There are thousands of legal ways to make money in the United States, and those opportunities aren’t limited to traditional jobs working for someone else. If you are more interested in being your own boss, you are like the owners of the 30.2 million small businesses in the US.

There is nothing more liberating than making a living without answering to those who seem to have little interest in your prolonged success and career sustainability.

There are a nearly endless number of options for the direction your career journey can take, but have you ever considered bounty hunting? The average earnings for a skilled bounty hunter is $80,000, which is pretty great for a career choice that typically requires zero higher education.

If you are interested in the requirements for bounty hunting and bounty hunter tips to help find success in the industry, continue reading through our helpful guide.

What Do Bounty Hunters Do?

Bounty hunters provide a useful service to their communities. When someone is arrested they have to come up with a certain amount of bail money to be released while awaiting trial. Often, these people use bondsmen (or bail bond services), who put up a bail bond to get the person released. In the eyes of the court, this makes the bond company responsible for the potential criminal.

In exchange for the financial aid and responsibility, bondsmen get repaid in installments with interest and fees from the jailed individual or their family.

It is a pretty stellar business model for the bondsman. However, if the person they paid bail on doesn’t show up to court, the bondsman is held responsible and their rates with their insurer can spike through the roof. This is where bounty hunters come in.

The bondsman hire these bounty hunters to track down these bail jumpers in exchange for a percentage of the bail bond amount.

These bounty hunters are similar to private investigators in that they use their tracking skills to locate the bail jumper. However, instead of using their tracking skills to acquire information and tips for an individual or the police, they actually detain and bring in the individual.

What do I Need to Become a Bounty Hunter?

The regulations surrounding the act of bounty hunting vary greatly from state to state. In fact, Oregon, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Illinois have completely outlawed the practice of bounty hunting while some states don’t even require any licensing.

One of our most important bounty hunter tips is to check for the regulations in your specific area or the areas in which you would like to practice your business. Bail bonds and bounty hunting can be highly lucrative and symbiotic positions. Research the laws in multiple prospective areas and determine where you will be in the highest demand and compensated properly.

While we can’t get into the regulations for every single location in the US, here are some basic guidelines that can’t get you started looking in the right direction.

States That Outlaw Bounty Hunting

• Oregon
• Kentucky
• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• District of Columbia
• North Carolina: bounty hunters cannot be freelance. They must work as skilled employees under a bonding agency.
• South Carolina: bounty hunters cannot be freelance. They must work as skilled employees under a bonding agency.

States That Require No Formal Licensing or Training to Be a Bounty Hunter

• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• Wyoming

Common Requirements and Limitations to Consider

• Age Requirements: Some locations require bounty hunters be 18 while others can go as high as 25.
• Pledges and Oaths: Some states require pledges or oaths be taken similar to officers and sheriff’s deputies.
• Jurisdiction: Remember, if the person you are hunting travels out of your jurisdiction, you have no legal right to arrest them.
• Gun Permits: If your state allows you to carry a gun, you will still need proper licensing and carrying permits.
• Training: Training will be dependent on both your location and the bonding company with which you work.
• Criminal Record: Typically, you will need to have a clean federal background check.
• Citizenship: You will likely need to prove US citizenship.
• Guidelines Implemented by Local Police: Many locations require you to call the police before making any arrests.

Where to Find Work as a Bounty Hunter

The best way to pursue work as a bounty hunter is by creating strong, amicable relationships with bail bondsmen in your area. Depending on where you live, you might find there are quite a few options for bonding services, so where should you look first? One of the best bounty hunter tips is to pay attention to the clients that bondsmen seek.

There are two marketing terms that you should pay attention to: “immediate” and “emergency.” If a bonding service uses these terms on their websites or marketing material, chances are they can provide you with some great leads toward contracts. Here is why:

Emergency Bonds

When bondsmen advertise that they offer emergency bail bonds, they mean they can offer approvals and assistance quickly. Quite often, this is a search being completed by individuals that are more likely to skip bail down the line. This means there are likely more opportunities available for you to take hunting contracts through the bondsmen.

Immediate Bonds

Immediate bail bonds is another marketing term often used by bondsmen offering quick turnarounds and approvals. Just like emergency bonds, this means that the regular clientele will have a higher likelihood of creating chances for you to make some money.

What Will I Need to Be a Good Bounty Hunter?

Being a great bounty hunter involves more than gaining licensing and being good at tracking. There are physical, mental, and general equipment requirements that can greatly improve your success rate. Let’s take a look at some of the things you will need.

Physical Adeptness

Physically, you should strive to be in good shape. One of our most important bounty hunter tips is to remember that arresting criminals is dangerous and any apprehension may turn into a physical altercation. If you are unable to chase, wrestle, and restrain your target, you could be seriously injured. Self defense training is especially important for bounty hunters so you might consider taking up a mixed martial art or other similar activity.

Mental Aptitude

Generally speaking, you will not need formal education above the high school level to become a bounty hunter. However, there are some mental competencies that can make your job a whole lot easier. Observational skills and logical deduction are two talents that every great bounty hunter should have. Any list of bounty hunter tips will tell you that working out your body and mind are the best things you can do to become top in your field. Many top-performing bounty hunters attended some level of college or technical school to help hone their mental sharpness and gain valuable skills.

