Referensi Property

Minggu, 29 Juni 2008

Is Housing and Real Estate Bubble Hype Irrational Exuberance?

Not so, says the author of this article and four real estate books including the recent "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home". The upside of the hype is for real estate consumers and investors. The housing bubble topic has produced real estate market information for new or nervous investors about specific markets. Little reporting on the bubble topic exploits the "sell now" syndrome. The downside of the hype is the occasional real estate industry naysayer (never say never?) who has a financial interest to protect.

Media stories have included balanced perspectives from real estate analysts, brokers, consumers, educators, and trade associations. Their experiences remind us that real estate remains a market based upon supply and demand. The value for consumers is the wealth of updated information about their market and current real estate practices. These new resources help them make informed investment decisions concerning the management of their real estate holdings.

Housing once relegated behind the headlines has become the cover and lead story. It's certainly struck a relevant cord with its appeal to consumers, as sixty-eight percent of us are homeowners. Online monitoring service Hitwise confirmed consumer searches for real estate and housing bubble information reached a twelve-month high at the end of May 2005.

By Mark Nash


Log Homes - What is the Log-Home Lifestyle?

Typical log home company advertisements in popular log home magazines talk about the "log home lifestyle" or "it's not just a home, it's a lifestyle." What does this mean? What is "the" log home lifestyle?

It's often difficult to discuss the particulars of log home living without also talking about where the log home is located. It all goes together. A house on the side of beautiful mountain certainly offers a different lifestyle than the same house in a city.

Therefore, the log home lifestyle is actually induced by the combination of the attributes of the house and its location. If the location is one of natural beauty and serenity that creates a feeling of closeness to nature and escape from the pressures of everyday life, the house should complement and enhance those feelings. Everything should fit together as part of the lifestyle "package."

For many people, logs and stone represent a return to a simpler natural lifestyle. Log homes are often described as warm, cool, quiet, cozy, relaxing, enchanting, secure, or comfortable. Often, a pleasant childhood memory or experience in a vacation log cabin or log lodge helps build these kinds of feelings.

A log home's features and furnishings also contribute to the lifestyle. A screened porch overlooking a babbling mountain stream, spacious ceilings with exposed timber beams, roaring fires in a natural-stone fireplace, a wall of large windows offering a view of the morning mist over the lake, comfortable "country" furniture that invites a long restful sit, a rustic staircase climbing to a cozy loft, large rocking chairs on the front porch from which to view the sunsets, and maybe a relaxing hot tub that, together with a glass of mountain wine, dissolves all the troubles of the day.

Many people start with a small weekend cabin and soon realize that they love the lifestyle so much that they want to live it permanently - a kind of "try-before-you-buy" approach.

Log homes can also be considered a form of connection with ancestors who may have lived in similar structures long ago - a way to turn back time and live a bit of the old lifestyle - with modern comforts and conveniences, of course.

By Al Hearn


Buying Houses at Discount Prices

Buying a house is the best way you can create immediate equity. Gaining equity through buying a house is something which is very easy to do, as long as you follow these guidelines.

If you are seeking to buy a house under discount value you must have the right mindset:

"The deal of a decade comes along about once a week" - Dolf De Roos, Real estate investor.

Houses being sold below market value are out there, its just a matter of knowing where to look and the buying strategies you use.

So where can I find houses being sold for a discount?

Find motivated sellers. Some examples of these sellers are people who have experienced death, divorce, bankruptcy, the less intelligent, people who have deadlines, and are developers.

Bankruptcy/Foreclosure:

When bankrupt an individual will have the option of selling their house to a third party, most likely at a cheaper price than market value because they need the money fast. If an Individual is bankrupt and the bank is the creditor, the bank will take the asset (the house) and have a foreclosure sale. You will often find a cheap price there as well.

Death:

Although this may seem like profiting of someone else's misery, its not really. If the house is not included in the persons will, it must be sold, someone has to buy it. If the deeds to the property are transferred to someone else there is often a good chance they will not want to hold onto it and want to sell it quickly.

Divorce:

When couple breaks up things often get nasty and they both want to be separated as soon as possible. They will often settle on selling their house for a lower price but quickly.

Less intelligent:

Sometimes people are selling properties with out the help of a real estate agent and will not know the exact value of their house. They will usually price their houses too high because of emotional attachment to it. On the flip side they might be ignorant of the real market value and sell it for less than its worth.

Deadlines:

Often the best place to find deals. People with deadlines need to sell their property quickly. They may be going overseas or need the money fast. Almost all people with deadlines will sell their houses at a discount.

Developers:

In some circumstances property developers may have over extended themselves on a project and need to cut their loses. You can pick up discount houses from their mistakes.

Always ask why the house is being sold so you can determine whether the seller is motivated or not.

Other sources

Great places to look are under the classified section in the newspaper, look for things like "Urgent" or "Heavily reduced". What I love about ads under the classified section is that real estate agents are not often involved. This is good because real estate agents will often try to push up the price of a property so it is above market value. People without real estate agents often do not know the true market value of their property.

Just because there isn't a "For Sale" sign on a house does not mean the home owner would not sell for the right offer. Although chances of finding someone to sell there house through this method aren't very high, you can find great deals by making offers that a home owner might just take.

If you've been to auctions or looked at properties which have not sold in a while and are being no longer advertised, follow up on them. After so much hassle of advertising the house and no sale, the vender may be tempted to sell at a discount.

Buying strategies:

Instead of looking for properties to purchase, let the properties come to you. Get your own add in your local Newspaper saying something like," Serious property buyer, wants to buy houses from motivated sellers quickly". You'll be surprised at the number of calls you'll receive.

Don't reveal all your cards, as in try not to say why you want the property or how quickly you want to buy. Never make the first offer, let the seller make it. Once the seller states their price tag, say you want twice the discount you want off their price. So for example, the seller says they will sell it for $100,000 and you want a 5% discount, (5% of 100,000 = 5,000. 5,000*2 =10,000) offer $90,000 and counter offer up from there.

Staple a check for the deposit payment to your next offer. If the seller countersigns the contract and banks the check they have accepted the deal. The psychological impact of this tactic is amazing. This tactic shows the seller that you are deadly serious about purchasing the property quickly. It is also very tempting to just bank the check right now even though they will be selling the property at a discount.

Don't put emotions into the picture. Even if you are purchasing a house that will be your home, just because you think a bathroom looks 'adorable' you must not be willing to pay any more than its worth! This especially applies at auctions where the atmosphere makes it very hard to not bid.

Can I loose the equity that I have created:

Yes, but not likely. If you are savvy about it you can time your purchased property to gain even more equity from appreciation of the housing market in addition to creating immediate equity.

Increase of real estate value by percentage in Australian Districts

To look at the graph: http://www.use-your-equity.com/BuyingHousesatadiscount.html

As we can see from the graph, housing prices eventually all go up due to increasing demand.

The only time you can loose money is if you sell. If you never sell you will never loose money. You may loose equity when the market goes into recession, but eventually as population and demand for housing increases the property you have purchased will appreciate. If you are looking to continuously gain equity you must purchase in high capital gain areas.

When the market is booming try to purchase properties for a 5%-10% discount.

When the market is flat try to purchase properties for a 10%-15% discount. When the market is in recession try to purchase properties for a 15%-30% discount.


Do Bankers, Bubble, Discounters, & Justice Department Cloud Real Estate Industry?

Once relegated to the classified advertising section of the local paper, real estate has jumped to front-page headlines and covers of national magazines. Leaders in the real estate industry are weary from interview requests for their perspectives on market conditions, the ongoing battle with the banking industry looking for entry into residential real estate brokerage, online brokerage commission discounters and investigations into their business practices from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The headlines threaten a correction in real estate prices, protectionist real estate trade associations, traditional versus Internet brokerage business models and a consumers right to a competitive marketplace for real estate services. Be aware of the issues and determine if they relate to your real estate investment goals.

Banking.

Two of the strongest industry trade associations, banking and real estate, have been waging a battle over the right of banks to offer real estate brokerage to consumers in addition to other financial instruments such as mortgages, securities and insurance which they currently market to customers. The National Association of Realtors® testified at hearings with the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services that allowing banks into real estate will cost consumers more through increased real estate service fees.

Bubble talk.

It's a fact that talk of a real estate bubble has the attention of consumers. Hitwire an online monitoring service reported that searches for "real estate bubble" and "housing bubble" peaked at their highest level in the last twelve months for the week ending May 28, 2005. The expanded coverage and dialogue of real estate market practices and markets is an overdue educational resource for individual real estate investors.

Discount commissions and the Internet.

Discounted commissions offered by limited-service brokerages which often feature a strong Internet presence, helped this real estate business model to flourish. At issue is a discount broker using the listing information originated by a competing broker on their website. The broker who originates the listing information feels that they own the information and can "opt-out" of sharing it with competitors. Meanwhile the discount broker complains that being denied the information doesn't serve the consumer and feels it's anti-competitive. The discount brokers came into being by recognizing that some real estate consumers want alternatives to paying full-service commissions. Discount brokers offer limited services in exchange for lower commissions. State laws in some locales have been updated to implement minimum service requirements for consumers by discount brokerages at the request of state real estate trade associations.

The U.S. Department of Justice.

