Using Commercial Short Sales to Avoid Foreclosure

Commercial short sales are sometimes depended on to avoid the foreclosure of a property when the owner, whether an individual or a corporate entity, is unable to make the necessary payments. While it may come as a surprise for some, the bank or lender actually considers a foreclosure to be the last resort because it is an expensive process and it would be very difficult to sell the property in view of the economic downturn. Banks are not in the real estate business and their focus is on lending money to generate cash flow. A foreclosed property is therefore considered to be a non-performing asset until it is finally sold.Oftentimes, the services of a commercial loan workout professional is required to convince the lender to approve commercial short sales because they usually result in the sale of the property for a price that is lower than the outstanding loan balance. However, if it is shown that the bank will benefit from the transaction because the resulting loss is actually less than the expenses that it will incur in going through with a foreclosure and selling this particular asset, such as an apartment, a warehouse, a hotel, a strip mall, or an office building, it may approve the transaction.Commercial short sales may still negatively affect the owner’s credit score but the impact of a foreclosure is much worse. It should be noted that the difference between the loan balance and the selling price may be forgiven by the bank but this may mean that this would be considered as income and require the payment of income tax. In addition, if the owner does not want to lose the property, a mortgage renegotiation may be considered instead. A loan workout expert can provide the much needed assistance in these negotiations.

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Small Business Legal Plans: Does My Small Business Really Need A Legal Plan?

How many times have you watched the news, read a newspaper, listened to the radio, or saw an article online that reported on a frivolous lawsuit filed against a small business. When you see the word frivolous, you immediately think that business either has won the law suit or will win it. But what one must consider is that many times a small business owner must spend a substantial amount of money to retain legal representation to defend against that law suit. And for a small business, more often than not, that expense can be huge, and thus, can be the difference between keeping the doors open and shutting them for good.Taking the law suit issue into consideration all by itself, makes for a valid argument for your business having a legal plan that offers some sort of law suit protection. But in addition to that, there are all types of other obstacles that can find their way into the operations of a your small businesses.Issues such as workers’ compensation, debt collections, business financing, hiring and firing, bad check recovery, and a host of other items, must be considered, when deciding to risk going it alone with out a business attorney or small business legal plan.Even just one basic item like contract or document review can present a legal issue without seeking proper legal advice. Think about it. It is almost always inherent that your business will offer a service or product that will require a contract. And your business, more likely than not, will purchase services or products that will require you to sign one. Let’s face it, in today’s litigious society, a good legal contract is vital to maintaining a good business relationship with your customers, and just as important, protecting your small business. There are a few small business legal plan providers that offer contract and document review. What you have to decide is if the cost of a s legal plan is worth adding to your companies’ expense sheet? One way to do this is to list every risk, large and small, involved with your business and compare that to the cost of the small business legal plan that best meets your needs.Most legal expense companies that offer coverage that includes the basics like debt collection letters, contract and document review, legal correspondence letters, and consultation. This consultation can range from trademarks to city zoning. And few companies offer even more extensive coverage, like trial defense services, which provides legal representation should your business be named in a lawsuit. Other companies offer website builder and hosting services, as part of your premium. When you consider that lawsuits have gone wild in America and Canada today, coupled with the fact that it is a must that your business have an internet presence in the current communication age, these types of extra coverage can be a very big plus.In conclusion, when asking the question “Does my small business really need a legal plan?”, one could suggest that it’s not if your business needs legal coverage, but what type and how much. There for, one could propose that the real question that needs to be addressed is, “What legal expense company offers a small business legal plan that provides my business the best legal coverage at an affordable rate?” You can’t possibly cover every risk, but a comprehensive legal plan should provide the best possible chance for success.

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Scientology – Its Origins and Spirit

