Sunday, August 31, 2008

More Cash From Your Real Estate

Real estate. . . No matter what kind you own or want to buy it?s still an investment. In fact, many people buy and sell real estate as a business and I?m not talking brokers or agents here. You know who they are. They?re the ones who tell you about a deal they just did and boy did they ever make a bundle on it! How?d they do that? They made the property look good. It?s what buyers interested in. How a property looks. So you see curb appeal really IS important.

Curb appeal takes a lot into consideration: Paint, siding, windows, doors, roofing, driveways, and yes, landscaping. How many times have you driven past a property for sale and said to yourself: ?That landscaping is really ugly. Why doesn?t somebody do something about it?? I know I have. If you?ve bought real estate as an investment, did you concentrate on improving the landscaping or somewhere else first? Most leave the landscaping ?till last or just don?t do anything to it at all. Rumor has it, though, between 20 and 30% of the value of a property is in the landscaping. And it doesn?t matter if it?s income, industrial, commercial, or residential property either. Landscaping plays a big part in curb appeal and value of your investment. It can even draw customers to your business.

Let?s say that there were two homes for sale right next to each other. One looked great and the other looked lousy. It doesn?t matter what shape the inside is in, people still look at the outside and determine the value. Guaranteed, the one with the better landscaping will command a higher price and probably sell faster. What would you do if you bought the one with the lousy landscaping? Leave it for the next guy or make it look nice. If you were going to turn it and get your price, rent it out, or keep it as an investment you?d be putting something into the landscaping if you were smart. Admittedly, I?ve bought on potential and just sat on the property, but, sooner or later I had to pay to get the landscaping done. You better believe that landscaping looked great before it went on the market. And I got my price!

When I was going to list one of my properties my broker told me: ?You?ll never sell it for that much? and I proved him wrong. I didn?t understand why he was so reluctant to list at my price. I figured he was just going to make more on the sale if he did. Besides, I thought, we could have dropped the price if it didn?t sell, right? Well, he didn?t see what this place was going to look like like I could in my mind. Anyway, the landscaping wasn?t going to be done until after I listed it. Now if I could have shown him what it was GOING to look like, maybe he would have agreed with me on the listing price. And if I just could have shown him in 3-D what the place was going to look like he, and the landscaper, would?ve had a better idea where I was going with it. They probably would have helped me with a few suggestions to increase the value while saving some money on the landscaping, so, I probably would have made a little more on it than I did.

People know what?s goin? on. It?s better to start with the outside. Shows pride of ownership, care for the neighborhood, for them, smart thinking, and being serious. Improves comps and re-finance values, too! So, at the very least, get a 3-D landscape plan either before you close the deal or right after you do so you can show your broker, landscaper, appraiser, and re-financing specialist what your real estate deal will look like when you?re done with it. Did you know that if you?re planning on re-financing, your appraiser will include the landscaping as part of the value of your property? It?s a win-win situation. You get more cash because you up?d the value of your investment by improving the landscaping. And more for you is always good, right?

About the author: John Schmidt is a recognized authority on the subject of landscaping. His web site, www.Landscape-Montana.com, a wealth of information, info on 3-D landscape plans, and links on everything you?ll ever need to know about landscaping your real estate.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Investment Real Estate Corner: Like Cats And Dogs!

When you?re ready to sell your home, your agent will inform you how to successfully price, present and market your property; but some ?family members? may be left out of the loop, completely unaware of the process and feeling the attendant anxiety. No, it?s not your kids, but your pets.

Unfortunately, there is no way to communicate to your pets what to expect during a showing, and sometimes their barking or jumping or hissing or scratching can be a real turn-off to otherwise enthusiastic and qualified buyers.

We know that our animal companions are creatures of habit, and strangers visiting your home can be very stressful. How do you successfully show your home and protect your pets at the same time?

The ideal solution, especially early in the listing when you can expect multiple showings, is to board your pet (there?s even daycare!), or have a trusted friend or family member baby-sit your pet at their home. This can involve effort and cost, but it?s ultimately safer and less stressful for your pet, while insuring your home is shown under the best circumstances. If this is just not possible, consider a large comfortable crate in a room with a television or radio.

Finally, keep pets, bedding, furniture and carpeting clean. Take a few steps and plan to make buyers and pets more comfortable during showings.

Understand how I help doctors, business owners, professionals, and investors MAXIMIZE THEIR WEALTH through APARTMENT INVESTING and Income Properties and KEEP IT SAFE by using mortgages and investment insurance MORE EFFECTIVELY! Visit http://www.KendallMatthews.com

Friday, August 29, 2008

Are Property Prices In India About To Fall?

Prices for land for sale in India could come down sharply according to many experts.

Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC for one feels property prices are due to correct by upto 20% in the next 6 months.

He told CNBC TV 18, ?Prices have peaked and now prices logically have to come down and interest rates will go up marginally.?

RBI is trying to curb speculative activity in land for sale in India by rising interest rates on home loans(there has been an increase of about 1-1.25% during last year itself) to slow down the speculative interest in real estate but still keeping actual users interested in property market. Industry players confirm demand for loans from high net worth individuals has seen a decline, they feel taking a home loan will still benefit an end user. On the other hand it will put a much-needed spanner in loan backed speculative buying of property

Rajiv Sabharwal, Head - Retail Assets Group, ICICI says, ?If you look at people who are buying homes and getting tax benefits, even with an interest rate of 9% to 9.5% their post tax benefit cost would be 6% to 6.5%. Compare that with the rental he will have to pay and here you have not factored in the capital appreciation, which may come to him even at the rate of 10% to 15% per annum. It still goes in the favor of customers buying an own home rather than renting.?

All this has led to a dip in demand for land for sale in India and instead there is a rising trend among enterprising investors towards investing in safer and more regulated overseas land investment markets. This trend has got further boost by a decision of Indian Government allowing Indian Nationals to invest in overseas properties upto a limit of 25000$ per year.

Thus there is an increasing chance that prices of land for sale will see a correction in Indian market.

Stephen Brewood
Land For Sale

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Running Up The Down Escalator

It is over, August, the most frustrating month of the year, with most people either on holiday or in holiday mood. Yes, the weather is glorious if you are on holiday, but not for viewing properties when you start the day in a cool air conditioned office then car, then properties, then car, then properties! If you don?t look like a wet rag you certainly feel like one. Then you have the client who continuously mentions swimming pools often dragging their disgruntle children away from one to view houses. On the other side, the owners are also in holiday mood either using their holiday homes that they wish to sell, but after August please! Or they are just not in the mood to move away from their pool to entertain visitors.

The first thoughts of owning a home in Spain are often driven by a holiday experience, so leaving the beach towels at the hotel they trundle into estate agents. Half of these clients go home and never pursue the idea other than watching ?A Place in the Sun?. The other half return later in the year, when they have the time and a better idea of what they want. So each client is not judged, but given time to explore their dream. I increase my freckles lose a few kilos and look forward to September.

On the plus side, parking is easier in Tortosa, as most of the sane locals have also left for the coast. The number of traffic wardens has diminished as they too take their holidays so I get less parking tickets. We don?t open the office in the afternoon just working through from the morning with clients until one of us drops! Oh and the town halls, notaries, and lawyers are also on half days or closed, so any business outstanding has to wait until September! Strangely, I have come to accept this practise but it is difficult to explain to outsiders, they think I am joking. In Spain there are eleven working months and August!

With pensions funds looking bleaker by the year there is a growing trend in buying property for investment. These purchases are normally village or town houses to restore over the years or to rent out until needed. The low maintenance, by not having land to worry about, plus the security factor of locking it up when not in use makes these an increasing option for people. So village houses are nearly as popular as the rustic properties with acres of land.

Most locals have always lived in villages or towns often with their separate parcel of land, which they tend with loving care to grow vegetables and fruit for the family. Of course the olive and almond trees are essential, so they go and harvest these in the autumn and winter. The small houses ?caseta? were a must to shelter both themselves and the poor beast that carried them and fruits of their labours before the car. They think it strange that foreigners want to ?live on the land? as that was never an option for them. Things change, now many of the locals are converting these once humble dwellings into holiday homes for their families to decamp for the summer. The water tank (bassa) gets a lick of paint and turns into a swimming pool for the summer, reverting back in the winter to collecting the valuable rain water for irrigation.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Buying Cyprus Property

Buying a vacation property has become more than just trendy ? it has become an important part of anyone's financial portfolio. People from Western countries are increasingly snapping up vacation properties in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and other choice locations in warmer climates.

One island that is seeing renewed interest is Cyprus. Being a relatively new member of the European Community, Cyprus property are also seen a surge in demand because English is widely spoken as a second language.

Being part of the EEC is expected to be a precursor to increased property prices, making Cyprus an excellent long-term investment for real estate. The stable economy is expected to continue to grow as a result.

Investment properties in Cyprus are like tax havens

The exciting news for any property investor is that Cyprus is almost like a tax haven within the European Community. There is no inheritance tax or gift tax, pensions from abroad are taxed at a flat rate of just 5%, interest earned on foreign capital imported into Cyprus is tax exempt, and investment income remitted to Cyprus by foreign nations is taxed at a flat rate of 5%. Even the corporate tax rate is a flat 10%. Cyprus also has signed double taxation agreements with many countries, including the United Kingdom. A Capital Gains Tax of 20% is payable on the sale of immovable property in Cyprus, but no capital gains tax is payable on gains from investments. Personal income tax rates range form 0 - 30%.

