Want To Look For Quality in the United States House

The first thing you need to know is that most halfway houses are NOT regulated. Many operate without a state license. Most halfway houses, regardless of whether they are licensed or not, do a great job at helping a person stay sober, and can assist a person in reconnecting with family, and also becoming a contributor to society. Many Halfway Houses operate without a license simply because the licensing agency and/or the zoning commission prevent halfway houses from operating in their neighborhoods by restricting census (total amount of residents in any single location or house). Few halfway houses can stay open when a licensure agency and/or zoning department tell them they can only have 4 residents in a large 4 bedroom house. Few places can keep their doors open with these unfair and illegal tactics due to the large overhead incurred (lights, electricity, heating, cooling, insurance, mortgage payments, staff, etc.).

What is most important is how they go about helping people to stay sober and keeping residents on track- what is their main focus, making money or helping people- this is typically the main difference between a quality run halfway house and a poorly run facility. There are many questions to ask to determine the difference between the two. Are they staying on top of their resident's sobriety? How do they maintain a clean and sober environment, etc.? Do they have rules? What are the rules? How do they enforce them? Always ask to see a copy of the rules!!! Are they a coed facility? Typically, a male or female only halfway house has better odds at maintaining sobriety and dealing with length of stay issues. You will want to know what happens if you come home drunk at 2 A.M. on a Friday- do they just kick you out of the halfway house into the neighborhood? Do they have protocols for dealing with this and many other possible scenarios? Find out how they deal with situations before moving in. You should definitely be given a complete tour (especially visiting exactly where you are going to be placed), along with explaining all the rules and regulations, as well as a residents responsibilities. Note: Most Halfway Houses require, at least initially, a resident to have a roommate, as this helps make sure a person is accountable by at least one other person besides the House Manager and the General Manager/Owner.

You should take note of how the place looks. A few years ago I was involved in property assessments for a program helping mentally ill patients. One of the first things we would take note of is whether there was grass growing in the cracks of the concrete. Another item was the condition of the landscaping (was the grass mowed, the bushes trimmed, the trees pruned, etc.). We would then move on to how the paint looked, the roof, whether the windows were clean, etc. With this same approach, you should be looking to see how clean the house is. Are the grounds well kept? Is the roof showing signs of possible leaks? How does the entire exterior look? What shape is the room you will occupy, etc?

Another issue you may find at halfway houses are the managers. Most, if not all, are in recovery themselves. There is a big difference between what is called a General Manager and a House Manager. It is very typical, and normal, for a house manager to have only a few months clean and sober. This does not mean the halfway house has poor management.

It is not so much time clean, but the quality of clean time that matters most. It is typical that a House Manager will move on to getting their own place by the time they get 6 months to a year clean, so this makes sense why House Managers have little clean time. On the other hand, the General Manager typically has years of sobriety. What's most important is how many years the General Manager has running a halfway house system as opposed to how long the House Manager has clean. A General Manager that has both years of sobriety coupled with years of experience running a halfway house is a winning combination.

One of the most important factors in whether a halfway house is of good quality is how the General Manager and/or Owner deal with the overall handling of each and every resident. They should be forever vigilant, and firm. They should be able to tell you how often they are around the residents and the house, and if they run more than one house, they should be able to tell you how they stay on top of all their houses- what system is in place so that residents and houses are not left unattended for any length of time.

A quality run house should require a length of stay commitment from the potential resident prior to moving in (this is usually anywhere from 3 months to 1 year- the longer the stay, the higher the success rates). All facilities should be set up so that every resident MUST report to the General Manager or House Manager, and that the House Manager reports directly to the General Manager or Owner.

A quality run halfway house should have sign in/sign out sheets designating why a resident is going off grounds including where they are going and what time they will leave as well as when they will be back- make sure there is a system in place that checks and verifies this information both before a resident leaves and how they appear upon return.

This includes going to work, a job search, (this should include a separate list of places they are applying at and how long they will be at any one given employment office/business), 12-Step Meeting attendance (this should state which meeting, time of meeting, and any other important information), visiting family, (who, where, etc.), visiting a friend (This should be looked at by the General Manager/Owner and not just the House Manager- keeping in mind that certain people and places are off limits), as well as any other reasons and times for leaving the house- responsibility and accountability are important components at a good halfway house- look for this.