Equipment and Tools

The equipment required for bounty hunting is fairly similar to private investigators and other niche criminal justice jobs. To start, you will need handcuffs, a cellphone, bullet proof vest, taser, pepper spray, other legal weaponry (gun, baton, etc.), any other tools you find useful to track your targets. Depending on your choice of defense tools and other equipment, the startup cost for bounty hunting can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

One of the more expensive pieces of equipment you will need is a vehicle. These can be decked out with protective grating, GPS devices, storage and other tools, but the most important thing is the vehicle’s reliability. We recommend a vehicle like a truck or SUV that can travel over tough terrain and during inclement weather. You should also consider opting for new trucks for sale over used vehicles because you will be putting a lot of miles on your vehicle and want it to last as long as possible.

Depending on the gear your carry and your means of transportation, you may require specific additional licensing. As we mentioned in previous bounty hunter tips, be certain to look into your local regulations before making any major purchases or decisions.

Getting Your Name Out There

The most seasoned professionals will tell you one of the most important bounty hunter tips is to make sure local bondsmen know who you are. You may want to get your name out there through old school methods like word of mouth marketing , signs and flyers, or direct marketing material. While these methods are all great in some ways, you should consider hiring a marketing consultant to assess your local market for the advertising methods that will work best.

Many bounty hunters have begun marketing exclusively online. This is because digital marketing is much cheaper thanks to pay-per-click ads while still being highly effective. In fact, most modern business is researched through internet searches, so you want to utilize SEO to get your name at the top of those lists.

Though some digital marketing is beginner-friendly, the best method to master the online frontier is by utilizing internet marketing services. These companies can help you isolate your markets online usage and implement marketing campaigns that will reach the right people. This might be through social media, internet searches, webpages, or even email marketing.

Digital Bounty Hunting: Bug Bounties, Legal Hacking, and More

With the advancement of the internet and digital technologies, there has been the creation of a market for bounty hunters online. Some of these bounty hunters utilize hacking and other activities typically against internet law to locate digital criminals. Bug bounty hunters also work in the digital landscape but they don’t track people. Instead, these tech-savvy trackers look for vulnerabilities in businesses’ security systems and report them to the company’s security team.

These positions have cause some controversy regarding the need for stricter regulation. So, if you go this route, remember that you must be invited to take part in these hunting activities. You cannot legally hack a person or company without permission, even if you have good intentions.

One of the most useful bounty hunter tips we can give you is, if you are not sure what you are doing is legal, ask employment lawyers. These legal professionals can tell you if your hiring agent is asking you to participate in illegal practices and protect you during and after any whistleblowing.

Who Would Make a Good Bounty Hunter

You can follow all the bounty hunter tips here, online, and in training manuals, but those who succeed in the field have something unique about them that truly makes them a shoe-in. Good bounty hunters are more than just strong individuals with the right tools. There are some personality traits that translate well to the position.

• Interpersonal Skills: interpersonal skills are the traits a person uses to properly and effectively communicate with others. Those with these skills often come from jobs in education, customer service, or public relations.
• Patience: There is a lot of waiting that goes into bounty hunting. Being able to maintain attention on a specific location or person without distraction is vital to success. These are similar skills found in government positions, healthcare, and childcare.
• Even Temperament: You will be coming into contact with the nefarious type quite often and they aren’t known for being kind and making arrests easy. If you have a short fuse you can end up making poor decisions that will land you in legal trouble. Those coming from the armed forces or other branches of criminal justice often have this trait.
• Ingenuity: Essentially, the more clever you are, the better you will be at bounty hunting. There are no bounty hunter tips that can make up for a lack of wit and clever thinking. people from all walks of life can meet this criteria, but it tends to show itself in the form of a sharp sense of humor.
• Investigative Skills: This may seem obvious, but the best bounty hunters are also fantastic detectives. If these bail jumpers were easy to find, there wouldn’t be a lucrative career for those seeking them. If you aren’t a natural born detective, try taking some classes on criminal behavior and investigative techniques.

Final Thoughts on Bounty Hunting as a Career

Bounty hunting isn’t necessarily the right career for everyone, but to those willing to put in the work it can be fantastic. The salary range is attractive, the requirements attainable, and the work environment is exciting.

If you are interested in getting into the industry, follow our bounty hunter tips and begin your journey with research and a little soul searching. Make sure you have what it takes to get the job done, then focus on getting to know the bail bondsmen in your area.

With the right gear, proper training, and some hard work, you can find bounty hunting to be the perfect career for you.

There are many ways to make money in this world, depending on what your specialty is. Some people have skills and education that demand a high wage (such as doctors and lawyers), while others must rely on their wit, intelligence, and business savvy in order to turn a profit through a myriad of different talents and trades. Having an education is not always required to make money, despite what you may have been led to believe. People trade stocks, bonds, and commodities from their bedrooms while others must practice business litigation law from a fancy corner office while wearing an expensive suit and displaying their legal degree.

