Garlic Lowdown

For centuries, garlic was used as a remedy by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Its active compound, allicin is believed to be responsible for lowering cholesterol. For decades garlic and cholesterol reduction were frequently mentioned together.

Modern medical science suggests that garlic, a proven antioxidant, may help prevent the build-up of bad cholesterol (LDL) by keeping it from oxidizing and clogging the arteries. Numerous studies have put these claims to test, with positive three-month results.

Research does exist showing garlic can lower LDL levels by 10 - 20 % for particular subgroups of the population. However, an unknown factor remains in the garlic variety used, the manner of preparation and the form ingested.

The 2007 clinical trial results showed that both fresh garlic and garlic supplements failed to lower cholesterol levels in patients over a 6-month period. On the upside, garlic has been documented to prevent arterial plaque build-up, lowering the risk of stroke or heart attacks.

It has the potential to reduce gastrointestinal cancers and lower blood pressure. Others claim garlic strengthens the body’s immune system and fights inflammation.

Have a healthy heart.

Spirulina: The Freshwater Super Food

This blue-green micro-algae is so nutritious it has been classified as a whole food!
 
Spirulina comes from lakes and ponds, and its use as a food source has been documented since the 16^th century when Aztecs harvested and dried the algae into square cakes for consumption.

This micro-algae contains up to 77% protein, all the essential amino acids, including Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and B12, and Vitamins C, D and E. It is also a rich source of beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, and iron as well as other minerals.

Animal studies have shown that Spirulina can avert heart damage caused by chemotherapy. It can also reduce the intensity of strokes and improve recovery of movement afterwards.

Spirulina has also been found to treat hay fever and slow down memory decline related to aging.

In 2007, a clinical trial found evidence that daily Spirulina use for 6 weeks reduced total cholesterol, lowered triglycerides, and even brought down blood pressure. Improvement was also seen in children suffering anemia as a result of HIV.

Find healthier ways...

The Noni Juice Wonder

The best healing always comes from nature. This has been proven once again by Noni Juice extracted from the Noni fruit.
 

For centuries, the Noni plant has been used for illnesses like gum and throat infections, gastric pains, constipation, coughs, nausea and colic. It is used as a poultice to draw pus from infected boils, and as a traditional remedy for menstrual cramps, while the roots are used to treat urinary problems.

Noni Juice contains the active ingredient xeronine, a naturally occurring substance in plants and animals that produces energy and helps cells stay healthy. A low level of xeronine in the body will cause illnesses to linger, and injuries to heal slowly.

In the University of Metz in France, researchers found that Noni Juice was 75% as effective as morphine sulfate in relieving pain. Its extracts activate serotonin, a vital neurotransmitter in the brain that controls temperature, hunger, sleep and sexual response. A deficiency of this neuroendocrine compound is responsible for obesity, migraines, Alzheimer's disease and depression.

I will be sending you new information each week. Meanwhile, visit this site to add more vitality to you life...

Starvation Fruit? Not.

Do you know that the Noni fruit is known as “starvation fruit”? Its fruit has been a lifesaver for early Polynesians during times of famine. Even its roasted seeds are edible.
 

Despite this moniker, it is highly medicinal and Pacific island natives have used it for centuries to treat various types of ailments. Now that the Noni is in juice form, millions of people are benefiting from it.

In 2002, the European Committee on Health and Consumer Protection published its findings, stating that fruit extracts yielded high levels of Vitamin C, potassium, 10 essential vitamins, 7 essential dietary minerals, 18 amino acids, and various phytochemicals.

Hawaiian researchers injected Noni Juice into the abdomens of mice with cancerous tumors, and these treated mice survived longer than the untreated rodents. At present, there are 105 medical publications on Noni, and research still continues in laboratories through in vitro and animal experiments.

If the Noni saved the lives of ancient starving Polynesians, they must have been the healthiest famine sufferers on record.

The next installment will discuss how Noni Juice can help you, just as this site will.

Give a boost to your health...

