Natural Ways to Beat Depression...

April showers bring plenty of glowers. But why? Early spring's oscillating temps and lack of sunlight can cause a serious drop in your level of serotonin, a feel-good chemical that's found in the brain. And without enough serotonin, our mood descends into darkness or, at the very least, an unpleasant crabbiness (you know, the bad temper we typically blame on the rain). Fortunately, you can outsmart wicked weather patterns with these mood-boosting tips as you await the arrival of sunnier days.

Light Up Your Life

If a Miami mini-break isn't an option, seek out a light box. A strong one that emits at least 10,000 lux can have the same effect as basking in the early-morning sun--minus the cancer-causing UV rays. Place the light box on a table near you--you need only 30 minutes of exposure to increase your serotonin levels and leave you "more alert and energized, two factors that contribute to a good mood," says Michael Terman, Ph.D., director of the Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms at New York City's Columbia University Medical Center. For more info--such as where to buy a light box--visit cet.org.

Devour Chocolate Daily

It's true: One small square a day can keep the blues away. Chocolate contains a pleasure-promoting, mood-regulating neuro-transmitter called phenyl---e-thylamine, which stimulates a rush of endorphins, the same compounds released during an orgasm. Studies show that cocoa has almost twice the amount of antioxidants as red wine, so it helps lower blood pressure and wards off wrinkles. When snacking, stick to dark chocolate that's at least 70 percent cocoa--; it's healthier than the milk-infused variety.

Find Bliss in the Bedroom

Your body releases oxytocin, the so-called cuddle hormone that lets you feel more emotionally connected to your partner. Just one romp in the sheets will get you to your happy place.

Go Fish

People who eat foods containing omega-3 fatty acids--like salmon and tuna--have a better handle on their emotions and are more likely to be upbeat and agreeable, says Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. The American Heart Association recommends eating two four-ounce portions of fish twice a week. But don't overdo it: Stick to one can of albacore a week to avoid mercury poisoning. Walnuts and flaxseed are also packed with the get-happy proteins, which have been proven to prevent heart disease.

Study Claims Connection Between Women’s Self-Esteem and Facebook Photos

A recent study claims the relationship between the concept of self-esteem and the photo posting habits of women in Facebook, the top social networking site of the present times. The study was published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking journal by the University of Buffalo last Monday.  The main result of the said research indicated that women whose self-esteem depend on their appearance upload more photos of themselves and tend to have more “friends” in their social networking accounts.
The study, led by Dr. Michael A. Stefanone, involved a group of 311 individuals that was comprised of about 154 women. They were asked to respond to a questionnaire that measured how they see themselves and also gauged how they use their Facebook accounts. Self-esteem was measured in terms of public sources like the World Wide Web and private sources like the participants’ families.

The result of the research indicated that the individuals, whose self esteem depends on public contingencies like the Internet, uploaded more pictures. These people see themselves in terms of their physical appearance, other people’s appreciation or good opinion of them or in winning competitions or rivalries. Those who are dependent on appearance in fact showed the highest amounts of photos uploaded online.

The research also claims that people who derive or get their self-esteem from private sources like academic proficiency, morality, and familial love show less internet activity. It was found out that about 12 percent of the friends of Facebook users are not really acquaintances but people they just met online. Women also showed more close friends than men and spend more time editing and keeping their profiles updated.

Can I trust the home values at the County Appraisal District value?

Here is another question I have to address constantly with my friends and clients: The short answer is no, but I will explain why below.

First of all, you should know that these values are there for taxation purposes only, and they are only done once a year.

Second there is a difference between market values and tax appraisal values. In theory, they should be the same but it is absolutely impossible for the county to visit every neighborhood in the county, go inside each home to check its condition, and generate at least "three" comparable solds for each property.

Third, the county bases its appraised values based on budgetary reasons for the year. That means, the county establishes a budget for the year, decides the increase in taxation needed to meet the budget, and then generates the increase in tax rate applicable to all the properties in the area. Then if the increase was too much for a homeowner the burden of proof is in the homeowner to show the county that they made a big mistake.

Fourth, Texas is a nondisclosure state. That means that when you buy your home, you don't need to tell the county how much you paid for your home. Texas is still a free country and they can not force you to reveal that. So when they ask you how much you paid, it is up tp you to disclose that.

