Don’t get me wrong, I am a firm believer in a chicken in every pot and a roof over every head. The National Mortgage Statement Pact will be landing upon our economy within the next year, whereby $25 billion, yes B as in Billion, will be allocated to all 50 states based on financial relief needs of homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments. For example, Kansas is estimated to receive $50 million, while California is projected to receive $10 BILLION. My main concern lies in the outcome: is this a solution or an enabling mistake? Unemployment is still a major concern and the last time I checked, companies weren’t eagerly turning on the help wanted sign. And if these homeowners are struggling to afford their mortgage payment then, what have we seen to make us believe they will be earning sufficient money 1-3 years from now? In contrast, couldn’t we have taken the $25 Billion, pumped it into SBA to create more loans for small businesses and work to create jobs? Call me crazy, but wouldn’t this huge sum of money be more beneficial to a broader audience?
Read More on this subject: http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/
We all new the Mega-Sized Clearance Sale in Real Estate couldn’t last, but do opportunities for deals still exist? It sounds as though a thriving housing market is still a small beacon on the horizon. And casting a dark sky on this beacon is shadow inventory, homes that are on the balance sheets of banks but haven’t made it to market. All this Europe debt crisis and Congress talk is a great excuse for a lackluster market, but just like everything else, isn’t it truly all relative? Think about it, in 2008 we sold our homes in an overpriced market, and moved into our new home, which we purchased in an overpriced market. On the flip side of the coin, the deal you negotiate on the buy side in today’s market is lessened by what you had to give up on your sell side. Therefore, today’s depressed market coupled with the historic low interest rates is actually filled with blue sky: a first time homebuyer’s dream come true. Or if you are looking for a little challenge, you could snatch up one of these good deals, rent it for a minimum of 2 to 3 years (the time to which some “experts” are saying the housing market will start to wake up) then sell the appreciated home. Thanks Uncle Sam. 
It used to be years ago in the health industry, when a doctor mentioned tablets she or he was referring to a prescription. Fast forward to 2012, a different type of tablet is monopolizing the healthcare industry and the late Steve Jobs is who we have to thank. The number of hospitals and practices that are utilizing tablets such as iPads is growing rapidly. The easibility of use and convenience of size are just two of many factors for the rise in usage. There are numerous apps available to streamline practice management, patient encounters as well as e-prescribing possibilities. Although technology outdates itself the day it comes to market, jump on the technology runaway train now and hang on. Enhanced workflows and thus increased productivity are a nice side-effect of this prescribed tablet. Oh, and your patient will appreciate the enhanced visit.
The emotional roller coaster of being an entrepreneur is surely not for the faint of heart. One minute you’re running numbers, the next you’re running out the trash. I’m a big proponent of not reinventing the wheel, and looking to the success of others by learning from their mistakes. My pockets aren’t deep enough to take the wrong route! I enjoyed reading Mark Cuban’s 12 Rules for Startups he lent to Entrepreneur Magazine. He humorously offers advice, but I do appreciate his focus on employees and hiring people who love what they do. Once the papers are signed, the real work for a boss begins. To retain that new job passion is key. By offering the unexpected for efforts that are above the norm, even if it is as simple as a Starbucks giftcard, the news will spread through the building and people will talk, this time in a good way. Bottom line, reward employees who better your business, or somebody else will!
Medicare actually offering an incentive? Apparently we need to watch out for pigs with wings. It is a byproduct of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, termed the Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program for Eligible Professionals. Emphasis on eligible, there is a 0.5 percent incentive to report quality measures in the PQRS accurately. Of course annual limits and the fine print does apply, but hey, who says there’s no free lunch these days?
