Friday, October 31, 2008

Austin Real Estate

The term real estate refers to land along with anything permanently attached to the land, such as house. Real estate is an asset for the owners.

The city of Austin is the capital of Texas, U.S.A. It is divided into 7 main parts: North, with areas like Cedar Park, Copperfield etc.; Northwest, with areas like Block House Creek, Buttercup Creek, Canyon Creek etc.; Central, with areas like Aldridge Place and Allendale; South with areas like Barton Hills and Shady Hollow; Southeast with Onion Creek and Southwest with areas like Lake Pointe and Rob Roy. These areas have various advantages and disadvantages of their own. Each should be considered before buying real estate. Real estate agents can give guidance to a buyer.

With a population of more than half a million, Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Austin is considered a great place for real estate entrepreneurs. What's more, it is an environmentally friendly city. It has clean air, clean water, and healthy food facilities. Austin scored 34 marks in the Cleanest Cities Report, in which higher marks indicate a better city. Austin provides many great opportunities for students and educators alike. Austin has a main campus of the University of Texas. The many small and large businesses in Austin are growing. The infrastructure of the city is world-class. The service industry is at its peak. All these factors contributed to the real estate boom in Austin.

There are more than seven thousand real estate properties available in Austin waiting for buyers. Most of them have ability to become someone?s dream home.

Austin Real Estate provides detailed information on Austin Real Estate, Austin Real Estate Brokers, Austin Commercial Real Estates, Austin Real Estate Listings and more. Austin Real Estate is affiliated with Dallas Real Estate Agencies.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Buying Real Estate In France

There are many so called French property ?consultants? based in the UK who are more than happy to help you achieve your dream of property ownership in France, however many of them are also very happy to lighten your wallet along the way.

French property sales to the British is now seriously big business and as with all industries that see a substantial growth in a short period of time, more players are tempted in to that market place to try get a ?slice of the action?.

Unfortunately for the opportunist player, getting established in France as an estate agent (Agent Immobilier) is a long and complicated process, as the industry is heavily regulated. Not just anyone is allowed to rent a shop, stick pictures of houses in the window and call themselves an estate agent. So for these players it is much easier to be based in the UK, away from the beady eyes of the French tax, social security and regulatory authorities and try and make it work for them that way.

After four years of substantial growth in the French property market we now see many British based businesses in the market place. Some claim to be French estate agents (Illegal unless they are a French business registered at the Prefecture as an immobilier); some want to charge you a huge consultancy fee (Not illegal, unless they ask for it after the seven days cooling off period has finished), and some even charge you to show you properties ? which is completely illegal in France ? but all the these players have one thing in common - they have some or all of their business based in the UK. And why is this? Because if they were based in France they would more than likely be closed down.

So what can you, the French property hunter do to protect yourself from a lot of sharp practises within the industry?

The following occurrences should set off alarm bells:-

Being asked to pay to register to receive property details

Being asked to pay to view properties

Being asked to pay any money to anyone before the 7 day cooling off period has finished

Being asked to meet an ?agent? anywhere other than their office, e.g. in a car park

Being asked to pay a second fee on top of the normal French estate agency fee for services that a registered agent or Notaire would provide you as part of their normal service

In short the only real way to protect yourself is to deal directly with a French registered Immobilier and best of all one who is a member of one of the two main trade bodies in France for estate agents, either FNAIM or SNPI. Only by dealing with a local registered immobilier are guaranteed to get a professional service for a fair fee.

Mark Russell, Limousin Homes - French property and real estate sales in the Limousin and Poitou Charentes

For more information and real estate in France visit http://www.limousinhomes.com/

Metal Building Manufacturers

There are so many metal building manufacturers, and it can be time consuming settling on the company whose products and services best meet your needs. Metal buildings offer a wonderful alternative to the more traditional style of building and can also help you save money. Here is some advice on how to narrow down the list of metal building manufacturers to find the one that best meets your needs.

First, decide which type of metal building you need. Is it for residential or commercial use? Will you need storage? Does it need to be portable? Are you interested in using a kit? Make a list of questions and criteria that are important to you and then select a list of metal building manufacturers to contact.

Once you figure out which metal buildings are right for you, you will next need to consider your budget. Do you have enough money in your budget to fund your project? If not, contact your financial advisor to work through your options. Metal building manufacturers? prices vary, so you can save money by doing adequate research.

Next, you?ll need to decide who is going to perform the actual construction. If it is a smaller structure, such as a shed, and you have the skills, you may want to consider putting the structure together yourself. However, keep in mind that if something goes wrong, contacting the company to help resolve any problems that occurred because you lacked an essential skill can cost you more money. Hiring an expert is a great option if you lack the time and skills to complete the project. They can often finish the project in a much smaller time frame than if you did it yourself

After initial construction, check the structure for any problems and areas of damage. If you find anything questionable, contact the company immediately to increase your chances of getting a refund or to resolve the problem quickly. However, metal buildings are extremely sturdy so the likelihood of having major problems should be small.

Metal Buildings provides detailed information on Metal Buildings, Metal Storage Buildings, Metal Building Kits, Commercial Metal Buildings and more. Metal Buildings is affiliated with Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings .

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Prices Still Rising in Malta Property Market

upwards. Demand for property in Malta is plentiful and if forecasts are correct, prices could rise between 8 and 10% more this year; with buyers from countries such as the UK, US, Australian and many European countries, continually interested in this Mediterranean islands potential.

Demand for real estate, apartments and villas in Malta is buoyant this year and the Malta government are thought quite likely to allow developers to use even more land for building. In a country which is the third most populous in the world , this may mean the island becomes even less spacious although investors are expected to continue to snap up properties.

Access to the island of Malta is always of importance to foreign investors investing in Malta, and speculation still floats around about the the possibility of Easyjet flying to Malta from 2008; a move which could significantly increase the volume of visitors to Malta. Tourist would suddenly be able to afford long weekends in Malta with cheaper flights.

The prices of property and real estate in Malta could be affected with the January 2008 situation whereby MALTA will likely join the EU. In the past, the prices of property has risen quite well in many countries with the introduction of the Euro, and others when they joined the EU.

When the Euro was introduced on January 2nd, 2002, the value of property in countries such as Italy, Ireland and Spain rose very well. Prices of property in Sicily Italy for example, have risen on average about 20% over the last 4 years. A different situation is whereby countries have joined the EU and this has also had an effect although less significant than previously expected. It was expected that prices would rise dramatically as countries such as Hungary joined the EU a few years ago. Prices have risen but more steadily than expected.

With Malta and Gozo likely to join in 2008, it is certainly likely to be a positive rather than negative for the Maltese real estate market. With excellent weather and a relaxed pace of life, a lot of interest exists in Malta and Gozo, with rental opportunities also excellent. So, do not miss the boat - no pun intended!

Malta Real estate and property

Written by Paul Symonds MSC & BAHons.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Home Ownership Ownership Societies and Home Equity Considered

One of the greatest things that a society or civilization can have is buy-in from its citizenry. Perhaps you might call this a sense of nationalism that comes from owning a piece of America. Home ownership helps boost the value of ownership societies and yet even though more Americans own homes now then have ever in the history of our nation we also have a problem where the home equity value is less on a percentage per house than it has ever been also.

We know from the last real estate crash that when home equity becomes negative that more and more people walk away from their homes and then they are disenchanted with our society, civilization and even capitalism itself. This is unfortunate although it also shows a sense of irresponsibility on the part of those people who dug their own grave of debt. Nevertheless in the blame game world of human civilizations and societies people who have hardships of life usually try to blame someone else for them.

So what started out to be a great advancement in the concept an ownership society in the United States of America looks like it is slowly losing some of its steam and actually might end up causing a little bit of a problem in the future. The Federal Reserve says that the housing market collapse is not as bad as people portray it and this is relatively true however, it is something we need to watch in the future.

If people walk away from their loans this can cause a problem in the banking system and American citizens are already in too much debt with short-term loans and credit cards. An ownership society is a great idea and we should commend our leadership for working towards that noble goal, but at the same time we must be very careful that we talk about ownership we are not just talking about debt; rather actual ownership.

Owning a piece of America should not be owning an overwhelming responsibility of stress to make payments on something that is not his worth as much as the loan value. Please consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow, a retired entrepreneur, adventurer, modern day philosopher and perpetual tourist.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Property Price Gains Attract New Buyers To Malta

UK and European investors looking for high growth in 2007 are hoping for a repeat of the property inflation seen in Malta when it joined the EU in 2004, and it could become reality with the news that low cost airlines are to fly to the island, giving their real estate industry expectation that 2007 could be an exceptional year for price rises and sales.

In recent years the arrival of low cost - sometimes referred to as 'no frills' - airlines to a regional airport has seen property prices within a two hour drive escalate in popularity and price, especially among British buyers for France and Spain.

With the advent of these new flights to Malta, there is a possibility that demand for real estate in Malta will increase.

Commenting on the news, Malta holidays guide www.yourmalta.com say that a double digit property inflation figure for Malta is quite possible for 2007.

'Cheap airline destinations have proved to be a magnet for UK property investors, and if that trend continues then prices will go up in the next twelve to twenty four months', they say.

'Other than the local market, the UK provides most buyers for property in Malta, and with the British economy doing well it's quite possible that the island will be seen as a good investment opportunity'.

Malta Weather

Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in Malta properties, agree that property prices could rise in 2007.

