Happily for Canadians, we’ve been blessed with one of the strongest global banking systems, which protected us in many ways from the fallout that is so evident in the USA. That being said, the challenges of generating revenues, let alone profits are becoming increasingly difficult.

A good friend told me about his Dad, a furniture/appliance salesman, who taught the son a most important credo: “Nothing happens until someone sells something”. And he was right.

We find ourselves surrounded by marketers, and inventory fulfillment plans, along with accountants and line-item budgets. But the fact is that until someone identifies a possibility, builds a relationship, makes a sale, and then closes the deal, there is no revenue. It’s pretty obvious that without revenue, there are no profits. Without profits, there is no possibility of research and development for new products. Without new products, there is nothing more than a declining market. Think about the famous Buggy Whip manufacturing industry.

This is not to say that Sales is in and of itself the #1 criteria for success, far from it. It takes relationships between sales, marketing, inventory finance and consumer needs and wants to make a successful product and company.

A good Sales person understands this, and shares their knowledge of their customer base with the rest of the team.

CSE is a resource for all Sales people to share their insights with their colleagues, to everyone’s benefit.

Join up and share… it’s free, easy and quite social.

Business conferences can be exhausting. I’m not sure why- it doesn’t seem like you do anything special but maybe that is just it. What you are doing at a conference is different from your daily routine therefore it takes more effort than you think it does. How do you deal with it? You need to be up for the good sessions and to make a good impression in the networking arena. Here are some quick tips for helping you stay on top of your game during conferences.

1. Pack comfortable shoes and clothes. Your conference might have a dress code – or at least an unspoken one – but find clothing that is comfortable to wear and that makes you feel good. Shoes are a big deal because you often end up standing for long periods and some conferences are in huge venues where you have to walk forever to get to breakout sessions. For any of you who have screwed up in the shoe department you know how miserable the wrong shoes can be.
2. Select the sessions you want to attend before getting to the conference. That way you can do a little planning and even some research so you can talk articulately about the topics in networking conversations. Figure out what is going to do you the most good in your career and be sure to get to those sessions in time to get a seat. What you want may be what everyone else wants to and it is pretty disappointing to be the one who gets shut out of a popular session.
3. Stay in the convention hotel if you can. It saves you a lot of travel time and it is very convenient. You can even slip up to your room if you need a quick nap or just to put your feet up for a little while. Sometimes this can make all of the difference in your energy level.
4. Plan your day so that you get some exercise. Sometimes walking the conference center is enough but there will also be those who want to use the exercise room. Plan ahead. There will probably be lots of other like-minded people and the exercise room is liable to be crowded. Try to pick some times that are not so popular so you can get your work-out done the way you like it.
5. Don’t force yourself to attend sessions just to attend sessions. Go to the stuff that is important and let the rest go. Most conferences have very long days so pace yourself so that you will enjoy the things you do chose to attend.

If you do a little planning and follow a few of these tips your conference experience should be fun and refreshing. Can’t do anything about the quality of the speakers – you are on your own there.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Banis

Having lived in China for a year, I realized that to survive in China is difficult, but the most difficult thing is to make business with Chinese companies. The problem is not in law restrictions and regulations, the problem is in Chinese mentality.

There are several main opportunities to cooperate with China, such as import/export of goods, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) or to open/buy your own factory.

This post is not aimed to explain how to establish the cooperation with Chinese companies toward that main opportunities and how to hold negotiates from the technical point of view, however it is aimed to offer advice “how to deal with Chinese mentality in business relations”.

The most practical advice for all the newcomers is to be well up in Chinese culture. However, the irony is that almost everyone knows about it, but doesn’t apply this invaluable advice. An important Chinese business element is “Guanxi”. It seems that the business world divided into two parts – the Chinese business world called “Guanxi” and the others.

