Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Do?s and Don?ts of Investing in UK Land for Sale Market.

Investments in UK Land for Sale market have grown at a breakneck pace in last few years growing at a phenomenal rate of 960% in last two decades.

This has created a great business opportunity for enterprising investors to make money by offering the best combination of above average returns, linked to low volatility, combined with compound growth.

This growth in value of UK land for Sale has been driven by an increasing supply and demand mismatch. To add to this there is very little risk in such investments as incase planning permission is granted by the local councils, land for sale investors could reap returns up to 10 times their original investments but even otherwise with acute shortage of housing in UK, the price of undeveloped land tends to increase anyway over the longer term.

Thus the investment proposition is based on solid fundamentals and there is little chance that it could lead to creation of a bubble.

But on the flip side there have been complaints in recent times about unscrupulous players selling land in UK to unsuspecting populace without adequately informing them of pros and cons of such decisions and willfully withholding certain important information.

Thus it is imperative for any potential investor to do a thorough evaluation of available land investment options also it is better to trust established players with proven track record rather then trying upstart firms.

A customer should be wary of firms guaranteeing planning permission in short time or offering plots of land for investments at ludicrously low prices.

?There are no shortcuts to success? ? Goes a famous saying

It?s very relevant for UK land investment scene as while there is a golden opportunity for common investors to reap hefty gains by investing in UK land for sale market but this potential has to harnessed with great care and one has to be prepared for loads of hard work so as to identify proper land investment options.

Stephen Brewood
Buy Land For Sale in the UK.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Why are People Buying Seal Beach Real Estate?

Nestled between Long Beach and Huntington Beach in the heart of Orange County, Seal Beach is a highly attractive and livable city. Not surprisingly, Seal Beach real estate is more sought after and valuable than ever as the Seal Beach real estate market continues to prosper. Boasting a humble but proud population of around 25,000, Seal Beach is a safe and clean community which continues to attract discerning buyers who are interested in securing their own piece of Seal Beach real estate.

Due to the beautiful geographical location and superb year round climate, Seal Beach real estate is popular with families and retirees. The small town charm, secure gated communities, clean air and majestic natural scenery make this a jewel in the crown of California and ensures that the Seal Beach real estate market remains buoyant. Many people move here for the weather, some for the beauty of nature and spectacular sunsets but there are many other reasons why people buy Seal Beach real estate.

The beautiful styling and modern architecture of the homes here ensure the ongoing popularity of Seal Beach real estate. With family homes and a sizeable retirement community, the property choices are varied but whatever Seal Beach real estate you buy, you can rest assured that the quality of your home is never compromised. Couple this with some great shopping options, lovely dining establishments and a climate that lends itself to year round relaxation and recreation and you too will begin to understand the value of Seal Beach real estate.

Every community needs amenities and facilities and when you look to buy Seal Beach real estate, you will discover that the town has much to offer. People who invest in Seal Beach real estate have access to some of the finest city parks with baseball, soccer and other sporting facilities, beautifully maintained park grounds and more. Excellent gym facilities and wonderful walks through the community gardens are just two of the ways Seal Beach real estate owners can stay in shape. Outdoor recreation and activities are served well by the climate and people who buy Seal Beach real estate often do so for that very reason.

So when you decide to indulge and secure your very own piece of Seal Beach real estate, remember that you are moving to a stunning, safe, secure and relaxing place and when you buy Seal Beach real estate you are buying more than a house, you are buying a home.

Kyle Menic is a writer whom specializes in Southern California real estate, which includes Seal Beach real estate and Orange County real estate.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Las Vegas Nevada Real Estate

Nevada is a state in the western United States, well known for its widespread legalization of the gambling and gaming industry. When searching for a Las Vegas Nevada real estate, it is important to consult qualified brokers. The purchase of any type of residential or business real estate is an important decision. There are agencies, which have a network of local brokers and specialize in residential and commercial real estate. There are brokers who work individually also. In the case of a seller, the main objective is to sell the real estate property at the highest cost possible and as quickly as possible. The buyer desires to purchase the real estate at the lowest possible cost. It is essential to both to go through the transaction with no problems and no time wasted. Nevada real estate brokers assist buyers and sellers in this.

Experienced Nevada brokers primarily aim at meeting the demands of customers seeking to invest in real estate. They have a documented record in buying and selling real estate and are an ideal option to ensure the best deal possible. They are well aware of the market conditions and price fluctuation. This puts them in a position to be able to suggest the best price strategy. This helps to gain from the value of a Nevada real estate sale or purchase.

