Real Estate

Buying Your First Summer Vacation Property - Be Practical

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:07:00 +0000

Buying your first vacation property – be it a family summer vacation camp or perhaps a more elaborate upscale lakeside chalet or condo is a dream that often comes to light during weekend or summertime visits to friends or family who are so equipped. Spring and summertime is such a short season that a getaway retreat – that is far away from it all – and provides solace away from the demands of the city, the office and the business is more than desirable – from a multitude of standpoints – be fishing waterskiing or hunting spot, recreation, a family gathering and outing place – or just plain fun and relaxation.

However from both a financial and property owner’s perspectives if you are planning on taking that big plunge to research, purchase and invest in a summer or second property there are a number of both practical and logistical considerations to delve into.

First of all as with any real estate the key words are location, location and location. It is basic and more than important to do your research on defining the geographic areas on where both your ideal and practical location of your summer cottage or property may be. You may love the Whiteshell , but find after several jaunts that the 1 ½ hour jaunt out of Winnipeg seems a lot longer after repeat trips and end of the weekend summertime traffic jams on the highways – all with other working spouses on their way back for the Monday start of the work week. It may seem fine once or twice; it may even seem fine for an occasional early morning drive in to work. However in your case a closer, yet less scenic cottage setting – say at Gimli or Winnipeg Beach. Also take into account if you have recently moved your regular home as well. What was now a short jaunt to the lake of 40 minutes from the perimeter may now have added to it an hour jaunt across the city as well? Be realistic with the location of your cottage. Ordinary practicality is the key – not only to you but also for the family. On the other side of the fence if your employment is as a teacher – and you or your spouse have the summer months off then a cottage at Lake of the Woods – may be very practical. On top of that the long distance may increase your solitude and keep unwanted guests away. It’s not a short or easy jaunt to their cottage after all. Especially now when people add in gas prices for the highway trip to the equation of their costs of a day at the lake.

It can be said in summary that a summer vacation cottage, camp or year round vacation property can be great. It can be a most relaxing haven away from home in the city, the city with all its hustle and bustle as well as the office and its pressures. Cottages are often for family. Often children have their best memories, in retrospect of the fun times spent with their friends and family at the lake during summer vacations. A vacation property is a big investment now and for the future not only in a financial sense but also for peace of mind and the time and recreation that the family can share together. Take the time to evaluate your summer vacation cottage property or year round second property fully and with practical measures in mind. Its well worth the time spent. After a vacation property is a real estate purchase.

About the Author:

Sell Your Manitoba Cottage Sell List View Manitoba Canada Camps Chalet Cottage Lots Summer Vacation Properties free internet Browse privacy convenience your home without driving Appeal Winnipeg Property Assessment Taxes Realty Tax Consultant

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Green Development - Get In On The Ground Floor!

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:05:00 +0000

Green Development is a relatively new concept that relies on the premise of conserving energy and utilizing it efficiently. Through improved siting, design, construction and maintenance, Green Development enhances the efficiency of materials and ensures their optimal use.

The concept of Green Development should be inculcated with sustainable development to ensure benefits like increased productivity, reduced operating costs, improved indoor air quality, as well as lesser water runoff and heat island effect. The practice of Green Development does not imply that the resulting structure will lack in appearance and style. Green Developments can be equally elegant structures having the desirable ecological benefits. This sort of a construction concept is necessary for environmental conversation and is regulated by standards created by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Green Development aims to construct structures with minimal impact to the environment. The key is to ensure that the materials used in the construction are green indicating that they are local, non-toxic and naturally renewable. Examples include bamboo, oak, straw, stone etc. Other Green Development construction techniques entail the inclusion of large windows for ample sunshine to enter thus, reducing the dependence on electricity; thermal mass that can heat and cool the building during different seasons; energy efficient machinery like refrigerators, stoves and ground source heat pumps; and insulation to prevent energy loss. It is also important to ensure proper waste disposal mechanism. A major factor that can significantly benefit the environment is the use of renewable energy sources like wind energy, hydro energy and solar energy.

The increasing popularity of the Green Development concept has led many countries to establish standards. The pioneers are the U.S. Green Building Council; other bodies include U.K's Code for Sustainable Homes, Canada's EnerGuide for Houses, Switzerland's Minergie, Australia's House Energy Rating and others. These countries are actively pursuing environmental friendly Green Development techniques to promise environmental health and sustenance. Some of the renowned Green Builders are Walter Segal, Steve Baer, Rocky Mountain Institute, Ken Yeang and James Wines.

San Jose, California has presented an excellent example which reflects Green Development concepts. Due to the unprecedented growth and economic development of San Jose in 1960s and 1970s, there arose a need to meet the growing urban demands. The answer was Santana Row which is a San Jose shopping centre consisting of several chic brand retailers like Gucci, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Crate and Barrel, Borders etc. Santana Row is the formulation of the shopping, dining and living dream; it boasts of 680,000 square feet of retail space; 1,200 luxury rental units including town houses, lofts, and flats; a 214- room hotel; a 12-screen entertainment cinema; 5,200 parking spaces; a pedestrian-friendly main street; public open space; plazas and courtyards. State-of-the-art facilities equipped with modern construction and amenities make Santana Row a much desirable spot for people from all walks of life. Santana Row efficiently utilized the available resources at hand to create a unique, successful and popular structure.

Santana Row has evolved as an outstanding creation that entails all facets of life within 43 acres of land. This very fact proves the competent use of limited land. Whatever the need may be, Santana Row provides the answer; it is the epitome of the one-stop concept to meet all needs.

Mixed use development is the name given to similar structures that are intended for many purposes like shopping, dining and living. Street Works is a team of professional developers, architects and planners who initiate concepts in urban locales and passionately take steps to materialize their concepts.

Street Works excels in identifying potential locations for a business opportunity and then taking appropriate steps to analyze, design and create a plan that would work with the requirements of the area. This gives birth to construction and development ideas that are relatively new. These include mixed use, residential, commercial as well as urban revitalization projects.

Street Works has been successful in identifying a few projects that can be potentially lucrative opportunities for the involved businesses. These include 620 Avenue of the Americas in New York City, Quincy in Massachusetts, Blue Black Square in Connecticut, Reston Town Centre in Virginia and a few more. Street Works aspires to create the Santana Row phenomenon in each of these areas where retailers, restaurants, cinemas and builders will collectively provide an array of services and facilities to the residents and customers. Street works has arrived at these locations by conducting extensive market research and analysis. The importance of market research cannot be stressed enough before the launch of any project. Potential impacts of the project should be carefully assessed before the idea starts taking shape. In this manner, one can be prepared to handle the various difficulties, challenges and situations a project may present.

The increasing population and development presents an opportunity to take up similar projects and explore the possibilities. Land and other limited resources should be put to proficient use and thus create an environmental friendly and convenient experience for all. Although a mixed use development project is a risky proposition, adequate research and study will help to choose areas that have the best chances of thriving with mixed use developmental structures. The most popular choice for a mixed use development considering all elements tends to be the downtown area of a city. Planners and developers have made several observations and predictions about the success and benefits of such structures; but despite all noted pros and cons, mixed use developments have immense potential and promise to be the most visited and acclaimed places provided the areas they are built in are easily accessible and acceptable to the residents of the city.

About the Author:

Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga and Yolanda Bishop of http://www.maverickrei.com specialize in commercial and investment real estate. As of May, 2006, they and their partners are managing over $600 million dollars worth of new projects.

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Where To Get Free Money To Buy A Home

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:02:00 +0000

There are a growing number of home buyers who have found free money to buy a home. These are grant-loans offered by the Community Development Corps (CDC's) which are local government agencies specifically designed to help low income families purchase their first home. Some CDC's even allow previous homeowners to get into the program.

Many local governments have started home loan subsidy programs for emergency workers (EMS, Police, hospital workers, etc.) so they can purchase affordable housing on their city or county salaries. These same governments have also extended the funding to the public to qualified buyers. Their funding is allocated by the city, county or state government and is unpredictable because of funding crises in local and state governments.

If you would like to apply for a loan, you should begin immediately to get qualified because there is usually an educational program associated with the loan. While only loans are mentioned previously, many of the funds disbursed are actually grants and not meant to be paid back. Most carry guidelines that must be strictly adhered to so that the loan becomes a grant and does not have to be repaid after a number of years. The loans are never transferable to someone buying the home, even if they are qualified in the CDC program. There are seldom pre-payment penalties, but remember, if the loan is kept for a certain term, there may be no repayment required.

The amount of the funding varies and is determined by the need of the applicant, the expected purchase price of the home, and most importantly, the amount of the funding the CDC gets. Typically, it is quoted to the perspective homeowner in a flat dollar amount, such as $40,000, which will be about 20% of the purchase price of a home for which the applicant qualifies. Sometimes the applicant can also apply for repair monies, usually about $5,000.