One underrated and less commonly talked about way to make money in this world is through buying and restoring residential property, sometimes called “house flipping.” Depending on where you look up house flipping statistics, it can either seem like a perilous enterprise fraught with nothing but risk, or a piece of cake. In reality, it is neither and both at the same time. For every would-be real estate investor who thinks they know their stuff, there is another who gets in way over their head and loses everything (including the property that they just bought). It is worth knowing the risks and rewards before going into this type of activity as a financial endeavor.

In this article, we’re going to touch on some of the interesting ways that residential home buying can become a cash cow for regular individuals. We’re going to warn against tricks and bad ideas, while propping up tips and suggestions that should be able to help anyone. With a lot of hard work and some know-how, anyone can use residential properties to skew the house flipping statistics in their favor and come out on top. Who knows, it might even become your new source of income.

Identifying Properties to Buy

So you’ve decided to invest in a property somewhere, but may have hesitations when it comes to finances, knowledge, and other areas. This is understandable, as approximately 62% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings and don’t know where they would get the down payment on a house. However, if you have other pieces of equity (car, boat, current house, etc) and a great credit score, you can bypass a lot of this right off the bat and probably qualify for an amazing home loan. If you’re willing to incorporate as an LLC, you may even be able to qualify for a small business loan from the small business administration of the US government. There may also be tax breaks or other incentives as well, so it’s worth exploring.

As you’re looking at properties to buy, you can fly solo or entrust the services of a trusted real estate agent to help you out. What you’re specifically looking for is undervalued properties or up-and-coming properties in developing neighborhoods. Every so often you will find an amazing neighborhood with a neglected property, but this is relatively uncommon. Many of the properties you find will be in various states of disrepair, and you will very quickly have the numbers of several trusted local plumbers on speed dial, depending on what neighborhoods they service. Finding distressed or unwanted properties is a bit of gambling game, and what you find online might not match what you see in person. Above all else, be patient and willing to be disappointed more often than not. Eventually, a gem will appear if you only know how to identify it.

When planning to purchase a residential property, be smart about all your decisions and think far into the future. All one has to do is look at a variety of house flipping statistics to be scared straight on the difficulties of such an endeavor. Make sure to plan for the longest loan and lowest monthly payment possible, to ensure that you always have enough cash flow to make repairs and improve the property in the short term. You should always prepare for the worst case scenario in which you cannot sell the house and simply must own it (perhaps as a rental property) outright in the long term. There are many worse situations to be in than owning another home.

Inspect the Home Before You Buy

You may have found the “perfect” property, or so you thought. If you haven’t done a quality inspection or a basic hard water test, you can’t really be sure of anything when it comes to residential properties. Depending on your area and the local laws, homeowners may only be required to list certain attributes of their homes and what condition they are in. Since homeowners looking to sell are incentivized to make the property appear as amazing as possible, it is understandable they might neglect to tell you about some things.

When you’re interested in buying a property, always get a home inspector to come out and appraise/inspect the property for you. Even if you’re well versed in residential properties or used to be a contractor, you want a licensed and legal inspector to provide the paperwork you need in order to justify any complaints you might have. Little things, like hiring a residential garage door service to inspect the door, can save you lots of money in the long run after the original owner has gotten their cash and exited.

While it’s not brought up in house flipping statistics at all, always remember that you can interview the current homeowner about their experience with the property. Anything is on the table, really. From asking if the house is haunted to querying about the neighborhood and night activity, you don’t have to just focus on the actual structure of the house. When you probe this deep, but keen interest, many homeowners may find that they would be willing to offer you a deal in order to hand the property over to someone who clearly wants it and is ready to buy instead of responding to offers from real estate agents or emails. You can learn valuable information from the current homeowner that you’ll never find on any real estate website or listing, and this will only further or dissuade your decision to purchase the property.

Customize, Accessorize and Modernize

The house flipping statistics don’t lie: more homes sell when they have modern features and custom additions than standard houses. Just like the inspections that we mentioned before, you’ll want to go through the property piece by piece and repair things while providing a modern spin in order to catch the eyes of current consumers. If the roof has been neglected, then you’ll probably want to enlist the help of roof repair services in the area. If some of the lights turn on, but flicker, then you’ll be having negotiations regularly with electricians. It may not be mentioned in house flipping statistics, but making sure that a property is in tip-top shape and available for the market is just part of the job description when it comes to home flipping.

While you’re trying to decide whether asphalt shingle roofing or a tin roof is best for your new property, you’ll also want to think about modernizing it with appropriate decorations and colors. In this regard, you’ll probably want to at least tug the ear of an interior designer to see what you could work with your new home and find out what’s both hot and affordable to make your home shine on the market. It may seem silly, but little things like wallpaper and living room paint color can easily flip a consumer from “buyer” to “crier.” Sometimes you can look at house flipping statistics to find out what home features end up selling best, other times these are left out of the official data. It’s up to you to do your own research.

If the house you’ve bought hasn’t been updated in quite a while, you might want to go room by room and either tear out most of the features or replace what’s already there with a modern equivalent. For instance, many old houses contain sub-par glass that does not insulate well and contributes to the home being outdated and having a high energy bill. While you can probably still see through it and use it as a window, it’s probably better, in the long run, to call a contractor to do custom glass and mirror installation in whatever rooms need it. Mirrors, just like glass, eventually fade from usefulness if they’re not taken care of properly. While it may seem like nobody pays attention to these things, consumers will appreciate that such useful parts of a house have been updated and modernized.

