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Bowhunting Teaches Many Lifelong Lessons

Hunting Lessons

People, as I have learned, need not to learn to kill during an archery hunt, but to learn more how to live. When I was very young, my Dad taught me the importance of learning how to enjoy “Mother Nature,” not just to hunt. I have passed this on to both of my sons and friends I’ve made throughout my life while bowhunting. By learning to live along side of “Mother Nature,” it can teach you how to become a better person in everyday life.

My Dad taught me how to hear not to just listen. When you listen carefully, you hear many things around, not just what you want to hear. In those moments you may hear the birds singing, the small critters on the ground start to scramble around or if you’re lucky, the footsteps that sound like a human walking on the forest floor, only to find out it is a deer starting to move slowly toward you. He taught me to see, not just look. To see what is going on around you. Next time you are out in your stand take look around you and see the clear blue sky or maybe how beautiful the leaves are on the trees. Sometimes the warmth of the early morning sun hits you just right and you feel good all over, inside and out. He also taught me to be courageous, not just to be satisfied with the way things are now, but to go out and explore the many new horizons yet to be seen. This could mean the next crossing of a small stream or maybe a new job.

I try to stay connected to the animals that I see during an archery hunt. I know when to shy away from something or to forage on, just like that monster buck that didn’t get to be a monster just by accident. He learned just as you did, from others or from his own mistakes where not to be or what not to do. In order to be successful in life, you must see and hear what is going on around you and your loved ones. To share and teach the care of our forest home and hunting heritage may just be the most important piece of education you have ever taught. Even though my Dad has been gone for awhile now, his lessons that were taught to me are now still being taught. The path he led me on, has helped me to determine who I am as a person and he has taught many others, who are still feeling and doing the same as I am.

The sport of archery hunting was passed on to me and I will continue to pass it on to others as if my Dad were still alive. Remember that hunting is less about learning how to kill, and is more about how to respect others and what “Mother Nature” has to offer.

Network Marketing – The Ultimate Home-Based Business

Network Marketing: The Ultimate Home-Based BusinessWhy is Network Marketing considered the Ultimate Home-Based Business? Lets look at a few of the reasons why you and many others are looking to having a home based business as a viable alternative to working for someone else.
You would like the freedom that owning your business would provide.
The J.O.B. or working for someone else has lost its luster.
You have good, creative ideas and plenty of energy yet not much money to invest right now.
You want to spend more time with your family.
Perhaps like many people today, the economic downturn has affected your employment situation and you need to take back control of your income.
Or maybe you just want to take advantage of the tax benefits that are available to those that work out of their home.
Robert Kiyosaki has stated in his books that the first step to creating wealth is to become a business owner. However if freedom is what you are looking for then a owning a business in the conventional sense may not exactly fit your bill. A conventional business brings along with it a list of demands of which the most demanding is employees. Having employees could adversely affect the freedom that you would want owning your business to provide.Owning a conventional business or even a franchise sounds may sound appealing yet you will find it is very similar working for someone else. You may own the company or franchise however in all reality what you have done is create a job for yourself. If you have employees you have the added responsibility of creating work for them also. There goes the luster of owning a conventional business.Starting a franchise or opening a business takes capitol. You may have plenty of energy and creative ideas but do you have enough money to purchase a franchise or have the capitol to keep it going for a year? Most businesses fail within two years because they are under capitalized.The lack of quality family time seems to affect nearly everybody. With commutes getting longer and longer and with many people needing to work two jobs to make ends meet, there seems to be little or no time left for family. Stands to reason why when asked what is important to them, most people answer that the freedom to do what they would like with their time is right up there with work freedom.But the question that lurks in the background is still there: What can I do that will provide a good living, allow me to be my own boss, not take a ton of capitol and also give me time with my family or where ever I am needed.
Let’s look at another situation. Perhaps you have been laid off or have had your position eliminated as the result of the current economic situation. This is truly a disturbing yet all too common situation. You have plenty of time, lots of energy and creative ideas yet little if any income. You realize after the fact that nothing is certain and now you must take control of your career.There is one more reason why people are turning to a Home Based Business; for the many tax advantages. Starting with the fact that a portion of your home is now your office and can be deducted on your income tax and as a business owner all your expenses are deductible. There are too many to go into here so let me just say that if only for this reason, a Home Based Business bears serious consideration.At the top of this article I stated that Network Marketing is the Ultimate Home Based Business. Let’s take a look at my reasons behind that statement.
By becoming a business owner you have taken the first step towards wealth as described by Robert Kiyosaki
Since most people get into Network Marketing at a part time level, you will probably still have your job however you know in your heart that soon you will be able to leave it. That alone will add a spring in your step and a little luster to your work.
It doesn’t take a lot of money to get started and will certainly allow you to use your energy and creativity.
While you may not immediately have the time you want to spend with your family, your goals will ensure that you will and sooner than you think.
You have now taken control of your economic destiny. As a Network Marketer, you are in the distinct position of being able to go as far up as you can imagine. There is no Glass Ceiling and you decide what will be the Top of Your Ladder, not some corporate executive.
Network Marketing while certainly open to everyone, is not necessarily right for everyone. There are some who need the structure of a job, there are some for whom being self-employed creates more anxiety than excitement and there are some who aren’t comfortable dealing with people. There is nothing at all wrong with any of these; it takes every kind of people imaginable to make up this world. However, for those individuals who are looking to own their own business, their own future and genuinely like people Network Marketing is clearly the Ultimate Home Based Business.

