Harley-Davidson enthusiasts Chris McIntyre, Jeff Brown and Peter Wurmer always dreamt of touring the world on motorcycles.

Their dream is now a reality for them and the tens of thousands of customers who rent motorcycles, ATVs and watercraft from EagleRider franchise locations in the United States, Mexico, France and Spain.

McIntyre, Brown and Wurmer started EagleRider as one shop in Los Angeles in 1993, catering to adventure-seeking professionals and tourists. It has since become the largest motorcycle rental and tour franchise company in the United States and Europe.

While the three EagleRider founders have been able to see their business grow and prosper over the years, they understand that starting up a business can be a risky endeavor. To help other entrepreneurs who are interested in investing in the growing motorcycle-rental industry, they have turned EagleRider into a franchise opportunity

Simply put, franchising is a way of distributing products or services that have instant name recognition. According to statistics from the Small Business Administration and Department of Commerce, the failure rate for franchised businesses is significantly lower than for other start-up businesses.

One reason franchises are more sustainable is that they give entrepreneurs easy access to established products and proven business models, reducing some of the risks associated with starting up a business.

And as an added incentive, opening a franchise gives an entrepreneur the opportunity to operate independently while tapping into the experience and expertise of the franchiser’s organization.

Like any other investment, entrepreneurs need to do plenty of research before selecting a franchise opportunity. Consider the demand for the product or service, the franchiser’s background, the level of support you will receive and who your competition will be.

Whether you want to feed the masses with a fast-food franchise or take part in the exciting and adventurous world of motorcycle rentals, the list of franchise opportunities goes on and on.

A classic Wall Street yarn, concerning a young man who was in the early stages of learning to be a professional speculator goes something like this. The young man had a problem, so he went to an elderly gentleman noted for his shrewd investment judgment, for advice. The young man had taken on quite an extensive line of stocks, but the market looked a bit over-valued and so he was thinking that his positions carried too many risks. He wondered if he shouldn’t perhaps sell. He was so worried about it that he was having trouble sleeping.

The old man’s advice was simple and direct: “Sell” he said. “Sell back to the sleeping point.” Although there is no doubt that this advice smacks of ambiguity, there is a simple wisdom in it. We may safely assume that neither the young man nor his elder adviser knew which way the market was going, but both were aware that the market was sufficiently shaky to cause legitimate worry. Translated into somewhat more orthodox investment terms, the advice meant – Sell enough of your stocks so that a market collapse won’t destroy you, but keep enough so that if your fears turn out to be groundless, and the market rises, you’ll still profit to some extent – in the meantime, get some sleep.

At first glance, it may seem a bit cynical on the old man’s part not to outline for his young disciple an exact and detailed course of action. But he couldn’t be honest and at the same time guarantee that he knew exactly what action might turn out to be best. Furthermore, the young man didn’t want someone to tell him precisely what to do. All he wanted was some help in easing the pressure and the help he received was clearly sensible.

How to Find the Sleeping Point
In a real sense, investment formulas are designed to help you in the same way that the old man’s advice helped his young friend – they inject an element of caution in your investing when caution seems advisable, they reduce the provision for caution when risks seem relatively low and permit you to benefit when prices rise. In addition, once you incorporate a formula into your investment program, it works more or less automatically, allowing you to sleep nights in the full knowledge that you are continuously hedged against various unforeseen possibilities.

But just as the investment sage left it up to the young man to decide exactly what his “sleeping point” might be, you can select a formula appropriate to your own temperament, financial circumstances and proclivity to insomnia. Any formula can be adjusted to suit the needs and preferences of any investor.

Although formulas are designed to give un-hedged, unambiguous and unbiased indications for action, the investor should not feel that he is surrendering all personal control over his investments when he adopts a formula. The reason behind this logic is clear. It’s because each investor selects the formula that will fit his own individual comfort level. A formula doesn’t try to tell you what to do – it merely helps you do what you are already doing more profitably. For example, formulas cannot tell you which stocks to buy or currency to trade.

