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    Travis Baucom of Balcomie Capital on Transitioning from Investing in Houses to Self-Storage Syndication

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    Travis Baucom
    Travis Baucom, Founder of Balcomie Capital

    As exciting as property investing is, it’s certainly never a sure thing. Projects go over budget, markets slow down, and renters can be nightmares to work with. For those reasons, many accredited investors are moving their capital into self-storage investments.

    For investment manager and influencer Travis Baucom, Founder of Balcomie Capital, the move to self-storage investment was a logical progression.

    “People focus too much on buying houses as an investment,” said Baucom. “Focusing on self-storage has presented more returns on the dollar and commercial real estate has proven way more profitable for our investors.”

    Balcomie Capital’s Founder boasts a notable investment track record. As the former CEO of Texas’s largest privately-owned distressed house-buying firm, Texas Trust Home Buyers, where he led the company in buying over $50 million in homes successfully for years. He has since stepped down and is now focusing all of his efforts on buying self-storage investments.

    Baucom has spent the last several years helping new and seasoned investors enter and navigate lucrative investments across the self-storage space. He has become one of the industry’s most recognized figures and thought leaders in this segment of investing.

    Deeming self-storage investing as a smart move for those looking to diversify their real estate portfolio, Baucom believes the space to be promising in increasing returns on investments.

    Below are the most valuable pieces of advice he has for those hoping to transition from property investments to self-storage — and each tip comes from his own hard-earned experience.

    Learn About the Market

    Learning about the self-storage market — or any market you hope to invest in — is key to finding success. “The first thing to do is a deep dive into the market’s history to learn how it has performed in the past,” said Baucom. “When you learn how self-storage investments retain resilience in the face of changing market conditions, you’ll begin to understand why this investment space is so hot right now.”

    If solo research isn’t your thing, you can also learn about the market by taking a course or investing with someone who knows the market well and learn from them.

    Explore the Risk Involved

    Since becoming a viable investment opportunity 15 years ago, self-storage has proven to be a low-risk investment that has outperformed other commercial real estate investments. Baucom pointed out that this was particularly true when the country suffered through the great recession in 2008. Self-storage investments remained one of the few bright spots in investors’ portfolios and provided a reliable, passive income that outperformed other stock and property investments.

    “The high profitability of self-storage units has made them a popular choice among investors seeking tax-advantaged investments that can generate long-term revenue,” said Baucom.

    Have Your Finances in Order

    One aspect of embarking on your self-storage investing journey is that it requires more available capital than buying residential properties. By definition, self-storage facilities are larger than houses, so they are much more expensive,  But they also reap much higher profits than houses due to how commercial properties are sold..

    If you aren’t sitting on millions of dollars to purchase, build, or renovate a self-storage facility, it’s not the end of the road for this dream. Baucom suggests partnering with skilled operators like his firm.

    Build Peer Relationships

    Building relationships with other investors in the self-storage space can be a great way to learn about new opportunities and find potential partners for future projects. Not only will developing a strong group of like-minded peers be important to learning, growing and long-term success, they can also become like colleagues and act as people that you celebrate wins with and strategize fresh ideas and plans with.

    Using these tips, you’ll be sure to get started on the right foot in your self-storage investment journey.

    About Travis Baucom

    Travis Baucom, Founder of Balcomie Capital, is a seasoned asset investor with over 10 years of real estate investing experience, with a consistent return that has yearly outperformed the market over the past decade. Balcomie Capital is a boutique firm for high-net-worth and high-income professionals. Its mission is to deliver fully-managed, private investments that allow investors to pursue what matters most to them, offering unprecedented access to income-producing private investments to help build a legacy and future for the next generation.To invest with Balcomie Capital, please visit: https://balcomiecapital.com

    Doug Andrew Lays Out 3 Ways an Indexed Universal Life insurance policy can offer more than a Traditional 401(k)

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    Doug Andrew
    Doug Andrew , Founder and CEO of 3 Dimensional Wealth

    Doug Andrew knows a bit about creating financial abundance and long-term wealth. He founded 3 Dimensional Wealth and acts as its CEO. He believes in approaching finances from a holistic and long-term point of view and has worked in the field for over 50 years.

    Andrew is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author on money matters and is also a respected radio, TV, and YouTube personality. For these reasons, we’re listening when he speaks up to say that he believes an Indexed Universal Life Insurance Policy (IUL) may be better than a traditional 401(k) retirement plan.

    Sure, most of us have been raised to believe that a 401(k) is the gold standard for retirement savings. It’s easy to understand, can be rolled over when you change jobs, and many employers match contributions up to a certain point. It’s also invested without taxes being withheld from it. What’s not to like, right?

    Well, according to Andrew, quite a bit.

    Why 401(k)s Aren’t Your Best Bet

    Over the last several years, employers have increasingly moved away from strictly defined benefit pensions and toward defined contributions — such as 401(k)s — in which the employer lets the worker define how much they want to, or can afford to, contribute from each of their paychecks.

