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Estimate Construction Projects Properly and Profit Every Time

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:56:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Nicholas Hurd

Is it a hard task for you to estimate properly on your construction projects? Are you juggling money between projects because you just don't have enough? Do you use present job payments on previous job expenses? If this is true of you, you're not making estimates correctly because you are estimating improperly and not covering costs, as well as ensuring a profit.

Do You Guesstimate or Do You Estimate?

In order to estimate properly for your construction jobs, you have to take some time and effort to go into detail. You can't just look at what has to be done and guess what costs and time are required to do the job properly. If you guesstimate, it's very likely that you'll get in trouble because not only will you only be doing a very rough estimate, but it's likely that you'll overlook some areas you should include in your estimate. Actually sit down and work out construction estimates so that you take everything into account and make a profit instead of actually going into the red. If you want every project to be a success and earn you money, you have to make sure your construction estimate is accurate and fair. In order to plan the project properly, you have to estimate the cost of materials and hours accurately so that you cover these expenses thoroughly but fairly and are left with a profit after the project is complete. As an example, if you have a wall that you need to frame and drywall, you can't just look at it and throw out a guesstimate. You might actually underestimate not just what you have to do, but the materials and man-hours involved, and come out with a loss.

When you make a construction estimate, to do so accurately, you have to consider the time it will take, the material you'll need, and other costs involved such as labor, equipment and so on. If you guesstimate, you can actually overestimate and lose the contract to someone else who can undercut your costs, or you can underestimate the total cost and actually come out in the red on the job.

Compare your construction estimates thoroughly and carefully, based upon scientific techniques and methods. The results should be qualitative. If your estimate is correct, you'll come out with a good profit and will be able to complete work on time as per the schedule you come up with. To draw up the right estimates, you need to understand what each job requires and then plan properly. A correct construction estimate is necessary for you as a contractor so that you understand just the type of work the job requires. This is also of benefit to the customer, because he or she will have a clearer idea of the work involved and the cost he or she will be required to pay, as well as the time it will take to complete the project.

Nick Hurd is the developer of LiteningFast Estimating. LiteningFast is an estimating program that helps you estimate faster, easier and more accurately. It's integrated with QuickBooks to provide job cost.

It was introduced to the market in 1994 and currently has over 3,500 users in the US, Canada, and around the world.
You can find more information at construction estimating for contractors. You'll be glad you did.

Previous posts from this category:

Positive Outlook for Commercial Real Estate

Why Would An Investor Or Home Buyer Work With A Realtor To Find A Home Or Investment Property?

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:01:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Qayam Khan

One of the single best assets you can have when working with property is a good relationship with a seasoned, established real estate agent or broker in the area you are buying in. Many investors and home owners feel some sort of resentment against real estate agents in general, when in reality, if they would follow some simple rules, they would find that a good agent will make them considerably more than they could make on their own.
A few points about Realtors:

1. They work with real estate values and markets every day, the average investor or home owner works with real estate in their spare time.

2. They only get paid if they successfully perform a service for the investor or home owner.

3. If you find a full time agent that has been selling real estate for more than 3 years, he or she probably knows more about marketing your property than you ever will, unless you take up investing full time. Again, look for a quality agent, one who is full time in real estate sales, not part time.

4. In the market today, some investors and home owners are now finding buyer brokers who totally represent the buyer interest and in some state they can give part of their commission back to the buyer as long as buyer's mortgage company is ok with that and there is disclosure on the HUD and closing statements.

If you don't know the value of a particular piece of real estate, you can use an agent or buyer broker to locate comparable properties. An agent can also give you pointers on what makes property sell, such as what are the latest color schemes, and how to "stage" a house for sale.
Where do home buyers and investors find Investor Realtor or Investor Real Estate Agent?
How does investor find a Real estate agent that understands how investor thinks and kind of property that works for investor buys? The best places are real estate investor clubs. So how find investors association or groups in your area? It's easy do a Google search on any of following: Real Estate Investing Clubs, Real Estate Investment Association, REIAs, Real Estate Investing Classes, Real Estate Investing Groups, Landlord Club, and Real Estate Investing Network.

A Real Estate Investors Association (REIA) mission is to provide an entrepreneurial atmosphere for real estate investors to learn, teach, and network to new and experienced investors. REIAs and the Real Estate Investors Clubs have been formed for real estate entrepreneurs and professionals with one of their goals to bring like minded individuals together, to achieve greater real estate goals. Real Estate Club members come from many walks of life: first time buyers, new investors, licensed agents and mortgage brokers, commercial investors, attorneys, CPAs, and first time landlords.

Real Estate Investment Clubs and Associations meet regularly in most major cities. They hold there meetings usually on monthly basis in the evening. First time visitors can usually come free to a first meeting or pay each meeting thereafter or get yearly membership. Membership is encouraged as these organizations are primarily funded through membership. What great place to find real estate agent who is in like minded group.

Ralph Marcus Maupin, Jr. (Mark) works with bulk buyers and seniors in Michigan homeownership. He is an instructor of real estate investing at local college. You read more about him on his web site http://www.MrLeaseOption.com

Previous post from Real Estate Investing: Buying category:

Greater Lansing Real Estate - Holt Michigan At A Glance

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Home Builders' Advantage - 7 Surefire Strategies to Make Homebuilding a Snap!

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:26:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Mel Inglima

When I work with people preparing to build a home, I often ask them if they're committed to having a great home building experience. The doubtful stares tell me they have no clue how to ensure that their home building experience is a good one!

Horror stories of lost money, poor quality, divorce, and projects that weren't completed are often passed one to another. And they keep many people from building the home of their dreams. What about you?

Over the years, I've developed seven surefire strategies that have been exceptionally useful for my clients and make building a home a snap!

STRATEGY #1: HOME BUILDING RESEARCH, STUDY, LEARN

Nothing replaces knowledge when you attempt to build or remodel. You need to learn things about building materials, home design, contractors, home values, financing, and building sites to name the most important ones.

Books, internet sites, magazines, and articles are just a few of your resources. The more you learn, the better choices you'll make, the better home you'll build, and the better your experience will be.

STRATEGY #2: AS A HOME OWNER BUILDER, DECIDE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT

Take what you're learning and combine that with what you want in a home and list your priorities. If you're building or remodeling with a spouse or partner, this becomes even more crucial.

Have a mutual understanding of what you both want and merge your goals together into one. Do it before you pick a home plan or involve an architect. Starting with the end in mind has the tremendous advantage of having a clear goal that doesn't keep changing on you. A moving target is hard to hit!

STRATEGY #3: CHOOSE A GOOD PARCEL OF LAND TO BUY

Where you want to live is quite personal. Real estate agents can give you some help but even there, most of them will want to give you some areas to look at and then suggest you drive around and decide what areas suit you. Consider the following:
Make sure there is an available power source nearby
Determine the value of the land and homes in the area
Evaluate the parcel for a suitable building site
Be sure you're happy with its proximity to entertainment and services

STRATEGY #4: GET CLEAR ON YOUR HOME BUILDING BUDGET

If you're working within a budget, you need to know what that budget is! The guiding principle is to figure what you want your monthly payment to be. Then, you can easily find out what amount of mortgage that will get you.

