Real estate pros: Give Start-Up NY a chance

Some of the region's top real estate executives say Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Start-Up NY program should be given a chance — despite concerns that it would be unfair to existing businesses.
Originally called Tax-Free NY, the Start-Up NY program allows start-up companies to operate tax-free at SUNY schools and designated areas surrounding their campuses for up to 10 years. Employees of the companies would be exempt from state income taxes.
Cuomo designed the program to try and retain — and attract — fledgling high-tech firms that often find it less expensive to operate in other states such as Texas that have no state income tax.
Some have worried the program will hurt the local commercial real estate market and lead to lower property tax collections for local municipalities while also providing tax breaks to a select few.
"Like any program, it is going to be a little unfair," said Seth Rosenblum, a principal with the Rosenblum Cos. who was part of a panel discussion Thursday.
The event was sponsored by the New York State Commercial Association of Realtors. "We have to give this a chance and see how it plays out."
Not all the speakers at the event, held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel off Everett Road in Albany, viewed the program as favorably. Assemblyman Phil Steck, who voted against the Start-Up NY legislation, said he had trouble figuring out how it would help constituents in his district, which includes Colonie, Schenectady and Niskayuna.
Steck said the government's top role should be providing public infrastructure to attract businesses — such as the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, which has been credited with attracting many of the world's largest computer chip companies to the region as well as the $9 billion chip factory GlobalFoundries established in Saratoga County.
"This is economic development by desperation," Steck said of Start-Up NY. "I don't see how the program helps the Schenectady school district or the Niskayuna school district."
Kevin Bette, chairman of First Columbia, the development company based in Latham, said that Start-Up NY won't hurt the local business communities or the tax base because it can take years for a start-up company to make any money — and most don't even last 10 years before they close down or leave the state because of high business taxes. Bette said the program could shake up that cycle.
"We need the investment to be here," Bette said. "We need the change. It takes a long time for these businesses to become profitable. They need all the help they can get."
Rosenblum compared skepticism of the program to that of the NanoCollege, which has attracted companies that might otherwise locate in commercial buildings owned by the private sector that are also on the tax rolls. Focusing on that dynamic is a narrow way of looking at the long-term impact that Start-Up NY could have on the state and the business community, Rosenblum said. Cuomo actually modeled Start-Up NY on how the NanoCollege operates, with tenants located on campus to do semiconductor manufacturing research in concert with the school.
"Imagine for a moment there was no NanoCollege," Ronsenblum said. "What would we be pinning our hopes on?"

Matt Martin Real Estate Management Ranked #80 on Inc. 500 List, #3 in Real Estate Sector, #6 in Dallas

For the second consecutive year, MMREM is recognized as one of the country's fastest-growing companies with three year sales growth of 3982% 

 

FRISCO, Texas, Aug. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Matt Martin Real Estate Management (MMREM) today announces it has been named to Inc. magazine's 32nd annual Inc. 500/5000, a list of the fastest-growing firms in the country. A national asset management and default services firm that deals with multiple federal agencies, various state and local municipalities, financial institutions, mortgage investors and mortgage servicers, MMREM is ranked 80th out of the 500 fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, up from #116 in 2012. The company was the third fastest-growing company in the real estate sector, and ranked number six among Dallas, TX area companies.

The list represents a comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy--America's independent entrepreneurs. MMREM joins Fuhu, LivingSocial, Edible Arrangements, CDW and Lifelock, among other prominent brands featured on this year's list. Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Intuit, Jamba Juice, Zipcar, Clif Bar, Vizio, Oracle, and many other well-known names gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500/5000.

"We're delighted to be named to the Inc. 500 list for the second year in a row," says Matt Martin, founder and president of MMREM. "We've had tremendous success growing our business since we started in 2004, and expect that growth to continue in the years ahead," Martin adds.

MMREM was ranked the 80th fastest-growing company based on an increase in revenues of 3982% over the three year period from 2009 to 2012. The company is a leading provider of real estate services, including asset disposition, financial advisory, and mortgage loan loss mitigation services.