The applicant must look for a home to buy while waiting for his funding. His competition is other home buyers that can get conventional financing, so the process of finding a home can be frustrating. An issue of the loan process is that it usually takes 60 days, once a purchase contract has been signed. This unusually long closing time is a hardship on the buyer and seller, but seems to matter little to the CDC. Often time's sellers would rather sell at a lower price rather than waiting for the uncertainty of the CDC funding.

The CDC also requires that the applicant get pre-qualified by a lender for the difference of the grant money and what is owed to purchase the home. It is important that the applicant uses a commercial bank as a lender because a mortgage broker may put part of his commission on the "backend" of the loan, often resulting in a higher interest rate. Most CDC's have a maximum interest rate the borrower can pay, so this could kill the purchase. However, there is an industry secret to overcome this which is to have the seller "buy-down" the interest rate of the loan by giving the lender a set amount at the closing as part of the closing costs. The larger this amount, the lower the interest rate for the buyer.

The CDC loan process may be intentionally complicated so that the number of applicants remaining after the elimination process includes only the strongest. Expect many requirements to change throughout the loan process and before closing. This is very annoying, but ask yourself this, "Who else is willing to gift you with $40,000?" Do whatever is asked even if you don't understand why, or if you have done it before, because there are probably ten people behind you waiting for the same funding. Persistence and perseverance is the key to owning your own home and having the government pay for a big portion of it.

About the Author:

Available at no cost for a limited time by going to http://www.fsboTLC.com and he shares even more techniques and secrets in his homeowner's home study course at http://www.FSBOautopilot.com

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The Real Estate Investment Academy – A Guide to Financial Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The Real Estate Investment Academy is a complete and easy to understand roadmap to financial freedom. Condensing years of hands on and formal education of real estate knowledge, the academy presents clear and concise steps that will lead to complete fiscal independence. The good news we show you are these logical and straight forward steps and tips provide a tangible spring board from which anyone can launch a profitable real estate investment career. By showing you how to identify potential investments, you will learn how to separate the profitable, low risk opportunities from those that may be less advantageous. You will learn how to finance these investments with no upfront capital on your part. Finally, you will learn how to identify potential buyers for your properties and how to close the deal while securing a huge profit margin.

The first step to financial freedom is to correctly identify potential real estate investments. The most important aspect to consider is a property’s profitability. Profitability has two sides – the amount that an item costs to purchase and the amount that an item can sell for. Ask yourself the following question: Can I sell this property for more than I bought it for? If the answer is yes, then you have identified a prospective opportunity. You can maximize your profit by expending a minimum amount of time or upfront costs. Real estate that has been foreclosed or defaulted on or has been sold due to back taxes typically has an extremely low sale price and is one of the most profitable and reliable choices in real estate investment anyone can make. What we have mentioned here are only a few examples of “motivated sellers.” The more motivated the seller, the lower the initial investment will be.

The next step to fiscal independence is to secure the money to make the purchase. The Real Estate Investment Academy teaches investors how to procure this money without actually having to utilize your own money. While this sounds too good to be true, many real estate deals are made without an upfront investment on the buyer’s part. Therefore, if you can find a property that can be bought and resold quickly. This transaction leaves you with all the profit of the sale without any cash up front.

In order to reap these huge profits, you need to find potential buyers. This process is a bit more fluid. However, there are no shortages of buyers in today’s market. A buyer might be a first time home buyer, an investor building their real estate portfolio, an individual with a commercial interest, or any one of a hundred other possibilities. The idea is to match the real estate with the buyer. Do your homework. Keep in mind such things as location, condition and other things that might help make a property more desirable. Follow these simple step by step instructions the Real Estate Investment Academy teaches and you too can be on your way to financial freedom.

About the Author:

Learn from a professional at the real estate investing institute. More on; Real estate investing

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Real Estate Urban Legends

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Urban legends run ramped and can be quite costly if you base a purchase or sale decision on something that you heard that turns out to be false. This article will attempt to dispel some of the legends out there. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, the best thing that you can do is speak openly with a real estate agent that you trust.

Legend! As a purchaser your agent always acts in your best interest.

Reality! Unknown to most home buyers your real estate agent, can offer you two forms of representation. Your real estate agent could be working directly for you in a buyer brokerage arrangement or they could be working in the vendor's best interest if it is a sub agency arrangement.

Legend! MLS gives you all the accurate and complete information necessary to find and purchase a home in Toronto's real estate market.

Reality! MLS is a website that is open for the overall public to search therefore there are limitations to the available information. This is necessary to protect people's rights to privacy. The information that is available can be 24-72 hours out of date. For complete and current information you can hire a real estate agent to help you get the information you need.

Legend! You can find your dream home by visiting open houses on your weekends.

Reality! Facts show that very few home buyers purchase a home that they visited as an open house. Once you know the areas that you would like to live, ask your real estate agent to search everything that is available and email or present his/her results. Now you can spend your time visiting the homes that really interest you.

Legend! In order to buy a house you must have a large sum of money to put down as your deposit.

Reality! With the wide variety of financing options available,you can now get away with 5% or even less. You just want to make sure that you put down enough deposit to allow your monthly payments to meet the following rule. On a monthly basis you should not pay more than 32% of your gross household income on housing costs or P.I.T.H. (principal and interest, taxes, and heating expenses). The more deposit you put down the lower your monthly payments will be.

Legend! Hiring a real estate salesperson is complicated and expensive.

Reality! Actually, it's a free service for home buyers. The sellers pay a commission to the listing agent and he or she pays the buyer agent a commission to bring and negotiate an offer.

Legend! You should buy a home that looks good and is nicely decorated.

Reality! A lot of homes that are on Toronto's real estate market are professionally decorated. They are 'fluffed' to help increase the property's value, or to distract you from flaws and awkward rooms. You should consider using a home inspector even if it looks good.

Legend! Always purchase the smallest house on the nicest street.

Reality! It's a good strategy but there is nothing wrong with buying a larger house on that very same street.

About the Author:

Evan Sage is an award winning Toronto Real Estate Agent specializing in working with clients who are downsizing their homes in Rosedale, Lawrence Park, Lytton Park, Hoggs Hollow and North Toronto. Evan works hard to instill in his clients the confidence to make the right purchase or sale decision. He achieves this by demonstrating a superior knowledge of Toronto real estate and by educating his clients.

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How to Sell Your Denver House During the Recession

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:55:00 +0000

The first thing that you want to do if you decide to sell your home during a recession is to hire a good Denver real estate agent. Look for a Denver Realtor that is successfully selling homes at this time. Find out what they think about putting your house on the market. Find out how they plan on marketing your home.

Your agent should be able to help you get an idea of how much other comparable Denver houses are selling for in the area. Be sure to figure in money that may have been deducted from the price because of any agreements that the seller may have made with the buyer that may have raised or lowered the original price. This might have an effect on your listing price.

It may take a while to sell your Denver home during a recession. Give it some time before making any decisions to change your price or remove the house from the market. Houses are big ticket items and you aren't necessarily going to have buyers knocking down your door on the first day. It can still take some time to sell a property during good financial times, so it may take some months of being on the market before you get some bites.

Let your agent know if you have made any changes to your Denver home or property while it is being listed. This might be information that the agent wants to make public in the listing. If there hasn't been a picture taken since the last season, ask your agent to take a new picture an feature that with the listing. Buyers will be able to tell that the house has been on the market just by the season of the picture.

Special deals will attract more buyers. You can offer something tangible like a car, big-screen t.v. or even a month free mortgage in order to sell your Denver home in a tough market.

Be flexible on the amount of the down payment you are requiring. In a recession people have less cash in their checking and savings accounts. They may be able to get the financing and be otherwise willing to buy. A high down payment may be the one obstacle that is keeping them from making an offer on the house. Some buyers may offer you a tangible item like a car or boat as part of the down payment. These can be very profitable deals for the seller.

Even in a recession it is possible to sell your Denve home. Times may be tough but people are still changing jobs and locations, getting married, divorced and other life changing occurrences that makes one need to look for other residence. The key to selling successfully during a recession is to stand out in the crowd of other houses that are being sold in the area. Adjust your price so that you are one of the cheaper homes offered compared to the value of the home.

Keep a positive attitude, get a Denver real estate agent that is willing to work with you and stay flexible to offers that come your way. You will find that you can successfully sell your house in the recession.

About the Author:

Denver real estate Denver homes

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Home Buyers Different Insurance Options

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:52:00 +0000

Home insurance varies greatly, there is no single coverall insurance solution for home owners, it really depends on the individual requirements and tolerance for risk. Outlined in this article is an overview of many different types of insurances related to homeownership some of which may apply to you and some may not. Insurance may seem like a burden when you do not have a claim but the minute an issue arises you will be extremely glad that you have it.

Homeowner's insurance is a must have for any home owner. It is the car insurance of the real estate world. This insurance protects you against such things as fire, smoke, wind, hail, vandalism and slips/falls. It is typically just the house that gets insured and not the land.