Fifth, some uninformed homeowners don't dispute their increase in taxes under the belief that the market value is rising, not realizing the only true thing is that their taxes are increasing. On the other hand, there are some savvy homeowners that make use of very depreciated data and pull the values down based on low sales in the neighborhood.

Sixth, market values, like gasoline prices, are determined by actual supply and demand (higher in the Summer than in the Winter). It is established when a buyer and a seller come to a meeting of the minds, sign a purchase contract, and the transaction actually closes.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Houston Association of REALTORS®

 

RE/MAX is a company built on the promise of exceptional customer service. Whether you are selling your home or searching for that special place to call your own, you deserve to work with someone who has your best interests in mind. I realize that something as valuable as your trust must be earned.

I strive daily to live on the basis of Honesty, Integrity, and Trust.

Whatever your particular real estate need, I'll work hard to make sure that you are completely satisfied. I have the knowledge, experience, and dedication that it takes to get results.

Shay Wesley, RE/MAX CityView

713-965-7161

shaywesley@remax.net

Kansas High School Newspaper Says It's Moral to Execute Gays

Ah, high school journalism programs. They offer a venue for budding young writers to get their feet wet in the world of reporting. They also offer ample opportunities to stick a big, wet, ginormous foot in your mouth.
Case in point, in my junior year of high school, I tried to argue that the Red Hot Chili Peppers were a better band than The Beatles. Perhaps I might have misjudged just how much pop culture influence the Chili Peppers would have on this world. But whatever, I've tried to put that article "Under the Bridge." (Heyoo!)
But it's not like I wrote an article that suggested it would be moral to execute an entire population of students. Yet that's exactly what happened in Wichita East High School in Kansas, where a student got the green light to author an editorial, and have it published in the school's newspaper (The Messenger), that said same-sex relationships were not normal, and then quoted from a Leviticus translation that says men who lie with other men should get the death penalty.

Bathrooms...Go A Long Way!

In your house the bathroom might be the least favorite part. But if you are planning to sell your room, a real estate agent is definitely going to give you an advice that the bathroom should be kept in good condition. Painting in bright colors are included in this. The atmosphere should bring peace to the people living in the property and it should be calm. Bathroom is something that could add to the selling price of the property. The bathroom is usually taken care by the ladies of the home in the olden days. The kitchen is also given the same preference.
If you want to create a certain atmosphere and style, it is important to use the right bathroom accessories.

Perhaps the first thing to do is to decide the color motif of the bathroom. For example, you can choose red bathroom accessories if you want to project passion and love. Most of us emphasis on the wall’s colors and designs Red bath towels are those, which should be include in accessories and furnishing. The more of the light pastel colors are majority decors. If you want to create a light atmosphere especially it is true. The appearance of the small bathroom may look larger when you choose like colors.

The whole setting should also match the bathroom furniture. Information including the bathroom design is all gathered from internet, which has become a great resource. One could utilize this tool to shop for items and they can browse through many retail stores online. It is easier to get ideas on the type of bathroom accessories that you wish to have. The bathroom accessories that can be integrated area are found through this. There are both traditional design and modern themes. Classical themes like Victorian, classic or renaissance design are some sort of themes you may find easily.

One should not neglect the showers and sink while incorporating modern bathroom designs. This is something that can offer rich atmosphere. Simple things like faucets and taps are proven necessary and should not be overlooked. Minimalist design to sleek are those you can choose. These designs are not so overwhelming and are said to be compact. There are some options for us to choose from like Chrome or gold finish. Ceramic handles are some of them. Some modern bathroom accessories that are interesting like bidet are built inside the toilet. Popularity is gained slowly in this. It is necessary to complete the whole bathroom design with the towel bars and cabinets. Overall a bathroom should give peace to its users.  : )

Shay Wesley
RE/MAX CityView
713-965-7161
ShayWesley@Remax.net

Uncle Sam wants you ... to repay the home tax credit

Uncle Sam has a reminder for some people who took advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit three years ago: He wants his money back.

Americans who bought homes in 2008 using the government’s tax credit will be required to start repaying the credit beginning with their 2010 tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

In an odd twist, those who took advantage of a nearly identical tax credit in 2009 or 2010 will not be required to pay it back.

Under the terms of the 2008 tax credit, the credit must be paid back over a 15-year period, beginning with this year’s return.

