Starting a business in real estate can be a great investment that is possible to capitalize on various revenue streams. Yet, before purchasing anything you need to be aware of all pitfalls faced when buying, selling, or renting a property. 

Among them are property records that allow you not only to learn more about the ownership but also get insights into the land restrictions, renovations, history of the place, and so on. Unfortunately, not all property can bring you revenue so you need to check everything before signing in any contracts and spending your money on it. 

If you are looking for where you can find free public property records, there are several options to select from. You can decide to check government offices or search the property records online. There are several websites that can assist you in your quest. The possible alternatives for finding free public property records are mentioned below.

Property Tax Records

In each town or municipality, the public property tax information is usually available to the public. Also, a large number of towns and municipalities have made their property tax records available on the internet. In the United States, one can find links to government websites by visiting http://publicrecords.netronline.com/. Using any of the following information like the property’s location, plat number, or even the name of the property’s owner will be useful in the search through property records.

Tax records can also be found on the internet. A computer search may be possible, or one may need to look through a library of books. Inquire with someone in the office about assisting you in locating what you are looking for. Since property tax records are available to the public, staff are willing to assist. 

It is possible that the county website will not allow you to search for a property using the owner’s name. The owner’s name will usually be listed in the record if you locate the property, allowing you to double-check that you are in fact looking at the correct property. 

However, if you are only aware of the street name and not the street numbers of the property, you may still be able to conduct a search by inputting just that name and then browsing through all of the resulting records until you find the correct owner’s name. 

Locating the Deed to the Property through County Offices

The county in which the land is located must be identified. Deeds are recorded in county offices in the United States, so first of all, identifying the county in which the property is located in the first step before you can proceed. If the property is spread across more than one county, determine which county contains the majority of the property. In most cases, you can find deeds by searching for the owner’s name. Even if you don’t know the owner’s name, you can go to the tax assessor’s office and use the address to find out who he or she is. 

Pay a visit to the county office that is appropriate for you. The county recorder of Deeds office is where deeds are kept on file. This office is often called by a variety of titles, including Register of Deeds or Commissioner of Deeds, depending on the jurisdiction. In some counties, land records will be kept by the clerk of the court. You can locate the appropriate office by consulting your phone book or by visiting your local county or city office. Inquire as to where you need to go.

Many counties are now making their records available online so find the website by searching for the name of your county followed by the words “Recorder of Deeds.”

Property Records Search like Radaris

Find information about public property records. When a property is acquired, it is usually listed on the internet. People and property search tools like Radaris are usually a grapevine for free public property records. You can use the sites to get free records on public property. Tools like Radaris will provide basic property information for free. Plenty of websites collect data about counties and townships and then make it accessible to the general public.

In conclusion, you need not break a bank, or leave the comfort of your home to get answers to certain questions. There are accessible websites that have now made it easier for people to free public property records online. With technological advancements like this, records are now accessible to the general public. Want to know who owns a certain property before you purchase it? Are there any limitations for my business to use the property? Search online at your convenience. You can even go further by making background checks on the owners of certain properties as well so that you won’t get scammed. All information needed is just a click away. 

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post WHERE CAN I FIND FREE PUBLIC PROPERTY RECORDS? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Whether your expanding, downsizing, or simply just want a change of scenery, moving an entire business to a new office can be a tremendously precarious affair, so taking steps to avoid potential pitfalls is a must.

Once you get settled, it will likely have all been worth it, although it might not feel like that in the heat of the moment.

Here are some hurdles and challenges to watch out for along the way.

The Cost of Utilities

It can be easy to get caught up in the immediacy of the move, which unfortunately means that some of the fundamentals suffer from it.

One such fundamental is the prospect of utilities. Failing to account for your new suppliers could lead to some annoying and potentially damaging hidden costs later on down the line.

Taking a preemptive approach and finding your new suppliers ahead of the move can help you find the ideal company, and thanks to great online platforms like Business Water Quotes, this can be done at the touch of a button.

Downtime

Perhaps one of the most frustrating parts of relocating a business is the concept of downtime.

The longer your doors are closed for trading, the more income you will be missing out on. There are some measures to put in place to reduce this, however, such as:

• Moving Certain Processes to the Cloud – Cloud computing and its wonderful accessibility bonuses can come in handy when you need to up sticks and move, so moving a few of your processes to the virtual world might be able to reduce downtime.
• Making a Gradual Move – You might be able to cut downtime by moving in stages, especially if your employees need some time to sort out their own logistics.
• Embrace Remote/Hybrid Working – Offering your staff the opportunity to work from home or come into the new office could solve the problem, provided you have the digital infrastructure to support this.