'With lower fares, Malta becomes a destination viable for 3 and 4 days trips a few times a year from the UK, and that will attract buyers to look at Malta in the same way they do France and Spain when considering where to buy a holiday home abroad. The weather in Malta and low fares could be a magnet for buyers.'

There is a warning however from YourMalta that property prices on the island might not necessarily escalate in the same way that regions of France have seen when low cost airlines have started flying to their region.

'The Malta government has allowed more land to be used for property, and we anticipate a lot more apartment blocks being built short and medium term. Supply might well meet demand. Unless the political map of Malta changes and with it a change of policy towards her environment, there is a danger of Malta becoming the Tower Hamlets of the Mediterranean, or 1970's Spain where development spoiled much of the coast.'

Concern has also been expressed on the island about the infrastructure, with some tourists and potential property investors berating the state of the roads and - compared to mainland European and UK standards - dangerous construction sites.

'The real winners from the low cost flights could be the Malta hotels rather than the property industry', conclude YourMalta. 'We envisage a lot more people taking short three and four day Malta holidays, often booking their flights and hotels on the internet rather than via a traditional high street travel agent store'.

Florida Real Estate Agents

Access to easy mortgages has encouraged a large number of people to buy their own property rather than live in a rented house. People who earn well and are able to pool in their own finances also prefer to purchase property as an investment venture. This aggressive consumer behavior has been a boon for the real estate trade.

It is sensible to hire a Florida real estate agent when considering the purchase, sale, lease, of a property. Most real estate agents are trained professionals who understand the intricacies of the trade and have mastered the art of real estate trading. They possess first hand knowledge regarding most properties they deal with. They are also aware of several legalities involved with Florida real estate deals. Florida real estate agents can clarify doubts related to property costs, evaluation, and reason of sale. They are knowledgeable about size of property, maintenance charges, and limitations regarding specific deals.

Prospective clients may contact a Florida real estate company and set up an appointment. It is important that agents and customers meet and talk about property facts wherein customers may be able to put forth their requests. It also helps agents to short list properties suitable to their client's requirements.

Florida real estate agents provide details about mortgage types in case of outright purchases. They may also propose names of neighborhood financial institutions that could provide ready loans upon presentation of documents. Florida real estate agents work through an extensive network and are competent of taking clients in all areas of Florida. They function as a contact between buyers, sellers, and rental agencies. Real estate agents are empowered to complete the deal in case one of the clients lives outside Florida.

Real estate trade follows a pattern in which only authorized agents can deal with property issues. Most real estate firms hire agents as salaried employees. Apart from this, they receive commissions for completed deals. Commissions are realized through service charges paid by clients. This sum is fixed and made known to clients in advance. Payments made to agents are proportionate to the volume of business.

Real Estate Agents provides detailed information on Real Estate Agents, Find A Real Estate Agent, Las Vegas Real Estate Agents, Commercial Real Estate Agents and more. Real Estate Agents is affiliated with How To Get A Real Estate License.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Residential Real Estate Appraisal

An appraisal is simply an opinion of value. Some appraisals are a professional appraiser's opinion, others are guesses. Still others are based upon the sometimes harsh reality of the marketplace. The most important factors for appraisers are figures of recent real estate sales involving comparable properties. Basically, there are only two opinions that matter.

(1) The list price is a wishful-thinking value, merely a hopeful estimate. It is set by the seller. The sale price is the real value. It is determined by you, the buyer. Of course, the price you finally agree to pay is partially determined by the seller through the negotiation process. But you and only you decide how much you are willing to pay.

The lender's is the second opinion that truly matters. The bank usually employs appraisers, although sometimes it uses third party fee appraisers. A value of the property is determined, and the lender will then make a mortgage loan based on this figure.

If the lender's appraisal comes in lower than your agreed-upon sale price, you may not be able to buy the home. The lender bases its lending decision upon this professional opinion of value. It will only loan a percentage of this figure. Therefore, if you are counting on using the lender's funds in a certain amount to finance the purchase of your home, a low appraisal from the bank can seriously damage your first time home buying efforts.

The lender's opinion of value can be disputed. The appraisal department at a bank will usually welcome previously overlooked comparable sales data (comps) and other factors which might affect their appraisal. Sometimes there were sales in the area of which the appraiser was unaware. You and/or your real estate agent often know about non-MLS sales of which the bank appraiser has no knowledge.

Perhaps you decided to buy this house because the seller spent thousands on structural and mechanical system upgrades. The lender is not to aware of these value-enhancing improvements. When you bring them to the appraiser's attention, you quite possibly will induce the appraisal department to raise the appraisal figure. The critical point to remember about this is: If the lender produces a low appraisal, you can always contest it.

You might hear complaints when the lender's appraisers express a low opinion of value - Why don't they just appraise at sales price? After all, THESE buyers are willing to pay that much. Surely others would, too. Ah, but that's NOT necessarily true. Some buyers (hopefully not you) do agree to pay too much. The lender needs to protect itself from these lovestruck buyers who must have that home. If the bank eventually has to become the owner, by having to foreclose, it must have reasonable expectations of being able to recover all or most of its investment.

When negotiating the purchase of your home, be sure you are always being prepared to walk away from the transaction if the seller is too unreasonable. There are plenty of other homes available. If you do this, the lender's real estate appraisal will almost certainly come in at or above your sales price and thus cause you no problem.

Keep the Golden Rule in mind: The banks have the gold, so they make the rules.

Paul Anderberg
http://www.first-time-home-buying.net

Mr. Anderberg is the author of many helpful articles about home buying. Visit his website to read more. Several others are also available on this site.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Why Would You Use An Estate Agent Buying A Property In Spain Part 2

Last article we looked at UK estate agents and what they do. This article we will look at their Spanish counter parts.

What is different about Spanish Agents.

Generally they speak Spanish. I say generally but a lot of them didn?t when I first arrived ? but most these days have a rudimentary understanding which most potential buyers don?t. .

Secondly most people buying a house in Spain don?t know where they want to live, they may give generic info like ? Costa Blanca but CB is a very big place. The catchment area here is a lot bigger than in the UK. For example we cover an area from Moraira to Valencia, - two hours drive from start to finish. And within that area are probably 100 times as many agents. Javea alone has 300 agents.

The process of buying in Spain is more complex than the UK. So agents have to be better informed than their UK counterparts (that?s not to say they are). Typically after helping the client choose an area ? which involves driving round the area pointing out important hospitals, schools etc, the agent will arrange to obtain their NIE number ? and open a bank accounts for the client. There?s about a day gone already.

In the UK most agents operate exclusively, meaning they have a certain time period to market the property. In Spain most sellers go to 4 or 5 agents at least. Do you think this improves your chances of selling a property? Possibly through more exposure? However do you really think the agent is going to push the boat out when he has a one in five chance or less of selling your property?

What about finding the clients? Clients don?t just drive to an area and see a for sale sign. They are in contact with an agent well before they come out here. Some times they need to be picked up from the airport a round trip of 220 kms. Often they need accommodation arranging, airport transfers or car hire booking. Most do this themselves but not all.

When an agent in Spain sells a property they (should) do basic checks ? is the seller of the house the actual owner, is the house what it states, etc. All things which a UK agent doesn?t have to do. Where agents fall over here is allowing the client to decide the value of their property. Everyone thinks their property is worth more than it is. A good agent will give you a fair and realistic valuation of your property and explain to you the chances of selling it in the current market.

Agents often collaborate with other agents both locally and with agents in the UK ? something which the UK market frowns upon let alone endorses. Also the norm in Spain is to use correodors ? intermediaries, usually Spanish, who find the properties from locals that are for sale.

Once the sale is agreed the work starts. Agents organise the private contract and arrange a mortgage. The majority of buyers do not have pre arranged finance and it isn?t as straightforward here as it is in the UK.

The contracts are translated into English and you have to have all documentation signed in Spanish, both the private contract so unless you speak Spanish you will need a translator and most agents provide this service. At the notary someone has to also translate ?organised usually by the agent. And then there is the matter of transferring all the bills into your name ? imagine a UK based agent doing that for you mmm mmmm.

Afterwards ? well many agents tend to try and forget you once the ink dries and their commission is in the bank. But not all do. They will also help with such things as registering kids in schools, helping you register with local hospitals, obtaining residencia, and other such matters.

In the UK if you want to buy a car ? you find the yellow pages go out and visit a few used car showrooms, buy a car and that?s that. Not so simple here in Spain. It is completely different and the agent usually helps out here. Need a builder to do some remedial work ? yep you got it Mr Agent is there for you. What about where to go for electrical goods ? pop in and see friendly mr agent. Need to work and register for social security ? you know where to go.

A decent agent will be with you for a long time and will probably be your friend for life. I know we are not alone in that concept ? there are others out there with the same ideals. .So as you can see, to compare what a UK agent does with what a Spanish based agent does, is not quite as cut and dried as it seems.

Ok so we have painted a picture of nirvana, the ideal agent, but are all agents like this? - Sadly no.

Although most are hard working, honest people who have your interests at heart, many set up because it seems like the easiest way to make money. After all you only need to open an office, get a phone and a computer, put properties in the window and you?re off. If only everything in life was that simple.

Whilst these types of agents mean no harm (I am sure) their lack of knowledge can cause damage later

The fact that they don?t understand the escritura and how to interpret whether the property is legal or not, whether there is one seller or a whole family full, that some of the sellers may not be represented and can cause problems later, means they may tell you all is ok and genuinely believe it, but later you find you are not the legal owner, that the building isn?t legal, or that your land is about to be expropriated to make way for a swanky new golf course, that somehow the agent neglected to tell you (or probably didn?t know about). So it really is buyer beware.