In a similar vein to replacing windows, glass, and mirrors, you must take a holistic approach to the house when it comes to everything. Rarely do homeowners take their major appliances with them, especially if they are built into the wall or combined with other appliances. While it’s not an obligation for you to rip out old appliances and replace with new ones, it will add a large price increase to the value of the home and put consumers at ease. In the short term, it also means that if you use the property for rentals or a vacation home, you’ll be able to have access to basic amenities. This same line of reasoning applies equally to bathtubs and faucets just as much as ovens and refrigerators. There are basic things that a home needs to seem “complete,” and they should not be neglected.

Don’t Neglect the Outside

Remember that a home does not just consist of the inside rooms, but is the totality of the lived experience which includes the outdoor spaces, land, and assorted greenery. This may be left off of most house flipping statistics, but that’s no reason to neglect it. From garden shed design to hiring a landscaping company to plant flowers or trim shrubs, the outside of a house is the first thing that a consumer will see and will constitute their first impression. Many a house has been sold because it looks attractive on the outside and is in a desirable area while being a fairly simple on the inside.

House flipping statistics do not often include rural areas, but you can also increase the value of a house by planting viable greenery around it that produces value. This includes things such as fruit trees (easy to care for, high yield), areas for a vegetable garden with perennials (such as tomatoes and beans) and much more. Decorative greenery, especially in urban areas, can be highly attractive because it provides privacy and “natural” style. Many consumers want to live close to everything, but at the same time have their own private oasis. If you are able to provide this, you will be giving them a lot of value.

If All Goes Well, You’ll Be in Business

Before starting this article, you may have looked at the house flipping statistics for your local or national area and said “No way, it’s too difficult for someone like me.” While it’s always good to be apprehensive about taking major financial risks, hopefully, these tips have let you know that many “average” people are able to take residential properties and turn them into profits with less risk than is commonly thought. In fact, by doing some of the work themselves or getting creative with decorating, they are able to create one of a kind properties that fetch a pretty penny. The DIY ethic has its own unique value.

You may now be wondering after reading this article, “is it worth it?” when it comes to shuffling residential property around when trying to make a profit. Unfortunately, only you can answer that question, because only you have access to the intimate knowledge of your needs, wants, and financial/life goals. If dealing with the headaches of contractors and sellers doesn’t interest you in the slightest, remember that you can always hire someone to do your bidding for you as long as you’re willing to share the profits. Remember the LLC idea that we brought up earlier? There are costs and benefits to all business transactions, and you must sit with what works personally for you and your loved ones. Unfortunately, satisfaction is not measured in any house flipping statistics that we are aware of.

While many house flippers report making an average of $25,000 on the various properties that they improve and later sell, the sky really is the limit when it comes to valuing a home. If it’s in a good area and has all the bells and whistles that consumers want, eventually it will fetch a high price. But even the most luxurious home, if it’s on a bad piece of land and in an undesirable area, will not amount to much. These are all factors to consider when you’re deciding to sell fsbo (for sale by owner) and get top dollar amount for the property. Put in the work and effort, and many times you’ll be rewarded. Perhaps you’ll even end up in the positive side of the most recent house flipping statistics.

Updated 3/28/2022

Upgrading your home comes with several benefits, including enhanced comfort, energy efficiency, aesthetics, and value. However, you need to understand how to go about it to ensure you get excellent results. One of the best ways to handle large-scale remodels in your home is by working with a professional. It may cost you a substantial amount to pay for such services, but you will be happy with the project’s outcome. A home remodeling contractor has in-depth knowledge and outstanding experience of what you need to do to your home to make it better. The kitchen and bathroom are essential rooms that you should focus on when renovating your home.

Fortunately, a home improvement company can handle bathroom remodeling bathroom renovations and offer you affordable kitchen renovations. It is easy to find such professionals today, thanks to the internet and modern technology. You can get the best bathroom renovations from the best contractors at an affordable fee. Additionally, such renovators are better positioned to explain some of the best and cheap home makeover ideas. It is advisable to source locally for these contractors to ensure you do not incur any unnecessary expenses. You can consider getting referrals from friends, neighbors, and relatives who have worked with a reliable contractor before. This is especially essential if it is your first time looking for home renovation services.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to do home renovation and design to add a little more value to your property at this time. You would be surprised to learn how a little building rehab can significantly add value to your home in ways that you might not have expected. In fact, when looking at the best way to remodel your home, you should understand that something as simple as adding new window shutters might add serious dollars to the closing price on the property when it is all said and done.

Home and renovation projects are not simple, and they cannot be done by just anyone. You can attempt to do the projects that you are certain you have the experience and expertise available for, but you should hire in some real professionals on those jobs that you just aren’t as certain about. It can be a costly thing, but you will certainly be happy with the outcome given that you will be adding value directly to the sale price of your home when you decide it is time to let it go in this white-hot market. There are few things that add so much direct value to your pocket so easily, so make sure you take advantage of this possibility today.