Interestingly, there is increasing demand for Cyprus properties from non-traditional sources, including the Middle East, Russia and its former states and United States, as well.

According to Glen Young of SunSeaker Properties, the island has the dual benefits of being popular for both retirees and vacationers. Retirees buy property in Cyprus for their own use, largely to bask in the warm Mediterranean sun and escape the snow and cold winds of winter. The attraction of Cyprus as a second home (or a new first home) is helped by a skilled work force, relatively affordable prices and a friendly, welcoming population.

But Cyprus is also a popular travel and leisure destination, with regular affordable flights from major European cities. Visitors look for quality accommodation, such as villas and apartments can offer. This makes Cyprus property a good investment, earning an income until the owner wants to sell and cash in...or until the owner decides to retire and use the property for his own purposes.

Of course, over 320 days of sunshine certainly don't hurt land values on this Mediterranean island.

Unlike in many other sunshine destinations, the legal system in Cyprus is mostly based on the British legal system and is designed to safeguard the property purchaser. This makes it particularly attractive to UK investors. Once the contract of sale is signed and a deposit is paid, the contract is registered at the land registry office. This procedure protects the purchaser's ownership rights until the title deeds are issued and transferred to his or her name. The contract in the hands of the Land Registry cannot be withdrawn by anyone, and therefore the property cannot be leased, sold, transferred or mortgaged. Only the purchaser himself can alter this status.

Cyprus investment properties might require some patience

With so much going for it, even Cyprus is not perfect. Sometimes it does take patience to buy property in Cyprus. As with many sunny locations, the bureaucrats don't always see the need to rush and paperwork can take longer than an eager buyer would sometimes like.

In the case of buying property off-plan, it can often take a couple years for the development to be completed...meaning that the buyer might need some bridge financing until the property can be let and income starts rolling in. Mortgages, usually up to 75%, are readily available, and the wise investor will look for one that requires only 30% to be paid down over the period of construction, making financing affordable to average investors.

With a little planning and patience, Cyprus properties are easy to obtain and promise to carry a positive return on investment. Sooner or later, everyone retires; it's never too early to stake out an investment property on your favorite Cyprus beach.

David Leonhardt operates a freelance writers service. Read more about at Sunseaker Properties or more specifically about Cyprus properties for sale.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

7 Tips to Real Estate Agent's Success: Tip #4 Establish Sales Goals

Sales goals are just as important in real estate as they are in any other business. Successful goal achievement begins with using valid criteria and understanding the linkage between sales goals and strategic planning.

Within your strategic plan for your real estate business, there should be a sales plan. This plan centers around specific sales goals to secure the result of converting those who have received your marketing message to an actual selling or listing client.

After establishing specific goals, then your challenge is to monitor these goals to ensure achievement. If you are new to this industry, it may take 6 months before the first sale. HINT: Use the W.H.Y. S.M.A.R.T. criteria for goal setting.

Many real estate agents have goals, but very few have integrated specific goal setting criteria into their goal planning, goal setting and goal achievement process. The S.M.A.R.T. criteria:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Realistically Set High
  • Target Date/Time Driven

are not new, but unfortunately, still not utilized as much as they should be.

One of the reasons for this is because the What?s In It For Me (WIIFM) or the W.H.Y. has not been included. All goals should be committed to Writing. When sales goals are written down, the intangible thought now has some substance and becomes more real. The paper can be not only actually seen, but also touched. Suddenly, the sales goal appears to be more concrete than just a wish or a dream.

Additionally, goal planning, setting and achievement is a process that should become a Habit of behavior. Weekly written grocery lists or the daily to do lists are habits that improve performance. Planning, setting and executing sales goals should become a habit that is consistently demonstrated on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

Finally, goals need to be Yours. Achieving goals for someone else usually are not successful because of the WIIFM. When the business sales goals can be translated into your specific goals, then you have greater ownership of the goals.

When the W.H.Y. S.M.A.R.T. criteria are infused into sales goals, successful goal achievement has been greatly increased. For example, using the industry average of 6% commission rate with 3% going to the listing broker and 3% going to the selling broker, the typical real estate agent averages 1.5% commission unless she or he listed and sold the property. If the sales goal is to earn $20,000 the first year, this means that the agent must achieve listings or sales of over $1.3 million. By the second year, the goal may have been increased to an income of $30,000 which translates into listings or sales of $2.0 million. By having the marketing research, the sales plan is data and market driven. Consequently, the agent can determine how many homes he or she needs to list or sell based upon the $1.3 or $2.0 million.

Sales goals are directly tied to the market plan within the strategic plan. Without goals, the real estate agent is embracing what I call the spray and praysales technique.

Spray your sales efforts on the wall and pray that they will stick giving you a sale.

P.S. Read 7 Tips to Real Estate Agent's Success: Tip #3 - Research Your Market Plan

Leanne Hoagland-Smith quickly doubles results for her clients from individuals (small businesses owners, entrepreneurs and young people) to large organizations by creating executable strategic action plans along with the necessary business skills to pull it off. By closing the gap between today's unsatisfactory performance to tomorrow's goals, limited resources are maximized with waste including time being reduced. Please feel free to contact Leanne at 219.759.5601 or visit http://www.processspecialist.com/ and explore how she can help you.

One quick question,if you could secure one new client or breakthrough that one roadbloack holding you back from success, what would that mean to you? Then, take a risk and give a call at 219.759.5601 to experience incredible results.

Mention that you read this article and receive a complimentary 45 minute coaching session.

P.S. If you are seeking an affordable speaker for that special event, Leanne may help fit your current speaking need.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Various Ways to Offer Your Property

There are a number of different ways to offer your place so that you can get it filled not only quickly, but with good people.

For Rent

Well, this one is pretty obvious. However, how do you quickly and easily get this done? First, I am a huge believer in Internet marketing. www.craigslist.org is my favorite. The ads are free, you can put pictures in there, and there are a ton of people that look on Craigslist. My other fav is www.rentclicks.com. It?s a pay-for site, but really popular. Others that you can try (but not my favorites) are Yahoo, flatster.com & any local internet listing sites you might have.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is the type of neighborhood your place is in. If it?s in a part of town that have somewhat computer savvy type people this will work well. Otherwise, stick to more ?base? advertising. Also, make sure you have NICE pictures on the sites. If you can?t put pictures up, don?t bother advertising. It won?t work.

If your target renters aren?t computer types, For Rent signs, handmade, around the neighborhood work wonders. I use the neon green posterboard I get at WalMart. Then take a HUGE black marker and write:

?FOR RENT 2 bd / 3 ba 555-123-4567?

Depending on your area, hang anywhere from 25 ? 50 each and every week around the busy intersections. Remember to put yourself in the place of the drivers. If the sign is 100? up in the air in the middle of a busy street, it?s unlikely they?ll see it much less write the phone number down. Put it where people stop.

Did I mention the newspaper? I didn?t? Well, that?s because they?re expensive and I don?t especially like paying money to extortionists. I?ll let the RICH landlords advertise in the paper.

Rent To Own

This is my favorite. I won?t go into all the details here, but this is really the all-time best way to get great people into your place. They have an ownership mentality, so pay on-time better and keep your place neater. Advertise basically the same, but ?RENT TO OWN?.

One note ? I?d be more than happy if my people actually bought the house, but in over 50 homes, I?ve had a total of ONE (count ?em ONE) couple actually buy. The rest of the time, they change their minds, can?t get their credit straightened out, etc. The nice thing is they keep the house better, and renew the leases and options year after year after year. All the while, the place is getting paid down more and more, and their price goes up an up.

Owner Carry

This is what I use when I really DO want to sell a house. Generally I?ve got someone in a house for a number of years that I really trust and like and really do want them to own the house themselves. You lose on the tax credits, but they really get a good opportunity to buy the place. It looks better on their credit (especially if you use a reporting company like National Assoc. of Independent Landlords) to report on-time payments.

Be sure you do this one right, or there could be some legal consequences. Get a title company or attorney to help you do a proper closing.

Scott Taylor is a successful Real Estate Investor, trainer and Web Entrepreneur. He has taught hundreds of students to become wealthy through Real Estate. Mr. Taylor also runs successful website businesses, and reviews Internet businesses. www.mentor4re.com www.honestyreviews.com

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Royalty trusts, in Finance, are classic flow-through investments vehicles. The trust, like a mutual fund, holds a portfolio of assets, which can be anything from producing oil and gas wells to power generating stations to interests in land. The net cash flow, i.e. the total cash flow minus revenues, is passed on to the unit-holders as distribution.

The purpose of a Real Estate Investment Trusts is to reduce or eliminate corporate income taxes. In the United States, where they are generally more widespread as investment vehicles, Real Estate Investment Trusts pay little or no federal income tax but are subject to a number of special requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, one of which is the requirement to distribute annually at least 90 percent of their taxable income in the form of dividends to shareholders.