Money is another issue. If a person will be tempted to drink/drug, a quality house should have a safe place to hold a residents money. If, for instance, a resident has another person (family member, case worker, etc.) paying for their stay at a halfway house, this money should go directly to the company/Owner, and not to the resident. Employment may be required as part of a residents stay, and there are certain high-risk jobs that should not be allowed by management. These include driving a cab, working at a bar, graveyard shifts, and working too many hours that the resident does not leave time to engage in their recovery effort. More information on typical fees can be read further down on this article.

Responsibility- Most halfway houses require residents to attend what is called "House Meetings." House Meetings should occur on specific days at specific times, for the purpose of reviewing how a resident is doing, if they are attending 12-Step meetings, counseling sessions (if offered), and any other issues that may have come up during their stay. Most good halfway houses require residents to attend either or both inside and off grounds 12-Step Meetings (Typically 12-Step attendance is a minimum of 1 per day initially, and at least 3 meetings per week as a maintenance level- most quality houses require a resident to have a sheet signed by the meeting chairperson stating the name of the meeting, day, date, and time).

It is very important how a halfway house handles a residents free time (at least for the first 30 days), as new residents should only be allowed off grounds with a stable resident to go with them, and it should be noted if they are utilizing this privilege without abusing it. Typically, a new resident may be restricted to the unit for the first few days. After between 1 week and 30 days, if a resident has shown responsibility and accountability, a resident will be allowed more freedom, but keep in mind that a quality house should always have curfews in place regardless of length of stay. Most will have specific wake-up times.

It is also important to find out how they handle visitations (family, friends, case workers, etc.) Free time includes going to off grounds 12-Step Meetings, working with a 12-Step Sponsor, working the 12-Steps, etc. Free time is extremely dangerous for a newly recovered person, so a good run house should have programs and activities to keep them occupied. Most require a resident to do chores (gardening, sweeping, cleaning, cooking, etc.) and these are usually done without pay. If a resident has a vehicle, it should be either paid for or they are making payments on it- these payments should be verified as being up to date. A resident must be properly and currently licensed to drive it, and the tags should be current as well.

On another note, the level of care at a halfway house can vary greatly. Some offer the bare minimum- a bed with a roof over it. Others provide counseling, 12-Step Meetings, guidance, true random drug testing of their residents, food, and transportation to/from outside meetings, job coaching, training, placement, and many other services. The key is to find a halfway house that is run well, as well as one that meets your needs. Keep in mind that many who choose, or are placed into, a halfway house do get better and can stay sober, but this requires a combination of resident dedication and good management. Also keep in mind that halfway houses are not treatment centers, not a place of luxury, and definitely not responsible for a person's sobriety. Be aware of so-called "flop houses" which are just places to sleep without any supervision or accountability- these usually have high rates of failure/relapse. Some houses deal with dual diagnosis issues (substance abuse and mental health problems).

Most provide a safe place, depending on the quality of the program, a facility manager and/or owner to oversee it, and some basic needs for the person living there. Please don't start checking out various halfway houses with the expectation of going to a country club, or more importantly, that everybody who is there is happy, healthy, and mature individuals- remember, they too are trying to get their lives together; some for the first time after decades of abusing alcohol and/or drugs- in other words, there is no perfect fit. If you are in need of detox services, this should be done with medical supervision- withdrawal can be deadly without the proper medical care in place- you may need to go to a separate place to detox safely before moving into a halfway house. If a halfway house provides detox, they should have qualified medical staff to deal with this issue- make sure you verify credentials.

It helps to keep in mind why you are going to live at a halfway house... and that reason is, to be at a place that is alcohol and drug free, to be surrounded by people trying to build a better life for themselves, and a place that will keep an eye on you until you start to get on a successful path to making your life better. Keep this on your mind the whole time you are in a halfway house!!! Besides the basics provided, at a typical halfway house, be grateful if they provide anything else for you- remember your purpose for being there (to get a good shot at sobriety) and don't expect extras. There are many resources within each state to help you obtain a list of halfway houses near you (see resources below this article). Keep in mind that the lists provided to you contain mostly licensed facilities- a licensed facility does not mean they are better- just that they do a good job at paperwork and at paying licensing fees.

