anne arundel county jobs Get Focused For Successful Flipping

There are essentially two types of real estate investors, those who buy homes with the intention of re-selling them for a profit within a relatively short time-frame, and those who want to rent out the home, ideally collecting a monthly profit and then eventually selling for a profit much further down the road.

Buying a home to resell it quickly is often referred to as flipping. There are a small handful of vocal millionaires out there that got rich doing this, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Flipping inevitably requires doing some improvements to a home, which means an investment of more time and money, on top of the purchase price. So in order to do this, an investor needs enough capital to purchase the real estate, pay the mortgage while they are making the improvements, pay for the materials and labor to do the improvements, and also have enough time to either manage or carry out the improvements. This alone is no small task. Then comes the challenge of choosing the right time to sell so that a worth while profit can be made. I think it can confidently be stated that, with the exception of the very rare circumstance, flipping a home is not the path to easy money. However, if one has the necessary capital at their disposal-including time and energy-it can be a financially rewarding job. The key to successful flipping is to concentrate your energy to the most worth while improvements.

Painting the exterior is often cited as the number one improvement that increases the value of a property. This is because it works on the first impression of a buyer. If the first impression is a cute and fresh home, the buyer instantly has an open mind, and wants to see more.

Other key areas for buyers are kitchens and bathrooms, so improving these can usually gain financial rewards. Important improvements include replacing old and worn-out fixtures with more attractive and efficient ones and adding more attractive flooring. Adding another bathroom goes a long way towards increasing the value of a home.

Flooring is also important. Many older homes have beautiful wood floors in them that, over the years, have been covered with caret, linoleum or laminate flooring. While covering wood with these other flooring options obviously seemed like a good idea at the time, now, far more people want the original wood. So ripping up old flooring, scraping off any adhesive and then sanding and sealing an original wood floor can add tremendous appeal for buyers. If they want carpets, they'll buy area rugs.

This current appreciation for original and "character" features, brings up another important point. Resist the temptation to succumb to the latest siding trend. A home in a neighborhood I often drive through recently sold, and the new owners are ripping off the vinyl siding that was just put on about ten years ago. They are exposing the original wood shingle siding, and choosing to repair the damaged ones and then paint them. The house looks quite cute, and given that it is in a neighborhood of restored character homes, I think restoring the original siding is a smart move on the part of a new owner. So save the waste, and avoid vinyl siding unless the original finish is truly, irreparably destroyed.

Finally, worthy improvements include structural repairs. A new roof, for example, always ads value to a home. If there is mold or pest-related damage within the walls, take the damaged materials out and replace them. If you don't, a buyer will miss appreciating all the superficial improvements you've done, and see a structural nightmare they will need to fix. Getting rid of things like mold and termite damage, and taking steps to prevent these from recurring, will justify you charging top dollar for your investment property.

Whether or not you do all of the above improvements depends on a number of things, including the individual home's needs, your resources, and your time-frame. For each house, pick the top few things that are most needed and go from there.

Branden Schroeder is Maryland's first "EcoBroker" designated real estate agent. To search real estate in Severna Park or for more information on Maryland properties and Anne Arundel County real estate, visit Branden online at MarylandHomesAndProperty.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Branden_Schroeder
http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-Focused-For-Successful-Flipping&id=1104596

Selecting the Right Roofing Contractor Company for Replacing Your Roof

The shingles in your roof need replacing and you are minded to find a roofing contractor to replace the them. Perhaps you have already called a few and are evaluating which contractor to use for your upcoming roof repair. How do you select the best contractor for working on your roof? Here are several things you should consider when looking for a legitimate roofing contractor.

