Smooth Start: 5 Steps to Take When Getting Started in Commercial Real Estate Investment

Business

The stakes are high when investing in commercial real estate. When getting started, you really want to make sure you go through everything with a fine-tooth comb. This may seem like an uphill battle, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five steps to get your commercial property investment portfolio off the ground:

1. Join Forces with Property Professionals

Doing this on your own can be risky and tricky. That’s why you’re better off with people that know the ins and outs of commercial property.

A broker, an attorney, and a contractor are the crack team you need to ensure you do things right. This is a big project, so the more knowledgeable people you have on your side, the better.

You need a broker with experience in the kind of property you’re investing in. You need a lawyer to go over sales and purchase agreements while checking if the property has any legal issues attached to it.

A commercial real estate contractor will give you accurate pricing and protection against liability. A property management company with a commercial record will assist with professional marketing, higher occupancy, and solid accounting and reporting.

2. Associate with the Greats 

Though a lawyer, broker, and contractor can help you with most aspects of your commercial real estate venture, you shouldn’t stop at just hiring a qualified team. It’s also essential to develop relationships that will help improve your business. At the end of the day, opportunities are what you need, and you could use a lot of help in this regard.

You may even find more investors if that’s the type of arrangement you’re attracted to. From developers to architects and engineers, a whole host of professionals could be of service to you.

3. Learn, Learn, Learn

Having the right team and being in the right circles doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax. Learning more about the investing process will do you a lot of good. From YouTube to books and even podcasts, there are countless educational resources for you to explore.

There are even real estate investment groups you can join, which might offer you a great networking opportunity. You may even wish to work towards becoming a Certified Commercial Investment Member to gain deep insight into the industry.

4. Implement What You Know

No matter how much work you put into educating yourself, it’ll be meaningless if you don’t apply what you know. Regularly underwriting deals will teach you to separate the good ones from the bad ones.

A lot of money goes into this type of thing, so if you can master the skill, you’ll be doing yourself a favor. You underwrite, you make an offer, and then you do it again soon after. 

Your return will be greater, and you’ll be empowered by the ability to make deals on your own. It isn’t nearly as hard as it seems. Yes, people go to school for it, and the occupation is professionally recognized, but there’s even software you can use these days.

5. Have an Action Plan

You’ll have to figure out what kind of property you’re investing in. You may be interested in going the retail route, or perhaps industrial real estate is more to your liking. From multifamily set-ups to office space and even the hospitality industry, your options are endless. So, think about your objectives and preferences, and decide which niche is most suitable. 

Follow the tips above, and you’ll have a sturdy foundation from which to launch your venture into the world of commercial real estate investment. 

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What is an LEI Number?

Business

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character alphanumeric identifier centered on the ISO 17442 standard established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It links to essential reference data, allowing for the unambiguous and distinctive identification of legal organizations involved in financial transactions. Each LEI includes well-structured reference data divided into two sections: Level 1 – who is who – and Level 2 – who owns whom. Level 1 data comprises entity registration details such as legal name, registration number, legal and HQ address, and so on. Level 2 holds details about an entity’s ownership structure, which aids in determining who owns whom. You can see the offer here 

Merely described, the publicly accessible LEI data pool converts unstructured entity registration data into a standardized worldwide directory, significantly improving openness in the global economy.

When do we need an LEI Number?

Any legal entities other than natural persons (i.e. actual individuals with their own legal identity) are eligible for the LEI. There is still a distinction to be made between eligibility for LEI identity and the necessity to get it, which differs by jurisdiction. There is also a more nuanced category of requests’ for an LEI, which is both less demanding than a requirement’ and characterizes much current legislation in many countries. Nevertheless, the word does not apply just to entities described in this manner. In its widest sense, the phrase can also refer to any legal body that does business in today’s global economy. It is fair to expect that the standard will eventually replace some of the other identifiers that are presently used to decipher data about organizations. For instance, there is a chance that the US government will utilize LEI instead of the present proprietary DUNS system. 

