What Houston Immigration Attorneys Work On

Richard

Houston houses a minimum of 60% of foreign citizens from the 2000s – almost doubling the number of the national growth rate. Its immigration rate ranked fifth amongst the largest populated cities in the United States metropolitan area. According to the 2010 Census, Houston contained a mix of every racial group – 40% of non-Hispanics, 36% of Latinos, 17% of Black Americans, and lastly, 6% of Asians.

 

With this report, it is best believed that Houston is a home of the top immigration lawyers of the country. This strong population of immigrants only proved that law firms and immigration attorneys in the neighbourhood can really be trusted. To further know what the immigration lawyers in Houston specializes and work on, here are some of the things you should be aware of.

 

An Overview of an Immigration Lawyer

Immigration attorneys are legal representatives of an individual before the United States of Civil and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Board of Immigration Appeals, and in Immigration Courts. These lawyers handle and offer their assistance towards issues dealing with immigration, emigration, visas, lawful permanent residence or green cards, extension of stay, adjustment of status, seeking asylum, and the likes.

 

In most cases, immigration lawyers work on various cases (as stated above) and strategize it per case. Hiring an immigration attorney, contrary to popular belief, saves the client’s time, frustration, and even money compared to going on a solo flight and making it a harder situation than what it is.

 

They also do work on unintentional or on-the-spot cases like non-immigrant visas, work visas, extension of stay amendments, K-1 fiancé visas, marriage with an immigrant visa, citizenship and naturalization, deportation issues, employment issues, and many of them also work on handling matters that involves immigration and criminal laws. In summary, an immigration lawyer settles (provided that the field of the case is an expertise) any case related to immigration, regardless of the scope.

 

Immigration Help and Services Offered

As for the immigration attorneys at The Law Offices of David A. Breston, one of the top immigration law firms in the city, their services offer a variety of immigration related cases such as:

  • Rights of Illegal Immigrants
  • Defense of Visa or Green Card Status
  • Filing of Citizenship for a Family Member
  • Securing Sponsorship (Green Card / Lawful Permanent Residence)
  • Asylum Applications

 

The usual services they offer are assisting in filing paper works, accelerating immigration processes for the applicant or his or her family members, green card or visa application, education of immigration services, amend mistakes made by applicants or the federal government, and of course, the ability to defend the client in court.

 

One of the advantages as well of most immigration attorneys is their service of bilingual lawyers. This can make a great impact as to representing the client the best way they can possibly provide. For an instance, for a defensive asylum seeker, the Immigration Court requires applicants who cannot speak English (or if this is not their mother tongue) to have an interpreter during the hearing; this way, having a bilingual legal representative can save the seeker some money and also establish a rapport with the applicant.

 

Conclusion

To conclude, immigration lawyers in Houston, just like in any other cities of the United States, work on a lot of cases given the number of their population. Some clients are not even from Houston to begin with, yet still chooses to consult Texan lawyers. The most important part is, since a lot immigration lawyers are already in the market, it would be best to watch out for those groups who know exactly your situation and handle it firmly with compassion and empathy.

Who Buys Houses for Cash

Richard

There are a lot of benefits when it comes to selling a house to a cash buyer. One huge factor out of the processing path is not having a mortgage to fund the transaction. This ultimately means that there are no stopovers like appraisals and inspections that commonly slows down the processing time to further close the deal. To put it simply, cash home buyers mean selling your house fast.

 

However, when it comes to cash buyers, it also means to be aware of the buyer’s intention regarding buying your humble abode. It is a golden rule in a seller to always make sure to not settle on the first cash buyer that comes to their doorstep after putting their sale on the market. This way, it would be beneficial to both parties and prevent regrets of negotiation and deal. One of the many elements to consider is, who buys houses for cash? If you belong to the population who has a similar question, here is some information about the people behind the idea.

 

  1. Flippers

As believed, cash home buyers are all different from intentions and purpose. One of them are what you call flippers; these cash house buyers are the people who buy a home with the intention of renovating it (so that you do not have to) or flip it into something more profitable. Flippers usually are not the picky buyers – in fact, they buy houses in any condition since the intention is just to flip it anyway.

 

However, flippers buy houses in poor condition so that it would be less expensive than those in the market. This is actually quite understandable since the seller would not have to do the usual renovations and repairs the house needed.

 

  1. iBuyer

Similar to flippers, iBuyers or Instant Buyers are a bit of the upgraded type of the category. iBuyers purchase homes that are in fairly good condition and upgrade them quickly with the intention of selling it on an easier platform in different virtual platforms. The difference of an iBuyer and a Flipper varies on the houses they choose to buy; as mentioned a while ago, flippers buy a lot of houses in any condition while on the contrary, an iBuyer buys houses that tries the bare minimum – or more than that.