Nevada real estate agencies offer a selection of properties available for purchase and this is helpful to the real estate investors. These companies have websites that list Nevada's magnificent penthouses, condos, practically priced investment properties, single-family houses, sea front mansions and business properties. Every real estate list contains the properties available currently, house plans and elevations, builder models, pricing and square footage, neighborhood information and contact details. The information helps in securing good estate deals in Nevada.

Nevada provides detailed information on Nevada, Las Vegas Nevada Real Estate, Reno Nevada, Nevada Corporations and more. Nevada is affiliated with Napa Valley Wine Tours.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Investing in Real Estate Foreclosures Can Make You a Lot of Money

Real estate foreclosures are properties that have been repossessed by lenders because the previous owner of the property failed to make mortgage payments under the terms of the loan. The lenders then sell these properties to the public in order to recover their losses. Sometimes these properties are sold at a real estate auction, where foreclosure real estate goes to the highest bidder. But they may also be sold by the homeowners themselves, or by government agencies.

There are different types of foreclosure properties that you can buy. These include foreclosure homes, bank owned properties, repo-homes, HUD homes and VA foreclosures.

While their popularity and value as a commodity is now higher than ever, foreclosure homes have been around for many years and have always been a great way to invest in real estate. The most important thing to know about real estate investing and foreclosure properties is that while many foreclosures can be bought at prices way below market value, this is not the rule. Some foreclosure properties are sold at or around market value and will not allow you to earn as much money. You can still get very good deals, but you must do your research and carefully evaluate each opportunity

www.foreclosuredeals.com/content/realestateforeclosures.htm

Friday, December 12, 2008

Living The Laid Back Life In Tennessee

Tennessee is a great destination for the avid vacationer and the couple or family looking to get away to a more rural lifestyle. Of course if you are into the big city life, Tennessee can accommodate you for that as well.

Eastern Tennessee is one of the foremost vacation destinations in the Southeastern United States with cities such as Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and of course the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited National Park in the United States with more than 9 million visitors every year and Cades Cove is the most popular destination within the park. Cades Cove offers a look back to what life was like for the early settlers during the 19th century. A 10 mile loop road around the Cove is the highlight of a visit here.

The park also includes more than 800 miles of hiking trails for everyone from a casual nature walk to backcountry rock climbing.

Gatlinburg is the main town that services the National Park and if you aren't camping in the park you are probably staying in Gatlinburg. An interesting little known fact about Gatlinburg is that ten times as many people lodge in Gatlinburg every night as live there. Gatlinburg and the surrounding area boasts accommodations for more than 30,000 people. Some of the more popular places to stay are in log cabins with incredible mountain views or in a secluded wooded cabin away from everything. There isn't anything that will give you more of a sense of the rural and relaxing lifestyle than to vacation in a log cabin.

Gatlinburg's sister city, Pigeon Forge, offers many attractions and hotels on the main road through town. Go-karts and the Dollywood theme park are the more popular attractions. Pigeon Forge also boasts one of the largest outlet malls in the south for the person that can never get enough shopping.

Tennessee has a rich history that includes many major battles fought in the Civil War. If you are a civil war buff you can visit such historic sites as Chattanooga National Military Park, Fort Donelson National Military Park, Shiloh National Military Park, Stones River National Military Park and the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site as well as others.

If you would like to live in Tennessee and still be close to the mountains, but away from the tourist areas, then Knoxville is your city. With a population of 180,000 and great home prices you can be within 45 minutes of the Smokies and enjoy everything the city has to offer.

And if you do enjoy the amenities of the big city life then Memphis will surely accommodate you. The Memphis metropolitan area has a population over 1.2 million and offers everything you could want in a big city. It is famous for music and has produced several genres of well know music such as the blues, rock n roll and gospel. Some of the more famous Memphis musicians are B.B. King, Johnny Cash and of course the King of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley.

Tennessee offers a little bit of everything for almost every one. Come and enjoy a great vacation or choose Tennessee as your permanent address.

Alan LeStourgeon writes about several areas of the country on his Melbourne and Palm Bay web site where you can get more information about the Tennessee lifestyle and search Tennessee MLS listings for a new home.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Is Property in the South of France Really That Expensive?

It is true that the South of France is one of the most expensive areas of France for property for sale. However, if you are prepared to compromise a little on size there are plenty of lovely little apartments and houses available for under 200,000 Euros.

