The Industry Has Gone Beyond Being Merely The Purchase And Sale Of Premises

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

The real estate investment industry lures many a newcomer with lucrative deals and the dream of huge profits.

The industry has gone beyond being merely the purchase and sale of premises. However, like any other industry, this one too involves careful consideration of a number of factors that affect the investments. The finer aspects like home improvement and repair are now part and parcel of the industry. It involves preparing the property for sale too, and for close scrutiny! A real estate investor s job does not end with closed deals anymore. It is always a good investment indulge in home improvement to any property you invest in.

However, the industry is also one where home improvement and real estate investment go hand in hand and any error in securing a deal could cost a lot of money. This increases the re- sale value. Many investors are known to identify and invest in properties that are in a not- so- good location. Some even end up investing more than the actual cost of the property. This is obviously done to save and yet procure a property. Such investments only spell future insecurity. The value of such investments only depreciates in time.

It pays to exercise caution while investing hard earned money. It is also very essential to understand and adhere to the building codes applicable to a particular area. There are authorized building inspectors who make sure that the home improvements are taken care of within the paradigms set by local or state authorities. Paying no heed to the essential legal permits will only end up with you paying more to get rid of the yoke of your investment being branded as illegal. This saves you a lot of money too. A detailed budget, always works to, not too rigid your advantage. Many real estate investors also make the mistake of sticking to a very rigid budget for home improvement projects.

You need to calculate every minute requirement beforehand. Another mistake that real estate investors make is attempting home improvement themselves. You will be surprised at the unexpected small returns you benefit from by being a little liberal initially. Certain legalities specify on the services of state licensed contractors. This also ensures safety measure in place and enables you to save a lot of money by evading legal issues in future. In any case, extensive renovations are best taken care of by the experts in the industry.

With so much of calculated and hard- earned money at stake, you should avoid these mistakes. In a nutshell, you should: . Careful consideration of the above- mentioned errors that are common within the industry is sure to help you navigate through rough times too. Identify with the real value of the property. . Maintain a flexible budget. . Double check that the location is decent. . Consider the cost of services and material. .

Consider professional help. Cover yourself to tackle unexpected costs. . If you tread with caution and discrimination, you are sure to succeed in this very profitable, but volatile investment industry.

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Developers Have A Lot Of Money Tied Up In These New Homes - Cassandra Onken about Finance and Real Estate:

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In Turn, The Home Can Be Sold For A Profit

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Most likely the last thing on a real estate investor s mind these days is flipping a house.

MSNBC recently reported that if all homebuilding were to stop in the U. The housing market is soft and inventory homes are at a national high. S. , it would take more than 10 months for the nation s inventory homes to sell out. Flipping houses is a money- making strategy investors have been using for decades. Times are tough for sure, but that doesn t mean there is not money to be made. It generally involves purchasing a home and reselling it for more then the purchase price.

Investors could pick up a new or used home and flip it in a matter of weeks for a substantial profit. During the housing boom in past years, flipping was exceptionally easy. At that time, the market was sky rocketing. Now that reality has set back in and the market is trying to straighten itself out, this type of flipping doesn t hold as many as promises as it did in the past. Houses were easy to sell and profits were even easier to make. Investors, can still make, however a profit flipping houses.

Real estate that has a tax lien or is in foreclosure can be picked up way below cost. Now more then ever there is an opportunity to pick up homes for a bargain and make a return on them. Homes can also be purchases at estate auctions and resold for a profit. This technique requires the investor to purchase a home in need of repairs. Along with purchasing a bargain home to flip, investors can also go the fix it up route. The investor then hires someone to make the repairs or makes the repairs on his or her own.

In turn, the home can be sold for a profit. By fixing up the home, equity is added thus increasing the value of the property. The main downfall to this method is it takes more time then if you were to purchase a home at discount and simply resell it at market price. Fact is that simply isn t true. Now there is a nasty little rumor out there that" flipping" houses is illegal. Although there is such thing as illegally flipping houses which in translation boils down to loan fraud, investors are well within their rights to purchase a home and resell it for a profit.