When you're building, there are more variables in costs than when you're buying an existing home. So, allow for some wiggle room. In other words, don't set your building budget to the max. This will allow you to enjoy your experience far more.

STRATEGY #5: SELECT OR DESIGN YOUR OWN HOUSE PLAN
Now is the time to hone in on everything you want in the home and its design. Having great clarity here is vital but not always easy. I recommend that you look at a lot of existing homes as well as a lot of plans. I suggest you look at model homes which will help you visualize what certain house plans actually look like.

The right home plan also means it's one that can be built within budget. If you have prioritized the list of things you want it becomes far easier to make decisions on what stays and what has to go to fit that budget.

STRATEGY #6: WORK WITH GOOD HELP - FIND THE RIGHT BUILDERS

Everyone at times needs good help. When we need a doctor, or a lawyer, or an accountant, we get one. Building a home is no exception. Get good help! The most important professionals to consider using include the following:
Architects, designers, drafters and engineers
Bank officers, Mortgage Brokers, and other lenders
General Contractors, developers, and subcontractors
Real estate agents, real estate lawyers

STRATEGY #7: MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Understand that because of the complexity of the project and the number of people that will be involved, you will likely experience some challenges. This final principle is often the determining factor in whether or not your experience is a struggle or a pleasant experience that you'll treasure. No one can control every aspect at all times.

The number one key to managing your expectations is to take the position that your professionals are there to minimize mistakes and problems, but more importantly, they should be there to communicate them to you and to solve them when they arise. If your expectations are reasonable, you'll be far more likely to enjoy the process. And, of course, you *are* committed to having a great home building experience, aren't you?

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* e-course that you can find by clicking here http://www.dreamhomecreation.com/ You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

Previous posts in this category:

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: "My Home Building Dream" Reaching A Clear & Focused Decision To Build

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: How to Sell The Lease Purchase Program

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Charles W. Moore

The lease purchase program are for the people, who are not able to fulfill their dreams of owning a home. Such people are always turned down or disqualified while purchasing homes due to bad credit or employment history. The programs of lease purchase aka lease option, rent to own are suitable for such heartbreaks, and can help everyday people own a home.

Some people have good salaries and a good rental history, but have a few blemishes and glitches on their credit reports. The lenders also ignore them by demanding huge down payments for financing. Such problems can be solved by use of the lease purchase program.

The lease purchase programs have a simple working pattern. Once the home is agreed upon, the tenant buyer contacts the seller investor of a lease purchase house. A simple form has to be then filled. This is only done for the purpose of verifying the information provided. This form can usually be faxed to the seller investor.

The verification response can be availed of within a time span of twenty-four hours. A minimal down payment is charged for this. After paying the option payment and monthly lease payment for the first month, people can move into their dream house.

People have to just sign a lease agreement, with a separate option to purchase. This process does not involve the long waiting periods of pre-qualification and rejections. The various advantages of the lease purchase option programs are mentioned below.

-The down payment required for such programs is very minimal as compared to that required by the mortgage companies.
-The people can quickly move in and enjoy the feeling of pride involved in owning a home immediately. The long periods of waiting and filling of tons of forms is avoided in this process.
-It gives a time span of twelve to twenty four months for arranging the credit required to qualify for the loan. It also clears up the credit rating by forming a good payment history.
-The purchase option with the lease agreement can allow a part of the monthly payment of lease to be credited to the people while closing. This helps in building a down payment during the lease period.
-The entire amount paid of the option fee is also accredited back to the people at the time of closing.-The requirements of qualification are not strict as in the case of the conventional financing systems.
-There are no insurance or tax payments to be made. However, people are recommended to get a rental insurance policy for remaining secure.
-People can renovate the concerned property, knowing that the advantages of the renovations will be enjoyed by themselves in the future, and not the landlord.
-Any kind of appreciation received by the property is a profit for owners, and the decision to sell the property some day, will always give rewards.

The most important aspect of the option of lease purchase is that, it fulfills the ownership dreams of the tenant buyer.

Charles W. Moore, a U.S. Army Veteran began Real Estate Investing in 2001. He's a Successful Investor, and Author of, "Million Dollar Rent To Own Real Estate Secrets Exposed." Get his Free Report on Rent To Own Real Estate Investing at: http://www.Rent2OwnExposed.com - Learn Real Estate Investing, Stocks Markets and Internet Marketing, visit: http://www.REIeBooks.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_W._Moore

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: How to Properly Evict a Tenant

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Michael C Podlesny

There is nothing more frustrating as a landlord, at least to me anyway, when the first of the month rolls around and the rent doesn't show up. You wait a few days and it still doesn't arrive. You put a phone call into your tenant, and you get excuses ranging from, "I am a little behind this month, I will have it out as soon as possible" to "I sent, didn't you get it?". As if had you did receive it, you have nothing else better to do then call your tenant for money they don't owe you.
It is very frustrating, but the sad reality is, no matter how great the homework you do and initial screening of your tenant, you just can't predict what they will do with the money they make. Nor will anyone ever understand why they case of beer of carton of cigarettes they go through everyweek is more important than keeping a roof over their head.

So the time has come for you to begin the eviction proceedings. It is not that difficult of a process when done correctly. The key words there are "done correctly". When done by the way by which your state has defined the laws for the process, it will be smooth. You do it incorrectly and you may have a tenant living there for a long time with no obligation to pay their rent.
Below I am going to give my steps I take to evict a tenant. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, I recommend hiring an attorney in your area that specializes in this. The cost will be higher than if you did it yourself, but if piece of mind is more important than standing in front of a judge, then hire an attorney.

The first thing you want to do is make sure your lease clearly outlines the date by which you must receive the rent, and you must stick to that date. There is no give here. If the lease says it must be in your hand by the first of the month, then it needs to be in your hand by the first of the month. The second day is considered late and late fees will apply.

I normally wait 3 days from the due date to send out my eviction notice letter. This is a letter that states in the utmost professional language, that I have not received their rent payment, and that if I do not receive it by the 15th of the month, the eviction process will begin. All of this is also outlined in the lease, but I put it in writing again as it will carry more weight in court when you show the judge you gave them a chance to make due what they owe.

You will need to check the laws in your area to see what the proper statutes are for the eviction process. In my location you can file immediately, however I know in other areas you have to wait 45 days. Check with your local county courthouse or housing department.

If the tenant does not respond by the 15th with what they owe, and anything less than what is due in full is not acceptable, go down to the courthouse in the town where your property is located and fill out the paperwork to begin the legal process. They will help you through it in making sure it is filled out properly, or at least they should. The cost to file is usually around $25, but it may be more or less depending upon where you live.

Once that is filed, you should receive in the mail a notice as to when your court date is so the judge will hear both sides. Your tenant will receive this same notification, and going by what I have seen in my area, the court doesn't care if the tenant or the landlord receives the letter. Your date is set and both parties are to be there. Should you not show (in my area anyway), the judge dismisses the case. If the tenant does not show, an judgment for the landlord is given and you can begin the next step in removing the tenant.