 

  1. Renters

Investors flock around housing and real estate markets basically with the same purpose under their sleeves, to buy a house and turn it into profit. Renters are usually investors that buy houses in bulk or in singles to renovate it in the future and put it in the market with a higher price (depending on how big the renovation costs are shelled out).

 

Most of these are then turned into apartments or a small house compound that are soon rented out to somehow get back the closing and renovation costs.

 

  1. House Hosts

Much synonymous to Airbnb, though quite rare, some cash home buyers buy houses so that they can be house hosts for clients or customers that want to book the house for a simple getaway or when they’re out of town. This is actually a modern and good way to invest on a property since a lot of bookers are coming to the light – especially now that the pandemic has a very strict travel protocol that (somehow) enables tourists to visit a town (provided that the appropriate infection control and quarantine protocols are done).

 

Conclusion

Overall, cash home buyers are most of the time a pretty good deal, if and only if, as a seller, you would know why they’re buying a house in the first place. This creates transparency towards both buyer and seller and enables you to establish rapport as well.

How to Invest in Jewellery and Diamonds in 2021

Richard

When it comes to the question of investments, diamonds and jewelry will always be at the top rank answers. This is actually one of the many life lessons the past year 2020 had initially taught many of us worldwide – where to invest your money and how?

 

Given that 2020 has been financially challenging, as per decreasing employment rate, sales, and marketing, investing in something with high value and high demand can be the best go-to choice. This is why many have started to invest this year in diamonds, gold, stones, and the likes. If you are one of the people who wants to start his or her own investment, here are some details on how to invest in jewelry and diamonds.

 

Select an Aged Diamond

When it comes to investments, selecting the right option is a must. Investments in the real world can be synonymous to a gamble – one wrong move and it can be a waste of money. In investing in diamonds and stones, going for diamonds that can be held for years and generations are highly recommended. These generation diamonds, the mere fact that it is an aged diamond, possesses such high value and can quadruple its original purchase price. That is especially true for engagement rings.

 

One of the most famous aged diamonds in the world is the Argyle Violet found in the Argyle Mine in Australia. This diamond, polished into 2.83 carat, is one of the few gems that are produced over the last 32 years. Apart from its age, coloured diamonds are also the rarest of them all – therefore, adding much value.

 

Know the Clarity of Your Diamond

Besides from taking Diamond Studies 101, every investor must know the Diamond Clarity Scale in order to fully be aware of what the diamond’s true worth. In the Clarity Scale, there are 6 categories and a total of 11 specific grades.

 

The high graded diamond out of all is called Flawless. From the name itself, this graded diamond has no inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Now, this type of diamonds are usually the ones who bear the greatest value over time due to its no inclusions with no blemishes factor – making it one of a kind. Other runner ups for good diamond investments are Internally Flawless (IF), Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS), and Very Slightly Included (VSI).

 

One of the many examples of importance in clarity is Sotheby’s Flawless 8.41 carat Pink Diamond that was sold for $17.7 Million, higher than the top estimate of $15.5 Million. The sale makes the diamond one of the most luxurious and expensive diamonds per-carat ever sold. What added even more to its value is its Pink persona that is stated by Sotheby as natural and “internally flawless that is virtually unseen.”

 

Go for Colours

As stated above, coloured diamonds play a big role in terms of value and are a good investment to begin with due to it being ultimately rare. Non-white diamonds are typically called, fancy coloured diamonds and is automatically given a higher price bracket. Much like the previously stated diamonds and stones, the value they have gotten was also heavily based on their colours. This created such a win for the owners when it comes to putting in on auction or just for sale.

 

Conclusion

You can never go wrong investing on diamonds and jewelry. Apart from being updated in every decade, its demand just keeps on increasing – making it an overall successful purchase. However, purchasing diamonds are still highly dependent as to one’s knowledge of stones and its characteristics. After all, diamonds are lifetime partners and they deserve to be known and handled with care.

When Due Diligence is Solely Your Responsibility

Richard

When exploring a 1 deposit casino platform, by the time you take advantage of the offered bonus or promotion, you can rest-easy, knowing that all the due diligence is done to ensure the regulations are adhered to. In many other more significant things, the responsibility for thorough due diligence falls squarely on you.

Everyone needs a trustworthy auditor for such things. The companies mentioned in this post have all signed up to IAAPA’s trusted auditor program, and provided IAAPA members with a real estate disclosure form to cover the vast majority of concerns related to the company.