The 2013 Inc. 500 is the most competitive crop in the list's history, according to Inc. magazine. To make the cut, companies had to have achieved a staggering minimum of 918.59% in sales growth over three years. Companies on the list are "the hidden champions of job growth and innovation, the real muscle of the American economy," says Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg.

MMREM provides real property services to both Government and private sector clients. The firm provides REO services to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and has conducted more than $2 billion in disposition transactions since 2010. The company is the prime contractor for the United States Marshalls Service's (USMS') Asset Forfeiture Division. MMREM also serves as an asset manager and as a provider of real estate advisory services for other federal and state government agencies, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the United States Air Force (USAF), and the state of Georgia through the state's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). In addition, MMREM supports mortgage servicers and financial institutions with their real property needs.

"We have a proven ability to deliver exceptional value, and are uniquely positioned to solve even the most challenging problems for our clients," Martin said. "MMREM's talented people are the key to our success," he added.

MMREM's impressive growth of 3982% places the company in the 98th percentile among the top companies. Complete results of the Inc. 500/5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.Inc.com/500.

About Matt Martin Real Estate Management

Matt Martin Real Estate Management (MMREM) provides an array of real estate and financial services nationwide including lender solutions, real estate investments, loss mitigation services, and government services. The firm, established in 2004, is a proven leader in asset disposition, financial advisory, loss mitigation and acquisition services. MMREM provides services nationwide through six offices located in Frisco, TX (Headquarters), Coppell, TX, Tysons Corner, VA, Austin TX, Ft. Washington, PA, Culver City, CA, and Atlanta, GA. MMREM is strengthened by a diverse management team, each possessing over 10 years of experience in the financial services field

 

Real estate body calls for use of 'Made in India' materials

MUMBAI: Raising serious concerns on continuous weakening of rupee against dollar, real estate body NAREDCO today appealed to developers to cut down imports of building construction material and instead use domestically manufactured product.

"Developers import nearly USD 10 billion worth building construction products and services every year for their projects. In a situation when rupee is constantly depreciating, there is an urgent need that developers consider using made in India materials," National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) vice president Sunil Mantri told reporters here.

The imports not only include products like flooring, cement, home automation but also services like technology, consultancy and architects for which payments are made in dollars, he said.

"We import these services especially for developing high-end luxury projects. Such imports account to nearly 30-50 per cent of the total cost of the project," he said.

Mantri said if developers adopted these measures it will help in making rupee stronger.

On the Real Estate Regulation and Development Bill, NAREDCO president Navin Raheja said it should be more practical and looking at the growth of the industry.

"The Bill is a hugely positive step in the direction of developing the industry. However, this Bill addresses issues in a limited way.

"While the industry welcomes the positive intent of the government, we believe that the momentum gained should be utilised to iron out some of the issues. This will not only help to unlock projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore, it will also catalyse the economy with more vigour and vibrancy," he added.

On FDI in the sector, Mantri said, the government has allowed foreign investment into projects having area over 50,000 sq metre, which should be reduced to 20,000 sq metre so that even small developers can get the benefit from it.

"Already the financial conditions of developers is weak and to add to their woe banks are not ready to fund projects due to various issues like clearances and approvals.

"In this situation the only way of raising funds is through private equity. If the area limit is reduced even small developers will be able to get foreign investment," he added.

'First Look': State of the real estate market

By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Local Realtor Scott Tobias of Prudental Tobias shared his insights on the local real estate market Thursday on "First Look with Scott Cox."
"This is probably the most normal market I have seen in a long time," Tobias said. Yet we have a way to go to get to the normal of about four months of inventory.

