How To Sell Your House Without An Agent?

Selling your home is not the same anymore. A lot of changes have taken place over the last few years. A few years ago, people would give agents 1,8% of their home’s selling price just so they could get a valuation, listing in-branch and online, photographs, and supplying a sales board. 

As of today, the figure has reduced to 1.42%. This means that agents receive a total of 4,260 pounds for a property that is worth 300,000 pounds. The money they receive can have a small variation of less than 1% to even 3.5%. This results in frustrations among some sellers. How can sellers take matters into their own hands? 

Tips on how to sell your house without an agent. 

  1. Ensure the house is sell-able 

If you have decided to sell house without an agent, make sure the process is as easy as it can be. Make sure your house is sell-able as much as possible. Traditionally, kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that make a house sell-able. If you are not in a position to change the kitchen, then don’t do it. Just tidy it up or rather replace any elements that are broken.

  1. Set a price 

With your house having an upgraded look, the next task at hand is picking a price for the house. This is where you will mostly rely on an agent for help. This does not mean you can’t do it on your own. You can surprise yourself. 

Most agents give inflation values which in most cases is normally a tactic to make sure you choose them. At no moment can an agent have a higher price than the other. The market is the same. This is all thanks to the ability of what the internet can do. You should carry out your own research and evaluate comparable properties. 

  1. Write a description 

Once you have your price set, then you are ready to show potential buyers what your property looks like. Before showing off the property, write down a few words about your home. This will play a major role in enticing buyers to your front yard. Do not be tempted to write detailed information about how beautiful and wonderful your property is, keeping the information brief will prove to be more efficient. 

  1. Take quality photos of your home 

Photos will not do the property any justice if they are of low quality. If you choose to use photos for marketing your home, then make sure that the photos are of that property. If the property is located in a rural setting, then buyers will want to get a glimpse of land that is available and other views around the property. 

If the property is modern and is located in a central location, take shots of the lifestyle setting around that area. This will be more interesting compared to just taking bathroom and kitchen photos. While taking photos, make sure you take shots displaying the front and decent garden shots. 

  1. List your property 

Now that you have decided not to utilize the help of an agent, you will have to handle the issues of advertising, pricing, and viewings on your own. According to https://www.ii.co.uk, This is an ideal option if you already have an interested buyer. You can also make use of websites that do property advertisements. Most of these websites do not charge any commission to sell the property. They make their own money by carrying out targeted advertising. 

However, these advertising websites do not provide you with any access to major property portals since some of them accept advertisements from estate agents only. You can use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to reach a larger audience. 

  1. Arranging viewings 

Estate agents always come in handy when it comes to showing your property. This is always an advantage to those who work during the day. You can enlist friends and family members to help you show potential buyers your home. This will save you from paying estate agent fees. 

  1. Negotiating a price 

When it comes to financial issues, you must keep a straight head. Do not be intimidated by the process. Decide the price that you will be okay with when offered and don’t accept anything below your desired price. 

In case you refuse to accept a price, make sure to do it in a friendly way. Make sure to keep the communication as friendly as you possibly could. 

  1. Accepting an offer 

If the offer works in your favor, do it verbally then later through email. At this point, nothing binds you legally until you exchange contracts with the buyer. 

  1. Instruct a solicitor 

After accepting the offer, you will need to instruct a conveyancer or solicitor to take care of your legal work. Make sure to choose a licensed conveyancer. 

  1. Take care of renegotiation 

When the buyer gives instructions to his surveyor that they want to renegotiate the price of the home. Handle the renegotiation on your own. 

Conclusion 

Selling the property without the help of an agent might seem tasking, but once you do some research about it, the whole process will be easy.

Disguised Threats: 11 Common Cyber Attacks You Should Watch Out On Various Devices

Cyber attacks are common threats to computers or user’s personal data by an organization or a particular individual who wants to crack any information from other individuals. Attackers often wish to get the same benefits from disturbing the network of the victim. 

One of the most usual targets of the attackers is the business industries. Almost every day, numbers or victimized businesses are being recorded. According to John Chambers, the Former Cisco CEO, business companies have two types: those who are aware that they have been hacked and those who haven’t yet realized. 

Why Do Attackers Launch Cyber Attacks?

There are various motives for why people attack an individual or a particular organization. Most of them want to get the benefits from the business systems or get a significant amount of ransom. A study shows that 53% of those cyber-attacks resulted in $500,000 damages. 