The whole premise of using formulas is based on the fact that those using them are normally quite sophisticated and that they know what kind of investment vehicle they are interested in, how to select them and where to go for advice in their particular area(s) of interest. However, by supplementing their knowledge with considerations of the equally important questions of when to own and in what quantity – formulas can supply a valuable added dimension to their investment results and assist in the management of their portfolio on a more professional level.

Along this same line, it is worth mentioning that although the true purpose of a formula is to supply the investor with an investment policy which is definite in its instructions at all times, you need not feel that you must follow the formula precisely in order to profit from it. You cannot, of course, ignore it altogether if you expect to benefit from it, but you can profitably use it as a touchstone or a general guide without swearing eternal allegiance to its dictates. You might, for example, want to use a formula, but also desire to increase or decrease your risks at various times for a variety of reasons. Your use of the formula will show you how far you are departing from your original plan and will give you a well-ordered program to come back to when you are ready.

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A long-established section in the federal tax code, section 1031, allows real estate investors to sell property that has been held for investment purposes and defer capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes if they acquire “like-kind” exchange property of equal or greater value and reinvest all of their equity.  Since the mid-1990s, many investors have experienced the benefit of reinvesting their equity into investment property interests structured as Tenancy-in-Common (TIC). TIC owners hold an undivided fractional ownership interest in investment property evidenced by a deed of trust.

TIC, also known as Co-ownership of Real Estate (CORE), enables an investor to participate in the ownership of institutional-grade, professionally managed investment properties.  The investor’s equity can be diversified amongst several different properties, geographic markets and real estate companies, potentially increasing both the value and safety of the real estate investment. TIC/CORE investments are designed to offer preservation of capital, predictable cash flow and long-term appreciation in institutional-quality investment property assets that benefit from greater economies of scale.

With its features and benefits, TIC/CORE is an increasingly popular 1031 exchange option for many real estate investors.  However, 1031 exchanges and TIC/CORE transactions are very complicated, with both tax and legal issues topping the list of potential pitfalls.  It is therefore essential that investors be knowledgeable about what to look for in a quality advisor.  Financial advisors are required by securities law to be properly licensed in order to consult clients regarding TIC/CORE transactions and other investment interests in real estate. Financial advisors should hold both Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses to qualify them as knowledgeable, well-rounded consultants in the investment process.  It is essential that they have experience in the commercial real estate business, in addition to an understanding of personal investment objectives and client suitability issues.

But perhaps the most important component to look for in a TIC financial advisor is their intimate, trusted and deeply rooted relationships with key real estate companies.  This attribute is critical to their ability to provide the best opportunities for their clients.  There are almost 80 real estate companies across the United

States that are either already involved or considering involvement in the TIC/CORE industry as a real estate provider.  As with any industry, these 80 companies represent varying degrees of acumen, experience and quality.  To achieve the greatest potential for a client, a financial advisor should have consistent access to the top ten percent of these companies in order to provide their client access to the best properties available.  Obviously, a new financial advisor with little or no experience or industry knowledge may not have access to the top real estate providers, as these providers prefer to work with experienced consultants that specialize in this unique segment of the market.

Investors should also be aware of how their financial advisor stacks up, looking for a history of successfully completed transactions.  A long and proven track record indicates that a financial advisor is an experienced professional.  An investor wants such an advisor in their corner asking all the right questions, making appropriate and suitable recommendations, understanding the nuances of successfully completing TIC/CORE transactions and providing answers to any and all tax and legal questions.

When considering a 1031 exchange or TIC/CORE investment, investors should ask the following specific questions of the financial advisor:

* What percentage of your business is 1031 exchange and/or TIC/CORE related?
* How many investors have you consulted that invested in TIC/CORE structured properties this year?  How many last year?
* How long have 1031 exchanges and TIC/CORE been a focus of your investment recommendations?
* Do you have the appropriate licenses to complete this transaction (Series 7, Series 63 securities licenses)?
* With which real estate providers do you work most closely?

