Saturday, August 30, 2008

Investors Who Rent Their Property Can Receive Liberal Tax Breaks

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

There are numerous ways to invest in real estate.



Landlords are investors who purchase real estate and instead of selling it for a profit, retain the property and lease it to a tenant. A common investing trend is landlording. Landlording for profit makes economic sense. As supply and demand goes, it is reasonable to venture that a landlord could make a lot of money off individuals who, don, for whatever reason t have a place of their own to call home. To begin, there will always be a high demand for homes and land. Even better, renting is a growing trend.


When done correctly, leasing property can pay big dividends for the investor. As that trend grows, so does the potential of successfully leasing a home. The lessee essentially pays for the property while the landlord retains the equity. Eventually the investment will be paid off and can serve as a residual income for years to come. Landlords who charge more then the property s mortgage can either gain a profit off the excess rent or put it on the mortgage for a faster payoff. As an added bonus, landlords qualify for some big tax advantages.


Landlords can deduct real estate taxes and mortgage interest on their rental properties. Investors who rent their property can receive liberal tax breaks. Investors can also write off their operating expenses such as yard care, utilities, maintenance, HOA fees and insurance. There are some downfalls to being a landlord. Finally, residential buildings can be depreciated during a 25 year span, even if the property increases in value. If you decide to manage your investment properties on your own, it can be very time consuming and stressful. When something breaks, the landlord is usually responsible for fixing it.


When renters have issues with the home or property, they come to the landlord for assistance. For a fee, the would- be landlord can pay a management company to oversee the proprietor duties and handle troubles when they occur. This can put the investor in a bad cash flow position. Along those same lines, landlords sometimes face tough situations when their tenants don t pay on time. Landlords are also responsible for their tenant s safety. Because rental real estate usually has a mortgage attached to it, the property can tie up the investor s personal wealth. There are laws regulating these responsibilities and it is important for the investor to know and understand them.


Investment property of this nature pays off more so in the long run, after it has been paid for and continues to generate a monthly payment. Whether or not becoming a property- owner is right for you as an investor depends on your goals. Depending on the investor, landlording may not be an ideal way to pursue capital gain. In the long run, landlording can pay off. It may be that you don t want to bother with rental properties. Like all things in life, there are pros, however and cons to being a landlord. Either way, it is definitely something to consider.

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So What Can You, The French Property Hunter Do To Protect Yourself From A Lot Of Sharp Practises Within The Industry - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

There are many so called French property" consultants" based in the UK who are more than happy to help you achieve your dream of property ownership in France, however many of them are also very happy to lighten your wallet along the way. Unfortunately for the opportunist player, getting established in France as an estate agent( Agent Immobilier) is a long and complicated process, as the industry is heavily regulated.

Hawaii Has Been The Most Sought- After Of All States In Which To Own Land - Nora Giel about Finance and Real Estate:

Aloha! According to American Acres, Inc. , a New York City based company selling land in all 50 states of the United States to web visitors.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Fort Bend County Gated Communities Are Generally Located Within The Riverstone Area Of Missouri City, Texas

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Fort Bend County gated communities are generally located within the Riverstone area of Missouri City, Texas.



This meant putting up only 6, 000 homes to prevent congestion( a common problem in real estate projects where the developer does not strictly enforce limits on the population. ) Riverstone occupies a total of 250 acres where the Fort Bend County gated communities are nestled amidst lakes, and pedestrian trails and walkways exist to link one community to another. Riverstone is a master- planned community that was originally meant to house the residences of 18, 000 residents only. Another 500 acres are scheduled to be developed further and will feature parks, and recreational amenities, open common spaces. A recreational complex has already been built amongst these Fort Bend County gated communities to serve the needs of residents for a fishing pier, well- lighted tennis courts, and a pool, a playground made to resort- style standards. More than 50% of the space currently in use is devoted to hardwoods and pecan trees that provide graceful greenery and much- needed shade and fresh air to residents and visitors alike. Homes in the different Fort Bend County communities of Riverstone command a price ranging from$ 200, 000 per home to more than$ 1 million apiece, depending of course on the size of the property and its design. Westport, and Bayou Bend, Sterling Classics are some of the builders responsible for the custom- built homes that you can select among the Fort Bend County gated communities offered to the public.