He said we're in a so-called recovery, with a 35 percent increase in home prices over the last year, which he called significant. Will it continue? No, he predicted; a normal increase would be about 4 percent.
Those who are buying as an investment have probably missed the boat, the past president of the Bakersfield Association of Realtors said.
He noted there has been some struggle with inventory over the past year, but there is inventory.
Simulcast guest host Lisa Krch said she hears the market slowing down; Tobias agreed there's been some of that in the last month.
"Some of it is interest rates, for sure. But the reality is we're selling as many houses as we have," Tobias said.
He said that year-over-year, prices have increased and inventory has been steady.
And as prices rise, homeowners who have more equity and were thinking about moving now have the opportunity.
Tobias noted there have been a lot of investors in the market, and predicted that will slow a bit.
He also said young people who may have been concerned about the market and stayed in apartments are turning around and buying houses.
Californian reporter John Cox asked Tobias if he's still seeing multiple offers on properties. Tobias said it's still tough for those trying to buy a house priced under $200,000.
Krch said she hears a lot of people ask about getting into real estate as a career.
"It's not the market, it's the person who is going to be successful," Tobias said.
He said it's not a cakewalk, and agents need to be disciplined, service-oriented and care about their work and helping people with what is perhaps their biggest investment.

Why do real estate agents still exist?

On Tuesday, the quintessentially mainstream American real estate brokerage–Re/Max–went public. The housing market is hot enough, its initial filing explained, that raising investor cash could launch it into markets around the country it hadn’t yet reached.
But wait–real estate agents? Wasn’t the internet supposed to drive them out of business?
The online age has been hard on all kinds of middlemen, after all. Travel agents, for example, rendered obsolete by Orbitz and Expedia. Soft goods retailers, for another, outpaced by Amazon. The effect should be similar with people who sell homes: What do they have but what they know? And what of that can’t be better figured out through unbiased, publicly available data, crunched and presented on Web sites like Zillow and Trulia for free?
And yet, real estate agents are still with us. Sure, their numbers declined during the housing crash, and haven’t quite recovered:

Overall employment in the real estate sector. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

But the sector may have been overinflated anyway. During the boom, real estate was considered a fast way to make easy money, and the unserious didn’t survive when sales dried up. “I think it benefited the profession, because it got a lot of people out of it that shouldn’t have been in it,” says Lindsay Reishman, who runs his own brokerage in Washington.
And now, according to the National Association of Realtors, agents are as widely used as ever: 89 percent of buyers retained one in 2012, up from 69 percent in 2001. It’s the same on the seller side, where only 9 percent sold a home without an agent, down from a high of 20 percent in 1987. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they made an annual mean wage of $51,170, which is down from a high of $55,000 in 2008, but still up from $42,000 in 2003.
There are a few reasons why agents are still around.
- The post-crash world is more complex: The housing crash and ensuing tighter lending standards, as well as the prevalence of foreclosures and short sales, have made the average transaction harder to navigate without expert help. Getting financing and negotiating tricky contracts, for example, probably shouldn’t be done on your own. “There’s always something doing down the pike that makes the process more complicated,” says Scott MacDonald, who runs a Re/Max brokerage in Chantilly, Va.
- The internet improves productivity: When buyers can find out the homes they want through online research, an agent has to spend less time touring them around. Then, they can just come in and help with closing, and pick up the same commission. Some sites, like Redfin, offer lower rates for less wraparound service–but even Redfin decided last year to flesh out its bare-bones model to cover more home tours, and increased rates for buyers. (That could change more with services like Jason’s House, which allows agents to bid on buyers who only need a few specific tasks performed).
- The internet increases agent leverage over brokers: In most states, agents have to affiliate with a brokerage, like Re/Max, Long & Foster, or Coldwell Banker. But when they can self-promote online, they don’t need as much in return. “As agents over time were able to market themselves directly to the consumer, that puts the squeeze on brokers,” says Reishman. “Agents are in a position where they can keep more of their money, because they’re not reliant on the brokerage to get their business.” To adapt and add value, brokerages have scaled back on their office space–more agents now work from home, rather than a private cubicle–and offer trainings to deal with different market conditions, like house flippers and investors.
- People still don’t trust cheap things: Buying a home is a big decision, and people don’t tend to want to take a risk on a cut-rate agent, which is why there hasn’t been much undercutting or negotiation of commissions. “I think it does take place, but at least my bet is that at the end of the day, this is the biggest asset they’ve ever owned, so if you can make people believe you’ll handle that process correctly, people are wiling to pay for it,” says Reishman.  “I’ve been thinking seriously about saying, my commissions are going to be 8 percent, and people think, this guy is really good!”

