

| May 21st, 2009 | Securing the Management of Remotely Located Network Devices |
The vast majority of networks have remotely located equipment such as routers, switches and other network devices that are not in the same geographic location or easily accessible by skilled technicians. The network devices can be tens or hundreds of miles away from the network administrator. Network technicians and administrators require regular access to remotely located routers and switches, as well as more immediate access when problems arise in order to troubleshoot, resolve those problems and restore operations. The more quickly a network administrator can access and troubleshoot remotely located devices in the network, the quicker the mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) and the higher the availability of the network. The secure management of remotely located routers, switches and other network devices is essential for reliable, dependable, and high availability networks. Networks need to be resilient in attack, responsive to customer’s needs and affordable to operate. The methods to date for remote management have not had the appropriate level of security required of such a vital function. Engedi Technologies, Inc. provides a solution with the Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa). The Engedi SRMa delivers the cost saving advantages of remote management while eliminating potential security vulnerabilities. Background It is not cost effective or desirable to require physical visits to remotely located routers, switches or other network devices for troubleshooting or maintenance. Costs are prohibitive, both in time and personnel, for a skilled technician to be dispatched to the remote site for administration and maintenance of every remotely located router, switch or other network device. Time and cost constraints necessitate that network devices be managed remotely. A solution for remote management of devices will ideally support multiple communication paths such as an in-band and a back-up out-of-band path. During in-band access the remote administrator communicates with the router or switch using the same network path as the data the router or switch is transporting uses. During the use of the back-up out-of-band path the remote administrator communicates with the router or switch using an alternate communication path from that used to transport the network data. Industry’s efforts to achieve cost effective remote management have most often implemented an in-band data network solution for the management of the remotely located devices. Typically, and unfortunately, many of the methods employed do not protect the management data, or authenticate users effectively to ensure the administrator is who they say they are. The time when these and other insecure network structures and practices were acceptable is long past. Companies must take a hard look now at how best to provide secure, cost effective remote management of their networks. Compromising on security for the convenience of remote access to the network devices is not acceptable. Too many network administrators have compromised network security by employing remote management solutions that are not secure. The industry has struggled to find a workable compromise between the operating requirement for remote management of routers, switches and other network devices and the need to maintain security during access. The National Security Agency (NSA) published guidelines for router security recommending restricting router and switch management access to technicians physically on site, even though that requires the technician to travel to that site. While that is the most secure, it is not necessarily practical in the commercial world. Realizing this, the NSA recommends an alternative level of security using a dedicated network for remote network device administration, limiting access to network administrators. Build-out costs for a dedicated network for management would be too expensive for most companies. Another solution is required. The Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) is that solution. (http://engedi.net/focus.htm) Security Issues The security of remote management implementations must be carefully considered. The security of access to the routers and switches is a particular concern when enabling remote management. In most networks, limiting device management to physical access alone is not practical due to the costs. Enabling a device for remote management to avoid the cost and delay of dispatching a person to the remote site could potentially allow a determined intruder to utilize that remote access means for an attack if the remote management solution is not highly secure. The Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) is “purpose built” to provide the required security for remote management. Physical Security Required For network elements to be secure they must, first of all, be physically secure. Without physical security, it is almost certain an attacker can compromise a router or switch. The facilities that house remotely located network devices must be secure. That is a fundamental requirement for network security. Enabling Out-of-Band Network Management Out-of-band remote management typically has the administrator connecting to a console or management port on the router or switch over a public or shared network. While a dedicated out-of-band network would be the most preferable solution for out-of-band management from a security standpoint, the cost is generally prohibitive. Some form of public shared network such as the PSTN or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) can provide the more cost effective solution for an out-of-band connection. The security of such a remedy, however, is a major concern. The Engedi SRMa is purpose built to address the security concern and provide the cost effective solution. Though the most straightforward means of providing out-of-band connectivity to a remote router or switch is to place a modem on the console port of the device connecting it to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), any perimeter security for the network, such as a firewall or access list, has just been completely bypassed, thus providing a vulnerable pathway for intruders to attack the network. If an attacker knows or can determine the phone number of the modem then the only security is the logon protection on the router. War dialers can generally find the phone numbers of such modems. The modem is not a good solution, but it is one that many network administrators have actually implemented on their networks. Even with the security risks, some network administrators put modems on the console ports of routers and other devices in the network. For them, the operating advantages of having the modem on the network device outweighed the risks. They needed the ability to remotely access and manage the network devices and were willing to compromise on security because there was no better alternative. Other network administrators elected to use modems that require either a user name and password, require unique tokens be generated, or use smart cards for access. Usually only top-of-the-line modems provide this feature, and even those have a limited number of users that can be configured. The administration of the user names and passwords is often such a nightmare that only one user name and password gets configured and every user shares the same password. That creates a real security problem that is all too common in many networks today. That security compromise is no longer necessary when the Engedi SRMa is placed in network. Placing a modem on the console port of a networking device, such as a router, may not always indicate whether the modem and analog line is working correctly prior to a network outage. If the modem does not answer during problem determination, it is not as strong an indicator as one would like that the site has lost power. It could be that some portion of the “out-of-band” connection has malfunctioned or been disconnected without being detected. It is not unheard of for a telephone line attached to the modem on a router to be “borrowed” for some other purpose and never “returned”. If there is a problem with the “out-of-band” path it needs to be discovered and corrected before there is an outage in the data network, not when there is an outage. Monitoring and testing of the out-of-band connection would solve this. The Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) does this. In large enterprise networks the decision might be that the risks are too great to permit installation of a modem, and they are not allowed. They have given up the ability to remotely access and manage network devices, requiring instead the slow and expensive site visit. No better or acceptable alternative has been available, until now: the Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa). Securing all Network Management Protocols Network management protocols must be secure. Most protocols involved with the remote management of routers and switches do not provide for the confidentially or integrity of the information transmitted between the remote administrator and the network device, or for confirmed authentication of the parties involved. This is especially critical if a public shared network, such as the PSTN, is utilized for the out-of-band connectivity. The Solution The Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) is a “purpose built”, embedded appliance providing highly secure, multi-pathed, cost-savings remote management for network devices. The Engedi SRMa protects the management interfaces of the network device. Key features of the SRMa: * Secures the communication paths, both in-band and out-of-band, used for management of the remotely located device, * Implements features to increase the availability of a management path to the devices, * Provides advanced features to accelerate problem determination and remediation of a problem, and * Permits quicker and easier maintenance of remotely located devices by the network administrator. * Secures both the in-band and an out-of-band management communication path, * Supports full multi-pathed access for centralized authentication of administrators, * Accesses all of the network services including the centralized authentication server over the out-of-band (OoB) connection as well as the in-band connection, * Monitors the connections (OoB, Console, in-band) and alerts when they are not available, * Secures all the management protocols (SNMP, TFTP, XML, … ), * Notifies of a power outage, * Prevents privilege hijacking of the remotely located device’s console port. Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) In today’s environment companies worldwide are reexamining and reevaluating all aspects of network security as the costs of security vulnerabilities escalate. High availability of the network is also desired and required. Engedi Technologies’ Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) enables fully capable remote network management delivering secure, high availability networks. The SRMa delivers the needed reliable and affordable solution. The Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) is “purpose built” to do so. The SRMa is physically co-located with the remote network equipment. That location may be many miles from the Network Operations Center where the centralized servers and administrators are located. The SRMa is connected back to the Network Operations Center (NOC) via In-Band and back-up Out-of-Band (OoB) communication paths. Access to the SRMa from the NOC is via a