How can I renovate my house for free? How do I design a kitchen remodel? How can I remodel my house with no money? How can I renovate my house for free? How do I renovate my house? These are only but a fraction of the questions that go through house owners’ minds who are looking to remodel their homes. The process of remodeling or renovating demands a lot of attention carefully planned blueprints, subsequent amount of time and energy, money, and with exceptional construction services it can be a successful project. Fortunately for those who are struggling with the aforementioned questions, this article is going to lead you to the long-awaited answers. Gone are the days when one would have to spend twice the money spent on acquiring the house on renovating it or struggling to find exceptional construction service locally and having to outsource expensive contractors. We gladly welcome the ways of today, where you yourself can renovate your home. Yes, you! There are plenty of beginner-friendly projects you can tackle like tiling and painting, and designing too. You can even have friends and family help out. There’s no need to wait for someone to give you that curb appeal, let’s show you how you can do it – and save money too.

When you have an area that would make a good apartment, it”s important to make sure that it is in good condition if you are going to rent it out. This may be a commercial apartment building, an apartment in your home or another structure that you are renting out. You will likely need a remodeling contractor to make the big changes it will take to bring your apartment up to date. Home addition and remodeling contractors understand what today’s trends look like, and they may be able to give you some suggestions for making the space look nice.

General contractors for home improvement can do things like expanding a bathroom, making more living spaces, knocking down walls that make a space choppy and more. It’s a good idea to get some home remodel inspiration and home remodel design ideas before you start the renovations. You can get great ideas from magazines, lifestyle websites and Pinterest. Once you know what you want, you can get home addition and remodeling contractors to work on the apartment and make it a great place to live. With a pretty apartment ready for tenants, you can expect a steady income from that fixed-up property.

Different corporate apartments usually have to be maintained carefully. The owners of these apartments have to make sure that the apartments look modern. If these apartments have any issues, they also must be addressed before those problems get worse. When the apartment is a 1 bedroom available for rent, they won’t have that many rooms to redecorate, but people will be that much more likely to notice every detail.

When people search for a 1 bedroom unit for rent, they’ll still pay attention to the size of the individual rooms. Any 1 bedroom available now can still have spacious rooms, even if the apartment has comparatively few rooms overall. People will expect more from all of the rooms that are present.

Individuals searching for ‘1 bedroom lofts near me’ will be particularly interested in the apartments that use space very efficiently. Lots of people specifically like lofts for this reason. A loft may technically only have one bedroom, but given the size of the overall apartment, the structure will seem very open.

When relatively small apartments use space efficiently, it’s even easier for a lot of people to live there comfortably. The apartments will be somewhat compact but not cramped.

Owning a rental property is a great way to make money. You get monthly payments from your tenants for relatively little work. However, you can make even more money by putting some work into the property. Just as making renovations in your own home can increase its value, remodeling a rental apartment can make it worth much more than it used to be. In addition to getting more money for it when you eventually sell the property, this means that you can charge more for it each month while you rent it out.

The key to remodeling a rental apartment is finding that tricky balance between putting too much money into it and too little. You don’t want to spend more than what you’ll be able to rent it out for, but you want to spend enough to truly make it more valuable and get a tenant who is willing to pay the amount you want to charge. Luckily, there are many renovation projects that are relatively inexpensive but will make a huge difference in the quality of the apartment. Let’s take a look at a few of these projects so that you can get started on making your rental property worth more.

Staying Safe When Remodeling a Rental Apartment

Before we dive into the renovation projects, we should take a moment to discuss renovation safety. You could be working with all types of tools, such as demolition shears and wire cutters, that can cause you harm if you don’t use them correctly and have the proper protection. If you’re doing any of these projects yourself, you need to know how to keep yourself and anyone else who is working safe.

One of the most important safety tips when remodeling a rental apartment is to wear the right clothing and protective equipment. If the weather allows for it, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect your skin from tools and irritants. You should always wear closed-toed shoes, preferably a pair with reinforced toes to protect your feet from falling objects. Wearing gloves is also a good idea for renovation projects. If you’re spraying, drilling, or sawing, you need to wear safety goggles or glasses. If there is going to be a lot of noise, remember to wear earplugs to protect your hearing.

No matter how many precautions you may take, accidents happen and you need to be prepared for them. Put together a first aid kit before you begin the projects so that you have bandages and ointment available in case you are injured. You should also know where the nearest urgent care is in case of emergency. If someone gets burns or cuts that require stitches, you will need to take them for professional medical treatment and you don’t want to waste time looking up where the closest facility is. It’s much better to be prepared for incidents like these than to be taken by surprise and let an injury get worse because you didn’t know what to do.

Update the Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home. A great kitchen is a sign of a great apartment and tenants will be willing to pay more for a kitchen that has updated equipment and aesthetics. Start with the appliances. Make sure that the dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, and microwave all have matching finishes. This will help give the kitchen a more cohesive look. You don’t necessarily need to spend money on top-of-the-line appliances, but upgrading the appliances will boost the function and style of the kitchen.