Tax Laws

Depending on where you plan to move to, there might be different rules and regulations surrounding taxes.

It is crucial to check this out way in advance of the move to avoid any accidental wrongdoings.

Whether this is different tax rates or there is a state-imposed tax on a process that you previously did not pay tax on, doing your research is a must.

This can also help you better develop an accurate and reliable moving budget, so it should be one of the first priorities on your moving prep list.

Think About the Customer

Thinking about how the customer might be impacted by your move can help you prepare your organization for the move – this might be especially important if you are moving with a brick-and-mortar store.

Customers need to know where to find you and how to contact you, so do not forget to update your contact details on your website or on any platform that has your information, for that matter.

Making an announcement on social media is also a good way to make your move more visible to customers. After all, they are the ones who need to access your goods!

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Preparing to Move Your Business to a New Office? Watch Out for These Pitfalls appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

When you have a  business, it is necessary to make use of your human resources. It is essential that you understand their roles and how their parts are critical for the growth of your business. One of the most vital human resources that a company should have is accountants. 

Moreover, doing accounting work can be complicated for just anyone. It needs to be done by professional people in this field. This article will help you understand the roles of accountants that can be highly beneficial for every business company.

Tax Returns

Receiving tax is one of the things your business can not avoid. A tax return accountant can help you with the financial and income tax statements of your business. They maintain the tax database of a company. Part of their work includes identifying tax savings, analyzing tax issues, and preparing payments.

Tax return accounts can advise you in creating effective tax management. Also, several ways to lower tax payments. Getting an accountant can help you prevent receiving interests and penalties concerning your tax returns in the future. They mainly find solutions to specific tax issues that your company might face in the future. 

Financial Planning

Fundamentally, an accountant can assist you in keeping track of your income and spendings. They also help ensure statutory compliance, and more importantly, they create quantitative financial information for your investors. This financial statement can be highly beneficial to your company in making business decisions.

Additionally, accountants can help in auditing financial information, prepare business plans, and administer payroll. These are included in your financial planning. Preparing for financial planning can be easier with the help of an accountant. 

Financial Analysis and Advice

As accountants, they are mainly working with your company’s financial data. They make use of these data in assisting you with your business decision-making. Accountants can provide professional advice from the financial data they have acquired to help resolve discrepancies and problems in the future. Their role can offer recommendations that can be a great resource in developing structured procedures.

Having a certified accountant can significantly help you in budgeting for financial and legal management purposes, which will also help in tax prediction. Their record log is called the accounting system journal. This log contains the complete list of the company’s financial transactions.

Bookkeeping

An accountant can do the bookkeeping roles and responsibilities. They serve as people to contact between an organization and customers. Their primary responsibility in bookkeeping is to record and maintain business financial transactions. They make sure to keep your financial records of transactions very detailed and up to date. 

Having a certified accountant can significantly help you in budgeting, also in financial and legal management purposes. As a result, it will also help in tax prediction. Their record log is called the accounting system journal. This log contains the complete list of the company’s financial transactions.

Mortgage Broker 

Accountants can also do the job of a mortgage broker. They specialize in real estate transactions and act as the interceder between a client and a company or a bank. Their role is to review the financial ability to settle a mortgage and decide if they are financially capable for the bank to assist them with their real estate purchase. The accountants also help a borrower in obtaining pre-approval for a mortgage loan by researching the market.

Preparing Payroll

As mentioned, accounts also help in the payroll management of a company. It is essential to emphasize this job role because it is a vital function of every accounting department. Moreover, it is a complex accounting function that the accounting department should need to learn. Some companies even outsource external accounting agencies for the payroll function.

Accountants prepare the salary statements of every employee and process their paychecks to avoid payroll issues. Also, they will resolve related issues when a problem arises. They ensure that payroll is in line with governmental laws and policies to keep everything legal. Their roles include updating payroll files and general ledger, also calculating net salaries, deductions, and withholdings.

Inventory Cost Management 

Inventory refers to accounting raw materials, labor, and other company costs used in production or sales. It is the stock in production stages and current assets. The accounting makes sure to keep track of the inventory costs of a company.  

Moreover, some businesses purchase their inventory through credit and are financed with loans. With the accounting, they make certain in keeping track of the liabilities and secure payments on time. They also ensure that all the inventory records are safe.

Takeaway

Accounting is an intricate job that needs proper credentials to make an accurate report. Also, to ensure that your treasury is in good hands and away from fraud and embezzlement. They carry massive responsibility regarding your financial statements. 