Gateway device. A network administrator, either at the NOC or securely connected to the NOC via a VPN connection, communicates with the remotely located SRMa via the Gateway when using both in-band or the back-up OoB communication paths, never by direct dial-in to the remotely located SRMa. This design permits secure authorization and authentication of administrators at all times. This design enables the SRMa to take full advantage of the suite of NOC servers at all times during both In-Band and OoB communications. That’s a very important security advantage of the SRMa design over other solutions in the market today. The SRMa is designed to be the solution to enhance network infrastructure security, to increase operating convenience, and to reduce network operating costs. When security of the network is a must, and when cost-effective, timely network management is important, the Engedi Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) delivers the solution. ============================ Article Date: April 20, 2004 Article Links: – Secure Remote Management appliance (SRMa) – - Engedi Technologies, Inc © 2005 Engedi Technologies, Inc ( http://engedi.net ) You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the “About the Author” message). Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 20th, 2009 | Does Algebra Apply in Your Life? |
Algebra is an area of maths that is often introduced to pupils in Jr. High. Many individuals find the concept of algebra a difficult one to understand. It is really an advanced form of math that takes the student through a study of structure, relation and quantity. Standard Methods Used in AlgebraIn algebra you will often hear the term like variables. This is often used when adding and subtracting radicals . When adding or subtracting radicals the radicals must be the same order before you add or subtract them. As a method of getting the least common denominator by listing the multiples of each denominator and dividing by 2,3,4, and so on. After that you should look at the smallest number. An example is multiples of 5 are 10, 15, 20, 30. Multiples of 6 are 12, 18, 24, 30, and multiples of 15 are 30, 45, 60. As you can see 30 is the smallest number that appears in the multiples list. Getting out of Hassle with AlgebraSometime you might find difficulties getting along with algebra and can’t seem to find the solution you need. In this case, an algebra problem solver, typically a software, will be an ideal solution for getting assistance. With an algebra problem solver you can simply input the figures related to the question and your problem will be solved right away. Having access to an algebra problem solver can mean the difference in passing or failing. Most students cannot afford a tutor and they might not be available when you need them at times. With an algebra solver you will have access to the answers you need, anytime you need them. Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 14th, 2009 | Top Hints on Getting a Trustworthy Bank that Will Deliver the Business Banking Needs of Your Organisation |
Finding a bank that can supply good business banking is fundamental for the success of any business organisation whether great or little. Why? Because smart business banking allows the money within a company to flow, and will greatly save time and money. Any small business proprietor who is unsure about where to begin with business banking, should read the following points to get an insight into what is required. The first step to take before you can begin open a business account is to find the right bank for your needs. Unless they have the soundest deal, it is usually not wise to use your existing bank for your business needs. This is because it is a sensible idea to keep your business and personal affairs wholly separate, and means that one bank is not in control of all your finances. There is also the fact that new banking customers often get better deals because of the banks being so eager to attract new business. Rivalry is intense and this can work in your favour. Whichever bank you use, it pays to look around to get the best products for your banking. The sort of deal you get and the services offered will in part depend on the size of your business organisation, as well as the results of your credit checks and the evaluation of your business plan. Starting with a simple account is usually the most prudent option, where you can take out money and pay in earnings. Once your business increases then you can add extra features or apply for a business loan as and when you want them Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 14th, 2009 | You Need Specs – Why? |
Here is some information about everyday eye conditions which may cause you to need prescription specs Myopia – Short sightedness, near sightedness Shortsighted people see well up close, but not at a distance. Distant objects are blurred, whilst close objects are in focus. DESCRIPTION The eyeball is longer than usual, making the eye "too powerful." The image is focused at a point in front of the retina. The higher the degree of myopia, the closer the distance at which the Shortsighted can visualise clearly.
SOLUTION Myopia can be corrected with a concave lens which is thinner in the center and thicker at the periphery. This type of lens system pushes the focal point back onto the retina and restores good vision at any distance.
HYPEROPIA – May be known by the terms long sightedness, far sightedness Farsighted people visualise far better at a distance than close up. Even though distant objects appear properly focused, the accommodation required to focus on close objects causes eyestrain. DESCRIPTION The eyeball is shorter than normal which means the eye is not powerful enough. The eye is said to be "too short" and the image is focused behind the retina.