Once the appliances are up to snuff, consider the countertops and cabinets. If the cabinets just need a fresh coat of paint and new hardware to look modern and fresh, you can do that yourself. If the cabinets and countertops look outdated or grungy and you need to completely gut the kitchen, look up kitchen remodeling companies in your area. You can save more money by going to one company for a total kitchen remodel and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that they did the renovation right. By having a professional company do these renovations when remodeling a rental apartment, they’re likely to be of higher quality and you’re less likely to have to pay for repairs to those renovations in the near future.

Focus on Curb Appeal

The building’s exterior is the first thing potential tenants will see when they tour an apartment. It’s important that the exterior makes a great first impression. The landscaping around the building will have a major impact on the curb appeal. You’ll want to make the front lawn look tidy and well-maintained, but keep the landscaping inexpensive and low-maintenance so that you don’t need to give it too much of your time or money. If you’re willing to spend a little to save in the long-run, it may be a good idea to install automated features like a sprinkler system. Then, you’ll only need to worry about the lawn’s upkeep when you need residential sprinkler system repair. Doing other simple tasks like trimming back trees and installing planters in front of the building can go a long way in boosting the property’s curb appeal.

Another simple way to improve curb appeal when remodeling a rental apartment is to replace or paint the front door. This can give the property a fresh look for relatively little work. If the property has a porch or balcony, be sure that it is clean and well-maintained. Not only does it impact the curb appeal, but a porch or balcony is a big draw for potential tenants.

Another element of curb appeal is the building’s roof. An old roof or a roof in need of repair can make the entire building look run-down. The quality of the roof can also affect the inside of the building, as it is meant to protect against leaks and provide good insulation. If your property’s roof is in need of repair, contact a roofing company.

If it’s been about 20 years since the roof was replaced, ask the company about a total roof replacement. Although a roof replacement is pricier than other projects on this list, it’s a great opportunity to make your property more valuable and more energy efficient. You could invest in metal roof installation, which helps lower energy bills by reflecting sunlight and keeping your home cooler. Metal roofs also last longer and are more durable than standard asphalt roofs, which could help you avoid having to repair or replace the roof again. Another energy-efficient feature you could pursue is working with solar contractors to install solar panels on the roof. This will help keep energy costs down and add significant value to the property. It’s also am eco-friendly amenity that many potential tenants will love, making your apartment more desirable than other ones on the market.

Install New Floors

The floors in an apartment are a key sign of quality. If your property is covered in outdated, wall-to-wall carpeting, consider replacing it with hardwoods. Not only do tenants like hardwoods better, but you’ll have an easier time getting the apartment ready for new tenants if you don’t have to deal with carpeting. Carpeting tends to trap smells and requires more maintenance with deep cleanings and stain removals. Hardwood flooring is also more modern in appearance, which can potentially add more value to your property.

When you’re remodeling a rental apartment, install new floors last. The other projects you need to do will probably create a bit of dirt and dust that will land directly on the floors. If you put down brand new hardwoods before the messy part of remodeling, you’ll have to spend even more time cleaning them up. The exception to this rule is if you’re installing new appliances in the kitchen. Getting new floors in should be the penultimate step and installing appliances should be the very last step.

Renovate the Bathroom

Just as the kitchen is a spot where tenants look for modern updates, so is the bathroom. When you’re remodeling a rental apartment, it can be a huge mistake to skip over the bathroom. Potential tenants want a bathroom that looks nice and that functions well. At the very least, you should make simple improvements such as replacing the toilet seat, the shower head, and the sink and cabinet hardware. These are affordable replacements that can make a big difference in the appearance of the bathroom.

If the bathroom needs plumbing repairs in order to function correctly, contact a residential plumbing company in your area. By calling a professional, you can be sure that the repairs are done correctly and that you won’t have to waste money paying for repairs to the repairs. The plumbing isn’t an area that you’ll want to DIY.

The bathrooms in many rental properties tend to be on the smaller side, so you need to do what you can to maximize the space and give tenants a functional bathroom. One simple way to do this is to install shelves. This will give the tenant storage but it won’t take a lot of room or money. Another option is to convert the bathtub into a walk-in shower. This project will take a bit more money, but it is certain to increase the floor space in the bathroom.

When you’re focusing on the bathroom, be sure to look out for issues like water damage and mold. The bathroom, kitchen, and basement are the spaces in a home that are most likely to have problems like these. If a potential tenant sees any sign of water damage or mold, they’re going to rent from someone else. Hire professionals for mold remediation or water damage repair as soon as you can to fix the issue. Working with experienced professionals is important, as mold will keep cropping up if you don’t get down to the root of the issue.

Create an Open Floor Plan

One of the most sought-after features in a home or apartment is an open floor plan. Not only will the phrase alone be a big attraction for potential tenants, but an open concept will make the apartment feel larger and brighter. Tenants will be willing to pay more for an apartment that feels large and bright over one that feels enclosed and dark, even if the square footage is technically the same.

If you have the time and money, put in the work to transform the apartment into one with an open floor plan. Unless you have experience knocking down walls to open up a space, you should contact a professional for this project. Some walls are load bearing, which means that they hold the weight of the building. Taking down this type of wall incorrectly can mean disaster for the building’s structure. Work with a professional to ensure that the project goes smoothly and you don’t incur greater expenses while trying to create an open floor plan.