I’m in the process of doing the same for HBXexplore, where the questions are somewhat different (in terms of due diligence and due diligence, but mainly due diligence). This project is directly related to a contract I signed with HBXexplore earlier this year, so if you’re a member, I’m very interested in your feedback!

Hopefully these companies are trustworthy. While the various jurisdictions in which they do business can obviously make it difficult to determine which countries are safe to trust, the ones with a legitimate relationship with their paying members, like IAAPA and HBXexplore, appear to be reliable and hopefully we’ll find out more about their specific practices and reputation in the near future.

This post introduces some information extracted from interactions with publicly known real estate clients of HBXexplore (search for “HBXexplore” at their websites, which aren’t always up to date, and read through their disclosure forms), and compares their general impression of their “real estate clients” with my own (but especially after speaking with their real estate clients, and keeping in mind I speak only for myself, and am not a partner in their company or associated with them in any way). I hope the information shared here will help you make your own judgments and do your own due diligence before trusting any of these businesses with your own investments.

About the Foreign Language Source

Michael Vollbracht is an IT consultant and lawyer living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He recently became a member of IAAPA, and his real estate investments have previously been discussed on this blog.

He also runs a blog with an educational focus called Practical Applications and Realities (in Dutch only), which focuses on important real estate issues, laws, applications and other relevant topics. He is also a member of IAAPA’s real estate project. He usually speaks publicly about various real estate issues, and may provide valuable information to people looking for a trustworthy real estate investment company.

Mike Vollbracht is also a lawyer at a Dutch law firm. His practice focuses on commercial law, entrepreneurship and disputes. He often provides legal consultations for real estate developers and investors who need legal advice concerning real estate law in their countries (and typically in the Netherlands, but also in the UK and other countries), in order to make their investments more transparent and profitable.

As an architect and a lawyer, Mike specializes in the legal aspects of real estate, and he represents property owners in legal disputes over land ownership, site rights, rights of conveyance, and other types of land issues (like notifying authorities and zoning regulations).

Loyalty Rewards Programmes

Richard

There are a lot of benefits to have a loyalty rewards programme, whatever area of business you’re involved in. Taking a leaf out of the marketing books of the new online casinos you might be seeking to join through some kind of loyalty rewards structure, here are some points to consider before you start considering the idea in your own business operations:

What is a loyalty rewards programme? Loyalty rewards programmes are based on the idea that people who use your service and spend money with you tend to become loyal to you. If this is the case, it stands to reason that it is a good idea to make an investment in your loyal customers.

Let’s say that you own a grocery store. If you put the loyalty rewards points earned by your loyal customers towards a financial institution such as a mortgage provider or a broker, that is a great way to build your bottom line. You are guaranteed to make a better margin on the sale if the customer is coming to you for their mortgage. The payments received are to the bank that your customer is paying, so you make money on both sides.

In addition, the customer does not even need to be fully convinced about the financial products they are looking to buy, as they can still receive rewards through a loyalty rewards programme and remain completely loyal to you.

Once people know what the reward is for buying your product, the customers are likely to go back to you for their loyalty points again and again. Even when the rewards are redeemed, customers will most likely come back to the company, so you continue to make more money off them.

Does the offer cost me anything? As mentioned above, these loyalty rewards programmes are the type of offers that your customers most likely see, so you are guaranteed to earn loyalty with little to no cost to you.

Are you offering discounts for the use of your products?

Make sure that you are offering the most competitive deals, with the offer or discount only available to those who use your loyalty rewards. It is recommended that you advertise that offer as early as possible in the year in order to drive sales to the company in the year, rather than to the supplier in the second quarter of the year.

How can I join your loyalty rewards programme?

Even if you already have a loyal customer base, it is highly recommended that you send an email to any past customers and solicit their interest in your loyalty rewards programme. If you already have a customer base, an email marketing campaign is also recommended.

Rather than just sending out an email, contact your customers directly through your social media pages and website to get in contact with them, as they are most likely to be excited about the potential to earn more. If they are not too excited by the offer, it is wise to give them the chance to save time by choosing to opt out.

6 Things to Do Before Starting a Business in 2021

Richard

A lot of people are tired of their 9 to 5 job, and everyone dreams of starting their own business.

 

However, it is not as easy to run a business as many people think. It often feels like there are a gazillion things to work on at the same time.

 

One study states that only 4% of new businesses succeed in reaching the 10-year mark. In fact, more than 50% of small companies don’t even make it to the fifth year.

 

But it’s not all gloom and doom in commerce. With a little planning, it is possible to start a business and get it off the ground.

 

In this article, you will find a list of things to do before starting a business.