SOLUTION Hyperopia is corrected using a convex lens which is thinner at the border and thick in the centre. This type of lens system brings the focus forward to the retina.
ASTIGMATISM People with astigmatism have poor nearby and distant vision. They do not sense the contrasts between horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines in the same fashion as the rest of us. Astigmatism is always accompanied by another visual impairment, such as Myopia, hyperopia and Presbyopia. DESCRIPTION Astigmatism is normally caused by an irregularly-shaped cornea which is slightly oval, rather than round, and oblong instead of spherical.
SOLUTION Astigmatism can be corrected using a cylindrical lens whose curvature offsets the corneal irregularity.
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| May 14th, 2009 | Online Games of Fortune Keep Gambling Devotees Indoors |
A new generation of gamers will have learned of the term “offshore sports betting” by now, though many of them might not be completely clear on what it stands for A foreign gambling website essentially runs external to the administration of a specific state instead it can also mean a world wide web based gaming web site which situates its main servers within the borders of a land in which live playing of games of fortune isn’t at this time unlawful. Briefly therefore, it’s a sports gambling internet site doing business outside of the power of the nation of the purchaser. Internet based sports betting web pages are currently governed via three assemblies. These are named the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA). The OSGA are an independent authority that presently supervises the overseas gambling trade, they endeavor to also afford sports gamers the ability to easily identify honest internet businesses to play gambling games with. The association endeavors to guard wagering devotee’s rights, also they don’t levy any affiliation dues. The OSGA is a proficient not to mention nonpartisan third party council who pronounce impartial opinions, built on your observations, impartial investigation, discussions, inside information not to mention offers inside bulletins. The IGC is a nonprofit agency. The agency has been founded to supply a platform for interested individuals to discuss current topics also to collective interests in the multinational online gambling business, to ensure sincere and responsible professional instructions and practises which raise customer trust in internet based sports betting merchandise and benefits, and to serve as the gaming industry’s global practise representative and the IGC also provides an info base of operations. The Interactive Gaming Council has built up a reputation for trustworthiness, consistency also credibility because of the scrupulous integrity standards it demonstrates, and also its allure for business organizations of proper practise. The IGC influences offshore sports betting through upholding a particular 10-point running code and in addition bills sports betting web sites a price for featuring the council’s logo. Dispirited clients may, should they desire to, state any of their arguments to the Interactive Gaming Council. The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was formed in a venture to present a benchmark which will raise the procedures of internet gaming web sites. The IGC proposerealize that doing business with respected partners, they are able to shape an affiliation of the fairest and professional cyberspace betting operations all over the planet. To sum up, these are councils who watch the dealings exercised by online sports betting and which should work to ease most of the fears experienced by gamers. Networked sports gaming sites are at present consistently trustworthy, since private data aren’t a necessity and the remuneration and the gambling odds are generally equivalent to common Vegas-type bet. They cut traveling time, but nonetheless preserve the spirit of a Vegas gaming internet site, however nowadays you may game in your house. Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 8th, 2009 | Spouse Objections to Rehab Real Estate Investment |
I’ve run across a lot of folks who tell me they’d love to do what I do, but their wife is just not comfortable with it. That’s a powerful objection, and sometimes it’s one that cannot be overcome. Most times, I think it can be, if you really want to. All too often, I get the impression the potential investor doesn’t want to jump into rehab real estate bad enough to work through the spouses objections. It’s the old “it’s easier NOT to” mentality! The issue is usually not that your spouse doesn’t want the financial rewards that accompany the real estate rehab business. The reasons spouses object is usually good ol’ fear. For example: * fear of the unforeseen * fear of financial loss * fear that you don’t yet know what you’re doing (my favorite!) The latter two are the big leaders. These fears may come from something they’ve heard, or they may be rooted in them not really understanding the transaction or what you’re trying to accomplish. For my wife, her fears were that something would come up that I hadn’t thought of, or that a