2011 Commercial Construction and Real Estate Cost Forecasting

Everyone knows that the commercial construction industry got hammered after the global financial meltdown. And it really hasn't recovered very well, and although the residential housing market got hit quite a bit harder than the commercial sector, there are plenty of unoccupied buildings with no tenants, unoccupied high-rises, and empty warehouse buildings. The question is, as we are moving into 2011; how does the industry look now?

Is there any money to be made in commercial construction in 2011? Yes and no, and most of the industry believes it will be a rebuilding year. Luckily, Land Costs should remain relatively decent in most US markets. Still, we can expect labor costs to skyrocket - mostly due to increases in illegal immigration enforcement, meaning sub-contractors will be hiring US citizens not cheap labor and paying them under the table. Plus, let's not forget the realities of the new ObamaCare phase-ins on health insurance.

Many Municipalities and County Governments are requiring LEEDs construction techniques and energy efficient structures. Some states are putting overlay laws on top of local ordinances, building codes, rules, and regulations. That will certainly drive up costs. Also, in some cases Union Labor may often be required because they will be the only folks certified to build LEEDs standard buildings.

But, those are not the only considerations, as you can expect Workmen's Compensation insurance is only going one-way, and that's up. And then there are materials, which must be considered in the cost analysis also. Chinese made materials such as aluminum, steel, and other products could be hit with significant tariffs and many building materials from China have already have been due to anti-dumping filings at the WTO.

Yes, 2011 will be a rebuilding year, but it will also be a war zone out there, and it will prove that only the strong survive in this industry. I hope you'll please consider all that.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 21,500 articles was a lot of work - because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off.

Dorothy's 4 Secrets to Magnetizing Success

Today's TV sucks! It's nothing but crapola and if you watch it you'll lower your IQ and get dumber.

With that said, as I was channel surfing for some sports over the weekend I came across the classic movie "The Wizard of OZ". It's been a long time since I sat and watched it from beginning to end since I don't usually sit in front of the idiot box for more than an hour or so unless golf is on.

Something unusual happened, I was drawn to pause on the channel and say out loud "This is a great movie." My son was in the room with me and he immediately stopped imagining he was playing baseball, walked over to the couch, leaned against me, and stared at the TV. We were both hooked with curiosity.

I don't like him to watch TV, it creates ADD and ADHD, especially at his age, but The Wizard of OZ is a classic movie so I made an exception. Don't forget it has stood the test of time, it was made in 1939 and still makes a fortune in sales today.

I picked him up and sat him on my lap so we could we watch together. We were both mesmerized until the first commercial. Then when the commercial hit, we snapped out of it, ran around the living room hitting and pitching baseballs until the movie came back on.

They made a tremendous movie and I recognized how many lessons they "subliminally" put into each scene. I know they will help you so here is what we learned from Dorothy's character alone.

1. Set goals. What was hers? To get home.

Like most people, this can be too much and overwhelming and she had no clue where to start. Herein lies secret #2.

2. Ask for help.

She asked and she received. Her teacher, coach, mentor Glinda the "Good Witch of the North" gave her some sage advice. Here's secret #3.

3. "If you don't know where to start, I guess the best place would be to start at the beginning."

Simple and profound. In today's all play, no work, get rich quick society we can easily forget to start at the beginning. Without starting at the beginning we are gonna crash and burn.

Now she knows where she wants to go and where to start the next question is how do I get there? Ahhhh, Secret #4.

4. Just follow the yellow brick road.

There is always a path you can take. Sometimes you just don't see it or recognize that you're already on it.

How easy will your life be when you apply these four life altering secrets? That's up to you. In case you missed them here they are again.

1. Have a goal
2. Ask for help
3. Start at the beginning
4. Follow a path someone has already laid down for you.

Apply these secrets and you'll definitely get to the Emerald City and your job.

P.S. Start at the beginning, click here [http://www.stepintoyourdreamjob.com]

P.P.S. If you need some help recognizing your yellow brick road, email me at Nolan@nolanberentis.com for your free 15 minute consultation.