50 Ways to Make Money at Home and Online

In this economy, making money online or part-time is an attractive proposition. It may seem intimidating at first, but don't worry -- you needn't be a design maven, crochet whiz or computer savant to earn a little extra on the side. Here are a few ways to turn what you currently have (stuff, skills, un-skills) into a little extra cash.

Plug your money leaks

emember that while cutting back on expenses definitely helps your budget, the easiest way to save money is to make more. Still, we'll start off with some easy tips to stop bleeding money where it doesn't actually help much.
1. Refinance your mortgage

 Interest rates are at an all time low, and many families are considering refinancing their home to save on monthly mortgage payments. Determine whether or not refinancing will save you money in the long term by following this guide.
2. Switch providers

 Don't assume that your cable, phone and Internet bills are locked into a slow but inexorable climb. Taking the first provider that comes along is a great way to waste money that can be saved elsewhere. Once you reach the terms of your contract, get on the phone or in an office and negotiate your bill down - or at least get a few perks thrown in for free.

3. Get rid of cable

Cable can rack up a hefty bill over a year, especially when you keep pay-per-view, premium channel, and miscellaneous costs in mind. Opt for online providers like  or Hulu Plus that let you stream shows directly onto your computer, mobile device, or TV.
Pro tip: Switch between 30-day trial periods of Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime to get a full season of free watching.

4. Use credit cards with the best rewards

The best parts about credit cards are the perks and rewards that come with them. By using a card with shoddy rewards or cash back, you are doing yourself and your budget a disservice. Find a credit card that rewards wherever you spend the most, whether that's travel, gas, groceries, or (ohmigod) shoes -- the NerdWallet credit card tool makes personalized recommendations based on your own spending habits.
Pro tip: Use the calculator button to further customize your recommendation.

5. Invest wisely

You're never too young to start investing -- in fact, the time to have an aggressive (high risk, high reward) profile is when you're younger, and you don't plan to use the money for a couple decades. But there's no reason to pay top dollar for actively managed mutual funds. Despite the prestige and high fees, active funds outperform the market only 24% of the time. You're much better with an index fund, which has much lower fees and will probably get you a better return for your money. Stop paying to lose money!
6. Pay off your debt

You know how I just told you to invest? Paying off high-interest debt is the best investment you can make. It's virtually impossible to get a guaranteed 12% return on your investments -- unless you're getting rid of credit card debt. Get in the black first before you start looking for babies that talk about stocks. Check out our in-depth article on getting rid of debt for guidelines and ways to lower the interest on your debts.
7. Improve your credit score

 This one is a no-brainer. There are multiple sites that let you check your credit score for free. After finding out where you stand, work on improving your score and contact your credit card, personal loan or other issuer to negotiate a lower interest rate.
8. Maximize your tax returns

A great way to boost your income part time happens during a particular part of the year. Take advantage of tax loopholes and exceptions to maximize your long-anticipated tax refund check.
9. Use rewards malls and cashback websites

 Little-known fact: You can earn cash back for the money you spend online anyway, just by clicking through another website first. Your credit card probably has a rewards mall that offers 5% back or more on everything from Expedia to Macy's to Zales, and even if it doesn't, you can use straight-up cash-back sites like eBates or Upromise to get an automatic discount on online purchases.

10. Take advantage of rebates and coupons

 Often, stores will advertise that they'll beat the lowest price offered by any other competitor. Many credit cards also give price match guarantees, paying the difference if the price drops below a certain amount after you've made the purchase. Check your card's fine print for details. Also, use coupon comparison tools to score quick deals without scouring the Internet or pawing through your neighbors' mail.