  • Financial institutions, including brokerages, banks, investment, and insurance businesses, and credit unions, are now the only legal entities that must always have an LEI. LEI Register is committed to assisting you with the LEI registration procedure. Individuals, on the other hand, are not obliged to hold an LEI to trade on the financial market. As a result, if you are not a firm or corporation, you will not require an LEI at this time.
  • On a practical basis, it is realistic to expect that any firm that functions as a legal entity will require an LEI very shortly.
  • LEIs are now required for all banks, large and small, insurance businesses, brokerages, investment companies, credit unions, and any other institution participating in the financial sector.
  • Nevertheless, the word does not apply just to entities described in this manner. In its widest sense, the phrase can also refer to any legal body that does business in today’s global economy. It is fair to expect that the standard will eventually replace some of the other identifiers that are presently used to decipher data about organizations. For instance, there is a chance that the US government will utilize LEI instead of the present proprietary DUNS system.

Conclusion 

Legal entities that engage in financial transactions and desire to trade in financial markets, such as purchasing stocks, bonds, or other assets, require LEI. There are also several requirements (depending on the jurisdiction) that need the acquisition of an LEI.

Many additional restrictions have been implemented across the world since the LEI program was established. As a result, numerous companies in a variety of industries must now apply for an LEI.

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An Informative Guide to Real Estate Investing For Beginners

Business

It’d help if you had stability in your life, and real estate investment is an excellent place to start.

Real estate is one of the most reliable and stable investment portfolios. It comes with great appreciation, leverage, tax benefits, and constant cash flow. In addition, properties are constantly rising in value and can quickly be sold.

So, how can you get started with real estate investment? Here is the ultimate investing for beginners guide.

Educate Yourself

The key to succeeding in real estate is to have the correct information. You’ll need about half a year to master the main steps of real estate investment. Consequently, you can either enroll in an online program or speak to an expert, such as BlokHaus Real Estate + Investments.

If you choose online information, you can go for YouTube podcasts, blogs, or online seminars. Having the correct information ensures that you’ll avoid the main problems of real estate investment.

Learning must continue even after you have mastered the basics. For example, the real estate market is changing, and you need to know the latest tricks. It’s also a good idea to know the latest laws.

Make a Plan

Once you’ve achieved the proper knowledge, you need to craft the ideal property investing strategy. A plan ensures that you don’t fail and can easily track your progress. It also introduces discipline since you can avoid impulse decisions.

The investment plan must list your short-term and long-term objectives. It should also highlight the preferred investment strategies and expected timelines. The plan should also have some contingencies in case your investments don’t pay off.

Finally, the plan must determine your investment budget and how you’ll spread it over the months and years.

Use Online Investing Platforms

There are many online investing platforms that you can use to invest in property. These platforms connect investors and sellers via a website or mobile application. You’ll get to learn of the various ongoing real estate projects and how to get financing.

It’s also possible to receive quarterly distributions via an online platform. Nevertheless, you need to know how illiquid and speculative real estate investments work.

Choose Real Estate Investment Trusts

Real estate investment trusts are the best way to benefit from the real estate industry without owning physical property. These trusts work the same way as mutual funds. In essence, you’ll be owning a company that, in turn, owns commercial and residential properties.

You’ll be receiving regular dividends depending on how the buildings are valued.

If you feel like the investment is not bringing enough money, you can always cash out. This type of property investing is better because you don’t have to deal with housing repairs and late tenant payments.

Use the Investing for Beginners Guide to Make Real Estate Investments

Real estate investments must be in your investment portfolios. This is because they provide stable and guaranteed income for an extended period. Nevertheless, you need to read the investing for beginners guide before you get started.

Are you looking for more investing tips? We have articles that provide accurate and relevant information.

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Do You See Change Coming for Your Business?

Business

Whether you’ve been in charge of your business for a long time or only recently, can you see change on the horizon?

Keep in mind that changes to one’s business can come in many different shapes and sizes.

That said what change might be needed to put your business in a better position for the long haul?

Can You Position the Company for Better Success?

