Real Estate Information

How to spot direct-mail scams

Some companies use deceptive techniques to try to get consumers to open and respond to their mailings, writes Randy Hutchinson. "The Better Business Bureau Code of Advertising says that an advertisement as a whole can be misleading even though every sentence is literally true," he notes. Check out the entire text of such mailings, and be especially cautious if they don't include a company name or address, he writes. The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) (free registration) (1/13)

Which merchant account service is right for your company?

Flagship Merchant Services is the top choice for businesses that need merchant account services to accept credit cards, and Merchant Warehouse is another solid choice, writes Danny Chadwick. "Both merchant account services offer high approval ratings, speedy setup time and great customer service," he notes. BusinessNewsDaily.com (1/14)

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How offering a 401(k) can cut your tax bill

Starting a 401(k) can help you and your employees prepare for retirement and reduce your tax bill, Stuart Robertson writes. There are small-business tax credits available to mitigate the administrative costs attached to such plans, and making contributions to the accounts can lower your tax rate, he writes. Forbes (1/12)

Google wants small companies to use search advertising

The percentage of small businesses with websites has increased dramatically during the past few years, and Google is working to get these small firms to try search advertising. Google has introduced a number of programs that cater to small businesses, including an easier-to-use version of its ad platform as well as Mobile Site Builder, which can help companies set up websites. More small-business-friendly programs are in the works, according to a Google executive. FastCompany.com (1/9)

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What you need to know about the new 1099-K tax form

The government is introducing a new tax document called Form 1099-K. The form is necessary for small businesses that exceed $20,000 in sales over the course of at least 200 transactions with a single payment processor. FindLaw/Free Enterprise blog (1/10)

How to avoid home-refinancing scams

Scammers are looking to take advantage of homeowners who qualify for refinancing under the Home Affordable Refinance Program, according to BBB. Such homeowners should contact their lenders first and shouldn't sign over their deeds, BBB warns. Patch.com/Lake Minnetonka (1/12)

If you are interested in the full article, click here.

New tech tools that could boost business

The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, which is taking place in Las Vegas, will include some interesting products for small-business use, Jonathan Blum writes. Among the devices at the show are Internet-connected televisions, which might work well in your waiting room, and ultrabooks, which are incredibly light laptops. Entrepreneur.com (1/9)

3 ways to stand out on Google+

Businesses should avoid simply using Google+ to rebroadcast content they have already shared on other social sites, according to Christian Oestlien, a Google+ product manager. "I think a lot of Google Plus users look to see if the brands are actually engaged in the platform itself or just reposting what they've shared elsewhere," he said. Brands can succeed on the platform by providing relevant content to social media influencers and by using the Hangouts feature. Mashable (1/9)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

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3 ways to improve your chances of getting a mortgage

Self-employed people might have an especially difficult time getting mortgages in the current economic climate, Amy Hoak writes. To improve your chances, search for experienced lenders, think about using portfolio lenders and consider using tactics to increase your qualifying income. MarketWatch (1/9)

The importance of trust in sales

Trust between companies and customers is essential when it comes to making sales, writes Ken Makovsky. One study found that buyers who aren't trusted face higher costs, he notes. During Makovsky's recent trip to Vermont, he experienced two stores demonstrating their trust for their customers by operating on the honor system. Forbes (1/5)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

BBB tips for businesses that want to build trust

Southern Arizona's BBB says the number of complaints it receives has declined, which is good news for the organization's goal of increasing trust, writes CEO Kim States. She lists eight ways businesses can establish trust, such as by fulfilling their commitments, maintaining integrity and quickly working to resolve problems. Inside Tucson Business (Ariz.) (1/6)

Lack of small-business funding continues to stifle economic growth

A recent report from three economists shows that the economy is still lagging because banks aren't lending money to the small businesses that need it. Because about half of all jobs in the U.S. are with firms with 500 employees or less, and those companies typically don't have the wherewithal to drum up aggressive financial support, the banks that refuse to work with them are impeding the progress of a significant portion of the economy. Slate (1/9)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

Keep Track of Improvements

People are staying longer in their homes according to the National Association of Realtors and the U.S. Census. Over time, even a modest appreciation could result in a significant gain and homeowners should have a strategy to minimize possible taxes.

Maintenance on a principal residence is not deductible but improvements can add to the basis which can reduce the gain in the sale. Improvements are easily identified if they add to the value of a home, prolong its useful life or adapt it to new uses.
Receipts and other proof, such as pictures, should be kept during ownership and for several years after the sale of the home. They can include the closing statements from the purchase and sale of the home and all receipts for improvements, additions or other items that affect the home's adjusted basis or cost.

For a principal residence, basis includes the price paid, plus certain acquisition costs and capital improvements made. When the property is sold for more than the basis, there is a gain. Currently, homeowners that meet the requirements can exclude up to $250,000 of gain if single or up to $500,000 if married filing jointly.

A simple strategy is to put documents that affect the basis of the home in one envelope. Any receipt for money spent on the home that isn't the house payment or utilities, goes into the envelope. Your tax advisor will be able to sort through them to determine the capital improvements.

For more information on determining basis or capital improvements, see IRS publication 523, Selling Your Home.

Charting a course for a more sustainable year

If you want to make your business greener this year, start by creating a plan to do so, Kelly Spors writes. Such plans need not be long to be effective, she notes. Determine what your most important sustainability goal is, and get your customers involved in your green efforts, she writes. Small Business Trends (1/5)

The truth about social media for B2B marketing

Some people think business-to-business companies shouldn't try to make sales on social media, but that isn't the case, Kipp Bodnar writes. "Spaming people in social media is always off limits. Giving someone what they want when they want it is always a great thing," Bodnar writes. Other common misconceptions include the ideas that there isn't a clear return on investment associated with B2B social media and that social media marketing can completely replace a company's other outreach efforts. SocialMediaB2B.com (1/6)

How ending a business partnership will affect your tax bill

Keep in mind that leaving a business partnership could affect what you owe on your taxes, Bonnie Lee writes. Whether you will owe money to the government depends on factors such as the amount of capital you put into the business and the profits you got out of it, she notes. "If you have a gain, you will owe taxes." Fox Business Small Business Center (1/6)

How to access your free credit report

Everyone is legally guaranteed the right to review their credit report for free once a year, says BBB's Heather Clary. To check your report, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Viewing your credit score isn't free, however. ClipSyndicate/WTVQ-TV (Lexington, Ky.) (1/4)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace