#Estate planning appraiser

[moorerealestategroup]

Commercial Property Appraiser - Moore Real Estate Group

Moore Real Estate Group offers commercial property appraisal and valuation services in major cities across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Inland Empire, San Diego, and more. We also provide estate planning and appraisal services, helping clients buy, sell, and invest in properties. We prioritize building trust with our clients and within the real estate industry. Choose Moore Real Estate Group for compliant appraisal reports prepared by an MAI appraiser. We are here to help you!

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #26

July 5-12 2024

The IRS announced it had managed to collect $1 billion in back taxes from high-wealth tax cheats. The program focused on persons with more than $1 million in yearly income who owned more than $250,000 in unpaid taxes. Thanks to money in Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act the IRS is able to undertake more enforcement against rich tax cheats after years of Republicans cutting the agency's budget, which they hope to do again if they win power again.

The Biden administration announced a $244 million dollar investment in the federal government’s registered apprenticeship program. This marks the largest investment in the program's history with grants going out to 52 programs in 32 states. The President is focused on getting well paying blue collar opportunities to people and more people are taking part in the apprenticeship program than ever before. Republican pledge to cut it, even as employers struggle to find qualified workers.

The Department of Transportation announced the largest single project in the department's history, $11 billion dollars in grants for the The Hudson River Tunnel. Part of the $66 billion the Biden Administration has invested in our rail system the tunnel, the most complex Infrastructure project in the nation would link New York and New Jersey by rail under the Hudson. Once finished it's believed it'll impact 20% of the American economy by improving and speeding connection throughout the Northeast.

The Department of Energy announced $1.7 billion to save auto worker's jobs and convert factories to electronic vehicles. The Biden administration will used the money to save or reopen factories in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Virginia and retool them to make electric cars. The project will save 15,000 skilled union worker jobs, and created 2,900 new high-quality jobs.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development reached a settlement with The Appraisal Foundation over racial discrimination. TAF is the organization responsible for setting standards and qualifications for real estate appraisers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics last year found that TAF was 94.7% White and 0.6% Black, making it the least racially diverse of the 800 occupations surveyed. Black and Latino home owners are far more likely to have their houses under valued than whites. Under the settlement with HUD TAF will have to take serious steps to increase diversity and remove structural barriers to diversity.

The Department of Justice disrupted an effort by the Russian government to influence public opinion through AI bots. The DoJ shut down nearly 1,000 twitter accounts that were linked to a Russian Bot farm. The bots used AI technology to not only generate tweets but also AI image faces for profile pictures. The effort seemed focused on boosting support for Russia's war against Ukraine and spread negative stories/impressions about Ukraine.

The Department of Transportation announces $1.5 billion to help local authorities buy made in America buses. 80% of the funding will go toward zero or low-emission technology, a part of the President's goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050. This is part of the $5 billion the DOT has spent over the last 3 years replacing aging buses with new cleaner technology.

President Biden with Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed a new agreement on the arctic. The new trilateral agreement between the 3 NATO partners, known as the ICE Pact, will boost production of ice breaking ships, the 3 plan to build as many as 90 between them in the coming years. The alliance hopes to be a counter weight to China's current dominance in the ice breaker market and help western allies respond to Russia's aggressive push into the arctic waters.

The Department of Transportation announced $1.1 billion for greater rail safety. The program seeks to, where ever possible, eliminate rail crossings, thus removing the dangers and inconvenience to communities divided by rail lines. It will also help update and improve safety measures at rail crossings.

The Department of the Interior announced $120 million to help tribal communities prepare for climate disasters. This funding is part of half a billion dollars the Biden administration has spent to help tribes build climate resilience, which itself is part of a $50 billion dollar effort to build climate resilience across the nation. This funding will help support drought measures, wildland fire mitigation, community-driven relocation, managed retreat, protect-in-place efforts, and ocean and coastal management.

The USDA announced $100 million in additional funds to help feed low income kids over the summer. Known as "SUN Bucks" or "Summer EBT" the new Biden program grants the families of kids who qualify for free meals at school $120 dollars pre-child for groceries. This comes on top of the traditional SUN Meals program which offers school meals to qualifying children over the summer, as well as the new under President Biden SUN Meals To-Go program which is now offering delivery of meals to low-income children in rural areas. This grant is meant to help local governments build up the Infrastructure to support and distribute SUN Bucks. If fully implemented SUN Bucks could help 30 million kids, but many Republican governors have refused the funding.