Real Estate Investment Trusts are, therefore, a special type of royalty trust. They specialize in real property, anything from office buildings to long-term care facilities. For illiquid assets like real estate, closed-end funds of this type make good sense. Open-end or ‘mutual' real estate funds are subject to new money and redemption problems, entirely absent in closed-end trusts. The first Real Estate Investment Trust was introduced in the United States in 1960. The vehicle was designed to facilitate investments in large-scale income-producing real estate by smaller investors. The US model was simple, enabling small investors to acquire equity interests in vehicles holding large-scale commercial property.

But the birth of Real Estate Investments Trusts as a mass investment vehicle can be traced directly to the liquidity crisis encountered by open-end real estate mutual funds all the way back to 1991-92, during the slowdown of real estate that characterized those years. Faced with redemption demands on the part of unit-holders, real estate mutual funds were presented with the unpalatable option of selling valuable real properties into a distressed market to raise cash. Many of them, therefore, chose to close off redemptions and converted into Real Estate Investment Trusts, since then most commonly known as REIT's. Only a few open-end real estate mutual funds continue to own real estate directly. Most now invest in shares of real estate-related companies.

The typical REIT usually distributes about 85 to 95 percent of its income (rental income from properties) to the shareholders, usually on a quarterly basis. This income gets a special tax break, because REIT's shareholders are entitled to a deduction for the pro-rata share of capital cost allowance (depreciation on the real properties). As a result, a high percentage of the distributions are normally tax-deferred. However, the amount will vary from year to year and will differ depending on the particular REIT.

As with royalty trust, the value of tax-deferred income will reduce the adjusted cost base of the shares owned. For example, if an investor purchases 1,000 units at $15.50 per unit, receives $3,000 ($3.00 per share) in aggregate tax-deferred distribution over time, and the sells the shares for $17.50 each, the capital gain will be calculated as follows:

[1,000 x ($17.50 - $15.50 + $3.00) = $5,000 before adjustments for commissions. In Canada, this gain will be subjected to capital gain treatment, so only 50 percent or $2,500 will be included in income and taxed accordingly. In fact, Canada allows preferential tax treatment to REIT's by making them RRSP-eligible and by not considering them foreign property (which would taxed at a higher rate), so long as the real estate portfolio does not contain non-Canadian property in excess of the allowable limit.

REIT's yields and the market price of units tend to be strongly influenced by interest rates movements. As rates drop, prices of REIT's rise thus causing yields to drop. On the other hand, when interest rates rise, prices of REIT's drop thus causing yields to rise.

For example, when interest rates were pushed up by both the Federal Reserve Board and the Bank of Canada all the way back in 2000, the typical REIT was yielding close to 14 percent as prices per share fell. When interest rates subsequently dropped, yields fell to less than 10 percent as demand for REIT's increased thus pushing share prices higher.

This is a very important consideration to be kept in mind when investing or otherwise trading units involving this type of trusts. If interest rates appear to be poised to rise, investors may want to defer purchases, and those who own this type of shares already may consider reducing their exposure by selling and take in some profit.

There are typically two catches with REIT's. The first is that since investors are ‘unit-holders' rather than shareholders, they are potentially jointly and severally liable together with all other unit-holders (plus the trust itself) in the eventuality of insolvency. Instead of limited liability, investors rely on the REIT's management to have property, casualty and liability insurance, prudent lending policies and other reasonable safeguards in place. Nevertheless there is always the possibility of a problem - say a catastrophic fire or a building collapse - that is not covered by insurance. This may have seemed like a very small matter prior to the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Since then, however, it is something that has to be taken seriously.

The second problem with REIT's is less transparent. All real estate properties depreciate in value over time (not the land, only the buildings). Depreciation can be somewhat slowed down by earmarking at times significant amounts of money for maintenance and renewal of facilities. Since most of the REIT's income is being distributed and the capital cost allowance is being allocated to investors, investors are factually getting their own capital back over time. As such, the book value of the underlying real properties will be steadily depleting.

Obviously, if real estate markets are on the upswing the depreciation factor will not be overly important, since it will be offset by the appreciation of the underlying assets. But in essence, the point is that the long-term income stream is quite variable, certainly more variable than some managers would have investors believe.

As stated above, the inverse relationship between interest rates and prices of REIT's shares plays an important role. On average, it is safe to assume that interest rate increases are likely to be met by REIT's price declines in the Stock Exchange, because increasing rates correspond to a slowdown in the economic growth and less demand. But out of the context of the frantic buy and sell of Wall Street, even a slowdown in the market for single-family houses can actually benefit REIT's. This is so, because even though real property prices are in decline, it is still cheaper to rent than to own, especially during a period of rising interest rates. And REIT's thrive on rentals. In fact, no city is a better environment for REIT's to operate in than New York City, where some 70 percent of residents rent.

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

How to Sell Property to Overseas Property Buyers

Selling property to overseas property buyers is not as straightforward as selling to local property buyers. Overseas buyers are in a state of disorientation and may feel vulnerable to malpractice. This results in overseas buyers being seemingly over cautious and on some occasions suspicious of the property agent. The real estate agent?s job is to reassure and inform and never over sell. Taking a deposit to hold that condo that is about to sell any moment now will undoubedtly result in a withdrawal later on.

Real estate agents release the pressure

Overseas buyers warm to real estate agents that do not create additional pressure. Buyers are under a lot of pressure. Many are apprehensive of being ripped off. They want to know that you are legitimate and for you to prove it. The golden rule is to inform inform and inform again. Information will help sell your properties to overseas buyers. Never over sell or create a climate of pressure, after all the buyer is already under stress.

Some things you should know

A real estate agent or developer who can give the impression of being knowledgeable about their locality and about the property in question is half way to gaining the confidence of the nervous overseas buyer. Information that you may not think relevant such as visa applications , importation costs, taxation, mortgage process, building insurance, local taxes, the buying process in your country are to name but a few.

Develop your powers of empathy.

Real estate agents selling property to buyers from abroad need to have the power of empathy. Ask yourself what I would feel like buying a property in a foreign land. How would I recognise a good agent and a good deal? What information would I want my agent to know?

Selling off plan or pre construction property

Real estate agents selling a new property to an overseas buyer should be prepared to answer these typical questions.

1. What guarantees do I have that the developer for this new property will not go under?

2. Will my deposit be placed in an Escrow account?

3. Tell me about the building company, what work have they done in the past

4. Has the builder secured planning permission and local permissions for the project?

5. Are there any legal safeguards for foreign investors in the case of non-completion or poor construction work by the developer?

6. If I decided to sell before completion of the project, would that be possible and would I be penalized in anyway?

7. How easy is it to buy and sell property in this country?

8. What if I decide to sell the property?

9. Are there any other fees while the project is being built and what about after completion?

10. What do you anticipate the rental income to be once the facility opens based on current rates at similar properties?

11. What is the payment schedule?

12. What happens if the building is delayed?

13. What is the rental yield I can expect?

14. What are the tax and inheritance implications?

15. What is the buying process in this country?

Selling property to overseas buyers a road to success

Selling property to overseas buyers can be very challenging but rewarding experience. The agent that holds the buyers hand throughout the process will undoubtedly be the agent that successfully sells to the overseas buyer.

Copyright 2006 Nicholas Marr

The author Nicholas Marr is a lifetime property investor and CEO of Marr International Ltd. His company is responsible for one of Europe's fastest growing overseas property web sites at http://www.homesgogast.com

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Arkansas Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Arkansas

Maybe you are buying your first home in Arkansas, or perhaps you are relocating to Arkansas from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Arkansas home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you will need to know before buying a home in Arkansas:

The median price of a home in Arkansas is $72,800. The price of homes in Arkansas varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $207,000; however, in both Little Rock and Fort Smith, Arkansas, the median price of a home was $165,000. Average interest rates in Arkansas are among the highest in the nation.

Arkansas law states that closed-rate second-rate mortgages and home equity lines of credit are not eligible for purchase. In addition, Arkansas? Income Tax Surcharge Act imposes a 3% levy on Arkansas taxpayers.

Arkansas? HomeToOwn program offers FHA and VA programs to qualified residents, and they offer programs like the Community Home Buyer Program, Fannie Mae My Community Mortgage program, and Rural Development program. All of these programs offer below-market interest rates and down payment assistance to qualified buyers.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Arkansas Mortgage Rates and Loans .

Home Owner

Becoming the owner of a house can be a proud moment, but one should understand that it brings with it a lot of responsibilities. The most important things are maintenance, capital or finances, bills, and the process of increasing the home?s value so that it also becomes a good capital investment in the long run.

People generally use a mortgage loan for funding their home purchase. Most lending companies require the mortgage customers to buy homeowner?s insurance. They give certain mandatory levels of coverage, but these need not be necessarily adhered to, as they just cover the house, and not the belongings inside the house. There are several kinds of homeowner insurance policies, the most basic ones being HO-1, HO-2, HO-3, HO-4, H0-5, HO-6, HO-8, HO-A, HO-B and HO-C. Each of these policies is different and caters to different homes and individuals. An agent would be able to help you decide on the right kind of policy.

