Baby Boomers are the largest demographic segment today. And those numbers present an array of problems that go along with them. The retirement system as it is will be put to the test providing both services and benefits for the volume of people who are entitled them. There are two possibilities as courses of action talked about now. To have the retirees take a cut in the amount of their payments. Or to have younger people pay more in taxes to make up for the amount that is absent.Whether it is from anyone or all of these factors depressed economy, increased layoffs, or necessity. Each year since 1996 the number of people that have been going into Home Based Business Opportunities has been increasing and the people have been Baby Boomers. And with very good reason because statistics show that to retire comfortably you will need to have saved 200,000 to 250,000 dollars. It would be safe to say that over the course of the recession so far not many people would be anywhere close to those numbers.So as a result many have sought to make Home Based Business the answer to Retirement Worries. Baby Boomers are the largest demographic to take the bull by the horns and launch out on their own in Online Business. The economy although recovering but not recovering fast enough for anyone to wait for it to make a turnaround. So the number of Baby Boomers going into Home Business is sure to continue to increase. Statistics also say that 27% of workers who thought they would be comfortable in retirement have dropped to 18%. And of those who have already retired who thought they would be able to live comfortably have went from 41% down to 29% both are the biggest drop ever.Baby Boomers who have always wanted to work for themselves anyway have taken the lead in using the power of the internet to make Home Based Business the answer to Retirement Worries. Learn what it takes to be successful in a Home Based Business. And setting worthy example for anyone to follow because there is no recession on the internet

What is the best way to make money with a home based business? The answer is by having an online/internet business.What do you need to start an online home based business? All you need is a computer, internet connection and a space at home. Where can you find all these? Of course at home. Online business is certainly the best model for a home based business.All you need to have is a proper mindset, a plan and a system to follow. By having all these, you will certainly make money online.The following observations will make you realise that an online business is the best way to make money as a home based business:1. You could start an internet business within weeks or even days.2. You could earn money 24/7.3. You will get customers from all around the world.4. You could start with little or no money.5. You don’t need a product or services to start earning money online.6. You could do it on a part-time basis.7. You do not need to quit your job while venturing into an internet business.8. You could outsource most of the works of your internet business.9. You could even automate the operation of your internet business.Now you could see the reasons why an online business is the best way to make money as a home based business. In fact, online business has proven to be the best part-time home business model. You could start an online business anywhere or anytime and start making money online. Why not do this at the comfort of your home?

The state of our economy in the last few years has had a terrible impact on employment in our country. Companies of all sizes are laying off employees regardless of their talents, years of service or contributions they’ve provided. What is even harder to witness is the closing or splitting up of some large corporations that had employed so many individuals. Many of these people are now looking seriously at ideas for creating income working from home. The question then becomes what are the top home based businesses one can start quickly and with little initial investment.One way to approach starting a home based business is with providing a service or product out of your home. Ideally, the product would be something you are talented with making, but if you don’t have the talent then look for something you can learn quickly and doesn’t require years of practice.If you enjoy being creative and working with your hands, look at top home based businesses that you would enjoy creating products for. Some examples might include:Jewelry Making – Wire jewelry making is easy and with only a little practice you can create some stunning work. There are loads of how-to books on wire jewelry design in the craft stores and you can start with inexpensive material and work your way up.Baking – If you can create some tasty but healthy treats, you might be able to find various health food stores that will buy your goods.Custom T-Shirts – If you look around at the t-shirts marketed towards the younger crowd, you’ll see that lots of them have a grungy, rough, worn or splattered appearing design on them. Just splash a few colors of paint on the front, stamp on the words “Work in progress”, and watch the kids line up for these unique and “cool” shirts.If you are the type of person that is more comfortable with physical work, some top home based businesses might include:Carpet Cleaning – For a small investment you can buy commercial carpet cleaners like the ones that are rented out at many department stores. These do a great job with just hot water and some cleaning solution. They even fit in most cars.Lawn Care – If you already own a riding lawn mower and a truck you can buy some ramps to get the mower into the truck bed. Or, you can get a trailer to put the mower on. As you get more business you can invest in better equipment that lets you complete more jobs in the same amount of time.Cleaning Homes – Take the hour or so you spend each day exercising and clean homes instead. You’ll get the cardio workout from the cleaning and get paid as well. Most clients already have the cleaning supplies they want you to use, so don’t feel you need to stock up on all the supplies.Additionally, some top home based businesses that let you utilize your computer would include:Freelance Jobs – Sites like freelancer.com provide outsourcing for large and small businesses to find experts to complete various projects and tasks. Companies are looking for skills like writing, designing, data entry, sales and marketing as well as technical skills like programming, administration and engineering.website Design – Website design has become much easier as the technology and software has improved in recent years. While it’s a good idea to be familiar with some of the technical jargon, you can focus on the design and flow of a website and outsource the technical development of the sites to someone else.Medical Billing or Coding – this type of online work has become popular as hospitals and insurance agencies are trying to keep costs down. You need to learn the billing or coding process to take on these types of jobs.As with any endeavor you will want to do proper and thorough research in your area of interest. While the list above of top home based businesses is not complete, it provides a few realistic examples and thought starters that will help you get you on your way.

If you are a member or even a director of one of the many freehold or leasehold property management companies which are responsible for the maintenance and repair of blocks of flats or apartments what do you think?

Does your company really need the in depth property management advice offered by the professional property managing agent? Or is such a move just another waste of service charge funds?