USAID announced its giving $100 million to the UN World Food Program to deliver urgently needed food assistance in Gaza. This will bring the total humanitarian aid given by the US to the Palestinian people since the war started in October 2023 to $774 million, the single largest donor nation. President Biden at his press conference last night said that Israel and Hamas have agreed in principle to a ceasefire deal that will end the war and release the hostages. US negotiators are working to close the final gaps between the two sides and end the war.

The Senate confirmed Nancy Maldonado to serve as a Judge on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Maldonado is the 202nd federal Judge appointed by President Biden to be confirmed. She will the first Latino judge to ever serve on the 7th Circuit which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Bonus: At the NATO summit in Washington DC President Biden joined 32 allies in the Ukraine compact. Allies from Japan to Iceland confirmed their support for Ukraine and deepening their commitments to building Ukraine's forces and keeping a free and Democratic Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. World leaders such as British Prime Minster Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, praised President Biden's experience and leadership during the NATO summit

[oconnor2024]

https://www.poconnor.com/estate-tax-appraisals/

Estate Tax Appraisal | Estate Tax Planning:-

O'Connor understands key facets of estate taxes to help clients plan strategically, for the long term. Options to reduce estate taxes include trusts, family limited partnerships, gifts prior to death, gifts at death, and skillful use of partial interests. Here is more information about Estate Tax Appraisal & Estate Tax Planning :- https://www.poconnor.com/estate-tax-appraisals/

[frodothefair]

Plotbunny Saturday - runaway bride Lothíriel!

Last night, I was reading over chapter 1 of The Golden Hall, and I remembered that Lothíriel had briefly considered running away, before opting for a more... ehm, permanent solution.

Well, I got to thinking, what if Lothíriel did run away from Meduseld? As a result, the following AU of The Golden Hall was born, and now I need write this off me...

(tagging the usual crew: @konartiste @from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras @emmanuellececchi @dilettantefeminist @celeluwhenfics - anyone else wish to be appraised of my unhinged plotbunnies, headcanons, drabbles, sneak peeks and the like?)

Alright, so, we have the same general premise as in The Golden Hall: Lothíriel is trapped in a hastily arranged marriage to a stranger who was very keen on her, she's having panic attacks, and her new home is scary and shockingly different from everything she's used to. Her family won't listen to her, and she doesn't have anyone else she can turn to, so she makes a desperate plan to escape: during a feast when everyone is busy getting drunk, she drugs the guards with her panic attack potion (probably something like valerian), bribes a stableboy with a piece of jewelry, takes a horse, and makes a run for it.

She makes it pretty far, but eventually her horse goes lame, and she is forced to abandon it and walk. She gets caught in a rainstorm, falls, and twists her ankle, and is forced to beg for shelter from a smalltime nobleman's family -- they're really not too different from wealthy farmers, the only notable distinction being that they're leaders in their local community, can bear arms, and are obligated to answer the king's call during a muster. Let's call them Lord Baldric, his wife Elfgifu (because that is an awesome name and I've been itching to use it), and their two young children.

At any rate, Baldric and his family take Lothíriel in, and succor her for a few days. They believe her story that she is a traveling Gondorean noblewoman whose retinue was lost in an orc ambush, and that she's trying to get home. They do not realize that she's the queen, because in the absence of modern communications, most people would not actually know what the queen looks like, except for a general, likely fifth-hand description.

All is well for a few days, but then there is word from the nearby town that the king's éored is nigh, and they are looking for somebody -- or something. Eventually, there is news that they are searching for the queen, who has gone missing.

Lothíriel's hosts quickly put two and two together, but they decide to talk to Lothíriel first, and get her side of the story.

They approach her for a talk, and she does not deny their suspicions. She apologizes for lying, and tells them all about her unwilling marriage, her struggle to adapt to a new land and its strange customs, her homesickness, the fact that nobody would listen to her. The family conference, and decide that they will hide Lothíriel, and then assist her in getting to Gondor.

Eventually, the king's guard arrives at Baldric's family homestead, and Lothíriel is in her hiding place, while the family is fully ready to lie on her behalf. Lothíriel has a crisis of conscience, and decides she does not want them to commit treason for her sake. She emerges as they're talking to the men, announces herself, but says that she will not go without fighting within an inch of her life, and the men would then have to answer for harming their new queen.

The king's guard conference, and after some back and forth -- "Come on, we can take her, she's an unarmed woman" -- "Yes, but not just any woman, she's the queen!" -- they decide to leave, and take an oath from Baldric, his family, and Lothíriel that she would not leave their estate, and if she did despite the family's best efforts, then they would be duty bound to assist in searching for her.