• Where is the roofing contractor located? It is important to hire a roofing contractor that is local. Chances are you will receive a higher level of service if the roofing company is located near your home or has an office near your residence.
• References. To determine the reliability of the contractor, references should be provided of their past clients who are willing to vouch that excellent service was received. This should not be the only factor in deciding upon your future roofing contractor as some may claim they value the privacy of their clients and do not wish to bother them. If this is the case, ask for business related references. The places that provide the contractor with supplies can reveal the quantity of materials and regularity of supplying the contractor to help determine their stability.
• How does the roofing contractor company handle complaints? There are a multitude of issues that can arise during the progress of a roofing replacement. Ask what their process is for handling complaints if they arise. It is also an excellent idea to receive a past client reference who had a complaint that was resolved to the satisfaction of the client.
• Terms of payment. What are the terms of payment for the job? What is the down payment and amount due upon completion? While it is certainly reasonable that a substantial payment be made before a contractor begins work on a project, it is highly recommended that full payment is not made until after the entire job is completed.
• Written contract. All terms of the roofing replacement should be put in a written contract. No part of the contracting job should rely on verbal assurances.
• Bonding. There are things that can go wrong with roofing installations that end up costing quite a bit of money to fix. If this happens on your roofing replacement, you will feel a whole lot better knowing that your roofing contractor is bonded. This will provide the funds to fix whatever mistakes were made. Find a roofing contractor that is bonded.
• Manufacturer Warranty. Quality materials for roofing typically come with a warranty. It is important to verify that there is actually a warranty on the materials being installed. Request a copy of the warranty.
• Length of Time in Business How long has the company you are interviewing been in business? A short amount of time in business may reflect instability. If the contractor has been in business less than three years, verify how long they have actually been in the industry. A new contractor may have many years experience working on roofs before they form their own business. Seek a business that has been around for three or more years, or where the contractor has had many more years performing roofing replacements. This again should not be the only factor, everyone has to start sometime. Balance this with referrals and the other points raised in this article.
• Appropriate Permits. A roofing contractor should know what permits are required for repairing your roof. They should be aware of how to obtain these permits on your behalf. Ask the contractor whether they will obtain the permits necessary to repair the roof.
• Liability. If a worker becomes injured, who is responsible for the worker's compensation? If the contractor's equipment damages your home, who is liable for the repairs? A good contractor will provide certificates of insurance for liability and worker's compensation before they begin repairing your roof.
• Subcontractors. Verify whether the contractor will be using subcontractors. If so, it is highly recommended that everything contained within this article for verifying whether the contractor is credible should also be applied to subcontractors. You should receive the names and license numbers of all subcontractors. You should verify whether each subcontractor is also insured so you are not held liable for their accidents.
• Pending Legal Actions. It is important to verify whether there are any legal actions against the contractor. This is not only necessary for verifying whether the roofing company is legitimate (credible roofing companies should not need to defend themselves in court), it is also important because a lost lawsuit could cause the contractor to go bankrupt. If you have made a substantial down payment for services immediately before the company goes bankrupt, you could lose many thousands of dollars and never have your roofing completed.
• Material Disposal. Who is responsible for disposing of the waste generated from the roof being replaced? Will your contractor handle all aspects of this? Is there an additional cost for disposing of this waste?
• NRCA Membership. Membership in local or national roofing associations, such as the NRCA, shows commitment to staying up to date with the very best methods for roof replacement and maintenance. Find a roofing contractor with a high standard of education regarding their trade.

Replacing your roof is a significant investment. It makes good sense to ask serious questions before working with a roofing contractor. Here are a few more tips that you should consider when selecting the best roofing contractor for your upcoming roofing replacement.

• Payment. Do not make a full payment for services unless all work is finished.
• Inspection. Do not make a full payment without doing a final inspection of all services rendered.
• Workers liens. Do not fully pay for the roofing replacement job until worker's lien releases have been obtained.
• Oral Agreements. No agreement should be made verbally without backing it up in writing. All points that are important to you should be made in writing.

If you need roof replacement in Maryland, consider Bowie Siding and Roofing, Inc. We currently serve Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Calvert and Carroll counties, and have been in business over 40 years. View our website Maryland Roofing Contractor for one of the best roofing companies available in Maryland for your next roofing repair or replacement. We also do Maryland house siding and Maryland window replacement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Hemminger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Selecting-the-Right-Roofing-Contractor-Company-for-Replacing-Your-Roof&id=4935582

Mommy Guilt

When you are a mother, guilt is a state of being. I personally am plagued with guilt every time I stop and think about my effectiveness as a mother. There are a thousand things I would do differently if I were to live the years of raising my children over again. I would pray for them more often. Spend more one-on-one time with each of my precious children. Make them do more chores. The list goes on forever.