Once the court appearance has finished and you receive a judgment in your favor to legally remove the tenant, you will be instructed as to what the next step will be. Usually it is filing the paperwork with at the county courthouse to have your local sheriff's department remove the tenant. When the paperwork is filed, the sheriff will post an orange or some bright sign on the door letting the tenant know of the exact date they must move out.

If the tenant still resides in the property after that date, you will then go to the property with the Sheriff's department and they will be removed by them. Do not touch, harm or threaten the tenant. Doing this may cause you to start this process all over again. The sheriff is there for a reason. Let them do their jobs. They are really good at it.

Now that the tenant has been legally removed, the property is yours once again. Read my other article if they leave items in the house. You can not just simply throw them away. There is a legal process for that as well.

An eviction can and will go smoothly if you follow all of necessary steps and do it properly. Once you go through the process once, it becomes much easier. Hopefully you won't have to do it too often, or if luck is on your side, at all.

By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the AuthorMichael C. Podlesny is the owner of Rental Property Repair, LLC A rental and investment property repair and renovation company that services Mercer & Burlington Counties in New Jersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.To inquire about their services you can visit them online at http://www.RentalPropertyRepairLLC.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_C_Podlesny

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Simple Guide for Those are Moving or Being Relocated

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Richard Rizza

If you and your family are planning a move that involves relocating and purchasing real estate try to relax and enjoy the adventure. Planned moves can be especially exciting to plan and the prospects of starting over in a new home can be intriguing. There are special areas of terrain or features like a water view, a view of the city or a mountain range that is preferred over another view or feature. For example some people won't even consider moving anywhere without a water view. Still other prospective homeowners want to live close to the interstate.

Get your family involved by working with them to design your desired lifestyle. If you enjoy playing tennis where you currently live you will want to live close to the nicest park facility with tennis courts. If your children or spouse are active in sports or other activities, investigate communities where there is access to new facilities that support your family's hobbies and interest. Visit the new community with your family if possible and let them have a say in where the new home will be. Moving and relocating can be fun and exciting especially if you are buying real estate.

The Internet is the place to investigate communities, real estate prices and the geographic differences. Every location has it's charm and the local chamber of commerce organizations all have newcomer packages. Go online and request moving and relocation packages from various chamber of commerce organizations that are located in places you are considering moving to. Conduct as much research as possible especially of geographic relocations land you in the middle of a culture shock. Study the culture in various parts of the US and you will discover real cultural differences sometimes in the next state over from yours.

Important laws, rules and regulations can be vastly different in other parts of the country. Louisiana for example is the only state under Napoleonic Law this could be important or an interesting fact at least. Think about hiring a moving and relocation specialist who will handle the entire task no matter how unpleasant for you. If your company is relocating you may have the fees for a relocation specialist covered by your company's relocation compensation policy. Check with your company's human resources department for moving and relocation benefits.
Moving, relocating and buying real estate does not have to present a hardship for any family member. Retaining the services of a real estate professional one who is experienced in moving and relocating families can help to make your move go off without a hitch. First make a list of priorities for yourself and have each family member follow suit. Include the following information:

• What kind of neighborhood do I want to live in and what do I want my daily, weekly, monthly and holiday activities to look like. For example if you have a family member who wants to start the day off with a swim and the weather where you are planning to move to doesn't have a pool, you may have a problem. This activity will help identify the necessary elements each family member needs when moving and relocating to a new place.

• Have each person get rid of their own clutter by dividing clutter into three piles; keep, throw away and give away. If you haven't used it or looked for it in a year, you probably won't miss it.
• Old toys and children's keepsakes can be as hard to get rid of as your hubby's favorite tattered lazy boy. Practice tough love and commit to not dragging junk to your new home.

• Remember that relocation cost are greater with distance, spend as much time as necessary identifying expenses your company should cover or that may be used as an income tax deduction.

• Find a reputable moving company by getting referrals from your company's human resources department. Check the references of the mover and contact the Better Business Bureau in the city you are moving from and the city you are moving to.

It's never been said that moving and relocating is fun but buying real estate can be. Visit the web sites that offer real estate listings that include prices, photos of the property and community. Don't buy a house you haven't seen. Plan a trip to the new city with the family if possible.
Richard Rizza is a Home Business Development Expert and Professional Marketing Consultant. He is in the top income earner in the Home Business industry. To learn insider secrets and powerful marketing strategies from the pros to help you explode your home business empire, sign up for Richard's FREE cutting edge Ezine go to http://richardrizza.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Rizza

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Reverse Mortgages and Their Growing Popularity

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Michael Branson

There seems to be a new phenomenon in the mortgage world known as the reverse mortgage. The ads touting how they can improve quality of life are everywhere and if you're a homeowner, age 62 and over, you receive them in the mail almost daily. Then there are the articles warning that reverse mortgages may be the new mortgage rip off. So what's the truth about this financing vehicle? Is it a God-send for seniors, or something for which older homeowners need to be wary? It can actually be both, so it pays to understand the loan if you or a loved one are contemplating a reverse mortgage.

Reverse mortgages have been around since 1961 and President Reagan signed the legislation to allow HUD to insure them in 1988 on their Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). So why the sudden stir and what makes this mortgage so unique? The baby boomer population that we've all been hearing that is about to start retiring, begins to do so as of January 1, 2008. What this means is that America will have an unprecedented number of people retiring with many having their main asset being their homes.

Gone are the days of the American worker working to the age of 62, retiring with a pension and social security, then passing by age 70. People are living longer and fewer are retiring with adequate income provided to meet their life needs. The huge appreciation most properties have experienced allows seniors an avenue to augment this growing need for income. A traditional or a forward mortgage, is known as rising equity, falling debt mortgage. The individual pays a payment monthly to pay down the debt thus making the equity higher and the debt lower.
The reverse mortgage operates in reverse of that. In a reverse mortgage, the borrower receives payment(s) from the lender, makes no monthly payments and the debt rises while the equity falls as payments, fees and interest accumulate. The borrowers make no monthly payments and the entire amount is paid in full when the loan is repaid.

Income and credit are not considered in qualification criteria, with the exception of the fact that the borrower cannot be delinquent on a federal obligation. There is no minimum income requirement and there are no minimum credit scores. In fact, many borrowers have been saved from foreclosure with a reverse mortgage. There have been so many myths and misconceptions surrounding reverse mortgages.

Some earlier versions of the product contained provisions for shared appreciation which hurt seniors, but those provisions are not in the HUD HECM loans. All of the government loans are also non-recourse loans, which means that the borrowers or their heirs can never owe more than the property is worth, regardless of how long they live in the home, how much they receive in payments through the years, what future values do or how much interest accumulates.
A reverse mortgage loan can be expensive, so it's not the best option is you are not planning on using the loan, or do not plan to stay in the property. On the other hand, for some, the reverse mortgage is the only way they are able to stay in their homes. The bottom line is EDUCATION. Find an originator who really knows and understands the product. There are so many programs available now and some private or proprietary products that go down to 60 years of age and lower.

You need to work with an expert, not just a loan officer from a brokerage or a bank who was doing sub-prime loans last month and is doing reverse mortgages this month. Unlike forward mortgages, fees and rates are regulated by HUD so everyone is on an even playing field, and companies like All Reverse Mortgage Company often have many more programs available to us as we are not limited only to just the few products that just one bank has to offer. Lastly, talk to your family.