A few more days pass, and Lothíriel begins to actually enjoy her new situation -- the fresh mountain air, the clean river running through the estate, the fresh, simple food, the chance to rise early, and contribute to the good, honest work on the farm -- though at first everyone insists that there is no need, and that she should rest.

Eventually, she wonders if she might stay and simply live as a member of Baldric's family, but then Éomer King himself arrives, and to everyone's surprise, he begs forgiveness for everything that happened. He offers Lothíriel an opportunity to go back to Gondor, but also asks her to give him another chance -- she can continue to live on Baldric's farm, and the two of them can have a proper courtship, allowing him to show her that he loves her.

At first, Lothíriel is incensed, and wants to send him away, but after a heart to heart talk to Elfgifu, she agrees to a second courtship.

In the months that follow, Éomer King visits her every chance he gets, and they spend a good deal of time alone together: riding, picnicking, him teaching her to use a sword, talking and telling stories about each other's losses and triumphs. At one point, there is a storm, and he cannot leave as he intended, which means that they end up in an "only one bed" situation. On that night, Lothíriel discovers that the king has nightmares, which ends up fostering further closeness, and eventually, on one of his visits, they make love, and there is an early morning scene where Éomer finds Lothíriel mucking about in the river being Truly Happy, and he joins her in splashing about. (Cue wet linen shirt scene, and him carrying her back into the house completely drenched!)

Eventually, Lothíriel discovers that she is pregnant as a result of their closeness, and informs Éomer, stating that this might be a good occasion to move back to Meduseld.

Éomer agrees, but tells her that he must first get the blessing of her adopted guardians, Elfgifu and Baldric. Cue a hilarious but heartfelt scene where Éomer plays the guy who's like 'I'm sorry I impregnated your daughter and I am going to do the right thing, but by the way, I really do love her to Aman and back and if any harm comes to her I will kill everyone and then myself."

What do you think? Sweet? Should I perhaps write this someday?

[mollywog]

When the Stars Align

RegencyLark Part 1 | RegencyLark Part 2 | RegencyLark Part 3

She needs to find a husband. She came to the conclusion within an hour of Peeta’s return.

After she’d seen him, she’d wandered the streets aimlessly, unable to return to his home, for that’s what it was; his. She’s been living on Peeta’s charity these last two years, though that’s not entirely true. She’s been managing the estate in his absence which must count for something.

She’d only come to town this year for Primrose’s debut season, but now she’s glad of it. She’ll need to begin her search immediately, so she changes direction towards the Odair house to speak to Finnick on the matter.

~~~

As a child Katniss had assumed her life would always be an endless string of golden days; Her parents were hopelessly in love and she had the most perfect companion in her sweet little sister. Though they weren’t rich they lived comfortably and most importantly, they were happy. But then at eleven her father had died and she’d watched her mother die a slow and agonizing death from a broken heart. Their modest house was entailed to a distant cousin who was only fourteen himself with a mother and three siblings to support as well and Katniss’s days had faded to a dull gray hue while the Everdeen sisters had mourned their parents and struggled to adjust to their new lives.

Then her God-father, Lord Abernathy, had discovered their situation and invited them to live on his estate as his wards, and while their days had brightened to a rosier glow, Katniss could never forget the hollow look in her mother’s eyes in the weeks after her father’s death as she slipped away from them. Katniss would not allow that to happen to her. She knew she must marry one day, but she swore to herself that she’d never fall in love.

Luckily, she was friends with Finnick Odair; a staple of fashionable society and as such a collector of confidences. When she’d told him of her resolve, he’d been determined to assist her; To not love a husband was one thing, but to not respect him another.

An Earl was much more than the unexceptional daughter of an unknown gentleman could have expected, but they both had trusted Finnick’s judgment in the matter. He’d introduced them at a ball and though many found Graham Mellark’s reserve off-putting, she’d seen the practicality in the man who spoke directly to the purpose or not at all.

He’d called at Abernathy place the next morning where they’d shared tea in companionable silence and within the month they were married.

The first few weeks of their marriage, however, had been painfully awkward. Katniss might have begun to second guess her decision, had it not been for her new brother-in-law. Peeta began visiting frequently and seemed to always know just what to say to lighten the mood and put them both at ease. She realized she had never heard her husband’s laugh before his brother had visited. It had been Peeta who had given her hope that her marriage wasn’t a mistake, but beyond that, she’d enjoyed his company on its own merits. It wasn’t long before she had considered him among her closest acquaintances.

But then Graham had died and despite her careful planning and arranging she’d crumbled, because in the end, she had loved him in her own way. It wasn’t a desperate, wild, romantic love like her parents, but one born of familiarity, friendship, and mutual support.

Worse still, along the way she’d lost Peeta as well and although he’s returned in body, she will not allow herself to believe that they can ever be as they once were.