Nolan Richard Berentis

Commercial Songwriting

What is the major difference between songs written by an amateur and a professional song writer? The gap to differentiate can be humongous as one imagines, but the reality is that all it requires is the right blend of promoting, recording and advertising. You might say an immense advertising campaign including radio and television airplay could be the reason for a musical hit and you'd more than likely be correct, or at least partly correct. All of us need to start somewhere no matter how much backing or talent we have. This usually involves getting people to:-

1) Listen to our song
2) Like our song
3) Want to hear our song again

Though this may seem like a short list, it involves painstaking labor and commitment to get people to listen to you.

Record and Publishing company executives go through a process before they can establish the band or artist in the music industry. Their job involves:-

1) Listen to all the songs
2) See a market for those songs
3) See if the public like the songs
4) See if the public would like to hear the songs again

After signing a recording deal with an artist or band, Recording and Publishing company executives have to:-

1) Be interested in the target market
2) Have resources, or expect to have resources, to devote to that market either short term or long term
3) Match that with whether they see you as a short or long term investment
4) Believe that other companies are or would be interested. This doesn't hold true for all cases but it does take care of a lot of them! In order to be a successful commercial songwriter, you need to do a little ground work to prepare and pave the way for your chances of success in the music industry.

This should help to focus your efforts and clarify the direction you are going in as a songwriter and make a lasting impression on the recording and publishing company executives as well as the public.

The most important element of commercial songwriting is the "hook".

Can you survive as a commercial songwriter without a firm command of how to write a hook?...in a word NO! If some of you don't get what I'm saying, I will give a detailed explanation on the term "hook".

The "Hook" can most easily be described as that part of the song that is most memorable, usually most catchy lyrically and musically, and usually most repeated. Musically this word can be the most dynamic part of the song. It can consist of the song's title, words from the chorus or a catchy phrase which just can't be erased from the mind. The Dire Straits tune Sultans of Swing is a fine example of this technique.

Most successful commercial songwriters write hooks before they write songs. They do this because a great song is more easily born of a great hook. Writing a great commercial song based on an average hook is a near impossibility. So all you have to do is decide on the prospect of writing good meaningful songs and paying close attention to the hit songs of today. There can never be hard and fast rules for writing songs, because there are in fact none! All these points are just written to give a little foundation for would be songwriters and musicians. There will always be writers that break every possible rule and still manage to achieve commercial success. You just need to do some research on the present trend in the industry and build up on that. In essence I am saying that while many great commercial songs don't follow the rules, most do! Write your next song from the hook. Make it interesting, accessible, catchy, and memorable and you're there!

Samritha Subhash

Writer

[http://www.mediaarrow.com]

Investing in New Orleans Commercial Real Estate

Right now is a great time to invest in New Orleans commercial real estate. Katrina devastated the region, but they are rebuilding. You can not only find a great deal, but you will also be a participant in the rebuilding process and returning all of New Orleans to its former glory. Real estate agents in the area are seeing an increased interest in commercial property.

If you are worried about the lack of customers, don't worry. People are coming back to the city. In early '07, Jefferson parish's population hit about 460,000 and the Orleans parish increased to over 200,000. The people of New Orleans love their city and they want to support the business endeavors that will bring money into their economy.

Now, if you are interested in New Orleans commercial real estate, you may have some work ahead of you. Warehouses and store fronts were all damaged by the flooding and wind that Katrina brought.

Some business owners simply packed up and left with no intentions of coming back and reopening. So, you can get a great deal on the property, but there may be extensive repair and remodeling work ahead. Saving money on the purchase allows you to take care of what needs to be done

If you are concerned about the extent of the damage, bring a contractor with you when you go shopping for New Orleans commercial real estate property. That way you have an idea of how much work is needed and the expenses to get the building in grand opening shape.

Because the city of New Orleans wants your business, they are working with all potential business owners. The Office of Economic Development has worked on providing tax incentives, such as the Renewal Community Tax Incentive, and workforce development opportunities for new businesses.