This insurance is usually required by the lender in order to cover the mortgage value should the property be destroyed. I do highly recommend that my clients get this insurance and get a policy with full replacement cost, this is as opposed to the typical coverage which is replacement minus depreciation. It is hard to give an estimated cost as it really depends on the value of your home.

It is usually also a good idea to include contents in your home insurance. This protects the stuff in your house and sometimes even personal stuff stolen out of your car. If you are a non smoker and have an alarm you can typically get a discounted rate.

Mortgage life insurance covers the value of your mortgage should you die. This is not usually required by most lenders. It is recommended if you have a young family and you are the main earner. Premiums are usually quite manageable and vary depending on your age and the value of your mortgage.

Mortgage insurance is sometimes referred to mortgage loan insurance or mortgage default insurance, this is offered through CMHC and covers the lenders when a borrower has less than 20% down payment. This insurance covers the lender should you default on your payments, this is not for your benefit but is a requirement should you want a high ratio mortgage.

Home warranties will insure against the operating systems of the house. It may cover things such as the heating system, central air, electrical, plumbing, and large appliances. I usually tell my clients that if it is an older home than it may be worth it, but not to bother with it should it be a new home.

Title insurance covers your land. This is your assurance that the property you buy remains yours even if someone makes a claim against your property. If you get this insurance it is worth ensuring your coverage includes defense costs, so all legal expenses are covered. I will typically recommend this insurance when we are pushing through a deal quickly, as that can sometimes cause some things to be missed.

As you have read there are many different insurance options. I always steer my clients to a knowledgeable insurance broker to get the complete picture and to figure out all of their options.

About the Author:

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Vancouver Real Estate -To Buy Or Not To Buy

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:46:00 +0000

With the escalating prices of real estate in downtown Vancouver reaching never-before seen heights, many hesitant investors are asking the questions, is this a bubble? Will it all come crashing down? Is it all pre-olympic hype? As an experienced realtor who has followed the market for many years, I can say with confidence that this is not a bubble, but a dose of reality for a city that simply does not have enough land to supply the demand for accommodation, now, and in the future.

Many people are quick to compare Vancouver to areas of the United States which are experiencing a “burst bubble” effect with an increase in foreclosures. Some may say that we will follow suit because of recent gains over the past few years. It must be noted, however, that the situation in the United States is extremely different to Canada. For example, the majority of home buyers in this dire situation provide the lowest possible down payment, or even borrow more money than the property was worth. Even the slightest change in interest rates can have an extremely damaging effect. In Vancouver, a common down payment on a piece of real estate is 20%. That’s REAL money down versus creative financing in the US.

With the soaring increase in construction in the Vancouver, particularly concentrated in the Yaletown and Coal Harbour areas, there is the fear that supply will flood the market. There are already approximately 1800 units in development slated for completion in 2008, 90% of which are already sold, and almost 1300 units in development for 2009 of which 82% are sold. The market is NOT OVERSUPPLIED, the demand is still very much there, and between that demand and the rising cost of construction, the prices keep rising. We are now faced with a situation where the only potential development sites left in downtown are BC place, the Plaza of Nations, and Port areas.

It is reasonable to wonder how a unit that cost $300,000 three or four years ago could cost $500,000 today. The cost of construction has risen so much that a developer could not build the same suite for $300,000 today. Take a development like Yaletown Park in Downtown Vancouver. That development originally sold for $325 per square foot. Today, it would cost a developer $750 per square foot, leaving no choice but to increase prices. In Coal Harbor, the Fairmont development has already broken new ground by selling some units at over $2000 per square foot. That is TODAY’S prices, not ten years from now. The demand is there, and the $2000 per square foot ceiling has been broken.

Finally, the 2010 Olympics will have the largest impact on Vancouver real estate for years to come. Although it is only a two week event, the money and exposure it will bring to our city is priceless. The world will be introduced to Vancouver as never before and the infrastructure that comes with it in transportation improvements, new venues, and conferences will remain with our city.

When if comes to investing in real estate, there are two types of speculators: one who buys and hopes that the property goes up and then there is the one who is a position to buy but doesn’t for fear the property value will down. In my opinion, not buying when you can perhaps is the bigger risk. The world has its eyes open to Vancouver, and it is my goal to assist future clients in what will be the most important financial decision of their lives.

About the Author:

Vancouver Real Estate Agent - Larry Rahn http://www.mrrealestate.com

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Understanding the Sellers Listing Price Strategy

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:15:00 +0000

The first and foremost important step in purchasing a Toronto home is preparing the offer, as the terms set out in the agreement will dictate your type of lifestyle for the coming years.

To ensure the success of this important aspect of the purchase be sure to set up a meeting with your Toronto real estate agent once you have found the right Toronto home.

It is with your agent that you can go over the specifics of the offer and have the document finalized. Take your time to ensure its accuracy as once you have signed it the document becomes binding and irrevocable.

Once this is complete the offer gets registered and made available to the listing agent, and thereafter the offer presentation appointment is set.

When purchasing in Toronto offer presentations usually take place on the same day, sometimes lasting all day long with back and forth negotiations.

Your Toronto real estate agent handles your side of the negotiation and also presents your offer to the vendor and listing agent.

As these talks can go late into the evening, be sure to make yourself readily available for any sign backs that you may need to consider and authorize.

This article will focus on your different pricing strategies. Keep in mind some work better than others in a weak economy.

OFFER AMOUNT

Pricing Guidelines:

Below are a few general guidelines for Toronto homes.

1. Poor properties that are under-priced generally sell for asking price, rarely more

2. Average properties that are well priced generally sell for asking price, occasionally more.

3. Excellent properties that are new to the market generally sell for asking price, frequently more.

4. Anything else generally gets sold for below the asking price.

OVERPRICED?

See if the house on which you are bidding is overpriced by comparing the various listing price strategies provided below. This exercise can help you determine a fair offering price.

Listing Price Strategy

#1 Below Fair Market Value

Priced below value, these properties frequently incite bidding wars and end up selling over asking price.

Reasons for listing below market value include the real estate agent suggesting too low a price, or sometimes the vendor simply wants to sell quickly.

#2 At Fair Market Value

Priced very competitive, these homes generally sell fast and very close (near, at or above) to the listing price.

#3 Slightly Overpriced

These properties are generally between five to ten percent overpriced.

Most homes listed for sale use this strategy as they either feel their home is truly worth the price, or they wish to leave some room for negotiation.

#4 Extremely Overpriced

Extremely overpriced properties are generally between ten to twenty five percent overpriced. Vendors may do this for a variety of reasons.

They may genuinely feel that their home is worth that price, but more often than not some real estate agents have grossly inflated the value of the home to get the listing.

Unfortunately there is a natural tendency to work with an agent who quotes them the highest price, putting the vendor in a disadvantageous position when the property remains unsold for quite some time.

The longer an overpriced property stays on the market, the more bargaining power the buyer will have.

About the Author:

Evan Sage is an award winning Toronto Real Estate Agent specializing in working with clients who are downsizing their homes in Rosedale, Lawrence Park, Lytton Park, Hoggs Hollow and North Toronto.

Read more articles by: Evan Sage

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Property Investment in Cape Verde

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Around 400 miles from Africa’s west coast, Cape Verde is an area of 10 small islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The islands already have tourism on the islands and due to plans to promote the area internationally as a tourist destination, tourism population are predicted to rise over the next few years. As the islands gain in popularity with tourists, they are increasingly seen as a promising property investment.

The summer months of July and October are an ideal visit the islands as the weather is warm and the winds are milder. The interesting mix of Portuguese traditions, African scenery and European architecture provide a uniqueness that will appeal to all types of travelers. The wonderful scenery is different on each island with some flat and desert-like while others are volcanic and mountainous; all of them offer magnificent coastlines.

The biggest and most popular island in Cape Verde is Santiago; it also has the main airport in the capital city of Praia. Nearly 50% of the area’s populace inhabits this island and there is a vibrant atmosphere. Praia, being the capital city is located on the island and has scenery made up of mountains and deep valleys with a beautiful coastline of white sand beaches and black reefs.

Around the island are numerous diving opportunities including exploring shipwrecks on the ocean floor, and the winds are perfect for windsurfing activities. The local people love their music and the islands hold many carnivals, live music venues can easily be found and folk music is a proud tradition.

If you do visit the islands don’t miss the salt mines in Sal, located inside a dormant volcano they are a must for every visitor. Fogo is a single volcanic peak whose slopes are marked with rivers of frozen lava and the beaches of Sal and Boa Vista are spectacular. There are plenty of water activities including surfing, water-skiing and scuba diving, these can easily be booked at your hotel and then relax on the beach with a bottle of the local rum.

Airlines have already established direct flights to Cape Verde from Europe, opening up the islands to international travelers which will assist its progression as a tourist destination and make the area an attractive choice for real estate investments.