~~~

“I’m in need of a husband,” she announces as soon as the drawing room doors close behind her.

Finnick doesn’t seem surprised, appraising her over his cup of tea before speaking, “This is sudden.”

“Peeta- eh. The Earl of Bakerston has returned home.”

He nods his head, “then this seems an easy solution. You already hold the title, already live on the property and know the estate, you are both unattached, and last I saw, you are both mad for one another.”

She jerks back at his declaration, before she begins shaking her head, the force making her dizzy. “No. No, no, you are mistaken, we are friends… or we were friends… but that was long ago. I have not had a single word from him in two years!” She begins pacing the room and the words begin tumbling out, “oh Finnick, I don’t know what to do. He just… left. I know he had every right to do it. But oh, how I needed him. No, I am certain that he hates me. He would not have gone otherwise. Yes, he was mourning his brother, but so was I! Would it not have been natural for us to find solace in one another?”

“Only too natural and likely why he felt he must put distance between you two.”

Even in her grief she’d known how improper it was for her to ask Peeta to hold her as she’d fallen asleep. She’d asked too much of him. She was not his responsibility and making herself so had driven him away. She hazards a glance in Finnick’s direction to see if he knows the truth of it, but he’s wearing an impassive expression. She shakes her head before continuing, “And now he’s come back, to claim his dues, find his own countess and sire an heir. I have no legal right to any of it. I am at his whim, he could toss me out at a moment's notice. There’s no room for me in Bakerston any longer. Nor at Abernathy house.”

“He has told you this?”

“No, his arrival took me by surprise. I have yet to speak to him.” Oh, she was a coward.

“Ah, yes. That sounds correct.” She scowls at her friend but he waves a dismissive hand, “Sit down, lest you wear a hole in the rug.”

She sinks down on the sofa, “so will you help me?”

“Katniss, I am still not convinced my assistance is necessary. You really should speak to him. Unless you plan to uproot to Abernathy house in the interim, you’ll be sharing a home.”

She makes a distressed noise in the back of her throat. Surely he would take the Earl’s room right beside her own. The idea of sharing a wall feels… intimate. The act of an Earl and his Countess, not a man and his dowager burden. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Perhaps she could have her things moved down the hall?

“Katniss, I know your reasons for seeking an uncomplicated match the first time, but now that you’ve weathered the worst and come out the other side, would it not be better to take your time and marry for affection? You will not need my help for that.”

She rubs her temples. She was relying on his continued understanding on this front. She wonders when he’s become such a romantic.

He sighs , “well if you are determined, I will only ask that you speak to Peeta before I lend my services.”

It seems a fair enough price, she’ll have to speak to him sooner or later anyways, so she nods, “consider it done, but ready your recommendations, for I am certain I’ll be in need a husband before the season is through.”

[truth-has-a-liberal-bias]

A venture fund and a real estate startup – both with links to far-right organizations – are promoting a residential development in rural Kentucky as a haven for fellow rightwingers.

The promoters have presented the planned development as an “aligned community” for right wingers who want to “disappear from the cultural insanity of the broader country” and “spearhead the revival of the region”.

...

The development was announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, and in a special edition of the New Founding by Joshua Abbotoy, who is managing director of venture fund New Founding and principal of real estate developer Kentucky Ridge Runner LLC according to company records.

...

Kentucky Ridgerunner, meanwhile, is an LLC founded in 2022 with Abbotoy at its head according to Kentucky company records. It is the main vehicle for HRP, and owns the bulk of the land which is up for sale to buyers with rightwing sympathies.

Abbotoy’s father, Mark, a real estate appraiser based in Hartsville, Tennessee, is named as managing partner on the Ridgerunner website, and Lazar Lazarovski, a Nashville-based tech entrepreneur and realtor, is marketing director.

The website currently advertises two developments in the vicinity of Burkesville, a town in the so-called Eastern Pennyroyal district of southern Kentucky, around 20 miles north of the Tennessee border.