The home is then sold to naive buyers at an inflated price. Loan or mortgage fraud occurs when an investor purchases a home usually dilapidated and makes some superficial repairs. These types of schemes rely on the collaboration of an investor, appraiser and mortgage broker. Now, the seller must own the property for more then 90 days in order for buyers with FHA backed loans to qualify for the purchase. In 2006, the Department of Housing and Urban Development addressed loan fraud by creating new regulations to detour flipping within the Federal Housing Authority. In short, house flipping isn t the money maker it once was. The good news is, you can still, when done right make money doing it.

The Best Places To Live In Galveston County Are The First Three Or Four Blocks Away From The Beach

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Galveston is attracting alot of attention as a buyers market both for first time home buyers and more well- funded property investors.

This is an indication of the stability of the property market in the best places to live in Galveston County, which is a result of the remarkably stable pricing of properties in the general area around Houston, Austin and Dallas. The recent housing crisis has brought the prices of property down in many areas across the country, but property prices in some of the best places to live in Galveston County have been relatively unaffected. All of these areas are enjoying a buffer against falling property prices in the market in general. One of the main reasons first time buyers choose to settle in Galveston is that they get access to some of the best schools in Texas. While this does make some of the property in these areas expensive, you know that there will be plenty of future growth on any property you buy in Galveston. Some of these schools have long histories of providing the best education available for your children.

Although the local government are planning on closing a few schools, there are still more than enough public and private schools available. There are private and public schools which all have sterling reputations, and it s not only the best Galveston county neighborhoods who get access to the top schools. The closures are designed to focus teaching and administrative manpower in the schools where it will be most effective. Most of these homes go on the market for over one million, but most of them can be found under one and a half million. The historic mansions on 21st street that you see lining up along this stunning avenue were once the homes of generals, governors and members of government during and after the civil war, and are all chock full of character. Although these are high prices to pay for an historic mansion, these homes don t come on the market very often.

If you are moving to Galveston for employment reasons, then you will be happy to know that there are a lot of opportunities in the area for anyone qualified in any medical profession, service and tourism, education. If you want a beautiful historic home in one of the best new places to live in the US, then you should definitely look at some of the properties in the best Galveston County neighborhoods. The proximity of Galveston to the beach makes this county an excellent place to work in tourist industries, and the beach sees a lot more traffic than many of the other beaches in Texas. It does get hot, it is Texas after all, but being near the ocean definitely helps. If you don t like the heat, but still want to move to Texas, then Galveston is definitely a good choice. The best places to live in Galveston County are the first three or four blocks away from the beach. One of the things that attract a lot of low end buyers to Galveston County is the fact that unless you buy in the best places to live in Galveston County the houses are extremely inexpensive.

These areas do suffer from slight humidity in the mornings but during the day they are at least ten degrees cooler than a few miles inland. Unfortunately, they are usually" fixer- uppers" that require a bit of hard work and a bit of cash to turn them into dream homes. In general, Galveston has something for everyone. If you want to buy a decent size property with loads of potential, then Galveston is one of the best new places to live in the United States. Whether you are looking for a low- priced beach condominium, a family home or a large estate there are always bargains going if you look hard enough. Depending on your price range, you can find some really incredible deals on undervalued homes, or you can make a good long term investment in some of the best places to live in Galveston County.

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Make Real Estate Your Primary Business Interest - Teri Entwistle about Finance and Real Estate:

Real estate is big business and many people, hoping to make an income in their spare time, think about taking a free investing course. One of the things that spurs people into real estate is the recognition that having property with tenants means a lot of income in rent.