Due to the islands natural beauty, friendly people and expected rising economy, the islands are attracting more and more interest from investors. Interest is being shown from all types of investors, including corporations looking for a new area to develop, business people in search of new opportunities and those wanting a holiday or second home. You will find inexpensive flights from Europe and once you are there, it’s hard not to fall in love with the islands.
http://www.ownbuild.co.uk/

Anyone looking to invest in a foreign country should really visit there themselves to experience it firsthand. Only you know what you require concerning climate, opportunities and people and taking the time to travel there will answer many of your questions. Once you have paid a visit and decide that it would be a good place to invest in then take a second trip and learn the business practices of the country, they will probably not be the same as in your home-country. If you are planning on running a business there be aware that business practices will be different than they are at home and learn their customs so as not to make mistakes.

If you compare Cape Verde to the rest of Europe properties are inexpensive, you can even find beach front properties still realistically priced. This gives investors the opportunity to establish a new business on the islands in expectation of the increase in tourism levels. Currently the islands are not set up for thousands of tourists and the opportunities are there for the picking. When you consider the low airfares, direct flights to the islands and the spectacular landscape on offer, it is obvious why Cape Verde Property Investments would be an excellent choice for individuals and corporations.

About the Author:

Michiel van Kets provides article services for Peter White who works for Aston Mortgage Services Limited, http://www.ownbuild.co.uk/ a company offering mortgage broker service set up on the basis of delivering competitive products for clients.

Read more articles by: Michiel Van Kets

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Apartment Hunting Tips - Tips to Consider Before Choosing Apartment Rent

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:06:00 +0000

Renting an apartment represents a strenuous task that requires all of your attention and focus because the final decision will be important for a variety of reasons. Choosing an apartment where to live in for rent, you need to consider several factors related to price, included amenities, location, size, roommate or no roommate and the period of time for which you envision to stay. Those planning to rent a flat need to look over all their options before coming down to that final decision. The guidelines described below will help you with your decision.

Make sure You Visit as much as possible

Renting an apartment represents all about visiting and seeing. Investigate what options are in the area you plan to stay into and then start looking for the sources in which you can find offers of rented apartment. You need to be aware of the bigger context of the whole situation so that you can make the best decision in your case. Therefore, to find out available apartments for rent, you could make some online research or use rental magazines or specialized catalogues where offers of rentals are usually displayed. Once you do that, circle the most interesting ones and then consider visiting the apartments that most interest you, because that way, you will be able to get some sense of the size, location, amenities and most important, the price of the apartment for rent. Thus, you will see on the spot how the apartment looks like and generally, there is no other, better way to be able to narrow your list to a few apartments.

Consider the roommate topic as well. Would you want to have some roommate or more than one roommate? Usually, the prices go down in an obvious way because you are basically splitting the costs together. However, depending on the characters of the roommate, this might make your period in the apartment bearable or not. It can all turn into a significantly better situation or a significantly worse situation, therefore you need to make your decision by taking into account the possibility of a roommate as well. Compatibility, respect for one another, capability to pay the bills and the desire to participate in the household chores are things that you need to discuss or address with your roommate(s).

For one thing, having roommate would mean that you will get to save some extra money each month. Large apartments that are not affordable for one single person can become affordable once you find yourself some roommates and split the costs in pieces. Apartments designed for several people to live accommodate larger living spaces, bigger kitchens, dining room and even family rooms. The space offered and the degree of comfort seem appealing to many people who now envision finding a roommate and settling down with the rental of the apartment.

Nonetheless, before making any irrational decision based on the impulse of the moment, it is necessary that you consider carefully whether you would want to live with roommate. Strangers do not often make good matches in terms of pairing up to live in an apartment and you should know the person really well because you are going to split things up and have access to one’s possessions. You first need to trust one another before choosing to do anything else.

Living styles trust issues and different personalities can always endanger the safety of your relationship with your roommate and thus, create frustration when having to share with a person you don’t like. For instance, your roommate enjoys staying late into the night, watching television or listening to music. Your other roommate might want to go to bed early and rise up early; therefore compatibility regarding sleeping hours is also a thing to consider. Some conflicts may arise if compromise is not accepted. Thus, you need to let go things from yourself in order to create a peaceful environment in the apartment.

Reading the Clauses of the Contract with Extreme care

While you are considering taking or not taking a roommate in the rented apartment, you first need to look carefully at the contract and at the clauses stipulated in it before you can settle down with your decision. For one thing, you need to know that the rental agreement is legal documentation and therefore, before signing it, it is important that you read whatever is stipulated in the contract. Renters are sometimes signing blindly things and thus they might never get to know what they signed for. Because of this, disputes arise and sometimes the righter does not even know that he or she has no right to protest once having signed the contract. Therefore, you need to pay careful attention to the requirements, read everything carefully and only then, put your signature on the piece of paper.

About the Author:

Learn the best decoration of rented apartment for your apartment as well as the insider tips on swapping your rental apartment from the experts at http://www.apartmenthuntinghelp.com, the premier resources on apartment hunting help.

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Are Houses In Arizona On The Way Up? What About Builders In Arizona?

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:55:00 +0000

If you’re looking for houses, Arizona is a great place to visit. There are many homes Phoenix Arizona has for sale, as well as builders Arizona offers and new homes Scottsdale is known for. It doesn’t matter what you want in houses, Arizona has something for just about everyone. Whether you want an older home, new construction, or to build your own custom houses Arizona can offer you all of these options and more. For builders, Arizona offers some of the best in the business, and new homes Scottsdale and the surrounding areas can be proud of. Although the economy is a little slow, as long as you’re financially grounded, you should have no trouble finding the home of your dreams. And for houses Arizona has plenty to offer you.

The climate in Arizona allows for better living. There is little to no humidity, and the dry, arid, desert attracts many different types of people looking for homes Phoenix Arizona has to sell. The builders Arizona are very helpful and known for building large, beautiful houses Arizona can be proud of. When it comes to new homes Scottsdale is the area that you want to choose for your location because they’re much better known for new construction than other parts of the state. Ultimately, when it comes to houses Arizona has something for everyone, and all in a climate that you can love and appreciate no matter who you are. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for the biggest homes or just nice houses Arizona has a little bit of everything, and a ton of different communities that you can enjoy them in.

Some people might tell you that when it comes to houses Arizona doesn’t have a good market because of the economy. The truth is that as long as you are financially stable and able to afford buying homes Phoenix Arizona has a market that is great for any buyer. You simply need to get a loan from a stable lender and find houses Arizona offers that you can afford in your price range. Another option is to hire builders Arizona is proud to call their own. Known for building the best homes, including new homes Scottsdale builders and other builders are a great alternative to buying an already constructed home. No matter what the state of the economy, you can find houses Arizona that are a great purchase for you and your family.

When it comes to houses Arizona has many qualified real estate agents that can help you to find the home of your dreams. You need to choose one of these people to work with, to make sure that you make the most of your home buying experience with regard to homes Phoenix Arizona. For houses Arizona has some of the best real estate agents around that are ready and waiting to help you, and they can find you homes Phoenix Arizona residents can be proud of. New construction is nice, as well, and realtors can help you find land. With builders Arizona real estate agents are great, as well. They can connect you with everything you need to find the home of your dreams, whether it’s old construction or new homes Scottsdale, and all the houses Arizona has to offer for your home buying needs. All in all, for houses Arizona has plenty to offer and you should check it out if you’re in the market for a new home.

About the Author:

Reed Lattin is a new homes specialist in Phoenix, AZ and the owner of www.savebigonnewhomes.com Check out Arizona's most powerful and free new homes search which will save you huge money and time. We save our clients over $27,000 and our service is free. We are members of the BBB 480-227-5214

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Realtors Access To MLS And How It Helps You

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:23:00 +0000

By: Tina Abraham

Realtors pay a great deal of money to have full access to MLS and its listings; this is how that service through a realtor will help you. Listings of homes are most commonly listed through MLS more so than any other listing service for single-family residences and commercial real estate.

What is MLS? Good question. The MLS listing service is the multiple listing services for the real estate world, both commercial and single-family dwellings. The MLS is listed both as a statewide and nationwide listing service. Through the Board of Realtors in every area, the realtors and agents have the opportunity to sign up for the access of the MLS listing services.

The MLS service contains all the information about each property listing. MLS is a convenient way to view this information, including pictures, measurements, maps and much more. The realtors that register for this service pay annual dues, and additional fees. This does not only include the listings on MLS, it also pays for the evolution of MLS.

Originally this data of houses was on paper, and the realtor would have to research through the books to get the information. Now days with computers and the internet, the MLS service has increased productivity and getting the best deal exponentially.

The realtors have this access that provides a higher level of detailed information about the listings, where the standard visitor only gets basic information. To list with MLS, it is around $400 and to use the MLS as a realtor it is about $1000.

Realtors submit and join with their local, state, and national Board of Realtors. With this joining, the MLS listings will usually include the MLS sign up. MLS listings have roughly 99% of all the homes available in any given area, therefore with the realtor being signed up with the Board of realtors, and the MLS they are able to offer you a wider variety of services, listings and options.