At the time of writing, one incredibly good value residence on the Riviera just 20 minutes from the beach in Signes is situated in an activity park surrounded by lush pine forest. This residence was designed as a hamlet and is an excellent place from which to explore the rest of Provence - from its medieval villages to its colourful landscape and Mediterranean coastline. Prices for studios start at 75,000 Euros and offer either classic freehold or leaseback purchase with guaranteed rental income of up to 5% which is unusually high for this part of France with prices equally low.

Another highly sought after location in France is Uzes with its historical centre with remnants of its Roman past. Small boutiques, unassuming restaurants tucked away in tiny alleyways and its local markets rich in local produce fill the charming town. There is a luxury development only a few minutes walk from the historical centre at a prestigious address surrounded by landscaped gardens with its own private pool for the residents. It is not often you see such a well located new build residence and even less at such keen prices: from just 113,000 Euros you can invest in a spacious 1 bedroom apartment with a terrace and with the option for guaranteed rental of up to 4.78%.

New Build Property for Sale:

New build property has many advantages:

- Small notary fees of just 2 to 3% compared to 7 to 10% for a traditional sale

- Very low maintenance costs as repairs are negligible

- Off-plan property will usually increase in value considerably by completion date 24-18 months later

- Builders guarantee for 10 years

- You can often modify designs and choose interiors to suit your personal taste

- Often an option for guaranteed rental income (depending on development)

but perhaps older character property is more to your taste? If you are looking for a small house in a rural provencal village then with a budget of 200,000 Euros you can get on the proverbial ladder.

So even in the South of France you can find great value property for sale....

Nick Dowlatshahi is the managing director of Leapfrog Properties, a UK specialist agency in French property. Leapfrog offer an online database of up to 200,000 properties for sale in France plus a personal service from fluent French speakers to help you find, view and buy your property. Leapfrog Properties website is at http://www.leapfrog-properties.com.

Costa Rica Property ? 4 Reasons It Will Continue To Soar In Value

Costa Rica property prices continue to soar in value and many investors have been doubling their investments annually. Can this continue? The answer is yes and this can make you some great profits with low risk and we all want that!

Costa Rica property investment does have rivals such as Honduras, Belize and Nicaragua but these markets simply dot offer the same risk reward.

Lets look at why Costa Rica property prices will continue to soar in value.

1. Its an established market

Costa Rica property prices have been soaring for 10 years and it has become a mature market. While many investors think that prices can?t go higher, they can.

Why?

Quite simply, there is a track record of growth and all the factors that were present 10 years ago driving prices higher are still there, in fact their set to accelerate.

Investment is at record highs and rising and this will continue to drive prices higher.

2. Rewards are high and risk is low

The major attraction of Costa Rica property is the opportunity to buy property that is 70% less than in the southern US states in a beautiful and stable country.

Many investors however are thinking well if Costa Rica has taken off, maybe they should buy one of its neighbours like Nicaragua.

Prices are cheaper so upside will be higher.

This is totally incorrect. A new emerging market may take off but most don?t, you can buy property cheap but it?s cheap for a reason!

When buying property you don?t want to buy the cheapest, this is a mugs game.

You want to buy competitively prized property, with low downside risk and great upside potential and that?s exactly what Costa Rica property offers you.

If you want double digit annual gains with low downside risk then Costa Rica property can give it to you.

3. It has an established expat community

If people are looking at buying for investment, second or retirement property, they will look for who else is investing and living in the country from their own nation.

Once an expat community starts to establish and grow it attracts other expats. Many people like living in country where they are the only ones, but most don't.

Americans and Canadians in particular come to Costa Rica because the locals are friendly and they have their own community as well, to make them feel at home.

4. Outside Factors ? The major one to drive prices

Consider this

The baby boomer generation is coming to retirement age and are faced with this scenario:

Most will not be able to have the same standard of living their used to now. State support is less medical care costs are high, their living longer and they haven?t saved enough!

So what will they do? Many are already seeing Costa Rica as a way to maintain and improve their standard of living (just 3 hours from the US) and their buying Costa Rica property in ever increasing numbers

The baby boomers as they retire now will accelerate the upward trend in Costa Rica property prices and this is an opportunity for some double digit profits with low risk.

More FREE info and A FREE guide on Costa Rica property as well as video's features and articles go to http://www.costaricalandlots.com

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

An Introduction To West Virginia Real Estate

Unlike neighboring Virginia, the state of West Virginia offers far greater diversity in living arrangements. The state has one of the most perfect blends of urban and rural neighborhoods, which make it an ideal place to settle down.

