Business

How to Improve Your Trading from Novice to Expert

Published

3 years ago

October 19, 2021

The forex market has scaled considerably since the Internet boom of the mid-90s, when the sector boasted an average daily trading volume of $1.2 trillion. This has since increased to more than $6.6 trillion, as the number of traders active in Europe alone has peaked at 1.5 million.

Certainly, a growing number of part-time and aspiring traders are now active in the forex market, with many of these novices aiming to scale their efforts and become experts over time.

But how do you make the successful transition from novice to expert in the market? Here are some key points to keep in mind.

Why Scale Up Your Trading Efforts?

If you’re like most novice traders in the UK, you’ll probably have started out by investing small amounts of capital in your spare time.

However, if you’re one of the 30% or so of forex traders who are able to generate a profit from your investments, you may choose to organically scale your efforts in line with increased returns and the accumulation of experience.

Certainly, transitioning from being a part to a full-time trader can be incredibly rewarding, as this becomes your primary source of income and one that isn’t bound by the hours that you work or your amount of starting capital.

This is thanks in part to the highly leveraged nature of forex trading, which enables investors to open and control disproportionately large positions with a small amount of capital.

How to Scale Up Your Trading Efforts

Once you’ve decided to scale your forex trading efforts, the next step is to consider the best ways to make this an actionable reality. We’ve outlined some of these below:

#1. Make Research a Key Watchword: If you intend to trade more frequently and with greater consistency, you’ll have to engage in thorough market research. You’ll certainly have to invest time into learning new techniques and methodologies, while utilising so-called “demo accounts” to hone experimental strategies in a simulated and risk-free market environment.

#2. Upgrade Your Trading Platform (Where Necessary): This leads us neatly to the importance of having the right trading platform, as you may need to upgrade to access superior analytics and enhanced profits. Certainly, more powerful platforms like the MetaTrader 4 offer access to enhanced analytical tools, while you can also seek out technical indicators that have been tailormade for the purpose of forex trading.

#3. Increase Your Trades and Investment Amount: Obviously, scaling your efforts will require an increased investment, which is why you should only ever look to trade more in line with growing profitability. Similarly, you can strive to scale your efforts in line with experience, so long as you continue to trade actively and maintain a regular order book that helps you to make the most of your starting capital.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.