To Obtain Residency In Andorra, Applications Need To Be Submitted In Catalan

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Andorra, a small independent country and European tax haven in the Pyrenees, saw real estate prices rise in value by 13 per cent last year, and one local travel guide thinks that another rise in prices is likely in the year ahead. But what really pushes the prices up is that there s a third stream of buyers, people from around the world who want to take residency and benefit from Andorra s tax haven status. Property currently for sale in Andorra include one bedroom apartments at 210, two bedroom apartments, 000 Euros in Soldeu, the main skiing area of Andorra, 000 Euros and, at 272 280, 000 Euros in another ski village Arinsal, and three bedroom apartments in the capital Andorra la Vella at 333, 000 Euros.

Best known for her ski resorts, Andorra attracts nearly ten million tourists a year, but it s not just the holiday makers who are falling in love with the country and buying second homes that is fuelling the price rises, the guide says. Quite a few tourists do like Andorra enough to buy a ski apartment, and there is an active local market too. Houses start from around 900, 000 Euros. Most seemed convinced that the tax take from their earnings will rise more in the years ahead, and are planning for retirement and selling their businesses now . Andorra property specialists have also noticed an increase in buyers recently, and comment that a large part of the increase in buyers is the increased attention from potential overseas property buyers in the UK. The number of buyers from the UK has increased quite noticeably over the last couple of years , they say, With many quoting higher taxes in the UK as their reason for moving to Andorra. They also comment that historically tax havens have been popular no matter how the economy is. Real Estate Price Increases.

When someone buys a property in Monaco it often doesn t matter to them if it s a few hundred thousand Euros as they re going to save more than that in tax during the time they are resident in Andorra. Demand for property in Andorra for the year ahead is every bit as high as in the past claim local estate agents, with many potential buyers already having planned visits. Up to eighty per cent of a property s value is often agreed by the banks in Andorra. Surprisingly perhaps for a tax haven, mortgages for a property are as available as many European countries, with rates around the same level. Buying a property in Andorra is often seen as a route to residency, which entitles people to live in Andorra and benefit from her tax haven status. A notarised copy of the applicants passport, birth certificate and a certificate of good conduct from the home country are submitted at the same time.

To obtain residency in Andorra, applications need to be submitted in Catalan. Residency normally takes between three and six months to be approved. One of the drawbacks for those looking to become a resident in a tax haven when considering Andorra has been that the country has no airport of its own, and is unlikely to have ine future given that it is located in the Pyrenees. Once residency is granted, residents are supposed to spend six months a year in Andorra, but this isn t policed. The nearest airports are Barcelona and Toulouse. Especially when you consider that their properties could be rising in value quite significantly in the years to come.

Recent improvements in the road from Barcelona to Andorra though have cut the travelling time by some thirty minutes to two hours fifteen minutes. Given the tax advantages Andorra has , note the Andorra travel guide, A two and a quarter hour trip to the nearest international airport could be viewed as a small price to pay for those who will be saving substantial amounts of money in tax.

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Can You Also Afford The Taxes And Insurance On The Property - Melody Silvis about Finance and Real Estate:

You ve no doubt heard all the buzz on TV and the radio about the national foreclosure rate growing at alarming rates. The good news is that as foreclosures continue to rise, so do the opportunities to invest in them.

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Every investor is likely to be highly interested in buying investment property in Cyprus.

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If you ve been paying attention to predictions made by a number of economists, you may be worried about the bottom dropping out of the Phoenix real estate market.

Costa Del Sol Means" Sunny Coast" In English

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Costa del Sol means" Sunny Coast" in English.

In fact, a place that offers average annual temperatures of 18�C and over 300 days of sunshine per year is really worthy of such an adjective! And it is not an exaggeration to give this internationally reputed hot tourist spot such a name. Being one of the top holiday destinations in Europe Costa del Sol property fascinates tourists and visitors from the whole continent. Earlier it was nothing but a little distance island with fishing and white villages. However, the popularity of Costa del Sol is not too old as until 1950 the place was a little known one. It is in the 50s, the place undergone a rapid change started to develop at a wonderful pace. Costa del Sol property is now highly sought after, by all Europeans in general and the Brits and Germans in particular.