Under the RCTI, you get credits for employee wages, commercial revitalization credits, equipment deductions and welfare and work opportunity credits. You also qualify for a zero capital gains tax if you keep the property at least five years before selling. You can visit the Business Center to get your licenses and to find out what kinds of programs are available to you as a new business.

The city government is determined to make New Orleans an attractive option for start-ups and business expansions. They know the city is on the way back and it will get the faster as businesses open and the money flows into the economy. The more the city has to offer, the people will return home to New Orleans and entice new people to come and make a life there as well.

Agents predict it will take about 10 years for New Orleans commercial real estate development to return to normal, but it can happen one business at a time. If you have dreams of opening a coffee shop, a bar or a boutique, why not give New Orleans the opportunity to make your endeavor a success? It is a win-win situation for you and the area.

This is the best time to invest in real estate in New Orleans. Real sale will pick up since tax incentives are being offered to attract businesses and property. Visit them online at http://www.realestatelouisiana.com.

Is it Simply Weight Loss? - Finding the Truth in Commercial Diets

How many times have you or a friend gotten excited about the newest 'diet craze' to hit the market? You see an ad full of thin, smiling people doing active things highlighted by the many benefits of the product? From prepackaged meal plans to pills, it is not just simply weight loss anymore. For many business people, there is money to be made in the world of dieting. This can have an adverse effect on the quality and effectiveness of new products. The downside for consumers is that, it really is not simply weight loss anymore. It is possibly a way to lose money on a product that does not work. Before you run out and spend hundreds or more on a commercial diet or product, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Amazing Promises of Fast Weight Loss

"Their website says it's simply weight loss at its best!" Of course the company is going to talk their product up. You might even find customer comments everywhere, praising the product. However, remember there is a buck to be made here. Always check other sources for reviews on the product. There are many websites dedicated to presenting an unbiased look at a product, scrutinizing it's potency with a sounding board for real customers. If you notice confliction between what you read on their website and what you read off of it, think twice before buying.

The Label says it Works!

Bad press would do little to help sales, so of course the company will keep things positive on the label. Whether it is simply weight loss focused or intended to do more, make sure you get the facts about how it works. Research the ingredients list and find out what is really in the product and how it will make you drop weight. Some manufacturers will put a lot of information on the label that can become confusing, and all of it is meant to sell you on the product's effectiveness. Always search for a list of potential side effects or health risks, no matter how small the print is.

Don't be a Sucker

It's simply weight loss, right? What's the big deal? Your health is the big deal, and these products can greatly affect it. Some can really damage your body without you realizing it until it is too late. Make sure you do your homework and find out what previous customers thought of the product. Also check for discrepancies on the website versus what you find through other, more reliable sources. One of the best pieces of advice you will hear is: if it is too good to be true, then it probably is! Know what you are buying and avoid thinking it is "simply weight loss." You should take your body and health seriously. Make sure you know what you are putting in it and avoid relying on companies to give you 'good' information. You can lose weight fast, but make sure you do so safely

Wendy Livermore of WeightLoss-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping you shed the pounds fast and rid your body of excess fat naturally without expensive pills that don't work. Wendy, a weight loss specialist by trade constantly reviews new resources that help you discover the most effective fat loss techniques to get your body back into shape that work! Turn your body into a natural 24/7 fat burning machine. Check out actual user reviews and feedback of the most popular get your weight loss resources at WeightLoss-User-Reviews.com.

What is Required For Commercial Liability Coverage? What is Optional?

Is a small service company less likely to have a lawsuit brought against it than a manufacturing plant? No, but this is a common misconception among office-based businesses. The fact is, in today's dynamic and complex business climate, businesses small and large, office-based, or physical-labor intensive, are all equally susceptible to various claims.

Typically, with Commercial Liability insurance coverage, four types of claims are covered: bodily injury; property damage or loss; personal injury, such as libel or slander; and advertising injury. While commercial liability insurance is fairly inexpensive, costs for defending a claim are not and if the company does not have adequate commercial liability insurance coverage, it may have to foot the bill. This, in turn, could lead to financial hardship or bankruptcy. Commercial Liability insurance coverage will pay for all damages, legal fees and settlement charges up to the policy limits.