One other thing I am sure nearly everyone has experienced. Black Money.

A person close to me recently sold their house through another agent (hey I am glad they sold it so quickly ? cant always be first to the starting gun). When they went to sign the private contract the agent asked how much did they want to declare. They were met with derision when they said they wanted to declare everything.

Apart from the fact it is fraudulent ? which means it is against the law, it is also being stamped on heavily by the hacienda who are currently issuing fines for people under declaring their property. Worse still most agencies (whether they realise it or not) are under investigation for money laundering due to the white whale fiasco ? a money laundering fraud in the Costa Del Sol based exclusively around property sales. It may have been Marbella but it is na?ve to think the government is concentrating its efforts solely there ? where is the next big area outside CDS ? oh yes the Costa Blanca. Especially when the EU has openly criticised Spain and threatened sanctions for its blatant disregard of EU money laundering law ? of which this is flagrant fraud..

Agents have a responsibility to make sure their clients do not commit fraud ? but unfortunately a lot don?t really care. And who is left to pick up the pieces? Give you three guesses ? if you need them.

So in summary then a Spanish based agent should do the following

1.Speak Spanish

2.Value your property (though seldom do) and Conduct basic checks (though seldom do)

3.Find clients through various means including collaborations, window displays, internet sites and advertising locally and in the UK, will probably maintain a list of clients looking and have a newsletter

4.Pick the buyers up from the airport, arrange accommodation car hire or many other services

5.Show buyers the area and point out various important factors

6.Arrange viewings for you

7.Assist in the negotiation

8.Organise private contract (though this should still be done or checked by your lawyer)

9.Arrange NIE numbers, Bank accounts and mortgages for the buyer

10.Translate contracts and/or offer translation services

11.Arrange the Notary signing and accompany you

12.Change the bills into your name (this could be done by your solicitor)

13.Assist in registration in schools, hospitals, residencia, padron and cars

14.Help you find builders, tradesmen, cars and any number of other things

15.Help if you are in trouble and generally look after you ? not

16.Do all this for 3-6%

Next issue we will take a look at the very emotive subject of estate agents charges ? do they push the price of your property out of reach of buyers.

If you have any comments on the subject matter or want any advice then please feel free to contact me. vbtudor@spanishproperty-direct.com and for more articles about buying in Spain look at the website http://www.spanishproperty-direct.co.uk. If you would like a free copy of the ebook - An INsider Secret Guide To Buying A Property In Spain then drop me an email and I will send you a copy by return.

Friday, October 24, 2008

How To Choose The Right Realtor For You

A home is probably the biggest investment you?re ever going to make. It?s not only a monetary investment; you?re trusting this home to hold up through the years, to be safe, and to be in a good neighborhood with good schools for your children. When buying your home, you should be working with someone you trust to meet your needs. That?s why it?s so important to find a good realtor. Here are a few steps to get you started.

The first step in choosing a good realtor is finding realtors in your area. The best way to find a realtor in your area is through referrals. Ask your friends, family, or colleagues who?ve bought or sold a home for good recommendations. If you can?t get any referrals, check with your local realtors association. You may also want to go to a few open houses. Even if you aren?t interested in that particular house, it gives you a chance to meet the realtor and decide if they might be right for you. If you?re still left with no options, you can always drive around neighborhoods you?re interested in and look at the names on signs. You could also flip through the local house listings. You may not know how good the realtor is, but you?ll still have names to work with. You could also get names from billboards and ads, but be wary of someone with ads everywhere. If a realtor is really good, they get a lot of return business and referrals. This means they shouldn?t need to advertise a lot.

Once you have a few options for realtors, you should set up interviews with each of them. If you don?t want to go to their office, set up a meeting in a coffee shop or somewhere else you?ll be comfortable. Before the interview, write down the questions you want to ask them so you know you don?t forget anything. While the questions asked depend on your preferences, it?s always good to find out if they are a licensed realtor, how much experience they have, and how familiar they are with the neighborhoods you want to live in. You should also find out their availability. If they have a lot of clients, they may take so much time getting to you about a house on the market that you lose the chance to bid on your dream home. If you have kids, make sure they?re knowledgeable about schools in the area. You should also make sure the price range your realtor specializes in matches your own.

Above all else, you want to find a realtor that you are comfortable with and who you feel understands your needs. You want someone who is working in your best interest. If you don?t feel someone understands your needs, move on to your next interview. It may take time to find someone you?re comfortable with, but if you keep looking you?re likely to find them. Good luck and happy house hunting.

Visit Mike's Real Estate Team, your Cary NC Realtor.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Protect Yourself with a Home Inspection

Home inspection plays a very important role in the real estate process. When you are buying or selling a home, you rely on a home inspector to provide an accurate and reliable inspection of a property. A home inspector will tell you about the condition of the home and help you avoid buying a home that needs major repairs. It is the perfect way to get an in-depth and impartial opinion of your next home before you buy it.

What to Expect

Typically, you will hire a home inspector either immediately before an offer is made on a home or as a contingency to a sale. Additionally, home inspections are ideal if you want to evaluate your home's condition or diagnose potential problems before they become serious issues.

Home inspectors perform the following duties:

-Evaluate the physical condition of a property, including the structure, construction and mechanical systems.

-Identify the items that should be repaired or replaced.

-Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure, and finishes.

Although inspections are primarily visual, inspectors may use tape measures, survey instruments, metering devices, and other equipment, such as concrete strength measurers, to aid in their inspection. They keep a log of their work, take photographs, and file a formal report.

The inspection usually takes two or three hours (depending on the age and size of the home). You should be present so you can ask questions and learn about areas that need additional work. All of the findings will be presented in a formal report that details the condition of the home.

A Close Look

The main purpose of the home inspector is to provide an objective viewpoint on the condition of a specific home at the time of inspection. The inspector does not evaluate the cost or value of the property, but provides a close examination of the following:

Structural Components: Foundations, floors and walls.

Exterior Components: Siding paint, windows, decks, garage doors, etc.

Roofing: Coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc.

Plumbing: Piping, fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel storage systems, etc.

Electrical: Wiring, main service panels, conductors, switches, receptacles, etc.

Heating: Equipment, safety controls, distribution systems, chimneys, etc.

Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps: Cooling and air-handling equipment, controls and ducting, etc.

Interior: Partitions, ceilings, floors, railings, doors and windows, etc.

Insulation and Ventilation: Attics, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen and bathrooms, etc.

They will additionally perform the following services (sometimes for an extra fee): mold sampling, radon testing, asbestos evaluation, pests/wood destroying organisms, carbon monoxide testing, lead testing, and more. These services are not always available.

Make sure to protect your investment. Get a home inspection before you buy your next home!

http://www.realestatelicense.com http://www.homeinspectioncourse.com

Heather Brunson is a lead marketing writer for Allied Schools. She has a B.A. in Journalism with an emphasis on public relations. She has additional experience in technical writing.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Don't Rely Excessively On Appraisals

Getting an appraisal on a home is a fundamental aspect of making a purchase. While appraisals are certainly helpful, you should not put too much stock in them.

Don?t Rely Excessively On Appraisals

An appraisal is a valuation of a property by an independent appraiser. The appraiser does an evaluation of the home, considers the home in comparison to others of comparable type and so on. Once completed, the appraiser then issues a written appraisal value of the home. Many homebuyers make the assumption the appraisal is the true value of the home both now and in the future. This can be a dangerous assumption.

First, appraisals are limited by something known as a moment in time. The appraisal done today, may not be entirely relevant a month or two later. If a property has been on the market for a few months, the appraisal may not reflect a slowing market. This, in turn, means the appraised value is actually higher than the current market will support. Homebuyers run into problems when this occurs because they put too much value on the appraisal. A seller will often list the home below the appraised amount and homebuyers will think they are getting a deal. In reality, they are not and may actually be paying more than a new appraisal would support. The older the appraisal, the less value you should put into it.

Most homebuyers assume an appraiser inspects the home for defects and discounts the value of the home accordingly. This is not really the case. An appraiser is not really doing a critical home inspection. In fact, the appraiser contract and/or report usually contains a long disclaimer whereby the appraiser covers his derriere by noting he assumes the property is in good condition and isn?t liable if it is not. Obviously, that should scare you. This, of course, is why you should insist on a home inspection for any property you make an offer on.

An appraisal is a solid part of the equation when considering a home purchase. It is not, however, the piece de resistance when valuing the property.

Raynor James is with the site - FSBOAmerica.org - home buying information.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Selling a Note Which is Best Partial Sale or Full Sale?

If you are like most people when you consider selling a note, you generally think about selling the entire note. And, in some cases, that may be the best solution.

One of the advantages of selling the entire note is that once you have sold the note, you literally wash your hands-off. You no longer have to worry about collecting the payments, up keep of the property or making sure taxes are paid. You have your money and collecting on the note and worrying about details on this property is now someone else's problem. If the note defaults, you will not be affected by the default if payments are late you are not even aware of it.

But what about the situations where you may need a smaller amount of money immediately and enjoy having the monthly payments as extra spending money. Did you know that you have the option of selling only part of your cash flow or note and continuing to collect the monthly payments on the portion you do not sell?

Partial purchases can be structured in many ways. You can sell the next 12 payments and have the note return to you when those 12 payments have been paid. Or you can sell 24 payments, or 36...you get the picture. If you have a balloon payment you may sell up to the balloon payment and then collect it. This last scenario is less appealing to investors.