Taking out a homeowner?s insurance policy requires the declaration of some information, such as occupation and employment history, credit history, marital status, date of birth, social security number, and previous address. Analyze your home and your possessions, and try to give a value to everything in it. Insurance companies consider several factors such as the age of the home, size of the home, condition of the home, number of people residing, location with respect to the fire station and fire hydrant, materials used to build the home, the number of rooms, and so on. You can save significantly on the insurance premium if you have certain safety equipment installed in the house. Understand the difference between replacement costs and actual cost value. Keep updating the policy when you enhance the value of your property in any way. You can also take additional insurance that provides coverage for floods or earthquake-related losses.

Home Owner provides detailed information on Home Owner, Home Owner Insurance, Home Owner Insurance Rates, Home Owner Insurance Companies and more. Home Owner is affiliated with First Time Home Buyer Programs.

Passport to Integration

Yes we need the passport to travel and most of us use it as a form of ID once we first settle here, but the passport I am referring to is not paper. With more and more families with young children relocating in this area they are the ones with the special passport.

Children are treasured here as they are perceived as the future of this country. With a falling birth rate, Spain welcomes families with open arms. Children integrate fast especially if they are under ten years old. The change of language and culture does not seem to faze them.

Once the young ones join the local school, the invites and involvement in community events start. The children are the reason on both cultural sides, all benefit from this liaison, not only in language but broadness of understanding. Children are the common link and from the friendships they form at school their parents are absorbed speedily into the Catalan way of life.

As an estate agent, I cannot answer, the often anxious questions from parents about how their children will cope with the changes. I cite the families I know and how they have integrated, make a few phone calls and introduce them to others who have already settled here. These families are the people I admire the most, their firm belief in making the change in location to benefit the family is only matched by the speed in which their children help the parents integrate. I wish I had moved here years ago with our daughter and given her the multicultural advantage these children have.

We live in a village but work in the city of Tortosa, the positive changes and attitudes have surprised us over the last few years. With courage the little tots come and say ?hello? often with the praise from the adult accompanying them. On a daily basis I get purloined in shops and cafes by all generations wanting to practise their English language skills. With their enthusiasm it is not always easy to stop them and get the exchange balanced, how many of us have got a Catalan or Spanish phase rehearsed only to have the response returned in English. But we keep trying if only to amuse, also the follow incident which happened last year still makes me smile.

Watching an English family with two young children, the parents were struggling to be understood, but in steps the eight year old girl was confident, after a few months living in this country, to explain what the Mum and Dad wanted to say. The power of communication did not go to this little girl?s head, there was an air of amusement to find she was able to do something better than her parents! What also amazed me was how she was able to relate to her elevated status and have fun. Her Mum needed the advice from the Pharmacist but the daughter was going to make her own comments on Mum?s health. Mum was not aware of her slant in the conversation. Yes, this ?Little Darling Daughter? was explaining personal facts and adding a few of her own views to the surprise of those locals within earshot. I was quite relieved that Mum?s non-understanding saved her the embarrassment that the pharmacist now knew what caused her condition and what was said at home! Out of the mouths of babes - Swotting wasps in a bikini is neither wise nor advisable!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Real Estate Tips On Finding A Business Partner

Think you can get ahead faster with a business partner? It is important to remember that approximately 80% of business partnership?s don?t work. The odd?s are very high that any real estate group in which you are involved in may not survive. Cautiously enter into your investment group with watchful eyes. Here are some key factors to consider.

Make sure your goals and objectives are consistent with the rest of the group. Are you committed to working at all hours of the day to get the job done? Well, what about your partner? You know what skills you have. You know your strengths and your weaknesses. If your partners are your friends and relatives, you probably have a clear idea as to what skills they can bring to the table. However, when your joining an investment group of strangers, it?s important to clarify exactly what, if any, skills they will bring to the overall collective objective. Sometimes your investors will simply put their money into the project and not actually participating in any work that needs to be completed.

Consider the liquidity of the investment. How quickly can you get your money out of your Fraser Valley Real Estate investment? You should not invest money you cannot afford to loose. This is the golden rule and it should be applied to real estate in all area?s of the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland area. For example: Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby, New West, Langley and Abbotsford. In practical terms, most investments are tied up for the duration of the deal. This issue of course is a critical one. This has a direct correlation with liability of your investment. You want to avoid personal liability for any financial problems that can occur. If you are investing in a corporation that is holding the property for the group and the corporation has taken out a mortgage with a lender, the lender may require personal guarantees from the shareholders of the corporation. That would be YOU!

Consider? When investing with a group is getting out of control, how to get out? Why not a buy out! Make sure there is a procedure to follow before you get into a concrete group investment. Know the buy out terms before the money is put onto the table. Your Fraser Valley Real Estate investment should always be safe and secure. Whether your buying a condo, apartment, townhouse, house or mobile home in British Columbia, remember to cover you assets.

Shane Toews is a Licenced Realtor who helps others to educate themselves on current real estate issues. He also provides assistance on how to locate quality homes, apartments or vacation rentals in Canada's Fraser Valley area. Visit his website RentFraserValley.com for more information on Canada's Fraser Valley Real Estate Market

Thinking of Buying a Condo Hotel? Here Are 20 Things You Need to Know!

1. What is a condo hotel or condotel?
Think of a condo hotel (also sometimes called a condotel or hotel condo) as buying a condominium, although one that is part of a four-star caliber hotel. Therefore, as an owner, when you are on vacation, you?ll get the benefit of more four-star services and amenities than you'd get in a typical condominium.

2. What types of services and amenities are found in condo hotels?
If you can imagine the niceties you?d find in an upscale hotel, then you can picture a condo hotel. Among the features are often resort-style pools, full-service spas, state-of-the-art fitness centers, fine dining restaurants, concierge services and room service.

In some locations, like Las Vegas, you?ll find condo hotels with their own casinos, retail areas, and entertainment venues. In places like Orlando, you?ll find condo hotels with their own water parks and convention facilities.

3. What is the difference between a condo hotel and a traditional condominium?
The big difference between a hotel and a condo hotel is that a hotel typically has one owner, either individual or corporate, but a condo hotel is sold off unit by unit. Therefore, a 300-room condo hotel could have as many as 300 unit owners.

4. Is it evident to hotel guests whether they?re staying in a condo hotel or a traditional hotel?
A hotel guest will likely never know that the hotel has multiple owners because the property is operated just like a traditional hotel and often under the management of a well-known hotel company like Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, Trump or W. Also, each of the individual condo hotel units will look identical in design and d?cor to every other, just as they would in a traditional hotel.

5. Who typically buys condo hotels?
They?re primarily sold to people who want a vacation home but do not want to deal with the hassles typically associated with second home ownership such as maintaining the property or finding renters in the off season.

6. What is the demographic of the typical condo hotel buyer?
The spectrum of condo hotel buyers is pretty broad. There are families that want a second home in a vacation destination. There are baby boomers who are at or nearing retirement and want somewhere they can ?winter.? There are also plenty of investors who purchase a condo hotel unit with little intention of ever using it; they?re in it for the potential appreciation of the real estate.

7. Can you live in a condo hotel?
Condo hotels are not typically offered as primary residences. In fact, many of them limit the unit owner's usage of the condo hotel unit (typically 30-60 days per year) because the unit is expected and needed in the hotel's nightly rental program where it can be offered to guests and generate revenue.

8. Who gets the money when your condo hotel is rented out?
The hotel management company splits the rental revenue with the individual condo hotel owner. While the exact percentages vary from property to property, the typical rental split is in the 50%-50% range.

9. Who finds hotel guests and then cleans and maintains the condo hotel units?
The hotel management company markets the property and books hotel guests. It also maintains the unit and ensures the smooth operation of all of the hotel?s services and amenities.

10. What are the advantages / disadvantages of purchasing a condotel over purchasing typical rental properties?
Advantages include:
? Hassle-free ownership; no landlord issues
? Rental revenue to offset some or maybe all ownership expenses
? A fantastic vacation home available for use whenever you want
? A real estate investment at a time when other investments may seem less attractive
? Strong likelihood of appreciation
? Pride of ownership --I own a piece of a Trump

Disadvantages include:
? Annual cash flow could be equal to or less than annual ownership costs
? Pets are usually not welcome.
? An owner?s condo hotel unit may be rented when the owner wants to it, so advance reservations are required to guarantee availability.
? The condo hotel unit is subject to the same dips in the market that affect all hotels in the competitive market set: hurricanes, terrorist threats, warm winters up north, price of gas, etc., all of which can affect a unit's occupancy rate and the amount of revenue it generates.

11. Are condo hotel units difficult to finance?
Not at all, but they do take 20% down typically, whereas condos can be purchased with less cash down. It's also important to make sure you use a mortgage broker who has had success in getting condo hotel financing deals done. Many banks still do not do them, but more and more are getting involved as condo hotels become more widely available.

12. How long have condo hotels been around and where are they located?
Condo hotels have been around for several decades, but the huge surge of four-star and five-star condo hotels that have been making their way across the country, started around year 2000 in the Miami area. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area still has the most condo hotels, but areas like Orlando and Las Vegas are developing condo hotel properties at an even faster rate and will likely surpass South Florida soon. Other up-and-coming areas are places like the Bahamas, Panama, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada and Dubai.