In looking at your company, could you do more to position it for success?

As an example, have you given thought to why are companies incorporated in Delaware?

If you’ve not thought about such a thing, now could well be the time to do so.

In the event you’d decide to try and incorporate in the First State, know that there would be advantages to doing so.

Such advantages can include:

· You’d be incorporated in a business-friendly state. It can make a big difference for instance if you need to go to court on a business matter.

· You can see tax benefits for your business. For example, conducting business outside the state will not mean corporate income tax. That is for you from Delaware.

· You get better privacy protections in the state than in other areas of the country. That means not having to divulge officer and director names at times.

With other advantages to boot, you can see why incorporation in Delaware is worth the time to review.

Are You Hiring the Right People?

Another way to go about positioning for better success is to look at the people you have been hiring.

Unless you are the company’s lone employee, you have to hire people. The key of course is putting the right people in the right positions.

Yes, while you may make the occasional bad hire, you do not want that to become the norm. In the event it does become the norm, it can have a negative impact on your business and the customers you serve.

The key is to do deep background checks on any potential hires and go from there.

If you’ve not been putting enough research into prospects you may hire, now is the time to change this. Use online resources to search each candidate’s background to see what it shows and says about them.

Once you hire and have people in position to work, do your best to give them all the tools they will need to be successful.

Don’t Let Brand Promotions Take a Back Seat

Finally, how good of a job have you done when it comes to brand promotion?

Yes, this is another key piece of the puzzle as you look to get more success from your company is getting the word out.

Make sure you do all you can to alert consumers to what it is your company has to offer. Put more emphasis on brand awareness and changing anything not working. In doing so, you could see positive results.

Among the best resources for this would include:

· Website

· Social media pages

· Small biz app

· Online store

If you only have one or a few of those, do your best to get them all in place before too long. Doing so can increase your company’s exposure. When you do this, it can lead to more sales and revenue as time goes by.

In thinking about doing business in Delaware, doing more to hire the best and better brand promotions, positive change can be coming your way.

 

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How to increase the longevity of your career?

Business

If a trader wants a long career in Forex trading, he needs to learn about surviving. As the preliminary stage of a trading career is vulnerable to potential losses, many rookies lose their capital. Some even lose their account due to excessive loss rates. It is caused mainly due to over-excitement for profits. Plus, rookie traders neglect the necessary fundamentals such as risk management and market analysis. 

Well, they might have low analytical skills. Still, they have the edge with money management for their business. The rookie traders do not realize the necessity of safe trading in Forex. As a result, they lose consistently and take their career to a disastrous ending. You can change the probability of losing your career with some simple techniques. However, a trader must change his desires and mindset before saving his career.

If any trader can care for efficiency rather than profit potentials, it will benefit him in the long run. He will have safe risk management as well as a successful execution plan. Ultimately, traders will experience consistent profits from their businesses. So, read today’s discussion on how to prolong your trading career in Forex. Take valuable ideas of safe trading and implement them in your business. Thus, you will have a better chance of surviving in this marketplace.

Following a constant plan

No matter how efficient is your trading plan, you cannot neglect it. You have to be consistent with your techniques all the time. If it is not returning profits too often, stop approaching for trades. Try to improve the strategies and techniques to trade efficiently. If you look for faults in your trading plans, it will help with the improvement. However, a trader must test his strategies before implementing them. A demo account is suitable for testing. Traders can look for inefficient trading approaches. Ultimately, it results in a profitable trading career for the traders.

If you want to establish trading psychology, you need to practice. However, every trader must learn to be consistent with the plans. Traders might experience potential losses sometimes. Still, it should not demotivate them to forget about consistent trading performance. Otherwise, a trader will not prosper in this profession. Even if he improves his strategies, it will take a few months to manage profits consistently. Click here to learn more about the optimized trading plan and this will definitely help you to trade with great ease.

