Below are the 5 most recent journal entries recorded in henrypikus8473's InsaneJournal:

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
5:35 pm	Agent Office Real Estate Contact Management- Why Agents want to Forget about Tech Support! I've been teaching real estate agents how to leverage Agent Officein their businesses since the early days of DOS and when mobile phones were called Car Phones because they had to be bolted to your automobile because there were no batteries small enough to carry around or antennas that didn't require a windshield to be suction cupped to. One of my crowning achievements was to work for the company that literally introduced the laptop computer to the real estate industry. Back then it weighed about ten pounds, had a monochrome screen and a hard-drive smaller than what an iPod Nano can hold today. A lot of things have changed since then. If there is one thing that hasn't changed over the past quarter-century has to be the irritation and constant frustration of technical support when your little do-dad won't turn on or freeze like a deer in headlights. When I run my PowerPoint presentation I have two slides that can help you understand what real estate agents don't want to hear from technical support people. The titles are: "Do you have a brick or a sledgehammer handy?" and "Please hold for Mr. Gate's attorney." There are many others as well, but I will save them in case I visit your area for a live seminar. The truth about tech support, especially as it pertains to real estate software, is the fact that almost none of the people you call have actually used the software you are calling about. In fact, it would be safe to say that NONE of them have ever sold real estate. In other words, the people you are calling don't know how the software "works," they just know how to handle error messages. It's this little subtlety that is at the core of so much dissatisfaction with technical support for programs like Top Producer and AgentOffice. Here's an example: you are trying to do a mail merge in the word processor for a group of contacts and every time you click the print button you get one letter and then the printer stops. After three or four tries you finally call tech support to find out what is wrong with the software. After a few minutes (or hours) on hold you finally get to speak with a technical support person who takes you through a series of questions like: "Does this happen when you use other programs to perform a mail merge?" to which you answer, "I don't know, I don't have another program that performs mail merges." They then take you down a rabbit hole of different diagnostics with your printer only to discover that there's really nothing wrong with your printer. After another hour of running checks on the software you are informed that there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the software either. I even remember one particular customer who was told by a tech support person that, "Maybe you shouldn't try to use it to do mail merges!" The main problem all along is that there was an "educational" issue instead of a "technical" one. When you were printing out your Real Estate Contact Management list you tried preparing a form letter from a different part of the program. Then again it might have been one minuscule step that didn't take place. You know, like telling the software to print "to the contact" not "to the group." The worst part is most of the tech support on staff has no idea this is an issue when preparing a mail merge. However, they are well versed to make you feel like an idiot when using your Real Estate CRM software. The real crime here is the cost of this kind of inferior technical support. Top Producer claims their technical support is FREE when in reality you have to pay $39/mo. for the program. AgentOffice gives you 30 days of technical support when you purchase their software, but after thirty days the cost of a single incident is $295 for a yearlong support contract (that's the same price as purchasing the program!) My point here is, if you just take the time to get trained on the program you purchase, life with Agent Office Demo will be much easier. Just think of it as a good health strategy. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you take this route you won't have a tech support person say; "We can fix this, but you're going to need a knife, a roll of duct tape and a car battery." If you are in need of Agent Office than look no further then AOExperts.com. AOExperts.com are expert searching for Agent Office Demo . (Comment on this)
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