As customer demand continues to drive this segment of the real estate market, the emphasis on quality – quality consulting, quality property, and quality transactions – will be increasingly important.  Part of the qualitative process is ensuring that financial advisors representing a client make appropriate recommendations for that client based on the client’s best interest and not based on any “bias.”  A final issue that needs to be addressed is that it is not unusual for “referral” compensation to be paid between referring parties. This practice is illegal and a complete breach of ethics,.  Therefore, if any form of compensation changes hands – disclosed or undisclosed – between financial advisors and Qualified Intermediaries, real estate companies or other unlicensed individuals derived from an exchange transaction, a felony may have occurred.

In short, investors should take the time to identify a reputable advisor who not only can provide acceptable answers to the above questions, but who will also have the relationships necessary to guide their clients into the appropriate investment.  It is important to remember, firms or individuals involved in recommending, offering or selling 1031 TIC/CORE investments must be licensed with a broker-dealer, the SEC, the NASD and the state securities regulators in every state in which the firm or individual operates and in which the client resides. Any “unlicensed” firm or individual involved in recommending, offering or selling these investments is in direct violation of federal and state securities laws.

Co-ownership is the fastest growing option for 1031 exchange investors seeking suitable replacement property.  Properly structured and presented, such investments can also generate new listing opportunities for real estate agents while satisfying both the IRS “like-kind” investment property requirements and the SEC and NASD securities regulations.  The advantages of co-ownership of institutional-grade real estate are clear and compelling.  When exploring co-ownership, smart investors need to seek out industry experts to guide them through the replacement property process.  It is indeed the wise investor who is aware of his or her long-term goals that seeks experienced guidance to chart their course, thereby turning TIC/CORE investment opportunities into realities.

(c) 2005, 1031 Exchange Options.  Reprint rights granted so long as the article and by-line are reprinted intact and all links made live.  This article is neither an offer to sell nor an offer to buy real estate or securities. There are material risks associated with the ownership of real estate. You must be an accredited investor. Securities offered through Sigma Financial Corporation, Member NASD/SIPC.

FOREX trading refers to an international, 24/7, over the counter, exchange market where currencies of different nations are bought and sold. Trading is always done in pairs assuming the price of currency bought to go up and that sold to fall down. It is the largest liquid financial market making it impossible for any single investor to influence the prices of currencies.

There are two kinds of FOREX investing strategies:

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS:

Technical analysis is mostly undertaken by small and medium size investors.
A technical analysis considers factors that are actually affecting the market rather than factors that can affect it. Thus the price quoted reflects all the factors that have influenced it. Only market generated facts and figures are taken into account and factors like fear, hope, expectations or other changes are not considered. Thus the analysis is generally based on these suppositions:

• Price reflects all actual market movements. That means price includes everything known to the market like supply and demand of foreign exchange, political factors, trade agreements etc. It is not concerned with what resulted in change rather deals with actual changes. It works on the assumption that price can take only one of the three directions:

 Upward
 downward
 sideward

• It rest on those market patterns that have been identified as significant. That means those factors which are repetitive in nature or will produce desired results.

• History always repeats itself as human psychology changes very slowly with time. That is market movements are predictable.

VARIOUS TECHNICAL INDICATORS ARE:

1. RELATIVE STRENGTH INDEX:

It takes into account the ratio of upward and downward movements in index and expresses it in the range of zero to hundred.

2.CHARTS:

Charts include various hills, slopes, curves that develop on a chart over a time and reflect some major and minor changes in pattern. Some of the chart formations include:

• TRIANGLE
• RECTANGLE
• HEAD AND SHOULDERS
• DOUBLE TOP AND BOTTOM
• SAUCERS
• V

3.GAPS:

A gap represents area on a bar chart where no trading took place.

• UPGAP: it is formed when the lowest price on a particular day is more than the highest price of previous day.

