business finance funding. Business cash advances and credit card financing are two working capital financing options which have proven to be effective and practical sources of operating cash for small business owners.

The use of credit card financing often refers to business cash advances in which working capital is obtained by business owners based upon future credit card processing activity. Alternatively the use of personal credit cards to obtain a cash advance is also referred to as a credit card loan. With business finance funding shortages, small business owners are increasingly using both approaches to obtain operating cash for their business. The two financing approaches are not equal in terms of how they are viewed by commercial financing experts although the strategies might be called by the same name occasionally.

Business lines of credit and other variations of working capital loans have been recently cancelled or reduced by many commercial lenders. In response, many business owners have been forced to rely on cash obtained via their personal credit cards to sustain their businesses. In order to prepare for several of the most undesirable actions being taken by many credit card loan lenders, we urge all commercial borrowers to review the predatory lending discussion in The Working Capital Journal.

For business owners using or about to use personal credit cards to secure operating capital, we want to make two important comments: (1) We consider this to be a last resort method of business financing and whenever possible it should be avoided. Before assuming that this is the only source of capital available, commercial borrowers should consult with a working capital finance expert. The possibility of business cash advances and working capital loans should be thoroughly explored. (2) This questionable method of obtaining commercial finance funding will prove to be increasingly more difficult because credit card issuers are already cutting back on their unsecured lending programs.

Like reductions in their lending programs for business lines of credit, most banks are now making similar cutbacks in credit card lending. They are reducing or cancelling credit lines even when borrowers have a superb payment record. The rationale for banks reducing both credit card lines and commercial lines of credit is similar. With unsecured commercial loans or personal loans, banks fear that massive defaults are almost inevitable due to a very shaky economy and business lending climate. Unlike residential real estate financing in which real property is pledged as collateral, banks know that they have no collateral to fall back on with working capital loans and credit card loans because they are unsecured. Many small business owners use home equity lines of credit to obtain operating cash, and these funding sources are also diminishing in most areas of the United States. Although these lending programs are backed by collateral, the value of homes in many areas has decreased to the point that many outstanding loans exceed the current property value.

One of the most disturbing and frustrating occurrences in the current difficult commercial financing environment is the lack of clear information for many business owners about which funding options are realistic and possible. Thousands of borrowers might have obtained operating cash from personal credit cards when there were better options for this one factor alone (confusion and misinformation).

Due to the growing tendency of several major credit card issuers to exhibit predatory lending practices, the use of personal credit card loans should be avoided. At a minimum, each business owner should contact a business finance funding expert to determine if a business cash advance program or a working capital loan program can be used to obtain needed cash.

Learn about avoiding working capital finance mistakes - Stephen Bush is a commercial loans expert => AEX Commercial Mortgages and Business Cash Advances

Freddie Mac Changes Hit Real Estate Investors Hard

With today's historically low interest rates coupled with a glut of foreclosed properties that can be picked well below market value, one would think today would be a great time to be a real estate investor. The old adage of "buy low and sell high" is tailored made for today's market but the bubble is about to burst with a recent announcement by Freddie Mac.

August 1st Freddie Mac revised its requirements for investment property mortgages that will negatively impact the real estate investor community. With these new revisions real estate investors will be limited to a maximum of four mortgages on 1-4 unit investment properties. The previous limit was 10.

Why should investors care about a change made by Freddie Mac? Freddie Mac and its sister organization Fannie Mae underwrite almost 50% of conforming mortgages on the secondary market in the United States. Freddie Mac's impact on the lending market is so great that if it sneezes, the entire industry catches a cold.

If Freddie Mac makes a change in the lending requirements then you can bet that Fannie Mae will follow soon thereafter. Many lenders have already implemented these changes in their lending practice well ahead of the August 1st date. These changes do not bode well for the real estate investor community.

With the recent tightening of the credit market followed by these changes by Freddie Mac it is becoming a difficult time for real estate investors. Savvy investors are salivating at the opportunities in the marketplace that allow them to purchase properties in some cases up to 50% less than their value just a few years ago. Starting August 1st these opportunities will disappear as investors will be unable to get mortgage financing.

For investors like myself who already own more than four investment properties, we will no longer be able to get mortgages, and most of us will probably leave the real estate investment market. The only lending option available to us would be portfolio lenders. 

Real estate investors may choose to just sit on their current inventory of investment properties and wait out the storm. Until the clouds clear these investors will not be able to even refinance their existing mortgages.

These changes will have a ripple effect in the real estate investment community. There will be a smaller pool of investors competing to purchase investment properties. Houses that are normally purchased by investors instead of owner-occupied buyers will languish longer on the market which will result in a decline in price.

The only silver lining with these changes are for all cash buyers. If you have money then you can almost name your price for investment properties since the pool of competitors will have all but dried up. Banks will be jumping at the opportunity to offload their non-performing assets at any price.

The changes by Freddie Mac appear to be punishing investors as if they were the sole culprits of the recent turmoil in the lending market. Investors will be forced to find alternative sources of financing or just be content with four investment properties.

There are many ways to make a fortune investing in real estate. For more information about real estate investing visit my website at InvestInRealEstate101.

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Active Hopes For Delhi Real Estate Market

Like the Delhi residential real estate witnessing a sluggish phase for the past few months, the commercial properties have also been hit down by a slowdown. Subsequently, some business districts in Delhi have seen a decline of up to 25% in office rentals in the June quarter, media reports.

The rental values of grade A and B properties in the city have seen a significant decline. For instance, the rentals of grade A properties in Nehru place are down from Rs 280 per sq ft to Rs 270 per sq ft.

With the retail boom and increasing return on investment from the real estate market, the value of Delhi properties have been sky-high since long. The Delhi real estate builders are taking the drop in prices as positive, since many of their projects are lying vacant for quite a long time now.

Individuals and business firms have been cautious of investing in residential as well as commercial property and were waiting for a price correction, reveals a renowned Delhi Real Estate Developer. With this drop in the commercial property values builders and real estate agents are now expecting some activity in the market.

Space crunch has been the prime reason for the soaring commercial property values in the city. But, with a lot of expected supply in the Delhi-NCR market by early 2009, rentals are likely to trim down more in the city, opine the industry experts. Amid Jasola being one of the few remaining places where land is available in Delhi, it will continue to add more space in the coming time to the Delhi property market.

Besides, being the much sought after residential property market the commercial properties too have always been in much demand in Delhi. As the city has better edge over many other metros in terms of infrastructure, availability of professional work force and connectivity, Delhi real estate has maintained an apex position in the real estate ladder of the country.

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