Increasingly many directors and company members are shifting towards the employment of specialist property managing agent professionals to share responsibility and to advise and guide their property management company through the maze of legislation surrounding the residential sector.

However many others are resolutely sticking to their guns and continuing to manage their companies and their property estates in house.

So what is all this legislation and what else do the directors and decision makers who are ultimately responsible for the management function need to know?

Current legislation in England and Wales is largely defined under well established landlord and tenant law as subsequently revised by the more recent Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.

In summary, any terms included in any residential lease cannot be upheld where they do not comply with current statutory legislation. As a result, parts of the lease may not be enforceable and may be deemed illegal. This means that property management company members and directors must be compliant with the requirements of statute, however well they might have read and understand the property lease.

Property block management therefore involves knowledge and expertise in how statute will vary the terms of how the lease is interpreted.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order brought in to effect significant changes. The new fire safety rules came into force on 1 October 2006 and affect all non-domestic premises in England and Wales.

If you are responsible for non domestic premises then you need to act by undertaking or arranging a fire risk assessment. This is an organised appraisal of work activities and the workplace which now includes by definition the common areas of your residential premises. It is therefore an essential part of your block management duties.

The risk assessment should identify potential fire hazards, for residents, employees and visitors who might be in danger in the event of fire. You should evaluate the risks arising from the hazards and decide whether the existing fire precautions are adequate, or whether more needs to be done.

If you do not employ the services of property management agents this means that your management company members and directors must be compliant with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

The Data Protection Act controls how personal information you hold is used by organisations, businesses or the government. Everyone, including you, who is responsible for using data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’. In summary you must make sure the information you hold is:

used fairly and lawfully
used for limited, specifically stated purposes
used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
accurate
kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
handled according to people’s data protection rights
kept safe and secure
not transferred outside the UK without adequate protection

There is stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, however the above information should be sufficient to make you aware of the need to comply.

If you do not employ a property management services agent this means that your property management company members and directors must be familiar with and compliant with The Data Protection Act and the ‘data protection principles’.

The above examples are merely a few of the many areas of estate property management affected by ever growing legislation and red tape.

Other important matters which are affected include the treatment of service charges, tenants’ rights, legal landlord notices required, increased powers conferred on the LVT or leasehold valuation tribunal, consultation procedures for Qualifying Works under Section 20 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act, and enfranchisement and new right to manage principles giving the leaseholders in qualifying properties the right to take over the management of their properties.

If you are familiar with the majority of the above property block management legislation and have the time available then you are probably well informed and very capable of managing your estate or block of flats.

If however you have found that this article has provided you with new information then you might want to think about taking professional advice about how you manage your company and your estate to ensure you are not at risk.

Whilst directors and officers liability insurance cover is available to help protect you in the event of negligence it is doubtful how far this will cover those who could be thought to have willfully ignored statutory legislation. It is particularly important to realise that any serious breach of health and safety legislation is treated as a criminal offence for which a heavy fine or custodial sentence may result.

The following is an overview of bills passed during the 2011 Texas legislative session that affect real estate. Please note that this overview does not include every new law affecting real estate; it is simply an overview of certain important changes.

Landlord-Tenant-Residential Certificates of Occupancy H.B. 1862 allocates liability to a landlord whose certificate of occupancy is revoked by a city or county for the landlord’s failure to maintain the premises. The landlord is liable for the full amount of the tenant’s security deposit, the pro rata portion of any rental payments paid in advance by the tenant, and the tenant’s actual damage which includes moving costs, utility connection fees, storage fees, lost wages, and attorney’s fees.

Property Owner’s Associations (HOAs and COAs)

· Collections and Foreclosures H.B. 1228 requires certain POAs to adopt and file reasonable guidelines allowing owners to make partial payments for delinquent assessments. The law also regulates foreclosure of assessment liens and the use of collection agents. Lastly, the bill requires the Texas Supreme Court adopt rules for expedited foreclosure proceedings.

· Flags H.B. 2779 prohibits a POA from adopting or enforcing restrictions on displaying the U.S., Texas, or armed forces flags, except as allowed by law (ex. reasonable restrictions relating to flags, flagpoles. lights, and noise).

· Solar Panels H.B. 362 prohibits a POA from restricting solar devices, except as allowed by statue. The law also prohibits POA architectural review committees from withholding approval of a solar device unless the device substantially interferes with the use and enjoyment of the land.

Ad Valorem Taxes-Protests H.B. 1887 provides that before delinquency, an owner who disputes the appraised value of their property need only pay the amount of tax attributable to the portion of the appraised value that is not in dispute in order to preserve their right to have the appraised amount corrected by the appraisal review board (ARB).

Ad Valorem Taxes-ARB Hearings S.B. 1546 amends Tax Code Section 41.45 (e-l) by providing that a property owner’sagent who fails to appear at an appraisal review board (ARB) hearing is now entitled to a new hearing in the same manner as a property owner who fails to appear to such a hearing.

Co-owners of Residential Property S.B. 1368 permits certain co-owners of property to file an affidavit in the county clerk’s office to establish the authority to act as agent for the other co-owner for the purpose of entering into mechanic’s liens, materialman’s, and deed of trust liens.

Bahin Ameri is a Houston-based real estate attorney. The focus of her practice is on real estate law and business law. She handles a variety of cases including contract/lease disputes, property disputes, and small claims. Bahin also handles business formations, applications for state benefits, and homestead exemptions. Her clients include homeowners, small business owners, landlords, tenants, and individuals seeking state benefits.