“Guanxi” is translated from Chinese as rapport between two people or countries. However in modern business environment the term “guanxi” becomes a buzzword and means the network of relations among business partners which cooperate together and support one another. Notwithstanding, a Chinese partner considers support as scratching partners back keeping in mind that the partner also is scratching his or her back. And what to do?

The solution to this problem is to pay much attention to study Chinese culture and therefore to study such interesting phenomenon as “guanxi”. Without clear understanding of Chinese culture it is impossible to establish tie and mutually beneficial business relations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_S_Stuart

The social networking phenomenon Twitter is so popular and so big that any business, particularly an internet based business, cannot afford to miss out on its potential as a great tool for marketing.

Twitter is a free-to-use miniature blogging network that encourages users to exchange news and views (“Tweet”) with each other using messages restricted to no more than 140 characters. Its tremendously valuable to marketers because of its capacity to target a specific audience and communicate with them in realtime. Add to this the fact that the 140-character limit ensures your messages have to be quick and focused, and they are therefore extremely suited to delivery to mobile devices, and you now begin to see Twitter as the marketers dream tool.

So, if you haven’t already opened a Twitter account, do it now and this is what you need to know:

Your Profile – How to maximise its business value

• If its not too late, keep your username short and try to choose something that ties in with your business and its products/services.
• Keep your personal profile constantly up-to-date and make sure you include your business details and visual personality.
• Write about yourself in a relaxed, friendly, one-to-one style and reveal a little bit about your personality and your interests from time-to-time.
• Add your picture to your profile. It helps viewers to make a stronger connection with you if they can see a ‘real person’ rather than imagining what the anonymous person ‘hiding’ behind a Twitter name might be like.
• Search for Tweets related to your business sector and participate in some of the conversations. Over time this will help to build up your credibility in the Twitter community as an expert in your chosen field. Eventually this will start to pull in some sales based on your online reputation but it is a long term game of patience. But hey! Tweeting is fun so just enjoy yourself as you go.
• When you are commenting on Tweets that interest you and your potential audience, make sure that you use ReTweets (RT) and replies (@…..) so that there is an online trail linking back to you.
• Make it easy for others to ReTweet your message by leaving space for someone else to include the standard ReTweet statement without having to edit down what you original wrote. This means you need to leave the number of characters in your username plus enough space for adding the ‘RT@’ message. It helps if you choose a shortish username because you have more characters available for your message.

Communicating – How to capture and keep the attention of your audience

• Asking other Twitter users for help with a problem, or help finding a piece of information, or seeking their comments on a topic is a great way to start conversations with a niche group of people and to build up ongoing relationships that could later turn in to sales.
• Refer users to other Tweeters in the interests of helping them to find what they are after. Good deeds like this are surprisingly often remembered and then repaid at a later date, so always look to help someone out if you can because you could very well be rewarded later. Whenever you see an opportunity to offer advice or assistance to someone, then do so. Not only is it in the spirit of what the Twitter community is all about but the knowledge you pass on helps position you as an expert in your field. This helps build up the credibility of your business and your products/services.
• Check your Direct Messages (DM) regularly. Inevitably there will be messages that don’t interest you but, as with your email accounts, make sure that you make time to reply to the honest, deserving ones.
• Use Hash Tags ( # ) in your Tweets to make your messages more easily found by Twitter search engines. This is like using Keywords to search for something on Google or Yahoo and makes your Tweet available to a wider audience who are interested in the subject you have tagged your message with. For example, # business finance or # Pay Per Click Advice.
• Limit your out-and-out promotional Tweets to just the occasional one. Keep a good 80% of what you Tweet concentrated on being informative, helpful and topical. This way you’ll build up integrity and trust with your fellow Tweeters which means that when they are looking to buy the sort of product/service that you offer, you’ve got a head start over your competitors for getting that sale.
• Don’t go for the heavy sell when you are Tweeting a marketing message – its obvious what you are doing and it just puts people off. Try a low key, relaxed approach that suggests a benefit to the reader of the Tweet. For example, “I’ve just added a new # business finance article to my website. See how you could save thousands on your loans ww.mybusinesswebsite.com”. See how that lessens the feeling of a heavy sell, pure marketing message?
• Getting your own posts Retweeted is all about consistently writing good value content for your followers. Done right, Retweeting succeeds in helping your followers, building your business brand, increasing your Twitter and website traffic, and makes you a key player within your Twitter niche.
• Regularly posting new Tweets helps to drive more traffic to your site. The committed Twitter users that you are trying to connect with like people that post Tweets frequently. So try to work to a fixed schedule of days and times when you post new Tweets so that you are seen to be a committed, reliable Tweeter yourself.