12:49 pm	elder-care-lawyer-chaska-minnesota Do You Need an Elder Law Attorney? Whether you are looking out for an aging family member, or are reaching that age yourself, it is never a bad idea to look into an elder law attorney to ensure that the coming future is secure for both you and your family. Elder Care Attorneys in Chaska MN provide the answers and options to those clients interested in preservation of assets, gifting, or those looking into medical assistance planning. Providing a solid legal foundation with firm and practical goals is something everyone looks into eventually. So even if it's just to answer a simple few questions, elder law attorneys are here for you and your loved ones. As the area of elder law continues to grow and expand over the years, the rules and regulations become more complex and frustrating to some. That's why elder law attorneys work personably with their clients, providing one-on-one contact with up-to-date answers and ease of access to all the information they have. Attorneys strive to be not only knowledgeable, but reliable. They work around a person's wants and needs and listen to the short and long term goals of each client. With this attention to detail and sincere interest in each case that comes their way, elder law attorneys are able to build a plan that satisfies everyone. The areas tackled by elder law attorneys continue to grow each year and includes creating a living will or establishing a health care directive. Elder law attorneys can also provide assistance for medical planning for those that are incapacitated or limited with a disability. Clients can be assured that they will never be caught off guard by any surprises that may spring up in the future. With a personalized attorney immense care is given to the needs of each client as they plan ahead and search for the best possible outcome for all situations. Elder law attorneys can also develop a plan to keep loved ones at home if a situation is threatening to put them in a care facility. Depending on the situation, attorneys will fight to keep them home for as long as possible. And when the situation demands that a loved one be put in a long term care facility, elder law attorneys will help the transition to ensure that their clients and families get the smoothest results possible. Elder Care Lawyers in Chaska MN are also here to review assets and help preserve them, so that clients never have to again worry about being shortchanged or misunderstanding them. Creating an estate plan is a good idea for anyone; whether you are simply looking ahead to the future or hitting that stage in your life when it's becoming a necessity. Elder law attorneys are here to help you understand and fulfill your wishes and do it in the most painless and efficient way possible. If you are looking for Elder Care Attorneys in Chaska MN than look no further then MHS Law. MHS Law are expert Elder Care Lawyers in Chaska MN. (Comment on this)
Monday, October 26th, 2009
3:34 pm	Portable-Ice-fishing-House Portable Hunting & Ice Fishing Houses With Portability The concept of Ice Fishing Houses and portable canvas hunting enclosures are finally being more realized by manufacturers, and are indeed becoming something that is actually practical to use. This isn't something new however, outdoorsmen and women have been using canvas as a way to create shelter for centuries, and it's pretty clear that canvas is extremely durable, and that's what really counts in weatherproof shelters, as well as ice fishing houses. The toughest weather conditions stand up to marine upholstery namely Aqualon Marine Canvas, a high grade canvas fabric that is made of: Vinyl Coated Polyester Canvas at 9 ounces per square yard and a two-ply polyester duck double coated with a pigmented vinyl resin on the top side. This means, TOUGH. The underside is coated with a durable water resistant finish and is usually white in color. This gives an excellent dimensional stability and weight to strength ratio. In terms of ice fishing houses, these portable semi-permanent structures spend long periods of time, sometimes months on the ice left to weather the storms and thaws. The quality of canvas construction icehouses remains flexible in all climates as well as the color will not rub off. It is resistant to mildew, abrasions, water penetration, most petroleum products, ultra-violet rays, a wide range of acid and alkaline liquids and it will not crack, peel or harden. The climate in the north and south both call for the canvas shelters. There are two different reasons for this, but both reasons are quite important. Believe it or not, even in the heat of the desert canvas stays cool and provides adequate shade. It even blocks out the sun while remaining breathable and permitting moisture to penetrate it's thick construction. In contrast, it stays warm and holds heat in the coldest of weather. These tents and shelters can also be used for hunting enclosures. They can actually be easily camouflaged, making them useable by the military. No matter where you are hunting, you can find a use for this tent, without resorting to a cabin or shack when in need of shelter. The "Wall Tent" is great for these purposes, and they come in all different sizes. No matter what the weather is like outside, you will find that this type of canvas enclosure is ready for the challenge. Like all canvas enclosures, Big Wall tents are tough, and they feature heavy reinforcement, especially on their stress points. It's fairly simple to actually deploy, no matter what type of hunter you happen to be. Anyone who is interested in the great outdoors should definitely have one of these in their arsenal, as is includes many great items. These items can be a Stove Pipe Shield, zippered door, and a Sod Cloth. All of which will help anyone that thrives in