You're spending the equity that would normally be the inheritance left to other family members and this can be an area of concern more often to the senior homeowner than to the family members themselves. Most family members we've talked to don't have the means to take care of their own family expenses as well as those of their parents and senior relatives, so they are extremely happy that their loved ones have a way to age in place and dignity.
Michael G. Branson (CEO All Reverse Mortgage Company)is a Mortgage Broker who has over 31 years of mortgage banking experience. Toll Free (888) 801-2762
Click Here to visit our Homepage Click Here to watch the Reverse Mortgage Benefit Video
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Branson

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: International Intelligence

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:29:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Judith She

We live and do business in a global economy and borders are increasingly becoming bridges to economic growth, providing significant opportunities to enhance our capacity to succeed, particularly in an economically challenging cycle. While the weakening dollar has affected the buying power of U.S. residents, the condition has fueled increased foreign investment. Foreign businesses bought $11.3 billion of U.S. real estate in 2006, up 45% from a year earlier. While those numbers include commercial and industrial properties, conventional theory has it that foreign investors have also been stepping into a residential market niche once dominated by first time buyers. However, this may have been the case when the dollar was stronger than the euro (€), but at this time in our history, the upscale second home marketplace is increasingly becoming the beneficiary of the strengthening euro. At this juncture, a foreign buyer needs just €34,000 to make a $50,000 down payment on a home in the U.S. At the beginning of the year, that same buyer would have needed nearly €38,000 to make the same down payment.
Savvy overseas buyers are bullish on American real estate as they expect that the tide will surely turn, again, providing them with significant equity over time. These are not speculative buyers, but investor-users that have the propensity to trade up as values begin to rise. Foreign investment in vacation homes has traditionally focused on entertainment-rich markets such as New York City, Orlando, FL and Los Angeles, CA, but current buying activity is broadening to include secondary markets that heretofore have been considered relatively remote with respect to foreign investment. A recent article in the UK's Sunday Express focuses on Asheville, NC and the growing interest in purchasing homes in upscale, gated communities where security and access to the great outdoors serve as strong demand generators. While ease of access; i.e., direct flights, tends to increase the popularity of a foreign investment opportunity, markets such as Asheville are seeing increased interest as foreign buyers assess a variety of local market conditions and focus on those that have not yet seen skyrocketing appreciation. The settling and stabilization of some of the more volatile markets is also garnering interest as this most recent chapter of the American real estate chronicle comes to a close and appreciation ascends once again. In Las Vegas, foreign money is helping to bail out areas that were overrun by short-term investors, effectively cleaning up the mess that speculator buying created. Many developers are taking the proverbial bull by the horns and directly targeting productive foreign markets. Corcoran Group now sends agents to 12 overseas investor shows a year including Dubai and Korea. Shelbourne Development Group hired UK real estate firm Savills to handle international sales of its Chicago Spire; and Lake Nona, an upscale private golf community near Orlando, originally developed by UK entertainment giant Sunley Holdings, has reportedly shifted 30% of its advertising budget overseas; five of 19 properties sold in the last six months have been to buyers from the U.K.

According to a survey conducted in May/June 2007 by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), nearly one-third of REALTORS® reported that they had done business with international clients during the period April 2006 to April 2007, and 86% of them advised that those sales accounted for up to 25% of their business. Two regions and several states dominate the current scenario. The South attracts the largest proportion of foreign home purchases (49%) with Florida accounting for 26%. The West comes in with 31% of foreign buyers with California accounting for 16% followed by Texas with 10%. The Midwest's share is 11% and the Northeast 9%. Arizona, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia and North Carolina also rank amongst the top ten.

Points of Origin and Interest - Buyers of U.S. residential real estate come from many parts of the world. While 33% of foreign buyers are from Europe, Asia accounts for 24%, North America (outside the U.S) accounts for 23%; and Latin America, 16%. Among individual countries, the largest share of foreign buyers (13%) comes from Mexico. The United Kingdom ranks second (12%), while Canada, India and China round out the top five countries of origin. Interestingly, Africa and Oceania, (largely comprising the Pacific islands of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia, but is often defined to include Australia and New Zealand) account for a 2% share each. African investment is most often focused in the South while the West attracts the largest percentage of Asian and Oceania buyers. This clearly has to do with accessibility. Direct flights from London to Orlando have served to increase UK investment in Mickey's backyard while accessibility to Miami has spurred investment from Latin America. While 46% of Canadian buyers gravitated to the South, 38% bought property in the West; 10% in the Midwest and 6% in the Northeast. Mexican buyers tend to purchase in the South (47%) and West (39%) but 13% purchase in the Midwest.

Investor Profile - Nearly one-half of foreign buyers purchase a U.S. home for use as a vacation retreat while 22% purchase a home for investment purposes. U.S. visa rules allow non-residents to remain in the country for six months. In this regard, 44% of foreign buyers intend to use their U.S. digs for one to six months per year, and 26% plan a stay of three to six months' duration. Foreign buyers show a strong preference for condominium apartments. The success of the condo-hotel concept speaks to this desire for a maintenance-free, income producing investment. The median sales price associated with foreign buyers during the 2006 period analyzed was $299,500, markedly greater than the national median sales price of $221,900. Fourteen (14%) percent of foreign buyers paid more than $750,000 for their U.S. property and buyers from the U.K. and China paid the most - exhibiting a median price in the $337,500 range. That said, Canadian buyers were more likely to have purchased homes priced over $1.0 million. A greater proportion (28%) of foreign buyers paid cash for their purchase in comparison to all buyers of U.S. properties (8%).

Judith She, Real estate market analyst and Managing Editor of Bowden's Market Barometer An "Insider" Newsletter Focusing on Trends in the Recreational and Resort Community Development Industry.
www.bowdensmarketbarometer.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judith_She

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: To Rent or To Buy?

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:24:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Paige Martin

A lot of renters dream of the day that they can make a monthly payment for their living quarters and know that that money will serve them well in the future. In other words, they are excited about being able to make mortgage payments and invest in something that they own instead of constantly paying money just to be able to live in their home for one more month. This is the reason that the majority of renters wish to change their current situation and picture how great it would be to buy a home. But before any decisions are made, there are things to consider before deciding to buy if you are currently renting.

The first thing to consider is the cost of buying a home. First, there is the down payment, which can be as little as five percent or as large as twenty percent. But it doesn't stop there. Once the down payment is made and the home is purchased, there are many other costs that need to be weighed. These include the monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, home insurance, and any repairs or upgrades that need to be done within the home.

But these costs don't mean that it is a bad idea to buy a home. Buying a home is a great option for many people. The home serves as an investment for the future as it builds equity for the homeowner. And of course, it's always good to know that the money you are paying every month in those mortgage payments is going towards something that you own, instead of just into someone else's pocket.

Owning a home also means that one has the freedom to do whatever they wish to it, whether it be adding on another bathroom, tearing down a wall, or painting the kitchen a vibrant red. And just because one buys a home doesn't mean that they are stuck living there forever even if their situation changes. Home selling and buying can be an exciting experience and with resale value, another way to make money off of the home.