Make good use of Links

• Place a “Follow me on Twitter” link on your website, your blog, your Facebook page, at the foot of your emails, your business cards; everywhere that you can think of. Promote it widely because these days Twitter can be a favourite way for some people to find out about what’s new and to track down something they are looking for. So fly the Twitter flag and don’t miss out.
• Add yourself to the “We Follow Twitter” Directory so that others can find your contact details.
• Put website links in your Tweets to useful sources of information for your Followers, and not just to your own website. If your Tweets stay focused on your particular niche interest, and your website serves that same market niche, then don’t worry that your Tweets telling others about something good on another website will divert your Followers permanently away from your site.
• Keep the content of your website high on quality and value; and do the same with your Tweets. This way people will keep coming back to check the latest thing that you have talked about and therefore you will get a noticeable gradual increase in your Twitter and your website traffic.
• There is good value to be gained from tracking down and following a few top businessmen, internet marketers or your favourite entrepreneur on the BBC’s “Dragons Den” programme. There’s a couple of reasons for saying this. Firstly, it gives you some insight in to how they are using Twitter so you might pick up some useful tips along the way. And secondly, your interest in them will be seen by others and will attract some attention to what you are saying and doing. People are naturally curious and therefore they often click on the links to find out more about the Followers of the top businessman or whoever it is that you all share a common interest in.

Tools that will help you

• Track down your target audience using the Twitter search tools. Think about likely keywords people would be using (see the bulletpoint about Hash Tags) and look for niche groups and forums to join.
• Look out for breaking news stories about your industry or the business sector you trade in. Participate in the conversations and give your own clear opinion. Supporters of your views are likely to check out your profile and perhaps make later contact with you, independent of the news story that first connected you.
• If you are not sure about some of the jargon associated with Twitter then look it up on the Twitter Dictionary at Webopedia.com
• When you want to include a website link in your Tweet it is really helpful to reduce the length of the website page URL. Save characters in your Tweet by using a URL Redirection Service (“URL Shrinker”) such as TinyURL, Cligs or Bit.ly. Typically these will replace a very long web page URL with a short 20 character code which directs a user to the desired web page when it is clicked on in your Tweet.
• An added benefit of using a URL Shrinker service is that you can get tracking information about each of your coded Tweets which is incredibly valuable to you in showing you which Tweets were popular and which were not. Use this information to help shape your marketing strategies and your future Twitter messages.
• A handy tool for maintaining a regular flow of Tweets is available at FutureTweets.com This works rather like an autoresponder because you can prepare a batch of messages for future publication and then set up the software to deliver them at the dates and times of your choice.
• When you’ve started to gather Followers who are making enquiries about your products/services it helps to be able to send them pictures via Twitter. To do this set up a TwitPic account at twitpic.com and upload your photos to it for easy publication on Twitter.
• There’s a useful gadget for finding out who you are following that isn’t following you back. It’s called Tweepler and you can get it at tweepler.com Again, this is something that will aid you with your marketing plans so take a look and make use of it.
• Remember, there’s new stuff and gadgets coming out all the time for Twitter, so keep your eyes open, follow the news and look into the latest technology releases and social networking trends as they arise.