the great outdoors. Ice fishing is extremely popular, especially in the northern most areas. It is simply easier to set up a canvas tent than it is to trek to a cabin or other type of shelter. These take up far less space and can be transported easily. They can even sit on a snowmobile sled. Four people can sit in these shelters and fish without a problem, meaning that you can take all of your gear to any fishing spot. You don't have to worry about it being overly cramped, because it is indeed tall enough to stand up in. There are two different versions out there, from a heavy canvas build, to a lighter and more portable version. In sum, these Ice Fishing Shelters are perfect for your next hunting or fishing season around the corner and are much more custom created than that of your local outdoor retailer. Invite your friends to your own shelter, there's room enough for four or more in many and they will see just what a canvas-crafted shelter is all about and how easy it is to operate. They can be shipped UPS or FEDEX, thrown in the back of a truck when packed up, and hauled by a quad (4-wheeler) or sled. For winter months, all are easily equipped with proper venting to accommodate for a portable generator to be used inside with a heater or cooking system. Make it an outdoor party! Create Canvas shelters and get geared up for your next ice fishing, hunting or outdoor adventure with the canvas shelter you need. If you are searching for a Ice Fishing House than look no further then Canvas Craft. Canvas Craft are expert designers in Ice Fishing Shelters. (Comment on this)
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
6:09 pm	Business & Corporate Law Attorney Looking For a Business & Corporate Law Attorney? Corporate and business law attorneys demonstrate the knowledge and experience needed to secure and build companies. They offer formidable framework and sound legal advice that can secure and advance business and corporate offices to the next level. Equipped with real-world solutions and years of field work, Lawyer Chaska MN can service the needs of those companies that are just starting, as well as those that have been clients for years. Without the proper legal tools, companies risk losing money and gaining disgruntled employees instead. There is also the risk of shareholder and property disputes, not to mention bad publicity. Such legal tools include knowing the most effective policies, contracts, and training tools. Used effectively, these tools can set the groundwork for businesses and ensure a future of prosperity and success. Business and corporate attorneys offer more than just the advice and groundwork needed to handle publicity. Banking and finance law, employment and labor law, mergers and acquisitions are just a few areas that an attorney can help with. Their knowledge also expands into the realm of negotiations and drafting of contracts, as well as business succession planning and construction law and litigation. Individual goals are the priority of even business and corporate law attorney. They strive to help each client meet their goal no matter how big or small it may seem. With acute attention to detail and modern solutions, attorneys can help clients tackle legal details without stress or confusion. Business and corporate law attorneys offer a variety of strategies when it comes time to negotiate and draft contracts, plus they are trained to sort through the legal details presented by software development and licensing arrangements. In order to assure that every client receives the maximum gain and satisfaction, business and corporate attorneys specialize in other areas like business purchases and sales, succession planning, dissolutions, and buy-outs. Attorneys want to make sure that both parties are content with the outcome and that requires that they can provide swift and comprehensive answers. Business structuring, shareholder and buy-sell agreements, and capitalization are also areas that a business and corporate Lawyer Chaska Minnesota can help with. Every attorney will protect a client's intellectual property and advantage in the marketplace while still ensuring the best and most efficient results are reached. If you are searching for an Lawyer Chaska Minnesota than look no further then MHS Law. MHS Law are expert Attorneys Chaska Minnesota (Comment on this)
Monday, October 12th, 2009
8:46 pm	How to Get Refinancing When It Comes to Your Home Improvement Loan, How Do You Get Refinancing? mortgage refi in Rogers MN packages, also called "refis," can be difficult to get; it depends upon what you are looking for. If you're experienced and you've done this before, you'll probably have an easier time of it, but it's ultimately based upon the health of your credit history. Of course, you'll do the best if you have a good credit history, and you can get A-loan package deals if so, but you can still get pretty good interest rates (although somewhat higher) with less than perfect credit through package deals with B and C loans. It'll take you some elbow grease to find the right refinance, and you should be able to take advantage of low interest rate deals right now because of the market. Even so, it can still be complicated as a process. There