One of the developments, christened “Longhollow Acres”, is described as “a rolling 550-acre farm situated six miles northeast of Burkesville, and about half a mile to the river”. [...]

[meret118]

Among the proposals in Project 2025 relating to racial policy include stripping workforce protections from disproportionately Black federal workers; eliminating programs like minority business loans, and abolishing federal data collection on Black employment and discrimination.

But that's just the beginning, wrote Harriot: the criminal justice policy in Project 2025 can be best summed up as "Get tough on Black crime, go easy on white cops. They plan to end EVERY CONSENT DECREE filed against corrupt police agencies, undo bail reform, bring back 'stop and frisk' & use the death penalty 'when possible' — ESPECIALLY for drug dealers; Can you hear the dog whistles?

"Additionally, he wrote, Project 2025 calls for delisting white supremacist groups as terrorist organizations for the sake of protecting "free speech," and enshrining a very specific version of Christian nationalism in law that caters to predominantly white evangelical churches on a broad range of policies, giving preference to these beliefs over the beliefs of Black churches as well as the nonreligious.

"If Project 2025 became law ... not only would it repeal FDA approval for abortion drugs & sue states that require employers to cover abortions, they would rescind federal funds from any company, contractor or healthcare institution that provides LEGAL abortions," he added.

And to top it all off, Project 2025 also calls for expanding school vouchers, which were originally devised as a tool to get around school integration mandates and to this day predominantly flow to white families; as well as eliminating programs for minority renters and homebuyers, ending oversight of racial bias in real estate appraisals, which are a key obstacle to Black families building generational wealth; defunding underperforming schools, which often underperform because of ongoing segregation; and eliminating any mention of "equity" or similar terms from federal regulations.

What makes all of this particularly frightening, Harriot concluded, is that Project 2025 "is NOT a Trump Plan; it is a CONSERVATIVE plan. Many of the Project 2025 appointees can be installed by a GOP Senate. The House controls the country's purse strings, and A GOP-majority in the House enact the program in these plans WITHOUT Trump. And because it embeds MAGA workers in the gov't, it could be GENERATIONS before" we can get rid of the "MAGA infestation of the federal government."

[bananakarenina]

tag game!

Tagged by the lovely @onlygenxhere!

Last song: "Johnny Can't Decide" from the tick, tick, boom! soundtrack. so effing good.

Favorite color: turquoise/teal!

Last book: i am trying to stretch my brain out again - i feel like my focus for books was destroyed over the last few years of the pandemic. right now i'm about 2/3 of the way through Sense and Sensibility!

Last movie: LOL it's almost certainly a Hallmark or Lifetime Christmas romcom. I think the most recent one I watched was a Lifetime one where a high-powered real estate mogul goes to some small Massachusetts town's inn to appraise it in order to sell, and turns out the place is haunted by a hot ghost who was murdered there at the turn of the century. she falls in love with the ghost. obviously. it was surprisingly quality lol

Last show: the husband and i watched all the Leverage & Leverage: Redemption Christmas episodes on Christmas Eve. highly recommend.

Sweet/spicy/savory: unfortunately i am a wimp when it comes to spice. sweet and/or savory for me.

Last thing I googled: i think probably a map of Los Angeles bc my friend lives there and i was checking to see if she's in the fire path :(

Current obsession: right now my bed but really the song "How Did We Come To This" from Wild Party. A few friends were like THAT IS A VERY YOU SONG, HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW IT, YOU SHOULD LEARN IT, and turns out they were right lol

Looking forward to: this weekend! no major plans, and i get a break from work (it is my busy season so any break is treasured)

Tagging @invisibleraven @daintyduck99 @breakaway71 and anyone who wants to play!

[asherbrien]

How To Get A Cash Offer For Your Home?

Selling a home can be a complex and time-consuming process, but receiving a cash offer can simplify it. Cash buyers offer the advantage of a fast, straightforward sale with fewer contingencies, making it an attractive option for homeowners who want to sell quickly or avoid traditional real estate processes. Here’s a guide on how to get a cash offer on a home.

Understand the Benefits of a Cash Sale

A cash offer is an agreement where the buyer offers to purchase your home without requiring financing through a mortgage. This means there are no loan approval processes, and the deal can proceed faster. The advantages of a cash sale include:

Quick closing: Cash transactions can close in a matter of days, unlike traditional sales that take weeks.

No lender requirements: Without the need for bank approval, there’s less paperwork and fewer delays.

Fewer contingencies: Cash offers typically come with fewer conditions, such as home inspections or appraisals.