The adoption and possible consumer implications of limited-service requirements for discount brokerages in some states triggered an investigation by the Department of Justice. At issue is the claim by some discount brokers that these new limited service laws or policies are anti-competitive and thus violate federal anti-trust laws. The discount brokers allege these adopted or proposed policies at the national and state levels aim to restrict Internet competition for real estate consumers.

Ultimately real estate consumers and public opinion will decide if these issues cloud their perceptions of the residential real estate industry. In addition lawmakers and government officials will weigh in with their opinions of the future of real estate.

By Mark Nash


Creative Real Estate Investing

With a job that paid $3.40 an hour, I saved $5,000. I used $3,500 of it to buy my first piece of real estate - 2 acres near where I lived. As you can guess, this was many years ago.

A few hours removing brush, and it was ready to sell. I hand-painted a sign, and two weeks later sold the land for $4,750, with $250 down, $100 per month, at 11% interest. With the capital gain, my annual return on investment was over 20%. Not bad, for my first time investing in real estate.

Creative Investing Means Solving Problems

I bought the land a little under market, because the seller needed fast cash. Problem one solved. I sold the land a little over market value because the buyers needed easy terms. Problem two solved. Creative real estate investing is about solving problems.

Radio stations and others need hill tops for their towers, but can't tie up their capital. One creative investor got options on hill top properties for a few hundred dollars, then found those who needed them, and signed long term leases. With the leases in hand, it was easy to get financing to buy the properties. He invested a few hundred dollars to create years of income.

Lumber mills need trees. A friend of mine helped solve this problem by letting a company cut trees on his small property. They paid him $4,500, and you know what? I couldn't see the difference when they were done. The property is residential, and was worth as much the day after the cut as the day before. He lived there, but a creative investor could buy property like his, sell half the trees, maybe clay or gravel too, and then re-sell the land.

What do people need? Easy terms? Cleared lots? Lumber? Better access to a piece of property? Smaller pieces of land? Condos instead of apartments? The list goes on. When you think creative real estate investing, think problem solving.

By Steve Gillman


Law & Logic of Homeowner Association Capital Reserves

In October 1999, Oregon was one of the first states that enacted a significant improvement to its Condominium and Planned Community regarding capital reserve planning, a process by which homeowner associations plan and fund future repairs and replacements. For many associations, the process became mandatory although there was an "escape clause" for pre-October 99 Oregon communities.

But there's more to reserve planning than The Law. Where statute stops, the Board's "fiduciary" duty kicks in. A "fiduciary" is one who is given the trust or confidence of another. The Board is entrusted with care of the biggest single asset that most people own, their homes. These people have the right to expect the homeowner association to be run like the business that it is...a corporation often responsible for millions of dollars in assets.

The reserve study concept was developed during the 1980s as a result of the many aging homeowner associations that found themselves in dire straits due to failure to plan for reserve expenses. The homeowners expected the Board to plan for such events and all too many had no plan other than "dealing with it" when the time came. Well, those "times" came all too soon and inevitability lived up to its reputation. Thus, the obvious need for long range planning came about.

Reserve studies analyze and predict the cost and timing of future repairs of association maintained components like roofing, pools, paving, landscaping, painting, fences, decks and other items that have a useful life of between 3 and 30 years.

The typical condominium association has between 15 and 30 items that fall under the "reserve" definition. When the repair costs of these 15-30 items are added up, it usually amounts to hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. This is not chump change. It takes careful planning to accumulate the funds plus know how and when to spend it. That's what reserve planning is all about.

Reserve plans require all owners to pay a monthly share of future repairs and replacements. These payments pay for assets that are being used up. If an owner sells, the next owner picks up the monthly share. All owners pay a fair share and no more special assessments! This is as it should be. If you've been thinking there's a better way to manage association assets, there is: It's called a Reserve Study. Whether by law or logic, it's time your homeowner association started doing business like a business.

By Neda Dabestani-Ryba


10 Important Tips to Successful Real Estate Investing

When it comes to investing, everybody has certain goals and aspirations. However, we have found that there are certain guidelines every aspiring real estate investor needs to know:

1. Compare Property Values and Rents

Financial statistics only go so far; the best measure of a property's market value is often the sale prices of nearby properties. The same holds true for area rents. A low price can often be justified by a reasonable rent; renters who can afford a high rent can afford to buy instead, so reasonably priced rent is a need.

2. Be careful - Tax laws may change

Don't base your tax investment on current tax laws. The tax code is constantly changing, and a good investment is a good investment regardless of the tax code. The right property with the right financing is what you should look for as an investor.

3. Specialize in something you Know

Start in a market segment you know. Whether you focus on fixer-uppers, foreclosures, starter homes, low-down payment properties, condominiums, or small apartment buildings, you'll benefit from experience by specializing in one aspect of investment real estate properties.

4. Know the Costs going in!

Know the financial statements inside out. What are operating expenses? What are loan payments? Vacancy costs? Taxes? What does the cash flow statement look like? These are key issues that must be addressed before making a solid investment.

5. Know where your tenants are coming from

If the last rent increase was recent, your tenants may be considering a move. If tenants have a short-term lease, they may be living there simply to attract unsuspecting buyers. It is also important to collect the tenants' security deposits at closing.

6. Assess the tax situation

Taxes are an integral part of successful real estate investing, and they often make the difference between a positive cash flow and a negative one. Know the tax situation, and see how it can be manipulated to your advantage. It may be a good idea to consult a tax advisor.

7. Investigate insurance coverage

If seller's coverage is based on lower-than-current replacement value, your insurance cost may increase when you pay a higher purchase price.

8. Confirm Utility Costs

Ask the local utilities to verify recent utility expenses, especially if any of these costs are included in your tenant's rent.

9. Consult Your Accountant

Taxation is a key element of successful real estate investing, so be sure to find an accountant who is well-versed with the constantly evolving tax code.

10. Inspect!

Make sure that you always perform a thorough inspection of the property before buying it. Never, ever buy any property without at least examining the site. In some cases, hiring professional inspectors to examine the structural mechanical system may be a sound investment.

By Neda Dabestani-Ryba


Commercial Real Estate: Assessing The Unique Features Of Commercial Real Estate Parcels

As commercial real estate development progresses into the 21st century, many of the principles upon which the market was founded remain the same. Whether you are a property owner, developer, or commercial real estate agent, identifying and marketing the unique features of your commercial property will maximize the attractiveness of the site to prospective buyers or tenants.

Depending on the highest and best use for the property, you may be able to attract a wide spectrum of potential buyers to your site. In addition to basics such as price or zoning, experienced buyers - local or national - will consider several key factors of each potential site, including:

? Location and visibility

? Any existing physical improvements on the site

? Average daily traffic count, or ADTC

? Site access

? Utility availability

? Environmental status of the property

? Any existing or planned surrounding commerce

Let's explore some of the primary features of commercial land, and how each is interpreted by buyers.

Location, Location, Location

Because real estate is finite, location is a fundamental consideration in the purchase decision formula for buyers. Unless a property is undevelopable, each site has unique benefits that will meet the needs of a buyer seeking a particular criteria. Increasing the number of potential buyers is dependent on efforts to realize and market the full value of a parcel's location.

Location not only encompasses city and state, but also variables such as traffic arteries and surrounding commerce. Research neighboring parcels to learn what sort of future commerce, residential communities, or roadways are planned for development.

Aerial photos are a great way to showcase a site's potential. Google's free satellite mapping service provides detailed aerial images for most of the United States. To view your property, visit: http://maps.google.com.

Existing Physical Improvements

Contrary to popular belief, existing physical structures on a parcel may hinder a property's value, as opposed to increasing it. If a site has exceptional location, access, and traffic, but includes a functionally obsolescent structure, the cost of razing the structure will be a primary consideration for any prospective buyer.

If your property includes an obsolete or deteriorating structure, consider razing the structure before marketing the site. Incorporating this expense into the asking price is oftentimes easier and more profitable than deducting it from the price during negotiations with the buyer.

Average Daily Traffic Count (ADTC)

The amount of daily traffic traveling on nearby roadways can be an excellent selling point for even the most difficult properties. Many counties maintain Average Daily Traffic Counts (ADTC) records for major roadways. If the property is located near or adjacent to an intersection, acquire the ADTC for both roads. Prospective buyers will appreciate these figures being readily available in the site's marketing materials.

ADTC is a significant factor particularly for national entities, such as quick- and full-service restaurants, gas/convenience stores, hotels, and other entities that depend heavily on daily traffic patterns to draw patrons.

Site Access Options

Site access - that is, legally permissible access to the site from nearby roadways - can make or break a transaction. Even the best site can become a lemon, depending on access limitations.

Generally speaking, there are two types of access to a site. The first is "full" access, for oncoming traffic from both directions. Depending on a roadway's existing configuration, this may require the installment of acceleration/deceleration lanes, blisters, or traffic signals.

The second (and less favorable) option is "right in, right out" access, which limits vehicle access to right turns from a single lane of traffic. Because right in, right out limits the site's access to a single direction, depending on the ADTC of the affected lane, this may limit the interest of certain buyers.

If a site has potential for broader access options, the property owner may want to consider requesting a modification from the applicable municipality. Performing this legwork before placing the site on the market will significantly increase potential for realizing the full asking price.