Add Popular Amenities

One way to convince tenants to pay more for an apartment is to add amenities that they’re looking for. Certain features will help set your property apart from that of other landlords, fill vacancies, and give you an opportunity to raise the rent.

A key amenity is central air conditioning. If you are remodeling a rental apartment in an older building, you may need to work with a professional to do serious work on the building’s HVAC but it will be worth it. Renters are often stuck in apartments without central A/C and have to resort to window units to keep cool in the summer, taking up their precious window space. If they don’t have to mess with window units and can keep their windows free of them all year round, they’ll probably pay a little more for your property.

Another major draw for renters is a washer and dryer in the unit. Renters often face the challenge of going to a laundromat whenever they need to do their laundry, so having a washer and dryer right in their home adds a significant layer of convenience. Dishwashers are another sought-after appliance in rental units. Tenants will love any type of added convenience and are more likely to pay a higher rent for them.

Renters also value outdoor amenities, like outdoor living areas and off-street parking. If you can provide a place for your tenants to sit outside and enjoy nice weather, such as a patio or balcony, give that to them. If you can create a fenced-in yard for pets, that’s an even bigger bonus for all of the pet owners out there looking to rent. Having a driveway, carport, or small lot for your tenants is another popular amenity, especially in busy areas. If you live in a snowy climate, give your tenants covered parking spots. They’ll love not having to dig their cars out of the snow every time they need to leave the house.

Remodeling a rental apartment can be a major project to take on, but it can be very worthwhile. With just a little bit of work, you can attract more tenants to your property to fill vacancies and start to charge more for the updates you’re making. By remodeling a rental apartment with both cost and value in mind, you can make smart changes that will put more money in your pocket in the long run.

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Do you have a great business idea?

If you do, you may be ready to jump into the pool of over 30 million small businesses in the United States.

Having a great idea is the first step for how to go about starting your own business, but there are plenty more to follow. To make sure your vision doesn’t get lost among the masses, follow these great tips to getting your business off the ground.

Research Your Market

The first step of how to go about starting your business is to do a little market research.

Market research blends research of market trends and target-consumer behavior to help you discover the likelihood of being successful with your business. additionally, great market research can help improve business plans to make them more profitable and manageable.

Well-done market research can answer all these questions:

1. Do consumers have a want or need for your service?
2. Is there enough demand for your services to justify the cost?
3. What is the potential for income in the current market?
4. Where are your potential customers located?
5. How much competition is there for your services (how saturated is the field?)
6. How much do your competitors charge for similar services and products?

Create a Foolproof Business Plan

A big part of your business plan comes from the information compiled through market research, which is why that’s the first step. With your research complete; though, you can begin filling in other portions of your business plan.

Though the content will vary based on your business needs, here are the basic components of a business plan.

• Executive Summary
• Company Structure/ Business Description
• Market Research Results
• Financial Necessity
• Projected Income

Executive Summary

A business plan is more than just a road map for the creation of your business, it also serves as a tool for potential investors to learn more about the company, its goals, and how it plans to reach said goals. So, consider the executive summary of the first impression of your company on investors. Include information like the company background, positive highlights that make your company stand out, or an overview of management and involved personnel.

Company Structure/ Business Description

When you think about how to go about starting your own business, there are some questions to consider.

What are you selling? Who are you selling to? How will your business operations to reach sales goals? This is all information to incorporate in the company structure portion of your business plan.

If you are going to create a commercial plumbing business, for instance, focus on how your customers will find you, how the contracting process works, what services you specifically will provide, and how customers are expected to pay.

Market Research Results

Pop all your information from market research right here. Be sure to use visual data like graphs and charts to help investors easily read your information.

Financial Necessity

This is the question investors may be most interested in – how much money does your company need to get off the ground? Include information about the funds you already have, how you plan to raise additional capital, and if you plan to need additional funds later in your startup period.

Projected Income

Use your market research to determine how much revenue you plan to make in the first 12 months of operating your business. Include projections for increased revenue overtime for the next 3-5 years.

If you plan on applying for bank loans or anything similar, include financial documentation to help get your application approved.

Find a Location

One of the most important questions on how to go about starting your own business is, “where will you put it?”

Some businesses do well being run out of an owner’s home, which can save you a lot of money in overhead costs. However, most businesses will require the leasing of a commercial building. A commercial real estate lease is different from typical rental agreements as they lay out exactly what you are allowed to do with the building in your time there. These details are important because you might have a need to install specialty equipment, counters, security gates, etc.

Don’t be afraid to shop around. You don’t want to sign a legally binding contract for one location only to find an even better, cheaper place a few days later.

Building Your Own Location

Some business owners may opt to build a custom location for their new business. If you take this route, insist on using only the best service providers for the job. Before focusing on how to go about starting your own business, take the time to look into each of your contractors, and keep your investment safe from avoidable disasters. For example, only hire a top-rate electrical contractor, even if the cost is higher. This can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars down the line.

Additionally, be certain your building is erected in an area zoned for business to avoid legal issues and a potential need to relocate.

Name your Business

You might be thinking, “shouldn’t I have done that already?”

It might be tempting to pick a business game right out of the gate, and there is no shame in doing so. However, before filing documentation to create the legal name for your business, look through your market research and investor notes to make a good decision that fits your personality, your company’s vibe, and grabs customer’s attention.