That is why you must be familiar with their job description so that you can feel secure with letting an accountant handle these. More importantly, you can never be too sure in assessing your company’s financial situation, and an accountant can help you with it.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Roles Of An Accountant: How Can Accountants Help Your Business? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Think about what you want  

It might seem like a stupid thing to say, but really thinking about what you want to do with the property before jumping into any decisions is key.  

Think about the property’s location, it’s worth and how much of a responsibility it would be for you to take on.  

Remember that properties require a lot of upkeep so if the building is left empty for a long period of time it might attract unwanted attention or lead to damage occurring. For example, a property left empty over winter could start to accumulate damp and water pipes could become frozen, resulting in bursts and lasting damage.  

Also consider the properties condition. Is it already in a state of disrepair? Would it cost a lot of money to fix up and do you have the funds to do so if needed?  

Consider the legalities 

Think about how you have inherited the property and the type of paperwork that will need to be filed. Having a copy of the will to hand will help you understand exactly what you have inherited and how.  

You can request a solicitor gets involved and clearly explains the will and conditions of inheritance to you so that you know exactly what you are getting into.  

If the property were in debt when the deceased passes, you might not be inheriting as much as you might think and would have to pay off the debts on the property before it becomes yours.  

Also, if you decide to keep the house and already own your own home, you’ll have to nominate one of the two as a second home and make your local tax office aware as you can only receive relief from capital gains tax on the home that you consider to be your main one.  

Other options 

If you decide you want to sell the house, then you will need all the necessary paperwork to do so and will still need to have the property valuated by a surveyor. You will receive the money once the property is sold, minus any outstanding debt and unpaid bills.  

If you want to keep the property but can’t afford to run two homes, consider becoming a landlord and letting out the property. This way you will have full ownership but will receive monthly rent to help offset the costs of owning two properties.  

You can also decide to keep the house in the family and add the property to your will and allow your children or grandchildren to inherit the property once you pass away. 

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post What Do You Do If You Inherit A Property? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Small business owners and start-ups often find it difficult to set up a retirement plan as they believe they have limited resources and cannot afford the plan. However, this is not true. By setting a simple small business 401(k) plan, employers can retain talent, attract new employees and automate their plan administration.

Understanding a Small Business 401(k) Plan

Any employer whose business has between 1 to 100 employees (except for state and local government bodies) can adopt the small business 401(k) plan. Just like other retirement plans, a small business 401(k) plan helps owners take out the money from the paystub before tax and contribute it toward retirement savings. By opting for a retirement plan, small business owners can enjoy tax benefits and provide substantial retirement benefits to their employees. 

Benefits of a Small Business 401(k)

The following benefits can be enjoyed by business owners and employees through the small business 401(k) plan: 

• Disciplined and efficient savings through autopayment deductions.
• Higher contributions limits when compared to SEP or SIMPLE IRA.
• Reduced taxable income through the pre-tax salary contributions.
• Tax credit to cover administrative expenses like plan start-up costs.
• Ability to borrow a loan from retirement savings. 
• A wide array of investment options.
• Option to move savings to other retirement plans after a job change, or retirement.
• Exemption from ‘asset under management’ or AUM fees charged by traditional 401(k) plans for larger businesses.

Setting Up A Small Business 401(K) Plan

Every 401(k) provider has a different process and documentation requirement for setting up the plan. Here is an overview of the main steps that are involved in setting up a small business 401(k) plan: 

• Evaluating plan options and selecting the features that best suit your business goals.

• Approving a written plan agreement and arranging funds for the plan.
• Providing employees with the information of the plan provider. 
• Informing the employees about the terms and conditions of the plan.  
• Approving any hardship requests, loans, or any special distribution requests as applicable.

Business owners have a crucial responsibility to ensure that the contributions to the plan are deposited as per the procedure in the required time frame. If the plan includes matching contributions by the owner, such contributions also need to be deposited before the IRS tax return due date to avoid penalties. 

How can a good 401(k) provider help you?

If you are a start-up or a small business owner, planning to adopt a 401(k) plan, you can seek help from a professional 401(k) plan provider who will walk you through the process of setting up the plan and customizing it as per your business goals. A good 401(k) provider will smoothen the entire process for you and make it hassle-free. Moreover, a knowledgeable professional will have your best interests in mind, guide you in selecting the best offers and provide complete transparency so that you can immediately start the plan and save toward your retirement.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post What Do You Need to Start a Small Business 401(k) Plan? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.