Scientology is the name given to a system of thought initiated in modern times by L. Ron Hubbard in 1923. Since that date it has become known as the Church of Scientology and generally understood as a path to conscious realization and relationship with God, the Supreme Being. In this, its spiritual aim would seem no different from other religious and philosophical systems including Yoga.It has escalated into a popular system of personal development attracting many adherents as well as a measure of indirect public criticism, perhaps without reason but as little information on this is given out to the public through the media there is little opportunity for general interest and discussion. It is usual that without basic facts to consider, prejudice will tend to influence people’s attitudes, particularly about anything that introduces new ideas, philosophy or a religion that is regarded by many as a sect.So let us become familiar with the origins and aims of Scientology.In his early explanation Hubbard wrote in “Excalibur” that Scientology is “the study of knowing how to know” and that the publication was released simply in order “to discuss the composition of life.” His was a wide vision indeed.Hubbard’s writings followed in 1950 with another work “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.” This became a best seller and its popularity continues. The book “Dianetics: The Original Thesis” was published in 1951 and Dianetics, a system of therapy was established.Hubbard maintained that his research and life work that was ultimately directed to discovery of the ‘life source’. He wished to help free people from burdens upon the mind such as nightmares, unreasonable fears and a basic sense of personal insecurity. Once clear of blockages and baggage, those who followed the teachings would begin to experience deep memories related to the fundamental causes of their mental inhibitions. These realizations often involve recall of past lives. This is perceived as an important factor in the ideology of Scientology as it supports their belief in the immortal aspect of a human being, the existence of the spirit beyond mind and physical body.Hubbard’s release of hundreds of published written material, recordings and films, together with his teaching tours and travels around the globe helped to establish Scientology centres in many countries and cultures. This personal vital educational programme he maintained until his passing in 1986.Terminology used in the Scientology Teaching MethodThe individual human being is believed to be an immortal spiritual consciousness or ‘thetan’ that experiences innumerable incarnations throughout earthly civilizations and cultures and beyond. Greater awareness of one’s spiritual consciousness is encouraged by methods named ‘Auditing’ and ‘Training’ that relate to personal disciplines and aim to help a person grow to a point of total freedom that allows total self confidence and choices in developing inner abilities. The seed potential of these limitless talents is considered as inherent within each human being, awaiting cultivation through self discipline.Hubbard generally believed in Precision regarding Knowledge and that it is necessary to have no confusion in definitions regarding meaning of words. Scientology and Dianetics place a heavy emphasis on this aspect and Hubbard himself wrote a work ‘How to Use a Dictionary’ and also ‘Technical Dictionary’ around special words and terms used by Scientologists. He thereby departs somewhat from previous faithfulness to the standard Dictionaries by coining new words to suit his purposes. In this, some may argue that he has made a positive contribution to our vocabulary by introducing words such as ‘havingness’.Morals and EthicsStrong belief and adherence to high principles and moral and ethical standards is integral and is included in a newcomer’s first introduction before followed by a series of codes and advancing stages in the methods used to assist the individual in behavioural practices that contribute to a good and honourable life style.Symbols used in TeachingAn important symbol is the Scientology logo is the Triangle which is said to represent the three vital values of ‘Affinity’, ‘Reality’ and ‘Communication”. Scientologists stress the need for effective communication and incorporate action and effort to encourage study and faithful adherence to the unabridged standard dictionaries, presumably relating to each culture. This is an ideal eagerly supported by all scholars and educators who believe in preserving the evolved, inherited vocabulary of a people and understand the need for the continued exercise of mental discrimination in selecting appropriate words to express accuracy, intent and situation.Practices of the TeachingsThe method of advancement is seen to be carried out by an individual’s systematic study and diligent practical application of the principles and practices of Scientology. In this there is a shared bond with all teaching methods whether practical, philosophical, religious or spiritual.The presentation of the original teachings of Hubbard are preserved as the authoritative reference. In order to maintain the purity and purpose of the founder’s message, no alteration by individuals is tolerated. However, as is usual in most teachings that seek to establish firm patterns of ideas and theories, a degree of controversy has arisen since Hubbard’s passing, with some querying the interpretation and accuracy of transcription of his oral teachings.Learning methodLearning and personal growth is encouraged to be without undue haste and in precise order of progression within the method in order to avoid confusion. For outsiders who seek to understand the values of Scientologists it would seem reasonable to advance in stages. In practice, however, it has been the lot of many systems to fail, not only through lack of personal discipline of individuals but because of questionable use of powers and politics that intrude upon the wisdom of those directing issues of advancement and status. Only by adherence to the simple spiritual aim of complete Freedom of the individual can these clouds of human weakness be dissolved.Controversies are bound to emerge regarding the internal methods that unite members in their aspirations to share a union of mind and spirit and who seek to uphold high principles. It is natural that questions arise as to Scientology’s method or the attitude it adopts in important issues in human living. These arise not only from curiosity but in order to know how Scientology’s’ determined attitudes on sexuality hold with the erosion of previous codes of morality. Those who are not members of Scientology and are not privy to this aspect of the philosophy would for example, query how Hubbard’s description of marriage as “an essential component of a stable family life” is applied by Scientologists in our time.

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