house may sit empty for several months thus depleting the bank account. How to deal with the fears of your spouse regarding rehab real estate - Sit down and discuss their fears. Find out what they really are. You always want to deal with a known entity. - Be sure your spouse understands the importance of rehab real estate in your long term financial goals, and how it fits into your family’s security. - Always encourage your spouse to ask questions! If your spouse expresses general fear of the whole thing, that may be because of a lack of understanding of the process or they are very intimidated by it. - Encourage questions! - Explain how the transactions will work - Explain how you are minimizing the risk to your family. Yes, the numbers might be big, but if you aren’t putting a lot of your own money in it, then your risk of loss is minimal. - Go over the worst case scenarios. Explain that worst case, the property could be quickly sold for SOME profit. - Reveal to your spouse the folks you have working with you, such as your mortgage broker, your wholesaler (flipper), appraiser, and anyone else you’ve identified up to that point My wife was very distrustful of these folks in the beginning. I had to explain and show her that these folks had EVERYTHING to gain by my first deals going very well, if they wanted to continue making money with me. - If the fear seems to be of the unforeseen Explain that while this seems complicated, you’ve done your homework and you’ve learned about all you can learn without actually doing a deal for experience. (You reach a point where this is true!) - Explain that you won’t own the property a minute without enough insurance to cover anything that could happen. If the fear is financial loss Depending on your personal financial situation, you should focus your spouse on how real estate can and does improve the lives of investors. - If you’ve already identified a property, reveal your worksheet and how much you stand to make off that property. - Agree with your spouse NOT to take on too much risk. Set your boundaries together. I assure you that you’ll easily revisit these the first time you bring home a large check. Fear that you don’t have the knowledge - Be sure you are well studied! Remember, knowledge comes before the money! Spend the money on a good course, or book. Don’t rely on just one. Get several author’s take on the subject. There are inexpensive ways to do this! - Explain that you have studied this thoroughly. Heck, you’ve got a head full of knowledge that needs to be put into action in order to move forward. - Agree with your spouse. That’s why you are tapping into the knowledge of those real estate professionals around you! Explain who’s on your team, and what they have to gain from you. Remind your spouse that you are tapping into the knowledge of those around you, those that know your area very well. When your spouse comes around and is resigned that you are going to do this, they may: - Sign on and dig in beside you for the deal and what follows (throw total support behind you). - Flatly say, they don’t agree, but if you must… - Something in between, like “Honey, you do whatever you think is best.” This last possibility is what I predict will happen to most. This allows your spouse to give you the room you need, but at the same time not completely agree. That’s where my wife went. It was a safe position for her. And, it’s a safe position for you! You’ve got the go-ahead, so go ahead! I was in that position myself. If was a good feeling to watch her fears fall away as I complete my first couple of projects. Her eyes got nice and big when I refinanced my first two properties at the same time and brought home more money in one day than I’d ever held in my hands before. I also watched her understand the benefits more completely while sitting in my CPA’s office and having him say to her “These properties are saving you big time on your taxes.” I dare not say, I told her so, but I told her so Sure, there are challenges, but the paydays are great. So, over time, my bride is my full partner taking on whole aspects of the business freeing me up to do the parts I do best. Spouse objections can be show-stoppers, but these suggestions will hopefully help you deal carefully with them. It’s not enough to merely brush them aside and charge ahead. I recommend a loving, cautious approach because in good time and bad, your spouse is your greatest ally. Keep them close! Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 8th, 2009 | House Prices Fall |
