What they don’t do is buy or sell property Reviewed by Julius MansaFact checked by Vikki Velasquez A real estate consultant provides expert advice and recommendations to clients looking to purchase or develop property. Real estate consultants generally work with commercial real estate investors rather than residential buyers and sellers. They are also referred to as “real estate counselors” or “real estate advisors.” Real estate consultants typically have a real estate license and may hold a Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) designation. Think of real estate consultants as “behind the scenes” ex ..read more

Bloomberg / Getty Images Reviewed by Erika RasureFact checked by Kirsten Rohrs Schmitt Ethereum is a name that comes up often in discussions about digital currency. Ether is also a name you'll hear, but many people confuse the two because both names are sometimes used to refer to the cryptocurrency. There are key differences between Ethereum and its cryptocurrency, ether (ETH). Ethereum is a blockchain and distributed platform designed for multiple uses; ether is the cryptocurrency used in the Ethereum Virtual Machine. The differences are significant because you can buy one but not the other ..read more

Reviewed by Gordon ScottFact checked by Vikki Velasquez While some of the world's top coffee-producing nations are well-known, others may come as a surprise. More than 50 countries produce coffee, but the majority of global output comes from the top five producers: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. 1. Brazil The production of coffee has played a pivotal role in the development of Brazil and continues to be a driving force in the country's economy. The plant was first brought to Brazil in the early 18th century by French settlers. With the rise in popularity of coffee among Eu ..read more

What taking early distributions can cost you Reviewed by Charlene Rhinehart Early distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are made before you reach age 59½. This is something most financial experts say is rarely (if ever) a good idea. That's because early IRA withdrawals put a dent in future earnings and come with a high cost: a 10% tax penalty plus any income tax you may owe on the distribution. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposes the penalty to dissuade IRA holders from using their savings before retirement. But the penalty only applies if you withdraw taxable funds ..read more

Hedging If you are considering investing but are worried about the risk of losses, you may be able to use hedging to protect you from a complete loss. A put option can act as insurance by allowing you to sell your stock at a predetermined price should the price drop below that value. Watch this video to learn more about hedging. Reviewed by Thomas J. CatalanoFact checked by Vikki Velasquez There are several effective hedging strategies to reduce market risk, depending on the asset or portfolio of assets being hedged. Three popular ones are portfolio construction, options, and volatility indic ..read more

Reviewed by Charles Potters An option is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying asset. Purchasers of call options gain the right, but not the obligation, to buy the underlying asset (such as a stock) at a predetermined strike price on or by a predetermined expiration date. All options contracts give the holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell (in the case of a put) the underlying. But what exactly does that mean? Below, we take a closer look. Key Takeaways Call options contracts give holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy ..read more

Reviewed by Samantha SilbersteinFact checked by Ryan Eichler While both the symmetrical triangle and the pennant are continuation patterns with a good degree of reliability, there are two key differences between the two in terms of their formations. Key Takeaways A symmetrical triangle is a chart pattern characterized by two converging trendlines connecting a series of sequential peaks and troughs. Pennants are continuation patterns where a period of consolidation is followed by a breakout. The two differ by duration and the appearance of a "flagpole." Symmetrical Triangle A symmetrical ..read more

Reviewed by Thomas J. CatalanoFact checked by Yarilet PerezPatterns vs. Trends: An Overview The identification of patterns and trends are techniques used by analysts studying the supply and demand of an asset traded on an open market. A trend is the general direction of a price over a period of time. A pattern is a set of data that follows a recognizable form, which analysts then attempt to find in the current data. Key Takeaways A trend is the general direction of a price over a period of time. A pattern is a set of data that follows a recognizable form, which analysts then attempt to find ..read more

Common-law spouses may enjoy benefits similar to those with a marriage license What is Common Law? Common law, or case law, is a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts. In this video, you'll learn a simple way to understand this concept through an easy and brief explanation. It's similar to civil law, in that its goal is to establish consistent outcomes by applying the same standards of interpretation. When judges present precedents for a case, they significantly influence the criteria used to interpret the case. It is worth noting that historically, common ..read more

Solar energy, energy storage, and automated manufacturing equipment Reviewed by Robert C. KellyFact checked by Vikki Velasquez Tesla Inc. (TSLA) primarily designs and manufactures high-performance fully electric vehicles. The electric vehicle maker also provides energy generation and storage systems as well as services related to its products. Tesla was founded in 2003. The goal was to design cars that would be less reliant on fossil fuels but as quick and as fun to drive as vehicles that run on gasoline. The company launched its Roadster in 2008, which was followed by the Model S, Model X, an ..read more