Utility Availability

Although still common practice in many areas, properties that employ well and septic systems are regarded as secondary sites in comparison to those with modern utility infrastructure.

The cost of bringing utilities to a site may be a significant factor to some buyers. If possible, property owners should consider having electric, water, and sewage improvements brought to the site before marketing the property. Again, such a preparative measure can optimize conditions for realizing the site's full asking price.

Environmental Concerns

With a rapidly growing number of potential environmental issues, buyers have increasingly made environmental site assessments a contingency in their purchase agreements. This is a must in transactions involving properties prone to environmental issues, such as aging gas/convenience stores, as well as parcels adjacent to these entities.

The expense of an environmental assessment can be worth its weight in gold. A seller can be held liable for undetected environmental property defects, even after a transaction is consummated. The key to a successful transaction is full disclosure.

If it is determined your property has environmental issues, such a status does not make the site broadly undesirable. The cost of clean-up can be integrated into the asking price, made the responsibility of the buyer, or even shared between both buyer and seller. Other unrelated factors, such as location or ADTC, may outweigh negative aspects of the property.

Surrounding Commerce

Surrounding commerce can play a significant role in the future of any property. Even if physical structures have yet to be developed, knowing the plans for nearby parcels can help determine the highest and best use of your property.

If your site is located within an expansive commercial district, you'll have little difficulty in identifying surrounding commerce to determine potential uses for your property. Conversely, if the site is located in an area gradually shifting from residential to commercial use, or a tract of vacant land with minimal surrounding commerce, it will be necessary to speak with other property owners as well as the county assessor to determine future development plans for adjacent properties.

Becoming familiar with the unique features of your commercial property is the best way to achieve a maximum ROI on your investment. A competent commercial real estate agent will have to skills and resources necessary to help property owners research these important aspects of their property.

By Jim D. Ray


Part 1: FAQ's From Media Interviews With Real Estate Author

Do you feel there is going to be a real estate bubble?

Nash: No. Are some coastal and resort markets over-heated, yes. I don't feel that markets will collapse. But investors and property owners should be ready for longer market times, diminishing over-full-price and multiple offers in over-heated markets. Prices could plateau and appreciation levels will hover at more historical levels. If you live out-of-town from where you purchased property on appreciation speculation, I would keep in very close contact with a un-biased professional in the market, daily.

Have real estate appraisers contributed to the rapid increase in home prices?

Nash: Not necessarily. You have to understand their role in a real estate transaction. They are hired by the mortgage lender to appraise the property. The homebuyer pays for the appraisers services. The lender is in business to lend money and the real estate brokerages want to close the transaction and receive their fees. In most markets there are solid closed comparable properties that justify underwriting the loan. In rapidly appreciating markets, where there are no closed comparables to support the new value, all the participants in the transaction should be aware that there is risk involved in the new value assigned to a property in a real estate contract.

What should homeowners and investors do to protect themselves from a potential bubble?

Nash: Look for incentives by builders on completed new construction buildings or homes; this indicates an over-supply of new units. Research days on market or the length of time of property has been on market. If the typical time recently has been 30 days for sold properties and current market times for the majority of sold properties are 60 or more days, the market is softening. Home prices and mortgage rates effect each other, as interest rates drop, the more buyers can afford to pay for a home, but as rates rise buyers can afford less of a purchase price. Watch interest rates as an indictor of deflating prices.

What is your position on interest only loans?

Nash: Consumers need to look at the long-range implications of interest-only loans. They should keep in mind that if their home value declines, they still owe the loan amount, which could be higher than their homes market value when they sell. If appreciation remains low, in the two to five percent range and the cost to use a full-service real estate company to sell their home is five to seven percent, their appreciation will actually go to pay selling and marketing costs, ouch!

What do you think about two new books:" Irrational Exuberance" and "Freakonomics" that touch on residential real estate?

Nash: Both make solid contributions for real estate consumers and investors in today's environment. Everyone is looking for information to make real estate decisions. While there are many inflammatory headlines, I've found the majority of the accompanying dialogue; offer good market and real estate practices advice.

The term Realtor® is generic to most consumers but are all real estate agents Realtors®?

Nash: No and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is diligent on protecting it's status as an registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. NAR has approximately 1.1 million members, while industry sources state there are about an additional 1.4 million real estate agents not members of NAR.

What housing style will be hot in five years?

Nash: The ranch. As the boomers age they'll go from the two-story "I've arrived" colonial to the "I've retired" ranch. Five years ago ranch homes were not that popular and languished on the market in some areas. This last year several clients looking towards retirement and downsizing have asked to see only ranch homes.

Why did you write your fourth real estate book "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home"?

Nash: I wanted to focus on informing the consumer to understand the questions to ask the other participants in their next real estate transaction. I ask questions like, "What is dual agency?" and "Are you being served if your agent is a dual agent?" I explain the back end of the real estate business, which is important if you as the consumer want to manage the front end of it, i.e. your transaction.

Why is 1001 Tips different from other "how-to" real estate books?

Nash: Early on my publisher wanted the book real simple. Its style is numbered tips with an explanation in bullet-points. Editorially light, but not real estate light. The reader can pick it up and put it down and grasp each tip without having to read four additional paragraphs. Plus I've been through many transactions as a real estate broker and understand what the buyer or seller needs to know in their transaction before they walk out of closing or escrow. With home prices today, consumers should demand to know.

Is location, location, location a cliché in real estate today?

Nash: Location, price, risk.

By Mark Nash


Property Investment Strategy: Securing Properties with Little or No Deposit

Property Investing often requires creative strategies to make it successful. Professional property investors often use the option contract as a tool to develop some useful investment strategies. Here are some of the ways the option contract can be used to secure property for profit with little or no outlay.

Option contracts have long been used by Developers to secure potential development opportunities. They allow the developer to exclusively hold the property while they have the local authority approve the development application.

An options contract can give the developer the right but not the obligation to purchase a property. They pay an option fee to the vendor in exchange for this right.

When the option contract expires the developer either, buys the property and proceeds with the development, or, passes the property back to the vendor. Yes, it costs the developer a small fee to secure the opportunity (often 1% or more of the total asking price), but it is a small amount if the development cannot proceed or is not profitable. This way the developer limits their risk.

Property investors can secure a property in the similar way that developers do, like the example above, using a variation of the option contract. This type of option contract allows the investor to secure a property with a negotiated deposit and assign it to another purchaser if required without having to purchase the property first.

A property is secured by an option contract with a term of 2-6 months, sometimes more. The investor can then add value to the property before reselling it for an increased price with little or no closing costs.

Here are a few ways they are used to secure property and create profit;

1. An older property is secured with an option contract. The agreement also provides for access by the investor to renovate. Once the renovation is completed the property is marketed at a higher price, before the option contract expires.

The investor then assigns the contract to the new purchaser and the sale then becomes a contract between the original vendor and the new purchaser.

2. An option contract is used to secure an off-the-plan property, with a 12-18 month completion date.

In this situation the vendor agrees to allow the investor the option to buy or on-sell the property. The investor may purchase a number of apartments at a reduced price, when it is nearing completion, the property is sold at the original or a higher price. Providing the market has moved up during the time to completion a reasonable profit is made.

Additionally, the fixtures and fittings can be upgraded to provide even greater value.

3. An option contract can be used as a method of providing 100% finance. The property is secured on a long term option contract, 12 months or more for a set price.

Rising values in a fast growing real estate market ensure that by the time the option contract expires the value of the property has gone up sufficiently to ensure that there is enough equity in the property to cover the deposit. An option contract can provide some attractive investment strategies for property investors wishing to maximize their returns. In all cases the option contract provides security for the vendor and opportunity for the property investor.

See an Option Contract sample option contract (an alternative to the lease/purchase arrangement used in the USA) on the Property Investors Association of Australia web site.

This article may be reproduced in its entirety provided the resource box below is included as part of the article.

By John Moore


Jumat, 13 Juni 2008

What Does It Take To Be A Donald Trump in Real Estate?

Since you are a business oriented person, you might be thinking: "oh, great, here it comes another fad that sounds to good to be true and I don't have time for this now." Well, the fact is, like gravity you do not have to believe in Feng Shui for it to work. Whether you believe in the law of gravity or not it exists, and it affects everything you do. As Donald Trump said: "I don't have to believe in Feng Shui, but I use it because it makes me money."

It is no surprise that famous people like Trump, Oprah and Spielberg and the largest companies of the world such as Coca-Cola, Sony, Shell, Procter & Gamble, and others actively embrace Feng Shui. These companies and people practice Feng Shui principles as a way to add value to their service, to increase their profitability, create harmonious relations among employees, and to reduce employee turnover. Not only that, Feng Shui differentiates them from their competitors while multiplying their earnings and free time.

Feng Shui is not a fad, nor is it about religion, philosophy or superstition. Feng Shui is the art and science that unites time, space, people and the environment as one integral entity. Learning how to integrate Yin/Yang (opposite polarities) and the five elements..FIRE, EARTH, METAL, WATER, WOOD in your office decor, and arranging furniture to empower you...relaxes the nervous system, inspires the mind and calms the emotions. This equates to highter productivity, improved health, better relations, and more prosperity and financial fortune.