There are many pros and cons to buying a home when individuals are renting. These need to be carefully weighed to determine what will be right for the individual. Owning a home is a great dream to have but one has to be able to see the reality of it to make a good decision.
Search all Houston Texas homes for rent for free at http://www.houstonproperties.com/lease-houston.html.

Paige Martin is a member of the prestigious Martha Turner Properties Circle of Excellence, an award given to honor the company's top producers. Paige is a member of the Houston Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. She specializes in selling Houston's Inner Loop real estate including River Oaks homes for sale as well. Paige Martin, Realtor, Martha Turner Properties.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paige_Martin

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: What You Should Know About Waterfront Property by Lake Sinclair

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:21:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Charles Renwald

Lake Sinclair is located in central Georgia and is fed by the clean, pristine waters the Oconee River. Its a man made lake that was created in 1953 and has 417 miles of scenic shoreline, sprinkled with quaint winding coves and inlets. It has a total surface area of 15,330 acres which equates to 62 square kilometers which also means that it has great boating, fishing and skiing opportunities.

All of these reasons are why more and more people are looking to Lake Sinclair with an eye towards retirement or purchasing a vacation home. This lake has the one thing that so many other waterfront locations don't have to offer home buyers and that is affordability.People who would have had to settle with a home a substantial distance from the shoreline at other lake front locations have found that they can afford a home within a short walk from or right on the water here. With home and property prices exploding in so many other market areas and particularly with regards to pristine lake front locations, Lake Sinclair has become one of the best kept secrets in the highly affordable Southern housing market.

People who are choosing to live out an active retirement are finding that with the savings to be had on a home on Lake Sinclair they can easily afford the boat of their dreams and any other recreational "toys" that are required for the active lifestyle. Finding or building a dream home is also not difficult either, due to the abundance of homes and lots on the market, along with a broad list of qualified home builders available in the region. There are two ways to see the investment and recreation potential that Lake Sinclair has to offer and one is to see it online and the other is to schedule your next road trip here.

Written by Charles Renwald. Find the latest information on Lake Sinclair
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Renwald

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Buy Property Florida

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:17:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Kevin McNally

There are many people that are moving south. In fact, the estimates are that up to 800 new people are moving into the state of Florida every day. That is an amazing amount of people considering that there are 49 other states that they could move to. It probably has something to do with the beautiful warm weather which really appeals to people that have been living in the cold for so many years. While some people are renting when they move into the area, many of them buy property in Florida and stake their claim for life. Why would someone want to buy property Florida style anyway?

Buying property in Florida is an investment, just like it is anywhere in the United States. And like any other investment, it could go good for you and it could go bad. Up until a couple of years ago when the real estate bubble burst it would seem that you couldn't go wrong with any property in Florida, but with the changes that have happened in the real estate marketplace things have certainly changed. The people that would buy property in Florida simply to flip it for a quick profit have really gotten choosy with their buying and for good reason. Nobody would want to have too many properties in their possession at one time, it could be financially devastating.

All in all, however, those that buy property Florida wide still find that they are getting their monies worth. That is because the state is still a great place to live, and always will be. So if you have had enough of the cold weather and are ready to move south then give Florida a long look. It is unique in it's location and the only place where you can enjoy this type of weather in the United States.
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Check out our Luxury hotels Florida and our Villa in Florida deals
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_McNally

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Pros & Cons Of Selling For Sale By Owner

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:10:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Gloria Smith

While home sellers can easily get a real estate agent to help them in selling their residential property, they can always opt to do the selling themselves or what is commonly known as a "for sale by owner" or FSBO way. There are many advantages to this but then, there are also some disadvantages. This is the reason why sellers must learn all about the risks involved in order to avoid the common mistakes.

Home sellers can gain a lot of benefits if they sell on their own. The obvious advantage is being able to save money by not paying any commission. With the savings, a seller can then offer incentives to his or her potential buyer like paying for some of the closing costs.

A For Sale By Owner way of selling means the seller has total control of the transaction. In other words, the sellers make their own decision that they feel will benefit them. They can set the price for the property and can adjust to the buyer's price requirement as well as other terms and conditions.

An FSBO seller can also have control over which marketing strategies to use in promoting his or her house for sale and the schedule of showings to prospective buyers. If one is resourceful enough, he or she does not even need to spend much on advertising as there are various ways available including the free home listing services offered on some MLS websites.

On the other hand, there are a number of disadvantages to this method. First of all, it takes a lot of work on the part of the seller. Sellers should always be available to show prospective buyers who may visit the property unannounced.

Homeowners selling on their own may get frustrated with the offers they receive from the wrong buyers. Initially, they may be excited but after a while with no good buyer in sight and with potential buyers not calling again, sellers may be frustrated in the end.

FSBOs are targets of frauds. If sellers are not careful enough, they may not be able to distinguish a legitimate buyer or real estate investor whereas a realtor should be able to recognize mortgage fraud schemes. Sellers who fall victims to these fraudulent schemes may lose thousands of dollars.

Finally, there's still competition when it comes to advertising your home. With thousands of real estate agents around, FSBO home sellers would be competing with them in selling their properties. This, in turn, may result in homes that stay long on the market. The National Association of Realtors reveals that FSBOs sell for an average of 20 percent less than homes sold by agents.

With these pros and cons, home sellers should carefully weigh everything. They should not be discouraged by the risks but should be challenged to try this strategy if they really wish to save money. And before deciding to use the FSBO way, home sellers should be equipped with the right knowledge on the selling process and the necessary negotiating skills to successfully sell their homes. Consulting the proper professionals such as a real estate lawyer and financial advisors will also prove helpful in their endeavor.

This article is brought to you by BellefontaineFSBO.com. Search homes for sale by owner in Bellefontaine Ohio. Search FSBO homes in Logan County, and learn how to become a real estate agent in Ohio.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gloria_Smith

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Tuscan Style - All the Rage

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Jeff Watson

Old World Italian Architecture Gains Popularity in US

Old World aesthetics have recently been embraced by the United States. The proof is in the architecture! By far, the most popular housing style in the United States these days, including the Southern state of Texas, is Italiante, also known as Tuscan, the Lombard or simply, the bracketed style.

Tuscan-style home plans typically feature distinctive stucco exteriors and low-pitched barrel tile roofs. Tuscan-style designs may also include arched windows, raised entries and a courtyard in addition to the following:

- Balanced, symmetrical rectangular shape
-Tall appearance, with 2, 3 or 4 stories
- Wide, overhanging eaves with brackets and cornices
- Square cupola
- Tiles
- Porch topped with balustraded balconies
- Side bay windows- Molded double doors
- Roman arches above windows and doors

About the Tuscan-style

The Tuscan-style originated in England in the 1840s. Prior to that time, British homes were more formal and classical in appearance. With the picturesque movement, builders began designing elegant recreations of Italian villas. When this style was adopted by the US, it was reinvented again with an American twist. By the late 1860s, the Tuscan-style house was the most preferred architectural style for homes in the US, and it has maintained its popularity to this day. Why?