With all that realtors have to do, and since it is hard for them to be in two places at one time, your realtor will have certain plans daily to research the homes on the MLS to show you. They will research the criteria you and him or her discusses, and then they will be able to send you the results via email, or on the telephone. This will give you the opportunity to go by and look at the homes for sale.

If you are selling your home, the realtor will use the MLS to list your home and then you will have a much wider variety, including other agents looking at your home. This opens up the door to better selling opportunities.

MLS listings improve the competitive advantage in the real estate market, simply by creating a more efficient way to look at more homes that fit your needs in a smaller amount of time. The realtor you work with, through the MLS listing service will be able to find the homes and criteria you are looking for quickly and you will be able to beat the competition by getting to the home faster.

The MLS listing services are simple to read, clear to understand and informative when it comes to the listings of homes. This improves the chance of making research of homes easier and more efficient.

When you use your realtor that uses the MLS listing service you get the highest level of quality listings in a timely manner that will increase your chances of getting the better deal.

About the Author:

Tina Abraham is a well-known http://www.tinaabraham.com/ Wilmington North Carolina realtor. To learn more about how Tina can help you sell your house or buy the http://www.tinaabraham.com/ Wilmington NC real estate of your dreams click here or call us at (910) 790-7484.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Wholesale Property

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:19:00 +0000

By: Juhlin Youlein

Buying wholesale property prices has it’s negative side just as well as it’s positive side. The positive side is fairly obvious. Buying a property at pennies on the dollar is what it is all about. Well, what are the disadvantages?

It sounds great to be able to buy a $100,000 home for $30,000 doesn’t it? Well what if you had to buy a hundred homes to get such a deal? That’s 3 million dollars. Is it a good deal? Well yes it’s a good deal if you have $3,000,000 sitting around. These types of “bundles” are common in getting the lowest priced wholesale property. Big lending institutions design these bundles when they have a hard time selling properties individually or if they have too many properties on their hands at once. These bundles are out there especially in times like this current real estate recession.

If this isn’t a big enough obstacle it is likely that an investor will have to pay cash to get a wholesale property. Bundles are bidded on and are sold to the highest bidder. The bidder has to come up with the cash fairly quickly once the bid is won. Try getting a $3,0000,000 loan in time and it won’t happen. Lending institutions don’t even touch this sort of stuff and hard money lenders will charge an investor an arm and a leg. Also lending institutions will want a complete house to back up their loan to the investor. That brings me to my next point.

The quality of home you are buying with a wholesale property is less than whole often times. If you buy 1 wholesale property or 10 wholes properties, I can almost guarantee that the condition of the home will be less than average. There is a reason the property is being sold at wholesale prices. Usually the home has been sitting vacant for some time and will have been vandalized or burglarized. Often times the homes have been the home to tenants at sufferance. Basically people who saw the home was vacant for a long time and decided to move in without the owner knowing it. That is what you get with a wholesale buy.

So what are the advantages of buying property wholesale? Investors who can afford these types of buys will buy the homes for pennies on the dollar and then will get lucky with several of the homes. One third of the homes will be completely trashed, the second third will be ok and workable, and the final third will be pretty decent homes that have potential. The bulk buyers then turn around and sell the bad property for less than they paid for it probably. The medium homes the bulk buyer will sell to individual investors who can’t buy 100 properties at once but who would like to buy a wholesale property. The best homes they will likely sell on the open market for retail prices. It isn’t a bad gig for a big time investor who has the money and the energy to work such a deal. But often times it is the individual investor who makes out big on the profits without many of the risks.

I will briefly tell you why. The big time investor will likely get stuck with homes that will get condemned or that have clouds on title because the deed wasn’t transferred with a special warrant or something of the nature. The bad third we discussed above can be a huge liability. When the big time investor sells the property to the individual investor, the individual investor will make sure to get a “special warranty deed” or something of the nature. That will protect the individual investor from most liens and clouds on title. As far as condemnation is concerned, individual investors will need to make sure they are buying the wholesale home from a big time investor who is willing to guarantee the home.

Wether you are a one time buyer of wholesale property or if you are an investor who is buying bulk property you can make it big. By weighing the advantages and disadvantages an investor can determine what investments are worth purchasing and which ones are not worth the time.

About the Author:
Where you can buy wholesale property for pennies on the dollar.

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Who Says the Real Estate Market is Bottoming?

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:36:00 +0000

By: Mark Walters

There's plenty of advice floating about the housing market, real estate investing and the state of the U.S. economy. But be careful who you listen to.
Here's a news release issued by the NAR in November, 2003:
"The National Association of Realtors has created a first-of-its-kind campaign, which declares that "It's a great time to buy or sell a home", which will launch today with full-page ads in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today."
Those who purchased a home based on that advice bought into one of the greatest real estate bubbles of all time.
There are many who make their living from the real estate market one way or the other. Be careful about acting on the advice from those quarters. Right now you will hear some of them predicting that the worst of the housing crisis is about over. Really? What about this:
The number of home foreclosures accelerated in the second quarter of 2008 to the fastest pace in 30 years. As interest rates climbed and home values fell more Americans walked away from homes they couldn't refinance or sell.
New foreclosures shot above 1 percent for the first time in 29 years according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The number of homes facing foreclosure almost tripled since the housing bubble popped in 2005.
Further more, the number of loans with one or more payments overdue rose to 6.41 percent of all mortgages and that's an all-time high.
Crashing home prices are making it near impossible for home owners with adjustable-rate mortgages to sell or get a new loan.
Here's the unvarnished truth, darn few real estate people or economists seem to completely understand the magnitude of the real estate problem.
Peter D. Schiff, Euro Pacific Capital Inc.'s president and chief global strategist explains it like this:
"When real estate prices were expected to rise in perpetuity, the price of a house had two components - one part representing shelter and the other investment. The shelter component was the actual utility and desirability of the house and the investment component was the expected future appreciation."
"My guess is that at the peak of the real estate mania, a $500,000 house might have consisted of $250,000 for the shelter component and $250,000 for the investment component."
During the bubble home buyers were blinded by a home's potential to increase in value. The inflated value would allow the owner to pull out cash through refinancing and home equity loans. That cash would not only offset the cost of mortgage payments, taxes, insurance and maintenance, but also provide the money and credit to buy cars, vacations and other luxuries.
Because of that promised new source of ready cash, buyers were willing to pay greatly inflated prices for houses and take on mortgage payments that they would never even have considered during a normal real estate market.
Lenders felt well protected when home values where climbing, so they began making mortgage loans to almost anyone willing to sign on the dotted line.
Now that the party is over lenders are closely checking on the borrower's ability to pay. With banks and lenders in a state of crisis those lending standards will become even tighter.
Now let's consider the bottom line. Even though it is becoming harder to qualify for a mortgage loan does not mean people will stop buying homes. No, they will just pay less for a home, fewer people will qualify as buyers, so fewer new homes will be needed and fewer will be built.
We've all lived through one of the most startling boom and bust cycles in American history. I hope we've learned something from it.

About the Author:
Mark Walters is a third generation real estate investor and founder of CreatingWealthClub.com. For a limited time Mark is offering his big guide to finding hard money loans for real estate investing free. Free guide to private money loans.

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Positive Times For Property Purchases in Cyprus