Enter the Noni

In Hawaii's Koliouou Valley, there is a shrub that produces a pungent yellow fruit all year round. This fruit has become a staple for the people of the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and the French Polynesia.

The Noni fruit, or Morinda citrifolia, has also been used as folk medicine for centuries. It contains great amounts of Vitamin C, as well as Vitamin B3, potassium, calcium, iron, Vitamin A and sodium.

The fruit itself, including its leaves, flowers, bark and roots are used as traditional treatments for fever, constipation, respiratory problems, as well as for eye and skin diseases. In Indochina, it is popular for asthma, dysentery and lumbago. Finally, in 1995 this exceptional fruit was processed into a health drink – Noni Juice.

Medical research on the Noni have been published since the 1950's, and the sum of these research resulted in the creation of Noni Juice. At present, the world market for this health drink has reached a total of $2 billion each year.

Watch for the next two installments of the wonders of Noni Juice. In the meantime, take a look at this resource to bring you better health.

Using Software Tools to Manage Your Rental

Imagine all the paperwork you’ll need to keep your rental property running smoothly.

It is essential to have the right tools to make everything easier to organize. There are a lot of software management systems available today to help you manage your rental business.

You will need a software system to keep accurate tenant, expense and tax records, accounting, profit generation reporting, and a simpler way for both you and your tenants when it comes to the rent.

Some landlords have instituted online payments for tenants to submit the rent through credit card or electronic check via the landlord’s website. In this way delinquency is reduced and the landlord saves time, money and gas in having to collect the rent in person.

Rental applications can also be submitted online, as well as tenant maintenance requests for swift, economical and efficient operation. There are also software applications for accounting, billing, leasing, and document management.

Landlords will be especially interested in tenant-related software like rent tracking, late fee calculators, late payment notifications, tenant databases and tenant tracking.

For a better idea of which system to choose, read a review at this site.

Third Party Home Inspection: Examining Your Potential Investment

Before investing in rental property, it is a sound idea to get a home inspector to scrutinize the property you have your eye on.

This third party entity will visually examine the mechanical, electrical and plumbing system of the property based on current construction and building codes, and provide you with a report on its condition.

Choose a qualified and professionally affiliated home inspector who will give you a detailed report on the important basics of the building’s structure and foundation; any potential defects like burnt wiring or cracked roof tiles; items that need maintenance like dirty air filters and leaky toilets, and safety hazards like broken outlets or broken smoke detectors.

Your home inspector should explain everything to you in detail, answer all your questions about the property’s condition, and make recommendations on maintenance, repair and other issues. Sometimes, a home inspector may refer you to a specialist, like a plumber or electrician for further examination.

Home inspection will give you peace of mind that the property you plan to invest in is worth the money you’re prepared to pay.

Learn how to chose a good home inspector here.

Dealing With City Hall: Avoiding The Red Tape

Don’t let horror stories of red tape and difficult government employees stop you from getting the license to run your rental.

Find out about the permits your city or state requires: construction, renovation, plumbing, heating, electrical, signs or parking.

District zoning ordinances may entail permits for fences and retaining walls. Your city’s website will have the various height and corner lot restrictions.

Know the expiration dates for approved permits, the different certificates you may need, and taxes you have to pay. Be aware of your city or state’s code of ordinances, and the penalties for violating them.

You may need a separate permit for each rental unit. If you have several within one building, only one permit may be needed. This is valid for 12 months, renewable on the same date the following year.

Prepare for a visit from city inspectors to check if your units are compliant with construction or housing codes on sanitation and safety.

Always remember to fill out the necessary forms and read instructions and requirements carefully. Enclose your payment with the forms, and remit these to the offices concerned. An example of required permits can be found here.

Your Lawyer and You: Working With Your Attorney

Maintain a good working relationship with your attorney, while keeping these in mind: Is your lawyer easy to reach? If it takes forever for your lawyer to return your calls, find someone else.