There will inevitably be more developments to come which will help you even more with your strategy of using Twitter for marketing, so take advantage of everything you’ve learnt on this factsheet and keep it going for the long term in order to achieve success for your business. Happy Tweeting!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_John_Walker

So you have the big screen, you have the speakers, you have the receiver, you have the cables, you have the big chairs, so now what? A home theater is like a car in the sense that you can buy a low end model or you can buy a high end model, but you’re not going to get your best performance out of either unless you have tuned it up to optimal performance. We all know what a car tune up involves, but how many of us know what we need to do to give our home theater the tune up to make it run at optimal levels? The fact of the matter is that there are some things that you can do that are really quite simple to get the most out your home theater.

When setting up the television or projector the first and most obvious thing you need to consider is light conditions. High light levels will disturb the image on even the most high end television, so you want to do everything in your power to keep the light levels low. The same way you can’t see the screen in an actual movie theater when the lights go up the same applies to a home theater.

When setting up your speakers you will need to experiment to find the optimal positioning. Try to keep the front three speakers off the ceiling and position the other speakers in accordance with their desired setup positioning, but from there you will really need to judge the best spot for each speaker subjectively. Once your speakers are in place make sure that the sound wave is not being blocked by an object that is in the way. The potted plant may look nicer than the speaker but you’re better off having an un-obscured speaker than a pretty object and a dead sound.

Next consider the walls of the theater. Drywall is okay but curtains on all sides are best, and again you can obscure light with curtains that would otherwise interfere with the television image. If you have paneled walls you will defiantly want to consider some kind of curtain or covering. Same thing goes with the floor. If you have a hardwood floor start looking for a serious area rug to help with some of the sound trapping. Also look to avoid having sound reflecting materials on the walls or ceiling. Avoid hanging pictures on the walls of your home theater, and you might be better served again by not having that potted plant or a sculpture in the theater.

These are just some of the things to consider when you are setting up and calibrating your home theater. A good deal of what you will do to make your theater sound and look its best will come down to tweaking once everything is installed and setup. So get it all hooked up and sit down and enjoy but start thinking about some of the things mentioned and consider making changes to improve your experience in the future after initial setup.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_Boswell

With wireless Internet and other electronics technology completely changing just about everything these days, it is no surprise that some peoples marriages are being affected by their brand new 4G phones! Sure, you were prepared for this amazing, life-altering technology to change the way you did business. You knew that your company would become more efficient and productive, and that you would be in better communication with your coworkers and your clients throughout the work week and beyond. And you also had a feeling that some degree of your social life would be altered by these technologies. Constant, uninterrupted, almost instantaneous mail access, for example, makes it easier to stay in touch with old friends and far-away family – that is a fact that cannot be denied, and its impact has been huge. But somehow the bonds of marriage seemed too intimate, too old of a tradition to truly be able to be affected by something as earthly as a brand new, high-speed 4G phone!

But, alas, many couples are finding that their new Internet phones are changing spousal dynamics in significant ways. Some of these developments are good, some of these developments are bad, and some of them are just neutral. Here are some of the biggest ways that your 4G phone might be affecting your marriage.

1. Communication between spouses is constant.

This major change could be an amazing thing, or a horrifying thing, depending on whom you ask. While spouses used to have to wait until the end of the work day to see or hear from each other, now they can text and call each other throughout the day. This can lead to increased closeness – they do not have to be apart for 10 hours or however long it takes to go to work, including a commute on each end of the day. Or it can lead to utter saturation. Some people prefer to have a little bit of space, and would not mind a chunk of their day spent in an environment that does not involve their significant other, with whom they spend the other 14 hours of every single day.

2. Communication with third parties is easier than ever.

Many marriages that end do so because at least one of the spouses has strayed. The old image that this might bring to mind is the husband going to some dive bar with his buddies and picking up the nearest blond after a couple of fingers of whiskey, and going back to some seedy motel on the wrong side of the tracks. This kind of straying involved a certain kind of willful unfaithfulness. But with 4G phones, coworker flirtations can develop without anyone having to explicitly demonstrate interest in the other party, which can lead to emotional affairs and beyond.

