How To Identify Distressed Properties

By Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga, And Yolanda Bishop Of Maverick Real Estate Investments Inc.

In commercial real estate, there are many different strategies in which to pursue investments. A very popular strategy that even the most astute of investors use is rehabbing old or distressed properties. It is a widely used strategy because there are many properties in need of some help, and anyone can do it! A little vision and patience, and the once distressed property will become a beautiful, money generating machine.

And, after all, that is what every investor wants in a well operating property.

This strategy can take an old, run down building and completely renovate it, therefore creating value that previously was overlooked. It can also help out a distressed owner who, for one reason or another, can no longer maintain or care for the property. These properties can increase in value greatly with jut a little focus, maintenance, and the implementation of a solid management team.

Distressed properties are identified by some sort of problem. This problem generally resides with two aspects of the property: either the property itself or the owner. The problem can be simple, like a high vacancy rate of an apartment complex, or something much larger like the possibility of a property going into foreclosure because the owner cannot make the mortgage payments on time. This can ultimately ruin a person’s credit if a property is to go into foreclosure.

So how do you identify these distressed properties? One way is to drive around your community looking for buildings that look vacant, run down, not fully leased, and those that display for sale by owner (FSBO) signs. If a property looks like a sore thumb in a nice area, then that is a flag that there might be something wrong. You can go to the county, find out who owns these buildings and send out a letter campaign telling them you wish to purchase the property. Many deals can develop this way, and you can get great prices on properties you didn’t even know would be for sale.

Another way to find distressed properties is to call brokers on listings you find on the internet and simply ask why the owner is selling. You may have to call on quite a few properties, but eventually you will find that gold mine property being offered way below the market rate. With just a few changes that distressed property may be a money generating machine once more! You can even call on brokers to locate and bring you properties with problems that fit your targeted criteria. This strategy of finding distressed properties is a great one, as you can very quickly cut through the many listings that do not fit your criteria.

Now that you have identified a few ways to locate distressed properties, let’s look at the characteristics of distressed properties.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyBn5I6wVU[/youtube]

A distressed property may have:

high vacancy rates

below market rents

poor management

old, run-down condition

poor common areas

no amenities

low net operating income (NOI)

A distressed owner may:

be too old to maintain the property

have inherited the property and doesn’t want the hassle

cannot pay the mortgage

be facing foreclosure

be in bankruptcy

be going through a divorce

The list of problems can literally go on and on. There may be problems specific to a property or owner that may not be as common as the ones listed here.

If you are not currently working with distressed properties, I encourage you to check it out. It can be a great way to purchase a potentially awesome property very inexpensively, rather than making a purchase of a profitable property at a premium retail price. Purchasing a distressed property can get your foot in the door of the commercial real estate industry, and it can also supply you with an outstanding passive income for years to come.

Modest repairs, marketing, a change in the management team, a few added amenities, a change in the leasing agreement, rents brought up to market level, filling vacancies and lowering expenses are all ways to increase value in these distressed properties. These simple strategic moves can turn your now dumpy building into a current market retail property in which a retail investor would definitely be interested.

About the Author: Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga and Yolanda Bishop of

maverickrei.com

specialize in commercial and investment real estate. As of May, 2006, they and their partners are managing over $600 million dollars worth of new projects.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

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Study: cognitive therapy as good as medication, but lasts longer

Wednesday, April 6, 2005A landmark study comparing effectiveness in reducing major depression of two forms of initial treatment — cognitive therapy which involves discussing thought processes with a qualified counselor, vs medication — has revealed that both forms of therapy reduce depression, but that the benefits of cognitive therapy last longer than those of medication. The study finding contradicts current treatment guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

The 16-week study, by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt University, was the largest trial yet undertaken to resolve the years-old debate. Two-hundred-and-forty patients with moderate-to-severe depression were given one or other of the treatments, or a purposely-ineffective placebo. Study representatives described the two treatments about equally effective — both much more effective than the placebo — but with the positive effect of talk-therapy lasting longer.

In fact, the cognitive therapy group saw only as many relapses as a another group that had continued to receive drug therapy.

“We believe that cognitive therapy might have more lasting effects because it equips patients with the tools they need to learn how to manage their problems and emotions,” said Robert DeRubeis, professor and chair of Penn’s Department of Psychology. “Pharmaceuticals, while effective, offer no long term cure for the symptoms of depression. For many people, cognitive therapy might prove to be the preferred form of treatment.”