Another option is selling a portion of each payment and continuing to collect the unsold portion. For instance, you could sell 1/2 of each payment and still collect 1/2 of each payment. Normally done when the monthly payment you collect is of a substantial amount. In this way, you get a lump sum of money and still continue to collect a monthly payment as well.

Partial payments have some down falls also. On the down side, partial purchases mean you are still need to be involved with the note and if it should default, you are likely to be affected by the default. Make sure you are protected in your contract like what happens in the event of a late payment or default. You want this clearly spelled out in your agreement with the investor before you finalize the sale of the note.

Many times a partial purchase will actually allow you to collect a much larger total sum of money for the note than a full purchase will allow. You may actually end up collecting more than the face value of the note in some instances.

You can read all about deed of trusts, note buyers and partial note purchases at www.deed-of-trust-buyers.net/partial-note-purchase.html.

Representing real note buyers not just a brokering service and offering self-help for those wanting to remain real estate note holders through valuable free material and downloads.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Real Estate Investing The Perfect Business Opportunity

So, you decided to leave the 9 to 5 rat race, that awful commute, or your unappreciative boss, but have quickly become overwhelmed by the many business opportunities available to you. Late night infomercials can give you a clue of what is HOT right now and Real Estate Investing is it!

People everywhere are discovering the secrets that afford them to live the lifestyle that you only dreamed of having. Real Estate Investing is the Perfect Business Opportunities out there.

Seeking out a sound business opportunity is not destined for failure. Real estate investing has always been a reasonable business opportunity avenue for income creation. History shows that real estate investing is the most profitable business in America. Real Estate Investing has created over 70% of all millionaires.

Of all the highly searched terms, you will find that Business Opportunities to be at the top. It is highly searched by stay-at-home moms and entrepreneurs alike who need extra earnings. In return for this tremendous demand for business opportunities, there will also be schemes and strategies that usually cost money rather than make money. Some of these business opportunity schemes are endless financial depths of despair that devours their innocent victims.

As long as there are people, there will always be a need for housing and businesses. There is a variety of ways for Real Estate investing. Here are just a few:

  • Construction of residential subdivision.
  • Commercial development.
  • Natural land improvement.
  • Overseas investments.

  • Worldwide, there is the accessibility of housing in need of repair. Abandoned and distressed properties have lost their primary value, so the business opportunity is to invest modestly in renovations in exchange for major revenue potential. Since devalued property is easily attainable everywhere at a discount, closing the gab with enhancements creates the high margin for revenue as a business opportunity.

    Of course, there are many business opportunities out there other than Real Estate Investing. However, I assure you that the ordinary individual exploring ways to make extra income will conclude that real estate investing is one of the easiest, simplest, and most valuable alternative of any business opportunity.

    I began real estate investing 5 years ago. My first investment was for a golf front lot purchased for an unheard off price of $25,000.00. That investment quickly turned into $100,000.00, giving me a profit margin of $75,000.00. Today, I own two rental properties and a residence and am looking to invest in a condominium in the near future.

    Imagine living the lifestyle, that only the rich and famous live. It can be yours with real estate investing. Real estate investing is the perfect business opportunity.

    The Author, Bill Weisenberger, is a Real Estate Investor as well as a business owner passionately dedicated to helping people create for themselves the lifestyle they choose. Click here...and learn how to make YOUR real estate deals count!

    Sunday, October 19, 2008

    Investing In Real Estate Six Specific Tips

    Investing in real estate should be a pleasurable and profitable activity. Listen carefully to investors, though, and you hear not just success stories, but sad tales of stress and losing money. Here are some tips for keeping your real estate stories happy ones.

    - Have a top price. Properties have a market value, and then they have their value to you. Many investors pay too much just because everyone else is doing so, and then they have negative cash flow month after month. Just because others are paying too much for duplexes, doesn't mean you have to. Once you decide on a top price that works for your plan (which hopefully involves cash flow), start below that and don't go a penny higher. The time to set your limit is before the negotiations start, not during them.

    - Choose partners carefully. Investing in real estate can be an uncertain process. Too many decision-makers just make it more so. If you must have a partner, clearly define your roles before you start a project. Group decisions tend not to work well, and will cause you much stress. It is often best if one partner puts up the bulk of the money, and the other runs the show. Agree to a plan, then step back if you are investing the capital, and let your partner do his thing. Of course, step up and take control if you are managing the project.

    - Listen to what the market is saying. When the cabinet guy asked me for a decision I realized that I knew nothing at all about which cabinets people like. I asked him which ones home owners were most often choosing, and he pointed to one that three quarters of his last forty customers had chosen. Then that's the one I want, I told him. Why would I argue with the market I am trying to sell to? I have seen sellers paint a home a certain color because they like it. That's a quick way to reduce the market value of a home. What colors do the potential buyers like? That's what is important.

    - Understand the numbers. Investing in real estate is all about the numbers. If it is an income property investment, it's about one number in particular: cash flow. Be aware of whatever the local formulas are, whether gross rent multipliers or capitalization rates or whatever. Ultimately, though just be sure that after every last expense you'll have cash flow from the very first month. If it is a residential fixer-upper, know what it will sell for and what it will cost to fix it up - before you even make an offer.

    - Don't confuse investing with gambling. Investing in real estate isn't gambling, or at least it shouldn't be. There is risk, but unlike true gambling, the odds are in your favor. At least they should be, and you should be able to clearly see the outcome. This why you shouldn't invest based on the assumption of continued fast appreciation. Over time, real estate values do trend upwards, but there is no guarantee that prices will continue up at any particular rate during a given time. Do deals in such a way that they'll be profitable even if prices go nowhere. If values go up, you're that much better off.

    - Do the research. Understand the statistics and information you are looking at. It is possible that the real estate agent will show you only the comparable sales that make the property look more valuable. With a bit of your own research, and an understanding of how the various numbers are arrived at, you can avoid overpaying. Many counties have made researching prices easy, with sales prices online. Other web sites, such as the U.S. Census site, have information on population and jobs. Understanding these figures can mean not investing in real estate just before the town declines.

    These tips, like all others, are just guidelines of course. You can gamble on rising values, for example, if you really did your homework and know the demand for housing in a town is about to explode. You might pass up a great opportunity too, because you refuse to go $500 over the top price you set. While having a few rules and guidelines is a good place to start, don't let them take the place of thinking when investing in real estate.

    Copyright Steve Gillman. For a Free Real Estate Investing Course, visit: http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

    Saturday, October 18, 2008

    Buying Overseas Vacation Homes ? The First Question You Should Ask Yourself

    Before you buy any overseas vacation home you need to ask yourself one important question before you begin and fact is many people do not and end up dissapointed. So here it is..

    Do you want to immerse yourself in the local culture or do you want to have the comforts of home?

    Keep in mind when you go on holiday to a destination living in a hotel is totally different to living in the wider community.

    Many people don?t consider this question when they buy an overseas vacation home and end up getting a different lifestyle to what they anticipated and end up disappointed.

    The local Culture

    There are many new areas where you can buy overseas investment vacation homes and their cheap.

    They don?t have well established foreign communities and this means that many of the comforts buyers expect are not available.

    In Latin America for example Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic are emerging. In Europe, Romania has been touted as the destination of the future.

    But try these destinations and you may have a culture shock.

    Street children, crime, you can?t drink the water, roads and communications that are poor and there is little to do apart from admire the scenery.

    Buying Established destinations

    When buying an overseas vacation home part of the fun is having access to a different culture but most people want the comforts of home as well.

    They want high quality entertainment, good facilities and shops their familiar with to name but a few.

    Buying an overseas vacation home in one of these established destinations gives you the best of both worlds.

    For North Americans the lifestyle they can associate with most is in Panama and Costa Rica with the latter being a huge favourite. In Europe established destinations include Spain and Cyprus.

    You get what you pay for

    When buying an overseas vacation home in these areas you get what you pay for ( although its still normally far cheaper than buying at home ) and although you pay a bit more the growth potential ( if you are looking for a return on your investment ) is normally much better in terms of risk ? reward, than an un proven emerging destination

    Your preference

    Of course, there are many people who buy an overseas vacation home and enjoy immersing themselves in the local culture, but most people want both comforts of home and the local culture.

    If you want both look for established destinations that have large and growing foreign communities that bring the comforts of home with them.

    Don?t worry, these places tend to have great risk to reward in terms of capital growth for investment simply because they are in high demand.

    Keep in mind the majority of new hot spots fail becuase they cannot attract significant numbers of foreign investors to make the ammenities attractive enough for significant numbers to follow and prices tend to dive.

    A good time in a hotel is not the same!

    As living in the country you have been to!

    If you are buying an overseas vacation home keep this in mind and before you live their.

    Try living outside of a hotel in the local area to get a feel for whether you will enjoy the lifestyle or not.

    One of the most popular destinations for Americans and Europeans is Costa Rica an established destination with great comforts and lifestlye but also the opportunity to make significant capital gains as well. Take a look at the facts and you will see why it is so popular.

    FREE REPORT

    On living and in this paradise location as well as all the facts you need to make an informed judgement as well as the opportunity to enter a FREE prize draw and see the country for yourself visit: http://www.net-planet.org/costarica.php

    Friday, October 17, 2008

    Developing Your Strategy in a Changing Real Estate Market

    Just about every area in the United States has experienced what most would consider a down market. As a real estate professional, it is important to evaluate your business on an on-going basis, specifically, when the market begins to slow down. In the Northeast, we are beginning to see signs of what we would consider a buyer's market. This is unusual for the area, which is an adjustment for sellers, and quite frankly, some of the newer real estate agents that have not been accustomed to taking a consultative approach with their business. There are a few key elements to developing and continuing a steady stream of clients.

