Challenges Facing the Real Estate Industry

Heidi Scott is an Illinois-based attorney who served as the Illinois GBA’s President from July 2005 until June 2007. The owner of Schuyler Brown Land Title in Illinois, Heidi Scott specializes in estate planning, tax law, and real estate transactions.

With the current global economic instability, the real estate industry is faced with several challenges. The following are specific problems facing the industry that need solutions:

1. Expensive Housing

Rising building costs result in even costlier housing, making it increasingly difficult for individuals, especially Millennials, to find affordable housing in cities; West Coast cities such as Seattle and San Francisco are worse affected. According to data from CNBC, the current housing shortage could become the worst ever in the history of the United States. Real estate professionals will have to create more affordable housing solutions to bridge the increasing housing deficit for millions of Americans.

2. Deteriorating infrastructure

This is the critical challenge confronting the real estate business; according to data from APEX Commercial Group, critical infrastructure such as bridges and roads influence where businesses choose to build or relocate. When businesses decide not to invest in a specific area, private home buyers will also not move there because potential homeowners often base their decisions on dependable transportation, among other infrastructural needs.

3. Technological Innovations

The Counselors of Real Estate cited the lack of acceptance of modern technologies as the second most significant factor affecting the real estate business. The sector is failing to adapt to new technologies, such as innovative technology in homes and online applications that allow buyers to buy properties without using an agent.

Some Interesting Facts About the Flute

Attorney Heidi Scott prepares real estate deeds and other related documents through the Schuyler Brown Land Title, a firm she operates in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. She also provides estate planning and tax law services through her private law firm in Illinois. Outside of work, Heidi Scott plays the piano and the flute. She has appeared in numerous orchestral appointments as a flutist since she was a teenager.

The flute is one of the oldest musical instruments invented. The earliest flute was found in Swabian Juri (present-day Germany) believed by scholars to be 35,000 years old. Here are other interesting facts about the flute:

1. Although flutes belong to the family of woodwind instruments, they are made from different types of materials, such as bone, glass, plastic, brass, resin, nickel silver, nickel, silver, and gold. However, most flutes today are made from silver. Depending on the material used, each flute creates a unique sound.

2. There are five different types of flute: piccolo, alto, tenor, bass, and contrabass. The piccolo creates the highest pitch, while the contrabass creates the lowest pitch. The tenor flute, which is considered the concert flute, is pitched at the key of C (the universal key) and has a range of up to three octaves.

3. The modern design of the flute is attributed to Theobald Boehm. Between 1831 and 1847, Boehm improved the design of the flute by changing the sizes and positions of the holes, and by creating a mechanism to allow the holes to be covered and uncovered. He also created a fingering system which was adopted by flutists since the 19th century.

Innocent Spouse Relief program

Innocent Spouse Relief program
Image: irs.gov

As an attorney with her own practice in Mt Sterling, Illinois, Heidi Scott has been involved in the legal field for more than 17 years, specializing in real estate and tax law. Heidi Scott also worked for the Illinois Department of Revenue as a tax attorney and played a major role in helping to create the Innocent Spouse Relief program.

The Innocent Spouse Relief program excuses innocent spouses of the responsibility for penalties and taxes that were improperly reported by a spouse. The IRS will determine any taxes that an innocent spouse may be responsible for after filing of Form 8857.

Innocent Spouse Relief qualifications include having filed a joint return in which items have been erroneously or underreported as well as having no knowledge of an understatement of tax and have not transferred property to each other in order to defraud the IRS. Erroneous items can include incorrect credits or deductions as well as any unreported income.

Improving Flute Tone

Flute Tone
Image: drcatesflutetips.wordpress.com

Heidi Scott of Mr. Sterling, Illinois, serves as an attorney and CPA at her own legal practice. Outside of her Illinois business, Heidi Scott is an accomplished musician and has taught advanced flute.

Proper flute tone is key to presenting the right feeling and rhythm of a musical piece. However, many flute players struggle with tone.

Good tones start with good posture. The way the body is held significantly affects a musician’s technique, ease of breathing, and quality of sound.

Ideally, the back should be kept straight while the head is up and forward. The flute should be nearly parallel to the ground.

Beyond posture, flute players must maintain good air support when they play a series of notes. Air support starts with taking a good breath and ensuring the air stream and tone remain steady.

Finally, good tones come from routine practice. Flutists should practice their long tones every day. By holding a single note for an extended time, flute players will be able to hear when they are improving.