Within a very short span of time the place grew into one of the hottest holiday locations. Costa del Sol property is no more a destination to escape from hectic city life, worthy only of a brief sojourn. The luxurious living condition offered by the place in a cost- effective price has made many people realise that it makes no sense to confine enjoying the place to a- fortnight- in- the- year only. Rather, it has become an ideal place for a lifelong habitation. Many of them are serious about making this most famous coast line of Spain a place for permanent living. Investors and renters or even Property owners also can ensure better price for their assets can take help of these agents. Whether you are also looking for buying luxurious villa, a budget flat in Costa del Sol property, you can go through the agents.

With their vast network and years of experience, they can work as a between buyers and sellers, tenants and landlords.

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Not Every Cyprus Property Investment Can Be Considered As A Safe Bet - Fern Jesus about Finance and Real Estate:

Foreign property investment is an issue that remains of great interest to investors who are looking to buy second homes or even properties in order to assure an extra rental or reselling income. This trend remains quite strong when it comes to overseas property because this investment is mainly regarded as a less risky process.

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There are a growing number of home buyers who have found free money to buy a home.

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These Have Recently Become Some Of The Top Homes For Sale In Houston

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

If you re in the market for a new home in Houston, you ll find plentiful opportunities for affordable urban and rural properties, and new condominium, family communities and townhouse developments. Some of the top homes for sale in Houston are surrounded by lush groves of trees and forest- like surroundings.

With it s lush greenery that surrounds suburbs, hot real estate market and affordable housing prices, Houston is definitely one of the best new places to live in the USA. Houston is unique in the sense that rather than bulldoze through greenery to make way for new developments, builders constructed houses within these green areas and left much of the natural environment intact. An average single family home in Houston is around$ 206, 00 A lot of historical buildings in downtown Houston have been converted into modern, stylish lofts. Areas like Houston Heights, Third Ward and Denver Harbor boast a mix of historical homes and new developments for families. These have recently become some of the top homes for sale in Houston. Midtown, which is just south of the downtown core of Houston, is now central in the real estate market, as it has been revamped and redone with mostly brand new apartment complexes and contemporary lofts.

City living offers some great entertainment options: Minute Maid Park for baseball games, an impressive theater district, and some top notch restaurants and shops. Although Midtown is largely populated with singles and couples, there are some town homes that appeal to families as they re more private and spacious. While shopping for a new home in Houston, it s common to hear about master- planned communities. Since there are always new apartments and condominiums coming onto the real estate market, it is easy to find a great space in Houston. Although this concept has been around since the 60 s, master- planned communities have continued to be one of the top choices for families. Copperfield and League City feature a collection of many of the top homes for sale in Houston, along with one of the most popular master- planned communities in the state: The Woodlands.

Due to their amenities like beautiful parks, and golf courses, pools, these contained communities offer modern conveniences to homeowners, who are in close proximity to schools and community centers that offer a variety of activities. This development is completely private, as it s located in the middle of a forest, and boasts everything from churches to an arts pavilion, to a one million square foot shopping mall. For families with children, Houston has some of the best schools in Texas. Surprisingly, homes start at just$ 100, 000 for a home in The Woodlands. Many of these public school districts have received awards from the state for their excellent educational programs. Rice University, near the communities in West University Place, has a number of professional training and accreditation programs for students.

If you are looking for a private school, there are hundreds in the area. Many of the top homes for sale in Houston are popular because of their location to one of the numerous educational institutions in this part of Texas. Since Houston features a wide range of home prices, many families are able to buy. Rental apartments or homes are yet another option for students, single people or families. Renting a home is equally affordable: a four- bedroom home in a newer development in Harris Country or Copperfield is, about, on average$ 1300 per month. Duplexes and fourplexes in Houston are scarce, and not nearly as popular as stand- alone home rentals. A modern apartment or condominium starts at around just$ 500 per month.