are some things you should think about when you're looking to refinance so that you get the money you're looking for. You have several different options when it comes to refinancing. Do you want a home loan through the refinance for cash or home improvements? If that's true, understand that it's not as intimidating as it may seem. You can take a second mortgage on your house or take out equity when you refinance to fix up your house. If it's home improvement you're looking for, before you refinance, take a look and see how much you want to do. Is it going to increase your home's value? How much is it going to cost you to remodel, do the addition, or improve energy efficiency, etc.? When you've figured out what you want to do, get quotes from several contractors who are reputable and from your area. Alternatively, you could also be in a situation whereby you need to repair your home because it's been through some type of damage and you are going to be working through your insurance company, such as if you've had roof damage, and want to be working on some home improvements at the same time. That's a pretty big chunk to bite off, so make sure you have everything in order. When it comes to home improvement loans, you are in effect borrowing money "from" your house to fix it up so that you can make your money back through your investment and show it to the bank as collateral for your mortgage. You can look at this loan from either a personal or business perspective, but either way, you get the job done that you need to and your house has undergone the improvements it needs. Either way, though, the work you do on your home should improve its value. That's the key point. If your home's value doesn't increase, it may not have been worth taking out the loan, since those improvements didn't actually "improve" your house over the long haul. Lenders take this into consideration, oftentimes, in context with current economic conditions and market trends before they will authorize a home improvement loan. It's important to keep in mind, though, that if you take the loan out and the work is not done, in that you don't use the money for its intended purpose, it's less likely that you will t another refinance option in the future. First look at this question: is a home improvement loan and there are refinancing solutions for that. If you are fixing up your home, a home equity line of credit may be available also from a lender. You do not always need to get a refi package for just your home needs, perhaps it is a personal loan which can be used for a variety of valid purposes, whether to aid in going back to school, whether it is that you need to pay off hospital bills or are getting married or so on, personal loans are also available at the bank and through various lenders and are options to consider. When you're looking to refinance, state what you want to do clearly, whether it be for home improvement loans or something else. Be completely clear and up front with your lenders so that they can tell you what your options are based upon the right information. You can talk to a loan officer or representative to find the right solution for you and make sure you've done the proper homework before you start so that the interest rate you find is the lowest possible; you may even want to compare interest rate quotes with other lenders to see if the lender you want will match an offer from another lender. Oftentimes, this will get you a very good deal, since lenders will compete with each other to get your business. When you refinance, of course, home improvement loans are an option, and you can also take the money out of your home's value or equity so that you can make improvements and repairs. You may also want an addition or to remodel your home so that its value is increased over the long haul. However, consider the investment you are going to make and make sure that this will increase your home's value. During recessions, it's often true that home values go down and/or interest rates go up, which can sometimes offset how much value the remodel or other work brings to your home. The same is also true if you live in a location that was "hot" in terms of real estate a few years ago but now is no longer. For this reason, your home improvement loan may not be approved because your home's value may not increase after you've done the work. Therefore, only do the remodeling or other projects if you are sure it's going to increase the value of your home in the end. What does all this mean? You need to find the solution that best fits your needs and then mortgage refinancing around Elk River MN so that you can start your home improvements. To do this, talk to a lender (or several), find yourself a reputable contractor, and also seek advice from friends and family and how they have gotten home improvement loans if this is appropriate. Once you've done your homework, you may be on your way to refinancing so that you can make the improvements to your home you want and need. If you are looking for mortgage refinancing around Rogers MN than look no further then Brian Thompson Mortgage. Brian Thompson Mortgage are experts in the field ofrefinance mortgage in Elk River MN. (Comment on this)