That means anyone who took the maximum $7,500 credit will have to add $500 to their income tax liability for 15 years. If you sell your house before the 15 years are up, the entire tax credit bill will be due the year the house is sold.

The Internal Revenue Service describes the 2008 program as “like an interest-free loan.”

This may come as a shock to some people, who may have forgotten the terms of the so-called credit, which was really more of a tax deferral. The IRS said it is sending reminders.

“There will definitely be people that are going to be surprised by it,” said Sean M. Dowling, vice president of The Dowling Group in Stamford, Conn., and a certified financial planner.

For others, it paid to be late. If you bought a home in 2009 or 2010 using the same tax credit, you don’t have to pay it back, as long as you stay in your new home for at least three years.

That’s because the government changed the rules regarding the tax credit after the first year, allowing people to take the credit without any requirement that they pay it back.

 

For those later homebuyers, it works more like free money. People who took advantage of the program in 2009 and 2010 were able to take a maximum tax credit of $8,000, and they don’t have to pay it back as long as they are in the house for at least 36 months.

If you bought a home using the tax credit, Dowling said it is definitely worth verifying whether you owe the money, and paying the liability if you do.

If you don’t pay it, the IRS is likely to send you a bill — perhaps with interest due.

History of Valentine's Day....Happy V-Day!

History of Valentines Day – The Man Valentine
Is the history of Valentines Day expressed in the current celebration of yummy chocolates, lovely cards, and sparkling engagement rings? What is the story behind such a highly-retailed celebration?

Some say the day is named after a bishop named Valentine, who was stationed in the Roman Empire. Claudius II was the Emperor at that time. He thought that unmarried men made better soldiers, so he decided to make it a law that young men could not marry. Around 270 A.D., Valentine took pity on the ostracized soldiers who were not permitted to marry or see their sweethearts.

He became an advocate of these young lovers and began to perform secret marriages. He was soon found out and jailed. Emperor Claudius II attempted to convert Valentine to begin worshipping the Roman gods, but Valentine refused. Instead, he tried to convert Claudius to Christianity and Valentine sentenced to be executed on February 24, 270.

Another version of the history of Valentines Day tells that Valentine fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. Just before his death, he sent her a note and signed it “from your Valentine.” An aura of romance surrounded his demise and those who knew about it spread the tale. Bishop Valentine became Saint Valentine with his fame extending to England and France.

After his death, Valentine then became what is known as a “Patron Saint.” Some considered him the spiritual overseer of an annual festival in which young Romans would distribute cards of affection to those they wished to formally see. This festival was held each February 14. There are Valentine cards in museums worldwide that date back to 1415.

February has been the month to celebrate love ever since the Middle Ages.
History of Valentines Day - Symbols of the Day
Even though the history of Valentines Day is unclear, it has become one of the most popular holidays among lovers and florists! The common symbols of Valentine’s Day in this era are cupids, hearts, roses, teddy bears, and words of adoration. Children exchange valentine cards decorated with current comic and cartoon icons. Adults have continued this tradition of card giving which makes this day, behind Christmas, the second largest card-sending holiday of the year.

Cupids with bows and arrows represent Roman mythology. Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love. The shot of the arrow would strike the unsuspecting desired person or god, making him fall in love.
History of Valentines Day – Finding True Love
The history of Valentine’s Day began in the era of courtly traditions. The stories of how women were wooed by grand gestures of gallantry flourish in romance novels of today. We all wish to be desired -- to be loved and accepted.

God has met this need through the most loving act ever done in the history of the world. God loved us so much that He sent His son to earth to live as a man. We are separated from God due to our sin, so God provided a way for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. In a great act of love, Jesus died on the cross as a perfect substitute for each of us. He died, was buried, and rose again. When we acknowledge His gift and accept it, He comes to guide our lives and love us as we’ve never been loved before.

There’s nothing like fresh cut flowers to really brighten up a home.  I have started bringing home a small bouquet of flowers from the Heights Floral Shop on 20th Street for a few months now and it really makes a difference in our sitting room.  I’ve enjoy running over there and getting a new bouquet every two weeks, which is about how long many of them seem to last.  Best of all, the flower and color options are completely limitless.  The one pictured is the second one I brought home with autumn colors and I requested a bit of blue to match some of our sitting room decor.