One day my daughter's fourth grade teacher came into the teacher's lounge at lunchtime. She sat down next to me and said, "I want to share with you what Melanie gave as a prayer request this morning." This couldn't be good. I braced myself for what would surely be humiliating words to hear. Doris continued, "She said: 'Would you please pray that my Mom would cook us a homemade meal? It's been so long.'"

The entire table of faculty members erupted into laughter. As we were mostly comprised of working mothers, everyone understood from personal experience the impossibility of being June Cleaver and a teacher all at once. That particular week, Steve had been gone on a business trip. Therefore, most nights we had stopped at McDonald's on the way home so that I didn't have to face cooking and homework time while solo parenting. I sat up straighter in my chair. "OK," I promised. "Tonight I am going to make a meatloaf, potatoes, and a green bean casserole. Comfort food. My days of being a bad mother are over. At least for this week."

That afternoon, we had a faculty meeting after school. As we were trying to choose a reading curriculum, it was long and involved. We didn't leave the meeting until after 5 PM. I gathered up my papers from my desk and wearily headed down the hall toward the parking lot. On the way out, I stuck my head in Doris' room. "Keep on praying," I told her. "We are going to Wendy's."

Yes, guilt is a burden when you are a mom. It can also be a burden even if you are not blessed with children. Most women I know exist in a state of guilty feelings. We never can do enough or do it well enough.

What does the Bible have to say about guilt? You might be surprised.

Guilt is never referred to as a feeling. In Scripture, guilt is a condition. It is the condition into which we are born. We inherited it from our ancestor, Adam. Romans 5:18 tells us "through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men." Thanks, Adam. One bite of the forbidden fruit and we were all history.

Of course, thankfully there is a second part to that verse: "Even so, through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men." Thanks to the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf, we were given justification from our guilty state. Justification is a legal term, meaning declared innocent. When Jesus suffered and died on the cross, the Heavenly Judge banged the gavel, and those who believed were set free. One man's act condemned us. The other One's act paid our debt in full.

So technically, we are not guilty any more, at least in God's sight. Yet we do like to continue carrying the often crushing weight of guilt around on our shoulders.

One of the many benefits to our salvation is the fact the Holy Spirit resides within us as a guarantee of our salvation. He does more than inhabit us. He guides us and teaches us. This includes letting us know when we are in the wrong. Conviction for our sin is a healthy thing. It prompts us to repentance and to make peace with those we have wronged. But once we have confessed the sin, and, if necessary, have gone to those we have offended, it is over. Water under the bridge. Time to move on. Yet we hold tight to the guilt, refusing to forgive ourselves.

Satan loves this. The Bible calls him "The Accuser." He wants to incapacitate us in any way possible. And with many of us, guilt is an extremely effective tool. It makes us focus on ourselves and our frailties, instead of on Christ and His provision for our sin. Guilt can be a paralyzing emotion. We are loathe to make the same mistake, so in our shame, we stop trying.

Once we have confessed the sin, we must place the guilt in God's capable hands and walk away. Jesus' shoulders are big enough to bear our guilt. And His sacrifice was big enough to pay the price for that sin.

Be wise enough to see the difference between conviction and guilt. Let the forgiveness that has been so freely given us wash over you. Bask in the grace of God. Because you are free. Even if you eat at Wendy's.

Julie Coleman is one of today's most energetic and talented communicators. With contagious enthusiasm, she brings hope and encouragement to her audience. Julie combines humor with biblical truth to make her teaching entertaining as well as meaningful. Her warm, personal, and insightful messages make her an effective and well-received speaker. During her 20 year teaching career, she received professional recognition including being named Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Capital Bible Seminary. Julie and her husband, Steve, have four grown children and make their home in the Annapolis, Maryland area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Coleman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mommy-Guilt&id=1503256

Who Should Be Your Roofer?

Selection of a good roofer is critical for foolproof repairing of a damaged roof. If you want the job to be done perfectly and efficiently, you must choose a roofer who is professional and well experienced.