    Client relationships-Quality real estate agents consistently discover that their business is closely tied to the relationships they have built over many years. Building and nurturing those client relationship results in trusting relationships and referral business. Focusing on client service, with a long-term view of those client relationships, creates value.

    Clear, written plan-Successful agents develop a detailed business plan including how many closings they are targeting for the year, the activities tied to reaching their closing goal, and the amount of personal promotion money that they will allocate to build their business. These goals should be visible to the agent, and not just developed at the end of the year (for the next year) and stuffed into a file. Having a focus on your goals on a daily, monthly, quarterly basis will increase your odds of consistent, viable business.

    Market Knowledge-As the market begins to turn, it's not only important to have the statistics for your buyers and sellers, but also have the in-depth understanding of the impact. Being able to articulate the changes in each neighborhood, price range, and overall market will add to your credibility as a sales professional.

    Communication with your clients-Changing markets do strange things to both buyers and sellers. Anxiety is created with change. The most effective way to help your clients through the change is keeping them apprised of all of the news, whether good or bad. Clear, consistent, and thorough communication also develops long-term client relationships.

    Melissa Riley is an Office Leader with Prudential Connecticut Realty. She is a 24-year veteran of real estate and relocation. Visit her website at http://prudentialctcareers.com/

    Thursday, October 16, 2008

    1031 Reverse Exchange Rules

    The 1031 reverse exchange rules allow you to acquire your like kind replacement property before you sell your relinquished property. We will look more closely at the 1031 reverse exchange rules and potential ways this strategy is being applied.

    Reverse 1031 exchanges give the Exchangor the flexibility to take all the time they need to locate the ideal replacement property, without the pressure of the forward 1031 exchange deadlines. Reverse 1031 exchanges have been structured by legal and tax advisors for years, but in terms of the actual "1031 reverse exchange rules" there was precious little guidance from the Department of the Treasury or Internal Revenue Service. Until very recently, investors only could look for guidance from certain tax court decisions that were handed down. Fortunately, exchangors no longer have to rely on the educated guesses of their advisors on 1031 reverse exchange rules about how to properly structure their reverse 1031 exchange transactions. Rules and guidelines have been established are basically as follows:

    First, the reverse exchange must involve an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT). The EAT is an independent third party that holds, or parks, the Exchangor's Replacement Property following or prior to the exchange period. The EAT must have a qualified indicia of ownership at all times from the date of acquisition until transfer.

    There are several types of reverse exchanges. The Safe-Harbor Reverse is an exchange whereby the EAT parks the replacement property prior to the sale of the old property. The exchanger must identify the relinquished property or properties within 45 days of the parking arrangement, and must have the entire transaction complete within 180 days of the parking arrangement.

    The Traditional Reverse is a reverse exchange that typically looks identical in structure to the Safe-harbor reverse, yet it will fall outside of the safe-harbor due to the fact that it can not be completed within the time frames provided. Typically, the exchanger is unable to sell their old property within 180 days of the parking arrangement, and therefore the time frames set forth by the safe-harbor are not met. This type of transaction is not necessarily a "red flag" for an audit by the IRS, but does require quite a bit more documentation and consultation by the intermediary to assure the transaction is done properly to avoid scrutiny by the IRS.

    A Construction/Improvement Reverse allows the exchanger to park a piece of property or land that will be built upon or improved during the exchange period. This is the most powerful reverse exchange available, as it allows the exchanger to literally create the exchange property they will eventually exchange into through the development or construction process.

    As is probably no surpise from the cursory review of the 1031 reverse exchange rules, the costs surrounding 1031 reverse exchanges are considerably more than those for a traditional, Forward Delayed Exchange. However, with replacement property often being the biggest challenge to a succesful exchange, many investors think they are quite often well worth the expense.

    Wednesday, October 15, 2008

    Persistence Wins Again

    Making the Fresh Start Presentation

    So you are out and running your route and have found a homeowner home who wants to listen to a Fresh Start Presentation (FSP). Remember the Fresh Start Presentation is the Homeowner Options slide show that you have. It goes through the advantages and disadvantages of the seven (7) options available to the financially distressed homeowner. They are as follows:
    1)Sell on the Open Market
    2)Refinance the home
    3)Restructure the mortgage
    4)File bankruptcy
    5)Borrow from friends and family
    6)Let it go to foreclosure
    7)Sell to an investor

    Whether you have scheduled an appointment or have just knocked the door the opportunity to make the presentation will lead to money for you. So what is the best way to make the presentation? Do you start with the overview and then go through each option? Do you ask some preliminary questions and get to the homeowners present position or do you just get to the price we will pay for the home and leave it at that?

    The answer depends upon the homeowner and your preparation for your visit with the homeowner. Remember ?Information is power and the key to a successful negotiation and purchase of your next home or investment property?. So if you have failed to prepare for your meeting with the homeowner your chances of success are diminished. We try to gather information for you and put it in the notes. Some information can be gathered by going over the pricing of the home when you have a scheduled appointment. The rest of the information will come from the homeowners? needs and wants and honest eyes.

    What follows are typical situations you will run into in the field and what assumptions you should make if you run into these types of situations. They are 1) Research indicates that the home is on the market. 2) Home is vacant; 3) Homeowner just came out of Bankruptcy.

    Home on the Market

    What assumptions can we make if the home is placed on the market?
    1) We know that they are willing to leave the home and move on with their lives.

    2) The Homeowners have cut the emotional attachment to the home.
    3) They have either eliminated or exhausted the following options: refinance, restructure and borrowing from friends and relatives.
    From this we can make the following conclusion: The homeowner is left with the bankruptcy option and selling on the open market or to us. Here is a note from a locator regarding a house that is on the market.

    Visited 8/12/06; 1PM. Met HO in driveway. HO's are divorced and selling the property. Home vacant. Property is listed with Briarwood Realty. Presented the Fresh Start Program to HO's. Interior of the home is broom swept condition already. Good condition. Husband was ready to give release, wife not willing to give release today. Wife indicated that she would like to take a few days and to talk with the bank on Monday. We agreed to contact each other on Tuesday 8/15/06. I left contact info with them and received their contact info as well. Will take complete set of photos when I get the release. Both HO's confirm that they have equity in the property.

    Now what part of the FSP would you pitch to get the release? How do you begin the process? If I knew the number they had placed on the house, I would talk about market time, home inspections and the possibility of an unsavory investor tying them up until it is too late and purchasing at the auction. If I did not know the market number I would ask for the price and how long it has been sitting on the market. This type of presentation should begin with a back-up plan or safety net plan. It should inform the homeowners that we could possibly purchase the property in a quick fashion and net them some money for their fresh start. We would do this by making a deal with the listing broker to continue to list the property after we purchased it. Saving the homeowners the cost of the broker. We could also inform them that they would not have the carrying costs, insurance, taxes, and foreclosure costs that are currently stacking up on the property. All of this may add up to a less stressful conveyance than waiting out a slow market. If you are fairly new at locating just use the making the offer to the homeowner chart to walk you through the offer: This chart is located on the resource page of the website.

    When a home is on the market it is fairly difficult to get a homeowner to agree to sell the property to an investor. Reasons are that some mortgage broker has told them that they can sell their home for a number we will not pay. Only time and an auction date will usually make this homeowner come around. A smart locator will make the pitch for the backup plan and wait until it is close to the auction to return for a final opportunity to purchase the property. In the meantime just call the homeowner every week or ten days to check in on their situation. This will allow you to have a continuing dialogue and build some type of relationship with the homeowner.

    HOME IS VACANT

    What assumptions can we make if the home is vacant?

    1) We know that they are willing to leave the home and move on with their lives (they already have).
    2) The Homeowners have cut the emotional attachment to the home.
    3) That the house is costing the homeowner carrying costs each and every day. We can stop the bleeding by purchasing the home.
    4) Homeowner should be happy to unload the property.

    Here is a note of a recent vacant home visit:

    Visited 8/12/06; 3:15PM. HO not home. Left into letter in the door with personal note. Spoke with the neighbor to get an update on this property. Mailbox is full. Shrubs and vines have overgrown the yard and cover the primary entrance to the house. Lawn has not been mowed in months. Neighbor says that the owner is a great person. He seems to think that the owner has another residence in Marshfield. This property had been up for sale. The HO has been trying to sell it for almost 2 years. He believes that the last listing was $249K. He also has been in the house and said that a lot of work has been done on the inside. Driveway is not paved. Otherwise, nice neighborhood. Dead end street with playground for children. This property is on the quiet end of the street directly across from the playground, corner lot. Looks like a good investment. We will need to track this person down.

    Once the homeowner is found the pitch would be straight to the sale of the property to our company. There is little need to go through the rest of the options with this homeowner. It would simply be straight to the sale of the property. Again, this particular note tells us that he had it on the market for 249,000 dollars for two years or so. So we could easily tell him that the price of the property is too high and substitute it for the price that we would sell the property at. (see your manager or the index for the price). Next, I would use the Homeowner chart again to go through the price we could offer on the house and why. Once you as a locator get familiar with the costs associated with a home you can forego using the chart.