A WHOPPING 78 per cent of Australians believe houses are overvalued and many report their homes have fallen in value, according to a survey of NEWS.com.au readers. So far, 34 per cent of people reported the value of their property had decreased while two in 10 had either bought or sold properties at lower than expected prices. The survey of 1181 NEWS.com.au readers conducted from 31 August to 4 September found there is a much lower intention to buy or invest in residential property than in recent years. The survey of readers was conducted by polling firm Coredata. Given the downturn in the housing market, a large number of people (50 per cent) expected property prices to fall over the next quarter. Only 19 per cent of respondents expected house prices to improve over the next quarter. The majority of respondents said falling house prices did not harm them. “Comments from the majority of respondents show that these decreases are not having any real impact on their financial security,” said Hendrik Vos, partner at Coredata. However, some people have been hurt by falling prices. “I overextended my financial resources to get into the property market and may end up in a ‘negative equity’ situation,” said one respondent. For property buyers, opportunities are increasing. A large number of respondents, or 24 per cent, said they had purchased a home at a lower-than-expected price. Another 23 per cent said they knew of family or friends who had bought a home at a lower-than-expected price. But sellers are hurting – 14 per cent of respondents said they had sold a house for less than they expected. Another 30 per cent said they knew family or friends who got less than they had hoped. Given falling house prices, 45 per cent of respondents were less likely to buy a home or invest in residential property over the next quarter. Only 23 per cent were more likely to buy a home. But owning your own home remains a preoccupation. For those with excess cash to invest, paying off the home loan featured as the first priority for 48.5 per cent of respondents. The next closest category was direct investment in Australian shares at 16.5 per cent. The housing market is slowing in Australia as housing affordability has plummeted in recent years due to the sharp rise in house prices. The central bank in March raised interest rates to their highest level in four years, taking the official cash rate to 5.5 per cent, and standard variable lending rates to 7.3 per cent. The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to keep interest rates on hold this week on evidence that the economy is slowing. However, some analysts are still predicting a rise in rates next year with rising inflation. home loan Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 6th, 2009 | Utah Real Estate – Mother Nature’s Masterpiece |
Mother nature has done some amazing work in Utah. Fortunately, you can live in the middle of the masterpiece with reasonable prices for Utah real estate. Utah Utah is a state of open desert in the south and raging mountains in the north. Plunging gorges and raging rivers are something to be seen in this state of immense beauty. If you enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, rock climbing, skiing, biking, hiking, camping and water skiing, Utah may just be your nirvana. Salt Lake City Host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City is relaxed place to live and centrally located to many of the wild wonders of Utah. As host of the Olympics, a tremendous amount of money and effort was put into the effort and it shows. The city has a very modern atmosphere that surprisingly mixes with a more staid way of life. The nightlife can be surprisingly active. If snow skiing is your passion, Salt Lake City is surrounded by some of the best skiing in the world. Provo Home to Brigham Young University, Provo has a definite college atmosphere but with a twist. The town has a strong Mormon influence and the lifestyle can best be described as very conservative. Although you will not find a very active nightlife, the town sits in a beautiful area and is ideal for raising a family without worry about the typical risks associated with living in many cities. If fly fishing is your passion, the Provo River provides plenty of opportunities to try out your flies. Utah Real Estate In general, Utah real estate is very affordable. A single-family home in Provo averages $235,000, while you’ll need an additional $30,000 for the same home in Salt Lake City. These prices, however, do not apply to any of the ski resort areas such as Park City. You can expect to pay a premium for property in such areas. The appreciate rate for Utah real estate in 2005 was eight percent. Although below the national average of 13 percent, this is still an acceptable rate. Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 4th, 2009 | Was that House a Good Investment? The Answer may not be so obvious |
I get asked all the time about housing as an investment, and as I talk with people it is amazing how differently people look at it. Forget investment property for the moment and consider how we should evaluate the investment performance of our own homes. I am surprised how many people don’t know the difference between “enterprise value”, which is the sales price of a home (debt plus equity), and “equity value”, which is what is left at the end of the day when you sell your home and pay off the mortgage. In determining whether this was a good investment for you, it is only the latter calculation that matters. Most people simply look at how much the value of their home has appreciated since they bought it, and compare it to what they paid. Let’s say someone bought a home for $500,000 a year earlier and their neighbor’s identical home just sold for $550,000. Simple math would suggest a potential 10% return in one year (a $50,000 profit on a $500,000 purchase). This, while straightforward, is not an accurate calculation for several reasons. First, it is critical to factor in transaction costs on the sale of your home and deduct them from the gross sales price to see how much of the sales price you have left. These include what it might cost you to prepare the house for sale (painting, landscaping, staging in some cases, etc.), as well as real estate commissions and other transaction related costs. Let’s say in our hypothetical example our seller would invest $10,000 in sprucing the place up for sale, and the real estate commission plus other closing costs on the hypothetical $550,000 sale might be another $33,000 (say 6% of the sales price). Thus that $550,000 sales price results in only $507,000 after these transaction-related costs, implying a mere 1.4% return ($7,000 profit on a $500,000 purchase price), right? Wrong again. To calculate your investment return you need to compare your profit (or loss) to the equity you have invested, not the entire home price. Let’s say you put 5% down to buy the home, which equated to $25,000. Your $7,000 profit in this case actually represents a very attractive 28% return on your investment in only one year. One way smart homeowners can increase their returns is to appreciate how much the return on their invested equity can be enhanced by saving say 1% in the agent’s listing commission. In the example above, a 5% sales commission vs. 6% would have increased our hypothetical seller’s return on their $25,000 of equity investment from the 28% we just calculated to an astonishing 50% ($12,500 profit on the $25,000 investment). A couple of basic takeaways from this: First, make sure to factor in all costs of a transaction. Second, understand the difference between the aggregate home value and the equity you have invested in the home, which is what impacts your true economic return. Third, appreciate the impact sales-related costs can have on your return. While a $5,000 commission difference seems relatively insignificant in the context of a $550,000 home sale, it is VERY significant in relation to the equity investment in your home, which is the basis of determining your return on your investment. Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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| May 2nd, 2009 | Real Estate Investing — Motivated Buyer? |
What’s the first image that comes to mind when you hear the term — motivated seller? You probably think of someone who is desperate to sell his property, as quickly as possible, for well below the market price – right? Well, sometimes that’s true but often it’s not. There are many reasons, other than desperation, that motivate a person to put their property on the market. Maybe needed repairs are too costly for the property owner or perhaps the owner is relocating to a different area. Maybe the owner, for various reasons, is trying to avoid the pressure of waiting to the last minute to sell his property so time isn’t always a consideration. Whatever the reason a motivated seller puts his property on the market, the opportunity to make a better than average deal is greatly increased and that means more profit for you. It’s important to remember however, no matter how motivated a seller is, nobody wants to give away the farm (so to speak). A house represents a great deal of money and there will be limitations on how far a seller is willing to go to sell his property. Enter the motivated buyer! A motivated buyer is, first and foremost, a salesman and his product is himself. A seller needs to know that he’s dealing with someone who is knowledgeable, that has a creative solution to his Real Estate problem and, more importantly, that he’s dealing with someone that can be trusted (and, of course, you can be trusted). Creating an emotional connection with the seller will get you through the front door far easier than spouting off a flood of meaningless facts and figures. He’s really not interested that you know 50 different ways to buy a house. He’s interested in you as a reliable Real Estate expert and how you can satisfy HIS needs right now. Makes sense, right? A motivated seller doesn’t need to seek out buyers. If a seller is willing to offer his property at a better than market value price, buyers will find him. What he does need to know is that he’s dealing with a Real Estate professional — someone he can trust, someone who understands his position and someone who will make him an attractive and fair offer. Your greatest assets as a motivated buyer are to be able to understand the seller’s needs, have viable and yet profitable solutions to his needs and to have the ability to instill the seller’s trust in you as a Real Estate expert — a win, win situation. Happy investing from http://www.thelearntocenter.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Attention Ezine editors or website owners — Feel free to reprint this article in it’s entirety as long as you do not modify the content and include ‘About The Author’ with links intact and active. Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
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