The first time I went down there I purchased their least expensive arrangement which came in a small glass vase for only $34.95.  The bouquet itself was full of vibrant fall colors like orange, red and yellow with some gorgeous mums.  The flowers lasted about 2 weeks and then I brought the vase back to them and had them just refill it (word to the wise…make sure you have them put the vase in a portable box because if you place it on the floorboard…it’s bound to fall over and spill water all over your car).  I usually leave the flower and color options up to them because I think it makes it more fun and interesting.  A fresh flower bouquet would be a great low cost option for someone trying to sell their home and wanting to brighten it up a bit.

Ever Wonder?... by Shay Wesley

EVER WONDER how I come up with things to blog about, and I find the question strange, because my problem is the opposite. I have too much to blog about. Why? Because there’s a whole fast revolution rolling through, and right now – today – is our time to make it all work for us. If we’re going to show people how to use social media to drive meaningful conversations instead of being yet another marketing tool, we have to run out and educate at a break-neck pace, so we can bring more and more thought leaders into alignment with these big and not-so-big organizations who could use our help.

So, I decided to write you up 100 blog post titles that I want YOU to write. Take one of these and run with it. Make the coolest ideas from whatever these spark in you, and keep coming back to these as often as you want. Bookmark the page. Copy/paste it into a notepad file. Whatever works for you. Or just use them as a way to bounce into better posts of your own devise. Make podcasts. Whatever works for you.


Here’s 100 Blog/Podcast Topics I Hope YOU Write:
1 How I Use Facebook
2 Ways I Embrace My Audience
3 Should My Town Use Social Media?
4 A Community I Love
5 Technology That Empowers Me
6 How Flickr Did it Right
7 How Best to Comment on a Corporate Blog
8 Ways to Save a Bad Time at a Conference
9 How I Find Blogging Ideas
10 Somebody Has to Say It
11 My Children Will Do it Differently
12 How Schools Could Use Social Media
13 The Best Parts of Marketing
14 Presentation Skills for a New Conversation
15 How I Find Time to Make Media
16 Empower Your Best Customers
17 After the Event- Carrying the Conversation Forward
18 Just Jump Into Podcasting- Heres How
19 My Community and How You Can Engage It
20 Twitter Jaiku Pownce Facebook- And Then What
21 Making a Miniseries
22 If I Were an Advertiser Today
23 My Mother is On Facebook
24 Does a Big Brand Need You
25 Books I Want to Write
26 Serving the Deep Niches- How I Do It
27 How Women Use Social Media
28 A Hard Look at My Media Habits
29 If I Were a Television Producer
30 Social Media Marketing vs Traditional Marketing
31 Elements of a Marketing Campaign
32 Social Media Campaigns are NOT Traditional Campaigns
33 Idea Making and How I Make Something
34 What I Spend Money On
35 Do Rock Stars Need Social Media Strategies
36 How I Use My Website
37 Book Shopping- Buy These Books
38 MTV Changed the World in the 80s- Here is What Comes Next
39 How I Process Blogs and What I Do With All That Info
40 Ten Guilty Pleasures
41 The Internet Application I Havent Seen
42 If I Worked for a Venture Capital Firm
43 My Day Job Versus My Passion
44 The Difference Between Fark and Truemors
45 Fixing Conferences
46 Making Marketplaces for Media Makers
47 When I Feel Frustrated
48 Branding Strategies I Use
49 Your Ideas And My Ideas- How We Play Together
50 Friends I Cant Wait to Meet
51 The Art of Chaos
52 Telling My Boss About Social Media
53 Could I Quit My Day Job
54 When to Cut Back on Web Habits
55 Breaking Down My Favorite Blog
56 Explaining Social Media to Your Chamber of Commerce
57 Non-Internet Equivalents to Internet Tools I Use
58 Considering Media for the Rest of the Globe
59 Twitter is Too Simple- Twitter is Just Right
60 The Future of Podcasting
61 Video Made Simple
62 Facebook Applications I Love
63 You Are Here
64 Blogging Tactics- How to Keep it Fresh
65 I Want to Brag A Minute
66 Who Says What About Your Brand
67 Tools for Blogging
68 Wordpress Plugins I Use And Why
69 Media Topics That Need More Coverage
70 Comments versus Blog Posts
71 How I Drive Traffic to My Site
72 News- Is it Useful and How I Might Fix It
73 Which TV Network Gets Videoblogging and PodCasting
74 Franchising My Media
75 Handling Critics
76 My Audio Tricks
77 Ning Sites I Like and Why
78 Controlling My Brand
79 Sharing and Contributing
80 How Twitter Improved My Blog
81 Email After Twitter
82 Facebook Video Improved My Social Network
83 Letting Go
84 Downtime- What I Do Offline to Recharge
85 How I Went From Very Shy to Less Shy
86 The RIGHT Number to Track for Podcasting
87 PodCamp Has to Change
88 Shaking Things Up
89 Joining A Network- Things to Consider
90 Newspapers and How I Would Change Them
91 Interview With a Veteran
92 The Countries of My Social Media World
93 Giving it Away
94 Consulting Strategies for Social Media Experts
95 Turning Media into a Business Card
96 Podcasting on a Budget
97 For Every Excuse a New Strategy
98 Just When I Think I Am Done
99 Buying Gear- My Shopping Tips for Podcasters
100 When is Free Better- When Not