Historians say the Tuscan-style became prevalent for primarily two reasons:

- Tuscan-style homes can be built with many different kinds of materials, and the style can be adapted to a wide range of budgets
- New technologies have made the production of cast
-iron and press
-metal fast and affordable

If you've ever had the good fortune to travel to Italy, then you are already well-acquainted with the richness of the warm colors and beautiful style of this type of architectural design. Now, you no longer have to travel abroad to experience Italy; make your next house or give your current house a taste of Tuscany.

Take a moment to view an extensive photo gallery of homes that stress Tuscan design.

Jeff Watson

This article was written by Jeff Watson, a custom home builder in Austin, TX who specializes in Tuscan home design. If you are looking to build a Tuscan home in Central Texas, drop Jeff Watson a line and he will be happy to talk to you about your ideas.

As a Design/Build company, Jeff Watson Homes can assure you get exactly what you are looking for. Whether you purchase one of our new homes for sale on our lot or let us help you design a new custom home to build on your lot, Jeff Watson Homes is committed to see that you remain satisfied every step of the way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Watson

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Five Easy Ways To Finance Your Foreclosures

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:55:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Ray Caran

These five methods are commonly used and not brand new techniques.

1.Lines of credit
2.Hard money loans and private money loans
3.Debt and equity partners
4.Standard mortgage financing
5.Broker and investor program

Lines of credit- Remember that you could easily get a line of credit on your own home and use that to make money. Don't overlook major credit cards as a source of funds but realize that the rate of interest will be higher than a home line of credit. A home line of credit is a second mortgage. The lending institutions will sometimes allow you to borrow more than the value of your home. This type of financing is really effective for short term loans.

We have have used home equity loans for a number of years for investing as the interest is tax deductible.

Hard money loans is money loaned from a private individual or individuals. They frequently like short term loans as their money keeps turning over. A major advantage of using this type of loan is that the money can be available in as short a time as 2 weeks. Check your local newspapers or join an investors club and you will find this type of individual.

Debt partners are excellent sources of revenue if you don't mind sharing the proceeds. This is one of the best ways to start your investing business. You do the leg work and join with a partner to supply the money.

Using standard mortgage financing hardly needs much space here. We are all aware of what it takes to get a standard mortgage so we won't dwell on this phase.

A mortgage broker will match borrowers and lenders. They work with several different lenders so they the ins and outs for the particular type of financing you are looking to arrange. They normally charge 1 point (1%) for their services. A good mortgage broker is worth his weight in gold!

A good broker will make the difference between making profitable deals or not. Work with more than one broker. It will pay off in the end. A good broker can get the correct financing moving from a short phone call.

As shown above it doesn't take a lot of money to get started in buying and selling real estate.
Dive in and go for the gold!

Ray Caran has owned and operated a multitude of businesses over the years. He has been buying and selling real estate for over 20 years. For more tips go to: Property Money Making Secrets.

To subscribe to his free opt-in email go to: Property Money Making Secrets and you will never miss an exciting issue.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Caran

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Condo Rules Enhance Positivity

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:47:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Virginia Wherland

Condo residents number as high as 58 million in this country, according to the Community Associations Institute. This translates into more than 295 neighborhoods that were governed by a board, or a rule-based community association.

Rather than kick the system, nearly seventy-five per cent of these residents report that the rules have enhanced and protected their lives. Over seventy per cent say that the rules have actually put a positive spin on their lives. Rules are usually drawn up to avoid conflict in areas governing, for instance, pets, parking, noise, limitations on guests, hours of operation and restrictions. Each condo unit will make its own unique rules.

Each year (in most cases), a board is elected that ensures that the existing rules are adhered to. Their duties also include the making of new rules, if such a situation arises to require one.
New rules will always have the input of the residents. They are usually drawn up according to local bylaws; but are much easier to apply than bylaws. They must also always comply with the state and federal law. Whatever laws are already in place must, if necessary, be encompassed in the condo rules. For instance in the case of the Fair Housing Law which is already in existence, no condo ruling can overrule the basics of that law.

The governing documents, which are the rules you should ask to read before you buy a condo, may not be changed by the board. An amendment must be made to the governing documents which must be agreed by the condo residents and voted on.

The percentage of the vote which will pass or fail an amendment is already written up in the governing document. Governing documents are rarely changed. The existing residents bought their condos against the backdrop of accepting the rules in place in the governing documents, and any change is not undertaken lightly.

When a rule comes into question, the board will deal with it by trying to resolve the matter. Two types of resolution are the most common: administrative resolution and policy resolution. Policy resolution will be employed if the couple upstairs allows their bath to overflow and flood your unit below. Whose insurance company pays?

The administrative resolutions deal more with the rules of running the board and the procedures involved in calling a home owners meeting etc.If resolutions culminate in a change of ruling, members are advised of a proposed change by a letter with a time span for approval. This allows them time to formulate objections.

The running of condo units under this rule system sounds very fair. If you try and find a condo whose 'rules' match your lifestyle, then you could join the 45 million other condo residents who say that their residential rules enhance their life.

Virginia Wherland at Edina Minneapolis real estate features upscale condo properties set in a gorgeous residential area. Visit Virginia and her team at Associates Realty for all of your Minneapolis real estate inquiries.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Virginia_Wherland

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Moran Real Estate Costa Rica Sells Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Jim Kesel

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is also one of the places where many people are buying properties as an investment or to establish a vacation home. One of the most popular real estate companies that render professional and honest real estate services is managed by Terry Moran. The company is known as Moran Real Estate Costa Rica. It focuses on giving investors, retirees and prospective homeowners the opportunity to own a home and inexpensive real estate properties in the Lake Arenal area of Costa Rica.

Moran Real Estate Costa Rica is comprised of many professional real estate agents that will guide you in buying your property in Lake Arenal area. They are very much familiar with all the excellent places in Lake Arenal where you can develop your business or build your home. Some of the places recommended by Moran Real Estate Costa Rica agents include Fortuna, Nuevo Arenal, Tilaran, Tierra Morenas, as well as Tronadora.

You may also ask these agents about the areas located within the mountains, over-looking the whole paradise of Costa Rica. Unlike other real estate agents, they don't push you to buy this or that property just because of their commission. Moran Real Estate is there to assist you in finding your perfect home or spot even if it means they have to search the whole of Costa Rica.

These professional real estate services are owned and managed by Terry Moran and has been recognized as one of the leading names when it comes to real estate industry, especially when it comes to properties in and around the Caribbean. For more than fifty years it has been selling tropical paradise properties. The main office of the company is located in Virgin Islands. And because of the success made by Terry Moran and his agents, there are now a lot of branches scattered all over the Caribbean. It was only a few years that they focused their attention on the Lake Arenal area.

Because of the efforts of Moran Real Estate, many five star hotels as well as restaurants are now affiliated with this real estate company. If you are one of their clients, you may avail special discounts and VIP treatments from the finest establishments in the paradise. Aside from the discounts, you may gain access to the exclusive art galleries where the paintings, sculptures, and other masterpieces of famous local artists in Costa Rica are exhibited and for sale at the same time.

So if you are in the market for a piece of paradise in Costa Rica then you should consider contacting Moran Real Estate Costa Rica. They have a reputation for providing great real estate services and will help you find you own piece of paradise.