    “Most employers also match — and cap — employee contributions up to a certain pay percentage. The problem here is, whether your 401(k) makes or loses money in the stock market, it ends up being your problem, not your employers,” shared Andrew.

    The finance CEO shared that recent findings from Dalbar, the country’s top financial services market research firm, known for performing trusted ratings and evaluations of financial and healthcare industry practices, shed new light on the subject.

    “Dalbar says the average person who has money invested in the market in IRAs and 401(k)s is only earning 3.49%,” he said. It’s a paltry amount when you consider that some savings accounts in the US pay 4% interest,” he said.

    When looked at in contrast with the  5% to 10% predictable return rates of IULs can provide, you may start to see what Andrew means.

    Below are the finance whiz’s top three aspects to mull over when deciding where to park your retirement savings.

    After-Tax Vs. Pre-Tax Contributions

    When considering IULs vs. 401(k)s, taxes are one of the first issues to consider.

    401(k)s are funded by pre-tax money, meaning your retirement savings go directly from your pay to your 401(k) without any tax removed. This is one of the first things usually mentioned by fans of 401(k)s.

    But, what people don’t consider is that you’ll be paying taxes on this money when you withdraw the funds upon retirement.

    “The thinking here is that you are just deferring taxes — often with the hope that you’ll be in a lower tax bracket when you retire,” said Andrew. “But really, you’re just procrastinating on these taxes, and most American retirees aren’t in a lower tax bracket at retirement, they may even be in a higher one.”

    With an IUL, you contribute post-tax money into a policy, and it can grow tax- and worry-free, offering less stress as the years go on and at retirement.

    Market Protection Vs. Market Risk

    Another benefit of IULs is that they give you all of the market’s upsides without the danger of any of its downsides.

    “When the market goes up, you gain, thanks to indexing. When the market goes down, you don’t lose, thanks to your 0% guaranteed floor,” Andrew explained of this investor-friendly option.

    He also noted that an IUL is not capped and lets you contribute bigger amounts with fewer annual limits. For example, in 2023, the annual 401(k) contribution limit will be capped at just $22,500 and only $30,000 for contributors over 50.

    Access Your Money Anytime Without Penalties

    Another thing that Andrew dislikes about 401(k)s is that there are strict financial penalties if you choose to remove your money early. On the other hand, an IUL lets you access your money at any time — and at any age — without penalties.

    If you have a family emergency, an unexpected illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, having an IUL over a 401(k) can be a true lifesaver.

    The final point Andrew made for an IUL over a 401(k) is the allowance of transferring money from your policy to heirs without income tax liability, thanks to the IUL’s death benefit.

    With these illuminating thinking points to consider, we’re sure you’ll make the right decision about your retirement savings and be glad that there are various options at your fingertips.

    About Doug Andrew

    Doug Andrew, Founder & CEO of 3 Dimensional Wealth, provides a holistic program that helps individuals and families create financial, foundational, and intellectual abundance. He has more than five decades of experience in the financial sector and is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. The radio and television personality also has a high-performing YouTube channel. For more information please visit www.3dimensionalwealth.com

    Lead and Overcome: LLL Event Furnishings & Rentals CEO Neil Mirchandani Shares Tips for Leadership in a Fast-Paced Environment

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    Neil Mirchandani

    There are a lot of industries in which businesses — and the teams that run them — have to work quickly and under specific time constraints. Event rentals are among those fields. Neil Mirchandani, Founder and CEO of Atlanta-based LLL Event Furnishings and Rentals, has been mastering fast-paced leadership for years and his company’s revenue topped $11 million this year.

    “It’s a fast-paced environment, and things can get a little crazy around the warehouse, but we get it done in a timely manner and where it needs to go,” explained Mirchandani of the 35-person team in his 70,000-square-foot space, which is chock full of lounge furniture, dance floors, drapery, chairs, and other event rental items.

    The founder and master of operations has been so successful in his field that his company is the number one furnishings provider in the Southeast of the US for film sets, music videos, sporting events, and other temporary settings.

    They have also sourced items for Netflix shows, decked out venues for album release parties and music videos, and have seen it all in the fast-paced business. Fans of Netflix’s Love is Blind are already familiar with Mirchandani’s talents — he provided most of the furnishings featured on the show.

    People not in the event rental business never realize the crazy hours and quick turnarounds involved. The company’s on-staff crafters and furniture makers might need to repair things in a hurry if they are damaged or immediately being rented again, and clients often put in late requests, or need unexpected customized items.

    “Basically, everything has to be done overnight in this business,” he said, meaning it literally and figuratively. From late-night setups for early morning events and frantic last-night searches for the perfect items, event rentals can certainly overstress  business owners.

    But not Mirchandani, who shares his best advice for leadership and overcoming challenges, gleaned from years of working under pressure.

    Prepare Yourself

    “Be prepared at all times,” said the Founder. “Things can change at any moment, and you have to make progress where you can get it. Always stay calm. Don’t rush and go crazy when you get a call to do something insane at the last minute.”