Making sure your company name matches your product is one of the most important parts of how to go about starting your own business. Also, avoid spelling your name in a creative way that makes it impossible for customers to remember.

Before registering your business name, conduct some research to ensure the name isn’t taken by another business. Also, check for domain names that interest you. You don’t want to register a business name just to find out that all closely related domains are already taken. Especially since domain owners are known to charge shockingly high amounts for the sale of the domain name’s rights.

Register your Business

At this point, you should have picked out a business name that makes you happy and reflects your business. That means it is time to register your business

There are a few details to consider when determining how to register your business:

• If you operate under your personal name, there is no need to register your business.
• Most small businesses can become registered simply by registering their business name with both local and state governments.
• Most businesses don’t need to register with the federal government but doing so is necessary for trademark protection as well as the ability to claim tax-exempt status.
• S Corps must register with the federal government due to their additional tax benefits

Apply for Tax Numbers

There are a lot of ideas for how to go about starting your own business, but this is a step you simply cannot skip. Applying online for your federal and state tax numbers are necessary to hire employees, open business bank accounts, pay taxes, and apply for business-specific licenses.

It is recommended that you apply for tax numbers as soon as you finish registering your business (if applicable).

Apply for Licenses

Opening a bar? There’s a license for that.

Raising and selling cattle across state lines? There’s a license for that, too.

Installing commercial ac units? You guessed it – there’s a license for that.

In fact, there are dozens of business-specific licenses you may be required to hold. Be certain to research your industry and check for any credentials or licenses you are required to hold in order to legally operate your business.

Get a Bank Account

No matter how convenient it may seem to use your personal account for your business, a separate company bank account is one of the first steps to take when determining how to go about starting your own business.

A business bank account is important for tax purposes, monitoring expenses, and identifying fraudulent activity. Additionally, building a business relationship with a bank is important in case you need to apply for a company credit card or business loan in the future.

Get Advertising Materials

You need to get your company’s name into the mouth of potential customers. To do this, consider purchasing audience-targeted marketing material.

A lot of small businesses have success running t-shirt campaigns for their brands. Research screen printing services to find an option that fits in your price range and can create unique and wearable shirts or other items.

Business cards, pens, and other promotional items are also great ways to spread the news about your business.

Implement Social Media Marketing

The marketing world has changed. Radio and tv spots are great, but they are extremely expensive. Many highly successful brands have reached their success without ever paying for those expensive advertising slots. That’s because they implement social media marketing.

Social media marketing is done through creating, maintaining, and properly utilizing business accounts on websites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and even YouTube. Creating content that both engages your customer base and provides relevant company information is an inexpensive way to watch your consumer base grow and your influence spread.

If you’re not an expert at social media, there are professional social media managers who can create content for your pages and maintain contact and interaction with your followers.

Improve Your Google Search Rate

If there is anyone way to spend money to improve your advertising, it is on a good digital marketer. When it comes to how to go about starting your own business, this is one step you don’t want to skip.

A skilled marketer or SEO expert can update your website content to push it to the top of Google search results. This is majorly important for the success of your business because nearly 50% of all Google searches are for local businesses and services. Missing out on being in those search results can destroy a business.

Though a professional is the best way to improve your google search ranking, you can also implement some DIY techniques like:

• Fix broken website links
• Claim your Google business listing
• Start a blog and back-link to your website
• Keep your website speedy and error-free
•  

Keep your Business Safe

When thinking about how to go about starting your own business, you might not stop to consider keeping the business safe. However, there are many steps to take in this regard that should be implemented early on.

Keep Communications Secure

Data and network cabling can be unsightly, which might lead to business owners opting to use wireless connections. Remember, Wi-Fi is a great selling point to offer customers, but it is not a secure way to complete digital transactions that relate to the business.

Wireless connections are notoriously easy to hack, and you wouldn’t want someone gaining access to your tax information, HR documents, or client details.

Get a Lawyer

Sure, lawyers can be expensive to retain, but their services are truly invaluable. A commercial tenant eviction attorney is especially helpful if you are facing the loss of your business location.

A lawyer can also look over contracts, evaluate workplace legal issues, and ensure your rights are respected.

Use Commercial-Grade Equipment

Whether you build your own company space or lease a pre-existing one, it is important to ensure that the building materials are up to snuff.

For instance, windows in your business should be made from durable plexiglass or tempered glass at a commercial-grade thickness. If your building is using standard, thin, residential-style glass windows and doors, you may have an expensive accident waiting to happen. Call a commercial glass expert to determine the cost of upgrading your materials.

A similar case can be made for commercial lighting. Standard light fixtures can become costly to install as they aren’t meant to illuminate large areas. Additionally, some lights, like low-hanging dining lights, need to be carefully chosen to ensure customers won’t burn themselves, break the bulbs, or suffer any other injuries.

You’re Ready to Start Your Business

There are a lot of origin points for how to go about starting your own business, but they all involve a lot of hard work and stress. However, if you are truly passionate about your business idea, the entire experience will be worth it.

Don’t let the fear of all the steps to starting a business keep you away. Take each level of business creation one step at a time and trust in partners and investors to help you along the way.