Six Reasons Why Most Home Based Businesses Fail

Every day thousands of people are looking to get out of the “rat race” to work at home. Most of those people want to get started on a home based business so badly that they do not always make wise decisions in choosing a home based business opportunity. As a result, many fail miserably and are left worse off then before they started. This, of course, does not need to be the case.

It is very possible, and doesn’t have to be all that hard, to find a legitimate home based business opportunity. As discussed in my previous article, “Why Do Most Home Based Businesses Fail?” there are five major reasons most home based businesses will never work.

In this article I am going to give you six more reasons why your home based business will fail, if you are not careful when choosing:

#1 – Most new opportunities do not help you make money. They will give you some ideas for making money, but then leave you out in the cold by having you do everything on your own. There simply is no good support system. Nobody should be a part of a business opportunity without a good support system.

A good support system should include at least some of the following; Good leaders, help forums, ongoing training, conference calls, marketing tools, suggested resources, ebooks, blogs, FAQ’s, etc… Basically they should have many ways to help you as much as possible with any question you might have.

#2 – Unfortunately, some home business opportunity owners will take your money and run. There are too many fly-by-night operations out there that will not hesitate to scam you. The problem is their promotions sound just as good as the legitimate opportunities. To avoid this, you should be very skeptical about each home business based business opportunity you are presented, examine and research them carefully, and then make an informed decision.

#3 – Some home based business opportunities will have you working long hours for little pay. This is a good way to get burned out, tired, frustrated, and eventually quit. Why become part of a home based business opportunity that is like a regular job? Of course, with any home business, you will have to put in a lot of time, energy, and resources for the first year or more, with little in return. But don’t get that confused with an opportunity that you will never make any real money in, no matter what you do.

#4 – Many home business opportunities offer products nobody really wants. You should never try to market any product that people couldn’t care less about. Do this and you are doomed to fail. Always remember that the market for your products or services comes first, and the product or service must be something that people actually want. In addition, it is best that the company who offers the product or service has a proven marketing system in place to help you promote them.

#5 – Many home based business opportunities force you to become a salesperson. Yes, you will have to do some selling in any home business, it just can’t be avoided. However, you should not have to spend your days cold calling leads or trying to sell ice to Eskimo’s. Don’t get into one of these businesses or you will get burned out quickly, unless you love to sell. There should already be an established market for the product or service and a system in place to eliminate as much of the “selling” as possible.

#6 – Some home based business opportunities pay small sums of money and no residual income. Stay far away from these! If you market products or services that don’t sell for very much money and don’t offer any residual income, it’s going to be almost impossible for you to make any real money or obtain financial freedom. There are plenty of opportunities out there where you can make a good amount of money per sale as well as earn residual income. It takes the same amount of effort on your part so don’t waste it on anything less!

So, there you have it… six more reasons why your home based businesses will fail if you are not careful. Do your homework and look for potential problems with any home based business opportunity before you get in it. Make sure it doesn’t have the problems outlined above, and then make an informed decision.

I want to leave you with the same final thought as my last article on this topic… No opportunity is perfect in every way. Don’t waste your life searching for it because it doesn’t exist! Just find one good home based business opportunity and stick with it.

How Small Businesses Can Benefit From SBA Small Business Start Up Loans

Small businesses need loans at every step of getting established. They are undoubtedly more in need of financial support than established businesses. However, small businesses are often not eligible for loans from banks and other conventional sources. Hence it is sometimes a problem for them to find a reliable lending source that can provide them adequate financial help and support.SBA or the Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that aims at providing financial assistance to start-up businesses to help them get established and grow. SBA provides financial support to these small businesses with the aim of strengthening the economic condition of the nation, thereby helping it flourish.Here are some of the significant features of the small business start up loans provided by SBA:

These loans are not provided directly by the SBA. They merely serve as guarantors for several banks and private-sector lenders who follow the various SBA rules and regulations to provide these loans to start up business owners. SBA monitors and regulates the working procedures of these private-sector lenders through which they provide loans to start up businesses.

Since small businesses lack sufficient capital and are more in need of financial assistance than established businesses, SBA loans are provided at lower interest rates than the ones provided by conventional lending sources.

You can obtain SBA loans extremely fast and easy. They are almost like ready-made loans that can be acquired in a very short span of time once you apply for them. This fast and easy processing makes SBA loans a convenient and beneficial option for start-up business owners who are solely dependent on loans for establishing their business.

In case there are no properties in your possession for mortgage purposes, the SBA can help you by serving as your guarantor for obtaining a business start up loans. This is immensely helpful for business owners who lack adequate capital as well as properties.

You can avail SBA loans not only for starting a new business, but also for advancing and growing an already established one.

One of the most beneficial aspects of SBA loans is that you can procure them even if you have poor credit histories such as bankruptcy, insolvency, arrears, IVA, missed payments and others. By availing these loans, you get an excellent opportunity to change and improve your credit records.
Innumerable details are involved in starting a new business. Especially in case of a start-up business, loan is required almost at every step. Let us discuss some of the purposes you can use SBA business loans:

Purchasing a space for your office.

Purchasing essential electronic devices such as a fax machine, printer, computer etc.

Purchasing important and essential furniture and office equipment.

Appointing staffs and making payments for their salaries.
It is however extremely important to make a thorough research of the market to find the most appropriate lending source for you. You can always consult an expert counselor who can provide you appropriate advices on small business start-up loans and how you can find the most suitable lender for you.

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.