    Whether that means having a breathing routine you do when stressed, or a certain friend you call that always has a calm head, find a strategy for staying calm and use it each time. In the moment, you might feel like it’s a waste of time to take 90 seconds for breathing or talking things through, but it will save you hours of mental stress later to stay poised in the moment.

    Avoid Hitting the Panic Button

    The only thing worse than a frazzled founder is a distressed team. That’s why Mirchandani advises never to let your staff see you sweat and keep them from getting stressed or overwhelmed.

    “Don’t panic in front of your staff. Energy is contagious. As an operator, you have to stay calm and de-stress those around you. Keep your cool whether the building is burning down, COVID hits, or you just don’t know what to do,” he said. “I’d never go to our warehouse crew and say ‘Oh my God, we have to get this done now!’ frantically,’ I know that will only make things worse.”

    Tackling a Post-Pandemic Atlanta

    He explained that the global pandemic presented even more unique challenges to his business and leadership, forcing him to step up and become even better at leading under pressure.

    “Atlanta business went from zero to millions, post-COVID, because while we were fairly large prior to the pandemic, we were forced to completely close during 2020, with effectively zero employees and zero revenue,” Mirchandani. “When we opened towards the end of 2020 and into 2021, we navigated quickly, had to hire, buy, and adapt quickly because the demand was intense.”

    So, whether navigating an internal crisis or a global one, cool heads need to prevail among leaders, and with this insight from Mirchandani, we can all lead a little bit better.

    About Neil Mirchandani

    Neil Mirchandani is the founder and CEO of LLL Event Furnishings & Rentals, an Atlanta-based multi-million dollar event rental, furniture, drapery and dance floor provider. The company is the #1 furnishing provider for film sets, music videos, sporting, corporate and other events in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about the Southeast’s largest selection of quality lounge furniture, fit for all social and corporate events, please visit: https://luxuryloungeatl.com/

    Here Comes the Sun: How Solar Exclusive Shares Unique Leads With the Country’s Best Solar Companies

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    Rich Feola
    Rich Feola, the Founder of Solar Exclusive

    Solar sales is a field that relies on leads to find the customers that need their planet- and wallet-friendly solutions. Though door-to-door sales are a tried and true technique in the solar field, warm leads for families that are truly interested in solar installations are absolutely priceless. That’s where Solar Exclusive comes in.

    The 8-figure marketing company is second-to-none when it comes to providing exclusive leads, pre-set appointments, and more to the country’s most respected solar companies.

    The company has worked with more than 2,500 happy clients in 286 markets to provide more than two million residential and commercial solar leads.

    Of course, lots of companies claim to provide exclusive leads and don’t, instead providing well-used lists of people that already have solar products installed or simply aren’t interested at all and hang up or slam the door in your face.

    Solar Exclusive Founder Rich Feola feels your pain. The successful founder has worked in the solar industry for years. Indeed, he started as a door-to-door salesman specializing in home upgrades nearly 15 years ago. In fact, many of his account representatives were previous solar salespeople as well. So, he knows firsthand how great it feels when you are actually approaching warm and exclusive leads.

    The marketing company has been profiled in Digital Journal and Yahoo Finance, as well as appearing on NBC and FOX. If that’s not legit enough, they generate $4 million in revenue every month and have a large crew of employees creating leads every day.

    “People always ask me, ‘If you’ve worked with 2,000+ solar companies in the last five years, how do I know I will really get exclusive leads, and you’re not sharing them with other companies? How do I know you are really going to take care of me?” said Feola.

    How Exclusive Are They?

    Through proprietary technology and automation, Solar Exclusive’s track record proves they regularly double solar companies’ income using YouTube strategies to set up exclusive appointments for their client companies with interested homeowners in their region.

    They do this by keeping every region and campaign totally separate, utilizing proprietary technology to ensure exclusivity is maintained.

    “Everything we do is in an exclusive nature. It’s very common for many solar lead companies to resell leads — the leads get repeated, and they get called by multiple solar companies, making companies have to drive their prices way lower because there are too many people competing, but not us,” said Feola.

    Over the several years they have been in business, Solar Exclusive has compiled a staggering amount of industry and consumer data that can be mined to create results for their clients.

    Dedicated Call Center

    Solar Exclusive has also upped the ante for clients registering for a trial with the company: free use of their dedicated call center. The use of the facility lets partner companies make even more exclusive appointments from the warm leads provided by Feola and the team.

    “The fact that we offer our call center for free is a huge perk that can help our clients save time, so they only meet with the most-qualified and ready-to-buy homeowners. With our process, we’re often connecting solar companies with homeowners who are already looking to buy solar, which makes the sales process easier,” shared the Founder.

    Letting clients use the Solar Exclusive call center makes the process of collaboration and successful conversion that much easier. Pairing with the country’s largest indie solar marketing company has been paramount to making even more sales for the firm’s other clients currently utilizing the service.

    As Solar Exclusive develops further, incorporating approaching B2B industries such as manufacturing, storage, logistics, commercial real estate and more, having access to their data is more helpful than ever before.

    In fact, it’s Feola’s goal to make Solar Exclusive a one-stop shop for solar lead campaigns in any market and with any target demographic around the country.