The biggest deterrent to real estate development in West Virginia is the state's mountainous and rocky terrain given to it by the Appalachian Mountains. The towns are far apart and small for the want of space in the squeezed valleys. However, if it weren't for these very mountains, American history would have been written quite differently. There are many historic sites within the state that still bear the scars of the Civil War and other turbulent periods. The state is also famous for its gorges, through which run the state's rivers, making it an ideal destination for adventure water sport enthusiasts. The state plays home to many of the countries top schools and colleges and consequently offers very good professional opportunities. The state has seen greater development than most surrounding states and this has lead to the growth of modernized cities with a booming real estate market.

There are many real estate agencies that people can approach when they wish to purchase property in West Virginia. The agencies can help individuals fix budgets and find suitable localities with homes that fit the budget. At times, individuals choose to scour the counties for appropriate properties and then approach a realty agent for the determination of price. Whatever the approach, people need to be careful while choosing a real estate agent and make certain that the credentials and claims of the agency are worthwhile. The best way to ensure this is to work with nationally renowned real estate agencies. Another important thing to be remembered when purchasing property is to fix a budget before approaching the realtor. This is helpful because it helps narrow down the possibilities and allows the search for a suitable abode to proceed faster.

Virginia Real Estate provides detailed information on Virginia Real Estate, West Virginia Real Estate, Virginia Beach Real Estate, Northern Virginia Real Estate and more. Virginia Real Estate is affiliated with Williamsburg Virginia Bed And Breakfast.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Mortgage Applications Decline

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association Weekly Mortgage Applications survey, loan application volume has decreased for the week ending July 28.

The Market Composite Index saw a decrease of 1.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis, landing at 527.6. This is the lowest point for the index since May 2002.

On an unadjusted basis, the Index was down 1.4% when compared to the previous week. When compared to the same week last year, the Index was down 29%. This indicates that the housing market is indeed in the mist of a severe slowdown.

The seasonally-adjusted Purchase Index saw a decline of 3.3%, down to 376.2 from 389.0 the week earlier. This is the lowest point for purchases since November 2003.

However, the Refinance Index experienced an increase of 2.3%. The Government Index also saw an increase of 0.9% for the week.

The four week moving average for the Market Index is down 1.5%. The purchase index is down 2.3, while the Refinance Index is down 0.1%.

Refinancings accounting for 37% of all mortgage activities, up from 35.6% the week earlier. The ARM share of activity fell to 27.8% of total applications, down from 28.6%. This is the lowest share for ARMs since March 2004.

The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.62%, dwon from 6.69%. Points also decreased to 1.00 from 1.07 for 80% mortgages.

The average interest rate for a one-year ARM fell to 6.18%, down from 6.25%. Points decreased slightly, from 0.83% to 0.81% on 80% mortgages.

Overall, the market is slowing. Sales of new homes are down 11% in the past year, while existing home sales are down 8.9%. Housing starts have decreased 11% in the last year. The home builders sentiment index -- the report of builder confidence -- is down 41 points in the past year, to a low of 39.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Home Sellers: Is Your Home in One of these Buyer's Markets?

It may not actually be the beginning of the end of America's real estate boom, but one of the first indications of a slowdown in the housing market is when homes begin to take longer to sell. Although the National Association of Realtors doesn't keep track of the nation's overall home marketing times, but there has been a dramatic rise in the number of homes on the market in the past six months. With the supply of available houses rising, buyers have more homes to choose from, and according to the laws of supply and demand, that means prices in many areas of the country may begin to come down.

Let's look at some areas of the country to examine trends. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the average marketing time in June 2006 was 33 days. That amounts to an increase of ten days from a year ago. Although the number of sales has remained steady, there are more houses on the market--nearly twice as many, in fact, standing at 36,000 units, as opposed to 21,000 the previous year.

It has traditionally taken longer to sell a home in Nashville, Tennessee (an average of 65 days a year ago) but that figure has risen to 75 days in the current market. In Des Moines, Iowa, the average time on the market has increased from 75 to 82 days, and although prices haven't fallen, some developers have begun offering rebates and free upgrades to move their homes more quickly.

The figures are even more dramatic in some areas of the country that have been considered hot markets over the past few years. In Hanover, New Hampshire, for instance, which experienced double-digit annual price increases since 2000, the average time on the market has risen to 125 days. Such startling numbers are likely to begin affecting home prices in the near future.

In Napa, California, homes used to sell in two weeks or less, but the average home now sits on the market for 60-90 days. Although residents of the area don't seem concerned about Napa’s overall future, they may begin to see prices decline as homes continue to take longer to sell.