    This vacant property purchase should be fairly easy once we have tracked down the homeowner. There is no emotional attachment, in fact the homeowner should be relieved to get rid of the property. I would stay on your manager to find these owners and provide you with the means to make a deal.

    JUST OUT OF BANKRUPTCY OR IN BANKRUPTCY BUT IS LIQUIDATING THE PROPERTY TO PAY FOR THE PLAN.

    What assumptions can we make if the home just came out of bankruptcy?

    1) We know that they are finished with most of the options. They can file bankruptcy again but it will not help them.
    2) The Homeowners can try to refinance but the cost of the mortgage will be astronomical.
    3) That the homeowner has tried everything to save the home and failed.

    Here the homeowners have been through the entire process. They have borrowed money from friends and relative, tried to restructure, and refinance the home as well as save it in bankruptcy plan by forcing a payment plan on the bank. Nothing has worked. You need to allow the homeowner a way out with dignity if possible. That may come from you just purchasing the property and giving them enough to begin renting.

    They only have two real options left: 1) sell on the open market or sell to us. Your job is to explain to them the problem of selling on the open market with only weeks to go to the auction is not a viable option. The real option is trying to get some equity out by selling to us.

    This type of purchase has to be performed with surgical precision. You have homeowners who are emotionally drained from the process of trying to save the home. They trust nobody including the lawyer who took them into bankruptcy and feel like everyone has screwed them. If you are empathetic now would be the time to show it.

    Here is a note on a property where this happened.

    7/31 note: Relief from stay of auction granted.
    11/05 note: In chapter 13 now. He isn't interested in hearing our option as the thought of selling his home makes him cringe. He did agree with me that selling is better than losing to auction. He has the auction stayed for some time now. Let?s keep an eye on his bankruptcy. This is a good home.

    From the note the locator has been watching this house since early November 2005. Long time to check in on the property, but it is getting ready to payoff. The new note indicates that the bank has now received the right to foreclose upon the property. It is usually the step before the bankruptcy being dismissed.

    The locator will now need to go out to the home and listen to the story of the bankruptcy and convince this homeowner that it is best to sell the home instead of losing it to the bank. This homeowner really does not want to sell the house in fact he would rather stay in the house. With that in mind it is going to be a tough sell.

    Again, this pitch should be a straight up number crunching pitch going through the items on the chart. Remember you are going to have to deal with the emotional tie to this house. From the note it is quite evident that this particular homeowner has this tie. When I make the pitch I usually talk about the house as sticks and bricks which is not really a home. The home is his family and the memories which they get to bring with them to the new house they will be occupying. If you can get through the emotional you will purchase the house.

    PERSISTENCE WINS AGAIN

    Do you know the story of Sisyphus? He was eternally condemned by the Greek Gods to push a rock from the underworld to the top of a mountain. Once he reached the mountaintop he watches as the stone rushes down the mountainside in a few moments back to the underworld. Sisyphus is then forced to walk back to the underworld and repeat this endeavor for eternity. An endless, mindless futile and hopeless labor with no chance of success.

    Like Sisyphus our locators ceaselessly drive to a house to try to contact the homeowner only to have no contact. Homeowner was not home. Hiding in the house etc. It seems that the locator has been condemned by the managers to ceaselessly drive to the property leave a personal note and try again. Futile labor with no reward.

    A locator could give up and stop running a property-nobody would blame the locator-we know it is a tough job requiring persistence and hard work. So here is our latest story of persistence with a reward.

    This property came into the system on March 27, 2006-almost five months ago! (That is double the time a Massachusetts property usually stays in the system). The locator saw the property in April, May, June, without ever talking to the homeowner. Just taking a picture, leaving a note and waiting for a call back. Finally on July 13, 2006 the locator caught the homeowner at the door-the homeowner acknowledged receiving the letters and agreed to an appointment for Saturday on July 16, 2006.

    The locator drove to the house for the appointment only to receive a note indicating that he could not meet today and requesting the locator to call on Monday. The locator set up a second appointment and the homeowner simply did not show up for the appointment. The locator had a telephone call to the homeowner and he could hear the homeowner state that he could not talk at the moment.

    August rolled around and the locator went back to the house and met a friend of the homeowner and learned that the wife of the homeowner was very sick and was slowly recovering. Finally on August 14, 2006, the homeowner called to schedule an appointment. The locator went to the appointment and went through the FSP and secured the release. Here are the notes on the property. April 9 : nice hood no one home left paper work follow up with a visit May 7: went to the prop. and they were hiding in the home refuse to answer May 16: went to the prop. no one home send letter and follow up with visit June 10: went to the prop. no one home send letter and follow up with a visit they have three dogs June 17: Visited 6/17/06 - Not Home. Left letter requesting they call to set up an appt. June 30: went to the prop. they were home didn?t answer the door send letter and follow up with a visit no pics i thought i already had them sorry next time July 13: Visited 7/13/06; 6:30PM. Met HO, Paul, at the door. He acknowledged receiving the letters of intro that have left at the door. Said that he was heading out and asked if I could come by Saturday at 3PM. Set appt. for Sat, 7/15/06, 3PM July 15: Visited 7/15/06; 3PM. HO not home. HO left a note at the door indicating he could not meet with me today. Requested that I call his cell on Monday to schedule appt. for next week. July 18: Visited 7/18/06; 7:30PM. This was a scheduled appt. with HO. HO was not home. Waited until 8PM. Left letter at the door requesting call back to reschedule. July 25 : Tele-con at 9AM; 7/25/06. This is the second Tele-con since my last visit. Both times the HO (Paul) was in the background and instructed the person I was speaking with to tell me that he was unavailable at this time. How close is this situation to auction? August 5: Visited 8/5/06; 10:45AM. HO not home. Left letter with info to contact for appt. Spoke with Paul's friend that was at the house. Learned that the wife is still in rehab. Recovering from poisoning due to a burst abscess on her spinal cord. She has been down for 3MO. Slowly recovering. August 14: Paul called late last week message was lost now found August 17: property has a market value in pristine condition of 260k. i have put in the rehab budget of 16,500 allowing us to purchase right around 163k plus or minus last sale of houses on your way are at 1654 and 1737 Washington we should shoot pictures of those properties to show the differences for pricing August 17: Visited 8/17/06; 6PM. Presented Fresh Start Program; secured release, faxed to Admin 7:40PM. Property is in good condition. Overall, this is a big house. HO is ready to sell. HO would like to get as much of the equity as possible in order to create a fund for the two girls that he and Nancy have. The story is a sad one. He, Paul, is terminally ill with double lung cancer and diabetes. His doctors would like to remove his left foot but he is resisting. He has been given 6 - 9 more months to live. He told me that he has lost 60 lbs in the past 3 months and he can tell that his breathing is becoming a problem. His wife, Nancy, was being treated for a pinched nerve. In reality, a cyst had formed around her spinal cord and exploded destroying her spinal cord. She is now a quadriplegic and will never be able to return to the home. If she is release from the rehab facility, she will be cared for be her oldest daughter; hence, the fund. This property is ready to be purchased. I mentioned to Paul that there are a lot of options to think about and that we would get back to him by Wednesday with a status update and possibly a proposal by the end of the week.

    Sisyphus was eternally condemned to continually fail at his mission, never to reap the rewards of success. A locator has a chance of success. This persistence is the key to a locator?s success. Keep pushing!! Good Hunting http://frontgateconsulting.com/

    http://frontgateconsulting.com/

    Tuesday, October 14, 2008

    Real Estate Investment Tips

    Real estate investment presents optimistic cash flow along with tax benefits. However, much like any other investment niche, real estate is dependent on intricate market trends that must not be overlooked, in case the investor may undergo a major loss. Surprisingly, many of the newbie investors are keen to part with their hard earned money, devoid of carrying out a preliminary research of their investment. They also bank on intuitions and traditional trends instead of relying on a meticulous analysis. But before you risk your investment, do heed the following real estate investing advice, in order to make certain some momentous returns on your property investment.

    a) Verify the seller?s credentials ? Newbie investors find a lucrative property but don?t find any inconvenience while verifying the seller?s credentials, since they are in a scurry to bag the property. They should also confirm some definite aspects as well, together with rent payment records, taxes, and other possible expenses.

    b) Avoid negative cash flow ? This is an additional real estate investing advice for selecting a property that does not eat away your working capital on a standard basis and there is no point in buying a property that necessitates more money for its upkeep relative to the revenue it generates. You might also be forced to sell such a worthy asset former to the realization of any remunerations of ownership.

    c) Original tenants can afford the much required information ? Ask the tenants if they are troubled by pest infestation, lack of basic amenities, or some other recurring problem. Of course you don?t want to buy a property that requires an awful lot of repair, and even if you do, you must know the problems outspoken.

    d) Look for an insurance cover ? A decisive real estate investing advice is that you must have sufficient insurance coverage for your property bought recently and insurance will also offer the much needed shroud to guard your personal assets against legal actions.

    e) You must charge fair rents ? No expense hurts more than what?s acquired in the upkeep of a vacant property and so arraign fair rents to make certain that your tenants affix with you for as long as you wish for. Moreover, you must also ensure that the chosen tenants are not defaulters. Verify their credentials, talk to their previous landlords, and also check their credit history.

    f) Sustain a certain degree of stinginess until and unless you have a healthy source of income ? Once you have closed a profitable deal, you must ward off from going on a profligate shopping spree. Instead re-invest your profit towards another property payment on a normal basis until you conquer a significant affirmative cash flow.