Does your lawyer respect your opinions and give you the information you need? Your lawyer should be willing to talk with you about every little detail, including your rights and options.

Check all paperwork completed, and if they’ve filed the necessary legal documents. Remember to get copies of everything. Having duplicates may be useful in case you need to find a new attorney.

Your lawyer should keep you up-to-date on how long each contract or case will take. Make sure your lawyer keeps to the timeline you’ve agreed upon.

Lawyers cost a lot of money, so always scrutinize the bill. Ask for an itemized statement so you’ll know what you’re paying for.

Your lawyer can take care of all legal paperwork, customize your contracts, and maintain your legal records. Above all, a competent attorney will keep you out of trouble with sound legal advice, and taking action on your behalf when needed.

Why not listen to this advice from a seasoned real estate lawyer?

Commercial Leases

Do you have a commercial space for rent? You’ll need to know how a commercial lease differs from a residential rental.

For one, there is no ceiling on the security deposit. You may set an amount according to your profitability estimates. Also, there are no regulations protecting a tenant’s right to privacy, consequently, it is easier to evict a commercial tenant than it is for a residential one.

A commercial lease is generally for the long-term. However, since a lot of money is at stake, expect a lengthy negotiation between you and a prospective business tenant. Some businesses have particular requirements and may want to negotiate in terms of area dimensions, modifications, improvements, maintenance and repairs, subleasing and utilities.

There are no standard forms of agreement, as each lease may be customized according to your requirements. 

Here is a sample commercial lease agreement to help you get started. 

Dealing With Subcontractors

One of the advantages in getting a sub-contractor to work on your project is the overall reduction in costs.
 

Before hiring one, make sure to do your basic research. Don't forget to look at references, qualifications, skills, quality standards and accreditation. One tip: ask if a sub-contractor is licensed. If they are not licensed, you will most likely get a better price. The reputation of a good sub-contractor travels by word of mouth, so do ask around.

Have a set of questions on hand, depending on your requirements (fees, hours and availability, equipment), plus other important matters based on your particular situation (is the sub-contractor willing to work evenings and weekends? Does the sub-contractor have medical insurance?).

Before interviewing prospective sub-contractors, make sure you have all the plans of your project outlined from start to finish. Having a detailed budget is crucial, as well. It will give the sub-contractor an overall view of the scope and limitations of the project, and most importantly, you wouldn't want to run out of funds in the middle of the work, would you?

One vital thing to remember when dealing with sub-contractors is the sub-contractor agreement. It doesn't have to be a huge deal involving an attorney and detailed legalese. The sub-contractor's agreement simply outlines the expectations between you and the sub-contractor, the objectives, the scope of the project, and the method of payment.

Putting together a simple sub-contractor's agreement protects both you and the sub-contractor, and saves you the trouble of having to deal with business relationships ruined by verbal agreements gone sour.

Ideally, it would be wise to manage and supervise the sub-contractor's work, check the evidence of work done and make sure that contractual obligations are met. However, if you cannot be on-site the whole time, make sure that part of the sub-contractor's agreement states that the job site be kept clean and safe from hazards the whole time. This is to protect yourself if you are using unlicensed sub-contractors, as you are assuming liability for them while they are working on your project.

If you plan on using sub-contractors on a regular basis, consider setting up a database of contractors and sub-contractors that you know and trust.

Do You Have People Skills?

Do you have people skills?

One way to determine if you're able to completely manage your property yourself is to analyze your own personality and experience.

To manage your rental property, you will need marketing and accounting skills, a professional attitude, time management, and most importantly, people skills. Are you a people person? Do you enjoy working with people and embracing new ideas to solve problems? Are you patient and tolerant, as well as responsible and confident?

A successful landlord is one who can be fair, firm and friendly. Managing your own property is a labor of love and having maintenance and repair skills will benefit landlords who enjoy working with their hands.

Having a natural affinity for people will eventually carry over into an exceptional sales ability, enabling you to be a better negotiator and deal-maker. Most importantly, keeping a positive and accommodating attitude will help you learn and develop your property management skills effectively.