“Medication is often an appropriate treatment, but drugs have drawbacks, such as side effects or a diminished efficacy over time,” DeRubeis said. “Patients with depression are often overwhelmed by other factors in their life that pills simply cannot solve. In many cases, cognitive therapy succeeds because it teaches the skills that help people cope.”

Researchers pointed out that while the effectiveness of cognitive therapy depended largely on the experience of the practitioner, the same was true of medication, due to the judgement required in prescribing correct dosages of drugs.

The APA declined to comment, on the basis that a quote appearing on Wikinews could be distorted by subsequent edits of the article.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Study:_cognitive_therapy_as_good_as_medication,_but_lasts_longer&oldid=4579123”

Woman sells name on eBay

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

A Knoxville, USA woman has sold her name on eBay and received an offer. Terri Iligan, age 33, will legally be named “goldenpalace.com” after the required legal work is complete.

The casino owning the website paid $15,199 over the eBay auction service.

She said that she got the idea when trying to find how much it would cost to send one of her children to a golf school previously attended by Tiger Woods.

In an interview by Knoxville TV station WATE, she said, “To my kids and to my husband, I will always be Terri.” As to the opinion of her husband and children, she said, “He thinks it’s funny. As long as they get to call me mom, they don’t care.”

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This page is archived, and is no longer publicly editable.

Articles presented on Wikinews reflect the specific time at which they were written and published, and do not attempt to encompass events or knowledge which occur or become known after their publication.

Got a correction? Add the template {{editprotected}} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators.

Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Woman_sells_name_on_eBay&oldid=2812641”

Norwegian military security agency accused of conducting illegal surveillance of PM

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Yesterday, Norwegian news outlets reported that Defense Security Service (Forsvarets sikkerhetstjeneste [FOST]) had conducted illegal surveillance against the prime minister’s office and other government offices.

Kripos, a division of the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police, did a police search of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence’s top-secret intelligence agency’s computer equipment in Jørstadmoen, after a request by the Ministry of Defense.

While remaining confident that the case will be investigated in a correct way, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg stated to Aftenposten late Wednesday that “it’s important that the police now find out what actually has happened.”

Verdens Gang reported that to their knowledge, the surveillance happened in connection with FOST, having the responsibility for the computer security of key personnel within the prime minister’s office and other government offices. For practical reasons these people have been connected to the military secure lines. Sources with insight to the surveillance process explained to Aftenposten that when a possible breach of computer security is detected its protocol that the person be given a notice that he may be in process off or already have broken the security rules. A person, possible within the Prime minister’s office has most likely received such a note and has reacted to the fact that the computer traffic had been under surveillance.

Vice admiral Jan Eirik Finseth told Verdens Gang that the Defense security agency’s computer security section, reported that computer communication lines had been put under surveillance by military communications lines. Vice admiral Finseth stated to Verdens Gang that “the circumstances is of such a nature that the police [were] asked to investigate if anything of this may be illegal.”

When Wikinews contacted State attorney Petter Mandt, who leads the investigation, we received confirmation that a search in Jørstadmoen took place, but he would not comment on what was confiscated, if anything. Mandt also stated that they would not comment on any specifics or give any details on the investigation, but explained that for use of a police search there has to be more than 50% probable suspicion that something illegal may have happened. When asked if suspicion was that the prime minister’s office had been put under illegal surveillance, Mandt refused to comment and stated that he will comment on neither how many nor who the individuals involved are.

Defense political spokesperson for Socialistic left (Sv) Bjørn Jacobsen, told Wikinews that “it’s important to find out what, if anything has happened,” but that “it’s shocking that there even exist[s] a reason for a police search.” When asked what will happen if anything illegal is found to have taken place, Jacobsen responded by pointing out that in this case the prosecutors will have to decide on what to do next, but stated that “parliament will have to see if the law and regulations ha[ve] to be changed. It’s important to stop an eventual bad culture before it sticks to the walls.”

This is the second investigation of illegal government surveillance in Norway since the Lund commission’s report uncovered illegal surveillance of communist, socialist, and other persons, which the Norwegian Police Security Service deemed to be dangerous.

Wikinews was unable to get any comments from the Norwegian Military Defense when contacted.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Norwegian_military_security_agency_accused_of_conducting_illegal_surveillance_of_PM&oldid=4684031”

Standard Strategies Help You Prepare For The Toefl Test}

Submitted by: Brighter Prep

Find out which model of the TOEFL you’ll take

Relying on wherein and while you take the TOEFL check, you may stumble upon either the totally take a look at Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) or TOEFL Paper-primarily based test (TOEFL PBT). Make sure of which format you may use. Your TOEFL score from either test can be normal by way of the schools you pick out; however the variations inside the test formats will have an impact on some of your TOEFL training.