A CASE IN POINT

I had a very, very, very dear close friend named Bob (actually he was the best friend I ever had in my 50+ years on earth) and he had been sober for 6+ years. He took a relative, (who was actively using drugs) into his house to help him get his life back in order. As time went on, this relative and his influence took my friend Bob down the dark path of relapse. I worked as best I could with Bob, being that I was in Southern California and he was in Mesa, Arizona. Bob decided he had enough, and wanted to get clean again. Bob checked into a licensed halfway house and 1 day into staying at the house he had to pick up his last paycheck, so he could pay his rent at this halfway house. The halfway house let him leave alone, to get his check- a bad move on the managements decision to allow him to go by himself to do this (all they were concerned with was getting rent money from him) and so he picked up this large check and immediately got a hotel room, drugs, and proceeded to get high. Bob died in that hotel room.

A quality run halfway house, licensed or not, would never have allowed him to do this, considering the risk, as a quality run halfway house would have arranged for the employer to mail the check, or that the House Manager or General Manager would have escorted Bob to the company and made Bob accountable and would never have permitted him to cash it and be left to his own devices- alcoholics/addicts are impulsive, especially early in their road to recovery- and Bob would have returned to the halfway house and the manager would have held his money to pay rent and also, hopefully, given him money to live on, but not enough to get high on. It is, in large part, the halfway houses part to intervene and assist a newcomer in making sound decisions instead of an impulsive weak moment that eventually lead to Bob's death. I continue to place a large amount of blame on this halfway house for playing a large role in my dear friends death. Had Bob been in a quality halfway house, licensed or not, he would still be alive today. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss my best friend. This article is dedicated to him in the hopes it doesn't get repeated.

Additional Information

A special amount of attention should be paid to the weekly costs and up front monies a particular halfway house charges to their residents. Typical average charges at halfway houses from state to state in the USA run from $90.00 to $150.00 per week. Some will take anybody in without upfront monies as long as the facility is reasonably confident the resident is either employed or employable and will be able to make their weekly rent payments and be able to make up for back rents. Some houses require up front monies prior to admission, a security deposit, and rent paid in advance. This may be a barrier to getting into certain facilities. There are no insurance companies that cover halfway house rents, unless the house provides specific treatment, counseling, etc. , and even at this, it is difficult to get insurance companies to commit to extended periods of coverage.

Also of concern, is if the resident is able to work- A Halfway House is a business, and overhead plays a big part in whether or not they can keep their doors open. It doesn't do much of anything if all the right pieces fall into place at a quality house, if they can't pay the bills. Many facilities go under, not because they don't care or want to help, but simply because they have too many residents who are not working, not enough residents, some who can't work, or are unable to cover and/or pay back the rent payments owed and/or the initial move in costs.

So what can you expect for the amount of money you pay to a halfway house? This varies greatly. For some houses it is all-inclusive, meaning they provide everything from phone service, food, counseling, job seeking assistance, etc. For others, they may offer some or none of these services. Much has to do with whether you are going, or sending someone, to a 1/2 way house, or to a 3/4 house, or a sober living environment, recovery home, etc. (see additional information concerning this factor below). Typically, a Halfway House is for those just starting to get their life in order. A 3/4 house, sober living house, recovery home, etc. does not provide the intense monitoring of their residents.

The residents pretty much go and do as they please, without meetings, UA tests, or signing in and out, as opposed to a quality run halfway house that should monitor all activities and services. It is best to check out what type of house you NEED and are interested in- this includes going to the possible house, talking to current residents, and checking out the outside as well as how the internal accountability (both for residents and managers/owners) factors are carried out on a daily basis.

An additional word should be mentioned about the differences between a halfway house and a ¾ house, sober living home, recovery homes, etc. There is a distinct difference in all of these compared to a typical halfway house operation. First off, a halfway house is typically the place to go to, or be referred to, when someone has been actively using drugs, drinking alcoholically, or has been discharged from a treatment center or a prison for a non-violent drug offenders. It is not a detox ward, (unless they state this service is provided), as detox should be handled only by a medical facility run by professionals, (doctors, nurses, etc.).