Riverstone is situated around three miles due south of US- 59 on Highway The properties that you will find in the various Fort Bend County gated communities were constructed by many of the best builders Houston, Texas has to offer, such as Trendmaker Homes, Coventry, David Weekley, and Ashton Woods. Many of the custom homes were built on lakefront locations within gated enclosures and which can be accessed through private streets- this helps to guarantee that the community will not be spoiled by outsiders simply passing through and prevents entry by vandals and thieves. The town home units differ in size- from 1, 900 square feet to a maximum of 2, 800 square feet. The Manors is one of the Fort Bend County gated communities which features 116 well- designed luxury townhomes that will certainly appeal to prospective homeowners who are looking for valuable properties that need only minimal maintenance but are bound to increase in value over time. Price for each townhome starts at$ 220, 000 and maxes out at around$ 260, 000- definitely affordable for buyers such as upwardly mobile singles and young couples who are just starting to establish themselves in their careers but have enough income to start investing in a home for themselves. Since The Manors is also a gated community, buyers who may become future homeowners here can be assured that their security and privacy will be looked after well.


The townhomes have private garages, fenced- off courtyards, which only add, and granite countertops to their present and future value. Two miles of real estate located beside the Brazos River belong to the Riverstone community. Upon completion, University Boulevard is expected to serve as a major link between US 59- South and Highway This means residents of Fort Bend County gated communities will be able to easily drive or commute to University of Houston( found within the Sugar Land campus. ) And if residents want or need to go into nearby Houston for shopping, entertainment or to work, they may opt to use the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road instead. Major access to Riverstone will be provided by University Boulevard, which is still under construction. Potential homeowners need not worry that their children will find it difficult to get an education because of the location of Riverstone. If residents get bored and want to explore the surrounding territory, they can visit local attractions such as the Brazos Bend State Park, the Fort Bend Challenger Center, the Fort Bend Theater, Fort Bend County Fair and Livestock Show, and the Fort Bend Museum( among others. ) Whatever your entertainment needs are, there is something for everyone. The Austin Parkway Elementary School, First Colony Middle School, and Elkins High School( which all belong to the Fort Bend Independent School District) are easily accessible from Riverstone and can provide quality education to Riverstone children and even children from surrounding communities.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Many Real Estate Areas That Experienced Recent Booms Are Now Experiencing A Different Type Of Market

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Many real estate areas that experienced recent booms are now experiencing a different type of market.



This has led to the increase of foreclosure claims as investors who invested too late in the game were unable to sell their property quick enough to make a profit before they saw the value of their investment property drop. Prices that were once soaring and making investors a lot of money have now evened out and, started to fall, in some places. It is for this reason that the Las Vegas foreclosure rate has risen over the past couple of years. Buying investment properties in booming areas is not cheap, but the reward is great if property values continue to rise. Unfortunately, foreclosure can happen to even the smartest investor if the market changes abruptly and dramatically. What happens, if values stagnate, though or drop?


In some cases, this becomes financially, though impossible and Las Vegas foreclosure can occur. Most investors would advise holding onto the property until the market turns around again and trying to cut some of your losses by either living in the home or renting it out. One of the reasons why it is so hard to hold onto a property after the market has topped out is that the mortgage for the property may end up being substantially more than what the home is worth in the current market. Sadly, many investors see Las Vegas foreclosure as their only way out of a situation that has taken a turn for the worse. This can make it extremely difficult to rent or lease the home for an amount that would cover the mortgage payment, and other fees, insurance payment. But what is one investor s misfortune can become the investment success of another. Sometimes, foreclosed properties can be purchased for as much as 50 percent less than their current market value.


The Las Vegas foreclosure market is teeming with great properties that could be the perfect investment opportunity. This is what makes foreclosure investing such a wise strategy. A less competitive market means that there is a greater opportunity to find a Las Vegas foreclosure significantly under value. And with so many properties available, the Las Vegas market is not as competitive when it comes to purchasing foreclosures as other areas. This allows investors to pay bottom dollar for properties and hold onto them until real estate prices go up or resell the properties quickly for a fast profit. Acquiring properties at auction can be very tough in competitive markets because there are numerous investors bidding on a handful of properties. The biggest real estate savings can be found at auction.


In the Las Vegas market, there are a, though lot of opportunities for an investor to find and place the winning bid on a foreclosed property. And this is what makes buying a Las Vegas foreclosure such an attractive option for many investors no matter whether they are just starting out or if they have been successfully investing for years.

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Everybody Harbors Dreams Of Owning A House - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Everybody harbors dreams of owning a house.

Real Estate Mutual Funds - Juana Geise about Finance and Real Estate:

Direct real estate investing means direct ownership of properties.

Finding Your Ideal Florida Home - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

If you have been thinking of purchasing your first Florida home, there has never been a better time to do so. If you are looking for a brand- new home, builders throughout Florida are offering luxurious, custom homes that are built to withstand Florida s tropical climate and summer storms.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Managing Property Offers A Host Of Benefits

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

The economic gateway to China- Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations in the world, with a lively property market. Managing property in Hong Kong is a burgeoning industry, and is considered a core segment of facility management services.



With the increased awareness of property enhancement, improvement in market laws, and innovative requirements of people, property management now finds a prominent position in the Hong Kong property market. In other words, managing property is one of the prominent service industries in the city. The prime goal of managing property is to maintain the value of a property by creating and preserving a comfortable as well as well- ordered living, and shopping, working. Management of property in Hong Kong is simply the managing of property as well as providing services in connection with the property management, tenants, to owners, and other required people. Managing property is sometimes confused with tenancy management, which is primarily the enforcement of the Housing Ordinance, and implementation of, tenancy agreements housing rules and regulations. Property management is categorized into: management of residential property and management of commercial property.


A large number of firms in Hong Kong, ranging from small business units and governmental departments to large business corporations, are now benefited from managing property. Managing residential property in Hong Kong includes managing residential spaces, from small houses to premium as well as luxury residential units. In commercial management of property, the services are mostly offered for large commercial areas, with more than seven million sq ft. Services offered in connection with managing residential property include: - Concierge services. - Renovation and repair services. - Provision of management. - Maintenance Services. Among the services offered in connection with this type of managing of property is: - Maintenance of common areas and facilities. - Installation of drainage system. - Operation as well as coordination of plant and equipments. - Operation and maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems. - Services with regard to the maintenance of fire system. - Plumbing services. - Repair service. - Routine maintenance. Apart from these, there are service providers offering excellent services for office and industrial sectors.


In some instances, services in connection with management of commercial property are inclusive of. - Provision of effective security system. - Cleaning services. - Environmental and landscape services. - Hygiene and safety management. Above all, some kind of service providers renders simple tenancy management services, aside from management of property. Let it be any type of property management, the services also include quality maintenance of plumbing system, thereby ensuring the people of Hong Kong with a stable as well as reliable water supply system. The services in this category usually cover providing info on housing policies and procedures to required people, dealing with standard forms and notification letters, assisting people in filling tenancy related forms and applications, and arranging meeting for tenancy related purposes. Managing property offers a host of benefits. Professional as well as personal assistance and useful advice on property maintenance are the other benefits of managing property in Hong Kong.


One of the prime benefits is that it ensures meticulous care and maintenance of your residential as well as commercial places. One of the most significant executants of property management in the city is Hong Kong Housing Authority( HA) - a statutory body responsible for the implementation of majority of public housing programs in Hong Kong, which include rental housing system, housing for elderly people, and subsidized home ownership. Recently, HA undertook a special management system, exclusively for managing property and tenancy system in Hong Kong, known as Public Rental Housing( PRH. ) Under this system, HA contracts some of its property management services to property services companies, which in turn discharge a range of duties in connection with property management, like cleaning and maintenance services, and rent collection, repair services. As one of the major housing developers in the property market, Hong Kong Housing Authority has introduced an innovative system ensuring excellence in the sector of public housing property management system. Apart from HA, executants of managing of property in Hong Kong also consist of a variety of private property management firms, foreign- based service providers, and participatory management organizations. A specialty of service providers in Hong Kong is that majority of them have excellent knowledge and expertise on the mainland market.