Have a great day and I look forward to seeing what you choose!!  Do me a favor and link my Blog to what you write about...that's all I ask in return!!
Shay Wesley

Reaching Out....

Your Daily Motivation

You don't need an explanation for everything.

Recognize that there are such things as miracles, events for which there are no explanations.  Later, knowledge may explain those events away.

The fact that you plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return are common miracles.

Your duty to yourself is to believe that for which you have sufficient evidence, and to suspend your judgment when you have not.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.  Some things have to be believed to be seen.

Vision is the art of seeing invisible things.

Shay Wesley, Realtor
　
RE/MAX City View
713-965-7161 Office
806-570-4387 Cell (call or Text)
shaywesley@remax.net
www.713CityView.com
Customer Service STILL means something to me!
For all your Real Estate needs, Please call me!

Ever Wondered?..... Buying Foreclosures

There are plenty of advantages in investing in the Houston foreclosures. This city is the largest in Texas, one of the top five states leading in the sale of foreclosure properties. In a poll conducted and analyzed on the basis of job opportunities, living conditions and economy, Houston was declared in the list of “best cities of 2010”.

The city has all the conditions that are required for housing a family. Houston has received awards for high business growth, innovative technical inventions and it is coined one of the best cities for college students to graduate in. The city is also known for trade and commerce and it ranks first in the United States. Thus for all those seeking for a living and a cheap house to support residing in the country, the foreclosed properties in Houston are the best ones you can look up to.

Foreclosure properties can be bought by partnering with your Realtor and bidding at auctions or by signing personal deals with lenders and distressed home owners. There are more than 10,000 properties you can choose from the foreclosure lists.  And the average price of these lie in the most affordable price margin of $100k to $200k.

2011 is a more favorable year for investing in foreclosures. There were too many foreclosure filings a couple of years back in the United States in as much as about 2.2% of the total housing units. But the number of properties that were foreclosed by the bank was very low. And the purchasers for the bank foreclosure homes were very low too. This indicates two trends. Too much of time is being taken for processing the bank foreclosure homes. Another thing is that the home owners are more willing to sell off their properties for high discounts to the potential home buyers than work out loans with their lenders or surrender their properties to the banks.

This facilitates buying foreclosures in two platforms. One is the short sale which the banks are adopting as a strategy to liquidate the clogging properties. Next are the pre foreclosures. By buying foreclosures through the above two grounds, one can sign high bargain deals. Make sure you have discussed exactly what you are looking for with your Realtor so that he/she can keep their eyes out for great deals!

Furthermore, if you have any questions about Houston Foreclosures, call me today and let's discuss them.  I'm never too busy for you.

Shay Wesley, Real Estate Professional/Real Estate Investment Specialist
RE/MAX CityView
713-965-7161
shaywesley@remax.net

Investment New You Can Use

Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code permits real and personal property that is “held for productive use in a trade or business” or “held for investment” to be exchanged for other “like-kind” property while deferring capital gains and recapture taxes that would otherwise result from the sale of a property. In the context of real property, the definition of “like-kind” is so broad that almost any perpetual interest in real property of any type will be treated as like kind to any other perpetual real property interest. Consequently, one is not limited to an exchange of a ranch for another ranch or a farm for another farm. Instead, a farm can be exchanged for a commercial office property, a residential rental property or even raw land. Finally, a sale of a farm or ranch often consists of selling real and personal property. As discussed below, both may qualify for deferral in a 1031 exchange.