While looking for roofers in PG County, you should check how long the roofer has been in this profession. You should go through their certifications, insurance, licenses and history of their completed contracts. You can expect good work from roofers PG County with experience of not less than three years. A roofer established for minimum three years tends to have good experience of overcoming problems faced by the newer roofers in PG County.

Assessment through an Interview:

While choosing roofers, you must assess whether they are professionals in their work. Scheduling a short interview is a great way to assess how knowledgeable the roofer is about the industry and his own profession. You will also be able to gauge whether the roofer is well equipped and organized for taking up the assignment.

You can prepare your own questionnaire for conducting interview. You may ask whether the roofer is licensed with national associations such as the National Association of Home Builders or the National Roofing Contractors Association.

You can also ask roofer in PG County for references of past customers particularly those who had complaints that the roofers solved. This can provide you assurance that the roofer you choose has a history of providing service in the warranty period.

If you follow these suggestions, you would be able to select the right type of roofer from all the roofers in PG County.

I hope you like this article. For more detailed information on roofers Anne Arundel County, you can visit www.arearoofingandsiding.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gardner_Wilkinson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Who-Should-Be-Your-Roofer?&id=4723124

Employment Grows on the Tree of Patience

Let's face it, the current economy has lead us all into a financial crisis. Many companies have downsized because they cannot afford to pay all of their employees and still keep up with the skyrocketing cost of business. The tragic part is that youth and older workers are the most vulnerable to unemployment in this economic turn down.

It can be downright hard for a teen to land any job, let alone a good job. Major Newspapers report unemployment among Americans aged 16 to 19 was 23.8% in July after hitting a 25 year high of 24% in June, the government said last week. Unemployment among 16 to 19 year olds hit as high as 20.5% in the summer of 2008.

Traditional teenage jobs are now drawing competition, for example, from "stay-at-home moms" looking to boost the family income and retirees seeking to augment their pension.

Families are struggling to put food on the table, the high price of gas is sucking away their money, and frankly even the most wealthy businesses are going bankrupt. And we Americans feel powerless against this nationwide recession.

Since currency is a key fundamental of society, when the nation's financial grounding is disrupted, it becomes like a domino effect destroying everything in it's path. It's not quite clear how all of it started, or what went wrong but we surely can't point figures and try to hand out blame. Everyone and everything in this entire country somehow contributed to this demise.

One thing is for sure, we have got to do something. There is no sense in wallowing in poverty nor is it acceptable to think the government is going to magically fix the massive deficit. Right now, each and every one of us has to stay strong.

We have learned to adapt, and manage the costs of living somehow or another. Soon enough the economy will start to improve and finances won't be so menacing anymore. But for now, cherish what is important to you because the best things in life cannot be bought.

I'll leave you with this famous quote,

"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one." - Benjamin Franklin

David Bruce is a Frederick Maryland blogger who writes about Employment in Frederick Maryland.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Bruce
http://EzineArticles.com/?Employment-Grows-on-the-Tree-of-Patience&id=3566593

How to Avoid "The Seven Year Rule" When Searching for Employment

A criminal record is the a major contributor as to why many US citizens are unable to obtain employment - no matter their qualifications or education. This is why legislators have labored enough to create laws that provide fair treatment to those who had previous records that involve criminal convictions. However, as what we would see later, this so-called "seven year rule" can be more complicated than what it seems to be.

So where did the seven year rule come from? Under federal law, the consumer reporting agencies cannot report an arrest that is over seven years old. However, they may report a conviction no matter how old it is. So if you are arrested and the charges are dismissed, the consumer reporting agency has no right to report the arrest if the arrest is over seven years old. Moreover, if the arrest results in a conviction then the agency can report the information endlessly. The seven year rule has one important exception-if you are applying for employment and the salary is over $75,000, the agency can still report the arrest.

In some states, like in Massachusetts, application forms are constantly being monitored by legal departments and employment lawyers to see if they contain queries about a person's criminal records. Employers are advised not to include criminal records for reasons of possible discrimination and denying the applicants the right of equal opportunity should they appear in their resume or application form.