5 WEALTH Producing Principles of Feng Shui

1. ENERGY Everything in your office is alive with energy. This includes: people, animals, plants, chairs, desks, art, etc. Every single object you have in your office talks to you with memories and feelings. To create an environment that supports and empowers your career goals and objectives, surround yourself with furniture, business equipment and decorative items that reflect wealth and success.

2. SIMPLICITY Less clutter means MORE opportunity and good fortune in your business and personal life. Here are some examples of what clutter in specific areas of your work environment actually means: Clutter located in the entrance of your office represents fear of relationships. If you have lots of clutter on your desk, it symbolizes frustration, fear of letting go or the need to control everything. In the corner or behind a door represents detachment from others. Clutter under your office furniture represents the importance of appearances to you. And, if you have clutter all over your office, it usually indicates frustration, anger, and sometimes even self-loathing.

3. BALANCE In Feng Shui there are 5 elements that govern a balanced environment: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. An office environment with an over dominate element i.e. too much WOOD will deplete your health and finances over time. Conversely, the absence of an element such as FIRE can wreak havoc on your reputation and fortune. Harmony, peace and prosperity flourish in a balanced environment.

4. HEALTH Invisible EM waves from your monitor screen, cell phone, flourescent lights and other office equipment deplete your energy and reduce your productivity. EMF's (Electromagnetic Fields of Energy) are often overlooked and can cause grave danger to your brain, nerve, endocrine and reproductive systems and to every related organ and bone in your body. According to Dr. Yao, a research physicist, "The typical American receives electromagnetic radiation up to 200 million times more intense than his ancestors took in from the sun, the stars and other natural resources." Thus, it is imperative that you protect yourself and your employees from office RADIATION, and create a healthy and safe work environment for business and people to prosper in. For more information visit www.fengshui4RE.com

5. POWER A classical school of Feng Shui called Eight Mansions has created more millionaires and billionaires than any other school of Feng Shui. This School capitalizes on specific directions for health, for negotiating, for selling, for communicating, for exercising and for sleeping. Honoring your personal power directions at work, will enable you to reduce stress and work less while increasing your WEALTH. Discover your power element at: www.chiquiz.com.

10 Feng Shui Office Tips for Success:

 Make sure that you have a desk or workspace dedicated just to you and your business

 If working from your home, avoid working in your kitchen, dining room or master bedroom

 Space clear (remove) clutter in your office

 Avoid calendar bottlers on your desk as they distract your focus and attention

 Keep only one family photo in your office

 Learn the simple 5 Element Business System to multiply your sales, income and free time

 Use Chi enhancers such as plants, fountains, flowers and artwork to beautify your office

 Place your desk in a commanding position honoring at least two out of four of your power directions

 Avoid sitting with your back to a window, an aquarium or an open door whenever possible

 Set the Intention for WEALTH using the energy blueprint of Feng Shui

"My business increased over 300% since consulting with you by phone this year. Who would have guessed that Feng Shui would even work in Iowa!" Tracy Ehlts, R.E. Broker

"I earned $89,000 the first 40 days after learning your 5 element business system, and I feel on top of my business for the first time in my real estate career." Linda Reynolds, RE/MAX Realtors

"In less than 9 months I've earned over $1,000,000 in commission income since Feng Shuing my office, desk and learning your amazing business system!" Dinorah Carmenate, R.E. Broker

Feng Shui is the communication that takes place everyday between you and your environment.

At a glance, take a look at your office, desk, car and briefcase and see what your work environment is trying to tell you about the quality of your health, relationships and career!

By SUZEE MILLER


On the Crossing of Continents

Cyprus is situated in the north-east Mediterranean on the crossing of three continents - Europe, Asia and Africa. This strategic location ensured development of the island as an international business center with high-quality service, vast infrastructures and great deal of entertainment facilities. Living and business conditions there are more than comfortable. Cyprus differs from most developed countries by its minimal crime rate, high living standards and relatively low prices. That's why many tempted foreigners are buying real estate there.

For many years this island has been a second home for many people coming from all over the world. Those who've never been to Cyprus should really go and see what it's like. During 320 days in a year the island is cherished by caressing sun. Cyprus is washed by waves of Mediterranean Sea that gave life to gorgeous Aphrodite, according to ancient Greek myths.

Foreigners can by properties or land lots for construction activities on the invariable property right basis. Long-term rent is hardly ever practiced in Cyprus. After setting the sale agreement the buyer will face a simple formal procedure with the lawyer. All that is necessary is to hand in an application to the Council of Ministers that will approve the purchase.

Since the buyer pays the full price for the property he receives the paper on the transfer of ownership. What are the expenditures that a real estate buyer will face when purchasing a property in Cyprus?

Firstly, the transfer of ownership fee? It's a lump-sum paid to the Department for Estate Registration. It constitutes around 3.9 percent of the property price.

Secondly, the annual property tax? It's necessary to admit that real estate priced lower that 100,000 Cyprus Pounds (around $210,000) that belongs to a private person requires no annual property tax payments.

Stamp duty on sale agreement is estimated at 2.5 Cyprus Pounds per one thousand of value, while if the property costs more than 100,000 the buyer will pay 2 Cyprus Pounds per thousand.

The county tax ranges from 30 to 100 Cyprus Pounds depending on the property size. The tax covers expenses on garbage cleaning and street lighting.

The judicial system in Cyprus inherited the British one guaranteeing secure buyer's rights on different levels. Thus, the sale agreement cannot be breached by anyone except for the buyer himself. The seller is not allowed to sell, rent out or pawn the property since then.

Learn more about real estate in Cyprus by reading the articles below


By Cameron Lindblom


Panama is Hot - A World Class Retirement Haven Thats Ripe For Profitable Real Estate Investment

If you've followed any of the major survey agencies around the world that rate places for retirement, Panama has been on top of the list in many, and for a few years running. So, if you're looking for a place outside U.S. borders to retire, Panama should be given very serious consideration. Panama has a lot going for it.
And even if you don't plan on retiring or living in Panama, Panama has also rated the very highest in real estate investment opportunities for those of you who would like to make their money from a distance.
Here's what is being said about Panama by some of the bigger players in the real estate market: "Real estate in both emerging and developed markets outside the United States offers some of the best investment opportunities in the world right now. " - Ricardo Griffin - the Offshore Guru at OMA. Ltd, international offshore consultants, located in Panama.
"Global real estate will be the only major asset class that could deliver double-digit returns over the next five years." - Barton Biggs, Chief Global Strategist and Chairman Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Pensions and Investments
"The good news in global real estate - it's no longer exclusively for the mega-rich!" - Lief Simon - Editor, International Living and Global Real Estate Investor
One can invest in property or buy a place for investment in any region of Panama but for Expat World its money is on properties in Panama City. We've been there more than a few times and we personally rate Panama City in the top three metropolitan cities of world that one can afford to live in and enjoy a good life in. Panama City has world-class restaurants, five-star hotels, international banks, hundreds of multinational businesses, a Manhattan-type skyline, every imaginable luxury ... all at about half the price you'd pay in Miami. AND it's only a few minutes to a few hours to the beaches, mountains, country side of Panama itself. It has all the infrastructure one might want! AT HAND and just a short distance from the romantics idea of paradise just a short distance away.
On the esthetic side, few places in the world offer spring-like weather year-round, a low cost of living, safety, security, peace of mind, beautiful landscapes. It has mountainsides covered with flowers and planted with coffee and beautiful waterfalls ... not to mention the best pensionado program (retirement program for foreigners) in the world. We'll tell you more about that later. It's a real benefit for the retired expat, making your buck stretch a long way. And we do mean bucks, for the US dollar is the official currency of Panama.

PANAMA'S A BARGAIN
Since the U.S. military and Panama Canal personnel pulled out (in 1999), thousands of houses and apartments have flooded the market. Abundant supply ... limited demand. so prices are cheap. You'll find bargains galore. There are bargains in property, both for sale, for rental and for investment are readily available.
You can find a three-bedroom, luxury apartment downtown with a deck, private parking, a pool, the whole ball of wax in the $70-$80,000 range and most properties in this range have an ocean view.
EW discovered properties there that were smaller and a little away from the prime areas in the $25,000 to $40,000 range. And if you are the fixer-upper type you can find the proverbial steal. You can own your own apartment or bungalow or some investment property by heading to Panama and hitting the streets and looking for the bargains OR you can use a firm that EW recommends to look for you and offer you the best deal in properties to live in or real estate investment properties. More on that later but first let us continue with why we think Panama is THE place for the best real estate buys today.
Panama is elite because of its sheer natural beauty and, most importantly to many, because of the privacy it affords in personal and financial matters combined with it's great retirement program for foreigner! s :

RETIRE IN PANAMA AS A PENSIONADO AND SEE WHAT YOU GET

50 % off entertainment anywhere in the country (movies, theaters. concerts. sporting events, etc.)

30 % off bus, boat and train fares

25 % off airline tickets

50 % off hotel accommodation (Monday through Thursday)

30 % off hotels from Friday through Sunday

25 % off restaurants

15 % off fast food restaurants

15 % off hospital bills (if no insurance applies)

10 % off prescription medicines

20 % off doctor's consultations

15 % off dental and eye exams

20 % off professional and technical services

50 % off closing costs for home loans



We've presented our picture of "Why Panama?" Too add to this, here are a few reasons the international guru's think Panama is THE place:

Direct foreign investment in Panama for the 5 years ended 2001 was approximately $3.5 billion.