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:31:00 +0000

By: Hannah Walker

After several troubled decades Cyprus has recently got big on the property market. Just south of Famagusta – one of the towns at the heart of the Turkish invasion - the Mystical sands resort and spa is set to follow the North Cyprian trend and rocket in value pretty swiftly. This bodes well for holiday complexes and luxury resorts in other areas of North Cyprus, such as Paralimni and Bafra.
Famagusta has tall modern apartment blocks along a beautiful stretch of beachfront - miles of golden sand and turquoise water – one of the most acclaimed in the Mediterranean! A strong contrast from the deserted town of Varosha, abandoned by its Cyprian inhabitants when Turkey invaded in 1974, trees grown in the streets and wild dogs roam about, however developers believe that the success of resorts and towns like Famagusta, with its sudden increase in prosperity and popularity, will spread to other largely unexploited areas of the eastern coast and northern Cyprus.
Progress is visible everywhere, a new airport is to open in Larnaca 2010 and areas such as Paralimni - just south of the Famagusta border and boasting some of the best beaches in Cyprus - are not remaining undeveloped for long. Geraint Evans, director of the International property group is working with local developers Karma and jumping on the bandwagon to create a new development, figure-headed by former Liverpool FC hero Ian Rush. Evans spoke about how the popularity of certain resorts has influenced undeveloped areas like Paralimni.
‘There are no golf courses, spas or big name hotels… That is changing as the success of Aphrodite Hills, a five-star golf resort near Paphos, has started to have a knock-on effect on this coast, and Cyprus’s first big marina (one of the biggest in the med) is being built in Ayia Theckla’.
This new Mystical Sands property development in Paralimni will have 345 two-bedroomed, furnished apartments starting from £199,950, set around a spa and possibly a football academy. The developments front man Ian Rush already owns three properties in the Algarve which have tripled in value in the last ten years and he is hoping this holiday home investment will do the same. The properties are expected to earn rental returns of six to eight percent a year and rise in value by ten to fifteen percent annually. However Evans believes most buyers will want to hang on to the properties as personal holiday homes, due to the charm of the area and all it has to offer ‘It resembles England thirty years ago, with low crime and strong family values’… and of course hotter weather!
Retired couples are also flocking to traditional agricultural villages near the sea, such as Avgorou near Famagusta, according to BuySell Real Estate, ‘there is a rise in demand among British buyers for resale properties in Cyprus’. There are also homes, business opportunities and whole new lives awaiting Britons who move to these areas. Gary and Sharon Connor, originally from Kent, moved to Paralimni and now run the Divers Unlimited Scuba centre. Their four-bed house has doubled in price in the time they’ve lived there. Gary Connor spoke about his hopes for the future of Cyprus,
‘There is much more development, with many hotels being brought by developers to turn into luxury apartments. A resolution to the Cyprus problem will increase tourism and open up avenues here’.
Bafra is a beautiful serene area in northern Cyprus; this too has been influenced by recent interest in Cyprus and is currently undergoing a huge development project by Whiterocks and Blue C, who are building luxurious holiday apartments set around stylish courtyards, with many other facilities set for the future. As Cyprus gains in popularity the house prices are rising. Watch these fast filling scenic spaces… this seems to be the new place for prudent property investments.

About the Author:
Hannah Walker is a writer for www.whiterocksbafra.com

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Finding Commercial Property to Rent in Central London

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:28:00 +0000

By: Shivani Gurtu-Louth

London offers fantastic opportunities for businesses seeking to relocate or to move there for the first time; it is served by five major airports, the Eurotunnel, rail systems and extensive motorway links. Europe is now closer than ever, being a mere ferry, train or aeroplane trip away, making it perfect for companies wishing to expand abroad. Central London is the hub of this business Mecca and offers exciting possibilities for businesses of all sizes but, with competition for commercial property in Central London reaching an all-time high, which is the best method to find premises that will meet your requirements?

London, as a centre for business, is an ever-changing being, having its own economy and market-pressures. Central London, the city’s core, almost dictates how these factors will affect the rest of the capital and the businesses that are housed therein. To find commercial property in Central London, you will need to employ the talents of a company that is well-versed in London’s idiosyncrasies and unique dynamics. Commercial property estate agents in Central London will have the expertise and knowledge to research what is a very small, but influential, part of Britain’s capital.

A commercial property estate agent will have access to comprehensive lists and details of available commercial property to rent in Central London. They should also have insight into previously untapped areas that could yield benefits to their clients; while there is a lot of commercial property in London, not all of it may be suitable for the specific requirements of a specific business. Using a commercial property estate agent allows you to continue running your company, safe in the knowledge that work is being done ‘in the background’, on your behalf. When the agent has sourced a number of appropriate premises, you can then decide which ones offer enough potential to be inspected.

By nature of their locations, commercial property in Central London can command greater rents than elsewhere in the capital. A commercial property estate agent can advise you on what are reasonable terms and even negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you are getting a good deal. Again, this requires some insight into the marketplace and the ability to ascertain how your company can benefit from moving into a particular locale.

Central London is well served by physical attributes such as road networks and overground and underground rail systems; many services useful to businesses are also established there, as well as suppliers and, hopefully, a new customer demographic. A commercial property estate agent should be knowledgeable as to which services and attributes will be of most importance to the client’s company and be able to source the ones that offer the best value for money. These can be employed during the relocation process to make things run efficiently and links can be established between companies for future business.

In theory, finding commercial property in Central London ought to be no more difficult than finding commercial property anywhere else. However, because this area is such an influential nucleus for business and economy, the competition is fierce. Using the services of a commercial property estate agent not only helps to ensure the process runs smoothly, but can ensure that the business in question gets the best premises available to them at the best price.

About the Author:
Shivani Gurtu-Louth - Operations Manager of Devono Property Limited. Devono are the only commercial property agents in London to exclusively represent tenants looking for office space and commercial property in Central London to rent. For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact: Shivani Gurtu-Louth Devono Operations Manager Tel(DDI): +44 (0)20 7096 9911 E-mail: sg@devono.com

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Advice When Renting Your First Commercial Property in London

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:23:00 +0000

By: Shivani Gurtu-Louth

Opening an office in London can be a hugely beneficial step for a company to take. However, before you can begin reaping the benefits that the capital has to offer, you need to find new premises. In order to ascertain whether a commercial property in London is suitable or not, you will need to ask yourself a few pertinent questions.

The first consideration should focus around the sort of property you require and its location. Would it best to have the premises nearer to the business’s employees, its suppliers or its customers? Alternatively, it may be more important to have the business located close to a transport network, such as rail or road systems. And, importantly, the premises have to be within your budget.

Should you manage to find a commercial property in London that is suitable, it may be prudent to approach your bank manager or at least speak to the firm’s accountant to ascertain the impact that the new premises will have on the company’s budget. Next you will need to negotiate with the landlord to get rental terms that are favourable to you – often a difficult and frustrating process.

On the other hand, you may feel it better to place the whole procedure in the hands of a property expert. A commercial estate agent will have a great deal of experience in sourcing available commercial property in London. Whilst you will have to pay for their services, it is worth bearing in mind that mistakes with property can be extremely costly and have even in some cases resulted in bankruptcy.

A commercial property agent will have resources available that you will not, such as a database of existing and up-and-coming commercial properties in London. They can also help you organise the move within the parameters of your budget, taking into account things that you may have overlooked. Factors such as producing effective relocation plans, choosing suppliers during and after the move and a constant budget report can all be implemented by the appointed relocations manager and contribute towards a smooth and efficient process. A commercial agent can also take care of things like surveyors and solicitors and also ensure that the contract you sign provides you with favourable terms, taking into account factors such as the rent and possible increases, the length of the lease and how easy it is to give it up, to whom the responsibility of insurance falls, who is liable for repairs, service charges, financial guarantees and lease protection. These are all commitments that you can expect to find in an agreement, but a commercial property agent will be able to negotiate terms on your behalf that you may not be able to.

Renting a commercial property in London generally heralds a new beginning for most businesses; to ensure that your rental goes as smoothly as possible and does not affect the operation of the company, it would be prudent to research just what a commercial property estate agent in London can offer you.

About the Author:
Shivani Gurtu-Louth - Operations Manager of Devono Property Limited. Devono are the only commercial property agents in London to exclusively represent tenants looking for office space and commercial property in London to rent. For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact: Shivani Gurtu-Louth Devono Operations Manager Tel(DDI): +44 (0)20 7096 9911 E-mail: sg@devono.co

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Apartment Buildings - One Of Real Estate’s Most Stable Investment Vehicles

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:19:00 +0000

By: Marlon Baugh

With property values plummeting in areas such as Florida, more and more investors and turning their focus from single family housing to multifamily apartment buildings. In the past the main reason why investors choose apartment building is because they like the idea of having the tenants pay down the mortgage and pay the expenses of the property as they enjoy the benefits of real estate appreciation, and if purchased and financed correctly the owners can receive a monthly income similar to what most people make on a regular 9-5 job. Apartment building ownership is no longer suited for just the handy man type investor, as more management companies have become more competitive to handle the head aches associated with tenants for a fee of just 7 – 10 percent. Again it goes back to buying right, with the property financing and apartment ownership can be put on auto pilot.

Multifamily Investing allows for greater cash flow and minimizes risk as you have numerous tenants, when compared to investing in single family homes. This increase cash flow makes it possible to hire a management company and to cover other cost involved with owning a multifamily apartment building.

Even in today’s declining real estate markets such as Florida, multifamily apartment properties have proven to be one of real estates most stable investment vehicles. And as foreclosures continue to increase, people most find somewhere to live and although some may move back in with family, majority will turn to renting Apartments, which as a result will cause low vacancy rates for apartment building, I guess there is a silver lining in this sub prime mortgage meltdown after all. This will lead to a boom in the demand for rental multifamily apartment properties. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, when it comes to commercial properties, there as been a significant decline in the demand for loans on most commercial property types and minimal decline for apartment buildings.

With Multifamily apartment properties being a preferred property type for most government agencies such as Fannie Mae, makes financing readily available whether buying or refinancing an apartment building. Despite the recent credit turmoil, lenders are still offering 75 to 80 percent financing at attractive rates. As investors check out risk-tolerance levels and other issues involved in owning other commercial property types, multifamily apartment rental loan programs will more than likely prove to be more attractive.

Now if you are considering buying an apartment building, it is important to note what lenders are looking for from borrowers. They like borrowers that have established multifamily experience, managing tenants and usually at least a 680 credit score.