But what about other states? So far, only eleven states implement such provision (Washington, Texas, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Montana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Kansas, Colorado, and California). Some of these states don't have an exemption because of the FCRA's precedence over the seven year rule. As a result, criminal records will inevitably affect a person's credit ratings, not just his employment and will be available in all public records.

At times, the seven year rule may not be applicable, especially when it comes to a person's income level. Some states such as Washington, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Montana, Maryland, and Kansas, do not implement the seven year rule if an applicant has an annual income of $20,000. The rest, however, do not have such exemption and the seven year rule still applies regardless of the income.

How we come up with the exact seven years makes this rule even more complicated. Even though the commission of the crime happened more than seven years ago, it is the time when he was in custody for seven years that would most likely appear in the criminal records. In some other cases, a person may have been given a parole or probation for a crime he/she committed ten years ago, but within that period he had also spent a day in custody for a violation so that the seven year count begins all over again. This will also appear on the records and in his application.

As what have been observed earlier, the seven year rule may not always be applicable and lacks the proper delineation. To remove them altogether may not also be the best option since this will put the company at risk. Therefore, it is advisable to consult legal assistance for this matter. They are in the best position to help you in making the right decision.

Click the link in this signature to do FREE preliminary Background Checks on anyone in the USA instantly!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monty_E.
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Avoid-The-Seven-Year-Rule-When-Searching-for-Employment&id=5637594

Leonardtown, Maryland Balances Growth With Tradition

Leonardtown is a charming town in Maryland with a population of about 2,500. This is a close knit, pedestrian-friendly community where everyone has a familiar face and kids can spend their weekends fishing or playing sports.

With 300 years under its belt, Leonardtown is a community that has seen a lot of change. Years ago, the downtown was filled with large Victorian homes, and a bar on every corner, complete with slot machines.

In the years following World War II, business died off in Leonardtown, and got even worse after the Route 5 bypass was completed in 1992. However, lately things have started to pick up. The quaint downtown area is being revitalized with new restaurants, galleries and unique shops. The close proximity to the naval air station at Lexington Park has provided much needed employment opportunities.

The city sponsors a number of community events including a monthly late night shopping night, summer concerts, parades, a Beach Party, complete with truckloads of sand, Christmas-tree-lighting celebration, and the annual Italian dinner.

Real estate in Leonardtown consists of scattered developments with single-family homes, townhomes and some apartments. Architectural styles include a mix of small bungalows, large wooden-frame houses and modern multi-level homes. Planned developments such as Singletree, Avenmar at Breton Bay, Villages of Leonardtown, and Chestnut Hills have cropped up in recent years.

The $5.5 million Leonardtown Wharf project involved reuse of an old industrial/commercial site to develop a waterfront park with public promenade, dock facilities, protected wetlands area with observation boardwalk, plus adjacent commercial and residential development.

In addition, the town has an aggressive development plan for an additional 1,000 houses that includes:

- A 593 home waterfront development on Breton Bay with hotel/conference center, restaurant, marina, office park and golf course.

- Quality Built Homes development off Route 245 on the Lindsey Farm.

- A Marrick Homes development on the Clark Farm property.

- Leonardtown Landing, at the Leonardtown Wharf will be developing 26 luxury town homes.

Growth in Leonardtown seems inevitable and the real estate market here remains strong. Twelve properties for sale during the month of February ranged in price from $199,900 to $550,000. Home prices in the new subdivision of Leonard's Grant will range from $329,900 to $449,900.

Many of the longtime residents have expressed concern over the amount of growth and how it will effect the small town atmosphere they have come to cherish. The mayor and town developers maintain that with responsible planning, Leonardtown can provide residents with the best of both worlds with new and improved facilities, and other benefits that result from living in a prosperous town.

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent for your next Metro Washington D.C. real estate purchase. Justin Lee will help you find the perfect home in Cabin John DC [http://www.jdlrealestateonline.com/cabin-john.php].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_D_Lee
http://EzineArticles.com/?Leonardtown,-Maryland-Balances-Growth-With-Tradition&id=2042342