So, how do you know you are going to a quality run halfway house? This requires research, asking many, many, many questions directed to the owner and/or halfway house manager. NOTE: If they don't answer their phone calls or emails, don't return phone calls or emails, will not give you a tour, or have an attitude of indifference towards you for asking so many questions, it is best to find another place and start the process of finding a quality run halfway house all over again- keep in mind that you are literarily placing your very life into their hands, so you don't want to get this wrong.

Finally, It should be noted that a good halfway house needs to run successfully- this means not only helping people, but also, meeting the bottom line financially. Residents must meet their full monetary obligations- paying rent (on time and in full) and be actively involved in their own recovery, as this resident accountability factor plays a major role in success or failure.

Sometimes a person fails/relapses, so find out what the procedure is for re-admittance- some will never take back a resident who relapsed while in their halfway house program, others may require a period of time clean before accepting a person back. It is the responsibility of the resident to know what happens if they relapse- where will they go, will the halfway house assist them in securing a place to live, what are the options available to them. The bottom line is to ask, ask, ask... Read the full article with more resources at nicd.us

Open a Home Business Success Tips

Fifty million home-based businesses will be in operation by 2011, according to Link Resource's National Work-at Home Survey. All around the country, people who want more control over their lives are starting home businesses In New Orleans, Rick Hart's home based cajun Cargo ships seafood nation wide.

In Palatine, Illinois, Stephaine Heavey works from home designing and selling original patterns for fabric dolls. And in Dallas, Lisa McElya published the Dallas Party & Event Planners Guidebook from the entire first floor of her two-story home. These three people are living the new American dream of owning a business, but avoiding the high overhead and start-up costs of a commercial location. If the idea of working from home is appealing, but you don't know where to begin, here is a step-by-step guide.

1 DECIDE WHAT PART OF THE HOUSE TO USE Select an area away from family activity. The perfect space is a separate room (or perhaps the garage), but any area will do, if it can hold all the business supplies and equipment, and also provide enough work space for desks, tables, or counters.

2 DETERMINE HOW MUCH TIME YOU CAN SPEND ON THE BUSINESS Many people start a home business on a part-time basis while raising children or working outside the home. Others start full-time when family and finances allow. However you begin, figure out how may hours per week you can devote to the business Make a weekly chart of your activities, examine it, and determine where the business fits. Don't assume you have time and find out later you don't.

3 DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF BUSINESS Make a list of things you like to do, your work and volunteer experience, and items you own that can be used in a business. Look over this line-up, and using ideas from it, list possible businesses to start. Eliminate any business that isn't appealing or doesn't fill a need people have. For ideas on different types of businesses, consult the end of this article. Other ideas can be found in the source material listed at the end of this article.

4 CHOOSE A LEGAL FORM The three basic legal forms are sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation. The most common is the sole proprietorship. As its name implies, a sole proprietorship is owned by one individual. It is the oldest form of business, the easiest to start, and the least complicated to dissolve. Here are some of the advantages of this business form:
1. You own all the profits

2. Your business is easy and cheap to organize. You don't need any government approval, although you may be required to carry a city, state or county license. Your only other obligation is to notify the Internal revenue Service (IRS) for the purposes of sales tax.

3. You're the boss

4. You enjoy certain tax savings. You must pay regular individual taxes on your income, property, and payroll, but these are not levied as special taxes, as with a corporation. You will also have to pay sales tax which you have received from your customers.

5. Greater personal incentive and satisfaction. Since you have your investment to lose if your business is not successful, you should be more willing to put time, thought, and energy into the business. And when your business is successful, you enjoy maximum sense of accomplishment since you know its success was dependent upon your decisions about your management ability alone. For more information about this and other forms of business, send for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Publication MP25. Selecting the Legal Structure for Your BUsiness (50 cents). It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each legal type of structure. If after reading it you are still uncertain what form of the business should take, consult an attorney.

5 DETERMINE WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM There are three ways to finance start-up costs: use your own money, obtain a loan, or find investors. If possible, it is better to start small, use your savings, and not worry about repaying a debt. also keep in mind that since you are a home-based, chances of qualifying for a loan or finding investors are slim until the success of your idea is proven.