No repairs needed: Many cash buyers purchase homes as-is, so you don’t need to make costly repairs.

Find Cash Buyers

To get a cash offer, you first need to find potential buyers who are interested in purchasing your home with cash. There are several avenues to explore:

Real estate investors: Many investors specialize in buying homes for cash. These buyers are often experienced in fast, hassle-free transactions.

Real estate wholesalers: Wholesalers often act as intermediaries who find cash buyers and help facilitate the sale. They typically look for distressed properties and sell them at a markup to investors.

Online platforms: Websites like Zillow, Redfin, or Opendoor can help you get connected with cash buyers or companies that specialize in buying homes directly for cash.

Local homebuyers: You can also reach out to local investors or businesses that advertise cash-for-homes services in your area.

Get Your Home Appraised

Before receiving a cash offer, it’s essential to know the value of your property. While cash buyers might not require formal appraisals, knowing your home’s value ensures you don’t accept an offer that’s too low. You can:

Hire a professional appraiser: An appraiser will provide an accurate estimate of your home’s market value based on its condition, location, and comparable sales in the area.

Use online valuation tools: Websites offer instant home value estimates, though these are less accurate than professional appraisals.

Request Multiple Cash Offers

It’s a good idea to request offers from several cash buyers to ensure you get the best deal. A competitive market may allow you to negotiate a higher cash offer. Keep in mind that investors typically offer less than the market value since they need to account for potential repairs and resale.

Review the Offer Carefully

Once you receive cash offers, evaluate the terms of each one. Consider:

Price: Does the offer meet your expectations or come close to the appraisal value?

Closing timeline: Cash buyers can close quickly, but it’s important to confirm the timeline and ensure it aligns with your plans.

Contingencies: Although cash offers typically come with fewer contingencies, be sure to read the fine print for any conditions that could affect the sale.

Negotiate if Necessary

If you receive a cash offer that’s lower than expected but the buyer is serious, you may have room to negotiate. Some buyers might be willing to increase their offer or offer other incentives, such as paying for closing costs.

Finalize the Sale

Once you accept an offer, the buyer will typically send a purchase agreement, and you’ll need to sign the contract. Afterward, you’ll work with the buyer and a title company to finalize the sale, complete the necessary paperwork, and receive payment.

Conclusion

Getting a cash offer for your home can simplify the selling process and lead to a fast, efficient sale. By understanding the benefits, researching potential buyers, and carefully evaluating offers, you can make the best decision for your circumstances and sell your home quickly with minimal hassle.

[bright-tatters]

Tatters, #3

Fortune was not an educated man. He could pick pockets, break locks, appraise goods, set traps, plan deaths, play cards, hold his liquor, pull a trigger, refrain from emotional displays, carve meat, intimidate people both larger and smaller than him; but he didn’t have book learning, and Marguerite Le Pen made it sound fascinating. The hiring interview was short; he could be persuasive and she liked an audience. She had her day job as his secretary, and he had a few minutes every evening in worlds heretofore undreamed.

For she read to him for a few minutes every evening, guiding his attention to myths and poems, mapping out what he liked and finding more of it. He listened to this one person who did things only for beauty. He thought about heroes and iambs.

He did his job, oh yes, learning the workings of Tatterdemalion Ward, of the crowded tenements of Quarts, the poorly painted aristocracy in Vines, the workhouses in the mills along the river opposite Docks Ward. Fortune was the Old Kid’s keenest student. Everything he did, everything he had, was between his ears, but the lines of influence were flung across the Ward entire.

And while he was working, he ensured Marguerite had all necessary equipment to do her professional reading and correspondence; and while he wasn’t working, he heard wonderful stories.

*

If the Old Kid had started closer management when Fortune first got greedy about assignments, maybe she would have had a chance. But at the age of thirty-two, Fortune started a concerted effort to woo Old Kid’s operatives to a new standard. Old Kid was one of the Tatters old guard, the one that felt that Tatters didn’t need cooperation from the other Wards. She kept Tatters impoverished because she would accept nothing but the bare minimum of trade. There was a better way. There were connections to be made. Beyond the hulking mountain and the polluted river, prosperity waited, if Tatters could seize it.

When the chemists downstream came up with an improved hallucinogen, Gleaze, it was Fortune who arranged to have it manufactured in Tatters and shipped out. Shipped out exclusively. He wanted dependents, out of his own territory. It was commonly derided as Trash’s first diplomacy, but derision came with success.