Many real estate agents in other cities and states are wondering why Houston continues to have such a thriving real estate market that doesn t fit with the national norm. In fact, other parts of the Midwest have some of the most dismal housing sales records for the past few years. In many parts of the USA, housing prices have skyrocketed or purchases have dropped dramatically. Even for a top home for sale in Houston, the price is still well under the national average. Houston is now one of the top locations for real estate investments, families who want a larger home at a reasonable price, and busy city dwellers who can enjoy the fantastic entertainment, dining and shopping that this Texas city has to offer.

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Owning A Home Can Be Difficult At Times - Kelsey Overholt's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Like many financial decisions their are pros and cons of moving into the real estate market.

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Are you planning to make real estate investment in Maryland? This means a lease for a fixed period of time with an option to purchase the property on a future date.

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The Property Is Yours- Now What

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Many average Americans are convinced that investing in real estate is beyond their financial means. And, this is certainly one way to invest in real estate.

Most people have the idea that real estate investing is simply the process of buying existing homes for their current value and holding on to them long enough to see them appreciate. However, this manner of investing often requires you to pay the full current value of the property you re purchasing, meaning that you may have to wait several years to see any appreciation in your investment. Preconstruction real estate investing is a unique way to get into brand new properties before they re even built, allowing you to control a high end real estate investment for a period of time with little cash out of your pocket. But, there s another way to invest in real estate that can help you see a return on your investment more quickly, without years of making monthly mortgage payments. Most of these investment opportunities exist at vacation destinations and are for condominium and other multi- unit properties. The reservation period is the first period in real estate development. Here s how it works: The Reservation Period.

The developer will put together a model and drawing of a proposed property to show potential investors approximately what the property will look like and approximately how much the property will cost. Developers pre- sell such properties to help them ensure that there s a market for their development. For a small deposit of around$ 5, 000- 10, 000, you can secure first right of refusal on a property in the development being designed. In exchange for securing the property so early in the development property, you ll gain a small purchase price discount over investors that come into the property at the following stages. The reservation period is a risk free period, and usually lasts approximately six months. So, your investment is likely to begin appreciating right away. Your initial investment is placed into an escrow account.

The Hard Contract Period. At any time during the reservation period, you can change your mind and get your investment returned to you. The next phase of preconstruction real estate purchasing is the hard contract period. Each state mandates the required length of this period, so it can vary, but in many states, the period is 15 days. Before you become committed to a contract on a property, the developer is required to offer a Right of Rescission period, during which you can opt out of your reservation, getting a refund on your reservation deposit. If you choose to stay in the investment after the Right of Rescission period, you ll actually sign a binding contract on the unit you reserved.

Following is an example of the cash required to purchase a$ 300, 000 condo unit on the beach. When you sign a contract, you ll get a firm price on the unit you re purchasing and you ll be required to put down 20% of the total purchase price of the unit. Your original deposit amount can be put toward your down payment. In order to obtain a letter of credit from a bank, they ll require that you have two times the amount you re requesting in assets. In addition, you can apply to obtain half of the 20% deposit from a bank through a letter of credit. Let s take a look, at the amount, then required to pre- purchase a$ 300, 000 condominium on the beach. $10, 000- reservation deposit. 20% down payment- $60, 000.

As long as you have$ 50, 000 in personal assets, you can get a letter of credit from the bank for half the down payment, or$ 25, 00So, at the time of contract, you would actually have to have$ 25, 000 in cash available. So, after deducting your reservation deposit, you ll need to have$ 50, 000 for a down payment. The down payment is the only money you re required to pay to have a contract during the construction period, which can last anywhere from one to two years. For an out of pocket financial investment of$ 35, 000, you are controlling an investment worth at least$ 300, 00The investment has likely appreciated during the six month investment period, and will likely continue to appreciate during the construction period. During this time, you ll make no mortgage payments, insurance payments or tax payments. Closing or Certificate of Occupancy.