3. Long distances are collapsed

Some people end up having to travel a great deal for work, which can put a strain on even the healthiest of relationships. Having a phone with constant, reliable Internet access and reception means that it is easier than ever to stay in touch with home, and whoever may be waiting there for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Tandle

The restaurant scene in North Vancouver has evolved immensely in the past 50 years. I use this period of time because it was 50 years ago that the Seven Seas Restaurant was opened at the foot of Lonsdale. A converted passenger ferry, it served the community of North Vancouver for about four decades before the City of North Vancouver decided to unceremoniously deep six it in 2002.

It was a surprising decision because the old ferry was more than just a restaurant; it was a tourist attraction and a corner stone of the community. It served as a historic reminder of North Vancouver’s dependence on ferries to move people and goods on and off the North Shore prior to the erection of first and second narrows bridges. For most, the Seven Seas Restaurant was the only reason to venture down to the foot of Lonsdale which was the industrial heart of North Vancouver. It stuck out like a sore thumb in the early years but still attracted people to its legendary buffet table, just the same.

Since the Seven Seas’ start in its unlikely location, the foot of Lonsdale has changed immensely. Today, restaurants can be found at every turn and line both sides of Lonsdale Avenue, all the way up to the upper levels highway. This 2.3 kilometre stretch of road has enough culinary choice to delight the most discerning of pallets, drawing people from all over the lower mainland. So prevalent are the eateries and coffee shops along this strip, one might assume that they are the driving force behind the rejuvenation of the Lonsdale corridor.

Now, as much of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver redevelops, we are beginning to see similar patterns developing elsewhere. The latest is in Lynn Valley where the new Lynn Valley Village Square has attracted no less that seven new places where you can find a bite to eat or a drink of you choice. Although there is a ways to go before you could consider Lynn Valley a dining destination, residents now have a few more choices. The need to leave the community to find a decent meal is a little less necessary.

As the Lynn Valley “Pod of Density” continues to develop and the population grows, larger chain restaurants are destine to arrive. It is only a matter of time before larger establishments such as Earl’s, Milestones, Cactus Club or Brown’s locate in the village center and like Lonsdale, Lynn Valley will eventually be awash with restaurants. The once quiet backwoods community of Lynn Valley will become a bustling urban satellite and all the dining choices that come with it.

However, if the Seven Seas experience can be taken as any indication of what a restaurant needs to do to be successful in North Vancouver, they will have to do three things. They will need to be a integral part of the community it serves, provide quality meals that are of exceptional value and finally they will have to attract people from outside of the community. Whether this happens in Lynn Valley or not, only time will tell but things are looking up for those of us who love to dine a little closer to home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kieth_Rispin

From elegant and chic to inexpensive and family-friendly, the restaurant options in Toronto are as varied as the city itself. Here are some top suggestions that will suit those looking to indulge as well as foodies seeking more thrifty yet flavourful fare.

Canoe

Named the top restaurant in the city in 2009 by Toronto Life magazine, Canoe is a constant favourite with gastronomes. High on the 54th floor of a tower in the city’s banking district, Canoe features incredible views of Toronto, al in a sleek setting. Highlights from Chef Anthony Walsh’s contemporary Canadian menu include honey mussels from British Columbia, lamb loin from Alberta and suckling pig from the praised St. Canut Farms. Entrees are priced in the $38 to $44 (Canadian) range. The menu for Canoe’s can be found at their parent company Oliver and Bonacini’s website.

Canoe is located at 66 Wellington Street West at Bay Street. For reservations, call 416-364-0054.