13. How much do condo hotel units cost?
That?s like asking how much a car costs. There are different quality condo hotels. Some require greater amounts of money than others, obviously.

There are inexpensive condo hotels out there for as little as $100,000. These are typically found in properties that have converted their use from an existing hotel. They are hotel room-sized, lack kitchen facilities, luxury franchises, and other first-class amenities.

Then there are the four-star or greater properties that may start in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, but can go all the way up to $800,000 just for a studio unit. One- and two-bedroom units cost substantially more than a studio. Of course, the studios do come fully furnished and finished, and will be significantly larger in size than a typical hotel room, and may attract guests because of its name like St. Regis, Ritz or W.

14. What are typical maintenance costs?
On average about $1.00 to $1.50 per sq. ft., but the range can exceed $2.00 sq. ft. in the most luxurious properties.

15. Do you buy condo hotel units after they have been built, or can you purchase condo hotels in pre-construction?
Unless you are in a hurry to get started vacationing or you need to complete a 1031 exchange, it's best to buy condo hotels in pre-construction as early as possible. That?s when prices are lowest and unit selection is greatest. You will likely wait two years or longer before closing on and taking possession of your condo hotel unit, but you will have locked in the price and will get the benefit of maximum appreciation.

16. Is there anything else investors should want to know about condotels?
There is more to buying this type of real estate than the old phrase, location, location, location. While most condo hotels are located in desirable resort and business area locations, what is most important is a good franchise with a strong reservation system.

Also, do not be fooled by an aggressive rental split. One way or the other, the developer of the property will have to staff, maintain and operate the hotel and its services like the restaurants, bars, spas and pools from his share of the proceeds. If he's giving you a very favorable share of the rental, he's also more likely to be charging you a higher monthly maintenance fee. Of course, this goes both ways. If the maintenance split that is offered is closer to 50-50, then your maintenance should be more reasonable too.

17. Any suggestions to investors in choosing which condo hotel to buy?
Get good advice. That means you don?t want to rely only on the pitch provided by an onsite salesperson at a condo hotel. You want to talk with a broker who specializes in condo hotels and who knows and understands the entire condo hotel market, not just the facts pertaining to a single property. He or she will listen to your wants and needs and then offer recommendations as to which properties best match your requirements. You?ll have an opportunity to comparison shop and consider the pros and cons of each available property.

A good broker can be the difference between your buying a condo hotel that will be problematic and not live up to your expectations or one that will provide you with years of great vacations, good annual revenue and a substantial profit when you sell.

18. Does it cost more to use a real estate broker to purchase a condo hotel than buying a unit on one?s own?
No. With new condo hotel properties, the prices are always set by the developer and are exactly the same whether you buy directly from an onsite salesperson at the property or using a broker.

The broker?s commission is always paid by the developer and is already built into the price regardless of whether an outside broker participates in the sale or not. Since a broker?s representation is free to buyers, it does make sense to enlist their aid and get the benefit of their advice before making a purchase.

19. How can prospective buyers find a good condo hotel broker?
Ask friends for broker recommendations or search online for ?condo hotel broker.? Visit condo hotel broker websites and see if the information they provide seems comprehensive and unbiased. If their website seems to focus on selling homes or office space, and the condo hotel information appears to be an afterthought, steer clear. Your best bet is to work with a condo hotel broker who specializes.

20. How can buyers learn about new condo hotel properties coming on the market?
Condo hotel brokers can be good information sources as they often learn about properties prior to their release to the general public. Another option is for them to subscribe to a condo hotel newsletter such as the one we publish called Condo Hotel Property Alert. We offer it for free on our website www.CondoHotelCenter.com and it features a different condo hotel property coming on the market each edition.

Joel Greene is president of Condo Hotel Center which specializes in the sale of condo hotels around the U.S. and the world. His detailed website contains condo hotel property listings, photos and detailed information. Visit http://www.CondoHotelCenter.com and http://www.CondoHotelsDubai.com. Be sure to sign up for his Condo Hotel Property Alert newsletter to be notified when new condo hotels come on the market.

Buyer Agents Vs Seller Agents: What's The Difference And Should I Care?

Are you unsure of what type of real estate agent to use when you are selling your home and/or buying a new home? Understanding the function of a real estate agent and what their relationship to you as a seller or buyer is tremendously important. For a first time home buyer or seller you should be aware of some facts, and clear out the cobwebs of confusion on the responsibilities and duties of a real estate agent.

Real estate agents, depending on the state in which you live, may only be allowed to act only as a seller?s or buyer?s agent. In many instances however a real estate agent may take on a dual role of representing both the seller and buyer. This type of agent is known as a dual agent. In other words they have a duty to sell the home for the best possible price for the seller, and at the same time are committed to get the best asking price for a buyer. This can be a somewhat upsetting for many people, but the best defense is being in the know about the legal and moral responsibilities associated with a real estate agent?s dual agency representation, and how you can feel positive about working with them.

In most states real estate agents are legally required to state which party they are working for. Most of the time real estate agents work for the individuals that are selling a home. Make sure to ask, if you are unclear so to alleviate any nervousness on your part. Always presume that any real estate agent is working for a firm that represents both a seller and a buyer, and if you are a buyer, make sure to keep to yourself any information that may affect any deals that are offered for your purchase of a house. Buyer?s agents have a loyalty only to the buyer. This is established by a signing of a contractual agreement between both the agent and the buyer. The buyer should be aware that agents are held to a legal and moral obligation to not reveal any personal facts not only to the home seller, but to the real estate agent. Material disclosure is allowable though about the property, such as any known pest infestations, or problems with the structure itself. A dual agency for a real estate agent is usually understood for them if they represent a buyer; make sure to check into the real estate agent?s status for your own serenity. Nonetheless, contract protection is afforded for anyone that is interested in purchasing a property through an agent that represents a seller?s interest by signing a contract to represent both.

If you are selling your home and you will be searching to buy a home in the same area you need to expect a reasonable amount of service from the real estate agent that represents you. The agent?s goal should be to fully represent your best interests. Your agent needs to clearly inform you if they will require you to sign an exclusive contract. This legally binding contract will require you to work with that agent only. You should always search around for an agent that will allow you to have other realtors working on your behalf to locate a new home for you. All agents should work diligently to help you sell your home by providing comparisons studies of the properties in your area, to handle any inspections or appraisals, and to work with your mortgage lender and in the loan application process. He or she should be more than willing to consider and respect your wishes when scheduling an open house for either other agents or for the general public. Agents should always be courteous about appointment times to meet with you, and should always leave a cell phone in case of unexpected issues surrounding the sale of your home. Your buyer?s agent should clearly explain all aspects of the contract to you. Issues such as contract compensation and their exact fees for selling your home, along with other important details such as how long you must list your home with them should be covered in a written contract. Never take their word for it. Get everything in writing. Be careful, verbal contracts, maybe legally binding.

Buying or selling a home should be a pleasant experience. Selling and buying is a serious decision that can influence your financial and emotional well being for years to come ? consequences of how informed you are will be long lasting, many years after you have left the bargaining table.

Matthew McDonough is a real estate investor and a former real estate agent in New York. He owns property throughout the USA. He wants to share is knowledge and operates the website Inside Real Estate Info

Friday, August 22, 2008

Negotiating a Real Estate Contract

Negotiating the purchase or sale of a home can be fraught with struggles, ill-will and nastiness. coming the three deal-killers is easy if you remember one thing. Keep your emotions out of real estate contract negotiations. It will reward you handsomely. Plus, if you exit successfully from a ugly negotiation you still have to endure several weeks or months with the other side. On top of that, you might need to go back to the buyer and seller and ask for a closing date extension or inspection repairs. If wear out the other side early, they'll be much more unlikely to agree to anything you ask for simply because they don't like you or your attitude.

There are three outcome variables when a real estate contract is drafted by the buyer and presented to the seller.

The seller will accept the terms=contract.

The seller will change the terms=counteroffer.

The seller will reject the terms=the end, start over or walk away.

When the parties to a real estate contract accept the terms, it is known as acceptance. Most states require all real estate contracts to be in writing. And, they require that all offers of price or other terms be in writing. You might want to throw out a number out to a seller in a conversation, but it is not enforceable and is considered by real estate professionals as undesirable.

The counteroffer is the most common scenario in real estate contracts. Many buyers and sellers like the back and fourth of counteroffers and negotiations. But, be forewarned, some buyers and sellers have a low threshold to extended counteroffering. My rule of thumb is once you have gone back and fourth five times, you start to bog down the process. Each side should develop a strategy for negotiating before the real estate contract is formally presented.

In some situations a real estate contract is rejected before acceptance, by either side at any time. Some reasons for rejections are: incompatible closing dates or other terms, price, or another real estate contract is presented and it is more attractive to the seller. I am of the opinion that it is better for a contract to be rejected during negotiations than fall-through after acceptance. Like many things in life, accepted contracts are easier to get into, than out of.