6 GATHER INFORMATION Spend a few weeks researching home-based businesses. A library or bookstore can provide numerous books on business basics, and on the specific type of business that interest you. Homemade Money by Barbara Brabee (see sources) is an excellent book to start with. If you are considering a computer business, get in touch with the association of Electronics; Cottagers, P.O. Box 1738, Davis, CA 95617-1738. To keep informed of what is happening in home business world, contact National Home Business report, P.O. Box 2137, Naperville, IL 60566, for subscription information; and Mothers Home Business Network, P.O. Box 423, East Meadow, NY 11554 (send SASE for free information).

7 CHECK ON ZONING RESTRICTIONS Find out how your property is zoned, the call City Hall and ask what regulations apply to home businesses in that zone. Also, if you rent or live in a condominium, check the lease or homeowner's association rules to be certain a home business is allowed. Generally, if you do not annoy your neighbors with excess noise, odors, and traffic, you will not be deterred from running a business at home. The neighbors may not even be aware of the business, but it is necessary to know exactly what you can and can't do before you start. This is important should any problems or questions arise later.


8 PICK A BUSINESS NAME AND REGISTER IT If the business you choose is different form your name, file an assumed (or fictitious) name certificate with the county. You are notified if another business already has that name, so you can select a new one. Do this before investing in expensive stationery and brochures. It costs only a few dollars to file, and it protects the business name from being used by someone else in the county.

9 WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN A good business plan clarifies your ideas and establishes a plan of action. A good business plan should include a description of what you are selling, your background and qualifications, who the prospective customers are and where they can be found, what is needed to build the business, how you plan to promote, and how much money is need for start-up costs. SBA Publication M925, The Business Plan for Home-Based Business ($1) is helpful.

10 GET AN IDENTIFYING NUMBER If you are the sole proprietor of the business and have no employees, you may either use your Social Security number or an Employee Identification Number (EIN) as the business number on official forms. If you have employees, or the business is set up as a partnership or corporation, you must obtain an EIN. To do this, complete IRS Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number) and file it with the nearest IRS Center.

11 OBTAIN A SALES TAX PERMIT If the product or service you sell is taxable, you need a state sales tax permit. Call the local tax agency, explain the type of business you have and what you sell, and ask if you need to collect sales tax. If you do, they will send you the necessary information and forms to complete. You also use this tax number when your purchase items for resale.

12 OBTAIN LICENSES & PERMITS It's very important not to overlook any necessary license or permit. For example, some cities and counties require a general business license, and most have special laws regarding the preparation and sale of food. Call City Hall to find out what is need for your particular business. In addition, Chamber of Commerce provide information on city, county and state licenses and permits.

13 SELECT BUSINESS CARDS, STATIONERY, BROCHURES Spend time on the color, design and paper for these items. They make a definite impression-good or bad- on the people who receive them. If you are not certain what is most suitable and effective, consult a graphics designer or a creative printer whose work you like.

14 OPEN A BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNT Call several banks to find out what services they offer, and what minimum balance, if any, must be maintained to avoid paying a service charge. Also ask about credit card if you plan to offer this convenience to your customers. Bank fees can be significant, so shop around for the best deal. If your personal checking account is with a credit union, see if it can also provide a separate business account. when you open your account, you may need to show the assumed name certificate and business license. Finally, investigate obtaining a credit card in the business's name. If this is not possible, set aside a personal credit card to use for business expenses.

15 SET UP RECORD-KEEPING SYSTEMS Put together a simple and effective bookkeeping system with an 8 1/2 x 11" three-ring binder, columnar pad sheets and twelve pocket dividers from the office supply store. For each month, set up columnar sheets for income and expenses. Use a pocket divider for each month's receipts, bank statement, deposit tickets, and canceled checks. In addition, an automobile log for business mileage, and filing system for correspondence, invoices, supplier catalogs, client records, etc. are two other useful tools. For more information on record-keeping, see IRS publication 583, Information for Business taxpayers.

16 CHECK IRS REQUIREMENTS If you comply with basic IRS guidelines, you can deduct a percentage of normal household expenses (mortgage, interest, taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, etc.) as a business expense. see the box accompanying this article and, for more detailed information, IRS publication 587, Business Use of the Home. Also become familiar with these IRS forms: Schedule SE (compensation of Social Security Self-Employment Tax) and Schedule 1040 ES (estimated Tax for Individuals). Depending on circumstances, you may have to file them.