Currency is the US dollar

Low inflation

Excellent tax benefits

Secrecy laws strictly enforced

Equal treatment of foreign and local citizens

Favorable incorporation laws

Large bi-lingual labor force

Diverse economic base including banking, shipping, insurance, tourism and free zone

Ranked first in the region for low cost of living by the Tripartite Committee

Stable political system

The Organization of American States (OAS), the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)



AND WHY PANAMA CITY AS THE SPECIFIC AREA FOR INVESTMENT

It is at the convergence of two continents at the Bridge of the Americas

Rated the most " International City " in Latin America

It is poised for tremendous growth in the next decade

It is within an hour of some of the finest fishing and or bird watching in the world

One hour drive from pristine beaches and cool mountain oasis

Located on the Pacific coast, yet it is only 45 minutes to the Caribbean

Increasing number of expatriates

One of the safest cities in the hemisphere

Excellent infrastructure (internet, telephone, roads, water, etc)



Well you've listen to us now for two pages or so on our views on real estate holdings or investment in Panama. If you want to know the full skinny, with no obligation and a low key approach to introducing you to what's available in real estate either for occupation, renting or investment WITH NO OBLIGATION OR NO HARD SELL TACTICS, shoot Expat World an email and we will get "the Company" (A real estate investment company established and licensed to do business in and by the Republic of Panama). Its business is to engage in the acquisition, management and sale of medium priced condominiums in Panama City, Republic of Panama.) to get back to you via email with the whole story. This is something you SHOULD do if you have any interest in overseas investment, overseas living, retirement in Panama or just want to be able to live the life of the rich and famous on a hot dog budget.


Budgeting Your Log Home: Where Do You Start?

The Log home industry has matured these last many years, but there is still a lot of confusion about how much a log home costs. Naturally, everyone wants to know the cost of the log package; however, the budgeting only starts here. If you are shopping for a milled log package (as opposed to hand-crafted, which is a totally different category), the difference between one manufacturer's price and another is minimal when compared to the total cost of the structure. Here are some reasons why:

Other materials. The logs themselves only form a portion of the material costs of the home. Once the log walls are erected, you still have to worry about a floor, a roof, the windows, the doors, the plumbing, the kitchen... the list goes on and on. Some manufacturers quote a "weathered-in shell" which includes the logs, the windows and roof - all the elements that enclose the building (protecting the house against the weather). Other manufacturers only quote the log package, and leave it to the contractor to provide the other materials locally. When pricing a log package, make sure you are comparing "apples to apples".

From our experience, the price of the Logs only constituted approximately 1/5 of the total price of the finished structure. As for the rest... it's a high-end custom home, and like any custom home, your cost is limited by your imagination - and your budget. You decide whether to use hardwood floors or carpet, marble counters or formica, a metal roof or asphalt shingles. No log home company will offer these products to you. Unlike a Development contractor who offers you a limited selection, you choose everything yourself, from doorknobs to toilets. Once you start factoring in all these items, you will discover that there isn't a whole lot of difference between a log home any another home - except for the exterior walls.

Local price differences. We built our log home in New Jersey, which tends to be a lot more expensive overall than much of the rest of the country. The same house in Tennessee would cost considerably less in lumber and other materials. Also consider that labor costs vary wildly as well. A very big part of your budget will cover the labor, because this home will be built entirely by hand. Your contractor may not have to peel or notch the logs, but he will still be placing the logs one at at time, making sure the walls are plumb, drilling holes for the wiring, cutting settling gaps above the windows and doors, possibly fitting the roof frame one board at a time. Your builder is the most critical part of the project, and it's not necessarily a good idea to go with the cheapest quote. Do you really want him to cut corners to stay within a low quote?

Design features of the house. The most dramatic log homes have roof lines that point in all directions, dormers that grace the front, vaulted ceilings in the great rooms. But remember that every new angle you add to the roof adds exponentially to the cost of the project. If you need to keep costs down, think about a simple roof line with not too many angles.

Also, the old adage remains especially true with log homes: it's much cheaper to go up than go out. If you want a rambling one-story ranch house, you will have a bigger foundation cost, a bigger roof to consider, and lots more labor. If you build more stories and a smaller foundation, even though you will have to invest in a staircase the savings are considerable.

So what is the bottom line? A basic budgeting cost in the Northeast US would be $140-$150 per square foot for a milled log home; this is about the equivalent of a high-end custom stick-frame house. This does not include the land, the well, the septic, the driveway, etc. It does include the basement, the kitchen, the plumbing, etc. This is the turnkey budget for the house only. You can certainly do less if you give up a lot of amenities, but I wouldn't advise a starting budget of any less than $130 per sq. ft. You may find yourself running out of money way too soon, and that would be a terrible shame.

Mercedes Hayes


Real Estate Bankruptcy

Although real estate bankruptcy cases no longer dominate the bankruptcy courts' dockets as they did in the early nineties, but they continue to be filed with great frequency in UK. At its essence, the real estate bankruptcy is a two party dispute between mortgagee and mortgagor. Real estate bankruptcy cases are typically filed after a foreclosure sale has been set. Upon learning of the bankruptcy filing, a secured creditor has a number of available options, all or some of which should be exercised, depending on the facts of the case, to maximize loan recovery.

A lender can ask the court to dismiss the bankruptcy case as a "bad faith" filing. A creditor asserting bad faith must prove the subjective bad faith of the debtor and that any reorganization by the debtor is objectively futile. For subjective bad faith, the court will examine whether the debtor invoked the protections of the Bankruptcy Code without either the intention or ability to reorganize its financial affairs. To determine objective futility, the court will examine whether there is indeed a "going concern" to preserve and whether there is any realistic chance for the debtor to reorganize. Most courts require a very strong showing to dismiss a case for bad faith at the outset of a case.

Under the Bankruptcy Code a motion for relief from stay will also be granted where the secured creditor can prove that there is no equity in the real property over and above the secured claims, and that the property is not necessary to the debtor's effective reorganization. This basis for relief is typically alleged as an alternative to bad faith, in the same motion. Almost all controversies surround the value of the real property, making the expert report and testimony of a licensed real estate appraiser essential to the successful prosecution of a motion for relief from the automatic stay on these grounds. The same factors relied upon to support objective futility in the bad faith filing analysis are used to establish that the property is not necessary to an effective reorganization.

An alternate ground for relief from the automatic stay is lack of adequate protection of the secured creditor's interest in the property. For example, if the real property is deteriorating in value and the lender is not receiving post-petition payments, the lender's security interest in the property is not adequately protected.

A creditor holding a properly perfected assignment of rents has a lien on "cash collateral" under the Bankruptcy Code. If the assignment of rents was properly perfected pre-petition, it usually attaches to the post-petition rents generated by the debtor's real property.

A debtor may not use cash collateral without either a court order or the consent of the secured creditor. While it is common in nonsingle asset realty cases for a debtor to negotiate a cash collateral agreement with the secured creditor before filing for bankruptcy, in single asset real estate cases, which are typically filed at the eleventh hour for the express purpose of stopping a foreclosure, such negotiations are virtually nonexistent.

Unless, within the first day or two of the case, the debtor requests a cash collateral agreement with the lender, or files a motion with the court to authorize the debtor's use of post-petition rents, a lender should immediately advise the debtor in writing that it may not use cash collateral absent an agreement. If an agreement is not reached, the debtor will usually petition the court for authorization on an emergency basis. The lender can also petition the court to deny authorization on the basis that the debtor lacks the ability to adequately protect its interests in the rents. In the final analysis, most secured creditors share the same objective when faced with a real estate case: to extract their collateral, including rents, from the bankruptcy as quickly and inexpensively as possible.


By Naylor Parkes


How to Sell Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent

Considering the rapid rise in home prices over the past several years, home sellers are taking a hard look at the commission they have to pay to a real estate brokerage to market and sell their home. Real estate commissions vary across the country; they average in the four to seven percent range.

According to the 2004 National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers fourteen percent of homes were sold by-owner. The NAR study listed the two most difficult tasks for for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) were preparing and fixing up the home for sale and getting the pricing right.

Invite three full-time mid to high producing agents to your home to give you an opinion of price. Understand that if the three price opinions are not what you think the property is worth, you should understand the danger of an over-priced property. Homes that are over-priced have been studied by large national real estate brokerages and over-priced homes take longer to sell and sell at a lower price as a percentage of the original list price.

Ask the agents to give you constructive feed back on what you should do to make your home visually appeal to the majority of buyers. Below are some staging tips to prepare your home for market.

1) Research how to "stage" your home to maximize its appeal to homebuyers by creating a spacious and pleasant home environment for buyers. ·Start by removing the first thing that gets in your way.

·Take one or more major pieces of furniture out of every room to make it more spacious.

·Keep matching furniture pieces together to build uniformity in a room.

·Create seating areas where two or more people can talk.

2) Keep the eye moving when staging a room.

·Use furniture placement to direct the buyer's eye toward a room's features.

·Move large pieces of furniture away from windows.

·Place large furniture at entry end of room to lighten visual load at opposite end of room.

