Health in the 21st Century @ HCBER.COM

Professional Mortgage Training

On Nov 16th, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

It is common practice for professionals in a variety of fields to seek out specialized training and industry education in order to stay at the top of their game. For some professionals, this training is actually required in order to obtain a license to practice, whatever their practice may be. This includes not only well known licensing of doctors, lawyers, and certified public accountants, but also includes professionals in the banking industry , such as those who work residential mortgages.

Because of the complexity of mortgage laws and lending practices, every state has established their own licensing requirements, which usually include a set amount of training on specific topics as well as testing to ensure that knowledge was understood and absorbed. With the 2008 SAFE Act, some national standards for licensing were set and the various states have worked over the past few years to ensure that their requirements meet federal minimum standards. SAFE also ordered the establishment of a national registry for all licensed mortgage professionals. This makes it easier for state officials to identify those operating without a valid license and for consumers to check if their loan officer and broker have a license in good standing.

The new system has ensured that all companies offering professional mortgage training follow those guidelines. So, anyone looking for North Carolina mortgage broker training needs to make sure that the program they choose meets not only the state requirements, but that it has been approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System.

Posted in Training | Tagged banking industry | Leave a comment

Planning a Pool

On Nov 11th, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

Now that the long, hot Houston summer is over, it’s time to plan for next summer. For many people that means finally putting in that backyard pool. The idea of a pool that’s available any time the temperature and humidity gets too high is hard to resist. Home owners who are seriously considering installing a pool need to realize that now is the time to act. If they wait too long, there’s a good chance their pool won’t be ready for next summer.

The main problem is that demand is still high and Pool builders in Houston can only take on so many projects at a time. Since projects can take several months to complete, it’s important to choose a builder and get started right away. There will likely be a gap between the planning stage and the actual construction time, especially if the installer is one of the better, and therefore more popular, ones.

Before contacting a builder, it’s important to make some initial decisions about the pool. These include size, purpose, and location on the property. Home owners who are willing to do their research can also begin to look into different materials, pump systems and additional features they may want. Once they have their idea in mind, they need to get some estimates, choose a builder, and get their project scheduled — with any luck it will be ready before that first really hot day of 2011 comes around.

Planning for Next Halloween

On Nov 6th, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

Every year stores and businesses start planning earlier and earlier for holidays. They bring out Christmas decorations before Halloween is past and Valentine’s items appear on the shelves almost the day after Christmas. Individuals can take a page from this early planning to get a head start, but try taking it a step further. Instead of waiting for July or August to plan for Halloween, start on November 1st.

A big advantage of any holiday is the post-holiday sales. This means that the week or so after Halloween is actually the best time to purchase decorations and other items for next year. While it’s inadvisable to buy candy a year in advance, there will be a selection of Halloween costumes , spooky lights, and party and table decorations to be had at serious discounts for next year’s parties. Some stores even offer color-coded storage bins for sale immediately following a holiday, look for orange and black in the post-Halloween sales. These are perfect for storing all those post-Halloween sale finds.

Another way to plan for next year’s Halloween is to make a list of all the Halloween parties and events that occurred this year. Noting which parties were flops — and why — as well as which were successes can help in planning next year’s, but only if an honest review is made immediately afterward. This also applies to decorating tips and costumes. Taking notes about how long it took to assemble a do-it-yourself haunted house or to make a robot costume from scratch will make it much easier to estimate how long things will take next time.

Posted in Art | Tagged halloween costumes | Leave a comment

Online Resources for Renters

On Nov 2nd, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

If you’re looking to move into a rental property you may be stuck thinking your only resource is a community bulletin board or maybe classified ads in the newspaper . If so, you’re likely stuck in the twentieth century mode of apartment hunting. Welcome to the internet age, where there are so many different resources you may wonder where to start.

The easiest place to start is to find a good property management company like transglobe property management services . The advantage to using a company is that they can do much of the searching for you. They will manage properties all over your city or region and can help you narrow your choices based on rent, amenities, neighborhood and any other factors you choose. However, if you want the 21st century version of the old school method, then check out craigslist or one of the many property listing and roommate finder websites and do your own searching.

If you’re looking for an apartmen t rather than a house, you should do some research on the various complexes and condo communities in your area. Those that are cutting edge are going to have online communities on sites like Facebook where you can see pictures, view video tours, and even contact current residents to answer your questions about their living experience. Good property management companies also make use of social media sites. check out transglobe property management as an example.

There are also tons of websites with information on local laws and regulations for rental properties that will help you understand your rights and what to expect when dealing with landlords. You can even find tips on packing and moving as well as sample roommate agreements if you’re not going to be living alone.

Posted in Real Estate | Tagged newspaper | Leave a comment

Used Wedding Dresses Are a Growing Trend

On Oct 22nd, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

It used to be that the only acceptable used item at a wedding was the dress, but only if it was handed down from the bride’s mother or other family member. In those cases it was a lovely tradition that added to the meaning of the event. If there wasn’t a dress to be shared, then the bride had to have a brand new dress of her own.

That idea is fading more and more. One of the driving forces behind the shifting perspective is the fact that most people are struggling right now. The economy has been down for more than two years and any recovery is very slow in coming. Few people have thousands of dollars to spend on a designer gown that they will only wear once. So why not look into used wedding dresses as an option.