    On the whole, real estate investing can be an extremely profitable investment niche. But you must have a good grip of what the procedure entails, and must not leave any stone unturned. Just stick on to the real estate investing advices, and you shall be on your way to develop into a professional real estate investor. Now let us see how to value any piece of real estate. When considering real estate VALUE, whether it?s a real estate stock or a property, there are two value rules that are to be applied:

    • Don't pay too much for the earth.
    • Don't pay too much for the business.
    As a good real estate investment rule of thumb, net rents in real estate have averaged about 1% above Treasury bonds. Once you?ve figured your P/E, it may be very different from the current nationwide fair value P/E guess of 16. If your P/E is low, you may have gotten a good deal, or you could collect high rents from your place. If your P/E is twice as high as 16, my advice is that you ought to consider selling. The tricky thing about selling real estate is that real estate is not liquid. Unlike stocks, where we have the luxury of being able to sell whenever we want and the luxury of trailing stops to get us out exactly when we want out, in real estate, it?s not so easy. You unfortunately need to be a good guesser, because you actually need to sell into an ?up? market, and buy in a down market.

    Ron Victor is a SEO copywriter for http://www.real-estate-investing-information.net/

    He written many articles in various topics.For more information visit http://www.real-estate-investing-information.net/
    Contact him at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com

    Maryland Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Maryland

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

    The median price of a home in Maryland is $146,000. Recently, homes in Maryland have been appreciating at record highs for the state. As a result, income levels in many parts of Maryland are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many Maryland cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

    The price of homes in Maryland varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Annapolis, Maryland, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $315,000; however, in Fort Washington, Maryland, the median price of a home was $375,000, and in Silver Spring, Maryland, it was $450,000. Average interest rates in Maryland are above the national average, and job growth rates are ninth highest in the nation.

    In Maryland, the borrower employs the settlement attorney or title agent. The lender is not permitted to do so. Maryland has strict anti-predatory lending laws. Among these include the prohibition of prepayment penalties and reduced-rate options on adjustable rate mortgages and fixed-period adjustable rate mortgages.

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

    Sunday, October 12, 2008

    Mandatory Disclosures Seattle Tenants

    There are primarily five disclosure items to keep in mind if you are a Puget Sound property owner. The first is with regard to the Landlord-Tenant laws themselves. A summary of the Washington State and City of Seattle Landlord-Tenant laws must be supplied to the tenants at least once per year. This summary highlights the obligations of both the landlord and the tenants, including provisions regarding evictions. Tenants can recover actual damages, legal costs, and penalties through private action against landlords who violate this law.

    The second is with regard to the lead paint. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that landlords provide prospective residents with notice of certain known information regarding lead paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. This is a federal rather than a state or local requirement, but it is a law and it is mandatory. You can find the HUD Pamphlet on lead paint and lead-based paint hazards online at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development site. If your building was built before 1978, print out the pamphlet, give it to your tenant, and have them sign or initial an acknowledgement indicating that they have received and reviewed the pamphlet.

    The third is with regard to deposits. The City of Seattle requires that landlords give tenants a written receipt for each deposit. The term deposit can only be used with regard to money that can be refunded. If the money is not going to be refunded, such as a non-refundable pet deposit, it should not be called a deposit. Call it something else instead, like a Non-Refundable Pet Service Fee.. The rental agreement must be in writing and it must state what each deposit is for and what the tenant must do to get the money back. A checklist describing the condition of the unit must be filled out and the tenant must sign it and the tenant must be given a signed copy. The deposits must be kept in a trust account with a bank or escrow company and the tenants must be informed in writing where the deposits are being kept. The landlord, however has no obligation to pay interest to the tenants on the deposits being held.

    The fourth is with regard to rent increases for Seattle tenants. The City of Seattle requires that landlords give tenants at least sixty (60) days notice if the landlord intends to increase rents by more than ten percent (10%) within a twelve (12) month period. Seattle landlords are also not allowed to require a month-to-month tenant to stay for more than one rental period. Rental provisions that penalize a tenant any such violations are not enforceable.

    The fifth is with regard to mold. The Washington State Department of Health has a website listing Frequently Asked Questions about mold. Mold can impact human health. For some, the impact of molds can be significant. Molds may trigger asthma attacks or allergy symptoms (not unlike hay fever). Although mold and the mycotoxins they may produce are still a topic of considerable debate, they should not be tolerated in your investment properties, even if you don't live there. Landlords notify new tenants starting on July 24, 2005 and current tenants by January 1, 2006. Landlords must supply information to tenants about the the health hazards associated with mold and what steps a tenant must take to control mold. This information may be posted in a visible, public location. The mold pamphlet, which has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, containing the required disclosure can be found here.

    Anything else I should do to ensure a great landlording experience?

    The best thing that a landlord can do to ensure a great experience for himself and his tenants is to manage firmly, but fairly. By that, I mean that you should fix problems promptly when they are reported, be reasonable when tenants ask for things to be done or improvements to be made, make yourself reasonably accessible in the event that they need to contact you for any reason (my tenants have my cell phone number and my email address, both at work and at home), keep the property in a well-maintained state, and try to go above the call of duty if you can. If situations arise that are unforeseeable that cause your tenants some inconvenience, consider giving them a slight break on their monthly rent simply as a gesture even if you are not contractually obligated to do so. Even a $10 reduction in rent will buy a significant amount of goodwill, which will translate into fewer calls, more reasonable requests over time and, if something really does go wrong, your tenants will be more inclined to work with you to resolve the problem.

    Federal law prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to a person or imposing different rental terms on a person on account of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status (having children or seeking custody of children), or national origin. State law gives protection as well to the same individuals regarding marital status, creed, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability. Anyone of feels that they may have been a victim of housing discrimination may file a written complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission or the federal Fair Urban Housing Section of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

    Peter is an active real estate investor in the Puget Sound Area. Peter has been married to Grace for 12 years, and they have two daughters, Sydney (7 years old) and Ashley (2 years old). Find out more about Peter at http://www.peterku.com.

    Saturday, October 11, 2008

    Avoiding the Rental Voids in BuyToLet Property Investment

    At some point, every buy-to-let investor will face the spectre of rental voids but it?s what you do about them that makes you either a victim of circumstance of a savvy investor. The smart investor takes action to minimize such down periods and here are a few tips I?ve found helpful in doing so:

    Seasonality: There are certain times of the year when people stay put because they're focused on other things. Summer holidays and Christmas are just a couple of those ?things? that affect large numbers of people at the same time. After summer, you?ll find that September should see more activity (and you can probably write off most of January, too). The summer dip is particularly relevant in areas of high student density, e.g. university towns, especially if your property might normally be let to these types of people or people related to this business. Wherever possible, then, ensure that your existing tenancy doesn?t end around these times.

    Apathetic Letting Agents: Try and gee them up by telling them that you're placing your own ad and if you introduce the tenant you want a reduction in their fee. You could also make your property available to more than one agent and promise that the first one to fill the vacancy gets the management for the next year. If an agent thinks they?re the only one, they won't be inclined to try so hard.

    Be Proactive: Don?t just sit back and wait for others to do the work. Remember, it?s your money that?s dripping (or gushing) away all the time the property is empty. Here are some ideas of actions you might take:

    ? place your own ad
    ? directly contact large employers and accommodation officers in local hospitals and universities
    ? offer an incentive (free TV/DVD player/holiday/champagne, etc)
    ? drop the rent to just below market for the area (a reduction of ?5 a week for the year = ?260, compare this with how much you?re losing each month the property is empty and you have to continue paying the mortgage)
    ? find out what people are looking for that would make your property more attractive than others that are currently vacant

    To Furnish or Not? Only consider furnishing the property if you're getting people asking for it to be furnished. If you just do this on the off chance, you could end up with a bunch of furniture to get rid of if they then want it unfurnished. You might list as will furnish if required. Quite frankly, the achievable rental will be barely affected, if at all, and you'll then be liable to replace things as they wear out (although you will be able to depreciate the costs of furnishings by about 10% per annum off your tax bill ? see my article on ?Reducing Property Income Tax?).

    If you do go the route of furnishing, get new (IKEA, perhaps) rather than second hand. Although the 1950s furniture will be around forever, people prefer new and modern rather than old and sturdy. In addition, if you do buy from IKEA, the products are cheap and stylish and it?s probably the only store that will be able to fill your order quickly (even though you have to do the legwork yourself). Here?s a tip you?ll appreciate if you?ve ever gone the flatpack route? get a professional to do the assembly for you, it?ll be done quicker, to a better standard and they?ll probably have spares if any of the fittings are missing. And a tip within the tip is, if you?re buying at IKEA, ask around among the loading staff in the aisles whether they know anyone who does such assembly, some IKEA staff have side businesses doing just this.

    Rental Assisted Tenants? In certain areas rentals predominantly go to such tenants. The only implications I've found is that the proportion of the rent paid by the council doesn't always come on the same day each month. However, if you have claimants screened in the usual way (as they have to make up the shortfall and be trusted to pay the assisted monies if it's paid directly to them), then you should be fine.

    Remember to get references from the landlord PRIOR to the one they're about to leave as their current landlord might be glad to be rid of them and will provide a glowing reference in order to do so. Look for longevity in their past rental history. If they flit every few months it could be a bad sign. Don't be scared to consider such tenants. Most people don't enter a home in order to trash it, no matter who's paying the rent.