17 OUTFIT THE BUSINESS Make a list of everything needed to start the business, but before you buy anything, look around the house for things you already own that are usable. When you are ready to start purchasing, check the classified ads and garage sales. Both are good, inexpensive sources for office furniture, typewriters, computers, answering machines, etc. But only what is absolutely necessary for start-up, and wait until the business is off the ground to get the extras.

18 DECIDE ON TELEPHONE REQUIREMENTS Call the telephone company to find out the cost of a business phone in your area. If you cannot afford a separate business line, investigate the telephone company's regulations on using your personal phone in a business. It may be possible to do this if you follow certain guidelines. Keep a record of long distance business calls as they are a deductible expense. Finally, consider the benefits of an answering machine to catch calls when you are out.

19 CHECK OUT THE POST OFFICE & UPS Using a post office box as the business address down plays the fact you are home-based. It also prevents customers from dropping in at all hours. While looking into box rental, ask for information on the various postal rates, particularly bulk rate, if you plan to do large or specialized mailings. If you mail many packages, check out United Parcel Service (UPS), as it is less expensive than the Post Office.

20 PURCHASE THE NECESSARY INSURANCE Check with your homeowners insurance agent about a rider for your existing policy or the need for a separate business policy. Also make sure you have adequate personal and product liability coverage. Shop around, as each company has different rules regarding home businesses To save money on medical insurance, join an association and participate in their group plan. One such body is The National association for the Self-Employed: they can be reached at 800-527-5504.

21 ORGANIZE THE HOUSE & YOURSELF To have more time for business, organize and simplify household routines. Start by holding a garage sale to get rid of unnecessary possessions. Next, have a family conference and divide household duties, making sure each person does his or her part. The, set up a planning notebook to keep track of appointments, things to do, calls to make, errands to run, shopping, etc. Finally, set up a work schedule so you won't get sidetracked by TV, neighbor's visits, snacking, and telephone calls. Creating and operating a home business is a wonderful and rewarding challenge. The satisfaction is not only in the money earned, but in doing what makes you happy.

Characteristics Homes For Sale

You often hear horror stories about dishonest agents in the news coverage. This is because honesty and integrity quite frankly just aren't newsworthy. You need to know that about 10 percent of the realtors in the business handle about 90 percent of the homes for sale in Wichita and overall in other areas as well. It stands to reason then, that these top 10 percent of are likely to be realtor agents you can trust to do a great job.

After all, the bottom line is that real estate is all about selling. Sometimes sales persons get a bad rap in stereotypes, but there are many professions that rely on good sales skills to get their jobs done. Realtors are no exception. Whether they have a new home for sale or existing homes listings, the final thing that determines whether a home sells in Wichita, Kansas is the marketing and effective sales strategies of the realtor.

The WSU Center For Real Estate projects that the housing market in Wichita and Kansas are steadily recovering. The center forecasts that homes sales in Wichita will rise by 5.1 percent, and that overall in Kansas, they will rise 7.3 percent with home values increasing slightly as well. Since home sales are on the rise, sellers will be wise to take their time in hiring the best Wichita realtor they can find.

Beyond the hype and glamor of the real estate business, a good home listing realtor lives and dies by the marketing strategies he or she puts in place. If you have area homes for sale, then you are going to want a realtor that is likeable, well spoken and organized. Additionally, if your Wichita home listing is in a hard-to-sell neighborhood, you also want to hire a realtor that lives in or near the area so that the agent has first-hand knowledge of the area.

To ensure you hire a competent realtor, interview several of them. Putting up your home for sale with a listing realtor is a big decision. Your home investment is likely the largest your family owns and you want to protect this investment. Interviewing prospective Wichita realtors helps your home listing gain exposure. If you conduct several interviews in your Wichita area home, you will gain valuable exposure. Most homes are not sold by the listing agent, but by another realtor that splits the sale on the home listing.