Other cities are also experiencing longer sales times. Sales time in Boston has risen from 52 to 58 days, Phoenix now takes about 60 days to sell homes that used to sell in less than two weeks, and Miami's on-market time has increased to nearly 40 days, up from 20 a short time ago.

The bottom line: with on-market times rising across the country, it's possible that home prices in many areas will begin to decrease. It also means that sellers will need to keep a closer eye on their local markets to make sure their homes are competitively priced if they want a quicker sale. As more and more homes begin to show up on the market, prices will eventually begin to soften. That's the way supply and demand works. But for now, our most recent real estate boom may be ending.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Free home seller tips and home staging information from author Jeanette Fisher. Learn how to prepare your home for a speedy sale: http://sellfast.info

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Buying Vacation Property in Palm Beach

The boom in vacation properties is just beginning. It appears to be a strong real estate trend in the coming years.

There are two main reasons for this trend. First, people born in the 1940s and ?50s are now looking toward retirement and are financially able to own a second home. As they live longer, healthier lives and stay active, many are choosing vacation homes near ski slopes, golf courses, or water-sport areas.

The other reason for the growth in the vacation market is money. Many people have refinanced loans and taken the equity from their primary residence to purchase a vacation home. Owning a second home appeals to some people as a safer investment than the stock market.

Here are some tips to help you select a vacation home:

* Buy a home you are going to use in an area you enjoy visiting. If it is too far away or inconvenient to travel to, you won't go often enough.

* Choose a location with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for when the weather turns bad.

* Research locations and visit destinations, preferably in different seasons.

If you're thinking about buying a vacation home in Palm Beach, make sure to take care of the points made above. The market for Palm Beach real estate is finnicky and the devil is definitely in the details. After talking with many a Palm Beach realtor, it is clear that the difference in making a fast sale and staying on the market for a while is the small fixes that svae lazy buyers from doing it themselves.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Baby Boomers have Cash to Spend on Property

It is estimated one in five baby boomers - or 15 million Americans - will relocate upon retirement to a more desirable home. What a smart real estate investor should be thinking, is where are they going to relocate to and what style of housing are they going to be buying. And what I would be aiming to do is buy real estate investments in their target areas. The Baby Boomers are going to be cashed up with a life time of savings to spend in their pending retirement.

But they will not be heading to the coast of Florida if any of the other states have anything to say about it. Florida is losing ground to states like Texas, which have launched aggressive marketing campaigns to lure retirees.

Other factors influencing retirees' relocation choices include: ?Affordability of real estate. Markets such as Texas that have not seen the hyper-inflation that most of Florida experienced in recent years will actually benefit. ?Costa Rica is now being opened up as the next affordable paradise to live in. The seaside ground swell will fuel markets like this one. ?Proximity to universities and/or colleges. Retirees are no longer content to simply golf and lounge. Instead, many are seeking out continuing-education opportunities. ?Cultural activities. Relocating boomers also want to be within easy driving distance of museums, live music, shopping, and other distinctly cosmopolitan attractions. ?The cafe strip is becoming increasingly popular for people to spend their leisure time. ?Retirement villages for people who are still active are becoming increasingly popular. Investors can hold several properties in this village. ?Key infrastructure will be the secret. Older people will want all the services with out the travel and traffic problems.

Investors who purchase real estate in these areas that will attract the Boomers will make a fortune when others are struggling. It is all about different strategies to suit the needs of the buyers.

http://www.therealestateinvester.com I am an experienced and passionate investor. I buy typical mum and dad type houses that give me cash flow and capital growth. My website offers helpful tips and ideas for any type of investor to help you with your wealth creation. Using my site will help to prevent you falling into the traps the inexperienced investors do.

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Changing Real Estate Market

A housing downturn may be imminent, say economists and real estate investors alike ? presenting problems for many people, but opportunities for others.

You?ve probably heard about the coming slowdown in the housing market for a very long time. Real estate is cyclical, and in the United States it has been in an upswing for at least five or six years, which is how long housing prices have exceeded the rate of inflation, says Susan Wachter, professor of real estate finance at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. That means it?s only a matter of time before we experience a downturn.

It?s hard to believe a downturn is really here. On March 1, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) announced that average U.S. home prices climbed 12.95 percent in 2005, despite rising mortgage rates in the second half of the year. That?s about double the historical average of 6.4 percent, according to Bankrate Inc.

But while the housing market is still appreciating, it?s appreciating more slowly. The Commerce Department announced on March 23 that new home sales tumbled 10.5 percent in February to an annualized rate of 1.08 million units, the biggest one-month drop in nine years.