    For anyone working in the field of solar installations, it’s simple to see why Solar Exclusive is leading the pack on exclusive solar leads nationwide.

    About Rich Feola and Solar Exclusive

    Rich Feola is the Founder of Solar Exclusive, an 8-figure marketing company that generates unique, qualified leads and appointments for solar companies across the nation. Solar Exclusive has been featured in Digital Journal, Yahoo Finance, NBC and FOX among other publications. Want to skyrocket the success of your solar business with top-notch leads? Visit this link to book a strategy call: https://solarexclusive.com/

    The Top Gadgets and Electronics for Weather Monitoring and Prediction

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    The Top Gadgets and Electronics for Weather Monitoring and Prediction

    Weather monitoring and prediction is an important aspect of daily life for many people, especially for those who are involved in outdoor activities, such as farming, construction, or recreational sports. Accurate weather forecasts can help you plan your activities and make informed decisions, while real-time updates and alerts can help you stay safe during severe weather events.

    With the advancement of technology, there are now a variety of gadgets and electronics available that can help you stay informed about the weather. These devices can be used in conjunction with smartphones to provide real-time updates, alerts, and forecasts, making it easy to stay prepared for any potential weather events.

    • Personal Weather Station

    One of the top gadgets for weather monitoring and prediction is a personal weather station. These devices are small, portable weather stations that can be set up in your backyard or on your balcony.

    They typically include sensors for temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and barometric pressure, and can transmit this data wirelessly to your smartphone. Find out which gadgets are the best with expert reviews on Parkslopedesign.

    Personal weather stations can provide a more accurate and localized forecast for your specific location, as they measure the weather conditions directly at your home rather than relying on data from a distant weather station.

    • Weather Radio

    Another popular gadget for weather monitoring and prediction is a weather radio. These radios are specifically designed to receive National Weather Service (NWS) broadcasts and provide alerts for severe weather events, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and thunderstorms.

    Weather radios can be set to receive alerts for your specific county or region, and some models even include a tone alert feature that sounds an alarm when an alert is issued. Weather radios can be an essential tool for staying safe during severe weather events, as they can provide timely and reliable information that may not be available through other sources.

    • Smart Home Devices

    Smart home devices, such as smart thermostats, smart light bulbs, and smart speakers, can also be used for weather monitoring and prediction. Many of these devices have built-in sensors that can measure the temperature, humidity, and other weather conditions in your home. Creative party blog is the place to find expert recommendations for the top gadgets

    They can also be connected to weather services, such as The Weather Channel, to provide real-time forecasts and alerts. Smart home devices can be controlled and configured through a smartphone app, making it easy to stay informed about the weather and adjust your home’s environment accordingly.

    • Wearable Devices

    Wearable devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, can also be used for weather monitoring and prediction. Many of these devices have sensors for temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, and can provide real-time weather data on your wrist.

    Some wearable devices even have features specifically designed for outdoor activities, such as sun protection alerts and storm alerts. Wearable devices can be a convenient way to stay informed about the weather while on the go, without having to constantly check your smartphone. Discover the top gadgets on the market through the expertise of ityourstyle’s experts.

    But That Is Not All!

    In addition to these gadgets and electronics, there are also a variety of smartphone apps available for weather monitoring and prediction. These apps can provide real-time updates, alerts, and forecasts for your specific location or for any location around the world.

    Some apps also include features such as radar maps, satellite images, and weather history data. Many weather apps are free to download and use, but some may require a subscription or in-app purchase to access certain features.

    There are many gadgets and electronics available for weather monitoring and prediction that work with smartphones. Whether you need a personal weather station for your backyard, a weather radio for severe weather alerts, or a smart home device for real-time forecasts, there is a solution available to meet your needs.

    By staying informed about the weather, you can plan your activities, stay safe during severe weather events, and adjust your home’s environment to suit your needs.

    Conclusion

    Weather monitoring and prediction is an important aspect of daily life for many people. With the advancement of technology, there are now a variety of gadgets and electronics available that can help you stay informed about the weather.

    These devices can be used in conjunction with smartphones to provide real-time updates, alerts, and forecasts, making it easy to stay prepared for any potential weather events.

    Whether you need a personal weather station for your backyard, a weather radio for severe weather alerts, or a smart home device for real-time forecasts, there is a solution available to meet your needs.

    By staying informed about the weather, you can plan your activities, stay safe during severe weather events, and adjust your home’s environment to suit your needs.

     

    Discover Truth Coach Randy G. Howell Jr.’s 3 Ways a Life Coach Can Bring You Success in 2023

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    Randy G. Howell Jr
    Randy G. Howell Jr., life coach, mentor and public speaker

    We can all use help and advice on our life’s path from time to time. And getting the right advice versus the wrong advice can mean the difference between success and failure. No one knows that better than Truth Coach Randy G. Howell Jr., who has devoted his life to helping others realize their dreams and find success — no matter how they define that.