Approach the TOEFL check with a plan

Spend enough time in TOEFL instruction so you realize where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Having this sort of understanding can assist you decide where to consciousness your energies as you put together for the check. If you may be taking the Paper-based test (PBT), work thru a few practice tests after which pay attention your TOEFL training on any vulnerable regions. Take time to check your strong areas, however make investments it slow to accumulate your weaknesses. If your examination could be the internet-based take a look at (iBT), and study the facts presented there. Similarly, get your teacher’s opinion on wherein you can first-rate spend your education time. ETS gives pattern questions for both the PBT and iBT on its net site.

To maximize your TOEFL score, be prepared for test situations and be properly-rehearsed

Exercise makes permanence! If you set apart time in a quiet vicinity to take some practice assessments, you may be geared up for the trials of sitting in a chair and focusing on the TOEFL check material. The PBT is a 3.1/2 hour takes a look at, and the iBT takes about 4.1/2 hours. It’s an amazing concept to get dressed in layers and convey a sweater or sweatshirt because the temperature within the trying out room may be hotter or chillier than you anticipated. You need to have the ability to expose the entirety you realize at the test. English-language checks can be difficult enough on their personal you don’t need to be managing warm or cold temperatures in the course of the take a look at too.

Emerge as acquainted with the instructions and questions before the TOEFL test

Each of the check sections has a time limit, and also you need to make the most of the time you’re given. Use a part of your preparation to turn out to be acquainted with the instructions for every phase and how the questions are set up. Then you could use all you time in answering the questions in preference to reviewing the instructions.

Spend enough time in TOEFL instruction so you realize where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Having this sort of understanding can assist you decide where to consciousness your energies as you put together for the check. If you may be taking the Paper-based test (PBT), work thru a few practice tests after which pay attention your TOEFL training on any vulnerable regions. Take time to check your strong areas, however make investments it slow to accumulate your weaknesses. If your examination could be the internet-based take a look at (iBT), and study the facts presented there. Similarly, get your teacher’s opinion on wherein you can first-rate spend your education time. ETS gives pattern questions for both the PBT and iBT on its net site.

About the Author: Brighter Prep provides training courses for GMAT, GRE, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, UKCAT and more. Our Toefl preparation aim at providing the complete skill set required of the IELTS examination. We also provide admission consulting services to US, UK. If you are looking for Toefl test preparation, visit our site

brighterprep.com/

.

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Pakistani Taliban threaten revenge attack after bin Laden death; CIA says retaliation is likely

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Pakistani Taliban has threatened a revenge attack on the U.S. and senior Pakistani politicians after the killing of Osama bin Laden as Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, warns al-Qaeda will “almost certainly” attempt an attack on the U.S. to avenge their leader.

Though bin Laden is dead, al-Qaeda is not. The terrorists almost certainly will attempt to avenge him, and we must—and will—remain vigilant and resolute.

U.S. officials warned Americans to ensure they were careful in traveling to unspecified countries where there could be violent retaliatory attacks. “Though bin Laden is dead, al-Qaeda is not,” Panetta said. “The terrorists almost certainly will attempt to avenge him, and we must—and will—remain vigilant and resolute.”

A notice from the U.S. State Department advised travelers that, “given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation”, they should try to stay inside homes or hotels and avoid large crowds in countries where there is “the enhanced potential for anti-American violence.” White House officials have not yet raised the homeland terrorism threat level, but an anonymous source at the Department of Homeland Security said the agency was maintaining a “heightened state of vigilance”.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced bin Laden had been killed in a television address last night; shortly afterwards, crowds began celebrating outside the White House and Ground Zero, where the twin towers of World Trade Center collapsed after the attacks of September 11, 2001 which have been attributed to bin Laden. However, analysts warned al-Qaeda will “undoubtedly” launch a retaliatory attack.

Michael Scheuer, a former CIA intelligence agent, has warned it is likely al-Qaeda has the resources to mount an attack as deadly as 9/11 again because U.S. officials have done “very little” to prevent terrorist groups carrying weapons across its borders. “I think it’s very likely that over time we will see an al-Qaeda counter-punch, not specifically to avenge bin Laden, but to show that al-Qaeda still is on the ground and still can hurt the United States,” Scheuer said. “I’m not sure if it’s gonna be in the near term or a year from now or two years from now, but it’ll come.”