There are different cyber-attacks you should be aware of. We have summarized these common internet threats that can attack a user anytime. These threats affect your system in different ways and may put your data at risk. 

Zero-day Exploit

The zero day exploit is a popular cyber attack that can occur when there is a weakness found in a particular software or program. In some circumstances, attackers may quickly destroy or exploit the entire program before the creator fixes it. An organization can prevent this risk by using local area networks (LANs) to secure transmitted data or even using a secure WiFi system or a firewall. 

Phishing

This is a cyber threat where attackers will send you deceptive messages or emails and appear to be reputable texts. Attackers will steal your personal data, such as your login information or credit card number for financial gain and advanced company attacks. They will also try to install malware on the prey’s machine. 

Denial-of-service Attack

This is a cyber threat method where attackers fill the network, system, or servers with excessive traffic to drain the bandwidth or the resources, which disable systems to grant various requests. Another method used by attackers to launch this cyberattack is called distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, where they use multiple devices. 

Malware

This is a term used for malicious software such as ransomware, worms, spyware, and viruses. This threat breaches a vulnerable network by making users click malicious email attachments and links to upload risky software. Once the malware enters the user’s system, they can install additional harmful software to the system without your consent, block the user’s access, and even illegally obtain it. 

SQL Injection

An SQL (Structured Query Language) injection is a cyber threat where attackers intentionally insert malicious code to the server to deceive the victim. It forcefully demands the server to reveal essential details by sending malicious code to the website’s search box. 

Password Attack

This is a common cyberattack that illegally gets the user’s login password for illegal purposes. In password attacks, crackers will use dictionary attacks or crack programs to steal the user’s personal data adequately. There are proven defense mechanisms for this intent risk, but commonly, the most recommended solution is to create a secure account password with minimum length and unfamiliar terms. 

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

This is a cybersecurity attack that lets the attackers eavesdrop a conversation between two users. It was named a “man-in-the-middle” attack as an attacker can intercept communication between two parties. 

They can listen to the entire conversation and retransmit the message. Both entities seem to have usual communication. They don’t have the idea that the message sender is an anonymous perpetrator who changes the message before it reaches the recipients. The intruder fully controls the entire message.

Cross-Site Scripting

Cross-Site Scripting is a kind of cyber threat injection that uses malicious scripts to the content. The attackers send those scripts and appear to be a script from a reputable website. The code is usually sent to the target’s browser as pieces of Javascript code. The malicious scripts come with different languages such as HTML, Ajax, Java, and Flash. 

Credential Reuse

Because of many account logins, users nowadays usually use the same credentials across social media accounts. However, this could be the biggest asset of most attackers. They may collect all the user’s usernames and passwords and use them for logging in an attempt. They can easily hack and access your emails and bank accounts. 

You can use a password manager to prevent this internet risk. Using a password manager for your credentials is a big help in securing your privacy. You can install and use the program to easily manage your input usernames and passwords. 

Eavesdropping Attack

Also known as sniffing or snooping, the eavesdropping attack is a network security attack where the attackers try to steal the victim’s information through digital devices. This is one of the most challenging threats to detect, as it doesn’t produce questionable data transmission. 

An eavesdropping attack uses unsecured network transmission to access the transmitted data between the client and the server. This is usually done by installing network monitors like sniffers on a device as the attacker’s medium for data eavesdropping. You can avoid this threat by determining first the networks connected to a particular device, and the software runs. 

Insider Threats

This is a malicious attack completed on a network or computer system performed by an attacker to access the system. Insiders who performed this attack get more benefits compared to those external attackers since they can have authorized access to the entire system. Insiders can also comprehend network architecture and system policies. 

Takeaway

Modern technology offers users a ton of benefits. However, users should know those possible internet threats they can encounter. Cyber-security attacks are common threats that can steal a user’s private information or damage the device system. Above are some of those attacks that function differently with ulterior motives. It is highly advisable to have some necessary background knowledge of those cyber threats, which can help you escape from risks.

 

Top 7 Best Running Applications To Help Boost Your Daily Runs

Many experts recommend a few minutes up to hours of running as a form of cardio exercise. Aside from easy access, it is also one of the easiest ways to get a workout’s positive benefits. Since it improves aerobic fitness, it is an excellent way to boost a person’s cardiovascular health. Not to mention, it burns calories and builds strength.

Whether you are doing running as an exercise for the first time or you are trying to break your own highest record again, you may need a little extra help to make your run stand out. Good thing, there are many ready to download running apps that can help. That being said, here is a shortlist of the most helpful apps for your daily run.