    Luckily, there are trained and passionate pros like Howell whom we can turn to when we are at a crossroads. He focuses on helping clients see their own personal truths, and making decisions and creating their lives around those truths.

    He admits that it’s not easy, but it is well worth it. In his online coaching sessions, he helps clients knock down the walls that keep them from achieving their goals and watches them bloom and succeed with his hard-earned knowledge about personal truth.

    “I have had my fair share of problems and trauma that, over time, built up and created barriers within my subconscious that stopped me from reaching my ambitions,” he said. “But because of these experiences and my healing, growth, and development, I was able to create a method that brings about unwavering life-changing results.”

    He added that he suffered from anxiety and depression when his marriage broke down and even suffered suicidal ideation until he learned to help himself.

    The S.I.M.S Approach

    Based on what he’s learned over the years, the Founder of Truth Coach Randy leads clients to the next stages of their journeys. He can help with both professional and personal paths using the same tools, simply applied differently. He has dubbed his exclusive and signature method ‘the S.I.M.S Approach,’ which stands for Story, Implementation, Manifestation Process, and Show and Tell.

    The S.I.M.S Approach is unique because it can be applied to nearly every person in almost every situation. It makes people see who they are more clearly and realize how their past continues to affect their present. By going through the process with Howell, clients better learn their impact on those around them and how to stop the cycle of passing their trauma on to others.

    Howell knows that the work he encourages is far from easy, but he wanted to share his top three reasons why a life coach can help you reach your dreams in the coming year.

    Explore Your Own Needs

    Life is busy, and we often place our needs on the back burner to take care of children, work responsibilities, or caring for your extended family. But, to be the best you can be, you need to make sure that you’re taken care of as well.

    Working with Howell means taking the time to address your own wants and needs. Doing this will leave you more refreshed and able to enjoy every day, enjoying success with your loved ones and a strong career.

    For Howell, he realized that he had hidden the truth about his childhood from his wife out of shame and knew that, in order to break through the distance between them, he’d have to be honest. This meant putting his own needs first, no matter how painful dredging up those memories of pain, insecurity, and invalidation might be for him and his wife.

    “In the end, being honest brought me to an equilibrium I didn’t realize was possible. Sharing the truth and analyzing it gave me perspective and brought my wife and me closer,” he shared.

    Take Responsibility For Your Journey

    “Many people believe that fate throws things at you, and they use that as an excuse to ‘go with the flow,” said Howell.

    But, what’s more likely, is that it’s laziness and bad habits that are keeping you from your goals. Howell helps his clients to see that, break patterns, and make a plan for action.

    “For me, the best thing about Truth Coaching is seeing our clients embrace their past, take responsibility for their journey, and be able to provide them with the tools they need to fully sort out their issues and be ready to take on the world,” said Howell. “The SIMS Approach is not the only path to truth, but it is uniquely effective and comes with proven results and many satisfied customers.”

    Get Excited For What’s Next

    Truth coaching is similar to filling a toolbox with the items you need to create a great future. It involved goal setting, planning, identifying issues, and transforming yourself. Many of Howell’s past clients claim that working with the Truth Coach opened doors to self-empowerment that they never knew existed.

    “As long as each circumstance is treated with the same openness and honesty by the client and the Truth Coach, then there is no limit to how far we can take them,” said the inspiring coach.

    About Randy G. Howell Jr.

    Randy G. Howell Jr. is a life coach, mentor and public speaker. He is the founder of the House of Howell and creator of the signature ‘S.I.M.S. Approach’, which helps individuals in their personal and professional lives, via exclusive online coaching and mentoring sessions. He is the author of the recently released book, Truth of the Matter. For more information about Coach Randy and his online coaching sessions, please visit www.truthcoachrandy.com

    How Philadelphia’s The Chimney Scientists are Pairing Science and Chimney Services to Better the Industry

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    Joe Ochal
    Joe Ochal

    When Joe Ochal founded The Chimney Scientists he was already backed with experience, as well as chimney industry and hearth certifications. The end result is what ‘The City of Brotherly Love’ gets today, a company which incorporates science and chemistry, while utilizing technology, to maintain, install, and clean fireplaces and chimneys for customers.

    The Chimney Scientists is a full-service chimney and fireplace company, one which provides inspections, repairs and cleanings. Located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and serving most of the greater Philadelphia area, the company also sells, installs and maintains high-quality and environmentally-friendly fireplace enhancements, like gas inserts and wood stoves.

    The company remains dedicated to the industry, its employees and in utilizing cutting-edge methods, generating detailed reports and making economically thoughtful decisions for its customers. Additionally, it offers the best warranties available.

    The Chimney Scientists stand on a series of values and morals, backed by a group of hardworking and passionate individuals, all of whom provide Philadelphia with superior customer service. Additionally, Ochal and Co. also educate customers along the entire process so as not to leave any confusion.

    “We have aspirations of eventually stretching from the East Coast to the West, but Philadelphia is our home and we are proud to be here,” said Ochal. “We will continue to lead in sustainability and environmentally-friendly chimney and fireplace efforts and see where it takes us.”