·Use area rugs to anchor seating arrangements.

·Have your dining table closed to its smallest size.

3) Use furniture placed on angles in a room to give it a quick update.

·Angle a bed in a corner of a bedroom to focus attention.

·Angle furniture in a V shape in living and family rooms.

·Angled furniture can help fill a room short on furniture and lend a designer look.

4) Create vignettes in rooms to set mood.

·Breakfast tray with coffee cups, newspaper, flower vase on bed.

·Set the dining room table with linen tablecloth, china, silverware,and stemware.

·Set up game table for chess, bridge, or backgammon.

5) Effective model homes focus on creating the right environment.

·De-clutter so buyers can overlay their furnishings and lifestyle.

·Clean, fresh, and new smell.

·Attention to detail. Clean rooms and landscaping trimmed.

·Subtle background music, classical, light jazz, or rock.

·Interior décor and wall colors accent home's architectural features.

·Live plants or fresh flowers add finishing touches.

6) Understand decorating basics that can guide you to repositioning a room.

·Color. A little goes a long way.

·Scale. Do furniture sizes complement or overwhelm a room?

·Pattern. Easy does it to avoid distracting from room itself.

·Lighting. Use it to define dark corners. Helps to fill out a room.

·Focal point. Fireplaces, views, art, find one in every room.

·Texture. Adds visual interest, warms cold spaces and finishes.

Understanding and completing the paperwork in a real estate transaction was number three of the most difficult tasks according to the NAR study. Once your home is priced right and ready for market you should retain a real estate attorney to help you review contracts, disclosure forms and to help you qualify potential buyers of your home. An experienced real estate attorney can help you avoid the common pitfalls in real estate negotiations and will facilitate a smooth transaction.

Here are some cliff-notes on real estate contracts.

·Use an approved real estate contract by your state real estate attorney association or local Board of Realtors®.

·Real estate contract. A binding agreement between buyer and seller. It consists of an offer and an acceptance as well as consideration (i.e. money).

·Acceptance. Agreement by the parties of the terms of a contract.

·Contract length. Research customary contract lengths, the standard is 45 days from contract to closing.

·Have sold comparables properties on hand for prospective buyers.

·Comparable. Closed prices for similar homes in age, condition, location and size.

·Price. Study average sold prices as a percentage of lists in the last six months.

·Low-ball offers. Buyers should offer over 87% of list if they are serious, otherwise you will should not responding at all to low-ball offers.

·Counteroffer(s). The response to an offer or a bid by the seller or buyer after the original offer or bid. Request all counteroffers to be in writing.

·Require all buyers to present the highest level of mortgage commitment with their contract.

·Mortgage Commitment. A document by a mortgage lender that commits the lender to providing a loan at agreed terms and conditions.

·Mortgage term, rate and amount. Look for strong down-payments of thwenty-percent or more. Interest-only loans signal that the buyers could be stretching to qualify for a loan.

·Cash offers in lieu of mortgage financing should be confirmed with a letter from your financial institution stating funds are on deposit to close the contract.

·Federal law requires Lead-Based Paint Hazard disclosures.

·Lead-Based Hazard. A disclosure of reports or knowledge of Lead-Based Hazards. Buildings built after 1978 do not present Lead-Based Hazards.

·Read Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home by the US EPA.

·Real property disclosures required by the federal or your state Written statements by the seller(s) of a property disclosing any known defects.

·Local disclosures. Local requirements of disclosure that the seller provides and the buyer acknowledges, such as certificates of occupancy.

·W-9 form. An IRS form requesting taxpayer identification and certification numbers of buyers to receive interest on earnest money from delivery to closing.

·Subject to appraisal. Most contracts as part of the mortgage contingency require the subject property to appraise at a minimum of contract price.

·Appraisal. An objective third parties opinion of value by a licensed or certified appraiser.

·Earnest money deposit. Money given to the seller at the time the offer is made as a sign of the buyer's good faith.

·Research customary earnest money deposits as they vary. The larger the deposit, the increased motivation you buyers show to perform the contract.

·Refund of earnest money deposits. Contracts should provide for refund of the entire earnest money deposit within agreed contingency periods. Seller's attorney should hold earnest money deposits.

·Attorney approval period. Your attorney reviews and makes changes to the contract, typically 5-7 business days.

·Property inspection period. The right under a contract for the buyer at their expense to discover the actual condition of the property. This period typically runs 5-7 business days.

·Well and septic inspections. These are independent of structural and mechanical inspections.

·Timelines for contingencies run concurrently.

·Contingency. A provision in a contract requiring certain acts to be completed before the contract is binding.

·Closing/ escrow date. The date of the end of the transaction process where the deed is delivered, documents are signed, and funds are dispersed.

·Possession date. The date agreed by contract when the buyer can occupy the property.

·Final walk-through. A property tour before closing or escrow that permits the buyers one final verification of condition, agreed repairs and personal property.

·Tax pro-rations. The amount of credit given to buyers at closing for unpaid property taxes, when taxes are paid in arrears. Pro rations should always be more than 100 %.

·Personal property. List and initial all personal property included with the sale, such as air-conditioners, appliances, and playground equipment.

·Home sale contingency. The contract is contingent on the sales of the buyer's property.

·Buyers show motivation when including a home sale contingency by having their current property already on market.

·Home closing contingency. The contract is contingent only on the successful closing of an existing real estate contract.

Marketing your home to prospective buyers should include these methods. ·A professionally painted yard sign.

·Newspaper advertisements classified and photo.

·Public and broker open houses.

·Internet: virtual tour and at least eight photos.

By Mark Nash


Real Estate Negotiation Secrets

When you bought your home, you offered less than you were willing to pay, right? That's the most common negotiation technique. For experienced investors, however, that's just one little secret among the many more powerful ones. What else can you do?

How To Make An Offer

1. Offer an odd amount, like $161,793. This gives the impression that you know something the seller doesn't. They may think you have a good reason for that particular price.

2. Play dumb. Ask questions, talk slow, ask for help, and never show off your real estate expertise. Sellers are afraid to budge if they think a smarter person may be taking advantage of them.

3. Use the "limited authority" ploy. Say "I'll have to check with my wife (or partner)." It's easier for sellers to accept that you can't do something, rather than the idea that you won't.

4. Refer to precedent. "My father bought his house this way." If the offer is at all unusual, sellers will feel more comfortable if they know it has been done that way before.

5. Ask for things you don't want. This lets the seller win concessions when negotiating. If you can say, "I guess I don't need the refrigerator, if I can get my price," you're more likely to get your price.

6. Be reluctant. "well, I don't know..." Reluctance gets the seller looking for ways to motivate you, and lets him feel like he's won something when you settle the point.

7. Make the offer their idea. "Are you saying you'd like a later closing, and more earnest money? Well let's do it your way, then. I just need..."

8. Get a yes before the offer. "What if I paid your price, but got my terms? Would that work for you?" Even with a few changes, it will be hard for the seller to say no to an offer he more or less already agreed to.

9. Flatter the seller. Flattery has been proven to be worth an average of $1962 in real estate negotiations. That's a joke, by the way, but you know if he likes you, you'll probably get a better deal.

10. Pass over problems, and return to them later. Agree on every agreeable point first. It will feel like the house is sold then, and it will be difficult for a seller to lose the deal over an issue or two that you need to go in your favor.

You can spend a lot of time looking for cheap houses. Why not spend a little time learning how to purchase every home for less, with some smart negotiation?

By Steve Gillman


Find the Right Apartment Quickly and Easily Using an Apartment Locator Service

You've probably seen the ads or heard about apartment locators. But what do they really do and why should you choose an apartment locator to help you find an apartment area?

One of the biggest reasons to use an apartment locator is the fact that there are hundreds of apartments to choose from. When there are so many choices an apartment hunter can become overwhelmed with the vast number of choices available. It's hard to even know where to start.

Another great advantage of using the services of an apartment locator is that they know which apartments are already on the market. This way you don't waste time trying to track down apartments with availability.

I can recall times when looking for apartments either for myself or a friend where we literally hopped from one to the next, never knowing before we walked in the door if apartments were even available. Many times we'd visit with the apartment manager or even go on a tour only to discover that the apartment was out of our price range, we didn't like the floor plan, or there was something else that didn't match our expectations.

When apartment hunters utilize the services of a locator they save time and energy by knowing ahead of time which apartments aren't a good match. The apartment locator helps their clients find apartments that meet their criteria, such as floor plan, size, location, amenities, age of the complex and many other specifications. It makes the whole apartment hunting experience much easier.

Some apartment hunters may have the mistaken idea that they have to pay apartment locators. Not so! Apartment locator services are paid by all of the property companies that they service. Since they partner with almost all of the properties in a metroplex area, they are able to offer a wide variety of choices and an unbiased opinion.

Some apartment locators specialize in condos, townhouses and privately owned residential homes. These are choices that a renter would not be able to find by just searching alone.

Many apartment locator services now have online databases of available apartments so you can search and learn more about the complex before visiting in person. Online apartment locators make finding your new home easier and hassle free.

By Diane Sims


Ten Tips For Selling Your House

One of the biggest mistakes people make when selling a house, is not understanding real estate value. It doesn't matter at all what you think your home is worth. The value of your home, and any improvements you made, is determined by buyers. What you enjoyed about your house is irrelevant when it's time to sell it. Think in terms of what other people want, and use some of the following tips.