Aaptiv

If you aim to train like a runner, what is the best way to utilize a trainer’s help? Even most running applications won’t do the trick, Aaptiv could. With Aaptiv, you don’t have to get a face-to-face coach to assist you. The application allows you to use and browse various music workouts conducted by real trainers.

Aside from music workouts, they also have various projects ready, making them one of the best running apps. They have the training and running programs for 5K runs and even full long-distance races. Furthermore, Aaptiv additionally has virtual classes for treadmill and strength classes. With the application, you can be headed to turning into a full-fledged runner.

Unlike most applications, Aaptiv is a paid service for $14.99/month. It is available for download in both iOS and Android and lets you access their regimens and virtual training whenever you want.

Adidas by Runtastic

Some people run casually as exercise. However, more committed runners will plan in more extensive ways. If you think sounds like you, then Adidas by Runtastic (previously called Runtastic) is an extraordinary running application to satisfy your desires.

Whether it is creating races or marathon plans, Adidas by Runtastic will assist you in reaching your goals. This app has a calorie tracker, speed tracker, mile tracker, and many more. It also motivates you with voice coaching during your runs. Also, you have an option to engage in the application’s community goals, functions, and challenges.

Adidas by Runtastic is free for Android and iOS. But it also offers a premium subscription, which will allow you to access more powerful features. Some of these features are route mapping, training plans, interval training plans, and many more. Although you need to spend a few amounts, it is guaranteed that you’ll get excellent service.

Charity Miles

Running applications are an exceptional help to keep you in shape and fit. But, did you know that you could also run for a cause? In using Charity Miles, you can run as much as you can, knowing that all of your efforts will pay off.

How Charity Miles works is that it lets you donate money for every 25 miles that you run. Through this, you can help the less fortunate by donating to whichever charity of your choosing.

Charity Miles even made the experience more engaging and fun once you run with friends. You can combine your funds to come up with a larger fundraiser amount and an even bigger donation. This app is positively free on Android and iOS. Running has never been this fulfilling and purposeful, right? 

Endomondo

For runners who are looking for running apps that let them track their cycling, walking, and even running activities, Endomondo can be your go-to. With this application, you may follow the distance, time, speed and even calories burned from those exercises. It won’t matter if it is hiking, cycling, walking or running.

Endomondo users can track the trails they have taken if they want to know where they have been. It displays a trail on the map to help runners visualize their run. Aside from tracking, you can also set your goals and schedule your workouts. This application can be used for both running and hiking and is free on both Android and iOS.

Human

People can do almost anything they set their attention to. Dedicating yourself to something can be very testing. Motivation rarely comes. If you struggle with motivation, give the Human application a try.

Running applications are great when they have training regimens and trackers. However, they rarely excel in inspiring you to get up and do the work. The Human app gives you an everyday reminder to hit your requirements. Also, it allows you to compare your data with other users nearby. This app is also free on both Android and iOS.

MapMyRun

If you are looking for a reliable and feature-rich running app, try checking out  MapMyRun. This is one of the few that has lasted for a long time since it has been released. Although it was initially created to measure routes, additional features have been added over time. 

One of the coolest features MapMyRun offers is tracking your gear, though shoes may be the only real gear any runners have. You can add your shoes to your app, and it will let you know when it is time to buy new ones. Aside from that, it allows you to get in touch with the running community to keep motivated.

Pacer

Few wants an application with a full feature and a straightforward interface. Pacer could be the answer to that. It has all the basics that you need and can also run in the background.

Pacer uses your device’s sensors to keep track of your progress. You also have an option to check your tracking history. It even worked with other fitness apps like Apple Health, Fitbit, and many more. To explore the app, you may download it as it is free on both iOS and Android.

Takeaway

Running applications have been an essential tool for most runners today. Apart from the fact that it helps them keep track of their activity and progress, some also provide additional entertainment. As to which one they are going to use will always vary on their needs and preferences.

5 Best Cricket Wireless Plans That Offers The Best Deals 

Nowadays, we can only save a few bucks from our salary. With bills and other necessities piling up, saving is becoming a challenge. However, you could spare a couple of extra cash from your wallet by slashing telephone charges and shifting to an economical cellular carrier like Cricket wireless.

We have handled everything for you, regardless of whether you are seeking restricted or limitless packages. In this post, we will talk about the finest wireless Cricket plans you could pick up without busting your budget.