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Real Estate Auctions – The New Land Rush

On a sunny afternoon in Florida, an energetic crowd gathers on the lawn of a high end luxury estate. A loud and eager banter between an auctioneer, a group of bidders and bidder assistants fills the air. For several minutes the auctioneer asks for the next highest bid and the bidders respond. Suddenly the bidders grow silent. The high bidder holds his breath in anticipation of winning the auction. The auctioneer calls for one more bid. In a loud clear voice which rolls over the audience he says, “Fair warning, last chance” the auctioneer pauses, “SOLD!” And in less than 10 minutes another multimillion dollar estate has changed owners.

Successful real estate auctions like the one above are happening all over North America and the Caribbean. Recently real estate auctions have been on the rise, the increase in popularity is partly driven by growing inventories and fading buyer confidence. Properties that were selling in weeks using traditional methods are now languishing on the market unable to attract buyers even as seller’s lower prices. Many say the real estate boom is over but savvy buyers and sellers are profiting from real estate auctions.

Real Estate Auctions Work in Up or Down Markets.

Regardless of trends or market cycles, real estate auctions provide an open and transparent process for buyers and sellers. Properly conducted real estate auctions attract ready and willing buyers and motivate them to act now.

The auction method removes the “wait and see” attitude which serves to further depress real estate values. Buyers are always concerned about overpaying. Buyers gain confidence with their purchases at real estate auctions because they can see what others are willing to pay.

When market demand is high and inventories low, real estate auctions can deliver selling prices well above what a willing seller would have accepted in a negotiated private treaty sale. In good selling climates many property owners using traditional real estate methods; negotiating with one buyer at a time, leave thousands of dollars of equity on the table. During up markets real estate auctions are the best way to establish top market price.

Evaluating Your Real Estate for Auction

Not every property or seller for that matter makes a good candidate for auction. First of all sellers must be ready to sell now and for the current market value. Also a real estate auction will not fix problems caused by a downturn in market value of your property, if you owe more than a willing buyer will pay, be prepared to come to closing with your check book.

Properties that do well in real estate auctions have a high uniqueness factor. Ask your self, “What makes my property different from most others?” Maybe you own a resort property or high end luxury home, commercial properties and land do very well at auction. Real estate auctions thrive on uniqueness. If your property is like everyone else’s, the best thing you can do is offer the most competitive price.

Most importantly sellers must be reasonable about setting a minimum bid. A seller must look at the lowest, most current comps and price below that to generate the interest and urgency necessary for a successful real estate auction. Once the auction begins and qualified bidders start competing against one another you can watch the selling price increase.

Locate a Qualified Real Estate Auctioneer

Start by checking with the National Auctioneers Association, the best real estate auctioneers belong to this organization. These real estate auctioneers are well trained and adhere to a standard of practice and a code of ethics. Many attend the annual International Auctioneers Conference where the latest techniques and innovations in the real estate auction industry are presented.

Find out if the company you are interviewing is a full time real estate auction firm. Many real estate agents are getting auction licenses yet have no experience with the auction method of marketing. Conducting a successful real estate auction is nothing like (private treaty) traditional real estate sales. Go with a real estate auction pro.

You’re probably better of with an auction house that specializes in real estate auctions. There are many qualified auctioneers who have generations of experience selling personal property; furniture, dishes, lawn equipment and the occasional rare painting. Selling real estate at auction is a complex matter that should only be attempted by full time experienced real estate auction professionals.

Commissions and fees may vary, sellers must pay all marketing expenses up front and buyers typically pay 10% of the sales price to the auctioneer of which a share goes to participating real estate agents.

Types of Real Estate Auctions

Auctions are effective because they create a seller’s market. Professionally conducted real estate auctions create urgency, a reason to buy today and competition for the property. Terms and conditions of sale are established ahead of the auction. Real estate auctions will follow one of these three approaches:

Absolute Auction

The property is sold to the highest bidder regardless of price- using this process often returns the highest sale price.

Minimum Bid Auction

Seller agrees to sell at or above a published minimum bid price – this method is useful for internet auctions.

Seller Confirmation or Reserve Auction

With a reserve auction, the seller “reserves” the right to accept or decline any bids usually within 48 hours of the auction. Reserve auctions are used when there is a lien on the property from a lender or a court ordered sale with a minimum selling price.

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