Make Money in Real Estate

Have you always wanted to make money in real estate? If so, you are not alone. Countless individuals are trying their hand at it and realizing a profit, at the same time. They accomplish this when they buy and sell properties as investors or obtain their real estate licenses, allowing them to sell to others.

It is important to note that this venture won’t make you rich overnight, as some late-night infomercials claim. The key to success is research and due diligence.

It is always a wise idea to first determine overall costs associated with buying a property, such as money needed for improvements, before making any type of bid.  Initially, what may seem like an excellent investment can turn into a money pit… when you don’t perform the proper research before hand.

There are several ways to locate possible investment properties. Reading newspaper ads, attending foreclosure auctions and joining a real estate investment club (or clubs) represent just 3 ways to do so.

As of this writing, “house flipping” is continuously on the rise. It involves buying houses for less than market value, making necessary renovations (without going overboard) and selling them for a profit, within the shortest possible timeframe. Obviously, if you are able to do some of the remodeling yourself, you stand to make a larger profit.

It is important to locate properties in relatively good neighborhoods, as there is a greater chance they will generate the highest level of buyer interest.

Some flippers decide to hang on to a few of these homes and turn them into rentals, which brings about a steady monthly income. However, it should be noted that the downside of renting out these homes, as opposed to selling them, is that it takes much longer to recoup monies used for renovation purposes.

Many people make money in real estate by strictly purchasing commercial properties. This typically requires a bigger upfront investment, but yields a larger profit margin. With this type of property, it is important to research industry trends before making a purchase. It is never advantageous to purchase a business that will be very hard to re-sell.

Read More

Make Money Starting A Dog Walking Business

Pets require a lot of care and attention. Lovers of animals see this requirement not as an obligation but an act of love. Part of caring for a pet is having someone to walk with the pet when the owner is not available. You can earn income by becoming a dog walker.

Pet owners have to deal with conflicted schedules. They get stuck at work and need to let their untrained puppy out of the house. They go out of town on business and need someone to feed, water, and walk their pet. When owners hire a dog walker they get a sense of security of knowing their pet receives the same love and attention they give their pet.




Step One

Check with your local government about setting up your business. There may be applications to fill out and fees to be paid. Determine what your requirements are for beginning a new business. You may need to be licensed and bonded. Some states require you to register with the state as well.
Protect yourself by purchasing liability insurance. This will protect you when you are in charge of people’s pets and entering owner’s homes. This type of insurance protects you from law suits.

Step Two

You need to become well informed on different types of dog breeds. Visit the library and read about the care of dogs. Volunteer at animal rescues to receive training on how to handle pets with patience. Learn about animal behavior.

Step Three

You may want to purchase equipment which will make you feel more comfortable. There are new leashes available which will help you when you are walking more than one dog. The new leash will keep all the leashes from tangling.

Step Four

Market yourself. Purchase or create from a home computer, business cards, brochures, and/or a website, these items will help you in obtaining customers. Consider taking adds out in your local newspaper or a commercial on your local television or radio station.

Step Five

Speak with the owner about obtaining a key to their home. You will also need a list of the dog’s daily routine.

Step Six

Talk with the pet’s owners about discipline. Ask questions about what behaviors they discourage. Ask how they reward and discipline their animal.

Step Seven

It is important for the pet you receive emergency contact information. You will need the owner’s cell phone number, and veterinarian phone number. If the pet is given medications on a daily basis, be sure to get a list of that information in case of an emergency.

Step Eight

Learn the area you will be walking. Study a map of your city and mark the area you will be walking. If walking in a park, carry pooper scooper bags to clean up after the dogs.

Step Nine

If you are having trouble gaining clients, pass out your business cards at veterinarian clinics and dog parks. Offer one free dog walk to gain name recognition and recommendations.

Start This Business Today!

To start a dog walking business today, we recommend you purchase Start Your Own Dog Walking Business. This complete guide will teach you how to set up your dog walking business, how to plan your walks, how to control your dogs and earn their trust, and much, much more. For more information, or to purchase this HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book, click here.

Read More

Make Money Helping Students Improve ACT Scores

A major factor that helps college admissions boards determine a potential student’s academic ability is his or her ACT score.  This has given rise to an industry of para-education classes to help students improve ACT scores.