Conviction

Chef Mark Thuet’s bistro features upscale dining with a twist. From the front of the house to the back of the kitchen, Conviction is staffed with former inmates. Wanting to give reformed ex-cons a chance to turn their lives around, the alternative staff work under the direction of Thuet and his wife and business partner Biana Zorich. The restaurant opening was filmed as a TV reality show called “Conviction Kitchen”. The menu showcases Thuet’s dedication to local ingredients and offers French favourites such as cassoulet and choucroute. Dishes are priced from $20 and $40, and tasting menus are available. Visit the restaurant’s website for more information.

Conviction is located at 609 King Street West. For reservations call 416-603-2777 ext. 1.

Mistura

Chef Massimo Capra’s midtown Toronto hotspot offers a modern Italian menu with delights such as Nova Scotia scallops, Ontario rabbit and Alberta lamb ribs. Highlights include beet risotto and wild boar agnolotti with sour cherries. After dinner, head upstairs to their sister restaurant Sopra for some live jazz. Entrees range from $30 to $50. Visit their website for the most current menu.

Mistura is located at 265 Davenport Road at Avenue Road. For reservations, call 416-515-0009.

Pizzeria Libretto

Have a craving some real Italian pizza? Try Pizzeria Libretto in Ossington Village. With its energetic dining room packed with cozy booths and shared tables, this family-friendly, boisterous and fun eatery draws foodies from all over Toronto with its genuine Neopolitan wood-fired pizza is often called the best pizza in the city. Chef Rocco Agostino brings in fresh San Marzano tomatoes and Ontario Fiore di Latte mozzarella for his pizza pies each day, which are then baked in a oven that was built in Naples especially for the restaurant. There is a pizza to suit every taste on the menu, from the Prosciutto and Arugula to the Rapini topped with goat’s cheese, black olives and mozzarella. Pizzas are priced between $10 to $16.

Pizzeria Libretto is located at 221 Ossington Avenue at Dundas Street West. Visit the pizzeria’s website for more information. Reservations are not accepted.

El Trompo

This taco bar in Toronto’s vibrant Kensington market is wildly popular with both tourists and locals looking for a delicious lunch under $15. Traditional Mexico-city style tacos with marinated pork are served on corn tortillas with pineapple and onion coriander; the menu also features beef, mushroom and spicy tinga chicken versions as well as horchata, the traditional Mexican cinnamon-flavoured sweet milky rice drink.

El Trompo is located at 277 Augusta Avenue. Visit their website for hours of operation.

Whether you are looking for a great meal in a formal dining room or on a casual patio, the Toronto restaurant scene offers something for everyone!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosalie_Scott

If you are planning to visit the city of Montreal and want to taste some pure Mediterranean taste, then you would probably want to know about the best known Mediterranean restaurants in Montreal. The city of Montreal enjoys great popularity among people to provide a wide variety of food.

All over the city, you can find various restaurants like Bistro, Mediterranean, Lebanese, Caribbean, Asian and more. When you want to taste some Mediterranean dishes, you can get a wide selection of cuisines to select from.

Montreal is observed as a city popular as a restaurant destination. It is the city for food lovers. The second biggest city in Canada comes with a blend of both new and old to offer you a great time to relax, eat and have fun.

Montreal Mediterranean restaurants provide a wide variety of cuisines. Few of their given specialties are Montreal bagel, delicious smoked meat, hot dog and grilled fish. All of dishes cooked with best cheese, olive oil and other fresh ingredients. There are two popular Mediterranean restaurants in Montreal. There are La Goelette Plus and Ella Grill.

La Goelette Plus

The La Goelette Plus is a popular Mediterranean restaurant in Montreal. Established in the year 1980′s, La Goelette is a popular spot in St-Laurent Boulevard. This restaurant occupies a good position among the other best known restaurants in Montreal. Its specialties lie in offering fresh and quality food.

Not only sea delicacies, there are other mouth-watering cuisines which adds a great feel and taste. If you want to taste something fresh and unique, then La Goelette is the place to be. You even get a range of outstanding delicacies like Black Angus Beef, milk fed lamb and a variety of other Greek specialties.