1. Do your research

There are a thousand business ideas that experts promote every day on the internet. But not all of them are good. Some won’t work in your geographical area, and some require a lot of other stuff you didn’t even think of.

 

You want to make sure you understand the sector you will be involved in if you plan to dominate it. Even if you think your business idea is unique, you need to be aware of your competitors, reach your target audience, increase sales, etc.

 

That’s where it’s essential to research to see the edges of your business idea.

 

Remember that just because you have a great idea doesn’t mean that someone else didn’t have the same idea. If you find it difficult to come up with something better or cheaper than your competitors, then maybe you should rethink your concept.

 

Research the market thoroughly before you start your business. Understand the sector you want to enter, as well as the nitty-gritty details about your future competitors.

2. Determine your target market

Spend time thinking about the people you are targeting. This audience will be the driving force behind every decision you make.

 

You need to identify who needs your product or service to refine your offerings and ensure that your marketing and sales strategies reach the right people.

 

Part of that decision is understanding whether you are a business-to-consumer (B2C) or business-to-business (B2B) company.

 

Other parameters to consider are age, income, gender, and occupation.

 

When you know what influences the buying decision of your “potential customer,” it is easier for you to give them what they want, not what you want.

 

Another significant factor when defining your target audience is their geographic location.

 

Geography allows you to estimate how many people you have access to in your market. More importantly, it helps you to know the rules that govern the business environment in the target area.

 

So know who you’re targeting. A defined target market will facilitate not only customer acquisition but also customer retention.

3. Pick a legal structure

When you want to start a business, your company’s legal structure choice should be one of the most critical things on your to-do list.

 

The business’s legal structure will dictate taxes, the owner’s liability and other legal aspects, paperwork, and whether the company can have employees.

 

Besides, you must obtain both local and national registration documents required to establish your business.

 

Therefore, you must create your company’s legal statutes, obtain an employer identification number, and apply for the necessary licenses, which will be different depending on the country and the activity sector.

4. Write a business plan

A business plan outlines the steps you’ll take for a successful launch and continued growth.

 

You’ll hear many people debating whether a business plan is as essential as experts claim. Just keep in mind that a business plan still gives you a sense of direction in your business, even when it is not implemented.

 

This document is vital for setting your business’s direction, seeking and retaining capital, and attracting C-level professionals to work with you.

 

A business plan is not complicated to write. Just make sure you focus on the key elements, including:

 

  • A mission statement
  • A description of your company
  • A catalog of your services and products
  • A financial plan
  • A list of your competitors and your strengths and weaknesses

 

Even if you think you do not need it, develop a professional and concise business plan. It will help you when you are recruiting executives, raising funds, or expanding your business.

5. Look for a business mentor

Setting up and running a business is not at all easy; in fact, it’s a roller coaster.

 

To avoid making many mistakes, at the risk of closing down, find those who have already made this journey and ask them to guide you. Engage in workshops and events specific to your business sector, get in touch with other professionals you look up to, and seek guidance.

 

You may also want to consider hiring a coach to provide you with sound advice.

6. Review the technology you need

It is almost impossible to create a business in 2021 and ignore technology.

If you decide to go against the idea of implementing technology, the opportunity to gain an advantage over your competitors, or even make a name for yourself in the business world will be greatly reduced. To ensure that you can cope with anything that is thrown your way, reading something like this Edge-Native Applications post can help you to understand in more detail how you can build real-time applications, as well as how utilizing certain software can help to effectively manage the running of your business. Without such technology, your success could be limited.

Whether it’s office equipment, business service setup, machine installations, or the software needed to support your business, you will need to use technology.

 

But it’s important to use the right tools, so your business makes the most of it.

 

Here are some steps you can take to choose the right technology for your business:

 

  • Assess your business needs.
  • Make sure the technology you choose contributes to the smooth running of operations.
  • Ensure you have the support you need to install, update, and troubleshoot the technology you choose.
  • Invest in training to make the best use of technology.

 

Keep in mind that nothing and no one is infallible. Even the latest tech gadget can fail, so always have a backup plan. For example, if your management software is down, you should still be able to work, regardless.

 

Building a business from the ground up isn’t easy; but it can be a truly rewarding experience if you do your homework.

 

Now that you know everything you need to consider when starting a new business, make sure you have fun and learn along the journey. After all, if you do not enjoy the process and learn from it, then it may not be worth it.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Naresh Manchanda is a Partner at MBG Corporate Services, an international organization supporting clients across Asia, Europe and the Middle East and providing sustainable solutions and strategies that drive business transformation. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Singapore, MBG is a 450-strong member team that operates out of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, providing Legal, Risk, M&A, Tax, Strategy, Technology and Audit Services.