The warning from Scheuer and the CIA came shortly after the Pakistani Taliban said they would attack Pakistani and American targets. “Now Pakistani rulers, President Zardari and the army will be our first targets. America will be our second target,” a spokesman for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan said.

Bin Laden was killed during a raid on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan near the capital Islamabad. Four others in the compound were reportedly killed in the raid; although a U.S. helicopter crashed, no U.S. forces were killed. His body was buried at sea, in accordance with Islamic scriptures and because no other country would accept his body.

John Gearson, director of the Centre for Defence Studies at King’s College London, also said the killing of bin Laden was very significant, and a retaliatory strike is likely. “There will be concerns that there could be some sort of retaliation, that al-Qaeda may well want to demonstrate that they are still strong and still in the game,” he said, and warned that U.S. officials may “lose their focus” after such a major victory, “and that will provide an opportunity for the remnants of al-Qaeda to reform and grow stronger.”

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Pakistani_Taliban_threaten_revenge_attack_after_bin_Laden_death;_CIA_says_retaliation_is_likely&oldid=4508020”

30,000-year-old Austrian statue traced to stone from Italy

Saturday, March 5, 2022

In findings published on Monday in Scientific Reports, scientists from the University of Vienna and Vienna Natural History Museum, Austria found the stone used to carve the Venus of Willendorf came from northern Italy, hundreds of miles from its origin, on the other side of the Alps.

The 30 thousand-year-old sculpture is one of the oldest examples of human art. It stands about 4.3 inches (11 cm) tall. Like many prehistoric statuettes, it shows a female figure with a large stomach and breasts. However, while most of these other examples were carved from ivory or bone, the Venus is made of a stone called oolite, a type of limestone. Scientists believe it was carved by people of the Gravettian culture, probably with flint tools. Scientists named it after Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

Scientists compared rock samples from as west as France and as east as Ukraine to microscopic views of the Venus. Because oolite is a sedimentary rock formed by layers of silt and other materials building up over time, it is possible to discern individual grains and bits of shell that make up the stone. One of the tiny shell fragments in the statue came from a creature that lived during the Jurassic period, though the stone itself would have been harvested and carved much later.

Unlike previous examinations of the Venus, which evaluated only the exterior of the work, scientists used computed tomography to look inside the statue without damaging it. The scan showed the Venus had little resemblance with oolites near Willendorf, but that it was almost identical to those from Lake Garda in Italy, on the other side of the Alps and the Danube river, over 350 miles (563 km) away. A less possible site of origin is in Ukraine, over 1,600 kilometers (994 mi) east of where the statue was found in 1908, in Wachau, Austria.

Lead author Gerhard Weber speculated the stone may have moved during a migration: “When the climate or the prey situation changed, [people] moved on, preferably along rivers,” he said.

The scientists say these findings have implications for the way prehistoric humans in and around the Alps traveled from place to place.

The study was funded by the state of Lower Austria.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=30,000-year-old_Austrian_statue_traced_to_stone_from_Italy&oldid=4678773”

Mario Lopez favored to win Dancing with the Stars

Friday, September 1, 2006

Mario López is favored to win the third season of American television series Dancing with the Stars, with 3:1 odds of winning, but close on his heels is actress Vivica Fox, with four-to-one odds. López is perhaps best known for his role on Saved by the Bell, and currently stars on soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. Gambling site BetBet released odds on its website recently.

Monique Coleman (High School Musical), Joey Lawrence (Blossom), and Harry Hamlin (Clash of the Titans), each with six-to-one odds. Hamlin’s wife, Lisa Rinna, was a contestant in the second season of the series. Singers Willa Ford and Sara Evans each rank 8:1.

It is unknown how the firm decided the competitor’s odds; none of this year’s dancing has been previewed publicly, let alone for the press.

Dancing with the Stars enters its third season on September 12, at 8pm, with a two-hour season premiere. The series was a surprise hit for ABC, who added the program as a summer filler, with no large hopes for its success. Based on the British series Strictly Come Dancing, the series has been produced in 20 countries.

ODDS

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Mario_Lopez_favored_to_win_Dancing_with_the_Stars&oldid=566808”

The Premium Chocolates Are Quite Expensive But Very Tasty}

The premium chocolates are quite expensive but very tasty

by

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4jVj1RCIVU[/youtube]

Russ Murray The premium hazelnut chocolates are made by using the premium cocoa powder and with lots of love and quality of twenty years of chocolate making experience of Ferrero and Lindt they do not want to slow down. After gaining their experiences in these two companies only they have decide to open the Premium Chocolate Company. My main focus, thinking was to bring an EXCELLENCE and PLEASURE that would come only after these chocolates and after keeping these few things n mind the premium chocolate was created. They also provide the Excellence in service and excellence in the quality so that more and more people eat and love this chocolate. As well all know that the Lindt chocolates are the leader of the world and therefore people love to consume them.