Not to forget the extensive list of wines served in La Goelette Plus. Complementing your dish, this Montreal restaurant brings you a great collection of selective wines. The list of wines provides you wide pricing and selection.

This is a great place where you can guarantee an elegant evening with friends and family. The warm decoration, the professional approach leave the guests stunned. In order to enjoy an elegant evening, La Goelette will be a perfect choice.

Ella Grill

If you are unknown to the true essence of the traditional Greco-Mediterranean cuisines, then you need to visit Ella Grill. Be sure to spend a great time in this Montreal restaurant. Ella Grill is specially known to offer a soothing environment that makes the restaurant a delightful and an outstanding one to visit.

The refreshing Martini cocktails add a distinct flavor and set your evening in the right spirit. Ella Grill comes with its unique specialties and the hand picked fresh dishes prepared with perfection stands alluring all the way.

Ella Grill serves you some of the best appetizers including grilled oyster mushrooms, marinated octopus, lamb chops, traditional Greek salads. Overall, Ella is a popular restaurant which promises an awesome environment, food quality and service quality. If you want to have great fun and spend time, then Ella is the right place to spend some quality time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Soma_Piyali_Nath

I can’t tell you the number of times my husband Dave has gone shopping only to come home with something he didn’t really need, or worse, something that didn’t quite fit but he bought it anyway just because it was on sale!!He’ll buy a pair of pants that are a little too short or a little too tight just because they are 50% off. Or he will buy a jacket with a collar that has one side sticking up and one side laying flat just because it’s a clearance item.

And in the end, he never even wears these things because they don’t quite fit him!

And as silly as it sounds to buy something you’ll never use just because it’s on sale, it’s what some Canadians seem to be doing these days as they rush down the the US and buy property. With the Canadian dollar so strong, our economy holding steady, and the house prices in the US so much lower than they’ve been in years, many Canadians think their favourite destinations like Palm Springs, Phoenix, and various places in Florida are experiencing the biggest sale EVER. And they rush down in a frenzy to buy a place…. or in some cases they don’t even rush down they buy without ever seeing what they are picking up!!

If you’re considering buying property in the US then there are some things you should consider carefully:

• Will this be an investment or a lifestyle property? The answer to this will make a big difference in where you buy as well as potentially how you hold the property. You’ll also want to make sure you get tax planning advice because you could be subject to taxation in 2 countries if you haven’t set everything up right for an investment property.
• Where do you want to hold the property? Be sure to consider the ease of access from your Canadian home as well as the other things you’re looking for.
• How the property will be held.
• How will you finance the property? (most people get financing in Canada to pay cash for their property in the US but there are financing programs available to Canadians in the US if you put a large amount of money down on the property).
• How much time you plan to spend in the US. This is similar to whether it’s going to be a lifestyle property or an investment property. Does owning a place in the US mean you will only vacation in the US? If you have big dreams of an African Safari or Paris in the springtime then you have to consider that.

Ultimately, I think you should treat this purchase like you would any other real estate investment. Start with your goals. Complete good market research to identify where you want to buy. Begin building the team you’ll need to buy in that area as you search for properties, and then buy your property. To do this properly, I believe, you will have to visit the area you choose to buy in several times and see a lot of properties in those visits.

Then… besides following that process and devoting time and effort to the market research, I believe the next biggest thing you need to take care of is understanding the tax implications of what you buy. And you’ll want to set yourself up in a way that allows you to minimize the tax burden.

There is a lot to consider when buying an investment property…. especially when you’re looking to do it in another country. If you are a Canadian looking to buy in the US then you should definitely pick up a copy of Philip McKernan’s book South of 49. It will walk you through the essential things you need to know! And the proceeds from the sale of the book are all being donated to help children in Sri Lanka! You’ll help yourself from feeling like you’ve just bought a property for no other reason than it’s on sale… and you’ll be helping children in another country!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_A_Broad