    The Science, Cameras, and Drones

    Ochal and Co. utilize special technology and tools, including cameras and drones to inspect chimneys. The methods help the team figure out what needs to be repaired as well as make any suggestions as to how to make customer fireplaces and chimneys safer and more efficient.

    The scientific methods and friendly service, as well as a comprehensive evaluation and consultation, that The Chimney Scientists provide makes for a sound peace of mind for customers. Additionally, their eco-friendly practices make families feel safe and secure.

    Specializations and Setting the Industry Standard

    The Chimney Scientists pride themselves on seeing all of their high-performing projects through, always being on time, and treating customer homes with care and respect, but they also specialize in ceramic restoration services too!

    In fact, the company performs ceramic restoration for joint repair. The goal is to help the customer realize a truly safe home with affordable pricing.

    What Makes Ceramic Restoration Important

    These systems are specifically designed to correct misaligned liners, mortar joints and fractures. These deformities in chimneys can be quite dangerous and create openings that may allow carbon monoxide and heat to trickle out. All the while, they also can result in the build-up of flammable creosote, which are flammable, and could potentially damage a home.

    How Ceramic Restoration Works

    The company uses a certified, ceramic restoration and mortar joint repair system. The team utilizes a vibration unit, which evokes maximum penetration of mortar joints and fractures that may be too tight. This helps in providing a new and consistent coat distribution. Chimneys without vibration units will see ceramics unable to penetrate the openings and that could spell long-term issues for the homeowner.

    “People need ceramic restorations inside their chimneys because it corrects it if there is a hole inside where the fire can escape, into the chimney cavity and eventually the drywall area of the home,” said Ochal. “We use a combination of Thermocrete, Heatshield and FireGuard, which is why we always inspect the flue lining.”

    Why Choose Ceramic Restoration

    The ceramic restoration system can actually be installed in any size, which accommodates homeowners. It not only costs less than relining the chimney, but also ensures that the structure will continue to perform well while not affecting the appliance, whatsoever. Whatsmore, the entire process typically takes less than 24 hours to complete, alleviating customers of the hassle.

    “It makes for a really good option as it’s more affordable and less invasive,” he said. “It ultimately holds up well and carries a great warranty too. We offer a larger arsenal of products than any other company in Philadelphia.”

    Passion, Service and Safety

    The Chimney Scientists work closely in partnership with industry leaders, but have taken the reins when it comes to improving the industry among wood burning and moisture testing too. Ochal’s mission is to help the industry reduce particulate matter and emissions to help benefit human and animal health, but also make Earth cleaner, not to mention bring costs of cleanings and repairs significantly down for homeowners.

    Remaining dedicated to the industry and its customers, The Chimney Scientists only allow for 3-4 inspections on a daily basis, so that they have the optimal time to spend with their customers and answer any questions they have, ensuring every detail regarding safe combustion is covered.

    “Our company is customer-oriented and we are ardently working to help reduce emissions and enable our clients to eventually become more climate friendly,” said Ochal.

    About Joe Ochal and The Chimney Scientists

    Joe Ochal is the Founder of The Chimney Scientists, serving the Philadelphia area. The Chimney Scientists is a full-service chimney and fireplace company that provides chimney and fireplace repairs, inspections, and cleanings, as well as historical restorations. To find out more about chimney repairs, please visit https://chimneyscientists.com/

    The Property Advocates Asks: Could Hurricane Ian Bust Florida’s Housing Boom?

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    The Property Advocates Asks

    Throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida’s housing market was booming. The Property Advocates points out that home prices throughout the state increased 58% from the pandemic’s start in March 2020 through September of this year, according to data from TD Economics.

    That being said, the state’s housing market began its downturn at the start of 2022, with TD Economics reporting year-to-date sales dropping 25% and price growth dropping as well.

    Still, Florida’s housing bubble hadn’t burst yet. That is until Hurricane Ian made landfall toward the end of September.

    Did the massively damaging storm officially put an end to Florida’s housing boom? Many signs are saying that it did.

    Record Number of Insurance Claims

    Hurricane Ian is projected to be the most expensive storm to affect Florida in terms of the amount of insurance damage that will be paid out. Already, $207 million has been dispersed to claims. Now, many experts believe the insurance industry in the state may be on the brink of collapse.

    It wasn’t an issue that started with Hurricane Ian, but rather started 30 years ago when Hurricane Andrew hit in August 1992. Following the storm, some insurance companies in the state went bankrupt, and others pulled out of Florida altogether because they deemed it to be too risky.

    What started 30 years ago is now having a real trickle-down effect on Florida’s housing market, as Hurricane Ian dealt the industry another massive blow.

    Insurance’s Tie to the Housing Market

    Florida law does not require homeowners to carry insurance on their property. However, homeowners who carry a mortgage on their home are usually required by their lender to purchase insurance. Even those people who have paid off their homes in full typically carry insurance on their property in Florida since it’s likely their biggest asset and because the state sustains damage from storms relatively often.

    The insurance industry, as a result, has a direct tie-in with the housing market in Florida. If more insurance companies go bankrupt or pull out of the state following Hurricane Ian, premiums could significantly increase as options decrease.