Commercial Liability insurance for office-based businesses is absolutely essential for financial planners, mortgage brokers, medical offices, architects, and engineers, to name a few. Too often, however, a business owner will forego liability insurance in an effort to reduce operating costs. This may save the company some money on paying premiums, but it also exposes the business's assets to paying for damages, if found liable, as well as legal defense expenses, regardless of whether the business is found liable or not.

Small business owners can take several proactive steps towards reducing their insurance costs, including:

Shop around: Business liability insurance coverages range by company; read up on what is covered and what is not. Review policy plans from several insurers and compare rates.

Consider a Business Owner's Policy (BOP): Rather than purchasing separate types of insurance from various companies, consider purchasing a package of policies. This will help eliminate costly duplication of benefits and, in some cases, special rates are offered on packaged policies.

Enlist a specialist broker: If the small business operates in a niche, it will often require specialized insurance to safeguard against unique risks. Insurance brokers will know what coverages are necessary for the business and know where to go for the best rates.

In some cases, operating without insurance is not an option. Federal and state law requires certain businesses to have liability insurance coverage, referred to as Workers' Compensation insurance. Additionally, some states also require auto insurance. This typically provides coverage for injury, damage or theft on company-owned vehicles, as well as for employees who may be involved in an accident while driving a personal car on company business.

Business owners can also purchase specialized, optional coverages specific to their industry. In fact, there are a number of products and services that compliment Commercial Liability insurance for office-based businesses. These include:

Directors and Officers - this protects directors and officers against claims of alleged negligent conduct committed in their role as director or officer.

Errors and Omissions - protects individuals and organizations against claims of professional negligence and errors or omissions in professional work.

Umbrella/Excess Liability - this provides additional coverage when insurance limits on an underlying policy are exceeded.

Optional coverages offer an extra layer of protection and are designed to meet unique needs. For small business owners who may not want to spend the additional money, Commercial Liability insurance is good coverage to start out with. When searching for proper coverage, an agent can help assess what will best fulfill the needs of a small business.

James Cochran is the founder of Business Insurance Now, a company specializing in commercial liability insurance. Business Insurance Now also offers professional liability insurance for those in the consulting industry and workers comp insurance to cover your company's employees.

Why Loan Modification is the Real Deal

There are a lot of myths flying around concerning home loan modification. There are TV commercials, internet advertisements promising lower monthly payments. It sounds enticing, but you are not sure if it true or not. A mortgage modification does lower monthly payments if approved, and approved is the key. Not all mortgage modification applications are approved. If a homeowner was living at their income level and not overspending, and just hit a financial hard patch, they will more likely then not be approved. But if they were overspending, and took a bigger loan than they can afford, the lender will reject the application.

In any case a loan modification is a viable solution for struggling homeowners. A mortgage modification can stop the foreclosure process, prevent the homeowner from entering the foreclosure process, and even readjust adjustable rate mortgages to a fixed rate.

Besides the obvious benefits of lower mortgage payments, a mortgage modification has other advantages over other options. The lender usually does not the credit score in order to make their decisions. That is due to the fact that the homeowner has a loan already and was pre-approved with their lender. A loan modification is also less of a hassle. Refinancing is a new loan, and a lot of paperwork has to be read and signed. A mortgage modification consists of an application, a hardship letter, and a few phone calls to the loss mitigation department.

Many homeowners have modified their loan successfully, during this real estate crisis. Lenders are approving mortgage modifications at an all time high. If you are struggling with your payments you should check out this option and if you are serious you should consider checking out 60 minute loan modification. 60 minute loan modification is an all in one loan modification guide. It was created by a real estate expert who has modified numerous home loans. It includes everything a homeowner needs to modify a home loan. Overall it's a great resource to have.

If you want to learn more about loan modification and 60 minute loan modification click here.