HA has now organized an award for private firms that excel in services in connection with management of property, Best Property Management, namely Award. This in turn assures quality as well as reliable services to the people of Hong Kong.

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Most Home Buyers In A Slow Real Estate Market Believe That Because The Market Is Slow They Are In Complete Control - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Most home buyers in a slow real estate market believe that because the market is slow they are in complete control.

Of All The North Campus Residents, The Largest Demographic Is Also The Most Difficult To Describe With Any Certainty: The Students - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

In Austin, just north of, Texas one of the largest universities in the US, lies the neighborhood many refer to solely as North Campus.

You Have Chosen Your Home Builder And The Site For Your New Home - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

You have explored all that the Florida market has to offer today s home buyer, and you have decided to purchase a home that will be built to your specifications.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Your Luxury House Will No Doubt Come With A Kitchen Fit For A Gourmet Chef

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

There are options in a luxury house that make it more special than other houses.



They can be an extravagant affair. Much attention is paid to the master bedroom suite in a McKinney Texas luxury home. Typically they have an oversized bathroom with hot tubs or steam showers. There are master suites with dressing rooms or sitting areas. Some even have his or her bathrooms. Some have a balcony overlooking a view. Your luxury house will no doubt come with a kitchen fit for a gourmet chef.


Other s have closets that are the size of many bedrooms. It will have the best appliances to make your cooking and baking a breeze. Sometimes a kitchen in a luxury house will be outfitted with a center island. Cabinets will be plentiful, and gorgeous, easy to use. Certain rooms in a luxury home are not found in ordinary homes. A well- appointed library is sure to be found in a true luxury house.


A regular home might have a den or an office, but does it have both? For entertainment, there are special rooms, too. Floors are special in a luxury house. Media rooms and billiards rooms are the norm for a luxury house. The materials used are longer wearing, higher quality materials. Some floors are built of exotic hardwoods. Marble, along with other types of stone floors, are used.


Many times luxury house owners will have their floors heated. Chair moulding is another standard feature in many luxury homes. Custom made book shelves adorn the walls of many McKinney, Texas luxury homes. The wall treatments are of the finest quality such as the best paint or wall paper. This might mean your home is specially wired for speakers in your music room. A luxury house can have the latest in technology. It could mean that you have the best surveillance equipment money can buy.


Outside the walls of your luxury house are special areas as well. If you want the latest thing, you can have it. A fantastic custom designed pool might be waiting for you in your backyard. An area might be set up behind the luxury house as a party pavilion to entertain many guests. You might find the convenience of having a guest house on the property, too. If you are looking for a luxury house, it will not be hard to find one that is very special.


The latest development in McKinney Texas is Tucker Hill. Expecially in McKinney. The award winning Southern Land Company has designed Tucker Hill as a Traditional Neighborhood concept, emphasizing beautiful landscaped open spaces, custom designed homes that are the essence of luxury. Featuring swimming pools, pedestrian walkways, mature trees, a full time activity director, Tucker Hill has your dream home waiting for you.

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You Ll Love Living In Your New East Valley Home - Jo Soltys's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Sometimes those of us in the real estate business forget about the emotional component of moving.

A Survey Recently Found That Over 90 Per Cent Of Majorca S Domestic Population Were Worried About The Number Of Overseas People Buying Property On The Island - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Buying a property on the Spanish island of Majorca has been popular for several decades now, with many Europeans who have holidayed on the Spanish island deciding to buy a second home for holidays, or for retirement, a business. Already many locals are finding it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder, with prices having risen consistently in recent years, with their best hope being a slow down or even drop in Majorca property prices.

You Want To Be Able To Buy Your Vacation Home For A Low Price - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

There are plenty of places where you may want to take a vacation on a regular basis. This is a good idea if you want to be able to spend the entire summer in a particular location.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Owning Property Overseas Sounds Very Exciting

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Owning property overseas sounds very exciting.