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of the Inexpensive Costa Rica Vacation website at http://www.costa-rica-source.com/, providing great information on vacations and travel in Costa Rica as well as information on buying a piece of paradise with Moran Real Estate Costa Rica.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Kesel

REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Positive Outlook for Commercial Real Estate

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Gaurav Bhola

The housing and mortgage market have been going through some difficult times in recent months. However, unlike the residential real estate cousin, the commercial real estate market has been doing well.

The construction spending on shopping centers, office buildings, and other nonresidential projects rose by 15.2 percent in August, led by strong growth in retail and office segments. Commercial retail sales jumped to $401 billion from $359 billion last year.

Unlike, residential real estate, where home loan mortgages, such as interest only mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages, and subprime mortgages have been a cause of concern, along with foreclosures; the commercial mortgage and real estate market has been growing.

The current home loan market has not had any residual effects on the commercial market. According to many experts, the commercial market has been able to sustain itself and grow because the buyers and sellers are more sophisticated and have more financial wherewithal to ride out any turmoil.

Just like the housing market, the commercial arena is a great place to look for opportunities for investment; although bargains are more readily available in the home buying market. The commercial mortgage and real estate market is a different animal than the residential construction business.

In the commercial arena, banks have a direct relationship with commercial real estate developers and other business leaders, not banks and homeowners as in the housing market. This by in itself creates more stability in the commercial market as commercial mortgage lenders are familiar with the real estate business history of the borrower, thus providing less risk to the banker.

But this doesn't mean that the market would be unaffected if economic progress didn't accelerate. If there is a correction in the economy, commercial real estate market may become vulnerable to the credit-risk contagion. This may lead some sellers asking for more money upfront if other mortgage-backed assets are financing the purchase.

In New York, Washington, San Francisco, and some other areas of the country, institutional and foreign investments have remained stable. The core fundamentals of the commercial market remain muscular with increasing occupancy and rent levels projected to grow, particularly in metropolitan areas.

At present there is no oversupply of commercial properties, a good sign for maintaining real estate price levels. In order to keep the prices adequate and occupancy high, it is better to have an undersupply, not an oversupply.

Herein, Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., the country's biggest lodging real estate investment trust, announced this month its third-quarter results which beat Wall Street analyst estimates due to superior occupancy and lodging rates. Also, the $22 billion acquisition of Archstone-Smith Trust, an apartment building operator by commercial real estate company, Tishman Speyer earlier this month gave another boost in the arm to the marketplace.

This shows there is still much confidence in the continued growth of the commercial mortgage and real estate market. Certainly, there is plenty of capital available from investors.
website: http://www.myhomeloanmortgages.com/
Blog: http://www.gimmiethescoop.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gaurav_Bhola

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REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Greater Lansing Real Estate - Holt Michigan At A Glance

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:21:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Kim Lundberg

Holt is one of the oldest unincorporated communities in Michigan and is located in the Charter Township of Delhi. Holt is neither a city nor a village. It is a zip code area. Holt was first named Delhi Center, but this conflicted with Delhi Mills in Washtenaw County. So in 1860 the name was changed to Holt, in honor of Postmaster General James Joseph Holt. Residents have a Holt address and usually say they live in Holt, but if you are looking for information on the local government, you need to look for Delhi Township. the population of Delhi Charter Township as of September 25, 2006 is just over 25,000. This represents a net gain of 11 percent from the 2000 census.

The Township was first established in 1842. There are 100 acres of parks for everyone to enjoy. One such park is Burchfield Park - which offers seasonal activities which include winter toboggan run, bicycle trails, ski trails, hiking trails, a swim area, and general picnic areas. Holt has continued to maintain a small town atmosphere and still have many benefits of a larger community. It is located just south of Lansing, some might not even know where Lansing ends and Holt begins.

There are 4 top employers in Delhi Township. Holt Public Schools employ approximately 583 people, Regional Steel Distribution Center (RSDC) of Michigan employs approx. 292 people, Davenport Masonry employs approximately 280 and Granger Construction about 250 people.
The Holt school district has had an excellent reputation for many years. They have been recognized in many ways. They were the only school in the Greater Lansing Area to do year round school. The beautiful recently built high school is hard to miss when driving down Holt Road. The high school was recognized as on of the top 100 schools in the nation.

The real estate market in the Holt area is a booming market for buyers. The buyers are in control and have probably never seen it this good for them when purchasing a home. The interest rates are low and the prices have been reduced, what a great time to make an investment in real estate. There is approximately 295 homes in the Holt/Dimondale area (35 condos) currently for sale. Buyers have their pick of what home and area they would like to make their investment.

Kim Lundberg is a contributing editor of http://www.clickbuylive.com/ - the most powerful and comprehensive web resource available for Greater Lansing Real Estate. Whether you're buying or selling, ClickBuyLive.com has the tools and support you need to make your real estate transaction simple and successful. ClickBuyLive.com has the only Certified Listings in Lansing Real Estate and is the only site in Greater Lansing that allows you to make offers and facilitate almost your entire transaction 100% online. Visit ClickBuyLive.com now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Lundberg

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REAL ESTATE INVESTING: "My Home Building Dream" Reaching A Clear & Focused Decision To Build

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:09:00 +0000

Real Estate Investing School: By Mel Inglima

Can you guess how far it is between these two points? A: The starry-eyed dream of building your own home. B: The passionate and committed decision to build the home of your dreams!
Actually, only you can answer that question accurately ... as it relates to you! Personally, I've noticed that for so many people, the distance is staggering. And the gap is often a deep chasm that results from the dread of the unknown.

You see, the dream of home building, or even remodeling, is often followed by that nasty little devil of fear. So what happens? RETREAT! Yes, we retreat back to our comfort zone, put that dream away for a while and breathe a sigh of relief that we won't have to face THAT devil again for a while!

But, what happens when you dare to face your fears and make a decision? What happens when you actually take the dream and give it life by adding action and the "real time" details that bring building or remodeling your own home into focus? Details like who, what, when, where, why and how?

THE PERFECT HOUSE PLAN

It wasn't long ago that I was displaying house plans and building materials at a Home Show and watched as some folks were eying the home designs on the table. They seemed intent on them and I sensed they wanted to talk to me. I asked them, "Are you planning to build a home?" Their answer was to laugh nervously.

"We have our building lot and as soon as we find the right home plan, we'll build" they answered with another laugh. Now, as this didn't seem that funny on the surface, I knew there was something behind the laughter. As it turned out, they'd been looking for that "perfect house plan" for six long years! Needless to say, they had not made a strong decision to build.

CLEAR DECISIONS BREAK DOWN BARRIERS

To make a long story short, I was able to help these folks decide upon a house plan. This didn't happen because I knew just what would be good for them. It only happened as I helped them gain the clarity they needed through a series of questions and answers about what they really wanted and why they were stuck in neutral.

Could you gain some clarity? What's holding you back? Are you looking to break those barriers that have kept you from moving forward with your home building dream? See if you can relate to one or more of the following limiting mindsets ... maybe one of them will get you closer to that empowering decision so your path can be cleared.

The home building dream is only a wish until you make it specific and measurable: What specifics are missing in your wish list?

Wanting to build but having no idea what that new home will really look like does not make for a good aiming point: When will you create that one vision that turns your fuzzy homebuilding picture into a sharp vision?

