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Flipping Houses: Turning a Wreck into a Gem


About Me

Flipping Houses: Turning a Wreck into a Gem

Five years ago, I decided to start my own side business. Along with keeping my job as a construction worker, I decided to use my savings to purchase an older residence. The plan was to fix up the place and then sell it at a profit. It didn't take me long to figure out that while my side business would take up most of my free time, it would make me a lot of money. Today, I still flip three or four houses a year. My strategy developed through trial and error, and I've learned how to evaluate the potential of a property first, then buy second. I know what must be done in the way of exterior painting, making the place secure, and ultimately finding the right buyer. If you are thinking about trying this kind of sideline, read on. What I've learned will help you a lot.

International Travel: Hailing A Cab Around The Globe

When traveling around the world, most people expect to deal with some minor problems as the result of a language barrier. Consequently, individuals will often plan ahead for these problems by purchasing a foreign dictionary, taking language classes, or downloading a translation app on their phone. Unfortunately, far too many people fail to take these same types of steps when it comes to preparing to complete daily tasks in another country, such as hailing a taxi cab. This is because people often assume that hailing a cab in Moscow will be the same as hailing a cab in New York City. However, this is not the case. In fact, the etiquette involved in haling a taxi cab will often vary dramatically from one country to the next. For example, consider how different even these two are:

Catching A Cab In Canada

If you will be catching a cab right from the airport, simply proceed to the designated taxi stand and get into the first cab in line. If there are no cabs present when arrive, don't worry – another cab should be along in just a matter of minutes.

If you will be catching a cab on the street, the process of hailing a cab will be much different. Begin by positioning yourself next to the curb on a main road at least a few feet away from the nearest intersection. As you see a cab approaching, take notice of the lights on top of the cab. If all of the lights are on, the cab is off duty and attempting to hail it will only leave you frustrated. If none of the lights are on, the cab is currently occupied. However, if only the center light is on, you are in luck and must get ready to assert yourself. As the cab approaches, raise your hand high in the air with confidence and take a single step off the curb so that you can lean towards the road. As the cab comes to a stop, be ready to quickly get inside, especially in busy areas, if you wish to prevent another traveler from snatching your ride.

Taking A Taxi In Turkey

There are many unofficial taxis riding up and down the streets of Turkey. Unfortunately, many of these unofficial taxis are well known for hustling travelers out of every dime they have. Consequently, the most important part of hailing a taxi in Turkey is to first identify an official taxi. In most cases, official taxis will be yellow in color, have a taxi (taksi in Turkish) sign on the roof, and clearly display their license and cab number on both the front doors and the roof. Furthermore, all official taxis will have a working digital meter.

Once you have identified an official taxi cab, the process of successfully hailing the cab will be quite similar to that of catching a cab in Canada. However, unlike North American countries, the taxi drivers in Turkey will not be expecting a tip at the conclusion of your ride.

A Final Thought

No matter where your travels may take you, you are sure to encounter the need for some ground transportation once you arrive. So unless you want to find yourself standing on the street corner for hours on end hopelessly trying to catch the attention of a passing taxi cab, it is always best to do a bit of research on local customs before arriving in your destination. Contacting a local travel agent or taxi cab company like Independent Taxi can help you to get the information you need.