REAL PROPERTY

Real property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment can be exchanged for any like-kind real property to be held for either investment or for productive use in a trade or business. When dealing with the sale of a farm or ranch, the most obvious form of qualifying real property is the actual acreage. However, land used as a farm or ranch can present additional 1031 exchange opportunities. For example:

1) In states where water rights are considered to be real property, many farmers and ranchers are exchanging their rural water rights to acquire income producing real estate, thereby increasing cash flow and reaping tax benefits from depreciation deductions.
2) Mineral rights may provide another 1031 exchange planning opportunity.
3) Some rural property owners are conveying conservation easements¬ on their land to acquire more productive property through an exchange.
4) A 1031 exchange has been extremely useful in the granting of an agricultural easement in exchange for fee simple title in different property.
5) Mitigation credits for restoring wetland property may be exchanged for other mitigation credits.

A seller of a farm or ranch may be able to take advantage of two different tax code sections to minimize capital gain tax liabilities on the sale of real property. Under IRC 121, for example, farm and ranch sellers can often qualify for a tax exclusion on the primary residence portion of their property, while most or all of the remainder of the property can qualify for tax deferral under IRC 1031. IRC 121 allows a property owner to exclude capital gain taxes if the home was their primary residence for two (2) of the last five (5) years. Couples filing a joint tax return can exclude up to $500,000 of the capital gain on the sale of their principal residence while single filers can exclude up to $250,000.

PERSONAL PROPERTY AND LIVESTOCK

Section 1031 permits personal property held for investment or used in a business to be exchanged for other similar personal property that is in either the same General Asset Class or the same Product Class. Many farm and ranch sales include significant irrigation equipment, farm machinery and tractors. The IRS has established 13 General Asset Classes along with a more detailed description of Product Classes, which are specified in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

Livestock held for investment may also be exchanged, although livestock held primarily for sale would not qualify. Furthermore, IRC 1031 states that livestock of different sexes are not like-kind property. Most tax advisors believe breeding livestock that are not held primarily for sale can be exchanged. Although a bright line standard regarding exchangeable livestock does not currently exist, some tax advisors are of the opinion that a purebred registered beef cow may be like-kind to a grade beef cow because they differ only in quality or grade. On the other hand, a dairy cow might not be considered like-kind to a beef cow because they represent two different types of livestock.

**As always, review all aspects of any proposed Real Estate exchange with a competent tax and/or legal advisor.

Investment New You Can Use

One of the many challenges of investing in real estate is finding the time to manage and oversee your properties while still holding down a full time job. Of course hiring a property manager is an option, but for many investors with a small number of units it is not always cost effective. Investors with only a few properties can probably keep up with the management duties and maintain a full time job with little trouble, but for those with multiple properties this can be more difficult. In an effort to increase your customer’s satisfaction and reduce the amount of time you have to spend on property management duties you should consider taking rent payments through your website with credit card, debit card, and e-check.
There are several companies that will provide the service for you just make sure you compare the cost based on the amount of business you do in a month. The tenant can either set up their payments for the whole year in advance and the money will be taken on the day they choose or they can go on line and make the payment each month. The rent then automatically goes into your business account and the tenant gets a confirmation email that it has been paid. Your tenants enjoy the convenience this service gives them.
You will love the service because it allows you to track rent payments received each month regardless of where you are physically and also allows you to pull up an electronic copy of when a particular tenant paid rent for the past year. This comes in handy when you are getting ready to renew a lease and can show the tenant how many times they paid late over the past 12 months. It is also an easy way to see who always pays on time, or early, which allows you to send them a little gift to recognize their promptness. In addition it eliminates the over used excuses “the checks in the mail.”
To increase the number of tenants who will use the automated system you can offer a discount off their rent because you don’t have to have someone process their payment. You can also make it mandatory for all new tenants. Obviously, you could make exceptions for those who have no computer access. Accepting electronic payments will defiantly make your business a little easier. As I have heard many times, work smarter not harder. I continue to look at ways to automate my business and increase my cash flow.  No Excuses in 2011!

**As always, review all aspects of any proposed Real Estate exchange with a competent tax and/or legal advisor.