A traditional closing will take place, at which time you ll finish paying for your unit. This is the final period of the transaction that occurs after construction is complete and when ownership of the units is passed to the buyers. You can either pay the balance in cash, or arrange financing of the remaining balance. You ll have to include the$ 25, 000 amount that was covered in the letter of credit as part of your final payment- this letter of credit was simply a security instrument to be used during the construction period. Going back to our previous example, when you go to close on your$ 300, you, 000 condominium ll owe$ 265, 000 in cash or you ll need to obtain a mortgage for this amount. Now that the construction period is over, you ll have to pay this amount as part of your purchase. Now that you own the property, you have several ways you can handle your investment.

The Property is Yours- Now What? Many people use such properties as vacation rentals. Vacation property in hot vacation spots is a great investment. To do this, you ll furnish the property and find a property manager to handle renting the unit out on a weekly basis. Even after paying the property management company their cut, you can often easily make enough in rental fees to cover your mortgage payments, insurance and maintenance, property taxes on the property. In addition to having income to make the mortgage payments and maintain the property over the years that you hold it, you ll realize profits from the appreciation of the property later when you sell it. As the property appreciates, you should begin to see a profit from your rental fees, and you re building equity, as well.

This is a great way for investors who can t really afford to pay two mortgages to own a second home. You can easily keep the property vacant for the weeks out of the year that your family wants to use it, and rent it out the rest of the year. They simply rent the property out as a vacation spot for most weeks of the year, so that the property essentially maintains itself. Over time, you re building equity and the property s value is appreciating, allowing you to realize profits when you sell. In many cases, the property appreciates between the time you sign the contract and the time that you close on it. Another option for your property is to resell it immediately.

When this happens, you can immediately put the property on the market for a price that is greater than what you have invested. Going back to our earlier example. When the property sells, you ve made a profit. We ve purchased a condominium for$ 300, 00Let s say the real estate market in the area where we ve purchased has appreciated by 20% . You may choose to make the property your primary residence or keep it as a vacation home. This means that we can expect to sell the condominium we paid$ 300, 000 to purchase for approximately$ 360, 00 The third option is to hold onto your new property without putting it into a rental program.

The property will likely go up in value during the time you re holding it, and you ll realize the profit down the road when you sell. The ability to leverage a valuable piece of property for a period of time without putting up a large investment puts one of the most important aspects of real estate investing on your side- time. So, as you can see, investing in preconstruction real estate is a way that investors can make a profit without having to put down the usual amount of cash required for a real estate purchase. You re holding a valuable piece of property that is likely getting more valuable with each passing day, but the property is costing you very little. With every increase in value the property sees, you re making money. This window of time during the reservation and construction phases of new properties gives early investors a great edge.

And your initial investment is small in proportion to the property s value and its potential value. These are areas of rapid real estate growth and high demand for new properties, particularly multi- unit properties that make great vacation rentals. Most of the preconstruction properties investors consider are located in popular resort areas throughout the country and in the Caribbean. By investing in these areas you can accomplish two popular goals: owning a second home for your vacations, and making a profitable long term investment. Other investors simply leverage the appreciation that the property sees during the preconstruction and construction periods, making a quick profit by selling soon after closing on the property. Many investors own several properties, using each occasionally and building a significant income from property rentals. Regardless of your real estate investment goals, investing in preconstruction real estate is a great way to make those dreams a reality.

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When You Get A Real Estate Agent Involved, He Or She Will Often End Up Taking A Hefty Cut - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

If you are looking to sell your home, you will find that there are many options open to you.

Vote When The Time Comes To Improve Your Area - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Gentrification comes from the root of the word for gentleness , which isn t quite what we think of when we imagine ripping down quaint old homes and displacing lower income families.

What Would Cause A Property To Be Under Rented - Lou Kenison's Finance and Real Estate blog:

A common mistake of investors is the way they evaluate a potential investment properties.