That means properties are sitting on the market for much longer than they used to. You might expect that in California, where Bruce Norris of the Norris Group, a California-based real estate investment firm, says ?we?ve gone from a three-month supply to almost a seven-month supply.? But examples are pouring in from all parts of the country. In Miami, at the Jade Residences at Brickell Bay, 117 of the building?s 352 units are reportedly on the market. And in Manhattan, at Donald Trump?s 120 Riverside Boulevard condos, more than 20 percent of the building?s 250 units are up for resale, according to The New York Times.

And increasing supply almost always leads to falling prices, says Norris. For the first time since the third quarter of 2003, one of the regions in the much-followed OFHEO index showed a four-quarter price decline: Prices in Burlington, North Carolina, fell about 1 percent between the fourth quarter of 2004 and the fourth quarter of 2005.

That may not seem like much, but economists see it as a foreboding sign ? and it?s not just due to rising interest rates. ?Housing valuations have become somewhat stretched in some areas over the past year,? says Josh Feinman, an economist with Deutsche Asset Management in New York. ?Some cooling is likely.?

The slowdown will affect anyone who?s buying and selling property, of course. But real estate speculators ? individuals who buy property with the intention of re-selling quickly, or flipping it, for a profit ? are likely to suffer the most. That?s because they could be paying mortgages and maintenance costs on properties they can?t sell and can?t rent out for enough money to cover their costs. According to Redbrick Partners, a New-York real estate investing firm specializing in single-family homes, half of the rent an investor can potentially collect does not flow to the bottom line, because it gets eaten up by vacancies, taxes, maintenance, etc. And as supply has increased over the past decade, demand has decreased. Today, Redbrick Partners says rental yields on single-family homes have declined from 7 percent in 1976 to under 5 percent today. And Norris says that in areas of California, a $500,000 house would rent for just $1,400 per month.

There is some good news, however. First, the housing market often fluctuates in different geographical locations. Miami, Florida, is an often-cited example: The number of condos worth $500,000 or more for sale in Miami is reportedly twice what it is in Los Angeles, where the population is four times as large. ?If you ask me if the housing marketing is going to experience a downturn, I have to ask you ?Where??? says Norris.

In general, the markets that have had the greatest appreciation over the past five years are most vulnerable to a downturn, say real estate experts. ?When affordability is at an all-time low, as it is in California, where housing prices have appreciated 300% over past eight years, you lose velocity, or the ability to sell a house at a brisk pace,? says Norris. ?And prices start to come down.?

As for specific areas that are likely to experience downturns, on December 16, CNNMoney.com reported that Las Vegas property values will fall by 7.9 percent in 2006 and another 5 percent in 2007; San Diego property values will fall by 3.4 percent in 2006 and another 5.7 percent in 2007; and Santa Ana/Irvine property values will fall 3.1 percent in 2006 and another 6.1 percent in 2007.

Second, wherever the housing market does cool, it isn?t likely to do so overnight, so sellers needn?t get desperate. Some individuals, of course, will have to sell ? those who need to move because of a new job, or a divorce, for example. But others can take some time, as a softening or declining market often takes years.

Finally, it?s also important to remember that one man?s troubles are another man?s opportunity. Some of the best real estate investors buy when everyone else is selling. The theory: As prices decline, it becomes easier for investors to buy properties that create cash flow. They can take their time and negotiate lower prices; they don?t have to waive contingencies, such as appraisals and home inspections; and the income they can realize from renting the property is greater than what they?re paying for it.

In fact, for some investors, like Jonas Lee of Redbrick Partners, buying in a downturn is a way of business. Lee says in a January 22 CNNMoney.com article that his company has succeeded since 1993 by employing this strategy. The typical single-family home the company buys ? usually in the downtown residential areas of rust-belt cities such as Baltimore and Philadelphia ? costs just $80,000. He hopes a downturn in the housing market will give him even more opportunities to buy low.

Experienced real estate investors offer two pieces of advice, which vary depending on your plans for the property.

If you?re buying to sell, Norris agrees that buying low is a good idea, but you have to understand the real estate market first. ?You have to be able to determine when a down market is about to switch and go up again, and buy then? he says. ?A lot of time people will see the market softening and buy too early. For example, someone in California might see a house go from $700,000 to $625,000, think it?s great deal, and buy it. But three year?s later the place will be worth $500,000.?