When it comes to the property, they like to see a debt service ratio of 1.20, which means that the property is able to cover the expenses on its own, without assistance from the borrower’s personal income. Also they don’t like properties that have a lot of deferred maintenance, delinquent rent payments and occupancy issues, as these are signs of poor management and as a result poor marketability of the property. This will raise concerns for the lender as now they will be concern with how the property will match up to competing apartment buildings in the rental market over the long haul.

Although there are lenders out there for the borrowers with lower scores or for a rehab type situation, you will find yourself in a short term and expensive loan with rates ranging from 12-18% and also a loan to value of 50-60%. These types of private loans are short term are mostly suited for the experienced investor that like to rehab and flip properties.

About the Author:
Marlon Baugh is a nationally-known mortgage expert. Since 2003, he has specialized in mortgage loans for people with Bankruptcies, Foreclosure or with other credit issues, as well as Commercial Mortgages. If you would like a Free Copy or to get instant access to the remainder of this Insider Commercial Mortgage Report, please visit http://www.specializedfinancialsolutions.com/commercial.htm or Call 954-678-5796

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Rent Or Buy? How Does Miami, Florida Residents Decide?

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:44:00 +0000

By: Marlon Baugh

At some point in life we are all faced with this question. With today's low rates and a lot of bargain priced properties in the Miami market, makes the dream of home ownership very attractive. The biggest concern for Miami first time home buyers is; can I afford to buy a home? Home ownership does come with a lot more cost when compared to renting such as: property taxes, higher insurance premiums, higher utility cost, and maintenance of the home, just to name a few. When something breaks there is no landlord to call to fix it, so you definitely need to have a good size emergency fund just for these expenses. Recommended $3000-$5000; unless you are handy around the house and can fix such things as the air conditioner when it break.

One of the first steps in preparing to become a home owner in Miami Florida is to pay off as much debt, with the goal of being debt free if possible, before taking on the expense of home ownership.

One of the main benefits of home ownership is that the interest portion of you monthly payments is tax deductible. Your mortgage payment is made up of principal and interest, the interest portion is the larger of the two mainly during the first few years of the loan and this is what you will write off at the end of the year, along with you property tax payments.

Unlike rent payments, your mortgage payment will not increase every year like your rent payment, as long as you get a fixed rate mortgage. However the expenses that you can expect to increase will be taxes and insurance and it varies depending on the area of the Miami that you live in. Since you live in Miami, an area that is prone for hurricanes you can see a spike in your insurance premium especially when there is an active hurricane season.

Once you have been pre-qualified to find out how much house you can afford, you will decide what area of Miami you want to live in. Other than price, other factors to take into consideration are taxes and insurance. I normally recommend that you escrow these payments with your mortgage payment, so that you can take care of it on a monthly basis, versus having to come up with a lump sum at the end of the year. It is not uncommon for new Miami home owner to fall behind on their taxes when they are not escrowed, in which the county will place a lien on your property. And as far as the insurance, if you don't keep your Miami property covered, the lender will force place insurance on your property which is normally about 3 times the amount you would normally pay and this will increase you monthly payment and may cause financial hardship.

Once everything is in order and you want to start house hunting in Miami, I recommend if you are a first time home buyer in Miami to contact a real estate agent, and they can walk you through the process and it is free professional advice, at least free to you, it is the seller for the home you want to buy that will pay them. Now you don't want to just get any agent, you need a Buyers Agent. Why? Because they will be working for you and not the seller, so they will have you interest in mind, where they can disclose things about the house to you that they wouldn't be able to do if they were representing the seller.

Don't try to time the market in Miami to see when it will hit the bottom, that's like trying to beat the stock market, and this can sometimes prove to be costly. In saying that, if you find a home that is reasonably priced and it’s within you price range and you like it, go ahead and buy it. Real Estate has been known to increase in value over time.

Last but not least, always be upfront with your lender, this way neither you or your lender will have any surprises nor you won’t waste any time or money in the home buying process. If they know all your issues upfront they can structure the loan for you and still get you in a good loan program tailored for you needs.

About the Author:
Marlon Baugh is a nationally-known mortgage expert. Since 2003, he has specialized in mortgage loans for people with Bankruptcies, Foreclosure or with other credit issues, as well as Commercial Mortgages. If you would like a Free Copy or to get instant access to the remainder of this Insider Mortgage Report, please visit http://www.specializedfinancialsolutions.com/own-a-home.htm or Call 954-678-5796

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Buying And Selling Homes Online

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:20:00 +0000

By: Lawrence Bunnell

It used to be that, when you needed a product or service, you picked up the telephone book to find a business that provided it. Then you called to make sure that the store had what you were looking for, or you called to schedule an appointment. You finished up the process by going to the store or going to the business to get everything worked out.

This was true of a wide variety or products and services, and changed with the internet. Now, as a society, we regularly make online purchases – from books to banking, from personal care items to personal training, we buy it all online. Many of also sell items online, using auction services rather than yard sales.

It only makes sense, therefore, that as time goes on more buying and selling is done online. One of the newest trends, in fact, is buying and selling homes online.

For those who are buying homes, it is easy to search online for properties. Home buyers can search for properties for sale in their neighborhood. Home buyers can search online for homes in neighboring areas, neighboring states or across the country.

Home buyers can search through MLS listings to find homes that match their criteria: home with a certain number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living space or that are within a set price range. And, when home buyers do this research on their own, they find that they can save – in the form of rebates of the buyer's agent's commission – when they do buy a home.

In addition, they find that, by using flat fee real estate services, they are not left alone when it comes time to make an offer or to close on the property.

Likewise, those who are selling a home online can take advantage of Flat Fee MLS listings and other flat fee real estate services to save when they sell property. Unlike traditional for sale by owner home sellers, they are able to effectively market their homes – to both online home buyers and buyers' agents alike.

However, those who sell a home online using a Flat Fee MLS listing and other flat fee real estate services save thousands of dollars more than traditional home sellers. This is because they will not have to pay a seller's agent commission.

As a result, buying and selling homes online using flat fee real estate services allows both parties – the buyers and the sellers – to save thousands of dollars during the transaction. The savings, however, are not the only benefit.

Both buyers and sellers will also benefit from being able to do research on their schedule – even if that means looking for properties or creating marketing materials in the middle of the night. Both buyers and sellers will have the satisfaction of knowing that they were in control of the transaction. And both buyers and sellers will know that, when they need help, they are able to get it.

Buying and selling homes online using flat fee services – both flat fee home buying and Flat Fee MLS listings – is a relatively new trend. However, buying and selling homes online allows buyers and sellers to fit the process into their schedules and to save thousands of dollars at the same time.

About the Author:
Lawrence Bunnell is a Partner and the Principal Broker of IHS Realty, an Internet based, real estate brokerage company offering consumers online, flat-fee, 'a la carte' real estate brokerage products and services. Lawrence has been a full-time licensed REALTOR® since 1984 and is currently a licensed real estate broker in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. In addition to his role as the firm's Prinicipal Real Estate Broker, his duties include serving as the head of web application design and development and Internet marketing initiatives for IHS. http://www.ihsrealty.com/

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Choose The Best Color Scheme For Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:42:00 +0000

By: Niall Roche

Choosing a color scheme to use in one room or across your house is probably one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to decorating. Based on this choosing the right color scheme can and should certainly be given almost top priority. The last thing you want to do is steam ahead with the first color scheme that comes to mind and then have to backtrack and work twice as hard to cover up the mistake you made in haste right?

Perhaps looking at more traditional or at least more established color schemes would be a good place to start?

The ever popular European scheme focuses on very rich, and sometimes old-fashioned, colors. These are mainly dark reds and dark gold, as well as blues and purples. They should not be totally matte, or too metallic, but just enough to reflect the light a little bit. To go specifically for a French feel, light gold, light maroon and blue create a truly French theme.

If you fancy going further than the Mediterranean, a tropical theme focuses on greens, light blues, and browns, as well as highlighting colors, and shades that bring the room to life, such as red and yellow. White also works well, as it fits in with the feel of clean air on tropical islands.

Or maybe keep the ocean feel, but bring it back home to a local seaside theme. Light brown, sea blue and medium green, as well as a sandy orange can all be used to give this image. Light grey also goes well if you're aiming to create a rocky feel, or perhaps the tone of a typical rainy day at the seaside!

Perhaps you don't fancy any of these and would prefer to go east with an Asian style room. This theme thrives on blacks and whites, highlighted using red and blue, which gives the room depth, and a small amount of gold can also be used to create a luxurious feel.

After the color scheme is sorted, you should be all set to complete the room with furniture and accessories, resulting in a room that you just simply love!