Cricket Wireless 2GB Plan

Do you recall the time when you were seeking to gain the finest mobile device offers at a discounted cost as you were digging up the internet? It is entirely compatible with the finest Cricket Wireless plan you want. The only dissimilarity is that policies for Cricket Wireless have lower cost stickers than the newest mobile device. If you are still skeptical,  you can check out the best Cricket wireless plan here. 

Cricket 2 GB Plan is the very first scheme on the Cricket Wireless series. It charges 30 dollars a month and allows access to US phone calls, SMS, image emails, and 2 GB LTE data. The plan is equipped with an 8 Mbps speed limit, which would suffice for many people for their daily data needs. 

You will have no difficulties accessing music and clips, browsing the net, or administrating your login in social networking sites. The 2 GB Plan does not accept a smartphone hotspot, but uses a “Stream More” function, which enables to reduce playback of your clip to 480p video performance so that it won’t use up most of your data. 

It is automatically enabled, but you could still disable it whenever you would like to watch a high-definition video. Remember that the 2 GB package for Cricket does not qualify for auto-paid and group rebates. You could perhaps bring 1 GB for $10 if you’d like more data.

Cricket Wireless 5GB Plan

Cricket 5 GB Plan is a good alternative when you want identical features of a 2 GB Plan, but rather a greater high-speed data restrict. With auto-pay, this package plan costs $35 per month for 5 GB data for LTE or unlimited 2G data. 

You also receive free calls, SMS, and photo texts for your phone information across the US, and even the Stream More function. However, the Cricket 5 GB Plan will not enable the mobile hotspot and operates  with a speed limit of 8 Mbps. Likewise, if you ran out of data for emergencies, you could still avail an extra data of 1 GB for only $10. 

Cricket Wireless Core Plan

Cricket Core Plan is the most affordable and unlimited business data package beginning at $50 a month, with autopay. You will have access to open phone calls, SMS, photo messages, and limitless LTE high-speed, so that everything you would like to browse and movies can be saved from data. 

Remember, even then, that the download speed is up to 3 Mbps optimum. This 3Mbps speed limit could be a trouble if you’re accustomed to browsing or broadcasting at higher web speed. Of course, anything from video clips to social media management could still load; however, the troublesome load periods could annoy you a lot.

Cricket Wireless More Plan

Worry no more with Cricket More if you’re searching for a great limitless Cricket Wireless mobile network package. It is among the finest smartphone offers in the industry. You will benefit from premium accounts without any speed limit for just $55 per month, with autopay. 

This package plan is strongly suggested for those who need more data. You don’t need to wait when loading any website, compared to other Cricket subscriptions that have a data limit. In relation, communications, SMS, and messaging services to and from Canada, the United States, and Mexico are boundless. 

The More Plan also has a personal hotspot of 15 GB. In response, if you used your allocated data, you could always append extra data for hotspots. Furthermore, this package is also recommended if you need access to worldwide calls on the stateside. Even so, please note that your download frequency can be transiently lowered whenever your local network is cramped.

Cricket Wireless Multi-Line

Cricket Wireless distinguishes its unequaled family rebates from other cellular carrier operators. The 4 Line Plans are usually the AT&T network’s cheapest available options. So when you have families or a couple of buddies who use a wireless Cricket plan, it is a wise choice to lend a hand to spare money by registering for multiline special offers.

You have the first string at a full price of $55 per month once you use the Cricket Core Plan. A $30 reduction is provided on the next line, with $80 a month. After that, you can take a price reduction of $75 or even a complete of $90 a month. 

Finally, you’re given an additional $120 rebate on the final line to get a sum of $100 bill at the finish of every month. This fact is a step beyond most family special offers because you can start saving more. If you wish to apply for the fifth line, the additional line will be paid $25. Overall, that will also be $125 every month for all lines. 

Choose Cricket Wireless 

Technology has evolved so much as years and years go by, especially when it comes to messaging, calls, social media, and the internet. Having the knowledge or the ability to distinguish prices of a plan to another is vital, especially when you are planning to save up some money. This is why you need to be careful when choosing a plan. 

You will save so much more with Cricket, especially with their multi-line discounts. A single line can already give you the best services. Furthermore, adding more people to your subscription plan can give you more discounts. So if there are other family members that can do the switch with you, the better. We hope we have helped you in deciding which plans you want to spend your money on.

What are the ranking factors involved in Google(SEO)?

SEO requirements keep changing, and it can be hard to keep up with the latest developments. But if you want your Google rankings to go from unseen to the top of the list, you have to be in the know.