Establishing the policy

Rookie traders cannot find good signals for trading every time. Unfortunately for them, their inefficient trading plan causes frequent losses. They also cannot compensate for their loss too often. As a result, many rookie traders lose dedication. It causes inefficient trade executions, which can cost money from the trading account. A trader cannot survive for long if he has consistent losses in this business. So, improving the efficiency of the trading approach is crucial for traders. There are many trading tutorials available online that suggest the best strategies to control the trading business. You can also learn from the experts about risk management and market analysis.

Ultimately, improving the efficiency of trade execution is possible for every trader. But everyone must try to develop their system on their own. It will be a unique trading process for all. However, it is in every trader’s hand to improve their techniques and skills.

Avoiding faulty trade signals

When a rookie trader losses capital from trades, it is wise to stay away from trading. Since the plans are responsible for potential losses, traders cannot but avoid trading. It will reduce the rate of losing trades frequently. However, the most crucial aspect of avoiding faulty trade signals is consistency. A trader can find fruitful position sizes. But he needs to spend a significant amount of time looking for one. Moreover, traders also need safe risk management to reduce stress on the trading mind.

To secure the investment, every trader must avoid faulty signals. As it saves you from potential losses, you can prolong your trading career. Plus, you can also increase the profit potential of your business.

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Do You Need to Have a Fire System Installed For a Business?

Business

If you are starting your own business then you’ll have probably already discovered that there is a wealth of regulations and rules by which you must stick to in order to operate. When it comes to operating a premises this is even more true, and some of you have been asking us recently what the situation is regarding a fire system. This is what we are going to address today, whether or not you need a fire system, what you have to ensure that fire system consists of, and what the consequences of this will be on the business.

Do You Need a Fire System in Place?

The straight answer here is yes, you absolutely do have to ensure that you have looked into and completed a fire system installation in the premises. The reason for this is that you will simply not be able to open your business for trading if you have not yet received a fire certificate. In order to get this fire certificate you must have a fire safety system in place. Simply put, it is against the law to trade without having your certificate and a fully functioning fire safety system.

Safety of Employees and Staff

Even if you didn’t have to legally ensure that you had a fire safety system in place, this is still something which any business should be looking to do. We have seen time and time again just how important fire extinguishers are, how much help sprinkler systems, fire alarms and blankets can be in preventing injury and death. Sure safety services work with businesses in order to maximize the safety of their staff and any customers which may be in the building. Strictly speaking this is because the law tells them to do it, but beyond that there is basic human decency which dictates that we should make our premises as safe as we possibly can.

Ensuring Total Legal Protection

Whilst it would be completely against the law, some businesses could simply open up and begin trading without gaining a fire certificate first. If this is the case and the business is caught, they would be hit with huge fines and may actually have their trading license taken from them. This however is not the worst case scenario. The worst case scenario is that there is a business in operation which does not have the necessary certificates relating to its fire safety installation. Should a fire break out in one of these places and someone were to be seriously injured or die, then the owner of the business could very quickly find themselves in front of a judge facing some serious charges, which could even include manslaughter. This is a very extreme example of course, but it does go to show just what could potentially happen if businesses fail to meet their legal requirements with regards to fire safety on its premises.

The risks of not having a fire system in place, simply aren’t worth running.

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5 Ways To Stay On Top Of Your Business’ Finances

Business

For many small business owners, keeping track of the financial side of their business can be time-consuming and a distraction from what they really need to do. A healthy business is one that isn’t threatened by unexpected financial events and handles them if they do occur.

Every aspect of the way you run your business matters when it comes down to the bottom line, and financial planning is one of the most important things you need to do on a regular basis.

Below are few ways to stay on top of your business finances.

Focus on expenditures but also ROI

In this financially complex day and age, making sure your business is staying on top of its finances isn’t always easy. But instead of fretting over the intricacies of accounting and financial planning, take a closer look at your expenditures to be sure they’re serving the needs of your business. 

By rolling up your sleeves and doing some research into ways you can cut costs without sacrificing performance, you might discover that your business is ready for an upgrade before it needs drastic accounting measures.

Use your allowable expenses

Make sure you are always claiming any and all allowable business expenses as this is going to help you keep your business finances balanced, as well as lowering the amount of tax you pay.