About the Author:
Do you want to avoid doubling your interior decorating budget? Choose the best interior decorating colors for your home decorating project the right way first time. Source: http://www.decorsecrets.com/

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London Apartments: Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Book A Serviced Apartment In London Through An Agent

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:53:00 +0000

By: Binh Zientek

Dear reader, before you all accuse me of blatant propaganda for my own company, please let me use the 80:20 rule and declare that only 20% is propaganda and the other 80% is based on the truth. Read on and if something strikes you as nonsense, you can choose to stop reading or share your feedback with me.

The source of this article was borne out of frustration at one particular incident which happened a few months back. I received a call from a potential client seeking a serviced London apartment for short stay rental. When he discovered that Quality London Apartments was a third party agent and not the owner of the apartments, his comment was: "Oh no, not another agent!"

He then explained that he has just had a bad experience with one of my competitor. After listening to his story I totally sympathised with his plight. I helped him to book the right London apartment and eventually received many words of thanks for my help. But it niggled me that some agents are giving all agents a really bad reputation, so I have decided to fight back and remind travellers around the world why using agents are the best choice.

1.Good agents are like your friends in the city of your destination. Imagine having someone who will help you to research and book a serviced apartment. Then they will also help you with free support and advice of this city. If you choose an agent who actually live and work in this city, then it will be like having your own personal concierge.

2.Agents worth their salt will help you to find the right apartments to fit your budget. Obviously, you need to be realistic as well, as London is a notoriously expensive destination. Imagine if you had a family of 4 on a budget of £250 per night for a two bedroom apartment and you wanted to be in central London. Where do you begin? How much time do you wish to spend searching online, making expensive overseas phone calls/emails before you find something suitable? That is a lot of time and expense. An agent will have called at least 3 and give you the options within 15-30 minutes. How? That takes me to the next point.

3.Good agents are specialist who has visited the apartment to understand what their customers are going to stay in, have a relationship with the apartment owners, and know how flexible or inflexible the apartments will be with prices. They will squeeze as much as reasonable to fit your budget.

4.Agents are your advocates. Good agents are on your side, they want to help you and ensure that you have a smooth and happy stay. They are your representative in London, who fights for you; act as trouble shooters when something goes wrong with the apartments on arrival. What could go wrong? Read on.

5.Who you turn to when something goes wrong during your stay in an apartment? Here is a true life scenario to illustrate the point. One of my new clients booked a luxury apartment through Quality London Apartments for his break. When he arrived on New Years Day, the apartment owner tried to fob him off (whether mistakenly or on purpose) with another different apartment with a totally different décor…not to my client's taste. If my client had booked directly with the apartment, he would have had to fight his case on his own. But he phoned me on New Years Day, I then complained (diplomatically of course) to the apartment owner and presto! All sorted for him. That is a difference that many people in this age of automated bookings do not realise, is the human help. Convenience and efficiency is great, but when things go wrong, as it invariably does, it is the people you trust who will make that call on your behalf.

Sadly, not all serviced apartments agents follow this code, nor do they respect their customers. Conversely, there are also many great agents who are passionate about service, actually enjoy taking care of their clients and are honest to you. It is hard to know which agents are excellent and which are shoddy, until you work with them.

Here comes the 20% propaganda that I did pre-warn you about earlier. My company's mission is honesty, good old fashioned service and service with integrity. I am passionate about serviced apartments as the best way to travel and I really love helping clients. Period.
How can you know if this is true? I cannot prove it just by words, only by action. I dare you to choose Quality London Apartments next time and let us prove it to you.

About the Author:
Binh Zientek http://www.qualitylondonapartments.co.uk/

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Checkout Your Options Before Selling Your Land

noreply@blogger.com (losangelet82) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:17:00 +0000

By: Christine Macguire

To dispose off a real estate is a one of the major tasks that one has to carry with due responsibility. Of all the real estate assets, land is usually the most valuable. Land plots have always been objects of purchase, sale or bargain. The number of transactions with land plots is huge and still growing on a daily basis throughout the nation. One of the dominant factors here is the rising price of land plots in the capital and suburbs.

People do tend to retain their land ownership viewing it as security that can be a valuable part of a diversified array of retirement asset. They don’t even want to face the inconvenience of dealing with rental contracts including establishing and collecting rents, repair and maintenance, and the liability exposure. Some are fearful that land values (rents) will fall and real estate taxes will increase, leaving them with less and less income. Others fear land values will rise and increase their estate taxes.

If you decide to sell your land and/or building there are several ways to accomplish this.

· Sell it for cash: Sell your land for cash in a lump sum and as a consequence you have to pay all the accompanying income taxes. It is advisable to resort to this mode of sale only when you are in an urgent need of funds and your land is the only asset left to dispose off.

· Sell it on a contract for deed: A land contract puts you in the position of a lender. As the contract payments are made, you include them in your taxable income over a number of years. By signing a land contract deed with installment sale reporting, you do obligate yourself or your heirs to paying the income tax on the gain. At times selling on a contract provides the buyer with a source of credit and terms he or she can afford. However the buyer is liable to pay you a lot of interest over the life of the contract. And again the interest you receive from the buyer is fully taxable to you. If you become a contract for deed holder, you assume the risk of default by the buyer. You may get your land back through forfeiture or you may be forced to foreclose on the party in default.

· Sell your land piecemeal: You can also sell your land piecemeal that is bit by bit at a time, as the buyer can afford to purchase it. Using this method, the buyer can apply all purchase money to principal and none to interest. Land Developers are eager to find owners willing to sell land piecemeal because the owners are often eager to get rid of it - especially if it was purchased at the height of the market. In fact, some owners have even let parcels revert back to the previous owner if development wasn't feasible.

· Consider a tax-free exchange: Exchanging like-kind property can postpone your taxation of capital gains. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) offers real estate buyers and sellers a golden opportunity to defer their taxes on capital gains if they reinvest the proceeds to purchase of like-kind property. Properties are believed to be of a like-kind if the property acquired is alike in nature and situated in the United States. If you are to qualify for a 1031 exchange the transaction has to be done in accordance to the exchange rules set forth in the tax code and the treasury regulations.

Seeking professional advice and assistance from established real estate agencies when you want to sell your land is undoubtedly the best approach. Real estate agents can provide many useful services and work with you in different ways. They provide the landowners the best approach to selling their real estate at fair market value. With access to a large network of land investors, developers and homebuilders they are able to offer the best price in the real estate market for your valuable real estate asset.

About the Author:
Christine is an expert Internet marketing professional with years of experience in various industries such as: Business, Finance, Real Estate, Web-Design, Health & Medicine and many more. Url: http://www.uslandbuyers.com/

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Do You Have A Marketing Plan For Your Real Estate Investment Business?

noreply@blogger.com (nuovamusica) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:47:00 +0000

By: Brad Wozny Wozny

If you own investment property, you’re immediately classified as an entrepreneur and – as it’s a small business opportunity unto its own, you must have a marketing plan in place in order to make the most of it.

Unfortunately, this is one of the top reasons why statistically, 92% of all first time investors fail in 3 months, and less than ten percent of those who do will survive the first year of their investment portfolio.

Here are a few should and should not’s that you should follow:

First, your marketing plan should begin with an analysis your current situation and investment environment. This means that you need to look at what you are doing with your investment property or properties. For example, evaluate where your leads come from, how many leads contact you each month, and how many prospects you get each month that are worth following up on.

Secondly, it’s all about the metrics. Determine how many qualified leads you get in proportion to the total number of leads that come in currently. Evaluate how many deals you close as a result of the qualified leads vs the tire kickers, and how much money you generally average from each closed deal.

Finally determine how much it costs you in total to get each close deal -- that is, determine how much you spend advertising, phone calls, overhead expenses, and other costs before you see the actual money.

When you're looking at your investment property business this way, you'll be able to see how your small business opportunity is faring. If you're getting lots of leads but are getting very few closed deals, you know that you may want to make some changes.

One last point I’d like to make is that you should be tracking each one of your lead sources. For instance, are you generating the most qualified leads through your ads in the newspaper? Off bandit signs? Through your website? From the call to action magnets on your car? Business cards? You get the idea.

Once you do know where the top three to five sources of leads in your small business stands, then develop a solid marketing plan by setting some goals and allocating a portion of business funds each month proportionate to these lead generation machines.

Write down your goals for total net income, your goals for the total number of deals you want to sign up, and your goals for the number of leads and interested sellers you want to generate. Determine how much net income you need to or want to make from each closed deal.

Lastly, based on how your investment property business is doing right now, determine how many prospects or leads you have to generate in order to reach your goal. For example, if you currently get one closed deal from every 10 leads that contact you, and you want to have ten closed deals at the end of the year, you know you need to get 100 leads to contact you.

Getting your marketing plan down on paper will help you see exactly what steps you need to take in order to take your business opportunity from small-time to successful.

Cheers,

Brad Wozny
Creator, 7 Figure Profits™

About the Author:
Watch the 30 second video below & discover how you can setup your 7-Day Free Trial to find more deals, with bigger profits, and no hassles beginning right now at http://www.INSTANTRealEstateSolutions.com/claim.html

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