There are some common characteristics that home owners desire in the realtor they choose to market a new home for sale. Beyond the characteristics listed below, no one single tactic or characteristic sells homes. It is generally a combination of these that ultimately decides whether your home listing in Wichita, KS sells quickly or sits on the market.

The top five characteristics you want in a realtor are as follows:

1. Experience - If you are not told directly and can't easily spot the realtors number of years in the business, it is generally because they have little or less than five years experience. And experienced listing agent is able to anticipate problems or prevent them from manifesting because they have learned how to handle most any difficulty that may come with homes for sale in the area. Sometimes a realtor has access to a more seasoned realtor as their mentor and in this case, you will have to use good judgment.

2. Education - Do not be afraid to ask for a prospective Wichita realtor to give you their license number and certifications. You can actually check the original license date with the Kansas real estate licensing division by doing a license verification. Most states will also list any complaints that may have been filed against an agent.


3. Communication/Marketing - You will want to hire a Wichita realtor that you feel is a good communicator and will be available on a regular basis. It will be important to nail down the realtor's marketing plan as it relates to your particular home listing. Minimum items to expect are:

- Professional signage with a cell phone number
- Lock box with daily monitoring
- Four-color brochures
- Weekly advertising in Wichita newspapers and major papers & distribution to major websites
- Minimum of 2 open houses
- Staging advice
- Virtual tour
- Updates on neighborhood facts, trends and recent sales
- Broker previews
- Weekly reporting to the seller

4. Honesty - Trust your intuition when it comes to the sale of your home and the realtor you are interviewing. An honest agent will likely have most of their business coming from referrals that other satisfied clients. Ask for referrals from friends and family or for references from the prospective agent. Successful realtors go above and beyond making customer satisfaction their number one priority for that particular client's home listing. Lastly, an honest agent will be willing to guarantee their work, not the selling price, but their performance as your agent.

5. Negotiating and Networking - You want to list your home with a Wichita realtor that is known for their good negotiating skills, not the agent you makes a quick sale at the expense of the seller's best interest. A successful agent is generally well connected in the community and well known. This is not always the agent that advertises the most so don't be fooled by big advertising budgets. Ask around and ask for records of home sales and the original home listing prices.

SEO Home Page Blogger And Tips

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In nearly every part of our lives, we are trained to focus on one thing. When it comes to optimizing our sites, we tend to fixate on the home page and forget everything else. This is a mistake and here's one SEO tip that can bring in the traffic fairly quickly.

Your home page is not your site. It is a key part, but only a part. To maximize your rankings in the search engine and bring in a ton of traffic, you need to visualize when planning your SEO efforts.

Think of a large mall. Now, visualize the one are of that mall where the most people will be walking buy. If you had a store in the middle of that spot, would you have an entrance on just one side? Of course, not. You would have one on each side so that people could enter the store and buy your stuff no matter which direction they came from.

Well, the web can be described as a giant mall for better or worse and your site is one store there. Most people fixate on their home page as the entrance to their "store", but this is a mistake. Every page of your site that has something substantive on it should be optimized to get rankings and bring in visitors, to wit, each page should be an entrance. The more "doors" you have, the more visitors you will get.

I'll be the first person to admit that it can be difficult to optimize a site without getting fixated on the home page. One way to do it is to simply ignore the home page. Draw out a map of the pages of your site. Do corresponding keyword research and then layout which keyword phrases are going to go with which pages. Now start working your way through each of the pages on your site to optimize them.



This approach will allow you to create a hierarchy of optimized pages that are unique and that go after unique keyword phrases. With the proper amount of linking work, each of these pages can move up in the rankings. In fact, most of these internal pages will get rankings far quicker than your home page. With rankings will come visitors.

As more pages begin to rank, you'll find that these alternative "entrances" are gold mines producing visitors that buy more than anyone coming through the home page. Why? The answer is simple. The individual pages within your site tend to have more specific keyword phrases. Assume I have an auto parts site. I am probably trying to get my home page ranked for "auto parts." People searching for "auto parts" are browsing, not buying. People that come into the site through my ranking for "1978 Chevy Vega exhaust manifold", on the other hand, are ready to buy.

You will hear many rules about SEO. Some are better than others, but one that always is on point is make it easy for people to find you and give you their money. Optimizing the internal pages of your site and getting them ranked is the way to do that.