11. Consider a flexible savings account (FSA)

Your employer may offer an FSA, which allows you to cover medical expenses not paid by insurance tax-free. This can be anything from out-of-pocket costs to prescriptions to dependent coverage. Because it's tax-advantaged, you'll save up to 30% on medical expenses. Keep in mind, though, that you lose any funds you don't spend at the end of the year, so you need to know your budget well. If you have a high-deductible insurance plan, you can also contribute to a health savings account (HSA), which doesn't lose money at year-end.

Turn money into more money

 You can set policies in place to grow your existing money further. Someone pretty smart once said that compounding is the greatest force in the universe. Keep in mind that both of the following techniques compound, meaning that taking action now will yield even larger benefits in the future.

12. Max out your IRA and 401(k)

Max out your 401(k) and IRA contributions every year -- not only will you receive a tax benefit, but given the low interest-rate environment, you're much better putting your money in the markets than sticking it into a savings account that doesn't beat inflation. A 22-year-old who invests $5,000 in an IRA and never invests again will enjoy $137,000 at retirement, compared to just $101,000 if she invested in a regular savings account. It doesn't matter how old you are -- unless you're paying off debt, the time to start saving for retirement is now.

13. Ask for a raise

 Like we said, saving money is all well and good, but making more money is even better. Try negotiating for a raise -- even in a tough job economy, sitting down at the bargaining table with politeness, confidence and respect for yourself and the organization can have its benefits. Here's a great flow chart scripting a possible conversation -- preparation is key.
Pro tip: Catch your boss when she's in a good mood, but don't let her know you know she's in a good mood.

Mo' money, less clutter
Okay, let's be honest. Chances are, you have too much stuff. If you can identify high-value items and present them well, you can have a cleaner, more simple living space as well as money to spend on what you really want.

14. Have a garage sale

 Wipe off the dust, clear out the storage closet, and set up a garage sale. Put some effort into presentation: Items lovingly arrayed on a plastic tablecloth will sell better than those chucked into a cardboard box. If you don't have enough clutter to warrant a garage sale on your own, rope a few other neighbors into a neighborhood-wide sale.

15. Value your antiques and collectibles

Dig into storage, sell off what is valuable and throw away the rest. Before you sell indiscriminately, get your collectibles, antiques, and heirlooms appraised. You may be selling rare valuable items at underpriced rates otherwise. After you've consulted with an expert, do a gut check by looking at eBay and similar websites to see if the price is reasonable.

16. Free and flea market flipping

Browse the "free" section on Craigslist or your local flea market for interesting items. Add your own special touches, restore the items, and resell for a profit. Buy interesting items both online and at your local flea market and restore them and resell for a profit. Flea Market Flips offers some great ideas for trash-to-treasure projects.

17. Sell your old mobile phone

Given the rate at which we churn through cell phones these days, you probably have an old cell phone lying around. Amazon offers gift cards for fully functional iPhones, while specialty sites like Gazelle and Swappa specialize in cash for cell phones.

18. Turn in printer cartridges

Many office supply stores, from Staples to Office Depot, will offer credits for empty printer cartridges. Not only is it good for your wallet, but it's good for the environment.

Take part in the share economy

 If you have an extra anything, chances are there's someone who'd like to borrow it from you. As the so-called "share economy" grows, you have an increasing opportunity to get cash for your idling machines and empty space.
19. Rent out an underused parking spot

 Parking spots can be a hot commodity, particularly in crowded cities. If you happen to be holding on to a coveted spot that you do not use all the time, put it up for rent on Craigslist. If your landlord or building offers you parking at a discount rate, consider seeing whether you can rent it out for a higher price -- assuming you're allowed to do so, of course.

20. Rent out a spare bedroom

 If that extra guest bedroom in your midtown Manhattan walk-up is left unused, consider renting it out on Airbnb.com or other vacation rental sites. Make sure that everything is kosher with your rental agreement beforehand.
Pro tip: Even if you don't have a spare bedroom, chances are there's a college kid willing to pay for four walls, a door, an air mattress, a shower and more privacy than a hostel affords.