Over the course of years, Fortune marked agents as pins in a map in his back office. Red for Old Kid, and blue for loyalty to Fortune. Voudon, the huge man who had comforted Marguerite. Luc, who reputedly hadn’t had a facial expression in over twenty years. Snipes, whose mental free association made conversations with him an exercise in guesswork. Habbamock, a woman whose capacity for snap decisions had saved her, and Fortune, more than once. And Gleaze…he knew every agent who skimmed off Gleaze before it made it out of the Ward. That showed a discouraging lack of character, but you could put weight on a structural element that wasn’t clean.

Extending influence mostly meant playing to his talents. The point was, a man who could look at you and immediately recall your full name, your children's grade levels, and the names of your pets at your home address tended to get attention when he spoke. And having gotten attention easily, he earned the necessary respect.

He had hoped, early on, to be able to extend his influence without getting his hands bloody. This proved impractical. He observed, he thought, he adapted, sometimes he shot people, and agents noticed that about him, too.

One at a time. When the revolution came, the fighting in the streets lasted all of six weeks, and half of that was getting old Leonard Ingrace to replace his hearing horn and process the news. Fortune came out, and the Old Kid didn’t.

He moved into one of the Vines district’s poison estates, so named because threadbare Tatters nobility who moved there kept dying or leaving on short notice. Fortune settled in, and stayed.

=End of prologue=

[moorerealestategroup]

Commercial appraisal in Los Angeles - Moore Real Estate Group

Commercial appraisal in Los Angeles and Orange County. Moore Real Estate Group provides reliable appraisals of commercial properties for investment, financing, and sale. Contact us today for a free consultation.

[juniperallen]

Auction Inventory Software: Elevating Efficiency in Auction Management

Auction inventory software revolutionizes how auction organizers manage, track, and catalog items. This technology brings efficiency to every stage of the auction process, from listing items to final sales. With real-time tracking and automated reporting features, inventory software simplifies operations for auction houses, online platforms, and private sellers, creating a seamless and well-organized experience for all involved.

Key Features and Advantages of Auction Inventory Software

Auction inventory software offers essential tools that streamline auction management, boost efficiency, and improve accuracy. Here’s a summary of its top features:

Streamlined Cataloging and ListingsEnables easy digital cataloging with photos and descriptions, allowing auctioneers to present organized, engaging listings that attract more bidders.

Real-Time TrackingProvides real-time monitoring of item locations and status, enhancing organization and transparency, and reducing risks of item misplacement.

Automated Valuation and PricingUses historical data and market insights to set competitive, data-driven prices, building bidder confidence and saving time.

Integrated Bidding PlatformConnects item listings to live or timed bidding, creating a unified platform for bidding, which simplifies management and ensures accurate tracking.

Reporting and AnalyticsDelivers insights on bidding patterns, item popularity, and performance, empowering auction organizers to refine strategies for future success.

Auctions That Benefit from Inventory Software

Inventory software’s flexibility makes it suitable for various types of auctions, from traditional to online formats. Here are some types that benefit most:

Estate and Personal Property: Perfect for managing and cataloging a wide range of items.

Fine Art and Collectibles: Supports detailed descriptions and high-quality images, ideal for unique or high-value pieces.

Real Estate Auctions: Simplifies tracking of properties and supports regulatory compliance with accurate record-keeping.

Vehicle Auctions: Tracks different types of vehicles with tools for valuation and condition reports.

Enhancing Efficiency with Auction Inventory Software

Auction inventory software boosts efficiency by centralizing data, minimizing manual entry, and enabling quick adjustments. With real-time updates and easy access to information, teams can work faster and make informed decisions, improving the overall participant experience.

The software securely stores records, facilitating compliance and ensuring that auction teams maintain audit-ready data for future planning. Streamlining access to auction details, it helps keep operations organized, allowing teams to focus on delivering engaging experiences while safeguarding essential auction data.

The Future of Auction Inventory Software

As technology advances, auction software is expected to incorporate even more features. Artificial intelligence could enhance item appraisals, while blockchain technology might improve transparency and security in tracking. Augmented reality could provide a more interactive experience, allowing bidders to view items virtually before making bids. As these advancements become available, auction inventory software will continue to evolve, offering even more value to auction organizers.

Conclusion

Auction inventory software reshapes the auction experience with streamlined cataloging, tracking, and data analysis features. By reducing manual work and enhancing organization, this software supports more efficient auctions and delivers a better experience for bidders. For auction organizers looking to improve efficiency, engage bidders, and achieve optimal results, integrating live auction software with inventory management systems is an invaluable asset. As the auction industry grows and modernizes, inventory software will remain essential, raising standards for service and auction outcomes.