Simply thinking that you want to build a home, but having no idea what the cost of building is, means you're happy enough with the warm, fuzzy feeling of "some day maybe:" Who will you contact to determine building costs of your area?

Looking at house plan after house plan without narrowing down the features and benefits that really work for you: Why do you choose to remain so general and what are you fearful of?

THE POWER OF DECIDING TO BUILD YOUR OWN HOME

Nothing happens until you make a decision! The powerful action of deciding exactly what you want is the catalyst needed to make a whole series of decisions. Dozens of decisions come together once you gain focus.

So, what will you do today or tomorrow to bring you closer to a decision about what you want in a home?

Will you identify the one single scariest feeling you have now and resolve to find an answer?
Will you find one single decision that you can definitely make and follow through on? Progress is made by taking one step at a time.

Define your home dream first. It's empowering!

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* e-course that you can find by clicking here http://www.dreamhomecreation.com/ You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mel_Inglima

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Real Estate Investing School: Build Wealth in Any Market

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:37:00 +0000

You’ve heard it said before,“The only constant is change.”And when markets change, that change creates opportunities. Here are just a few examples:

- When prices appreciate fast, you can “fix and flip” for quick profits. - Appreciating prices also give you the tax-free benefit of cash-out refinances.
- Falling interest rates (even with stable prices) reward you with a refinance that lowers your monthly payments and increases your cash flows.
- Depressed markets provide you with an abundance of foreclosures, motivated sellers, and bargain-priced properties.
- High rates of inflation drive up market interest rates and cut down short-term demand. That’s the perfect time to look for seller financing, lease options, and low-interest-rate mortgages that you can take over (assume) from the sellers.
- High rates of inflation also reduce the number of newly constructed houses because builders must pay higher construction costs and higher interest rates. Fewer housing starts clearly signals an excellent time to buy. A slowdown in new housing always foreshadows a jump in
prices as growing demand outpaces new supply. (California perfectly illustrates this point—albeit low housing starts in California are now being caused by tight land-use controls, environmental protection, and restrictive growth management policies.)

These moneymaking examples merely touch upon the multitude of strategies you will discover throughout this book, but they illustrate one central message that I have advocated throughout my career and in all of my writings:

Q. When’s the best time for you to invest in real estate?
A. Today.

But don’t jump to the wrong conclusion. By saying “invest today,” I don’t mean that you can never go wrong. Rather, I mean that there’s never a wrong time to invest if you choose the right strategy. And that’s what I’m going to show you.

Real Estate Investing School: Just Say No to Excuses

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Mindset + Knowledge = Wealth

“But wait a minute,” you say. “You can’t be talking to me. In my area of the country, property prices have climbed sky-high. Besides, I really don’t have enough cash, credit, or time to get started. And even if I did, real estate seems too complex. I can’t even balance my checkbook.” As I travel throughout the country and talk with would-be beginning investors, I repeatedly hear these types of excuses. But it may surprise you to learn that I’ve heard these same excuses for nearly 30 years.

Naysayers Thrive in All Times and Places

When times are good, people fret over the deals they’ve missed. When times are bad, these same folks claim that real estate is no longer a good investment. Either way, they always find some way to color the future.

Yet, since the early 1970s I have seen all types of booms and busts. I have seen 18 percent mortgage interest rates. I’ve lived through the multiple turmoils of double-digit rates of inflation, the disastrous 1986 money in any type of market. You can make Tax Reform Act (which killed off the most profitable real estate tax shelter techniques), and the recent market of sky-high prices. Yet I (and nearly all other savvy investors) have figured out how to make
money in every one of these market situations and all of the other types of markets in between.

Among all the lessons history teaches, none is more certain than the fact that home prices will go up. Regardless of how high you think prices are today, they will be higher 10 years from now and much, much higher 20 or 30 years into the future. Don’t make the mistake of believing that “home prices have reached their peak. Before you accept the naysaying of so-called economic experts, take a quick trip through some of their faulty predictions from years gone by:

The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline. (Time, 1, 1947)

Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is around $8,000—out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers. (Science Digest, April 1948)

If you have bought your house since the War . . . you have made your deal at the top of the market. . . . The days when you couldn’t lose on a house purchase are no longer with us. ( House Beautiful, November 1948)

The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans. The typical new house today costs about $28,000. (Business Week, September 4, 1969)

Be suspicious of the “common wisdom” that tells you to “Buy now . . . because continuing inflation will force home prices and rents higher and higher". (NEA Journal, 1970)

The median price of a home today is approaching $50,000. . . .Housing experts predict that in the future price rises won’t be that great. (Nation’s Business, June 1977)

The era of easy profits in real estate may be drawing to a close. (Money, January 1981)
In California . . . for example, it is not unusual to find families of average means buying $100,000 houses. . . . I’m confident prices have passed their peak. (J. E. English and G. E. Cardiff, The Coming Real Estate Crash, Warner Books 1980)

The golden age of risk-free run-ups in home prices is gone.(Money, March 1985)

If you’re looking to buy, be careful. Rising home values are not a sure thing anymore.(Miami Herald, October 25, 1985)

Most economists agree . . . [a home] will become little more than a roof and a tax deduction, certainly not the lucrative investment it was through much of the 1980s. (Money, April 1986)

We’re starting to go back to the time when you bought a home not for its potential moneymaking abilities, but rather as a nesting spot. (Los Angeles Times, January 31, 1993)

Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment
(Kiplinger s Personal Financial Magazine, November 1993)

A home is where the bad investment is. (San Francisco Examiner, November 17, 1996)

Your house is a roof over your head. It is not an investment.(Karen Ramsey, Everything You Know About Money Is Wrong, Reagan Books, 1999)

The trends that have produced the housing boom . . . have nearly run their course. This virtually guarantees . . . plummeting home prices and mass foreclosures. . . . (John Rubino, How to Profit from the Coming Real Estate Bust, Rodale, 2003)

Real Estate Investing School: Why this blog?

noreply@blogger.com (pycoon) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:00:00 +0000

Why this blog? In writing Real Estate Investing School,my intent has been to cover all topics that first-time real estate investors need to know.

Here you’ll find discussions about credit scoring, mortgages, seller financing, negotiation, foreclosures, bargain-hunting, appraisal, valuation,creating value, cash flow analysis, property management, and dozens of other topics. In this book, you’ll gain a profit-generating introduction to the complete range of knowledge you’ll need to begin building wealth in real estate.

In other words, another title for this blog might have been Real Estate Investing in a Nutshell.This blog is directed toward those readers who want to sample all investment topics in one easy-to-read volume.

Although I am quite optimistic on your opportunities to build wealth with property, I never mislead my viewers into believing that this wealth will come without knowledge, time, and effort. It’s certainly true.You can still get rich in real estate. But you must learn how to analyze properties, neighborhoods, and financial risks and rewards. And that’s exactly what my books will help you learn.

In this blog, I want to motivate and educate you. I want to get you started in real estate. I hope to persuade you that real estate investing can still lead you to a lifetime of wealth and personal fulfillment. No matter what financial goals you
set for yourself, no matter how little cash, credit, or income you currently possess, if you choose to, you can still build your fortune in real estate.
I wish you good luck and good fortune.