21. Rent out your car

 Don't need your car on the weekend or during the day? Going on a trip? Services like Getaround and RelayRides let you rent out your car by the hour, while FlightCar arranges for an incoming traveler to rent your car rather than you having to pay for airport parking and letting it sit idle.
Turn talent into a paycheck

22. Crafty? Crochet away!

 Have a penchant for crocheting, jewelry-making or embroidery? Sell your goods on Etsy.com. Etsy is the go-to site for artisans and simply impassioned folk selling home goods, paintings, and knickknacks.
Pro tip: Offer to make personalized products -- not only does it establish an emotional connection with the customer, but it often brings in more income.

23. Become a freelance writer

Sites like eHow and Livestrong will pay by the article for content on anything from business to tech to how to fart. While they say you'll need "professional experience" or a degree or certification, honestly, there's not much you'll be asked to write that a quick tour of Google can't make you an expert on.

24. Take up a skilled freelance gig

Websites like TaskRabbit, Odesk, and Craigslist offer opportunities to avid freelancers to pick up programming, design, and marketing jobs on the side. Working on a per-project basis lets your balance your side job with your current one. Sites like Freelancer.com can also offer a leg up.

25. Small-scale catering

 Fancy yourself to be the next Iron Chef? Take those skills to the marketplace by setting up your own catering business that you can run out of your own kitchen on the weekend. Cook for dinners, birthday parties and friends' events; or just bake a bunch of cookies and stand outside the nearest bar at 2 a.m.
Heads up: Be careful to comply with food safety laws.

26. Become an online travel agent

Have a knack for finding the best deals on Expedia? Hawk your services as a low-cost alternative to full service travel agencies. You can earn a pretty commission by doing what you love.

27. Bartend

 The great thing about nightlife is that it doesn't conflict with day life. Pick up late-night or weekend shifts to earn some extra income without sacrificing hours at your current job or studies.

28. Tutor

If you were an SAT whiz, there is a huge market for competitive parents and children looking for private tutors. Join a large company like Kaplan or Princeton Review, or tutor at your own schedule by going private.

29. Affiliate marketing

Do you write emails to your friends and family that actually get read? Are you blessed with a silver tongue, razor wit or keen eye for society? Write it up. Join an affiliate network (Amazon has a good one) to earn money whenever someone buys the product by going through your website or blog.
Turn lack of talent into a paycheck

You don't need to be a master craftsman, mixologist or Iron Chef to earn supplementary income. Here are some income boosters that don't require specialized skills.

30. Get paid to be a reviewer

Although you may fancy your Yelp Elite status, all those reviews really did not pay for much but a fancy badge and a few exclusive invites. Take your review skills to the marketplace and earn $1-$50 per review, depending on quality and technical knowledge required.

31. Sell your photos

Stock photo websites like iStockPhoto purchase images from everyday people. Even if you aren't Ansel Adams, the most commonly requested (and often overlooked) photos often include everyday images like stop signs, coffee cups and other everyday objects.

32. Resell food

True story: In college, Zappos founder Tony Hseih bought pizza from a parlor down the road and resold it at a profit in his college dorm room. His friend Alfred Lin would always buy two pizzas a night -- Hseih assumed he was just hungry. Turns out Lin was actually taking the pizzas upstairs and selling them at a slice for an even tidier profit. He later went on to become the Zappos COO.
Anyway, long story short, you can probably find lazy, hungry college kids and young adults outside of bars and in parks. They will happily buy pizza, beer and water by the unit and pay handsomely for the convenience.
Heads up: This is not exactly FDA-approved.

33. Referrals

Services as diverse as your cable company to your orthodontist will pay a nice little gift for both referrer and referred. Small businesses and companies just getting off the ground are often the most likely to give referral bonuses.
Pro tip: Your employer might well give referral bonuses, too, so scour your personal networks to see if you know a good fit for open positions.

34. Survey websites

Although those posters on the side of the road may overshoot how much you can potentially make by simply answering surveys online, generating a side income from online surveys is still possible and profitable.