    Renting Room by Room: If you do this, the property could be classified as an HMO (home in multiple occupation) if it?s let to 3 or more tenants who form two or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Each council will have an HMO Officer and you can check with them if you?re unsure where your property stands. If it is so classified, as of April 2006, your property will need to be registered. This carries a fee and has requirements covering room square footage, kitchen food security (yes, really), fire system, fire escapes, etc. You also have to prove that you?re a ?fit and proper person? to hold the license. Even after the license is granted, running an HMO involves more management and might not be a route you want to go down. You might wonder, then, why anyone bothers with them. Well they can yield high income, you just have to weigh up the pros and cons.

    When It Just Won?t Rent: If this is the case, you will want to look at other options such as:

    ? is the property suitable for conversion to self-contained flats (if they?re not self-contained, they still fall into HMO territory)
    ? is it best to sell up and buy something with higher yield in a higher demand area where, this time, you do your research first? See my article: ?Before You Buy-to-Let? on www.womeninpropertyinvestment.com

    ? Maria Davies, www.WomenInPropertyInvestment.com This article may be distributed or reproduced in full provided the above Copyright line is also included in full. Maria Davies has been a property investor since 1990. She freely admits that she's probably made every mistake in the book but she has learnt from them. Maria is a professional speaker whose specialist subjects are property investment and sales presenting.

    Friday, October 10, 2008

    Loft Atlanta Apartments

    Being one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, Atlanta has been witnessing a boom in the apartment community market. Several new apartments, condos, and lofts are coming up not only in the suburbs but in mid-town and downtown areas as well. Already, there are more than 1500 apartment complexes in Atlanta and this number keeps increasing virtually by the day.

    Many of Atlanta?s lofts and condos are brand-new buildings, while others choose to embellish upon a historic industrial building. All of them are available with a package of attractive amenities, convenient locations, and breathtaking views of the city.

    One of Atlanta's well- known loft communities is in the downtown area. Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts is a nine-building complex that contains over 500 lofts, with over 60 floor plans. Lofts at Muses in the Fairlie-Poplar district contains seven buildings and 65 lofts. Kessler City Lofts and Renaissance Lofts are the other lofts quite well-known in this area. Most of these are rentals only with restrictions on pets.

    In mid-town Atlanta, Glen Iris Lofts is a two-phase development that offers spacious floor plans and modern amenities. Containing 100 units, Ponce Springs Lofts is a new mixed-use development that includes an upscale restaurant called Repast.

    In Buckhead, Buckhead Village Lofts offers a two-story lobby, speedy elevators, rooftop terrace, as well as a fitness center.

    In-town Atlanta also features many housing options. Block Lofts rental units offer high ceilings, contemporary lighting, and more than ten spacious floor plans. Coming up soon is another one called Inman Park Village Lofts. Ice House Lofts, converted from the Atlantic Star Ice & Coal Company contains a great restaurant, Carpe Diem Cafe. Both Bass Lofts and Telephone Factory Lofts offer rentals only and provide various amenities like digital satellite television and T-1 Internet access.

    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.

    Thursday, October 9, 2008

    Arizona Real Estate Agent Fees

    Northern Arizona offers reasonable land prices in the Southwest. It has good weather and nice views of trees and water, offering solitude and accessibility at the same time. You can reach northern Arizona by way of Route 66 and Highway 93.

    You may wish to consult with real estate personnel who know the market and can help you find the best value for your money. If you are a home seller, consider consulting a marketing expert to help you find the best deal for your home.

    All that is expected from you is to find the Arizona community that is perfect for you and your family and allow these agents to find your dream home that is right for your budget and lifestyle.

    Some real estate agents really spend time getting to know the general real estate landscape of each community. If you are relocating to Phoenix from another state or just transferring from a nearby city, a good agent can help you find what you're looking for. Whether you are looking for a winter get-away place or a second house, real estate agents have the knowledge and experience to aid you in your search.

    Whether you are fond of art, sports, shopping or other adventures, Arizona offers all these and more. The agents will find a perfect home to fit your lifestyle and budget. They will also help you determine how much you can spend on your new home and even help you find the best mortgage loan.

    After finding the home of your choice, the agents will negotiate a very good price for you. They will not only show you an Arizona home in your price range but will also show you properties that meet both your personal and financial needs.

    Some real estate agents offer their services for free since the home sellers are the ones footing the bill. Be sure to check with your property brokerage firms for agent fees prior to actual consultation.

    Arizona Real Estate provides detailed information on Arizona Real Estate, Tucson Arizona Real Estate, Phoenix Arizona Real Estate, Arizona Real Estate Agents and more. Arizona Real Estate is affiliated with Arizona Vacation Rentals.

    Wednesday, October 8, 2008

    What Is a Buyers Broker and How Can They Assist You?

    Buying a new home is an exciting, yet complicated process. If you are interested in buying a new home, do you know where to start? A large number of homeowners actually do not; therefore, they seek assistance from an individual who is sometimes referred to as a buyers broker. Los Angeles is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. If you are interested in living in the area, you have a number of options when it comes to selecting a buyers broker.

    Many individuals automatically assume that there is only one type of buyers broker. The truth is that there are a number of individuals that could be considered buyers brokers and all of these individuals operate in different ways. There are real estate agents who act as duel agents and then there are those who act only as a buyers broker. Los Angeles has a combination of both types of brokers.

    Duel agents are individuals who are often classified as traditional real estate agents. In addition to assisting new home buyers with find their dream home, a duel agent will also assist other homeowners with selling their home. Many first time home buyers choose to work with a duel agent. This isn?t because there is anything wrong with an individual who specializes in assisting home buyers, but it is because many aren?t even aware that such a thing exists.

    If you are searching for a buyers agent in Los Angeles, you will search for them like you?d search for any other service or company. You can use a Los Angeles phone book or the internet to your advantage. If you are interested in speaking directly to a broker then you will only need their contact information. If you are interested in researching the individual or company online, you will need to find the address of their online website.

    In this day in age, there are many individuals who prefer to communicate online versus through the mail or on the telephone. If you want to communicate with a buyer agent online you can do so, but when searching for a buyers broker you are encouraged to have direct contact. This direct contact is important to find the perfect buyers broker. Los Angeles is filled with a large number of individuals who specialize in offering assistance to home buyers. Finding the perfect broker may enable you to get a better deal on your new purchase.

    If you live in or around the Los Angeles area, you may not need to seek assistance from a buyers broker. Los Angeles is located on the west coast; therefore, if you live elsewhere it may be difficult for you to visit all of the homes that you are interested in buying. While a Los Angeles resident may not need assistance when buying a home, you are encouraged to obtain it if you are from out-of-town.

    Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great Los Angeles Buyers Broker

    Tuesday, October 7, 2008

    Home Sellers Now is the Time to Make a Change

    The mechanics of selling a house is on the road to change. In Southern California, specifically the Inland Empire of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, where I have practiced for many years, Sellers are beginning to feel the change in buyers attitudes.

    Buyers are now expecting to pay a little less for a home then they did about a year ago. Todays prospective buyer is spending a lot more time looking on the internet even before they contact a real estate agent to see what housing prices are like and what interest rates to buy those homes are doing.

    I am a Real Estate Agent and a Loan Specialist, and have been watching the real estate market and the interest rates change for the past several months.

    Today, for a Seller to sell their home in a timely manner, the price must now be within the actual market prices or below. The days of putting your house on the market and have it sell almost immediately are gone. There is a lot more to it now.

    1. There are many listing agents making sure that the commission offered to a selling agent is either at the old normal rates or above, so that an agent who is looking for a property for a client will show and sell that particular home. I have seen several offering 3.5% and 4% to the selling agent with bonuses, plus sellers are willing to help with buyer closing costs.

    2. The next obstacle to overcome is how the home shows to prospective buyers. You need to remember that now there are more homes on the market, giving buyers a lot more choices. You, the seller, want your home to show at its best.

    3. This leads us to the ?Staging? of a home. Less is always better. If your home needs painting, paint it. If your carpets need to be cleaned, clean them. Set your dining room table with nice tablecloths and nice dinner ware. Take most everything on your kitchen counter tops off. If your living room or family room looks like there is too much furniture, make it disappear. Rent a storage space if necessary. Even closets and pantries need to be neat and tidy. Buyers tend to look everywhere. There are still many new homes being built, go and check them out. See how a professional stages a model home.

    4. A First Impression is Everything. Your agent will normally take photos of your home and the one that goes on the Multiple Listing Service, Realtor.com, etc., is the front of your house. Water the lawn, clean up by the front door, put potted plants if you can, and make sure when your agent takes pictures that no cars are in the way. This first photo will also have a bearing on what the agent thinks. Will that agent even tell a prospective buyer that your house is for sale?

    5. Landscaping I have seen some properties offered that because the seller has no landscaping in the back yard that the buyer will get an allowance at the close of escrow. If you can, and have the time, put down some fertilizer and grass seed and put in your own back yard. This can really make a difference. Always keep in the back of your mind, you?re the seller who wants their house sold. A Buyer has lots more choices today and would probably go on to the next house if they felt they had to put several thousand dollars into a back yard that they wouldn?t have to spend with another house.

    First and foremost, buyers are just as conscious of money and how much they spend as you are on how much you can actually get for your house and move on to the next one.

    My views and comments are based on my personal research and should not be consrued as anything else.

    Patti Schopper

    Contact Patti with any questions you may have regarding selling your property or purchasing a new property at: http://www.realestateandloans4you.com

    Patti Schopper has been in the real estate industry over 36 years. Her goal has always been to put her clients first.