House Selling Tips

1. Know your market. Find out what other similar houses have sold for, and have those examples ready to show potential buyers.

2. Decide on your minimum price - the price below which you will just not move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum is, but work with any buyers who make an offer above it.

3. Clean the most visible things first. Buy a new mailbox, perhaps. If buyers fall in love with the house before they even enter it, they'll forgive a lot of problems.

4. Clean up the neighborhood. If there's a neighbor who's yard is a mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend another $20 to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have a better first impression of the neighborhood.

5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, find out why. Is more advertising necessary, or is the price too high? Drop it fast, if price is the problem.

6. Listen to comments of prospects. They will be more objective than you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark, get out the white paint.

7. Find out what the average sales time is in your area. If your house is taking longer than average to sell, there is a problem. Usually it's price.

8. Be sure to ask your real estate agent what they plan to do - before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what he says, and hold him to his promises.

9. If there are any known problems, such as an old roof, get an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000 allowance for a new roof - until you show them your $4,000 estimate.

10. Do any improvements that can realisically get you at least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of the home, do it. Consider first those things that are most visible.

There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house faster, and get a better price. If you don't have time to do them all, start with the ones that will get the most "bang for your buck."

By Steve Gillman


Real Estate Investing Works In Your Area Too!

I hope you had a spectacular weekend!

Things have been going great here at Investor Wealth Academy, and we are very excited about some major developments coming down the line for us later this summer.

More on that later.

Last Friday I was on the phone with a perspective client of ours. Let's call him "Jeff". Now, I have to be honest with you here, what Jeff had to say during our conversation was very bothersome to me, and by the end of the call I finally had to tell him that before we Could help him succeed, he'd have to change his perception about the Business.

After thinking about his comments all weekend I realized that Jeff's limiting beliefs are probably more common than I'd like to admit. But how can I help people change their perceptions?

Then, I was browsing around in my neighborhood Barnes & Noble yesterday, looking for a good read, when the newest edition of TIME magazine caught my attention!

Now I usually don't read TIME, but a headline on the cover caught my attention: Home Sweet Home - Why We're Going Gaga Over Real Estate"

I grabbed it and found some interesting numbers you need to hear.

WARNING: IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT USES THE REAL ESTATE MARKET AS AN EXCUSE FOR A LACK OF SUCCESS, THIS INFORMATION WILL SHOCK YOU!

Real estate values are appreciating like wildfire across the country. The time to be investing in real estate is right now. Look at these statistics that the Time article provided:

House Price Percentage Increases

Market 5 Years 1 Year Washington, D.C. 108.1% 22.2% California 103% 5.4% Rhode Island 97.6% 17.1% Nevada 84.7% 31.2% Hawaii 82.9% 24.4% Florida 80.5% 21.4% Maryland 77.9% 21.0% New Jersey 76.5% 15.8% New Hampshire 72.3% 12.1% Massachusetts 71.8% 11.6%

As Lou and I travel the country speaking in various cities around the country, We hear a recurrent comment that goes something like this: "I know investing in real estate works where you live, but I live in a Sellers' (or Buyers') market. It doesn't work here"

Yet their local investors' association is filled with people making money right in their city. What's different between them?

Simple, It's just their attitude.

Whether you live in a sellers' or a buyers' market, you can make a killing in real estate! Look at the appreciation that is occurring across the country. You may need to adjust your strategies for the marketplace, but either way the profit potential is there. If it is a buyers' market, then motivated sellers are having even more difficulty disposing of their unwanted property. What an opportunity for you to solve their problem, and create an incredible profit margin.

Motivated sellers usually do not realize they're in a sellers' market. You have to Improve and increase your marketing to find the motivated sellers before they Get educated about the market. When you create these deals, you'll have absolutely no trouble selling - it's a sellers' market.

The point is, don't allow yourself excuses. Look at every market condition as a new opportunity. The ones that truly get wealthy are those that can thrive regardless of the external environment. Become a thriver!

I hope you have an INCREDIBLE investing week!

By Josh Brown


5 Simple Steps to Sell Your House Fast!

The decision to sell your house wasn't made on the spur of the moment. It may have been spurred by the desire to live in a nicer home, the need to move for a new job or the necessity to get a handle on out-of-control costs. But whatever the reason for the decision, you've got a lot of work ahead of you before you're ready to actually sell your house on the market if you want to get the best possible price for your property. Is this your first time to sell a home? No problem! Read our tips below that will show you how to sell a house.

Step 1: Assess The Value Of Your Property

Pricing your home right is the key factor in selling it in a reasonable amount of time. Setting a price too high will make your home undesirable to buyers. Pricing it too low may, in fact, deter buyers who wonder what's wrong with it - or simply not get you a fair price for your property. Now is the time to do your research.

How much should your house sell for? In other words, what's the 'right' price? It's the price at which homes similar to yours in the same neighborhood have sold recently. You can use the free online home valuation service to find out exactly what your home is worth if you plan to sell your house yourself. Alternatively if you plan to sell your house with an agent, a good Realtor can quickly give you a reasonable approximate price based on recent sales in your neighborhood, coupled with the condition and specifics of your house. A Realtor can also make specific suggestions for things you can do to prepare your home to sell for a good price.

Step 2: Figure Out How Much It Will Cost You To Sell

If you've never sold a house before, you may not be aware of all the associated costs. You'll need to know about these costs in order to help you adjust the asking price on your house, as well as to help you estimate the profit that you'll realize on the house. If you're counting on the sale of your house to finance the purchase of another, this is especially important. These out-of-pocket costs may include:



Advertising your home, if you're selling it yourself. This could easily run into hundreds of dollars, depending on the methods you choose.

Realtor commissions - typically 6% of the selling price.

Closing costs, including attorney and other professional fees

Excise taxes on the sale

Property taxes and any homeowner association fees



Step 3: Take Care Of Any Needed Repairs

If you've been putting off getting the driveway fixed, repairing the roof or any other needed repairs, the time to do it is now, before you put your house on the market. Some repairs, left undone, will prevent your home from selling at all and others will bring your asking price down. Replacing broken roofing tiles, loose gutter shoring and other minor but unsightly problems will make your house that much more saleable.

Step 4: Get Your House Looking Its Best

Selling for the price you want depends on how appealing your house is. Take a good, hard look at your house, inside and out. Trim bushes, mow lawns, plant a flower bed. Something as simple as giving your siding and windows a good scrub down can freshen its look immensely.

Here are some other things that increase the chances of your house selling quickly:



A fresh coat of paint, or just touching up the trim

Freshly painted interior walls

New carpet or flooring in common rooms like the kitchen or bathroom



Step 5: Have A Garage Sale

Get rid of all the accumulated clutter and pocket a little profit at the same time. That collection of kids' bikes in the garage may be a storehouse of memories to you, but to a prospective buyer they're just clutter - and they will make your garage look smaller. Clear away as much clutter as you possibly can. When you're ready to show your house, it should be as close to move-in condition as possible. The more easily a buyer can picture their own family in the house, the more likely they will be to buy.

By Andrew


Find Out If There Are Sexual Predators Nearby Before You Buy A Home or Property!

When looking for a new home or property, buyers ask many questions. Typical questions might be about the history of the property, property tax amounts, the school system, proximity to medical facilities, shopping malls, etc. Of course these details are important but fall short of getting all the information necessary to make an informed purchase.

We all like to think that we live in a perfect world and that our new neighbors will be just great in the location we've selected for our new home! It might even look like paradise, making it all the more tempting to view it as such! You might have heard wonderful things from friends and family about the new location you've selected. Chances are these wonderful things are true and you'll be very happy. Nevertheless, you might want to ask just one more question when considering buying a home or property in any location..."Are there sexual predators nearby?"

The answer is closer than you think! Information about sexual predators is public and easily obtained. Before you buy a home or property contact State or Local law enforcement for a list of area sexual predators and remember to get updates often even after you move. Many cities and towns have this information online, complete with photos and addresses of offenders. If you don't have online access or don't know how to contact law enforcement,ask your real estate professional to assist you!

By Deborah Brown


The Benefits of A Real Estate Agent 101

Buying and selling property is not as easy as you may think. There are many things that you have to consider when purchasing a home, or when putting a home up for sale. That is why there are real estate professionals out there armed with the skills and knowledge needed to make this process easier. Read below to see how a real estate agent can help you in your real estate transaction.

The Benefits of a Sellers Agent

When you list your property through a real estate company, the individual with whom you list is known as the sellers agent, or listing agent. The very first thing that a listing agent has to offer a seller is a comparative market analysis, or, a CMA. A CMA compares your property to other real estate property listings, preferably ones that have sold. The goal of the agent is to compare apples to apples. In other words, they compare MLS listings (a.k.a the multiple listing service) with similar square footage, whether or not the property has a garage, the types of flooring the home has etc. In the end of this analysis, the agent provides you with a figure for which he or she feels that your property will sell.