35. You must be good at babysitting

 Get yourself registered on a reliable sitter search website and get to work. Babysitters can make great pay and get some benefits like free Wi-Fi thrown in as well.

36. You aren't? Are you good at petsitting?

 Most pet owners actually cannot afford a luxury weekend for their pet at the kennel. Price your rates competitively during your stint as a pet sitter and make sure your place allows for multiple pets. Many sites, such as Care.com, offer job boards for pet sitters and those looking for animal care.

37. Really? Still? Okay, how about house-sitting?

Even if you hate kids and animals, you can look for house-sitting gigs through personal referrals, Craigslist, or websites like Mind My House.
Pro tip: Double up the income by renting our your own domicile while house-sitting.

38. Participate in clinical research

Hospitals and academic medical centers live, breathe, and thrive on clinical trials. Most participants are paid a good amount of money for their dedication to research and the trial. Do not overload on this option, as being enrolled in too many trials with conflicting pharmaceutical regiments may lead to skewed results and a medically unhappy you.

39. Engage in market research
 
Market research is the bread and butter of advertisement agencies. Many large ad agencies will conduct large focus groups to better tailor their strategies. Contact a local or large market research firm and secure your spot in a future group.

40. Become a tour guide

If you happen to know a bit more history concerning the old town square than the average citizen (or if you can just Wikipedia it), consider running your own personal tour guide business. Walking tours are en vogue, and you can advertise your services on TripAdvisor for tourists looking for an insider's perspective.

41. Find seasonal work

Snow shoveling, amusement park work, holiday staffing and lifeguarding are all seasonal work options that are low commitment and can be done sparingly according to your schedule. You want flexibility, employers want flexibility -- it works.

42. Become a part-time care taker

With the baby boomer generation retiring, many older folk in your community will require the services of a caretaker to help them around the house and with chores. Make a side income at a job that helps you contribute to your local community.

43. Host a foreign exchange student

Hosting an exchange student can be a source of cultural, as well as material, enrichment. Check out the number of hosting sites online, or contact your local high school or college for international student programs.

44. Data entry

 Pick up administrative and data entry jobs that can be done by telecommuting, on Craigslist, or at your college campus's career center.

45. Become an on-site manager or landlord

Earn a spot to live rent-free while making a side income as an on-site manager for apartment building owners that live outside of town.

46. Garden

 Turn your passion for all things green into a side business by offering landscaping and gardening tutorials to fellow flower aficionados.

47. Donate plasma, sperm or blood

These three precious bodily liquids are always in demand, and you can often get paid for the service. Be careful, though: Only go with reputable organizations that won't leave you in an ice-filled bathtub minus a kidney.
Heads up: The Red Cross recommends waiting 28 days between plasma donations and 56 between blood donations, and not exceeding 13 plasma donations a year.

48. Become a mystery shopper

Yes, they really do exist. Market research firms and companies doing internal audits often want to see how their stores perform from a customer's perspective, so sign up to become their eyes and ears.

49. Micro-task

Services such as Amazon Mechanical Turk connect businesses with a cohort of individuals looking to make a little cash on the side (i.e., you), in order to crowdsource small tasks. You can walk away with a nice check or gift card for a few hours of work.

50. Join a car service

The taxicab industry used to be limited to a handful of licensed professionals. Now, companies like Sidecar, Lyft and Flightcar allow anyone with a license to perform the same functions as a taxi driver, but with greater flexibility, and sometimes better pay.

Rent prices in Orlando outpace national rates: report

Orlando’s monthly rental rates have increased twice as much from a year ago than the national rental rates, according to a new report by Zillow, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The median rent in June for the four-county Orlando area was $1,238 per month for apartments and single-family homes, up 3.3 percent from last year.
Nationally, rents only increased by 1.6 percent from the previous year.
Neighborhoods that have seen rents rise the most since last year include north of the Orlando International Airport, Baldwin Park, College Park and the area from Mall at Millenia to Edgewood, the Sentinel reports.