Well-optimized sites get more and more traffic over time, and that means more leads and sales. Without SEO, searchers won’t be able to find your site, and all your hard work will be for nothing.

Simpsons GIF: all for nothing

In this guide, we’re going to answer the question “what does SEO mean” and share the essential SEO ranking factors you need to dominate search results.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a well-optimized site that brings you more business.

Exclusive Bonus: Download the SEO Ranking Factors Cheat Sheet to boost your search engine rankings quickly.

We’ve created this handy table of contents if you want to skip ahead to the SEO ranking factors that are most interesting to you:

What Are the Most Important SEO Ranking Factors?

  1. A Secure and Accessible Website
  2. Page Speed (Including Mobile Page Speed)
  3. Mobile Friendliness
  4. Domain Age, URL, and Authority
  5. Optimized Content
  6. Technical SEO
  7. User Experience (RankBrain)
  8. Links
  9. Social Signals
  10. Real Business Information

Recommended Resource: Need more website traffic? Learn how to rank #1 on Google with our Ultimate Guide to SEO in 2020.

At the very end of this article, we’re going to finally answer the question that plagues most beginner SEO learners: which is more important, pleasing Google or pleasing my audience?

Before we get into the details of each ranking factor, let’s take a quick look at the basics of how search engine rankings work.

Understanding SEO, or “How Do I Rank Higher on Google?”

Many people wonder how Google rankings work. So before we get into the actual search engine ranking factors, let’s get started by answering some of the basic questions most people have about SEO.

What Is “Ranking” in SEO?

As you may know, SEO stands for search engine optimization, which simply means making the web pages more likely to get ranked on a search engine. But let’s be honest: at this point, that really just means Google.

And how exactly does that work? Let’s break it down.

In SEO, ranking refers to your content’s position on the search engine results pages (SERPs). A #1 ranking means that when people search for a particular term, your web page is the first result (apart from promoted results, featured snippets, and answer boxes, which we’ll talk about later in this guide).

Appearing in the top 3 results is excellent because your click-through rates skyrocket. According to research from Safari SEO in Brisbane, the #1 position in Google enjoys more than 45% of all organic clicks. The closer you get to #1 the more clicks you can expect, as shown in the image provided by Backlinko below:

the-first-result-in-google-has-the-highest-organic-ctr

Appearing on the first page at all, within the top 10 results, is also useful. That’s because 95% of people never make it past the first page.

Hence the famous joke in the Google SEO world: where’s the best place to hide a dead body?

On page 2 of Google.

What Does Google Look for in SEO?

Google’s stated purpose is to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Delivering relevant search results is a huge part of that. Here’s how they work:

how google search rankings work

First, Google’s search bots (pieces of automated software called “spiders”) crawl the web. Sounds creepy, we know. But all that means is they visit web pages.

Second, they add correctly optimized and crawlable pages to Google’s index and catalog them.

Third, when people search Google, it shows what it thinks are the most relevant results based on the search terms they enter (out of the trillions of pages in Google’s index).

Google has various and deeply complex algorithms to decide which content gets displayed and in which order. But we’ll get into all that fun stuff later.

Once your page lands on the SERP, though, you have to rely on your page titles and meta descriptions to get searchers to click your link and visit your site. Submitting a guest post technology can also help you rank your keyword on Google.

How Do Google Search Rankings Work?

When people want to find information, they type or say words related to what they’re looking for. Those are called keywords, and we’ll look at those in the content optimization section of this guide.

But keeping your website ranking on Google isn’t just about making the most out of competitive keywords. It’s also about the quality of information.

According to Google’s own search quality ratings, when it indexes the main content of each page, it checks factors like:

  • Purpose of the page
  • Content quality and amount
  • Website info and info about the content creator
  • Website reputation and content creator reputation
  • User interaction with the page (time on page, bounce rates, and so on)
  • Expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E-A-T)

In just a moment, we’re going to explore that last one (E-A-T) in more detail because it’s become very important.

For now, it’s enough to know that all the factors listed above go into Google’s algorithm and help to determine SEO ranking.

Based on the rating guidelines above, Google shows searchers the most relevant, high-quality results related to what they’re looking for. The most relevant are shown first, with the rest shown over successive pages.

wordpress for beginners google search

One of the goals of addressing SEO ranking factors is to let Google know when your pages on your site are relevant to particular search queries, so people will click the links and visit your site.

Before getting into two different types of SEO, let’s explore the concept of expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in greater detail.