Read this article for more tips to develop your people skills.

Generating Interest in Your Rental

Owning a rental is a challenging business. You need every advantage you can get to promote your property. 

First off, make sure you've completed the necessary repairs and renovations to make your property as attractive as possible. First impressions go a long way in improving your chances of a “full house”.

Place a “For Rent” sign to attract drive-by applicants. You can also run an ad in your local newspaper. 

Take advantage of free advertising through community bulletin boards. Post colorful flyers in local shops, businesses, churches and community centers.

Never underestimate word-of-mouth advertising. Inform family, friends and business associates. It's always a good idea to consider holding an open house to showcase your property to prospective tenants.

Adding popular amenities can also draw attention to your property, like high-speed Internet access, discount tickets to local events, or a complimentary welcome basket. Imagination is the key!

Expose your rental property to the widest range of searchers, and ensure it is professionally marketed by listing it on rental vacancy sites online.

Try this on for size:

Property Maintenance

If you are a landlord, you'll discover that there is always work to be done.

It is important to know your property well. Have a budget for maintenance, and fix problems promptly to avoid major expensive repairs in the future. You would also want insure your property against damage that may occur, either through accident or otherwise.

Install fire prevention equipment like fire alarms and extinguishers. Ensure electrical safety by hiring a qualified electrician to inspect and maintain your electrical system. And don't forget those termite inspections!

Keeping your facilities well-maintained and orderly will make a better impression on prospective tenants and reduce the risks of falls or fires. Check all heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems regularly, as well.

If you have continual repair problems, consider hiring a full- or part-time maintenance worker. Your best bet is to hire one based on experience, skill level, response time, good references and reasonable rates. You can compile a logbook of all maintenance work done on your property for your records.

Encourage tenants to immediately report any defects, safety or security problems. Give your tenants at least 24 hours' written notice of an inspection or repair.

This article contains some useful tips that can help you maintain your property.

Property Analysis

Subject: Property Analysis

Are all the rules and regulations driving you crazy? Rest easy. Entering into the rental property business isn't all that complicated.

The first thing to do is to analyze the property to find out whether you'd be making a sound investment. You can estimate your possible cash flow based on the rental properties in your area.

Calculate taxable income and loss. This is rent received minus operating expenses, depreciation and mortgage interest expense. Remember to take into account expenses like insurance payments, repairs and maintenance, management fees, and even condo fees, when applicable.

Also, check the vacancy rate in your area. Unless you can assure yourself of a fully rented-out property, set aside at least 5% of your monthly rentals in the bank. This is your failsafe in case you can't fill a vacancy.

It's advisable to consult with a tax advisor to help you avoid investments with a negative cash flow, as you'll have to put in even more to cover operating expenses and debt payments.

For more insight into property analysis, see http://ezinearticles.com/?Real-Estate-Investing-Mistakes---5-Expenses-to-Include-in-Your-Property-Analysis&id=621533

Showing Your Property

A good first impression goes a long way when showing a well-maintained and inviting property.

Before opening to the public, make sure all garbage has been disposed of. Clean unsightly carpets, repaint walls a nice neutral color, replace broken tiles and torn linoleum, repair leaky faucets and change burnt-out light bulbs. Have everything in perfect working order.

One idea is to have a “showcase suite” to show prospective clients. You may keep it empty to act as a blank canvass for your prospect's imagination, or fill it with strategically placed furniture, to give an idea of how the rest of your units can look.

Check the temperature to ensure your property is neither too hot nor freezing. Turn on the lights to brighten the dwelling. If your rental has interesting features, like a roof garden or a pool, tour your prospects around so they may envision living there.

Know everything about your property so you can answer all questions thrown at you. And always be prepared with rental forms in case you get a rent-on-the-spot candidate.

Finally, keep a sense of humor and your fingers crossed. Luck!

Tax Records

Subject: Tax Records

Dealing with taxes is a nightmare if you don’t keep accurate records.

