Equity-based crowdfunding: A solution for startups and small business owners?

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Crowdfunding is the practice of collecting small amounts of capital from individuals to finance a business or project through websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. In its infancy, crowdfunding was mainly used by non-profit organizations, artists, and individuals looking to finance a project or a cause and offering rewards, like a free t-shirt or a mention on a film's ending credits.

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In 2012, President Barack Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act into law to help revitalize the economy. In particular, the Title III of the JOBS Act allows unlisted small businesses to advertise and solicit funding from individual investors, making it easier for them to raise capital through equity crowdfunding. Through this, individuals can invest small amounts of capital in a startup in return for shares.

 For many startups and small businesses, the idea sounds promising, but not good enough just yet.

As of now, the act limits the amount a non-accredited investor can invest: non-accredited investors with an annual income of below $100,000 can invest a maximum of five percent of their income or net worth, while those with an annual income of above $100,000 can invest a maximum of 10 percent. Startups are limited to raising a maximum of $1 million a year from non-accredited investors. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has proposed a bill to raise the amount of capital a startup can raise from $1 million to up to $5 million.

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The JOBS Act is still a large step in the right direction. Equity-based crowdfunding may be new, but its impact is already being felt. It is opening the world of investing to a broader range of investors and providing small businesses with market exposure and easier access to capital.

 Real estate equity-based crowdfunding is one of its biggest sectors. With this type of equity-based crowdfunding, investors can pool their efforts by purchasing shares in a house, apartment building, or any other type of real estate.

  Tony Hartman of Denver is a financier and business coach with several years of experience in the real estate industry. For more discussions on property investment, visit this blog.

Tips for becoming a better investor

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Like many things in life, success in investing lies in sticking to and mastering the fundamentals. However, it can be tempting to look for faster ways to earn big and neglect many of the basic tasks. For beginner investors who want to improve, here are some of the tasks that should never be neglected:

- Saving up. This should be the starting point for anyone who’s aiming for financial independence. Unfortunately, many neglect to put away money for savings. While saving can be hard, it is a necessary task and everyone should make an effort to put away a significant part of their earnings into their savings.

- Investing in stocks. While many successful investors have found a gold mine in stocks, a few novice ones believe in the potential of stocks and mutual funds as long term investments.

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- Learning to manage the account. Learning to build a diversified portfolio of stocks and low-cost mutual funds on one’s own allows one to accumulate more wealth due to lower costs.

- Diversify. It makes sense to spread one’s assets to a few stocks because some investments can fail.

- Look at the long term. Many beginner investors may get tempted by schemes that promise to get them rich quickly. If something sounds too good to be true, then it might be best to steer clear from it.

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Tony Hartman of Denver is the senior managing partner of Mark Capital LLC. For more resources on investing, visit this: Google+ page.

The rising demand for multi-family housing

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The housing market is in recovery although not in the way desired by many. Instead of being characterized by improvements in all housing types, the recovery seems to affect some developments more than others and some types are still stuck in recession levels. Among the surprising trends found in this housing recovery is the strong demand for multi-family housing.

Currently, buildings with five or more housing units comprise up to 35 percent of the total housing units constructed in 2014. The usual figures amount to about 25 percent. This may come as a surprise to many real estate investors, so understanding why multi-family housing is more popular now is crucial to predicting whether this trend will stay for long. 

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In understanding the popularity of multi-family housing, investors can analyze demographics and changes in the lifestyles of consumers. Part of the reason this housing type has become more in demand lately is the rise in number of young adults who are most likely to live in apartments. Their preference for apartments can be linked to the popular choice of lifestyle -– many young adults now shun car-ownership in favor of living somewhere they can simply walk to work.

Given these factors, it would be safe to say that this high demand for multi-family housing won't be around for long. As these young adults age, settle down, and start their own families, many are likely to see the benefits of moving to a single-family unit later on.

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Tony Hartman of Denver is a real estate investor who is well-versed in residential and commercial properties. For more news on the housing market recovery, visit this: Twitter page.

Profile of an effective business coach

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Businessman. Financier. Investor.

These are the many hats that Tony Hartman of Denver wear. But more than these capacities, the business maven plays an important role that helps companies build their legacy: being a business coach. As a financial guy, Mr. Hartman has what it takes to be a sought-after business coach. He consistently teaches companies on how to deliver anticipated targets, identify key areas of business issues, and focus on short- and long-term finance strategies.

Distressed companies depend on Mr. Hartman to manage their properties and turn them around into more thriving assets. To those in the real estate sector, he sets the stage for them to make prudent mortgage and real estate decisions. An effective communicator, he has a proven track-record in imparting excellent knowledge and skills to help others maximize earnings and find opportunities.

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To date, Mr. Hartman serves as a managing partner at Mark Private Capital, a privately held company that specializes in bridge financing for business and real estate companies. While it builds a portfolio of opportunities to explore value in real estate platforms, the company allows investors get the returns they deserve. Mark Private Capital’s niche is focused on smaller public and private market capitalization organizations and special situation investments.

Backed by experience and education in financial analysis with emphasis on risk management, Mr. Hartman continues to value his commitment in educating other to fulfill goals and deliver the American dream of businessmen.

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Read more about the services provided by Tony Hartman of Denver by visiting this website.

What makes a good investor?

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To be an investor is a dream of many, but not all are cut out to be a successful one. While there is no denying that patience, discipline, and resources are among factors that make a good investor, being effective also demands components such as much needed know-how, being realistic about expectations, and a solid investing experience.

This makes veteran investors, like Tony Hartman of Denver, rise above their counterparts. Experienced investors are successful because they are independent and long-term thinkers. They also have emotional stability and a lot of common sense, just to name a few.

Would-be investors should take note of three basic requirements that distinguishes a mediocre investor from an exceptional one. The first requirement is the practice of discipline. The second is the application of a well-planned framework to make sound decisions. The third is the sagacity to understand challenging situations, like how business grows and fails.

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A veteran real estate investor, Tony Hartman of Denver is experienced in both residential and commercial properties. This makes him an authority in building a well-founded portfolio, unlocking value in real estate properties, and providing superior returns to businesses, among others. Mr. Hartman is a managing partner at Mark Private Capital, a private equity firm focusing on bridge financing.

With the help of effective investors and financing ideas, entrepreneurs are more likely to make a mark in the business sector. And these words from Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist, are just apt: “Being an entrepreneur is hard. Having supportive and caring investors help.”

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Tony Hartman of Denver helps individuals and companies understand investment risks. For related discussions on investments, go to this website.