The Lindt & Sprungli is very successful global company and it has exceptional quality standards starting from the raw material sourcing and while purchasing to manufacturing and storage and transporting. The Premium Chocolate Company is the only Lindt exclusive distributor and their Factory outlet is at Braeside. They are also very conscious and proud of quality facility and the quality control that they have towards the chocolate so that their consumer can also experience the best Lindt chocolate range. They have a 500 cubic meter of temperature control cool room and a very big temperature controlled showroom shop also where they store the chocolates. Therefore the people who want to consume the best chocolate and want to g new from find anything new in Lindt, then visit The Premium Chocolate Company at Braeside. They will help us with the special orders and also make up the large or small packs of chocolates for us.

The Lindt dark chocolates are the chocolates that you should go for as they contain dark cocoa powder, anti dioxins which are good for health.There are many benefits of dark chocolate like it is very good for your heart, since the chocolates are produced from plants it has a lot of the similar benefits as dark vegetables has. Flavonide are the antioxidants which are very most important and found in many foods, including chocolate. Flavonide can help in curb free radicals, which are very injurious chemicals and easily it can increase your likelihood for heart disease. Whenever you eat dark chocolate, you can easily help in reducing the amount of free radicals hovering around in your body. After lots of examine and survey the studies have shown that if you eat a small quantity of dark premium chocolate every day it will help you in reducing the blood pressure. If you are having a high blood pressure, than you should absolutely reduce your blood pressure by following this simple habit each day.

The Lindt chocolate is a pure pleasure that can be eaten every single day. The Premium Chocolate Company is best and fun place to work they are having great and friendly team of workers. They also give the baskets at the special occasions and these chocolate baskets are sold widely as they consist of best chocolates of Lindt. Therefore if you are planning to give a gift to someone who is really close to you or you want to make him or her closer to you than giving them a basket full of chocolates is the best idea. But creating the perfect gift basket can be really very difficult, as it take a lot of time and efforts to make a perfect combination of items. Giving chocolate is the best thing that you can ever do. It’s very important for you to first decide that what type of gift he or she would like, you should always know his or her likes and dislikes before presenting any gift.

Russ Murray is the owner of this website and writes articles for his own website.For further details about hazelnut chocolates and premium cocoa powder please visit the website.

Article Source: eArticlesOnline.com

}

New Jersey files lawsuit against federal sports betting ban

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

A New Jersey state senator has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a federal law banning sports betting in 46 states.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a Democrat representing portions of Union County, filed the suit Monday, arguing the 17-year-old law is unconstitutional because it treats four states differently than the other states.

Under the law, sports betting is prohibited in all states except Delaware, Oregon, Montana and Nevada, although only the latter two currently allow wagering.

“This federal law deprives the State of New Jersey of over $100 million of yearly revenues, as well as depriving our casinos, racetracks and Internet operators of over $500 million in gross income,” Lesniak said in a statement to the press.

The 39-page lawsuit is believed to be the first challenge to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. New Jersey missed a 1994 deadline that would have allowed it to join the other states when the law was implemented.

Atlantic City officials and their political allies have argued allowing sports betting would give all the states a new source of revenue needed in the face of a staggering recession.

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine was not involved with the lawsuit, but he said legalizing sports betting would help Atlantic City and said it was “worth pursuing”.

Legalizing sports betting in New Jersey could bring the state more than $50 million in annual tax revenue, according to officials from the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based consultant for the electronic gaming industry, which joined Lesniak as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

“This is about more than revenue,” said Joe Brennan Jr., chairman of Interactive Media Entertainment. “It’s about jobs and economic activity.”According to 1999 study, $380 billion in illegal sports betting occurs in the state each year.

New Jersey, in particular, is facing a difficult budget season, and the Atlantic City casinos are in what the Associated Press called a “financial meltdown”. Eleven of the city’s casinos suffered their biggest revenue decline in 30 years last month.

Delaware is reported to be considering regulating sports betting, which New Jersey backers of the lawsuit said adds a sense of urgency to the issue.

“We cannot afford to be naive about illegal sports betting,” New Jersey State Sen. Jeff Van Drew said in a statement to the press. “It’s happening right now, and is funding other criminal enterprises which are far more dangerous.”

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of New Jersey and the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey were also listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

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