• DOWNGAP: it is formed when highest price of a certain day is less than the lowest price on previous day.

NUMBERS:

Various number theories are used in technical analysis like:

• Fibonacci theory
• GANN

STOCHASTIC OSCILLATOR:

This indicates the overbought or/and undersold condition. It uses a scale of zero to hundred percent.

FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS:

It is the one where current economic, political, financial situation of the country of currency is studied. A country’s economical and political condition depends upon many factors like the interest rate, unemployment level, exports and imports, per capita income, percentage of population living above and below the poverty line, inflation, trade relations with other countries, tax policies etc.

A fundamental analyst studies and evaluates all these factors before coming to any decision. Thus it helps in long tem decision making and making profits in short term by extra ordinary developments.

Some of the indicators that help in fundamental analysis include:

1. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT:

It reflects total market value of all the goods and services produced in a country during a given year.

2. RETAIL SALES:

This reflects total receipts by all the retail stores in a country.

3. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:

It reflects change in prices of consumer goods.

4. BUSINESS CYCLE:

It reflects various phases through which a business passes. These phases include:

• EXPANSION
• PEAK
• RECESSION
• DEPRESSION

5. MONETRY POLICY:

It controls the supply of money in an economy.

Trading successfully needs knowledge, time and understanding of a market. You cannot earn continuously in a Forex market due to its volatile nature. Thus as a trader you should try to consider both technical and fundamental strategies of forex trading and make decision based on market expectations and trends. Try trading with money that you can afford to loose without any regrets. Trade with logic and if you are not sure quit and take rest for some time.

With the housing market cooling and demand for mortgage loans shrinking, banks and other lenders are turning to nontraditional and sometimes riskier mortgages to bring in additional business and make up their dropped off business.

Many lenders have turned to mortgage products designed to lower monthly loan payments and to help borrowers qualify more readily for larger loan amounts, while others require little in the way of documentation during the approval process. These loans do make it easier for some people to get mortgages, but they also can raise the possibility that some borrowers may end up in foreclosure. For the real estate investor or home buyer these market conditions represent a window of opportunity

As housing monetary value appreciation rates slow, more mortgages going into default. Foreclosure notices has edged up in recent months, providing yet Another sign of a cool down in the real estate market across the U.S. For example in San Diego County, CA. Banks and other lenders sent 1,266 letters of default to borrowers in the third quarter, a notice that gives homeowners 90 days to become current on payments before moving towards a foreclosure auction.

At the height of the real estate boom, the double-digit rises in home equity meant customers could pull out monies from the increased home equity to bask a life style that they could really not afford. Flush with the ability to tap into home equity loans, homeowners have pulled out cash to purchase new cars, furniture, vacations and other luxuries. Another boost to their life styles was rendered when homeowners refinanced using adjustable-rate mortgage loans that cut their monthly payments.

But now the conditions are changing, in many areas of the country real estate price levels are flattening out and even not rising in some real estate markets. With little or no increase in home equity, or even vanishing equity, homeowners could find themselves in a tight spot.

Additional forces are also having an impact on the housing market: New federal laws regarding credit card payments have passed to an increase in the minimum payment mandatory on credit card debt. For many people that payment will now be twice what it has been in the past. And, as energy prices and health care costs continue to march upwards to new all-time highs. Growing numbers of people are in financial situations where moines spent are exceeding monies earned.

For the first-time real estate investor or seasoned veteran, the current market conditions are a window of opportunity for those shopping to buy real estate property just before foreclosure. A growing number of homeowners have withdrawen all their equity (sometimes as much as 110% of their home’s value.) and now house values have turned down and they are upside down -where they owe more than they can sell the house for. Trapped in a situation where they can’t pay their debts and they can’t find a buyer for their home, real estate investors who understand the default process can offer a solution that offers the homeowner in default a way to escape from their mortgage payments and for the investor a way to secure a property in the process.