Low-ball offers. Much more common in 2006 and 2007 than in previous years. Real estate market pendulums have swung in the buyers favor. That being said, some of the low-ball offers that buyers recently have attempted to negotiate were twenty-percent under list. Sellers of appropriately priced homes did not even respond. The rule of thumb is to not go below ten-percent of list for an opening price offer. If you can sweeten other terms of a contract to counter the low price, it could help keep you in good graces with the seller.

Counteroffers are like volleyball. Each time an counteroffer is given back to the other side, you will start to know where they want to go on price and terms. If sellers or buyers don't move off their original price much, they are showing signs of digging in their heals, don't expect much movement, each round. Early signs of rigidity in counteroffers tell me to buckle your seatbelt another notch, because the other side is not flexible.

The take-it-or-leave-it offer. Sometimes negotiations get near an impasse. The other side might call your bluff and say this is it, take-it-or-leave it. If you developed a strategy as I mentioned earlier, you will know what to do with the ultimatum. And, I hate to say it, the folks who do these ultimatums also like to try and come back after you've met the ultimatum and ask for another bump. No, no, and no.

Highest and best offer. Sometimes sellers or their agents get restless in negotiations and want to call your bluff. They'll say give us your highest and best offer. This is a tricky situation, sometimes if your not in love with a home, you might withdraw the offer and not tip your hand. Especially if you might revisit it later after pursuing other homes.

Bidding Wars. Going into bidding wars is not for the faint of heart. You will probably over-pay for the home, but if you truly want it, it's okay. You might though have to come up with some extra cash for the down-payment if it doesn't appraise out, at an inflated price. One of the main problems in bidding wars is not knowing how many offers are on the table. Real estate license laws usually favor the listing agent 's need for confidentially with their client, the seller. I've also seen all the offers drop out except for one, and you end up negotiating against yourself. I tell my clients to not participate in a multiple offer situation. They become competitive and emotional, I prefer to stay on the sidelines until the dust settles. Since you haven't tipped your hand, if you are invited to submit your contract after the multiple peter out, you will have a fresh slate with all the frenzy just a learning experience for the sellers.

Don't be rushed through negotiations. I have seen contracts put into acceptance in hours and at the worst, weeks. I would say, a good negotiation should take no more than two days, with five rounds of counteroffers. If either side starts to delay their response to a counteroffer more than one day, it's a red flag. Give reasonable deadlines for a response to all your counteroffers.

Full price offers. Sometimes if a home is priced right and new to the market, and you really want it, offer full price. I've seen homes slip away over a thousand dollars, and in the scheme of things or as a ratio of list price, it's dumb.

Withdrawing an offer. If you are working with unreasonable people, or terms that are agreed to are change and continually in flux, walk away. First though, withdraw the offer. Withdrawing can really tell the other side that they are unreasonable. Sometimes they get it, sometimes they don't. But, most houses are worth the trouble of torture-some sellers or buyers.

Keep a written record of negotiations. It's easy after a couple of rounds to forget that you agreed to leave the basement refrigerator, or as a buyer to shorten your mortgage contingency, make sure you write down all the changes each round, all experienced real estate agents do.

Mark Nash, is a residential real estate author, broker, columnist and writer based in Chicago. His fourth book 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home received eighteen five star reviews on Amazon.com. His latest book; Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home will be published in December 2006. Mark publishes a free monthly ezine for real estate professionals. Agent to Agent features ten articles that offer free reprints for agents, home buyers and sellers through EzineArticles.com . Real estate news and book reviews, Celebrity Homestyles, Home selling and buying tips and advice, Joke-of-the-Month, Help this Agent, and agent marketing tips. Over 5000 subscribers in the U.S. & Canada. Subscribe at: http://www.1001realestatetips.com/forrealestateagents.html

Real Estate Investing Courses

Another lucrative aspect of the real estate business is entering the market as a real estate investor. Real estate investors go in the market with the sole aim of buying low and selling high. In between the time when the investor buys and sells a certain piece of property, he may opt to do some remodeling or renovation to the property to increase the market value of the property that he had just bought. However, real estate investors do not just randomly buy properties and sell them, his choices and decisions with regard to purchases and selling are founded on a deep understanding of the real estate market and the skills to carry out transactions. In the same way that agents and brokers undergo formal training, real estate investors also receive formal training to help them become better investors.

Courses available online

Potential real estate investors can avail of formal training either from the traditional sources such as schools, real estate firms and other institutions, or they can avail of these courses from the Internet. The courses that are offered in the Internet aim to help investors create their own investment portfolio whether they are beginners or experienced investors in real estate. The courses that are offered revolve mainly on the subject of real estate investments. Other relevant courses that are offered to investors include risk management, real estate taxes and real estate financing. These courses aim to equip the investor with the core competencies in making the right decisions to help him grow his investment.

Some of the schools that offer courses on real estate investment also offer their students access to databases of available properties they can choose to invest on and databases on foreclosures nationwide. Other services offered by these schools include access to the most up to date trends and news on real estate. Some schools also offer one-on-one tutorials for investors who want a more personalized and tailor-fitted delivery of the training.

Investing your hard earned money needs to be backed by the right competencies and skills in making the right investment choices. By accessing the available training on real estate investments either from schools or on the Internet can provide you with a rich source from which you can get the competency and skill that you need to be a successful real estate investor.

Real Estate Courses provides detailed information on Online Real Estate Courses, Real Estate Agent Courses, Real Estate Appraisal Courses, Real Estate Broker Courses and more. Real Estate Courses is affiliated with Phoenix Real Estate Schools.

Types of Real Estate Deeds

Real estate deeds are part of the process of taking title in a property. Title is the right to hold an ownership interest in a property, the right is transferred through a deed. There are several common forms of deeds. Review the type of deed that you will receive from the seller of the property you are purchasing with an experienced real estate attorney.

-General warranty deed. This type of deed ensures the grantee (buyer) the greatest protection. Investigate the laws in your state pertaining to this deed type.

-Special warranty deed. This deed type offers the buyer two guarantees from the seller. The first guarantee is that the seller received title and the second one guarantees that the seller did not encumber (anything that lowers the value, use or enjoyment) the property during the time the seller owned the property.

-Bargain and sale deed. Has few warranties offered by the seller to the buyer. Buyers should require that title insurance be issued in conjunction with this deed.

-Quitclaim. If the seller offers this type of deed, buyers should understand that a quitclaim offers them the least protection of any deed type.

-Deed in trust, reconveyance deeds, and deeds executed pursuant to a court order are unique deeds and you should consult an attorney about their use in your state.

-In most states basic deed requirements include; the seller has the legal right to transfer the property, an identifiable buyer, a clause from the seller (grantor) conveying the property to the buyer (grantee), a legal description of the property (usually from a survey), consideration (something of value), and the signature of the seller. The seller must deliver a deed to the buyer and the buyer accepts. When all of these steps are completed the title to the property will be passed from the seller to the buyer.

Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. His tried and true real estate tips has been featured on Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. Purchase his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com .

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Make Money with Real Estate Government Home Seized

Do you want to learn how to make money with real estate? Have you always thought that you had to have a ton of money to start buying and selling real estate? Are you struggling to make an income and want a better way?

I am here to show you how to use government home seized real estate listings to make a ton of cash. Yes, you will need some start up capital or a little bit of credit, but you don?t need much of either. You see, in most cases, the government has become desperate to unload the homes they have seized.

This is a GREAT thing for you. This means that the price is going to be very low and they will be much more lenient on credit and down payment. I have even seen circumstances where homes go for under $2,500 with less than $100 down. That is insane.

Now the above example does not happen too often, but there are many homes for sale at 10% or less of their value. All you have to do is obtain one of these properties and you are set.

Once you get one of them, you can refinance the mortgage on this property and get cash out to buy another property. You can also sell this property to earn cash for your next deal. It just depends on how quickly you want to grow your business and how hot the property is on the market.

Once you get past your first deal you will be hooked. You will want to buy properties all the time and sell them just as often. There is millions to be made in real estate and all you have to do is start now and you can be on your way to claiming your portion.

Are you ready to buy government home seized properties? Do you want to make money form seized property sales? Go to the following website to get more information about seized property.

http://www.ready-repair-my-credit.com/seized.htm

Financing Land Development: Little Known Secrets

There are alternatives to conventional bank financing for land development deals.

OPM, Others People's Money

But I know you've heard all that before, but there are little known secrets that Major Land Developers have been using for years which I want to share with you.

My clients are absolutely amazed when I share these secrets with them, they always respond so that's how they do it.

So why would a commercial financial broker want to share these secrets with you?

The reason is very simple, at the opening page of this site I told you I wanted to educate you, and so I am.

Also if you're able to implement some of these strategies, you're eventually going to need capital to build out your project.

And we'll be here to help you. There are three ways in which you can secure your land development deal without closing a conventional loan. The last way you must seek professional accounting and legal assistance, and will not be discussed here.

Work Directly with the Seller

Use Options to Control The Property

Arrange a 1031 Exchange

The above are three methods or ways to get a commitment to sell the property with little or no cash at time of opening an escrow.

Working directly with the Seller

By working directly with the seller you can help the seller solve many of their problems, and in return he becomes your partner in the land development transaction.