Once you have chosen a sellers agent, you enter an agreement with them, often called an exclusive right to list agreement. This simply creates a legal relationship between your agent and yourself. Once your house is listed in the MLS listings, there is still much more your real estate professional can do for you. Real estate agents advertise property within their office and on their own personal websites. They often send out news letters, flyers, post cards and offer MLS bulletins for other realtors to see so that your property gains maximum exposure. In addition to advertisements, real estate agents also perform open houses on your property, during which potential buyers can see all that is good about your home.

The Benefits of a Buyers Agent

Many people feel that real estate agents are for sellers and sellers alone. But this is most definitely not the case. The first arena in which a buyers agent is helpful is finding the perfect home. Real estate agents have access to the MLS on a level that buyers do not. They can search specific criteria and find the perfect three- bedroom, two-bath home with a fenced in back yard and a rocking chair front porch. In addition, they can narrow real estate property listing searches by capping the minimum and maximum prices that the buyer wishes to spend. Once homes are selected for viewing, the agent then ensures that appointments are set up with the sellers of the homes to view the property.

Next there is the negotiation stage where a buyers agent comes in handy. The first part of this legal area is the writing of a contract. Real estate agents can help a buyer fully understand the ins and outs of an offer to purchase and give them a sense of exactly what they are getting into. Once a contract is created, presented, and accepted, the agent then sets up appointments on behalf of the buyer for things like the home inspection, pest inspection and appraisals. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.Buyers agents also have a sense of who is good at these things and who is not, making these decisions easier on the buyer. Then, when closing time comes, the agent is there to help the buyer warm up their signing fingers before signing all of the papers making their home ownership a reality.

By Lori Osenbaugh


Create a Great Webpage to Sell Your Home

The majority of people in the UK who are looking to move house use the internet to find properties for sale. So it makes sense to ensure that your property is on the web if you want to sell. If you are with an estate agent, most will list your property on one of the major property portals. However more and more people, tired of paying thousands of pounds to estate agents who do little work, are voting with their feet and deciding to sell their home by themselves.

There are over 100 websites in the UK where you can advertise your home for sale, ranging from a basic text listing to a full internet estate agent service. However most will have a limit to the amount of information which you can add and the number of photographs which you can include. Often this will be much less information than in an estate agent's details.

The answer is to create your own webpage to sell your house. You don't have to be a great computer expert, and you could do it all in an evening, using this step by step plan.

Where can I host my webpage?

Maybe you have some free webspace offered by your Internet Service Provider. Now is the time to use it! If you know a little about web design you are very lucky, as all you need is some very basic knowledge of HTML and you are ready to make an effective webpage. If not, you can use a word processing package such as Microsoft Word which will convert a document to a webpage.

If you don't have webspace you can use the free webspace offered by well-known search engines such as Lycos Tripod or Yahoo Geocities. Most will have website building packages too, so that you can simply enter the information into a template and you have an instant website.

Write a concise title for your page

Write one sentence using as few words as possible which sum up your property, for example 'For Sale: Three-bedroom semi-detached house in London'. Use this as your page title.

Prepare your details

However you decide to create your webpage, prepare your details beforehand using word processing package. You can do this in your own time, it will check your spelling for you and you won't lose all your work if your browser crashes. Measure all your rooms and give the measurements in both metric and imperial. Remember to add anything interesting or unusual about the house, special about its location and mention if it is in catchment for a good school.

Take your photos

Use a digital camera to take your pictures if at all possible. You can take prints and scan them but there is always a loss of quality. Photograph the front of your house and all the best features, the nicest rooms, the best corner of the garden, the great view if you have one. Take loads. Now choose only the best few pictures and make the image sizes as small as possible. If your image manipulation software allows you to optimise for the web, do it, it makes a very big difference to download times.

Put it all together

Now put together your main webpage. Use a simple design with a pale background, dark text and go easy on the animated icons! You want people to look at your house, not be distracted by a garish design. You also want it to load fast so only put the best picture of the front of your house on this page. Add your written details. Put extra photos on separate pages, only a few to a page. Use informative links, for example 'Click here for pictures of our large mature garden' is good, 'more pictures' won't invite many people to look.

Give them even more!

There are several websites which offer maps of the UK which you can link to. Help prospective buyers find you easily by adding this to your page. If you know a bit about technical drawing you could make your own floor plans and include them in the website - this would be a real bonus as they are still quite unusual. Finally if you are a wizard with a video camera you could have a go at making your own virtual tour.

Finally, add your contact details

Now include your phone number and an email address. You may want to use a free 'disposable' email address for this, because putting your email address on the web will tend to attract spam. Alternatively there are many websites that will produce a scrambled version of your email address which will work perfectly but cannot be read by spammers.

Now all you need to do is upload your website. You can submit the website to search engines and don't forget to include the website address (URL) with your emails, flyers, newspaper advertisements, on your 'For Sale' sign, and link to it from FSBO websites.

By Jacqui O'Brien


Realities of Real Estate Investing

If you are anything like me, you are always looking for a good way to work for yourself and make tons of money. Is this not the dream of millions of Americans? Of course it is, and I am willing to bet that you have considered getting into the real estate market at some point. You probably figure, you will buy a little and sell a little, and renting? How easy is that? Am I close? Have you ever thought along these lines?

Real estate may seem like a nice straightforward investment opportunity, but it is a tough business. To succeed in this market you will need to invest a lot more than money, you will need to put in a whole lot of time and patience not to mention commitment.

It is true that you could make scads of cash but first you need to know all of the ins and out of the real estate investing business. Knowledge is the key, make sure you have it in spades before you sink any money into an investment.

One of the biggest myths about real estate investing is that you will get rich quick. The average investor will not see a decent income for at least 5 years. Investing in real estate successfully takes time. You may have to hang onto a property for 10 years before you can sell it for a great profit.

Another popular myth is that real estate investing can be a part time job. While of course you can work only part time, if you do you will not be making much money at all. Business is business whether it is real estate or mowing lawns, the more time you put into it the higher your chances for success. And in real estate you hours have to be flexible because you need to meet with people to negotiate when they are available.

If you treat real estate investing like a hobby you cannot truthfully expect to get much of a return on your money. This business takes dedication. You need to run your business like a pro if you want to make the contact you need to make. Get some business cards made up and get them out there. Go all the way and do what needs to be done. You can make hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate but not overnight. But is it worth it? Of course it is, as long as you have done your research.

By Martin Lukac


Be Careful - A Real Estate Agent Could Lead You Astray

The real estate agent is a valuable source of potential deals for you as an investor. They have access to the multiple listing resources and of course, have a monopoly on this information so they have to be part of your game plan as an investor. Working with real estate agents can be difficult depending on the agent.

Some of the factors that you should take note of include the following:

When you want to purchase a property, offer them a short closing date.
One way of getting an agent to take you seriously is to offer a fast closing date. There are a few things that make an agent more excited than the thought of getting their commission within the next 14 days. If the agent has another offer presented to him/her they will usually advise the client to take the offer and close than accept an offer that is higher in price. One of the reasons is because it is better to have "a bird in the hand, rather than two in the bush".

See if you can present a creative offer to the owner in person, rather than through the agent.
If you have an offer that needs to be explained in a fashion to the owner which brings out all its great benefits, then you may have to assist on presenting the offer in person or with the agent. If you present that type of offer to an agent, it may not even reach the owner and certainly will be given less priority than other offers. Agents in general do not like creative offers because they are more interested in conventional offers from solid buyers.

Be suspicious of agents.
Be suspicious of any agent who tells you what a great deal you are getting on a property. The fact is, if it is such a good deal, why he/she didn't buy it. Don't take their word as to value. Ask for a comparable sales printout to show what other properties in the area are selling for. If comparable sales information shows the same square meters as the house you are looking at, then take a drive by and see if it is correct. Don't leave the homework to your agent; make sure you do a little bit of your own assessment.

Don't be bullied by agents.
Don't be afraid to speak openly with your agent if something is being done that is not to your advantage. Unfortunately there are some agents who are unethical, and work only to ensure that they get their commission. Sometimes they will refuse to present your offer to the owner when it is their obligation and duty to do so.Many times an agent will lie and tell you to your face that your offer has been rejected, when in fact, it was never presented. If you feel that this may be the case, don't be afraid to go over the agents head and see the owner of the agency. If you find a broker is uncooperative or not acting in your interests, then the best thing is to go to another agent. The new agent will approach the same owner on your behalf.

See some properties with the agent.
Arrange to meet the agent and discuss fully what you are looking for. Do this before he/she takes you around to see some properties. Ask them to find a number of properties that will suit your requirements and make sure you are clear on exactly what you want so no time is wasted. The good agent will make an appointment for you to inspect properties very quickly so they can get a feel for what you are looking for.They will take you to all the properties and they will rearrange their times to suit your timetable. It is a good idea to take someone that you trust with you when you are looking at properties so you can get another opinion. Indicate to the agent that you are serious about your search and that if the right property is found, you would definitely be interested in proceeding. It is a good idea to take your check book with you so that the agent can see that you are serious about finding the right property.

Sometimes buying a property from a typical agent can be difficult. Many of them will tell you not to call them by to check the properties from the advertisements that they place. These are the agents that would rather place an advertisement than call the right buyer so it might be wise to use other agents.

Note: The above points do not apply to all agents. We are talking about the disreputable minority out there. Most agents care about their work and they labor to represent their client efficiently and professionally. Those are the ones to look for.

By StartRunGrow


Referensi Property