If you?re buying to rent, Redbrick Partners suggests looking at urban single-family housing. According to the firm?s research, nationwide single-family housing returns have averaged 12 percent since 1976, and volatility has been low, with not a single year returning less than 6 percent. The key to success for small residential landlords trying to calculate the yield for a property costing $250,000 or less, according to Redbrick Partners co-founder Tom Skinner in an October 2, 2005, Chicago Tribune article, is ?rent divided by two divided by price.? Typically, that gives landlords their yearly rental profit on a property to within 1 percent. It doesn?t account for any estimate of future appreciation or depreciation, but it is a pretty accurate measure for someone trying to determine if he or she will be make any money by buying a house and renting it out.

Sandy Shuad, Producer, Real Estate TV.com www.realestateinvestmenttv.com

Developed and launched in 2006, for real estate agents, brokers and investors, old and new, www.realestateinvestmenttv.com has exploded into a diverse website covering the latest news and information in the world of real estate investing, Check out the Real Estate Monthly Update Program, the latest Trends and Data or listen and learn from a free PodCast. Choose from over 50 different ?Channels? of specific content to watch, or upload your own ?Street Report? and become a REITV.com correspondent. By utilizing impactfull, original, and valuable content, via articles, advice, news, information, videos, Podcasts and professional reference, Real Estate Investment TV is being touted as ?the? place to go on the web for Real Estate Investment news and information. Check out the latest Trends and Data, choose from over 50 different ?Channels? of specific content, or upload your own Street? Reports and become a REITV correspondent.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Real Estate Lead Online Marketing Made Easy

Whether you're newly licensed, or an old real estate pro you need leads. They're not easy to come by, but are easier to get than most agents make it out to be.

For example, you can create an online newsletter, or ezine as it's called in the online community, and give it away via a FREE Subscription in exchange for a site visitor's email address. Many people are eager to do this, especially if your newsletter is perceived to be of high value and contains useful information.

2)Another real estate lead, online generating idea is to attract people to your web site by way of offering great web site content. People and search engines love quality content, and both reward you by becoming frequent visitors, and the more they visit, the more likely you are to convert at least the human visitors to paying customers.

You can educate them about consumer loans, the ins and outs of buying and selling homes, how to stage homes to sell for maximum profit, etc.

With the right marketing strategy, you can brand yourself as the expert in your community by providing buyers, sellers and others with community resources and powerful community property searches. You can easily provide your web site visitors with mortgage calculators, mortgage rates, school information and local weather.

3)Give your visitors a free ebook. People love ebooks, and easily give their email addresses and other contact information in exchange for them. If you don't have a free ebook there are lots of places on the Internet offering freebies that you can start collecting to give away.

One way to get a lot of freebies is to search the Internet and find a few websites offering a ton of giveaways in exchange for signing up for their newsletter. Many allow you to then turn around and give away the same products they give you.

4)Have a contest and give visitors a free entry into it, with the prizes being something of interest, or of value to them. Many of them will regularly revisit your web site to get the results, so be ready to capitalize on it.

5)Offer free, interactive services on your website, calculators, amortization schedules, and the like. The more engaging the services, the more popular your web site will be.

6)Start an online club, or a special membership area, and give your visitors a free membership. Everybody loves to feel special.

7)Finally be sure to have a place on your web site to capture the names and email addresses of people visiting your website. This is known as an opt in form and is key to your overall online lead generating success

Real Estate Search Engine optimization Optimized Web Site information can help you get your real estate web site indexed by search engines faster.

However, key to this is the uniqueness and quality of your content. The more original it is the better your search engine rankings will be. Well written, unique content will get you noticed by human visitors and search engine spiders alike, while poorly written content is virtually assured to get you ignored.

Human beings are curious creatures. They will keep their eyes glued to their computer monitors if you post fresh, useful news frequently. Search engines are just as curious, but are also needy in that they need to provide good information their searchers or risk losing them to another search engine. So they need you, like you need them.

Summarily, these are just a few ideas about how you can have effective real estate lead, online marketing campaign. Making them a part of your online marketing efforts now can pay dividends in the future.

Visit Real Estate Marketing Talk for more information about Real Estate Agent Web Sites.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Disclosing Defects is Every Seller?s Responsibility

Sellers have the responsibility of disclosing any defects in the property to the buyer. The seller should disclose defects which could affect the value of the property as well as the living conditions. The defects may relate to insulation, structure, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, fixtures, etc. No defect is too small to be kept away from the buyer.

It is understandable that most sellers feel that disclosing defects may result in a lower price, so why should they subject themselves to this? Firstly, because it is unethical and unfair to those buying your home. If this is not a good enough reason, consider the damage you will suffer if the buyer decides to sue you later.