Allowable expenses are claimable on anything that is deemed to be a legitimate business expense—for example, stationery, travel, building costs, technology etc.

Use the right software and study up

Using the right software and studying up are easy ways to keep ahead of your business finances. You need a good system for organising your business receipts, invoices, tax data, etc. Keeping it organised will save you time and money on accounting fees and errors down the road. 

Make sure you set aside sometime every week to go through your financial documents, file them away in an organised manner, and don’t forget to back up your computer files in case of a computer crash.

Have a good billing strategy

A high-quality approach to billing is critical for success. Whether you are trying to get paid or receive follow-ups, having a solid strategy can make all the difference.

Credit card processing billing lets you bill customers, whether they’re paying online or offline, and also allows you to set up reminders for the customer.

Conclusion

In the end, running a business isn’t about finding the easiest way to make money. Instead, it’s about how much you keep and having control over your finances. And if you return to these tips above, you will be more successful in the long run.

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4 Things to Do Before Starting a Business

Business

If you’ve got a great idea for a new business, you’re probably eager to get the ball rolling and begin trading. However, launching a startup too quickly can be a recipe for disaster. Although registering a business is a fairly easy process, there are a variety of obstacles you need to overcome if you want to increase your chances of success. To learn more, take a look at these four things to do before starting a business:

1. Calculate Your Costs

A detailed business plan is a must-have tool to get your startup underway and this should include an accurate forecast of your costs. As well as including your initial startup costs in your plan, be sure to calculate your running costs too. After all, sales and revenue might be slow to start with and you’ll need to have enough funding to keep your business afloat. 

It’s easy to underestimate your costs when you’re first starting out, so take the time to complete detailed research and ensure you include everything. This will allow you to create a realistic financial forecast and avoid potential cash flow issues in the future. 

2. Get into an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Becoming an entrepreneur doesn’t happen overnight, particularly if this is your first venture into business ownership. To ensure you’re ready for the challenge, focus on getting into an entrepreneurial mindset. One of the best ways to do this is to register for an entrepreneur coaching program. With specialist consulting and coaching, you can transform the way you work and use your newfound insights to maximize your success in business insurance resource. 

3. Find the Right Premises

Depending on the type of business you want to launch, you may need customer-facing premises, like a store or restaurant. However, an increasing number of people are choosing to start businesses that enable them to work from home. If this applies to you, don’t assume you can simply open your laptop and get down to work. If you’re going to run a business from home, you’ll need to set up a productive working environment that allows you to focus and which optimizes your productivity. 

4. Research the Market

Before you can achieve commercial success, you’ll need to get to know your market and your target audience. Conducting in-depth research before launching a startup can help you to get things right from the outset, which will enable you to boost the amount of revenue you generate. Furthermore, you’ll be able to make decisions based on the data you’ve obtained. This will give you an insight into your target audience’s wants and needs, which will enable you to respond accordingly. 

Planning for the Future

By taking the time to plan your startup, you can streamline the launch process and become successful much more quickly. Although it might be tempting to dive straight in and begin trading as soon as possible, being more cautious and doing the requisite prep work can pay dividends in the long-term.

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Hazards in the Workplace to Be Mindful of

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Accidents can happen anywhere and to anyone. This is why employers and employees both need to work together to mitigate the dangers of hazards in the workplace. No employee ever wants to risk injury or disfigurement, and no employer wants an accident on their conscience or the red tape that goes with injuries in the workplace. In order to keep everyone safe, happy, and working optimally, one needs to be able to identify the six types of hazards found in the workplace.

Safety

Number one on this list for good reason, safety hazards are unsafe environments or conditions that may cause illness, injury, or death. They are the most common of all work related injuries. These can be things like water or cables running across the floor that may cause trips or spills, or possibly moving mechanical parts that are unguarded for a worker to accidentally touch. 