Nowadays, there are plenty of overseas destinations to choose from and many Americans deal with overseas investments. It can also make you a lot of money, but it is necessary to ensure that you invest in the right property and at the right place. Investing in property overseas can bring you a large sum in term of profits. These investments have to be done after careful consideration and selection of the place and how much you wish to invest. However investing in places you are not familiar with is a big risk. You have to know your market to ensure that you make the right investment.


About where you put your money, then you may be taking a bigger risk than you know. If you are not careful. The opportunities these destinations offer are big. This is because the investments when done in developing nations which have a very flexible economy and the government may change their economic policies as and when they feel the need arises. The risk here is that you may not always enjoy the same amount of profit in terms of returns. But still in the long run overseas investments are profitable, as the investors earn a big slice in terms of returns. Investing abroad is not for the fainthearted , says Mariana Bush, closed- end funds analyst at Kemper Securities Inc. in Chicago. Most of these markets are small and can go through wild swings in a short period of time. But many of the changes that are occurring are irreversible.


Its not uncommon for an emerging market to lose up to 40 percent of its value in a few months. It may be a roller- coaster ride, but the long- range direction of these economies is up . This will help you decide on what type of property you need to look out for. To ensure that your overseas investments get you the best it is first essential for you to know why you are buying property overseas. It may be for profit, a vacation home etc. The decision to buy and the final purchase must not be on an impulse but after careful consideration and deliberation.


Whatever the need ensure you are clear with the reason. It is advised to get professional help while investing overseas to ensure that you have made the smart choice. The choice to invest overseas must not be something you regret later on. It is necessary to understand the area you are investing in and the best way to get this information is with the help of professionals. It is also a good idea to do a bit of research, before finalizing the destination. A location that is popular or known to the locals is a better bet than an area that is unknown to most. You can make the selection based on your needs and requirements and your expectations after investing.


If your interest in buying property is solely as an investment and where in you wish to make profit, then it is best to invest in a market that is already developing and has a stable economy.

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You Simply Cannot Dilly- Dally When Making An Offer On A Home - Lou Kenison about Finance and Real Estate:

You have spent time shopping around the Tampa real estate market looking for the perfect home.

A" Cool" Market Will Heat Up - Finance and Real Estate:

People always ask me if this is a good time to buy real estate. I have the same answer for both questions: I don t know.

Do You Know What A Scam Means When It Comes To Investing In Real Estate In Maryland - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Do you know what a scam means when it comes to investing in real estate in Maryland?

Monday, August 18, 2008

No Matter How You Do It, Track Your Marketing

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

I ve been trying to put this together for a little while from my own experience, from others I ve talked to, and from the One- on- One students I ve worked with. I just put them down as I came across them.



They re in no particular order. Remember, these are my own opinion, so take them as such. 1) Not knowing your market, and how to market to it. For instance, in working with students from fast- selling markets like California, we ve found that bandit signs are effective. How you effectively market to your area depends on the type of market you re in, including how seasonal your market is. In slower markets like Denver, direct mail works very well also. In colder climates, direct mail works well in the wintertime when houses sell slowly, and bandit signs are more effective in the summer months. Additionally, think about your season.


However, summer is the, in Arizona slow time, and in the winter houses sell faster. 2) Not knowing if your marketing is effective, i. e. not tracking your marketing. If you have no idea how well or how badly a marketing campaign is working, how do you know where to spend most of your money? This is critical, and plays closely into number 1 above. No matter how you do it, track your marketing. Many students I talk to have a shotgun approach to marketing. Keep weekly statistics, and keep them over time. 3) Not writing out your marketing plan. They mail out 100 postcards to out of town owners this week, a couple hundred letters to foreclosures next week, and then put up a few bandit signs.