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Essential Steps for Successfully Selling Land by Owner: A Comprehensive Guide

Selling land by owner involves several critical steps that require careful planning and execution. The first step is to thoroughly research the market to understand the value of your property and identify potential buyers. This involves gathering information about comparable sales in the area, assessing the land's unique features, and determining the best pricing strategy. Next, you'll need to prepare the property for sale by addressing any maintenance or legal issues, such as clearing overgrown vegetation or resolving boundary disputes. Creating a compelling listing is crucial, including high-quality photos, a detailed description, and accurate information about the land's features and benefits.

Understanding Legal Requirements When Selling Land by Owner: What You Need to Know?

When selling land by owner, understanding and complying with legal requirements is essential to ensure a smooth and legally binding transaction. The first legal step involves verifying your ownership of the land and ensuring there are no encumbrances, such as liens or disputes, that could complicate the sale. You must prepare a sales agreement that outlines the terms of the transaction, including the sale price, payment terms, and any contingencies. It's crucial to disclose all relevant information about the property to potential buyers, including any known issues or restrictions.

How to Market Your Property Effectively When Selling Land by Owner?

Effectively marketing your property is key to attracting potential buyers and achieving a successful sale when selling land by owner. Start by creating a detailed and appealing listing that highlights the land's unique features, such as its location, size, and potential uses. Professional-quality photos and aerial images can significantly enhance your listing, providing prospective buyers with a clear view of the property. Utilize online platforms and real estate websites to reach a broader audience, and consider listing your property on local classifieds and social media.

Evaluating the Right Price for Your Property: Selling Land by Owner Insights

Determining the right price for your property is a critical aspect of selling land by owner and can significantly impact the success of your sale. Start by conducting a comparative market analysis (CMA) to evaluate recent sales of similar properties in your area. This involves reviewing the sale prices of comparable land parcels, taking into account factors such as location, size, and land use. Additionally, consider obtaining a professional appraisal to get an expert opinion on your land's market value. Be mindful of the unique features of your property, such as its accessibility, natural resources, or potential for development, which can influence its value.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Land by Owner: Expert Tips

Selling land by owner can be challenging, and avoiding common mistakes is crucial to ensure a successful transaction. One common error is failing to conduct thorough research and due diligence before listing the property. Neglecting to understand the market value, legal requirements, or potential issues with the land can lead to problems down the line. Another mistake is inadequate preparation of the property for sale, such as failing to address maintenance issues or provide necessary documentation.

The Benefits of Selling Land by Owner: Why It Might Be the Right Choice for You?

Selling land by owner offers several benefits that may make it an appealing option for some property owners. One of the primary advantages is the potential for cost savings. By avoiding real estate agent commissions and fees, you can retain a larger portion of the sale proceeds. Additionally, selling land by owner provides you with greater control over the transaction, allowing you to set the terms, negotiate directly with buyers, and make decisions that align with your preferences.

How to Prepare Your Land for Sale: Key Tips for Selling Land by Owner

Preparing your land for sale is a crucial step in ensuring a successful transaction when selling by owner. Begin by addressing any maintenance or improvement tasks that may enhance the property's appeal and value. This may include clearing overgrown vegetation, repairing fences, or addressing drainage issues. Conduct a thorough inspection of the land to identify and resolve any potential problems that could deter buyers.

Navigating the Closing Process: What to Expect When Selling Land by Owner?

Navigating the closing process when selling land by owner involves several important steps and can vary depending on local regulations and the specifics of the transaction. The closing process typically begins with the preparation and signing of the sales agreement, which outlines the terms of the sale, including the purchase price, payment schedule, and any contingencies. Once the agreement is signed, you'll need to work with a title company or attorney to conduct a title search, ensuring that there are no liens, encumbrances, or legal issues associated with the property.

Conclusion

Selling land by owner can be a rewarding experience, offering financial benefits and greater control over the transaction process. However, it requires a thorough understanding of the various steps involved, from pricing and marketing the property to navigating legal requirements and the closing process. By following a comprehensive guide and avoiding common pitfalls, you can effectively manage the sale of your land and achieve a successful outcome. Preparing your property, setting the right price, and employing effective marketing strategies are crucial for attracting buyers and maximizing your return. Understanding legal obligations and handling the closing process with care ensures a smooth transaction.