Sellers often believe that they can get a better price for their real estate if they carry the paper that evidences the debt themselves. Here are some of the reasons

Buyers may have qualification issues, and if that's the case you as a buyer may not be as concerned about the interest rate, price and terms and therefore the seller as the one assuming the risk will get a higher price and you get the deal that you were not bank qualified for.

The Seller will get greater after-tax profits.

By the seller carrying paper they will not be taxed on the amount of the sale, but their tax will be based on the installments paid over the years.

In other words a large capital gain may push them into a higher tax bracket, but if the sale is spread out over a period of years, the seller may not be pushed into a higher tax bracket.

Use Options to Control the Property

An option is an agreement specifying some future performance in exchange for a benefit.

Simply stated, give some money control the property!

You offer the owner a price for the option to buy the land. That price (the option premium) buys you the right to buy the land at an agreed upon price at a certain time in the future.

You can exercise the option by closing the sale at any time before the expiration date of the option. The seller must sell, when you are ready to buy, no matter how much the market value may have escalated during the holding period.

A more sophisticated approach is to acquire a rolling option for large land development transactions.

This is much more complex then a simple option agreement. Rolling option is utilized when there is a great deal of property that an individual needs to control. We usually see the use of rolling options in large master planned communities, where developers are planning to phase the development project into numerous phases with an absorption of the homes exceeding five years typically.

In a Rolling option the buyer controls the entire tract but only puts up the option for the first portion of the land, after each execution of the options, the buyer is able to take down more land, until the developer controls all the property of the original contract.

If you do not exercise your rolling options ass they come due, the entire contract is cancelled as to future property that is secured through the initial option agreement...and of course the seller retains the entire premium, and he can immediately offer the property to another buyer.

Benefit to the Buyer is that they can now plan an orderly development of the entire acreage, as well as knowing exactly what the land costs for the entire project are for the proforma and any Return on Investment calculations.

Benefit to the Seller is that the seller can get the price he wants for the property, and he knows that at the least he received a sizable option premium, and at the best he receives the price he wants for his land.

Harlan A. Friedman, Esq., is president of Lightning Commercial Funding Inc., a California mortgage broker. He has more than 25 years of experience as an investment banker and financial consultant, issuing municipal debt for his clients. Lightning Commercial Funding specializes in financing commercial projects exclusively, from the startup of new business to large commercial transactions. Reach Friedman at (858) 592-0659 or harlan@loanforbiz.com. Visit his company at http://www.loanforbiz.com.

Investors are Buying Savannah Georgia

Invest in Historic Savannah, Georgia!

There is great interest in our market not only because of the beauty and charm that is Savannah, but also because other real estate markets are not doing as well. Ours is an undervalued and accelerating market.

The Savannah economy benefits from its strategic location and port facilities. The area's transportation and distribution networks have produced increased economic activity and development. Tourism also has been a significant force in Savannah's recent economic growth. Last year Tourists contributed $1.5 Billion to our city's economy. NOW is the time to invest in real estate in Savannah, Georgia.

Unlike other markets, Savannah's is not top heavy in any one sector. Manufacturing, service, government, tourism, and a growing number of creative and technical businesses characterize Savannah's economic diversity.

Top TEN Reasons why the Savannah Economy is RED HOT!

- The Georgia Ports Authority is expected to move more than 2 million containers by the end of June 2006, which could move Savannah past Charleston to become the No. 4 container port in the country. Savannah Morning News - May 23, 2006

- Savannah - Fastest Growing Port in the USA! ~ Savannah Morning News

- $88 Million Dollars Invested in Private Property near the Downtown area. ~ Savannah Morning News - March 8, 2006

- Tourism Numbers are up in 2005. ~ Savannah Morning News - May 27, 2006

- Tourists spent $1.5 Billion in Savannah Last Year! ~ Savannah Morning News - June 23rd, 2006

- Hunter Army Airfield Grows by 1,300.... All of our new housing on post is filled and families are looking for places to live. ~ Savannah Morning News - June 30, 2006

- Gulfstream Aerospace adding at least 1,100 new jobs. ~ Savannah Morning News - March 7, 2006

- West Chatham County is BOOMING! ~ Savannah Morning News - June 4th, 2006

- Job Growth makes Savannah's Economy one of the State's Best. ~ Savannah Morning News - May 24th, 2006

- Tybee Island's Growth Continues with Luxury Homes. ~ Savannah Morning News - May 30th, 2006

- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) continues to improve Historic Downtown. ~ Savannah College of Art and Design

- Savannah Out Performs Atlanta! ~ Savannah Morning News - March 8th, 2006

....Why Stop at TEN!

- Georgia Pacific's puts $100M in New Savannah Plant! ~ Savannah Business Journal

- AirTran Call Center to add more More Jobs in Savannah ~ Savannah Business Journal

- Maersk Line Signs 20-Year Agreement with GA Ports Authority ~ Savannah Business Journal

- Gulfstream Delivers 100th G550 Business Jet ~ Savannah Business Journal

- Memorial Again Named to Most Wired and Most Wireless Lists ~ Savannah Business Journal

- Savannah, Fastest Growing Job Market in the State ~ Savannah Economic Development Authority

- Ritz-Carlton eyeing Ogeechee River Location ~ Savannah Morning News

- STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT HELPS SAVANNAH ~ SouthEast Real Estate Business

- Local Private Schools Investing MILLIONS in Expansion Projects ~ Savannah Morning News

Rob Caldwell - Caldwell Marketing and Development, LLC Savannah, Ga. - http://www.SavannahInvestmentProperties.com

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Real Estate Investment Clubs

The real estate investment clubs provide tremendous resources for both beginners and experienced real estate investors. The real estate investment club is a place to meet and network with other investors. Patient and skillful application of investment knowledge and information is required for a successful real estate investing. For success in real estate, there should be a combination of the power of investing knowledge and the power of market information. A real estate investment club through its thoroughly researched real estate investment ideas can arm you with all the necessary information to invest wisely in real estate.

As the competition in the field of real estate are high, Real estate investors need to keep themselves updated constantly on the new trends and developments in real estate investment. There can be new laws and taxes governing real estate. All this is hard to maintain if you are not a full time real estate investor. A real estate investment club is then the ideal place for you. All issues regarding real estate investment can be discussed and sorted out through the medium of real estate investment clubs. Being a part of an experienced and efficient real estate investment club in itself should form a part of the strategy to become a successful real estate investor.

Details regarding all other aspects of investments related to real estate like mortgage investments can be discussed in real estate investment clubs. The real estate club members bring out several publications to guide real estate and home buyers. Most real estate club members also provide information through Internet. Today, there are several different real estate software programs available in the market to help real estate investors. Before selecting software, you can discuss it with your real estate club members as some of them might have already used it and have opinions on it. A good real estate investment club can act as a good forum to clear all your doubts regarding real estate investment.

Real Estate Investments provides detailed information on Real Estate Investments, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Real Estate Investment Loans, Real Estate Investment Financing and more. Real Estate Investments is affiliated with Buying Investment Properties.

New Jersey Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in New Jersey

Maybe you?re buying your first home in New Jersey, or perhaps you?re relocating to New Jersey from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on New Jersey home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in New Jersey:

The median price of a home in New Jersey is $170,800. Homes in New Jersey appreciate at rates above the national average. In fact, New Jersey home appreciation rates place them 9th ranked in the nation. Additionally, average interest rates in New Jersey are below the national average. However, the rate of job growth is below the national average.

The price of homes in New Jersey varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $850,000; however, in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the median price of a home was $550,000, and in Parsippany, New Jersey, it was $350,000.

New Jersey state law prohibits home equity lines of credit on primary residences. However, they are allowed on second homes. Additionally, New Jersey law restricts the amount of fees on second mortgages.

Currently, New Jersey is in the process of enacting a new home ?lemon law.? Lawmakers saw this law as necessary after the State Commission of Investigations found that there was significant corruption, ?waste, fraud, and abuse? prevalent in new home construction.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about New Jersey Mortgage Rates and Loans.

Agent Marketing Minute: Public Open Houses

With rising inventories and anxious sellers demanding more and more open houses, you have to be creative. I've used with success a progressive open house that consists of at least five homes that are within walking distance of each other. Many agents might think banding together with the competition to draw more people is dangerous, but I look at it as completition.

Progressive open houses to be effective should have a theme. In spring use a garden/house walk twist, have sellers plant and spruce up their landscaping and invite a local interior designer to do a low-cost makeover in one room as an calling card for their business. Advertise the garden/house walk, have cards and tour maps at the first house that can be stamped or stickered at each home visited, and when they complete the card they can deposit it for a chance to win a garden or home design book. In the fall, you can use a harvest theme, and give away pumpkins, with a completed house-visit card. Send out a press release announcing the event, combining a special event with a public open house will draw many more people, create interest, and get traffic through your property listings.

Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today.

View his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Furnished Apartments in Atlanta

Atlanta, comprised of numerous distinct neighborhoods, cities, and counties, has a good choice of furnished apartments - garden-style apartments, lofts, town homes, studios, and many others. Center city apartments and more suburban apartments come with features such as ample parking and swimming pools.