Another reason for the rise in previously-owned dresses is the internet. Just as craigslist has made it easier for people to hold online garage sales , there are sites popping up that are devoted to helping women sell their wedding dresses to new brides. This ends up benefiting both women as the seller gets cash for something that would otherwise just be sitting in a closet or rented storage space. Maybe there would have been more of a market for used dresses in the past if there had just been an easy way to access them. The web has solved that problem and the number of women who are wearing pre-owned dresses continues to climb.

Posted in Fashion | Tagged garage sales | Leave a comment

Spotting Knockoff Handbags

On Oct 20th, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

In the fashion world there’s nothing more financially damaging than the knockoff. While they may seem like bargains to the buyer who thinks they can’t afford the real thing, they are generally so poorly made that they aren’t even worth the few bucks they cost. More importantly, they distract buyers from the original item and force designers to spend time and money tracking down and stopping those who steal their designs .

One of the most often knocked off products are handbags . These important accessories are actually necessities, as most women wouldn’t be caught dead without a handbag of some kind or other. With designer bags costing hundreds of dollars it can be tempting to hunt for knock offs or look-alikes. While a look alike is merely inspired by a designer bag and may still cost a pretty penny, a knock off will try to trick the buyer into thinking it’s the real thing, right down to the designer logo and label.

It’s usually easy to spot a true knockoff . The level of craftsmanship will give it away if not the place where it’s being sold. And if the price seems too good to be true, it’s probably a fake. For those that want to find designer handbags at lower prices, there are plenty of outlet stores and end of season sales that offer legitimate designer fashions at reduced prices.

Posted in Fashion | Tagged knockoff | Leave a comment

Avoiding Common Pool Building Mistakes

On Oct 17th, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

Choosing from the plethora of Dallas swimming pool builders to find the right one to build your pool can seem like a minefield of mistakes. To keep the process from turning into a horror story, remember that a pool is a construction project. It’s not like buying a car or other major investment. These builders will be coming to your home and working for weeks, if not months to permanently alter your yard or home. If you follow these tips, you’ll have a better experience.

Don’t be afaid to ask questions. This is the number one mistake homeowners make. Thinking that the builder will know what’s best is a close second. Do your own research and ask lots of questions before hiring a builder. This includes asking for references and then actually contacting the references and asking them questions too.

Don’t shop by price. The lowest price is not automatically the best. You need to balance the time costs along with material costs. A more inexperienced builder or a sloppy one may make mistakes that end up costing you more in the long run. Look at the big picture as you would with any construction job.

Don’t look only at looks. While you want your pool and surrounding area to be aesthetically pleasing, remember to consider safety issues as well as the mechanics of plumbing, electricity, heating, and filtration for your pool. All these factors should trump what looks best.

Posted in Home and Garden | Tagged asking for references | Leave a comment

Amusement Parks Safer Than You Think

On Oct 13th, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

Whenever there’s an accident at an amusement park, such as Disney World in Florida, it tends to get a lot of publicity — especially if multiple people are injured or there is a fatality. With the rise of online video sharing , there are even websites devoted to “caught on film” incidents at theme parks, designed to showcase the worst accidents, or the funniest.

The reality is that with over 300 million individual visits to theme parks every year, the rate of incidents is actually quite small. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions estimates that the odds of getting injured while at a permanent park is about 1 in 9 million. In Orlando, where there are dozens of major theme parks, there have only been seven lawsuits filed due to guest injured between 2004 and 2009.

Disney World accident s, and those at any theme park in general are usually placed in one of four major categories. Act of God, guest negligence, guest health issues, and park negligence. Only the latter can result in lawsuits. Most accidents fall into the category of guest negligence, those who fail or blatantly refuse to follow safety instructions, or guest health issues, such as visitors failing to take into consider heart conditions and not takin precautions against heat-related illness. This includes health issues that the guest is unaware of prior to the incident.

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged disney world accident | Leave a comment

Identifying Selling Styles

On Oct 5th, 2010 Published By Herbert Jones

Every sales person has an innate selling style — a way of relating to people in a sales situation that comes so naturally to them they probably aren’t even aware of it. Identifying and understanding your personal selling style is key to improving your ability to grow beyond it and reach those people who require a different approach. Good sales training programs, such as that offered by Southwestern Company to its summer intern sales force, will teach elements of all four styles in an attempt to produce balanced, adaptable sales people.

The Fighter is one of the most obvious styles. This is a sales style that wastes no time and takes no prisoners. For them selling is a game or a battle and they intend to win over every objection, regardless of the conflict it may engender.

Another easy to spot style is the Entertainer. These people seek attention and want to be liked. If they have enough charisma, potential customers will like them on site and may actually feel guilty when they say “no.” These people usually go for the soft close, trying to make sure everyone is happy.

The Counselor builds relationships and avoid controversy. They show seemingly endless patience and have a natural ability to empathize with potential customers, demonstrating that they truly understand objections and then answering them carefully and thoroughly. These people don’t even need to close as customers usually end up asking how to buy.

The Detective is the final sales type. They analyze everything with facts and figures, avoiding stories and emotions. “Just the facts” is a good motto for them and they have logical reasons and responses. They aren’t going to accept any objections without factual reasoning behind it.

Which kind of sales type are you? What sales tips would you offer someone who wanted to be more like you?

Posted in Business | Tagged "just the facts" | Leave a comment

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