    With so much risk in the state, Florida insurance companies are often forced to get reinsurance, which is insurance for insurance companies. This practice occurs throughout the country but is common in Florida as a way to keep claims more affordable.

    If these reinsurance companies pull out of Florida, though, things could get even worse. There’s evidence that these companies are considering pulling out of Florida, as they’ve recently reduced their coverage by about half to Florida insurers.

    If this happens, Florida homeowners could be forced to rely more on public insurance, which could be expensive and provide significantly less coverage than they’re used to.

    What Happens Next?

    The Property Advocates explains that as there are signs that the insurance industry is collapsing in Florida, the state’s housing boom is starting to burst.

    With insurers and reinsurers pulling out of Florida, taxes in the state will likely rise. In addition, this could result in it becoming harder for people to get adequate homeowners insurance that would cover them in the event of damage.

    Ultimately, this could lead to fewer people being interested in owning a home and current homeowners selling in favor of renting — or leaving the state altogether. This could lead to fewer new homes being built, dealing losses to the construction industry. As all of this happens, property taxes increase, and tourism drops.

    It’s why the insurance industry is vital in the continued health of the Florida real estate market and why Hurricane Ian likely dealt a massive blow to the state’s housing bubble.

    About The Property Advocates

    The Property Advocates, P.A. is a full-service Florida insurance law firm specializing in property insurance claims. With offices in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, The Property Advocates team consists of nearly 25 experienced attorneys with decades of combined experience who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and not afraid to go to trial for their clients. They have a successful track record of resolving complicated property insurance claims and getting their clients the fair compensation they deserve.

    Short-Term Rental Educator and YouTuber Sean Rakidzich Explains How Airbnb Changed Course with Search Algorithm Overhaul

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    Sean Rakidzich
    Sean Rakidzich

    If you’ve been renting out a sofa, bedroom, guesthouse, or investment property on Airbnb, the world’s number one short-term rental expert, YouTuber, and influencer, Sean Rakidzich, has advice for you.

    Airbnb community insiders have been buzzing, thanks to a quietly launched new customer service algorithm introduced last month. Usually, these incorporations leave travelers in a worse situation, but this time, the changes focus on traveler satisfaction as a means of customer retention.

    “They are moving away from their former model and are now putting customer satisfaction first. This is a big deal,” said Rakidzich, an Airbnb host with over $10 million in revenue and Founder of Airbnb Automated. “They changed the way that hosts are showing up in searches. You can use this for market research and to target certain demographics of customers in a way that’s never been possible before.”

    YouTube’s top rental arbitrage creator was not surprised that the new algorithm update puts guest satisfaction first as he believes Airbnb has been eyeing to steal market shares from hotels since its inception in 2008-09.. But it can help property owners, too, with a little strategic and cognitive thinking.

    “Every time Airbnb makes a change, it’s much like any other market force. It’s an opportunity for some hosts to respond and make real-time adjustments to continue to perform well in the space,” said Rakidzich. “I have nearly 1000 students, and we conduct weekly strategy and coaching calls, so we became aware of this change before the more general community. That allowed us to get ahead of other hosts in searches and outperform those hosts for a significant period of time.”

    Thankfully, the world’s top mind in short-term rentals has some advice for understanding and harnessing the power of this newly adjusted algorithm.

    Research the Market

    You can use the new adjustments to conduct market research, but it needs to be done from a computer, not mobile, warned Rakidzich.

    He noted that users will now notice new tags on some listings, such as ‘long stay,’ ‘group stay,’ ‘weekend trip,’ and similar entries. “This was the first hint that the algorithm changed,” he said.

    “You can use this to find out what other people are making on the long stays, and use that info to take the average from multiple listings and determine what your prices should be,” he said.

    To get started, head to Airbnb and search for reservations for a five or six-week stay in five to six months. Next, select an Airbnb listing with a robust number of reviews and scroll down to the reviews section, and you’ll see ‘long stay’ next to some of the top reviews. That’s something new.

    Now, search for a reservation just a few months into the future, but for a group of 14-15 people. Look at the reviews again and notice that some of the first page results are labeled ‘group stay.’

    “So now Airbnb is not just looking at interest metrics, they are incorporating and this may compound or back-data and market fit to set guests up with the best possible host for their specific kind of stay,” said Rakidzich.

    You can use the long trip and group trip algorithm changes to figure out what other hosts are making on certain stays in certain areas. This applies directly to the midterm rentals — when people book for a month or longer – that are becoming more and more popular as well as lucrative.

    Understand How Data is Used

    So, now Airbnb is using back data to help the guest, in addition to the standalone info they have always used. “The thinking is, ‘This person is searching for a monthly stay. Who do we know that had a good monthly stay and gave a five-star review?’ It’s putting the listings best suited to the customer first, where previously their algorithm was primed for adoption” explained Rakidzich. “This led them to populate search on which listings seemed most interesting in real time. This is why Airbnb has always said, even to this day, that their algorithm is an ‘interest algorithm’.  But I think this is something they’ve quietly changed.”