Furnished apartments are ideal for corporate housing and extended-stay rentals. These are available in any size, and equipped with kitchens, fully furnished bedrooms, air conditioning, fireplaces, dining and living rooms with or without bathrooms, hardwood floors, backyards, and parking areas. Some apartments in Atlanta are particularly designed to cater to the needs of short-term contractors or European business personnel. Almost all private apartments are located close to Atlanta's business areas, shopping malls, and restaurants.

Extended stay apartments are available on monthly invoice payments and are perfect for business travelers, those on temporary assignments, consultants, and visiting family and friends. Furnished short-term apartments feature the most comprehensive short-term and temporary housing facilities. These are available in all price ranges and sizes, and on one-month to twelve-month leases. Furnished apartments are popularly marketed to businesses like movie studios and film production companies that frequently employ visiting, temporary workers.

The town home in Atlanta is one of the popular styles of apartment buildings. Town homes are generally built on more than one level with living areas on the first and/or second levels, and bedrooms on the levels above living areas. Town homes are perfect for those who are willing to live on multiple levels and are able to maneuver stairs.

The rapid growth of this metropolitan area and its economic development have both contributed to the increase in the number of new apartments. Although Atlanta is one of the world-famous industrial centers, Atlanta apartments are affordable and the average monthly rent is below the national average. If you are looking for a living space, Atlanta has a number of well-established property management companies offering furnished apartments. They assist you with computerized apartment searching and apartment rental services to search for a fully furnished apartment, whether it is traditional or modern, according to your taste.

Atlanta Apartments provides detailed information on Atlanta Apartments, Loft Atlanta Apartments, Atlanta Apartment Rentals, Cheap Atlanta Apartments and more. Atlanta Apartments is affiliated with Apartments for Rent in Chicago.

Residential Units Specified

The word residence can be used to describe all sorts of properties used for living. In prehistoric times, one?s residence could be a cave, a tree house, or a simple post and lintel structure. Today, not much has changed. Different structures can still be considered as residential units. Generally, residential units can be divided into two categories, namely: Apartments and Houses.

The most common residential unit is the house. This structure is normally detached (not attached to anything) and is traditionally built for only one family. However, there are houses that are specifically built to accommodate two families. These are called duplexes. In duplexes, the features found on one half of the house are mirrored on the other half, thus giving each occupant the same amenities.

Since houses normally cost quite a hefty some, those who cannot afford to purchase one yet, opt to live in the next best residential type: the apartments. Apartments are multi-storey edifices that can house several families. Apartments are further subdivided into several categories, those that are built for mass housing (tenements) and those that are more upscale (condominiums, etc). Apart from the socio-economic determinants, apartments can also be classified according to the number of rooms each unit has. There are single room units called studios, and larger multi-room (and possibly, even multi-storey) units.

Each type of dwelling has its own pros and cons ? it?s up to you to evaluate and weigh these based on your needs and the needs of your family. So if you are out looking for your new home, make your selection based on your needs. If you will be living alone, it may be more economical if you just stayed in a studio apartment. If it?s just you and your partner, a one-room apartment or a one-bedroom house (2-bedroom if you want extra space) may do the trick. If you have a large family, it will be better if you sourced around for a single detached house with enough rooms to accommodate your family. The kind of dwelling hardly ever matters. Remember that the structure does not make a house a home; it?s the people that live in it that make the difference.

This is article is brought to you by Gloria Smith at LegalHomeForms.com. Created by a former, licensed Real Estate Agent, LegalHomeForms.com was designed to offer instant access to the most sought after type of real estate forms. For the cost of what others charge for one real estate contract, you can have instant access to over 60 downloadable real estate forms.

An Introduction To Real Estate Investment Software

A number of people choose to buy property with the intention of selling it at a later date. Buyers hold on to the property until the price increases. It is then sold at a substantial profit. This profitability makes the property a type of investment that can be cashed or maintained. This type of venture is commonly termed real estate investment. However, there are no guidelines that can positively determine if the investment is a good or bad one. To simplify this procedure, a number of people prefer to use real estate investment software.

Real estate investment software helps capitalize on returns from property investment. This software can be used to evaluate residential and commercial income properties. Real estate investment software is easy to use, and can generate quick response reports on potential property purchases.

Investors can key in valuable inputs about purchased or yet-to-be-purchased property. The software analyzes details and can efficiently calculate return-on-investment, cash flow and the future sales price of an investment property.

Most individual and commercial investors use real estate investment software to help them study future prospects. These applications are capable of outlining all probable future risks. It is also designed to calculate all expenses, expenditures and detailed tax payments.

When people invest in real estate, at times sentiments interfere with decisions. It is important not to concentrate only on the beauty of the place but also to evaluate its profitability. Real estate investment software proposes investment on the basis of estimated future developments.

Real estate investment software must be capable of not only handling federal taxes, but should also allow the user to apply a state income tax rate and a state capital gains rate. Investing in real estate can either be a highly profitable or costly business. Therefore, it is essential to rely on powerful analytical software to evaluate the property prior to investing.

Real Estate Software provides detailed information on Real Estate Software, Real Estate Development Software, Real Estate Investment Software, Real Estate Property Management Software and more. Real Estate Software is affiliated with Mortgage Banking Software.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Costa Rica Property Investment ? Does It Still Offer Good Capital Gains Potential?

Costa Rica property investment has provided investors with great capital gains over the last few years with low downside volatility.

Many investors now see Costa Rica property investment as expensive and are looking at other Central American countries such as Belize and Nicaragua, but Costa Rica still looks a better investment in terms of risk to reward due to the following:

1. An established market

Costa Rica property investment still looks to have excellent capital growth potential because it is an established market.

The fact is once foreign capital buys in more follows, as it instils confidence and there is a track record to look at and this encourages further investment

The Expat community continues to grow and the gains are too made in new up and coming locations as existing established locations need to expand out .

2. Stability

Costa Rica is a stable investment environment and unlike Nicaragua for example, there is no threat to this stability such as the Sandinista party, there is a track record of stable democracy.

3. Standard of living

Many people coming from abroad want the lower costs of a new location but they also want similar facilities to the ones they have at home, such as clean water, good roads, entertainment and shops and infrastructure and Costa Rica property investment gives them access to this.

A property market can provide good upward growth for many years and Costa Rica property investment is no different, the key is location.

As foreign capital continues to come into the country, the way to enhance capital growth is to pick locations wisely, in up and coming areas.

Look at changes in the infrastructure that benefit the expats and if you buy in these areas then capital growth potential to risk will be maximised.

Value Capital growth potential in a secure country

Costa Rica property investment is no longer the cheapest in Central America but offers value for money and good capital gains potential, linked to low downside volatility.

This after all what most investors are looking for from property investment.

Will countries such as Nicaragua and Belize for example grow like Costa Rica?

Only time will tell, but the amount of capital being invested in Costa Rica property investment points to the fact that a lot of smart money still sees great potential.

Costa Rica property investment for retirees, second and holiday homes remains a solid investment and the future looks bright for those investors looking for great upside with low downside volatility.

FREE Report

On the potential for investing in property in costa Rica visit http://www.costaricalandlots.com

Real Estate Investment Property Getting The Best Capital Growth

If you are looking at real estate investment and want to get the best capital growth then you need to keep 2 main points in mind.

If you do you will maximise your return and limit your risk so, here are your two important tips for maximising your returns onreal estate investment property.

1. Property Price to Reward

When buying investment real estate property we all want a cheap deal, but keep in mind you need to balance the risk reward and this means buying property with the best risk to reward.

For example, you can take a risk and buy a property cheaply in an area that may do well in the future but you are better off buying in a position where you KNOW its going to do well. For example buy near:

1. Existing popular locations
2. Changes in the infrastructure coming such as roads, marinas, entertainment etc

You know the chances of popular area spreading out are high and you also know that changes in the infrastructure will see values rise. So buy on facts, not on what you hope might happen or what you think will happen

Act and buy real estate investment properites on SOLID facts not whims or opinions!

2. Buy Into a solid uptrend

When buying a market, buy one that has and is still producing good gains for the amount you spend.

For example buying investment real estate in the US has shown solid gains but the market overall is slowing down.

On the other hand there are new property hot spots overseas that realtors try and sell you that may take off. But will they? Sure but big variable here is the word may You can make more if the market does but most don?t.

Look for a market with a track record of gains, rising investment and property prices that are fair value.

Costa Rica is a good example. A good solid up trend for years, rising investment and beach front property up to 70% less than in the US and only 3 hours away.

Will this trend continue? The answer is probably yes, as baby boomers look for new homes there are plenty of Americans in Costa Rica already and the demand Looks set to continue.

Many people when buying investment real estate property think that once a market has taken off they have missed the boat but this is not true.

Property trends can last for 20 or 30 years in some areas.

3. Get local help

If you are buying overseas real estate investment property, make sure you get a decent attorney so everything is done correctly and you are not caught out.

Remember laws in other countries are different and you should not assume their the same as in the US or your country of residence.

When you are buying investment real estate property follow the above three points and you will maximise the risk reward on your investment and enjoy some solid capital gains in the years ahead.

FREE REPORT !

For a free report on maximising your gains by investing in property and facts on great locations to buy visit http://www.costaricalandlots.com.