The competition for admission to American colleges and Universities gets fiercer every year.  One major factor that helps college admissions boards determine a potential student’s academic ability is his or her ACT score.  This has given rise to an industry of para-education classes to help students improve ACT scores.

The ACT is a standardized exam for high school students.  It is a broad test covering four academic areas: math, science, reading and English.  Students can also choose to take an optional writing test.  The test is administered in every U.S. state 4 to 6 times per year in a controlled setting.
The ACT exam gives colleges and Universities a standardized way to evaluate a student’s knowledge and abilities.  This is crucial since every State’s graduation requirements vary.  It also provides a way for students from private schools and home schools to be evaluated on a level playing field.

/div> Those with a background in teaching or tutoring may stand to profit from the competition to enter college.  Many teachers and former teachers make extra money by starting classes to help students improve ACT scores.

Starting a class to help students improve ACT scores requires a good working knowledge of the ACT exam.  Copies of past ACT tests can be purchased from the producing company.  There are also numerous study guides available in bookstores and online.

Aside from a love for education and a familiarity with the exam, starting a class to help students improve ACT scores will require rental of space.  Teaching space is often available to rent from schools during off hours, or at libraries, churches or private event halls.

Conversely, facilitators may choose to simply tutor students one-on-one or in small groups.  This may eliminate or greatly reduce the price of renting teaching space.

Training should take place over a series of weeks.  Six to ten week classes are typical, with one session per week.  Classes are best held just prior to the administration of the ACT exam in your area.
Besides the cost of renting space, other expenses will include teacher training materials (students typically pay for their own training manuals) and advertising.  These extra costs will probably be minimal, and can easily be incorporated into the fees you charge.

Starting a class to help students improve ACT scores can be more than simply a way for educators to make extra money.  The satisfaction that can be gained from helping a student enter the college of his or her choice can be very rewarding.

Read More

Paint House Numbers on Curbs and Make Money

It’s possible to make $100 or more in just a few hours when you paint house numbers on curbs. This niche profession is full of possibilities.

You probably never stopped to think about who painted the numbers on the curbs in your neighborhood.  Someone has to do it, though.  In reality, it’s possible to make $100 or more in just a few hours when you paint house numbers on curbs.


This niche industry is full of opportunity and possibilities for a self starter.  The major reason is that few companies actually paint house numbers on curbs exclusively.  Companies that do various types of industrial painting (like those who paint fire hydrants and traffic lines) will sometimes do curb number painting.  Some won’t bother at all.

However, those who will usually charge the same hourly rate that they charge for doing larger jobs.  Many homeowners simply aren’t willing to pay an industrial painter 50 dollars or more to paint house numbers on curbs.  Chances are excellent that they’d pay someone like you 20 dollars or less to do this.
The start-up cost for equipment to paint house numbers on curbs is minimal.  You’ll need to purchase number stencils.  These are available at most hardware stores.  They typically cost less than 20 dollars, and many are under ten dollars.
You’ll also need paint.  You should plan to spend around 50 dollars to start with.  This will get you a few cans of spray paint in different colors.  (Black, yellow and white are most commonly used for painting house numbers on curbs.)  You may want to invest in some type of reflective paint or other material so that numbers can be seen in the dark.

You may want to do some advertising when you first start out.  The cost will depend on what kind of advertising you do.  Printing and handing out flyers is relatively inexpensive; plan to spend about 50 dollars if you do this.  Newspaper advertising costs a bit more, but may be worth it because you’ll reach a larger audience more quickly.
However, the easiest way to get started is to simply go door to door and/or make phone calls.  First, cruise local neighborhoods and find houses that don’t have numbers or whose numbers are worn away and/or difficult to see.  Then, start knocking.

You can also drum up business by contacting the homeowner’s association agents of townhouse and condominium complexes.  Many of these require number painting on an annual or bi-annual basis for entire groups of homes or areas and would be happy to save a bit of homeowner’s money this way.
The ongoing costs to paint house numbers on curbs will also be minimal.  You’ll need to purchase paint on a regular basis.  You’ll also have to replace stencils when they wear out.  However, these costs will probably be just a few hundred dollars per year, depending on how much work you’ll be doing.

Read More