    These properties might not get a lot of interest, high occupancy rates, or even a lot of views, but they do provide great long-term stays or excellent group hosting — exactly what the customer is looking for.

    “They’re making these changes for satisfaction. So that guests will come back and continue using the platform,” said Rakidzich.

    Reach for First Page Status

    What you do for specific types of guests — families, travelers with pets, couples, or people who love hot tubs, for example — is what gets you on the first page of Airbnb search results now. It’s all based on what the customers are searching for.

    So, if this theory proves true, you will no longer have to be booked all the time to get on the first page of Airbnb; you just have to be a good host.

    Rakidzich says that astute hosts that use this information to improve their listings and search result placement will be in a good position since many hosts — for whom Airbnb is a side hustle, not their main income source — don’t keep up with these sorts of changes at all or have interest in continued education in the space.

    With his advice and keen insights, we’ll be looking a lot closer at our Airbnb search results.

    About Sean Rakidzich

    With over $10 million in revenue generated as an Airbnb host, Sean Rakidzich (previously of Airbnb Automated) is the leading expert, entrepreneur and influencer in short-term rental education and operations on the Internet. He will soon be expanding his teachings beyond just Airbnb to include Peerspace, Turo, VRBO, Booking.com, and more. For more information, please visit rakidzich.com/

    SAAK Insurance Group’s Andrew Davis and Kiana Johnson Share Their Top 5 Reasons to Consider Buying Life Insurance

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    Andrew Davis

    Buying life insurance is something that many people put off for another day, perhaps because they don’t have time to do the research to find the right policy, don’t want to spend the money, or simply don’t like thinking about the demise of themselves or their loved ones.

    It’s understandable, but Andrew Davis and Kiana Johnson, co-owners of SAAK Insurance Group, encourage everyone to buy a policy that will keep their loved ones safe in the event that something happens to them.

    SAAK Insurance Group offers a multitude of insurance options: burial, final expense, term, whole life, and many more. They also have affordable rates, a recommendation from the Better Business Bureau, and are recent winners of The Plato Award.

    The co-founders think of their products as protection with a purpose. “The purpose of life insurance — in all its forms — is to provide peace of mind to you and your family should something unforeseen occur,” said Davis.

    The partners deeply believe that life matters and that belief is at the core of all that they do. “That is truly at the core of our company culture, and we put it into each policy we write. Our company values commitment, respect, and honesty, both between us and our clients and our clients and their families,” said Johnson.

    The pair regularly urge people to make sure they are taking responsibility for their own lives and remind even the youngest of policyholders that their life insurance decisions affect every member of their family too.

    Here are their top five reasons that you should have a life insurance policy.

    The Option for Dividends

    Many people don’t realize that certain life insurance policies can pay dividends to their policyholders. Whole life insurance policies can award holders dividends that can be sent to you in cash — or used to pay your premiums.

    “Another option for your dividends is to use them to increase your policy coverage, and having more coverage is always better — especially when you don’t need to lay out cash for it,” explained Johnson.

    Peace of Mind Protection

    Most of us have people that depend on us financially — a spouse, children, parents, and even extended family members. Always remember that your life insurance policy is really a gift to them and yourself. It provides everyone with peace of mind and assures that they will be taken care of, no matter what.

    Think of it as a monetary safety net that always lies below your bank accounts, trusts, inheritances, and investments. It means that your loved ones will be sent a lump-sum amount when they need it most.

    Growing Value

    A life insurance policy is one investment that always builds in value. The more you put in, over time, the more your family can benefit, should the need arise to cash in the policy.

    With each premium you pay, your life insurance policy grows in its cash value and is tax-deferred. With that ever-growing value, you can rest easy knowing that your assets are safe, your family will have an emergency fund, and all of your other family financial goals can still be met.

    Replace Your Income

    When you pass on, your income abruptly stops, and everyone that depends on you might be left uncared for. You can choose to avert this possible disaster by choosing a policy that offers income replacement instead of a lump sum payout.

    This replacement makes it easier on your loved ones if you have many installment loans and higher monthly spending. It can be applied to mortgage and car payments, healthcare and medical insurance premiums, childcare, tuition, college funds, and more.

    Consider Add-on Riders

    “Life insurance policies can be adjusted and made bespoke for every policyholder — and we are happy to walk through every option with our clients,” said Davis.

    Add-on protections usually don’t require additional underwriting and can offer options for a payout if you become disabled or face a chronic illness diagnosis. People often don’t realize that life insurance can compensate for these circumstances.

    Considering these reasons for buying life insurance, there are very few good reasons to keep putting off buying that policy that will protect your family for life.

    About Andrew Davis and Kiana Johnson

    Andrew Davis and Kiana Johnson, co-owners of SAAK Insurance Group, provide affordable burial insurance, final expense, term, whole life, and more. SAAK Insurance Group has been recommended by the Better Business Bureau and the couple has recently won The Plato Award. For more information about protecting yourself and your family, please visit www.saakinsurancegroup.com/