Have separate files for your rental property tax documents and your personal tax papers to avoid mix-ups in your financial records.

Keep detailed accounts of rents, expenses and capital costs, supported by receipts, invoices and bank statements. Maintaining meticulous files makes it easier to work out your taxable profit.

It’s vital to note down improvements and repairs, as well as mortgage payments, which are tax deductible. Save your tax returns along with your W-2 forms, which show how much money you’ve earned and the amount of tax you’ve paid. 1099 forms are also significant, as they document any income you’ve derived from interest and investments.

It’s a subject of debate how long you’re supposed to keep your tax records. Some peg it at six years, others at seven, and some even advise keeping them indefinitely. To play it safe, store your tax records for an even 10 years.

Keeping good tax records on hand will prove to be an asset to your finances in the long run. For more information, visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=172250,00.html

Eviction

Subject: Eviction

<first name>, nonpayment of rent, violation of the lease terms, or posing health and safety problems are reasons for eviction.

Consult your local or state laws on eviction. If you own several units, align yourself with a lawyer who can provide advice on eviction concerns and handle legal actions for a flat rate. Hiring a lawyer on a per case basis is more expensive.

When the rent is overdue and formal notice to the tenant has been served, the landlord can initiate eviction procedures after a legally recognized period of time. Don’t risk fashioning your own nonpayment notices to avoid them being declared legally deficient.

There are pre-printed forms for this purpose. Don’t accept partial payment of the rent or your action for nonpayment may be dismissed.

Tenants violating the terms of a lease should be given written warning and sufficient time to remedy the situation. The same applies for tenants whose activities create health or safety issues for you, your property or other tenants. If the tenant refuses to take corrective measures in the timeframe provided, you can proceed with the eviction process.

For a step-by-step look at eviction, read this http://www.ehow.com/how_6559_evict-tenant.html.

Negotiating Terms

Subject: Negotiating Terms

Do you know that the terms of a lease are often negotiable? These include length of term, space, option to renew, rent amount, security deposits, repair and maintenance expenses, and lease termination options, to name a few.

Tenants may try to add an “early-release clause” allowing for premature departure before a lease ends. Counter this by stipulating a forfeiture of the security deposit to offset income lost during the ensuing vacancy. The law is on your side should your tenant break the terms of a legally binding contract. As landlord, you are entitled to one or two months of additional rent until you find a new tenant.

You’d want to obtain the best leverage and look out for your interests. However, understanding and being considerate of your tenant’s intentions in negotiating the terms of the lease will go a long way towards gaining respect and influence. Remember, you’d want to book a tenant for a specified length of time, and the longer a tenant stays spells a steady income stream for you.

You’ve made successful deal once you both reach a win-win situation. Let your prospects know you mean well, send them this e-card: http://cards.artie.com/cards/arg-contract-man-outdoor-bg-207x165-url.html.

Rent Collection

Subject: Rent Collection

The primary reason for leasing your property is to make a profit by collecting all the rent that is due.

Avoid making this a hassle by establishing a clear-cut collection policy and enforcing it. Keep accurate and up-to-date tenant information – contact details, employment records, banking and credit information – for easier payment collection.

Clearly explain your rent collection policy. Be consistent and act immediately on late payments by sending reminders of the amount due and any penalties incurred. Strictly implement late fees to show you mean business.

Always collect the rent in full per unit, especially from multiple occupants sharing a single lease, and file photocopies of checks paid for future reference. Avoid accepting cash. It leaves no paper-trail and may be misplaced or stolen.

Be online savvy: collect your rent through an electronic service that automatically withdraws the amount from your tenants’ bank accounts directly into yours. It’s less expensive than accepting credit cards and saves you time and gas in collecting the rent yourself.

Establish a practical and systematic rent collection procedure to prevent resorting to legal means against tenants later. But what do you do when a tenant doesn’t pay? Read http://www.thelpa.com/lpa/what/whattodo1.html.