Chemical

If a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the workplace, they are subject to chemical hazards and need to take the precautions that go along with handling these potentially volatile substances. Even routine solutions may be found to cause illness in a worker who may be more sensitive to chemicals. Safety measures should be implemented wherever chemicals or chemical fumes have a chance of coming into contact with workers, or even near open flames and welding.

Biological

Commonly referred to as biohazards, these are classified as any biological substance that may harm humans. Common biological hazards include fungi or mold, bacteria and viruses, plants, blood and other body fluids, and animal or bird droppings. Appropriate disposal measures need to be followed by adhering to the disposal procedure for the substance in question. 

Physical

These may be the least obvious hazards to an untrained eye, and they are not always things you can see or touch, like the harsh sun. Physical hazards can be anything in the environment that may cause harm to the body, even without touching it. These hazards may include radiation, exposure to high amounts of sunlight, extreme temperatures, or even excessive noise.

Psychosocial

Psychosocial hazards can be any aspect of work that may have the potential to cause psychological harm, adversely affecting people’s mental health and wellbeing. This may manifest in various ways, including through mental, physical, and emotional issues that have the potential to overwhelm, and may lead to physical harm. Be aware of happenings around your workplace, like bullying, working in isolated conditions, aggression from customers and coworkers, and fatigue. Stepping in at the right time may mean the difference between life and death for a coworker or employee.

Ergonomic

Ergonomic safety hazards happen when a worker’s body positions, working conditions, or the type of work they are doing put a strain on their body. This can be a risk from something as simple and common as poor posture while sitting in an office chair, to lifting a heavy delivery incorrectly and pulling a muscle.

Designating staff or time for yourself to appropriately train so they may identify and mitigate these risks needs to be a priority for anyone who is looking to keep themselves, their staff, and their business safe. Do the responsible thing before it’s too late.

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Security in Your Home Office

Tech

Security is a legitimate concern in today’s world, and being digitally and physically secure in your home office space should be the priority of anybody paying attention. Borrowing some ideas from the security gurus who implement security measures in cloud computing, you can bolster your home network’s strength. You can rest a bit easier knowing that you are matching some of the latest measures deployed to keep the ultra-sensitive and private information they host safe.

Physical Security

Your first step is to ensure that you and your loved ones are safe while being home for most of the day. Do this by securing doors, windows, skylights, and any external entrances to your house with simple locks. Save some time and hassle by hiring a home security provider to lend their expertise, or even do the installation of a home security system for you. 

Secure Your Router – Encryption and Firewalls

Paying a little extra for a router with a decent firewall and beefed-up encryption and security features is a good step. Updating it to the latest firmware available and changing the default access settings is normally a simple matter of following the prompts of a wizard. VPN’s will play a role in securing any sensitive data that you may transmit or receive online by adding layers of encryption to all your traveling data. 

Antivirus

Opting for a competent antivirus is always advisable, as cybersecurity threats are rife these days. Leaking information, or more devastatingly, having your identity stolen, can have far-reaching consequences for you, your business, and your family.  Secure yourself and your data before you have to learn what ransomware is.

Password Protect Yourself

Correct password protocols can go a long way in mitigating a hacker’s ability to breach your security, should they penetrate that far. Ensuring you password protect your accounts, logins, and networking equipment, as well as use complex and frequently changing passwords, will be one of the most cost-effective ways to add essential layers of security.

Backups

Losing any data can be catastrophic, but should you happen to be working from home for an employer and you suffer a hard drive crash, then the consequences would be far-reaching. Protect yourself from this by doing simple backups, either to external physical media, the cloud, or preferably, both. Bear in mind that it is always recommended to have some form of offsite backup, should a large event like a fire or natural disaster occur.

Due Diligence 

Crooks today are clever, and constantly evolving their methods to trick you out of money, information, or both. Some of the effective defenses against this are to employ constant vigilance and skepticism. Educate yourself on popular methods that these con-artists deploy so that you know when someone is trying one of the tricks in their book. Employing functional email filtering tools is an easy step to weed out many of these attempts.

Your security begins with you, and with some careful thought, adequate precautions, and a fair bit of common sense, you can avoid disaster and catastrophe.

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