Some states require sellers to fill in a disclosure form which has to be handed over to the buyer. If the seller does not present this form, the buyer can easily withdraw his offer and get a complete refund of his earnest money deposit. Laws have becomes stringent over the years to protect consumers, in this case the buyers. Some items have to be specifically disclosed and vary from state to state. Federal law requires disclosure related to lead content.

Even if there are no strict laws applicable, one is not allowed to mislead the buyer. You may choose to hide a minor defect but leading the buyer to believe something which is false will surely get you into trouble. If you lie about a particular defect and the seller finds out later, you will be required to reimburse for repairs and perhaps suffer litigation.

Get an inspection done if you must but reveal the condition of the property truthfully. If it is possible you should consider fixing some of the major defects. Even if you are selling your home ?as is?, it only means that you are not required to renovate or repair defects. You will still have to disclose the defects to the buyer.

Find out the legal obligations of the seller in your state to fulfill your duties completely. Although it is up to the seller to reveal all defects, it is suggested that one should do it. It will provide the buyer a clearer picture and save you from getting slapped with a lawsuit.

Sadiya Anjum - ChoiceOfHomes.com - Find listings of Homes for Sale online. Home owners may also advertise their home for sale online.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Top Speaker Says: When The Buyer Is Ready The House Will Appear!

That old Rolling Stones tune, ?I Can?t Get No Satisfaction? could have been sung by those seeking to buy homes during the real estate bubble of a year ago, and more, which of course has been bursting ever since.

At that time, it was a seller?s market, and multiple buyers frequently offered more than the official asking prices because there was so much demand and so little supply.

Now, we may be on the threshold of a true buyer?s market, with home prices that reportedly have taken a 10% dip in the last year, alone.

Still, buying your dream house is difficult in any market. It just seems hard to find all of the practicality and frills you need and can afford in a single dwelling.

But instead of abandoning hope, I suggest you relax and consider my spin on an aphorism that I once heard, and you may have, too:

?When the student is ready, a teacher will appear.?

I?d like to offer this twist:

When the buyer is ready, the house will appear!

This has happened to me on multiple occasions. I?ve admired certain homes for years, and then, when I have been ready to upgrade, I?ve driven by these addresses and noticed For Sale signs. Within days, I?ve bought them.

When I haven?t quite been ready, I?ve seen some nice places, but the deals could never quite come together. Maybe the small yards bothered me or the absence of swimming pools, or the loudness of the air conditioning system right outside of the master bedroom window.

The market is telling me this is a good time to start looking, and I have. But I?m not really ready to move, yet, so I expect I?ll see some decent listings, but in a few months that one-of-a-kind, must-have beauty will come along, and we?ll live happily ever after!

Best-selling author of 12 books and more than 900 articles, Dr. Gary S. Goodman is considered The Gold Standard--the foremost expert in sales development, customer service, and telephone effectiveness. Top-rated as a speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the globe and the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Monday, December 1, 2008

An Introduction To Commercial Real Estate Loans

Unlike residential loans, commercial loans require more robust credit and down payment from buyers. Typically the terms of these loans are less attractive than residential properties. While these impediments reduce the number of qualified commercial real estate buyers, there are many investment trusts and corporations fully capable of qualifying for and carrying such debt service successfully.

Borrowers will be faced with a large variety of available loans. In the beginning, a deposit receipt needs to be provided which represents the terms of purchase of a commercial property. It will list the amount to be financed, estimated interest rates and terms of the loan. A loan is applied for by completing a loan application with a mortgage broker or loan company. There will be a non-refundable loan application fee, usually around $200 to $400. A commercial mortgage broker represents several lenders, and will submit the application to a lender he believes most appropriate for the situation. Representatives for banks and other lending institutions usually represent only one institution, and will submit the application to that institution. There are advantages to each type. The lender will verify the statements of assets, liabilities, employment, and salary. The subject property will be appraised.

The loan approval takes about 20 to 30 days on an average. The actual time depends upon how quickly the lender can process the application, get the appraisal, and obtain verification of employment and bank balances.

A commercial loan eases the burden of paying huge sums of money at a single instance. Finance options spread the paymet towards the loan amount over a period of 25 to 30 years. New businesses are increasingly opting for commercial real estate loans.

Real Estate Loans provides detailed information on Real Estate Loans, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Investment Real Estate Loans, Residential Real Estate Loans and more. Real Estate Loans is affiliated with Refinance Home Mortgage Loans.