If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Then they get busy, and forget about the marketing they d planned. Okay, but it really, old tired cliche does hold true. Oh man, I ve NEVER done this, and had the tenant immediately stop paying rent, while renting out one of the rooms to a friend while collecting money from them which they never paid to me, and I had to evict them, and had a house vacant for two months and lost lots of money! @#($&Y% Okay, this was one of my bigger blunders, and I definitely learned my lesson. Write down your marketing plan, post it somewhere you can see it, and look at it daily so you know what you re supposed to do that day. 4) Allowing a tenant/ buyer to move in without an option deposit. Always, always get an, always option deposit on a lease/ option, or a security deposit on a rental. The reason I let the person above move in without an option deposit was she was a single mom, who had been through the mill, just getting back, abusive marriage on her feet, "I promise your kindness won t go unrewarded Mr.


Then if the tenant defaults at least you have something to cover the vacancy. 5) Being" nice" to tenant/ buyers. Landlord" , etc. Sometimes I work with tenants if they have a good track record, but only for a short while. I bought the sob story, and paid for it. In this business, we have to sometimes be more harsh than we want, but if you bend too much, it ll only make your life more difficult. This one s pretty understandable.


Itinerant tenants will suck all your money and time. 6) Being scared. This is new territory for most people. There s one way, and only one way, to overcome this. I ve talked to people who were high powered folks in their field, and are nervous talking to sellers or meeting with sellers for the first time. Just get out there and do it. 7) Not signing up deals because you re not sure how you re going to fill them, or they don t fit your strategy. My advice is just sign it up.


I talk to many students that because they don t know what to do with a property, or how to sign it up, just pass it by. If you do it wrong, there are lots of outs in the agreements, and you can always renegotiate with the sellers. Marketing hard one week, then doing nothing for two or three weeks is one example. If it doesn t fit your perfect strategy, flip it to someone who wants it. 8) Being inconsistent. Making one tenant pay on the 1st, and another on the 6th is another( and a possible legal liability) . So it s pretty difficult to have a routine to follow.


Real Estate investing is a very new thing for most people, and working for yourself is also pretty new. My advice is systematize your business as soon as possible so that you can hand over the mundane chores to someone else, and you can concentrate on what s important. Many students spend lots and lots of time analyzing their market, setting up their office just so, writing articles about mistakes they ve made, etc. Watch what you do each week, and try to consistently do those things which make you money. 9) Procrastinating. Another word for procrastination is- FEAR. I coach students to set aside enough cash to pay for two month s rent on every property.


Like I said earlier, the only way around fear is to just get out there and do it. 10) Not setting aside reserves for unexpected expenses. However, after you ve saved about 5 properties worth, you re probably okay. Either way, you need to have something in the bank because unexpected expenses definitely do happen- and if they don t, you ve saved for that trip to Thailand! 11) Not setting up third party notification for water& HOA bills. But you have to be the judge of how much you want to have in reserve. Boy, have I learned my lesson here. I used to let tenants pay their own HOA bills, and I didn t have any kind of notification set up that let me know when there were problems. The problem with water& HOA is the governing body can slap a lien on your house if the tenant isn t paying the bill.


Suddenly, I d get notification from the HOA s lawyers that there was a lien on the house. I now pay the HOA bills myself, and the tenants reimburse me. Same thing with the water bill. I still get the same rent, but add the HOA on top of it. Also remember if you don t use my rental agreement that you make sure the HOA fees can be added to the rent, and they can be evicted for non- payment. My thought is, they re the owners( or future owners) of the house, they get all the benefits of the HOA, so that should be separate from the rent, and paid by them. If you re using my forms, it s already in there.


The nice thing about water is, if it doesn t get paid, it gets shut off. Same thing with water, but I have the tenants pay. So the tenants generally have incentive to pay. If a tenant gets behind on this bill, make sure you keep checking with the water company, and make them pay it. But I still want to know if the bill isn t being paid. Set up third- party notification for the water bill, and monitor it.


One last one- Here s the biggest mistake of ANY I ve ever heard: Not pursuing your dreams! This certainly isn t all the mistakes I ve heard or made, but it s a good start. Whether it s through real estate, Day Trading stocks, or MLM, or that franchise, don t let fear stop you. Financial freedom is one of the first steps to the life you really want to live. Do whatever you have to live life in the juiciest, best way you possibly can.